”Forwhomareyoumakingthisprettything？”saidshe，takingupthemodelspraysofhydrangeainredwaxwhichWenceslashadlaiddownwhileeatingthefruit。”Forajeweler。””Forwhatjeweler？””Idonotknow。Stidmannaskedmetomakesomethingoutofthem，asheisverybusy。””Butthese，”shesaidinadeepvoice，”are/Hortensias/。Howisitthatyouhavenevermadeanythinginwaxforme？Isitsodifficulttodesignapin，alittlebox——whatnot，asakeepsake？”andsheshotafearfulglanceattheartist，whoseeyeswerehappilylowered。”Andyetyousayyouloveme？””Canyoudoubtit，mademoiselle？””Thatisindeedanardent/mademoiselle/！——Why，youhavebeenmyonlythoughtsinceIfoundyoudying——justthere。WhenIsavedyou，youvowedyouweremine，Imeantoholdyoutothatpledge；butImadeavowtomyself！Isaidtomyself，’Sincetheboysaysheismine，I meantomakehimrichandhappy！’Well，andIcanmakeyourfortune。””How？”saidthehaplessartist，attheheightofjoy，andtooartlesstodreamofasnare。”Why，thus，”saidshe。
LisbethcouldnotdepriveherselfofthesavagepleasureofgazingatWenceslas，wholookedupatherwithfilialaffection，theexpressionreallyofhisloveforHortense，whichdeludedtheoldmaid。Seeinginaman’seyes，forthefirsttimeinherlife，theblazingtorchofpassion，shefancieditwasforherthatitwaslighted。”MonsieurCrevelwillbackustotheextentofahundredthousandfrancstostartinbusiness，if，ashesays，youwillmarryme。Hehasqueerideas，hastheworthyman——Well，whatdoyousaytoit？”sheadded。
Theartist，aspaleasthedead，lookedathisbenefactresswithalustrelesseye，whichplainlyspokehisthoughts。Hestoodstupefiedandopen-mouthed。”IneverbeforewassodistinctlytoldthatIamhideous，”saidshe，withabitterlaugh。”Mademoiselle，”saidSteinbock，”mybenefactresscanneverbeuglyinmyeyes；Ihavethegreatestaffectionforyou。ButIamnotyetthirty，and——””Iamforty-three，”saidLisbeth。”MycousinAdelineisforty-eight，andmenarestillmadlyinlovewithher；butthensheishandsome——
sheis！””Fifteenyearsbetweenus，mademoiselle！Howcouldwegetontogether！
ForbothoursakesIthinkweshouldbewisetothinkitover。Mygratitudeshallbefullyequaltoyourgreatkindness——Andyourmoneyshallberepaidinafewdays。””Mymoney！”criedshe。”YoutreatmeasifIwerenothingbutanunfeelingusurer。””Forgiveme，”saidWenceslas，”butyouremindmeofitsooften——
Well，itisyouwhohavemademe；donotcrushme。””Youmeantoberidofme，Icansee，”saidshe，shakingherhead。”Whohasendowedyouwiththisstrengthofingratitude——youwhoareamanofpapier-mache？Haveyouceasedtotrustme——yourgoodgenius？——
me，whenIhavespentsomanynightsworkingforyou——whenIhavegivenyoueveryfrancIhavesavedinmylifetime——whenforfouryearsIhavesharedmybreadwithyou，thebreadofahard-workedwoman，andgivenyouallIhad，tomyverycourage。””Mademoiselle——nomore，nomore！”hecried，kneelingbeforeherwithupliftedhands。”Saynotanotherword！InthreedaysIwilltellyou，youshallknowall——Letme，letmebehappy，”andhekissedherhands。”Ilove——andIamloved。””Well，well，mychild，behappy，”shesaid，liftinghimup。Andshekissedhisforeheadandhairwiththeeagernessthatamancondemnedtodeathmustfeelashelivesthroughthelastmorning。”Ah！youareofallcreaturesthenoblestandbest！YouareamatchforthewomanIlove，”saidthepoorartist。”Iloveyouwellenoughtotrembleforyourfuturefate，”saidshegloomily。”Judashangedhimself——theungratefulalwayscometoabadend！Youaredesertingme，andyouwillneveragaindoanygoodwork。
Considerwhether，withoutbeingmarried——forIknowIamanoldmaid，andIdonotwanttosmothertheblossomofyouryouth，yourpoetry，asyoucallit，inmyarms，thatarelikevine-stocks——butwhether，withoutbeingmarried，wecouldnotgetontogether？Listen；Ihavethecommercialspirit；Icouldsaveyouafortuneinthecourseoftenyears’work，forEconomyismyname！——while，withayoungwife，whowouldbesheerExpenditure，youwouldsquandereverything；youwouldworkonlytoindulgeher。Buthappinesscreatesnothingbutmemories。
