IftheLivonianhadhappenedtomeetMadameMarneffeinsteadofLisbethFischer，hewouldhavefoundaprotectresswhosecomplaisancemusthaveledhimintosomeboggyordiscreditablepath，wherehewouldhavebeenlost。Hewouldcertainlyneverhaveworked，northeartisthavebeenhatchedout。Thus，whilehedeploredtheoldmaid’sgraspingavarice，hisreasonbidhimpreferherironhandtothelifeofidlenessandperilledbymanyofhisfellow-countrymen。
Thiswastheincidentthathadgivenrisetothecoalitionoffemaleenergyandmasculinefeebleness——acontrastinunionsaidnottobeuncommoninPoland。
In1833MademoiselleFischer，whosometimesworkedintothenightwhenbusinesswasgood，ataboutoneo’clockonemorningperceivedastrongsmellofcarbonicacidgas，andheardthegroansofadyingman。Thefumesandthegaspingcamefromagarretoverthetworoomsformingherdwelling，andshesupposedthatayoungmanwhohadbutlatelycometolodgeinthisattic——whichhadbeenvacantforthreeyears——
wascommittingsuicide。Sheranupstairs，brokeinthedoorbyapushwithherpeasantstrength，andfoundthelodgerwrithingonacamp-bedintheconvulsionsofdeath。Sheextinguishedthebrazier；thedoorwasopen，theairrushedin，andtheexilewassaved。Then，whenLisbethhadputhimtobedlikeapatient，andhewasasleep，shecoulddetectthemotivesofhissuicideinthedestitutionoftherooms，wheretherewasnothingwhateverbutawretchedtable，thecamp-bed，andtwochairs。
Onthetablelayadocument，whichsheread：”IamCountWenceslasSteinbock，bornatPrelia，inLivonia。”Nooneistobeaccusedofmydeath；myreasonsforkillingmyselfare，inthewordsofKosciusko，/FinisPolonioe/！”Thegrand-nephewofavaliantGeneralunderCharlesXII。couldnotbeg。Myweaklyconstitutionforbidsmytakingmilitaryservice，andIyesterdaysawthelastofthehundredthalerswhichIhadbroughtwithmefromDresdentoParis。Ihavelefttwenty-
fivefrancsinthedrawerofthistabletopaytherentIowetothelandlord。”Myparentsbeingdead，mydeathwillaffectnobody。IdesirethatmycountrymenwillnotblametheFrenchGovernment。Ihaveneverregisteredmyselfasarefugee，andIhaveaskedfornothing；I
havemetnoneofmyfellow-exiles；nooneinParisknowsofmyexistence。”IamdyinginChristianbeliefs。MayGodforgivethelastoftheSteinbocks！”WENCESLAS。”
MademoiselleFischer，deeplytouchedbythedyingman’shonesty，openedthedrawerandfoundthefivefive-francpiecestopayhisrent。”Pooryoungman！”criedshe。”Andwithnooneintheworldtocareabouthim！”
Shewentdownstairstofetchherwork，andsatstitchinginthegarret，watchingovertheLivoniangentleman。
Whenheawokehisastonishmentmaybeimaginedonfindingawomansittingbyhisbed；itwasliketheprolongationofadream。Asshesatthere，coveringaiguilletteswithgoldthread，theoldmaidhadresolvedtotakechargeofthepooryouthwhomsheadmiredashelaysleeping。
AssoonastheyoungCountwasfullyawake，Lisbethtalkedtogivehimcourage，andquestionedhimtofindouthowhemightmakealiving。
Wenceslas，aftertellinghisstory，addedthatheowedhispositiontohisacknowledgedtalentforthefinearts。Hehadalwayshadapreferenceforsculpture；thenecessarytimeforstudyhad，however，seemedtohimtoolongforamanwithoutmoney；andatthismomenthewasfartooweaktodoanyhardmanuallabororundertakeanimportantworkinsculpture。AllthiswasGreektoLisbethFischer。SherepliedtotheunhappymanthatParisofferedsomanyopeningsthatanymanwithwillandcouragemightfindalivingthere。Amanofspiritneedneverperishifhehadacertainstockofendurance。”Iambutapoorgirlmyself，apeasant，andIhavemanagedtomakemyselfindependent，”saidsheinconclusion。”Ifyouwillworkinearnest，Ihavesavedalittlemoney，andIwilllendyou，monthbymonth，enoughtoliveupon；buttolivefrugally，andnottoplayducksanddrakeswithorsquanderinthestreets。YoucandineinParisfortwenty-fivesousaday，andIwillgetyouyourbreakfastwithmineeveryday。Iwillfurnishyourroomsandpayforsuchteachingasyoumaythinknecessary。YoushallgivemeformalacknowledgmentforthemoneyImaylayoutforyou，andwhenyouarerichyoushallrepaymeall。Butifyoudonotwork，Ishallnotregardmyselfasinanywaypledgedtoyou，andIshallleaveyoutoyourfate。””Ah！”criedthepoorfellow，stillsmartingfromthebitternessofhisfirststrugglewithdeath，”exilesfromeverylandmaywellstretchouttheirhandstoFrance，asthesoulsinPurgatorydotoParadise。
Inwhatothercountryissuchhelptobefound，andgenerousheartseveninsuchagarretasthis？Youwillbeeverythingtome，mybelovedbenefactress；Iamyourslave！Bemysweetheart，”headded，withoneofthecaressinggesturesfamiliartothePoles，forwhichtheyareunjustlyaccusedofservility。”Oh，no；Iamtoojealous，Ishouldmakeyouunhappy；butIwillgladlybeasortofcomrade，”repliedLisbeth。”Ah，ifonlyyouknewhowIlongedforsomefellow-creature，evenatyrant，whowouldhavesomethingtosaytomewhenIwasstrugglinginthevastsolitudeofParis！”exclaimedWenceslas。”IregrettedSiberia，whitherIshouldbesentbytheEmperorifIwenthome——BemyProvidence！——Iwillwork；IwillbeabettermanthanIam，thoughIamnotsuchabadfellow！””WillyoudowhateverIbidyou？”sheasked。”Yes。””Well，then，Iwilladoptyouasmychild，”saidshelightly。”HereI
amwithasonrisenfromthegrave。Come！wewillbeginatonce。I
willgooutandgetwhatIwant；youcandress，andcomedowntobreakfastwithmewhenIknockontheceilingwiththebroomstick。”
Thatday，MademoiselleFischermadesomeinquiries，atthehousestowhichshecarriedherworkhome，astothebusinessofasculptor。BydintofmanyquestionssheendedbyhearingofthestudiokeptbyFlorentandChanor，ahousethatmadeaspecialbusinessofcastingandfinishingdecorativebronzesandhandsomesilverplate。ThithershewentwithSteinbock，recommendinghimasanapprenticeinsculpture，anideathatwasregardedastooeccentric。Theirbusinesswastocopytheworksofthegreatestartists，buttheydidnotteachthecraft。Theoldmaid’spersistentobstinacysofarsucceededthatSteinbockwastakenontodesignornament。Heverysoonlearnedtomodelornament，andinventednovelties；hehadagiftforit。
Fivemonthsafterhewasoutofhisapprenticeshipasafinisher，hemadeacquaintancewithStidmann，thefamousheadofFlorent’sstudios。
WithintwentymonthsWenceslaswasaheadofhismaster；butinthirtymonthstheoldmaid’ssavingsofsixteenyearshadmeltedentirely。
Twothousandfivehundredfrancsingold！——asumwithwhichshehadintendedtopurchaseanannuity；andwhatwastheretoshowforit？A
Pole’sreceipt！AndatthismomentLisbethwasworkingashardasinheryoungdaystosupplytheneedsofherLivonian。
Whenshefoundherselfthepossessorofapieceofpaperinsteadofhergoldlouis，shelostherhead，andwenttoconsultMonsieurRivet，whoforfifteenyearshadbeenhiscleverhead-worker’sfriendandcounselor。Onhearingherstory，MonsieurandMadameRivetscoldedLisbeth，toldhershewascrazy，abusedallrefugeeswhoseplotsforreconstructingtheirnationcompromisedtheprosperityofthecountryandthemaintenanceofpeace；andtheyurgedLisbethtofindwhatintradeiscalledsecurity。”Theonlyholdyouhaveoverthisfellowisonhisliberty，”observedMonsieurRivet。
MonsieurAchilleRivetwasassessorattheTribunalofCommerce。”Imprisonmentisnojokeforaforeigner，”saidhe。”AFrenchmanremainsfiveyearsinprisonandcomesout，freeofhisdebtstobesure，forheisthenceforthboundonlybyhisconscience，andthatnevertroubleshim；butaforeignernevercomesout——Givemeyourpromissorynote；mybookkeeperwilltakeitup；hewillgetitprotested；youwillbothbeprosecutedandbothbecondemnedtoimprisonmentindefaultofpayment；then，wheneverythingisindueform，youmustsignadeclaration。Bydoingthisyourinterestwillbeaccumulating，andyouwillhaveapistolalwaysprimedtofireatyourPole！”
Theoldmaidallowedtheselegalstepstobetaken，tellingherprotegenottobeuneasy，astheproceedingsweremerelytoaffordaguaranteetoamoney-lenderwhoagreedtoadvancethemcertainsums。
ThissubterfugewasduetotheinventivegeniusofMonsieurRivet。Theguilelessartist，blindlytrustingtohisbenefactress，lightedhispipewiththestampedpaper，forhesmokedasallmendowhohavesorrowsorenergiesthatneedsoothing。
OnefinedayMonsieurRivetshowedMademoiselleFischeraschedule，andsaidtoher：”HereyouhaveWenceslasSteinbockboundhandandfoot，andsoeffectually，thatwithintwenty-fourhoursyoucanhavehimsnuginClichyfortherestofhisdays。”
ThisworthyandhonestjudgeattheChamberofCommerceexperiencedthatdaythesatisfactionthatmustcomeofhavingdoneamalignantgoodaction。BeneficencehassomanyaspectsinParisthatthiscontradictoryexpressionreallyrepresentsoneofthem。TheLivonianbeingfairlyentangledinthetoilsofcommercialprocedure，thepointwastoobtainpayment；fortheillustrioustradesmanlookedonWenceslasasaswindler。Feeling，sincerity，poetry，wereinhiseyesmerefollyinbusinessmatters。
SoRivetwentofftosee，inbehalfofthatpoorMademoiselleFischer，who，ashesaid，hadbeen”done”bythePole，therichmanufacturersforwhomSteinbockhadworked。IthappenedthatStidmann——who，withthehelpofthesedistinguishedmastersofthegoldsmiths’art，wasraisingFrenchworktotheperfectionithasnowreached，allowingittoholditsownagainstFlorenceandtheRenaissance——StidmannwasinChanor’sprivateroomwhenthearmylacemanufacturercalledtomakeinquiriesasto”OneSteinbock，aPolishrefugee。””Whomdoyoucall’OneSteinbock’？DoyoumeanayoungLivonianwhowasapupilofmine？”criedStidmannironically。”Imaytellyou，monsieur，thatheisaverygreatartist。ItissaidofmethatI
believemyselftobetheDevil。Well，thatpoorfellowdoesnotknowthatheiscapableofbecomingagod。””Indeed，”saidRivet，wellpleased。Andthenheadded，”ThoughyoutakearathercavaliertonewithamanwhohasthehonortobeanAssessorontheTribunalofCommerceoftheDepartmentoftheSeine。””Yourpardon，Consul！”saidStidmann，withamilitarysalute。”Iamdelighted，”theAssessorwenton，”tohearwhatyousay。Themanmaymakemoneythen？””Certainly，”saidChanor；”buthemustwork。Hewouldhaveatidysumbynowifhehadstayedwithus。Whatistobedone？Artistshaveahorrorofnotbeingfree。””Theyhaveapropersenseoftheirvalueanddignity，”repliedStidmann。”IdonotblameWenceslasforwalkingalone，tryingtomakeaname，andtobecomeagreatman；hehadarighttodoso！Buthewasagreatlosstomewhenheleft。””That，yousee，”exclaimedRivet，”iswhatallyoungstudentsaimatassoonastheyarehatchedoutoftheschool-egg。Beginbysavingmoney，Isay，andseekgloryafterwards。””Itspoilsyourtouchtobepickingupcoin，”saidStidmann。”ItisGlory’sbusinesstobringuswealth。””And，afterall，”saidChanortoRivet，”youcannottetherthem。””Theywouldeatthehalter，”repliedStidmann。”Allthesegentlemenhaveasmuchcapriceastalent，”saidChanor，lookingatStidmann。”Theyspendnoendofmoney；theykeeptheirgirls，theythrowcoinoutofwindow，andthentheyhavenotimetowork。Theyneglecttheirorders；wehavetoemployworkmenwhoareveryinferior，butwhogrowrich；andthentheycomplainofthehardtimes，while，iftheywerebutsteady，theymighthavepilesofgold。””YouoldLumignon，”saidStidmann，”youremindmeofthepublisherbeforetheRevolutionwhosaid——’IfonlyIcouldkeepMontesquieu，Voltaire，andRousseauverypoorinmybackshed，andlockuptheirbreechesinacupboard，whatalotofnicelittlebookstheywouldwritetomakemyfortune。’——Ifworksofartcouldbehammeredoutlikenails，workmenwouldmakethem——Givemeathousandfrancs，anddon’ttalknonsense。”
WorthyMonsieurRivetwenthome，delightedforpoorMademoiselleFischer，whodinedwithhimeveryMonday，andwhomhefoundwaitingforhim。”Ifyoucanonlymakehimwork，”saidhe，”youwillhavemoreluckthanwisdom；youwillberepaid，interest，capital，andcosts。ThisPolehastalent，hecanmakealiving；butlockuphistrousersandhisshoes，donotlethimgotothe/Chaumiere/ortheparishofNotre-DamedeLorette，keephiminleading-strings。Ifyoudonottakesuchprecautions，yourartistwilltaketoloafing，andifyouonlyknewwhattheseartistsmeanbyloafing！Shocking！Why，Ihavejustheardthattheywillspendathousand-francnoteinaday！”
Thisepisodehadafatalinfluenceonthehome-lifeofWenceslasandLisbeth。Thebenefactressflavoredtheexile’sbreadwiththewormwoodofreproof，nowthatshesawhermoneyindanger，andoftenbelievedittobelost。Fromakindmothershebecameastepmother；shetookthepoorboytotask，shenaggedhim，scoldedhimforworkingtooslowly，andblamedhimforhavingchosensodifficultaprofession。
Shecouldnotbelievethatthosemodelsinredwax——littlefiguresandsketchesforornamentalwork——couldbeofanyvalue。Beforelong，vexedwithherselfforherseverity，shewouldtrytoeffacethetearsbyhercareandattention。