EvenI，whenIamthinkingofyou，sitforhourswithmyhandsinmylap——”Come，Wenceslas，staywithme——Lookhere，Iunderstandallaboutit；
youshallhaveyourmistresses；prettyonestoo，likethatlittleMarneffewomanwhowantstoseeyou，andwhowillgiveyouhappinessyoucouldneverfindwithme。Then，whenIhavesavedyouthirtythousandfrancsayearinthefunds——””Mademoiselle，youareanangel，andIshallneverforgetthishour，”
saidWenceslas，wipingawayhistears。”ThatishowIliketoseeyou，mychild，”saidshe，gazingathimwithrapture。
VanityissostrongapowerinusallthatLisbethbelievedinhertriumph。ShehadconcededsomuchwhenofferinghimMadameMarneffe。
Itwasthecrowningemotionofherlife；forthefirsttimeshefeltthefulltideofjoyrisinginherheart。TogothroughsuchanexperienceagainshewouldhavesoldhersoultotheDevil。”Iamengagedtobemarried，”Steinbockreplied，”andIloveawomanwithwhomnoothercancompeteorcompare——Butyouare，andalwayswillbe，tomethemotherIhavelost。”
Thewordsfelllikeanavalancheofsnowonaburningcrater。Lisbethsatdown。Shegazedwithdespondenteyesontheyouthbeforeher，onhisaristocraticbeauty——theartist’sbrow，thesplendidhair，everythingthatappealedtohersuppressedfeminineinstincts，andtinytearsmoistenedhereyesforaninstantandimmediatelydriedup。
ShelookedlikeoneofthosemeagrestatueswhichthesculptorsoftheMiddleAgescarvedonmonuments。”Icannotcurseyou，”saidshe，suddenlyrising。”You——youarebutaboy。Godpreserveyou！”
Shewentdownstairsandshutherselfintoherownroom。”Sheisinlovewithme，poorcreature！”saidWenceslastohimself。”Andhowferventlyeloquent！Sheiscrazy。”
Thislasteffortonthepartofanaridandnarrownaturetokeepholdonanembodimentofbeautyandpoetrywas，intruth，soviolentthatitcanonlybecomparedtothefrenziedvehemenceofashipwreckedcreaturemakingthelaststruggletoreachshore。
Onthenextdaybutone，athalf-pastfourinthemorning，whenCountSteinbockwassunkinthedeepestsleep，heheardaknockatthedoorofhisattic；herosetoopenit，andsawtwomeninshabbyclothing，andathird，whosedressproclaimedhimabailiffdownonhisluck。”YouareMonsieurWenceslas，CountSteinbock？”saidthisman。”Yes，monsieur。””MynameisGrasset，sir，successortoLouchard，sheriff’sofficer——””Whatthen？””Youareunderarrest，sir。Youmustcomewithustoprison——toClichy——Pleasetogetdressed——Wehavedonethecivil，asyousee；I
havebroughtnopolice，andthereisahackneycabbelow。””Youaresafelynabbed，yousee，”saidoneofthebailiffs；”andwelooktoyoutobeliberal。”
Steinbockdressedandwentdownstairs，amanholdingeacharm；whenhewasinthecab，thedriverstartedwithoutorders，asknowingwherehewastogo，andwithinhalfanhourtheunhappyforeignerfoundhimselfsafelyunderboltandbarwithoutevenaremonstrance，soutterlyamazedwashe。
Atteno’clockhewassentfortotheprison-office，wherehefoundLisbeth，who，intears，gavehimsomemoneytofeedhimselfadequatelyandtopayforaroomlargeenoughtoworkin。”Mydearboy，”saidshe，”neversayawordofyourarresttoanybody，donotwritetoalivingsoul；itwouldruinyouforlife；wemusthidethisblotonyourcharacter。Iwillsoonhaveyouout。Iwillcollectthemoney——bequiteeasy。Writedownwhatyouwantforyourwork。Youshallsoonbefree，orIwilldieforit。””Oh，Ishalloweyoumylifeasecondtime！”criedhe，”forIshouldlosemorethanmylifeifIwerethoughtabadfellow。”
Lisbethwentoffingreatglee；shehoped，bykeepingherartistunderlockandkey，toputastoptohismarriagebyannouncingthathewasamarriedman，pardonedbytheeffortsofhiswife，andgoneofftoRussia。
Tocarryoutthisplan，ataboutthreeo’clockshewenttotheBaroness，thoughitwasnotthedaywhenshewasduetodinewithher；
butshewishedtoenjoytheanguishwhichHortensemustendureatthehourwhenWenceslaswasinthehabitofmakinghisappearance。”Haveyoucometodinner？”askedtheBaroness，concealingherdisappointment。”Well，yes。””That’swell，”repliedHortense。”Iwillgoandtellthemtobepunctual，foryoudonotliketobekeptwaiting。”
Hortensenoddedreassuringlytohermother，forsheintendedtotelltheman-servanttosendawayMonsieurSteinbockifheshouldcall；theman，however，happenedtobeout，soHortensewasobligedtogiveherorderstothemaid，andthegirlwentupstairstofetchherneedleworkandsitintheante-room。”Andaboutmylover？”saidCousinBettytoHortense，whenthegirlcameback。”Youneveraskabouthimnow？””Tobesure，whatishedoing？”saidHortense。”Hehasbecomefamous。
Yououghttobeveryhappy，”sheaddedinanundertonetoLisbeth。”EverybodyistalkingofMonsieurWenceslasSteinbock。””Agreatdealtoomuch，”repliedsheinhercleartones。”Monsieurisdeparting——IfitwereonlyamatterofcharminghimsofarastodefytheattractionsofParis，Iknowmypower；buttheysaythatinordertosecuretheservicesofsuchanartist，theEmperorNicholshaspardonedhim——””Nonsense！”saidtheBaroness。”Whendidyouhearthat？”askedHortense，whofeltasifherhearthadthecramp。”Well，”saidthevillainousLisbeth，”apersontowhomheisboundbythemostsacredties——hiswife——wroteyesterdaytotellhimso。Hewantstobeoff。Oh，hewillbeagreatfooltogiveupFrancetogotoRussia！——”
Hortenselookedathermother，butherheadsankononeside；theBaronesswasonlyjustintimetosupportherdaughter，whodroppedfainting，andaswhiteasherlacekerchief。”Lisbeth！youhavekilledmychild！”criedtheBaroness。”Youwereborntobeourcurse！””Blessme！whatfaultofmineisthis，Adeline？”repliedLisbeth，assherosewithamenacingaspect，ofwhichtheBaroness，inheralarm，tooknonotice。”Iwaswrong，”saidAdeline，supportingthegirl。”Ring。”
Atthisinstantthedooropened，thewomenbothlookedround，andsawWenceslasSteinbock，whohadbeenadmittedbythecookinthemaid’sabsence。”Hortense！”criedtheartist，withonespringtothegroupofwomen。
Andhekissedhisbetrothedbeforehermother’seyes，ontheforehead，andsoreverently，thattheBaronesscouldnotbeangry。Itwasabetterrestorativethananysmellingsalts。Hortenseopenedhereyes，sawWenceslas，andhercolorcameback。Inafewminutesshehadquiterecovered。”Sothiswasyoursecret？”saidLisbeth，smilingatWenceslas，andaffectingtoguessthefactsfromhertwocousins’confusion。”Buthowdidyoustealawaymylover？”saidshe，leadingHortenseintothegarden。
Hortenseartlesslytoldtheromanceofherlove。Herfatherandmother，shesaid，beingconvincedthatLisbethwouldnevermarry，hadauthorizedtheCount’svisits。OnlyHortense，likeafull-blownAgnes，attributedtochanceherpurchaseofthegroupandtheintroductionoftheartist，who，byheraccount，hadinsistedonknowingthenameofhisfirstpurchaser。
PresentlySteinbockcameouttojointhecousins，andthankedtheoldmaideffusivelyforhispromptrelease。LisbethrepliedJesuiticallythatthecreditorhavinggivenveryvaguepromises，shehadnothopedtobeabletogethimoutbeforethemorrow，andthatthepersonwhohadlentherthemoney，ashamed，perhaps，ofsuchmeanconduct，hadbeenbeforehandwithher。Theoldmaidappearedtobeperfectlycontent，andcongratulatedWenceslasonhishappiness。”Youbadboy！”saidshe，beforeHortenseandhermother，”ifyouhadonlytoldmetheeveningbeforelastthatyoulovedmycousinHortense，andthatshelovedyou，youwouldhavesparedmemanytears。
Ithoughtthatyouweredesertingyouroldfriend，yourgoverness；
while，onthecontrary，youaretobecomemycousin；henceforth，youwillbeconnectedwithme，remotely，itistrue，butbytiesthatamplyjustifythefeelingsIhaveforyou。”AndshekissedWenceslasontheforehead。
HortensethrewherselfintoLisbeth’sarmsandmeltedintotears。”Iowemyhappinesstoyou，”saidshe，”andIwillneverforgetit。””CousinBetty，”saidtheBaroness，embracingLisbethinherexcitementatseeingmatterssohappilysettled，”theBaronandIoweyouadebtofgratitude，andwewillpayit。Comeandtalkthingsoverwithme，”