Thenthepooryoungman，aftergroaningtothinkthathewasdependentonthisshrewandunderthethumbofapeasantoftheVosges，wasbewitchedbyhercoaxingwaysandbyamaternalaffectionthatattacheditselfsolelytothephysicalandmaterialsideoflife。Hewaslikeawomanwhoforgivesaweekofill-usageforthesakeofakissandabriefreconciliation。
ThusMademoiselleFischerobtainedcompletepoweroverhismind。Theloveofdominionthatlayasagermintheoldmaid’sheartdevelopedrapidly。Shecouldnowsatisfyherprideandhercravingforaction；
hadshenotacreaturebelongingtoher，tobeschooled，scolded，flattered，andmadehappy，withoutanyfearofarival？Thusthegoodandbadsidesofhernaturealikefoundplay。Ifshesometimesvictimizedthepoorartist，shehad，ontheotherhand，delicateimpulseslikethegraceofwildflowers；itwasajoytohertoprovideforallhiswants；shewouldhavegivenherlifeforhim，andWenceslasknewit。Likeeverynoblesoul，thepoorfellowforgotthebadpoints，thedefectsofthewomanwhohadtoldhimthestoryofherlifeasanexcuseforherroughways，andherememberedonlythebenefitsshehaddonehim。
Oneday，exasperatedwithWenceslasforhavinggoneoutwalkinginsteadofsittingatwork，shemadeagreatscene。”Youbelongtome，”saidshe。”Ifyouwereanhonestman，youwouldtrytorepaymethemoneyyouoweassoonaspossible。”
Thegentleman，inwhoseveinsthebloodoftheSteinbockswasfired，turnedpale。”Blessme，”shewenton，”wesoonshallhavenothingtoliveonbutthethirtysousIearn——apoorwork-woman！”
Thetwopennilesscreatures，workedupbytheirownwarofwords，grewvehement；andforthefirsttimetheunhappyartistreproachedhisbenefactressforhavingrescuedhimfromdeathonlytomakehimleadthelifeofagalleyslave，worsethanthebottomlessvoid，whereatleast，saidhe，hewouldhavefoundrest。Andhetalkedofflight。”Flight！”criedLisbeth。”Ah，MonsieurRivetwasright。”
AndsheclearlyexplainedtothePolethatwithintwenty-fourhourshemightbeclappedintoprisonfortherestofhisdays。Itwasacrushingblow。Steinbocksankintodeepmelancholyandtotalsilence。
Inthecourseofthefollowingnight，Lisbethhearingoverheadsomepreparationsforsuicide，wentuptoherpensioner’sroom，andgavehimthescheduleandaformalrelease。”Here，dearchild，forgiveme，”shesaidwithtearsinhereyes。”Behappy；leaveme！Iamtoocrueltoyou；onlytellmethatyouwillsometimesrememberthepoorgirlwhohasenabledyoutomakealiving——
WhatcanIsay？Youarethecauseofmyill-humor。Imightdie；
wherewouldyoubewithoutme？Thatisthereasonofmybeingimpatienttoseeyoudosomesalablework。Idonotwantmymoneybackformyself，Iassureyou！Iamonlyfrightenedatyouridleness，whichyoucallmeditation；atyourideas，whichtakeupsomanyhourswhenyousitgazingatthesky；Iwantyoutogetintohabitsofindustry。”
Allthiswassaidwithanemphasis，alook，andtearsthatmovedthehigh-mindedartist；heclaspedhisbenefactresstohisheartandkissedherforehead。”Keepthesepieces，”saidhewithasortofcheerfulness。”WhyshouldyousendmetoClichy？AmInotaprisonerhereoutofgratitude？”
Thisepisodeoftheirsecretdomesticlifehadoccurredsixmonthspreviously，andhadledtoSteinbock’sproducingthreefinishedworks：
thesealinHortense’spossession，thegrouphehadplacedwiththecuriositydealer，andabeautifulclocktowhichhewasputtingthelasttouches，screwinginthelastrivets。
ThisclockrepresentedthetwelveHours，charminglypersonifiedbytwelvefemalefigureswhirlingroundinsomadandswiftadancethatthreelittleLovesperchedonapileoffruitandflowerscouldnotstoponeofthem；onlythetornskirtsofMidnightremainedinthehandofthemostdaringcherub。Thegroupstoodonanadmirablytreatedbase，ornamentedwithgrotesquebeasts。Thehoursweretoldbyamonstrousmouththatopenedtoyawn，andeachHourboresomeingeniouslyappropriatesymbolcharacteristicofthevariousoccupationsoftheday。
ItisnoweasytounderstandtheextraordinaryattachmentofMademoiselleFischerforherLivonian；shewantedhimtobehappy，andshesawhimpining，fadingawayinhisattic。Thecausesofthiswretchedstateofaffairsmaybeeasilyimagined。ThepeasantwomanwatchedthissonoftheNorthwiththeaffectionofamother，withthejealousyofawife，andthespiritofadragon；henceshemanagedtoputeverykindoffollyordissipationoutofhispowerbyleavinghimdestituteofmoney。Shelongedtokeephervictimandcompanionforherselfalone，wellconductedperforce，andshehadnoconceptionofthecrueltyofthissenselesswish，sinceshe，forherownpart，wasaccustomedtoeveryprivation。ShelovedSteinbockwellenoughnottomarryhim，andtoomuchtogivehimuptoanyotherwoman；shecouldnotresignherselftobenomorethanamothertohim，thoughshesawthatshewasmadtothinkofplayingtheotherpart。
Thesecontradictions，thisferociousjealousy，andthejoyofhavingamantoherself，allagitatedheroldmaid’sheartbeyondmeasure。
Reallyinloveasshehadbeenforfouryears，shecherishedthefoolishhopeofprolongingthisimpossibleandaimlesswayoflifeinwhichherpersistencewouldonlybetheruinofthemanshethoughtofasherchild。Thiscontestbetweenherinstinctsandherreasonmadeherunjustandtyrannical。Shewreakedontheyoungmanhervengeanceforherownlotinbeingneitheryoung，rich，norhandsome；then，aftereachfitofrage，recognizingherselfwrong，shestoopedtounlimitedhumility，infinitetenderness。Shenevercouldsacrificetoheridoltillshehadassertedherpowerbyblowsoftheaxe。Infact，itwastheconverseofShakespeare’s/Tempest/——CalibanrulingArielandProspero。
Astothepooryouthhimself，high-minded，meditative，andinclinedtobelazy，thedesertthathisprotectressmadeinhissoulmightbeseeninhiseyes，asinthoseofacagedlion。ThepenalservitudeforcedonhimbyLisbethdidnotfulfilthecravingsofhisheart。Hiswearinessbecameaphysicalmalady，andhewasdyingwithoutdaringtoask，orknowingwheretoprocure，thepriceofsomelittlenecessarydissipation。Onsomedaysofspecialenergy，whenafeelingofutterill-luckaddedtohisexasperation，hewouldlookatLisbethasathirstytraveleronasandyshoremustlookatthebittersea-water。
Theseharshfruitsofindigence，andthisisolationinthemidstofParis，Lisbethrelishedwithdelight。Andbesides，sheforesawthatthefirstpassionwouldrobherofherslave。Sometimessheevenblamedherselfbecauseherowntyrannyandreproacheshadcompelledthepoeticyouthtobecomesogreatanartistofdelicatework，andshehadthusgivenhimthemeansofcastingheroff。
Onthedayafter，thesethreelives，sodifferentlybutsoutterlywretched——thatofamotherindespair，thatoftheMarneffehousehold，andthatoftheunhappyexile——werealltobeinfluencedbyHortense’sguilelesspassion，andbythestrangeoutcomeoftheBaron’slucklesspassionforJosepha。
JustasHulotwasgoingintotheopera-house，hewasstoppedbythedarkenedappearanceofthebuildingandoftheRuelePeletier，wheretherewerenogendarmes，nolights，notheatre-servants，nobarriertoregulatethecrowd。Helookedupattheannouncement-board，andbeheldastripofwhitepaper，onwhichwasprintedthesolemnnotice：”CLOSEDONACCOUNTOFILLNESS。”
HerushedofftoJosepha’slodgingsintheRueChauchat；for，likeallthesingers，shelivedcloseathand。”Whomdoyouwant，sir？”askedtheporter，totheBaron’sgreatastonishment。”Haveyouforgottenme？”saidHulot，muchpuzzled。”Onthecontrary，sir，itisbecauseIhavethehonortorememberyouthatIaskyou，Whereareyougoing？”
AmortalchillfellupontheBaron。”Whathashappened？”heasked。”IfyougouptoMademoiselleMirah’srooms，MonsieurleBaron，youwillfindMademoiselleHeloiseBrisetoutthere——andMonsieurBixiou，MonsieurLeondeLora，MonsieurLousteau，MonsieurdeVernisset，MonsieurStidmann；andladiessmellingofpatchouli——holdingahousewarming。””Then，where——whereis——？””MademoiselleMirah？——Idon’tknowthatIoughttotellyou。”
TheBaronslippedtwofive-francpiecesintotheporter’shand。”Well，sheisnowintheRuedelaVillel’Eveque，inafinehouse，giventoher，theysay，bytheDucd’Herouville，”repliedthemaninawhisper。
Havingascertainedthenumberofthehouse，MonsieurHulotcalleda/milord/anddrovetooneofthoseprettymodernhouseswithdoubledoors，whereeverything，fromthegaslightattheentrance，proclaimsluxury。
TheBaron，inhisblueclothcoat，whiteneckcloth，nankeentrousers，patentleatherboots，andstifflystarchedshirt-frill，wassupposedtobeaguest，thoughalatearrival，bythejanitorofthisnewEden。
Hisalacrityofmannerandquickstepjustifiedthisopinion。
Theporterrangabell，andafootmanappearedinthehall。Thisman，asnewasthehouse，admittedthevisitor，whosaidtohiminanimperioustone，andwithalordlygesture：”TakeinthiscardtoMademoiselleJosepha。”
Thevictimmechanicallylookedroundtheroominwhichhefoundhimself——ananteroomfullofchoiceflowersandoffurniturethatmusthavecosttwentythousandfrancs。Theservant，onhisreturn，beggedmonsieurtowaitinthedrawing-roomtillthecompanycametotheircoffee。
ThoughtheBaronhadbeenfamiliarwithImperialluxury，whichwasundoubtedlyprodigious，whileitsproductions，thoughnotdurableinkind，hadneverthelesscostenormoussums，hestooddazzled，dumfounded，inthisdrawing-roomwiththreewindowslookingoutonagardenlikefairyland，oneofthosegardensthatarecreatedinamonthwithamadesoilandtransplantedshrubs，whilethegrassseemsasifitmustbemadetogrowbysomechemicalprocess。Headmirednotonlythedecoration，thegilding，thecarving，inthemostexpensivePompadourstyle，asitiscalled，andthemagnificentbrocades，allofwhichanyenrichedtradesmancouldhaveprocuredformoney；buthealsonotedsuchtreasuresasonlyprincescanselectandfind，canpayforandgiveaway；twopicturesbyGreuze，twobyWatteau，twoheadsbyVandyck，twolandscapesbyRuysdael，andtwobyleGuaspre，aRembrandt，aHolbein，aMurillo，andaTitian，twopaintings，byTeniers，andapairbyMetzu，aVanHuysum，andanAbrahamMignon——inshort，twohundredthousandfrancs’worthofpicturessuperblyframed。
Thegildingwasworthalmostasmuchasthepaintings。”Ah，ha！Nowyouunderstand，mygoodman？”saidJosepha。
Shehadstoleninontiptoethroughanoiselessdoor，overPersiancarpets，andcameuponheradorer，standinglostinamazement——inthestupidamazementwhenaman’searstinglesoloudlythathehearsnothingbutthatfatalknell。
Thewords”mygoodman，”spokentoanofficialofsuchhighimportance，soperfectlyexemplifiedtheaudacitywithwhichthesecreaturespourcontemptontheloftiest，thattheBaronwasnailedtothespot。Josepha，inwhiteandyellow，wassobeautifullydressedforthebanquet，thatamidallthislavishmagnificenceshestillshonelikeararejewel。”Isn’tthisreallyfine？”saidshe。”TheDukehasspentallthemoneyonitthathegotoutoffloatingacompany，ofwhichthesharesallsoldatapremium。Heisnofool，ismylittleDuke。Thereisnothinglikeamanwhohasbeenagrandeeinhistimeforturningcoalsintogold。Justbeforedinnerthenotarybroughtmethetitle-deedstosignandthebillsreceipted！——Theyareallafirst-classsetinthere——
d’Esgrignon，Rastignac，Maxime，Lenoncourt，Verneuil，Laginski，Rochefide，laPalferine，andfromamongthebankersNucingenandduTillet，withAntonia，Malaga，Carabine，andlaSchontz；andtheyallfeelforyoudeeply——Yes，oldboy，andtheyhopeyouwilljointhem，butonconditionthatyouforthwithdrinkuptotwobottlesfullofHungarianwine，Champagne，orCape，justtobringyouuptotheirmark——Mydearfellow，weareallsomuch/on/here，thatitwasnecessarytoclosetheOpera。Themanagerisasdrunkasacornet-a-
piston；heishiccupingalready。””Oh，Josepha！——”criedtheBaron。”Now，cananythingbemoreabsurdthanexplanations？”shebrokeinwithasmile。”Lookhere；canyoustandsixhundredthousandfrancswhichthishouseandfurniturecost？Canyougivemeabondtothetuneofthirtythousandfrancsayear，whichiswhattheDukehasjustgivenmeinapacketofcommonsugaredalmondsfromthegrocer’s？——aprettynotionthat——””Whatanatrocity！”criedHulot，whoinhisfurywouldhavegivenhiswife’sdiamondstostandintheDucd’Herouville’sshoesfortwenty-
fourhours。”Atrocityismytrade，”saidshe。”Sothatishowyoutakeit？Well，whydon’tyoufloatacompany？Goodnessme！mypoordyedTom，yououghttobegratefultome；Ihavethrownyouoverjustwhenyouwouldhavespentonmeyourwidow’sfortune，yourdaughter’sportion——What，tears！TheEmpireisathingofthepast——IhailthecomingEmpire！”
Shestruckatragicattitude，andexclaimed：”TheycallyouHulot！Nay，Iknowyounot——”
Andshewentintotheotherroom。
Throughthedoor，leftajar，therecame，likealightning-flash，astreakoflightwithanaccompanimentofthecrescendooftheorgyandthefragranceofabanquetofthechoicestdescription。