sheadded，leadingheraway。
SoLisbeth，toallappearances，wasplayingthepartofagoodangeltothewholefamily；shewasadoredbyCrevelandHulot，byAdelineandHortense。”Wewishyoutogiveupworking，”saidtheBaroness。”Ifyouearnfortysousaday，Sundaysexcepted，thatmakessixhundredfrancsayear。Well，then，howmuchhaveyousaved？””Fourthousandfivehundredfrancs。””PoorBetty！”saidhercousin。
Sheraisedhereyestoheaven，sodeeplywasshemovedatthethoughtofallthelaborandprivationsuchasummustrepresentaccumulatedduringthirtyyears。
Lisbeth，misunderstandingthemeaningoftheexclamation，tookitastheironicalpityofthesuccessfulwoman，andherhatredwasstrengthenedbyalargeinfusionofvenomattheverymomentwhenhercousinhadcastoffherlastshredofdistrustofthetyrantofherchildhood。”Wewilladdtenthousandfivehundredfrancstothatsum，”saidAdeline，”andputitintrustsothatyoushalldrawtheinterestforlifewithreversiontoHortense。Thus，youwillhavesixhundredfrancsayear。”
Lisbethfeignedtheutmostsatisfaction。Whenshewentin，herhandkerchieftohereyes，wipingawaytearsofjoy，HortensetoldherofallthefavorsbeingshoweredonWenceslas，belovedofthefamily。
SowhentheBaroncamehome，hefoundhisfamilyallpresent；fortheBaronesshadformallyacceptedWenceslasbythetitleofSon，andtheweddingwasfixed，ifherhusbandshouldapprove，foradayafortnighthence。Themomenthecameintothedrawing-room，Hulotwasrushedatbyhiswifeanddaughter，whorantomeethim，Adelinetospeaktohimprivately，andHortensetokisshim。”Youhavegonetoofarinpledgingmetothis，madame，”saidtheBaronsternly。”Youarenotmarriedyet，”headdedwithalookatSteinbock，whoturnedpale。”Hehasheardofmyimprisonment，”saidthelucklessartisttohimself。”Come，children，”saidhe，leadinghisdaughterandtheyoungmanintothegarden；theyallsatdownonthemoss-eatenseatinthesummer-
house。”MonsieurleComte，doyoulovemydaughteraswellasIlovedhermother？”heasked。”More，monsieur，”saidthesculptor。”Hermotherwasapeasant’sdaughter，andhadnotafarthingofherown。””OnlygivemeMademoiselleHortensejustassheis，withoutatrousseaueven——””SoIshouldthink！”saidtheBaron，smiling。”HortenseisthedaughteroftheBaronHulotd’Ervy，CouncillorofState，highupintheWarOffice，GrandCommanderoftheLegionofHonor，andthebrothertoCountHulot，whosegloryisimmortal，andwhowillerelongbeMarshalofFrance！And——shehasamarriageportion。”Itistrue，”saidtheimpassionedartist。”Imustseemveryambitious。ButifmydearHortensewerealaborer’sdaughter，Iwouldmarryher——””ThatisjustwhatIwantedtoknow，”repliedtheBaron。”Runaway，Hortense，andleavemetotalkbusinesswithMonsieurleComte——Hereallylovesyou，yousee！””Oh，papa，Iwassureyouwereonlyinjest，”saidthehappygirl。”MydearSteinbock，”saidtheBaron，withelaborategraceofdictionandthemostperfectmanners，assoonasheandtheartistwerealone，”Ipromisedmysonafortuneoftwohundredthousandfrancs，ofwhichthepoorboyhasneverhadasou；andheneverwillgetanyofit。Mydaughter’sfortunewillalsobetwohundredthousandfrancs，forwhichyouwillgiveareceipt——””Yes，MonsieurleBaron。””Yougotoofast，”saidHulot。”Havethegoodnesstohearmeout。I
cannotexpectfromason-in-lawsuchdevotionasIlookforfrommyson。MysonknewexactlyallIcouldandwoulddoforhisfuturepromotion：hewillbeaMinister，andwilleasilymakegoodhistwohundredthousandfrancs。Butwithyou，youngman，mattersaredifferent。IshallgiveyouabondforsixtythousandfrancsinStatefundsatfivepercent，inyourwife’sname。ThisincomewillbediminishedbyasmallchargeintheformofanannuitytoLisbeth；butshewillnotlivelong；sheisconsumptive，Iknow。Tellnoone；itisasecret；letthepoorsouldieinpeace——Mydaughterwillhaveatrousseauworthtwentythousandfrancs；hermotherwillgivehersixthousandfrancsworthofdiamonds。”Monsieur，youoverpowerme！”saidSteinbock，quitebewildered。”Astotheremaininghundredandtwentythousandfrancs——””Saynomore，monsieur，”saidWenceslas。”IaskonlyformybelovedHortense——””Willyoulistentome，effervescentyouth！——Astotheremaininghundredandtwentythousandfrancs，Ihavenotgotthem；butyouwillhavethem——””Monsieur？””YouwillgetthemfromtheGovernment，inpaymentforcommissionswhichIwillsecureforyou，Ipledgeyoumywordofhonor。Youaretohaveastudio，yousee，attheGovernmentdepot。Exhibitafewfinestatues，andIwillgetyoureceivedattheInstitute。Thehighestpersonageshavearegardformybrotherandforme，andIhopetosucceedinsecuringforyouacommissionforsculptureatVersaillesuptoaquarterofthewholesum。YouwillhaveordersfromtheCityofParisandfromtheChamberofPeers；inshort，mydearfellow，youwillhavesomanythatyouwillbeobligedtogetassistants。InthatwayIshallpayoffmydebttoyou。Youmustsaywhetherthiswayofgivingaportionwillsuityou；whetheryouareequaltoit。””Iamequaltomakingafortuneformywifesingle-handedifallelsefailed！”criedtheartist-nobleman。”ThatiswhatIadmire！”criedtheBaron。”High-mindedyouththatfearsnothing。Come，”headded，claspinghandswiththeyoungsculptortoconcludethebargain，”youhavemyconsent。WewillsignthecontractonSundaynext，andtheweddingshallbeonthefollowingSaturday，mywife’sfete-day。””Itisalright，”saidtheBaronesstoherdaughter，whostoodgluedtothewindow。”Yoursuitorandyourfatherareembracingeachother。”
Ongoinghomeintheevening，Wenceslasfoundthesolutionofthemysteryofhisrelease。Theporterhandedhimathicksealedpacket，containingthescheduleofhisdebts，withasignedreceiptaffixedatthebottomofthewrit，andaccompaniedbythisletter：——”MYDEARWENCESLAS，——Iwenttofetchyouatteno’clockthismorningtointroduceyoutoaRoyalHighnesswhowishestoseeyou。ThereIlearnedthatthedunshadhadyouconveyedtoacertainlittledomain——chieftown，/ClichyCastle/。”SooffIwenttoLeondeLora，andtoldhim，forajoke，thatyoucouldnotleaveyourcountryquartersforlackoffourthousandfrancs，andthatyouwouldspoilyourfutureprospectsifyoudidnotmakeyourbowtoyourroyalpatron。Happily，Bridauwasthere——amanofgenius，whohasknownwhatitistobepoor，andhasheardyourstory。Myboy，betweenthemtheyhavefoundthemoney，andIwentofftopaytheTurkwhocommittedtreasonagainstgeniusbyputtingyouinquod。AsIhadtobeattheTuileriesatnoon，Icouldnotwaittoseeyousniffingtheouterair。Iknowyoutobeagentleman，andIansweredforyoutomytwofriends——
butlookthemupto-morrow。”LeonandBridaudonotwantyourcash；theywillaskyoutodothemeachagroup——andtheyareright。Atleast，sothinksthemanwhowisheshecouldsignhimselfyourrival，butisonlyyourfaithfulally，”STIDMANN。”P。S——ItoldthePrinceyouwereaway，andwouldnotreturntillto-morrow，sohesaid，’Verygood——to-morrow。’”
CountWenceslaswenttobedinsheetsofpurple，withoutarose-leaftowrinklethem，thatFavorcanmakeforus——Favor，thehaltingdivinitywhomovesmoreslowlyformenofgeniusthaneitherJusticeorFortune，becauseJovehasnotchosentobandagehereyes。Hence，lightlydeceivedbythedisplayofimpostors，andattractedbytheirfripperyandtrumpets，shespendsthetimeinseeingthemandthemoneyinpayingthemwhichsheoughttodevotetoseekingoutmenofmeritinthenookswheretheyhide。
ItwillnowbenecessarytoexplainhowMonsieurleBaronHulothadcontrivedtocountuphisexpenditureonHortense’sweddingportion，andatthesametimetodefraythefrightfulcostofthecharmingroomswhereMadameMarneffewastomakeherhome。Hisfinancialschemeborethatstampoftalentwhichleadsprodigalsandmeninloveintothequagmireswheresomanydisastersawaitthem。Nothingcandemonstratemorecompletelythestrangecapacitycommunicatedbyvice，towhichweowethestrokesofskillwhichambitiousorvoluptuousmencanoccasionallyachieve——or，inshort，anyoftheDevil’spupils。