Thesingerpeepedthroughthepartlyopendoor，andseeingHulottransfixedasifhehadbeenabronzeimage，shecameonestepforwardintotheroom。”Monsieur，”saidshe，”IhavehandedovertherubbishintheRueChauchattoBixiou’slittleHeloiseBrisetout。Ifyouwishtoclaimyourcottonnightcap，yourbootjack，yourbelt，andyourwaxdye，I
havestipulatedfortheirreturn。”
ThisinsolentbantermadetheBaronleavetheroomasprecipitatelyasLotdepartedfromGomorrah，buthedidnotlookbacklikeMrs。Lot。
Hulotwenthome，stridingalonginafury，andtalkingtohimself；hefoundhisfamilystillplayingthegameofwhistattwosousapoint，atwhichheleftthem。Onseeingherhusbandreturn，poorAdelineimaginedsomethingdreadful，somedishonor；shegavehercardstoHortense，andledHectorawayintotheveryroomwhere，onlyfivehourssince，Crevelhadforetoldhertheutmostdisgraceofpoverty。”Whatisthematter？”shesaid，terrified。”Oh，forgiveme——butletmetellyouallthesehorrors。”Andfortenminuteshepouredouthiswrath。”But，mydear，”saidtheunhappywoman，withheroiccourage，”thesecreaturesdonotknowwhatlovemeans——suchpureanddevotedloveasyoudeserve。Howcouldyou，soclear-sightedasyouare，dreamofcompetingwithmillions？””DearestAdeline！”criedtheBaron，claspinghertohisheart。
TheBaroness’wordshadshedbalmonthebleedingwoundstohisvanity。”Tobesure，takeawaytheDucd’Herouville’sfortune，andshecouldnothesitatebetweenus！”saidtheBaron。”Mydear，”saidAdelinewithafinaleffort，”ifyoupositivelymusthavemistresses，whydoyounotseekthem，likeCrevel，amongwomenwhoarelessextravagant，andofaclassthatcanforatimebecontentwithlittle？Weshouldallgainbythatarrangement——I
understandyourneed——butIdonotunderstandthatvanity——””Oh，whatakindandperfectwifeyouare！”criedhe。”Iamanoldlunatic，Idonotdeservetohavesuchawife！””IamsimplytheJosephineofmyNapoleon，”shereplied，withatouchofmelancholy。”Josephinewasnottocomparewithyou！”saidhe。”Come；Iwillplayagameofwhistwithmybrotherandthechildren。Imusttrymyhandatthebusinessofafamilyman；ImustgetHortenseahusband，andburythelibertine。”
HisfranknesssogreatlytouchedpoorAdeline，thatshesaid：”ThecreaturehasnotastetopreferanymanintheworldtomyHector。Oh，Iwouldnotgiveyouupforallthegoldonearth。Howcananywomanthrowyouoverwhoissohappyastobelovedbyyou？”
ThelookwithwhichtheBaronrewardedhiswife’sfanaticismconfirmedherinheropinionthatgentlenessanddocilitywereawoman’sstrongestweapons。
Butinthisshewasmistaken。Thenoblestsentiments，carriedtoanexcess，canproducemischiefasgreatasdotheworstvices。BonapartewasmadeEmperorforhavingfiredonthepeople，atastone’sthrowfromthespotwhereLouisXVI。losthisthroneandhisheadbecausehewouldnotallowacertainMonsieurSaucetobehurt。
Onthefollowingmorning，Hortense，whohadsleptwiththesealunderherpillow，soastohaveitclosetoherallnight，dressedveryearly，andsenttobegherfathertojoinherinthegardenassoonasheshouldbedown。
Byabouthalf-pastnine，thefather，accedingtohisdaughter’spetition，gaveherhisarmforawalk，andtheywentalongthequaysbythePontRoyaltothePlaceduCarrousel。”Letuslookintotheshopwindows，papa，”saidHortense，astheywentthroughthelittlegatetocrossthewidesquare。”What——here？”saidherfather，laughingather。”Wearesupposedtohavecometoseethepictures，andoverthere”——
andshepointedtothestallsinfrontofthehousesatarightangletotheRueduDoyenne——”look！therearedealersincuriositiesandpictures——””Yourcousinlivesthere。””Iknowit，butshemustnotseeus。””Andwhatdoyouwanttodo？”saidtheBaron，who，findinghimselfwithinthirtyyardsofMadameMarneffe’swindows，suddenlyrememberedher。
HortensehaddraggedherfatherinfrontofoneoftheshopsformingtheangleofablockofhousesbuiltalongthefrontoftheOldLouvre，andfacingtheHoteldeNantes。Shewentintothisshop；herfatherstoodoutside，absorbedingazingatthewindowsoftheprettylittlelady，who，theeveningbefore，hadleftherimagestampedontheoldbeau’sheart，asiftoalleviatethewoundhewassosoontoreceive；andhecouldnothelpputtinghiswife’ssageadviceintopractice。”Iwillfallbackonasimplelittlecitizen’swife，”saidhetohimself，recallingMadameMarneffe’sadorablegraces。”SuchawomanasthatwillsoonmakemeforgetthatgraspingJosepha。”
Now，thiswaswhatwashappeningatthesamemomentoutsideandinsidethecuriosityshop。
Ashefixedhiseyesonthewindowsofhisnew/belle/，theBaronsawthehusband，who，whilebrushinghiscoatwithhisownhands，wasapparentlyonthelookout，expectingtoseesomeoneonthesquare。
Fearinglestheshouldbeseen，andsubsequentlyrecognized，theamorousBaronturnedhisbackontheRueduDoyenne，orratherstoodatthree-quarters’face，asitwere，soastobeabletoglanceroundfromtimetotime。ThismanoeuvrebroughthimfacetofacewithMadameMarneffe，who，comingupfromthequay，wasdoublingthepromontoryofhousestogohome。
ValeriewasevidentlystartledasshemettheBaron’sastonishedeye，andsherespondedwithaprudishdroppingofhereyelids。”Aprettywoman，”exclaimedhe，”forwhomamanwoulddomanyfoolishthings。””Indeed，monsieur？”saidshe，turningsuddenly，likeawomanwhohasjustcometosomevehementdecision，”youareMonsieurleBaronHulot，Ibelieve？”
TheBaron，moreandmorebewildered，bowedassent。”Then，aschancehastwicemadeoureyesmeet，andIamsofortunateastohaveinterestedorpuzzledyou，Imaytellyouthat，insteadofdoinganythingfoolish，yououghttodojustice——Myhusband’sfaterestswithyou。””Andhowmaythatbe？”askedthegallantBaron。”HeisemployedinyourdepartmentintheWarOffice，underMonsieurLebrun，inMonsieurCoquet’sroom，”saidshewithasmile。”Iamquitedisposed，Madame——Madame——？””MadameMarneffe。””DearlittleMadameMarneffe，todoinjusticeforyoursake——Ihaveacousinlivinginyourhouse；Iwillgotoseeheronedaysoon——assoonaspossible；bringyourpetitiontomeinherrooms。””Pardonmyboldness，MonsieurleBaron；youmustunderstandthatifI
daretoaddressyouthus，itisbecauseIhavenofriendtoprotectme——””Ah，ha！””Monsieur，youmisunderstandme，”saidshe，loweringhereyelids。
Hulotfeltasifthesunhaddisappeared。”Iamatmywits’end，butIamanhonestwoman！”shewenton。”Aboutsixmonthsagomyonlyprotectordied，MarshalMontcornet——””Ah！Youarehisdaughter？””Yes，monsieur；butheneveracknowledgedme。””Thatwasthathemightleaveyoupartofhisfortune。””Heleftmenothing；hemadenowill。””Indeed！Poorlittlewoman！TheMarshaldiedsuddenlyofapoplexy。