Onthedaybefore，oldJohannFischer，unabletopaythirtythousandfrancsdrawnforonhimbyhisnephew，hadfoundhimselfunderthenecessityofstoppingpaymentunlesstheBaroncouldremitthesum。
Thisancientworthy，withthewhitehairsofseventyyears，hadsuchblindconfidenceinHulot——who，totheoldBonapartist，wasanemanationfromtheNapoleonicsun——thathewascalmlypacinghisanteroomwiththebankclerk，inthelittleground-floorapartmentthatherentedforeighthundredfrancsayearastheheadquartersofhisextensivedealingsincornandforage。”Margueriteisgonetofetchthemoneyfromcloseby，”saidhe。
Theofficial，inhisgrayuniformbraidedwithsilver，wassoconvincedoftheoldAlsatian’shonesty，thathewaspreparedtoleavethethirtythousandfrancs’worthofbillsinhishands；buttheoldmanwouldnotlethimgo，observingthattheclockhadnotyetstruckeight。Acabdrewup，theoldmanrushedintothestreet，andheldouthishandtotheBaronwithsublimeconfidence——Hulothandedhimoutthirtythousand-francnotes。”Goonthreedoorsfurther，andIwilltellyouwhy，”saidFischer。”Here，youngman，”hesaid，returningtocountoutthemoneytothebankemissary，whomhethensawtothedoor。
Whentheclerkwasoutofsight，Fischercalledbackthecabcontaininghisaugustnephew，Napoleon’srighthand，andsaid，asheledhimintothehouse：”YoudonotwantthemtoknowattheBankofFrancethatyoupaidmethethirtythousandfrancs，afterendorsingthebills？——Itwasbadenoughtoseethemsignedbysuchamanasyou！——””Cometothebottomofyourlittlegarden，FatherFischer，”saidtheimportantman。”Youarehearty？”hewenton，sittingdownunderavinearborandscanningtheoldmanfromheadtofoot，asadealerinhumanfleshscansasubstitutefortheconscription。”Ay，heartyenoughforatontine，”saidtheleanlittleoldman；hissinewswerewiry，andhiseyebright。”Doesheatdisagreewithyou？””Quitethecontrary。””WhatdoyousaytoAfrica？””Averynicecountry！——TheFrenchwenttherewiththelittleCorporal”
(Napoleon)。”Togetusalloutofthepresentscrape，youmustgotoAlgiers，”
saidtheBaron。”Andhowaboutmybusiness？””AnofficialintheWarOffice，whohastoretire，andhasnotenoughtoliveonwithhispension，willbuyyourbusiness。””AndwhatamItodoinAlgiers？””SupplytheCommissariatwithvictuals，corn，andforage；Ihaveyourcommissionreadyfilledinandsigned。Youcancollectsuppliesinthecountryatseventypercentbelowthepricesatwhichyoucancreditus。””Howshallwegetthem？””Oh，byraids，bytaxesinkind，andtheKhaliphat——Thecountryislittleknown，thoughwesettledthereeightyearsago；Algeriaproducesvastquantitiesofcornandforage。WhenthisproducebelongstoArabs，wetakeitfromthemundervariouspretences；whenitbelongstous，theArabstrytogetitbackagain。Thereisagreatdealoffightingoverthecorn，andnooneeverknowsexactlyhowmucheachpartyhasstolenfromtheother。ThereisnottimeintheopenfieldtomeasurethecornaswedointheParismarket，orthehayasitissoldintheRued’Enfer。TheArabchiefs，likeourSpahis，preferhardcash，andselltheplunderataverylowprice。TheCommissariatneedsafixedquantityandmusthaveit。Itwinksatexorbitantpricescalculatedonthedifficultyofprocuringfood，andthedangerstowhicheveryformoftransportisexposed。ThatisAlgiersfromthearmycontractor’spointofview。”Itisamuddletemperedbytheink-bottle，likeeveryincipientgovernment。Weshallnotseeourwaythroughitforanothertenyears——wewhohavetodothegoverning；butprivateenterprisehassharpeyes——SoIamsendingyoutheretomakeafortune；Igiveyouthejob，asNapoleonputanimpoverishedMarshalattheheadofakingdomwheresmugglingmightbesecretlyencouraged。”Iamruined，mydearFischer；Imusthaveahundredthousandfrancswithinayear。””IseenoharmingettingitoutoftheBedouins，”saidtheAlsatiancalmly。”ItwasalwaysdoneundertheEmpire——””Themanwhowantstobuyyourbusinesswillbeherethismorning，andpayyoutenthousandfrancsdown，”theBaronwenton。”Thatwillbeenough，Isuppose，totakeyoutoAfrica？”