But，come，madame，hopeforthebest。TheStatemustdosomethingforthedaughterofoneoftheChevalierBayardsoftheEmpire。”
MadameMarneffebowedgracefullyandwentoff，asproudofhersuccessastheBaronwasofhis。”Wherethedevilhasshebeensoearly？”thoughthewatchingtheflowofherskirts，towhichshecontrivedtoimpartasomewhatexaggeratedgrace。”Shelookstootiredtohavejustcomefromabath，andherhusbandiswaitingforher。Itisstrange，andpuzzlesmealtogether。”
MadameMarneffehavingvanishedwithin，theBaronwonderedwhathisdaughterwasdoingintheshop。Ashewentin，stillstaringatMadameMarneffe’swindows，heranagainstayoungmanwithapalebrowandsparklinggrayeyes，wearingasummercoatofblackmerino，coarsedrilltrousers，andtanshoes，withgaiters，rushingawayheadlong；hesawhimruntothehouseintheRueduDoyenne，intowhichhewent。
Hortense，ongoingintotheshop，hadatoncerecognizedthefamousgroup，conspicuouslyplacedonatableinthemiddleandinfrontofthedoor。Evenwithoutthecircumstancestowhichsheowedherknowledgeofthismasterpiece，itwouldprobablyhavestruckherbythepeculiarpowerwhichwemustcallthe/brio/——the/go/——ofgreatworks；andthegirlherselfmightinItalyhavebeentakenasamodelforthepersonificationof/Brio/。
Noteveryworkbyamanofgeniushasinthesamedegreethatbrilliancy，thatglorywhichisatoncepatenteventothemostignoblebeholder。Thus，certainpicturesbyRaphael，suchasthefamous/Transfiguration/，the/MadonnadiFoligno/，andthefrescoesofthe/Stanze/intheVatican，donotatfirstcaptivateouradmiration，asdothe/Violin-player/intheSciarraPalace，theportraitsoftheDoriafamily，andthe/VisionofEzekiel/inthePittiGallery，the/ChristbearingHisCross/intheBorghesecollection，andthe/MarriageoftheVirgin/intheBreraatMilan。
The/SaintJohntheBaptist/oftheTribuna，and/SaintLukepaintingtheVirgin’sportrait/intheAccademiaatRome，havenotthecharmofthe/PortraitofLeoX。/，andofthe/Virgin/atDresden。
Andyettheyareallofequalmerit。Nay，more。The/Stanze/，the/Transfiguration/，thepanels，andthethreeeaselpicturesintheVaticanareinthehighestdegreeperfectandsublime。Buttheydemandastressofattention，evenfromthemostaccomplishedbeholder，andseriousstudy，tobefullyunderstood；whilethe/Violin-player/，the/MarriageoftheVirgin/，andthe/VisionofEzekiel/gostraighttotheheartthroughtheportalofsight，andmaketheirhomethere。Itisapleasuretoreceivethemthuswithoutaneffort；ifitisnotthehighestphaseofart，itisthehappiest。Thisfactprovesthat，inthebegettingofworksofart，thereisasmuchchanceinthecharacteroftheoffspringasthereisinafamilyofchildren；thatsomewillbehappilygraced，bornbeautiful，andcostingtheirmotherslittlesuffering，creaturesonwhomeverythingsmiles，andwithwhomeverythingsucceeds；inshort，genius，likelove，hasitsfairerblossoms。
This/brio/，anItalianwordwhichtheFrenchhavebeguntouse，ischaracteristicofyouthfulwork。Itisthefruitofanimpetusandfireofearlytalent——animpetuswhichismetwithagainlaterinsomehappyhours；butthisparticular/brio/nolongercomesfromtheartist’sheart；insteadofhisflingingitintohisworkasavolcanoflingsupitsfires，itcomestohimfromoutside，inspiredbycircumstances，bylove，orrivalry，oftenbyhatred，andmoreoftenstillbytheimperiousneedofglorytobelivedupto。
ThisgroupbyWenceslaswastohislaterworkswhatthe/MarriageoftheVirgin/istothegreatmassofRaphael’s，thefirststepofagiftedartisttakenwiththeinimitablegrace，theeagerness，anddelightfuloverflowingnessofachild，whosestrengthisconcealedunderthepink-and-whitefleshfullofdimpleswhichseemtoechotoamother’slaughter。PrinceEugeneissaidtohavepaidfourhundredthousandfrancsforthispicture，whichwouldbeworthamilliontoanynationthatownednopicturebyRaphael，butnoonewouldgivethatsumforthefinestofthefrescoes，thoughtheirvalueisfargreaterasworksofart。
Hortenserestrainedheradmiration，forshereflectedontheamountofhergirlishsavings；sheassumedanairofindifference，andsaidtothedealer：”Whatisthepriceofthat？””Fifteenhundredfrancs，”repliedtheman，sendingaglanceofintelligencetoayoungmanseatedonastoolinthecorner。
TheyoungmanhimselfgazedinastupefactionatMonsieurHulot’slivingmasterpiece。Hortense，forewarned，atonceidentifiedhimastheartist，fromthecolorthatflushedafacepalewithendurance；
shesawthesparklightedupinhisgrayeyesbyherquestion；shelookedonthethin，drawnfeatures，likethoseofamonkconsumedbyasceticism；shelovedthered，well-formedmouth，thedelicatechin，andthePole’ssilkychestnuthair。”Ifitweretwelvehundred，”saidshe，”Iwouldbegyoutosendittome。””Itisantique，mademoiselle，”thedealerremarked，thinking，likeallhisfraternity，that，havingutteredthis/neplusultra/ofbric-a-
brac，therewasnomoretobesaid。”Excuseme，monsieur，”sherepliedveryquietly，”itwasmadethisyear；Icameexpresslytobegyou，ifmypriceisaccepted，tosendtheartisttoseeus，asitmightbepossibletoprocurehimsomeimportantcommissions。””Andifheistohavethetwelvehundredfrancs，whatamItoget？Iamthedealer，”saidtheman，withcandidgood-humor。”Tobesure！”repliedthegirl，withaslightcurlofdisdain。”Oh！mademoiselle，takeit；Iwillmaketermswiththedealer，”
criedtheLivonian，besidehimself。
FascinatedbyHortense’swonderfulbeautyandtheloveofartshedisplayed，headded：”Iamthesculptorofthegroup，andfortendaysIhavecomeherethreetimesadaytoseeifanybodywouldrecognizeitsmeritandbargainforit。Youaremyfirstadmirer——takeit！””Come，then，monsieur，withthedealer，anhourhence——Hereismyfather’scard，”repliedHortense。
Then，seeingtheshopkeepergointoabackroomtowrapthegroupinapieceoflinenrag，sheaddedinalowvoice，tothegreatastonishmentoftheartist，whothoughthemustbedreaming：”Forthebenefitofyourfutureprospects，MonsieurWenceslas，donotmentionthenameofthepurchasertoMademoiselleFischer，forsheisourcousin。”
Thewordcousindazzledtheartist’smind；hehadaglimpseofParadisewhencethisdaughterofEvehadcometohim。HehaddreamedofthebeautifulgirlofwhomLisbethhadtoldhim，asHortensehaddreamedofhercousin’slover；and，asshehadenteredtheshop——”Ah！”thoughthe，”ifshecouldbutbelikethis！”
Thelookthatpassedbetweentheloversmaybeimagined；itwasaflame，forvirtuouslovershavenohypocrisies。”Well，whatthedeuceareyoudoinghere？”herfatheraskedher。”IhavebeenspendingtwelvehundredfrancsthatIhadsaved。Come。”
Andshetookherfather’sarm。”Twelvehundredfrancs？”herepeated。”Tobeexact，thirteenhundred；youwilllendmetheoddhundred？””Andonwhat，insuchaplace，couldyouspendsomuch？””Ah！thatisthequestion！”repliedthehappygirl。”IfIhavegotahusband，heisnotdearatthemoney。””Ahusband！Inthatshop，mychild？””Listen，dearlittlefather；wouldyouforbidmymarryingagreatartist？””No，mydear。Agreatartistinthesedaysisaprincewithoutatitle——hehasgloryandfortune，thetwochiefsocialadvantages——nexttovirtue，”headded，inasmugtone。”Oh，ofcourse！”saidHortense。”Andwhatdoyouthinkofsculpture？””Itisverypoorbusiness，”repliedHulot，shakinghishead。”Itneedshighpatronageaswellasgreattalent，forGovernmentistheonlypurchaser。Itisanartwithnodemandnowadays，wheretherearenoprincelyhouses，nogreatfortunes，noentailedmansions，nohereditaryestates。Onlysmallpicturesandsmallfigurescanfindaplace；theartsareendangeredbythisneedofsmallthings。””Butifagreatartistcouldfindademand？”saidHortense。”Thatindeedwouldsolvetheproblem。””Orhadsomeonetobackhim？””Thatwouldbeevenbetter。””Ifhewereofnoblebirth？””Pooh！””ACount。””Andasculptor？””Hehasnomoney。””AndsohecountsonthatofMademoiselleHortenseHulot？”saidtheBaronironically，withaninquisitoriallookintohisdaughter’seyes。”Thisgreatartist，aCountandasculptor，hasjustseenyourdaughterforthefirsttimeinhislife，andforthespaceoffiveminutes，MonsieurleBaron，”Hortensecalmlyreplied。”Yesterday，youmustknow，dearlittlefather，whileyouwereattheChamber，mammahadafaintingfit。This，whichsheascribedtoanervousattack，wastheresultofsomeworrythathadtodowiththefailureofmymarriage，forshetoldmethattogetridofme——””Sheistoofondofyoutohaveusedanexpression——””Sounparliamentary！”Hortenseputinwithalaugh。”No，shedidnotusethosewords；butIknowthatagirloldenoughtomarryandwhodoesnotfindahusbandisaheavycrossforrespectableparentstobear——Well，shethinksthatifamanofenergyandtalentcouldbefound，whowouldbesatisfiedwiththirtythousandfrancsformymarriageportion，wemightallbehappy。Infact，shethoughtitadvisabletopreparemeforthemodestyofmyfuturelot，andtohindermefromindulgingintooferviddreams——Whichevidentlymeantanendtotheintendedmarriage，andnosettlementsforme！””Yourmotherisaverygoodwoman，noble，admirable！”repliedthefather，deeplyhumiliated，thoughnotsorrytohearthisconfession。”Shetoldmeyesterdaythatshehadyourpermissiontosellherdiamondssoastogivemesomethingtomarryon；butIshouldlikehertokeepherjewels，andtofindahusbandmyself。IthinkIhavefoundtheman，thepossiblehusband，answeringtomamma’sprospectus——””There？——inthePlaceduCarrousel？——andinonemorning？””Oh，papa，themischiefliesdeeper！”saidshearchly。”Well，come，mychild，tellthewholestorytoyourgoodoldfather，”
saidhepersuasively，andconcealinghisuneasiness。
Underpromiseofabsolutesecrecy，HortenserepeatedtheupshotofhervariousconversationswithherCousinBetty。Then，whentheygothome，sheshowedthemuch-talked-of-sealtoherfatherinevidenceofthesagacityofherviews。Thefather，inthedepthofhisheart，wonderedattheskillandacumenofgirlswhoactoninstinct，discerningthesimplicityoftheschemewhichheridealizedlovehadsuggestedinthecourseofasinglenighttohisguilelessdaughter。”YouwillseethemasterpieceIhavejustbought；itistobebroughthome，andthatdearWenceslasistocomewiththedealer——Themanwhomadethatgroupoughttomakeafortune；onlyuseyourinfluencetogethimanorderforastatue，androomsattheInstitut——””Howyourunon！”criedherfather。”Why，ifyouhadyourownway，youwouldbemanandwifewithinthelegalperiod——inelevendays——””Mustwewaitsolong？”saidshe，laughing。”ButIfellinlovewithhiminfiveminutes，asyoufellinlovewithmammaatfirstsight。
Andhelovesmeasifwehadknowneachotherfortwoyears。Yes，”shesaidinreplytoherfather’slook，”Ireadtenvolumesofloveinhiseyes。Andwillnotyouandmammaaccepthimasmyhusbandwhenyouseethatheisamanofgenius？SculptureisthegreatestoftheArts，”
shecried，clappingherhandsandjumping。”Iwilltellyoueverything——””What，istheremoretocome？”askedherfather，smiling。
Thechild’scompleteandeffervescentinnocencehadrestoredherfather’speaceofmind。”Aconfessionofthefirstimportance，”saidshe。”Ilovedhimwithoutknowinghim；and，forthelasthour，sinceseeinghim，Iamcrazyabouthim。””Alittletoocrazy！”saidtheBaron，whowasenjoyingthesightofthisguilelesspassion。”Donotpunishmeforconfidinginyou，”repliedshe。”Itissodelightfultosaytomyfather’sheart，’Ilovehim！Iamsohappyinlovinghim！’——YouwillseemyWenceslas！Hisbrowissosad。Thesunofgeniusshinesinhisgrayeyes——andwhatanairhehas！WhatdoyouthinkofLivonia？Isitafinecountry？——TheideaofCousinBetty’smarryingthatyoungfellow！Shemightbehismother。Itwouldbemurder！Iamquitejealousofallshehaseverdoneforhim。ButI
don’tthinkmymarriagewillpleaseher。””See，mydarling，wemusthidenothingfromyourmother。””Ishouldhavetoshowhertheseal，andIpromisednottobetrayCousinLisbeth，whoisafraid，shesays，ofmamma’slaughingather，”
saidHortense。”Youhavescruplesabouttheseal，andnoneaboutrobbingyourcousinofherlover。””Ipromisedabouttheseal——Imadenopromiseaboutthesculptor。”
Thisadventure，patriarchalinitssimplicity，cameadmirably/apropos/totheunconfessedpovertyofthefamily；theBaron，whilepraisinghisdaughterforhercandor，explainedtoherthatshemustnowleavematterstothediscretionofherparents。”Youunderstand，mychild，thatitisnotyourparttoascertainwhetheryourcousin’sloverisaCount，ifhehasallhispapersproperlycertified，andifhisconductisaguaranteeforhisrespectability——Asforyourcousin，sherefusedfiveofferswhenshewastwentyyearsyounger；thatwillprovenoobstacle，Iundertaketosay。””Listentome，papa；ifyoureallywishtoseememarried，neversayawordtoLisbethaboutittilljustbeforethecontractissigned。I
havebeencatechizingheraboutthisbusinessforthelastsixmonths！