Theoldmannoddedassent。”Astocapitaloutthere，bequiteeasy。IwilldrawtheremainderofthemoneydueifIfinditnecessary。””AllIhaveisyours——myveryblood，”saidoldFischer。”Oh，donotbeuneasy，”saidHulot，fancyingthathisunclesawmoreclearlythanwasthefact。”Astoourexcisedealings，yourcharacterwillnotbeimpugned。Everythingdependsontheauthorityatyourback；nowImyselfappointedtheauthoritiesoutthere；Iamsureofthem。This，UncleFischer，isadeadsecretbetweenus。Iknowyouwell，andIhavespokenoutwithoutconcealmentorcircumlocution。””Itshallbedone，”saidtheoldman。”Anditwillgoon——？””Fortwoyears，YouwillhavemadeahundredthousandfrancsofyourowntolivehappyonintheVosges。””Iwilldoasyouwish；myhonorisyours，”saidthelittleoldmanquietly。”ThatisthesortofmanIlike——However，youmustnotgotillyouhaveseenyourgrand-niecehappilymarried。SheistobeaCountess。”
ButeventaxesandraidsandthemoneypaidbytheWarOfficeclerkforFischer’sbusinesscouldnotforthwithprovidesixtythousandfrancstogiveHortense，tosaynothingofhertrousseau，whichwastocostaboutfivethousand，andthefortythousandspent——ortobespent——onMadameMarneffe。
Where，thenhadtheBaronfoundthethirtythousandfrancshehadjustproduced？Thiswasthehistory。
AfewdayspreviouslyHulothadinsuredhislifeforthesumofahundredandfiftythousandfrancs，forthreeyears，intwoseparatecompanies。Armedwiththepolicies，ofwhichhepaidthepremium，hehadspokenasfollowstotheBarondeNucingen，apeeroftheChamber，inwhosecarriagehefoundhimselfafterasitting，drivinghome，infact，todinewithhim：——”Baron，Iwantseventythousandfrancs，andIapplytoyou。Youmustfindsomeonetolendhisname，towhomIwillmakeovertherighttodrawmypayforthreeyears；itamountstotwenty-fivethousandfrancsayear——thatis，seventy-fivethousandfrancs——Youwillsay，’Butyoumaydie’”——thebankersignifiedhisassent——”Here，then，isapolicyofinsuranceforahundredandfiftythousandfrancs，whichIwilldepositwithyoutillyouhavedrawnuptheeightythousandfrancs，”
saidHulot，producingthedocumentformhispocket。”Butifyoushouldloseyourplace？”saidthemillionaireBaron，laughing。
TheotherBaron——notamillionaire——lookedgrave。”Bequiteeasy；IonlyraisedthequestiontoshowyouthatIwasnotdevoidofmeritinhandingyouthesum。Areyousoshortofcash？fortheBankwilltakeyoursignature。””Mydaughteristobemarried，”saidBaronHulot，”andIhavenofortune——likeeveryoneelsewhoremainsinofficeinthesethanklesstimes，whenfivehundredordinarymenseatedonbencheswillneverrewardthemenwhodevotethemselvestotheserviceashandsomelyastheEmperordid。””Well，well；butyouhadJosephaonyourhands！”repliedNucingen，”andthataccountsforeverything。Betweenourselves，theDucd’Herouvillehasdoneyouaverygoodturnbyremovingthatleechfromsuckingyourpursedry。’Ihaveknownwhatthatis，andcanpityyourcase，’”hequoted。”Takeafriend’sadvice：Shutupshop，oryouwillbedonefor。”
ThisdirtybusinesswascarriedoutinthenameofoneVauvinet，asmallmoney-lender；oneofthosejobberswhostandforwardtoscreengreatbankinghouses，likethelittlefishthatissaidtoattendtheshark。Thisstock-jobber’sapprenticewassoanxioustogainthepatronageofMonsieurleBaronHulot，thathepromisedthegreatmantonegotiatebillsofexchangeforthirtythousandfrancsateightydays，andpledgedhimselftorenewthemfourtimes，andneverpassthemoutofhishands。
Fischer’ssuccessorwastopayfortythousandfrancsforthehouseandthebusiness，withthepromisethatheshouldsupplyforagetoadepartmentclosetoParis。