Well，thereissomethingaboutherquiteinexplicable——””What？”saidherfather，puzzled。”Well，shelooksevilwhenIsaytoomuch，eveninjoke，aboutherlover。Makeinquiries，butleavemetorowmyownboat。Myconfidenceoughttoreassureyou。””TheLordsaid，’SufferlittlechildrentocomeuntoMe。’Youareoneofthosewhohavecomebackagain，”repliedtheBaronwithatouchofirony。
Afterbreakfastthedealerwasannounced，andtheartistwithhisgroup。Thesuddenflushthatreddenedherdaughter’sfaceatoncemadetheBaronesssuspiciousandthenwatchful，andthegirl’sconfusionandthelightinhereyessoonbetrayedthemysterysobadlyguardedinhersimpleheart。
CountSteinbock，dressedinblack，strucktheBaronasaverygentlemanlyyoungman。”Wouldyouundertakeabronzestatue？”heasked，asheheldupthegroup。
Afteradmiringitontrust，hepasseditontohiswife，whoknewnothingaboutsculpture。”Itisbeautiful，isn’tit，mamma？”saidHortenseinhermother’ear。”Astatue！Monsieur，itislessdifficulttoexecuteastatuethantomakeaclocklikethis，whichmyfriendherehasbeenkindenoughtobring，”saidtheartistinreply。
Thedealerwasplacingonthedining-roomsideboardthewaxmodelofthetwelveHoursthattheLovesweretryingtodelay。”Leavetheclockwithme，”saidtheBaron，astoundedatthebeautyofthesketch。”IshouldliketoshowittotheMinistersoftheInteriorandofCommerce。””Whoistheyoungmaninwhomyoutakesomuchinterest？”theBaronessaskedherdaughter。”Anartistwhocouldaffordtoexecutethismodelcouldgetahundredthousandfrancsforit，”saidthecuriosity-dealer，puttingonaknowingandmysteriouslookashesawthattheartistandthegirlwereinterchangingglances。”Hewouldonlyneedtoselltwentycopiesateightthousandfrancseach——forthematerialswouldcostaboutathousandcrownsforeachexample。Butifeachcopywerenumberedandthemoulddestroyed，itwouldcertainlybepossibletomeetwithtwentyamateursonlytoogladtopossessareplicaofsuchawork。””Ahundredthousandfrancs！”criedSteinbock，lookingfromthedealertoHortense，theBaron，andtheBaroness。”Yes，ahundredthousandfrancs，”repeatedthedealer。”IfIwererichenough，Iwouldbuyitofyoumyselffortwentythousandfrancs；forbydestroyingthemoulditwouldbecomeavaluableproperty。Butoneoftheprincesoughttopaythirtyorfortythousandfrancsforsuchaworktoornamenthisdrawing-room。Nomanhaseversucceededinmakingaclocksatisfactoryaliketothevulgarandtotheconnoisseur，andthisone，sir，solvesthedifficulty。””Thisisforyourself，monsieur，”saidHortense，givingsixgoldpiecestothedealer。”Neverbreathawordofthisvisittoanyoneliving，”saidtheartisttohisfriend，atthedoor。”Ifyoushouldbeaskedwherewesoldthegroup，mentiontheDucd’Herouville，thefamouscollectorintheRuedeVarenne。”
Thedealernoddedassent。”Andyourname？”saidHulottotheartistwhenhecameback。”CountSteinbock。””Haveyouthepapersthatproveyouridentity？””Yes，MonsieurleBaron。TheyareinRussianandinGerman，butnotlegalized。””Doyoufeelequaltoundertakingastatueninefeethigh？””Yes，monsieur。””Well，then，ifthepersonswhomIshallconsultaresatisfiedwithyourwork，IcansecureyouthecommissionforthestatueofMarshalMontcornet，whichistobeerectedonhismonumentatPere-Lachaise。
TheMinisterofWarandtheoldofficersoftheImperialGuardhavesubscribedasumlargeenoughtoenableustoselectourartist。””Oh，monsieur，itwillmakemyfortune！”exclaimedSteinbock，overpoweredbysomuchhappinessatonce。”Beeasy，”repliedtheBarongraciously。”IfthetwoministerstowhomIproposetoshowyourgroupandthissketchinwaxaredelightedwiththesetwopieces，yourprospectsofafortunearegood。”
Hortensehuggedherfather’sarmsotightlyastohurthim。”Bringmeyourpapers，andsaynothingofyourhopestoanybody，noteventoouroldCousinBetty。””Lisbeth？”saidMadameHulot，atlastunderstandingtheendofallthis，thoughunabletoguessthemeans。”IcouldgiveproofofmyskillbymakingabustoftheBaroness，”
addedWenceslas。
Theartist，struckbyMadameHulot’sbeauty，wascomparingthemotheranddaughter。”Indeed，monsieur，lifemaysmileuponyou，”saidtheBaron，quitecharmedbyCountSteinbock’srefinedandelegantmanner。”YouwillfindoutthatinParisnomaniscleverfornothing，andthatperseveringtoilalwaysfindsitsrewardhere。”
Hortense，withablush，heldouttotheyoungmanaprettyAlgerinepursecontainingsixtygoldpieces。Theartist，withsomethingstillofagentleman’spride，respondedwithamountingcoloreasyenoughtointerpret。”This，perhaps，isthefirstmoneyyourworkshavebroughtyou？”saidAdeline。”Yes，madame——myworksofart。Itisnotthefirst-fruitsofmylabor，forIhavebeenaworkman。””Well，wemusthopemydaughter’smoneywillbringyougoodluck，”
saidshe。”Andtakeitwithoutscruple，”addedtheBaron，seeingthatWenceslasheldthepurseinhishandinsteadofpocketingit。”Thesumwillberepaidbysomerichman，aprinceperhaps，whowillofferitwithinteresttopossesssofineawork。””Oh，Iwantittoomuchmyself，papa，togiveituptoanybodyintheworld，evenaroyalprince！””Icanmakeafarprettierthingthanthatforyou，mademoiselle。””Butitwouldnotbethisone，”repliedshe；andthen，asifashamedofhavingsaidtoomuch，sheranoutintothegarden。”ThenIshallbreakthemouldandthemodelassoonasIgohome，”
saidSteinbock。”Fetchmeyourpapers，andyouwillhearofmebeforelong，ifyouareequaltowhatIexpectofyou，monsieur。”
Theartistonthiscouldbuttakeleave。AfterbowingtoMadameHulotandHortense，whocameinfromthegardenonpurpose，hewentofftowalkintheTuileries，notbearing——notdaring——toreturntohisattic，wherehistyrantwouldpelthimwithquestionsandwringhissecretfromhim。
Hortense’sadorerconceivedofgroupsandstatuesbythehundred；hefeltstrongenoughtohewthemarblehimself，likeCanova，whowasalsoafeebleman，andnearlydiedofit。HewastransfiguredbyHortense，whowastohiminspirationmadevisible。”Nowthen，”saidtheBaronesstoherdaughter，”whatdoesallthismean？””Well，dearmamma，youhavejustseenCousinLisbeth’slover，whonow，Ihope，ismine。Butshutyoureyes，knownothing。GoodHeavens！Iwastokeepitallfromyou，andIcannothelptellingyoueverything——””Good-bye，children！”saidtheBaron，kissinghiswifeanddaughter；”IshallperhapsgotocallontheNanny，andfromherIshallhearagreatdealaboutouryoungman。””Papa，becautious！”saidHortense。”Oh！littlegirl！”criedtheBaronesswhenHortensehadpouredoutherpoem，ofwhichthemorning’sadventurewasthelastcanto，”dearlittlegirl，Artlessnesswillalwaysbetheartfulestpussonearth！”