Thiswasthedesperatemazeofaffairsintowhichamanwhohadhithertobeenabsolutelyhonestwasledbyhispassions——oneofthebestadministrativeofficialsunderNapoleon——peculationtopaythemoney-lenders，andborrowingofthemoney-lenderstogratifyhispassionsandprovideforhisdaughter。AlltheeffortsofthiselaborateprodigalityweredirectedatmakingadisplaybeforeMadameMarneffe，andtoplayingJupitertothismiddle-classDanae。Amancouldnotexpendmoreactivity，intelligence，andpresenceofmindinthehonestacquisitionofafortunethantheBarondisplayedinshovinghisheadintoawasp’snest：Hedidallthebusinessofhisdepartment，hehurriedontheupholsterers，hetalkedtotheworkmen，hekeptasharplookoutonthesmallestdetailsofthehouseintheRueVanneau。WhollydevotedtoMadameMarneffe，heneverthelessattendedthesittingsoftheChambers；hewaseverywhereatonce，andneitherhisfamilynoranybodyelsediscoveredwherehisthoughtswere。
Adeline，quiteamazedtohearthatherunclewasrescued，andtoseeahandsomesumfigureinthemarriage-contract，wasnotaltogethereasy，inspiteofherjoyatseeingherdaughtermarriedundersuchcreditablecircumstances。But，onthedaybeforethewedding，fixedbytheBarontocoincidewithMadameMarneffe’sremovaltohernewapartment，Hectorallayedhiswife’sastonishmentbythisministerialcommunication：——”Now，Adeline，ourgirlismarried；allouranxietiesonthesubjectareatanend。Thetimeiscomeforustoretirefromtheworld：I
shallnotremaininofficemorethanthreeyearslonger——onlythetimenecessarytosecuremypension。Why，henceforth，shouldwebeatanyunnecessaryexpense？Ourapartmentcostsussixthousandfrancsayearinrent，wehavefourservants，weeatthirtythousandfrancs’worthoffoodinayear。Ifyouwantmetopayoffmybills——forIhavepledgedmysalaryforthesumsIneededtogiveHortenseherlittlemoney，andpayoffyouruncle——””Youdidveryright！”saidshe，interruptingherhusband，andkissinghishands。
ThisexplanationrelievedAdelineofallherfears。”Ishallhavetoasksomelittlesacrificesofyou，”hewenton，disengaginghishandsandkissinghiswife’sbrow。”IhavefoundintheRuePlumetaverygoodflatonthefirstfloor，handsome，splendidlypaneled，atonlyfifteenhundredfrancsayear，whereyouwouldonlyneedonewomantowaitonyou，andIcouldbequitecontentwithaboy。””Yes，mydear。””Ifwekeephouseinaquietway，keepingupaproperappearanceofcourse，weshouldnotspendmorethansixthousandfrancsayear，exceptingmyprivateaccount，whichIwillprovidefor。”
Thegenerous-heartedwomanthrewherarmsroundherhusband’sneckinherjoy。”HowhappyIshallbe，beginningagaintoshowyouhowtrulyIloveyou！”sheexclaimed。”Andwhatacapitalmanageryouare！””Wewillhavethechildrentodinewithusonceaweek。I，asyouknow，rarelydineathome。YoucanverywelldinetwiceaweekwithVictorinandtwiceaweekwithHortense。And，asIbelieve，ImaysucceedinmakingmattersupcompletelybetweenCrevelandus；wecandineonceaweekwithhim。Thesefivedinnersandourownathomewillfilluptheweekallbutoneday，supposingthatwemayoccasionallybeinvitedtodineelsewhere。””Ishallsaveagreatdealforyou，”saidAdeline。”Oh！”hecried，”youarethepearlofwomen！””Mykind，divineHector，Ishallblessyouwithmylatestbreath，”
saidshe，”foryouhavedonewellformydearHortense。”
ThiswasthebeginningoftheendofthebeautifulMadameHulot’shome；and，itmaybeadded，ofherbeingtotallyneglected，asHulothadsolemnlypromisedMadameMarneffe。
Crevel，theimportantandburly，beinginvitedasamatterofcoursetothepartygivenforthesigningofthemarriage-contract，behavedasthoughthescenewithwhichthisdramaopenedhadnevertakenplace，asthoughhehadnogrievanceagainsttheBaron。CelestinCrevelwasquiteamiable；hewasperhapsrathertoomuchtheex-perfumer，butasaMajorhewasbeginningtoacquiremajesticdignity。Hetalkedofdancingatthewedding。”Fairlady，”saidhepolitelytotheBaroness，”peoplelikeusknowhowtoforget。Donotbanishmefromyourhome；honorme，pray，bygracingmyhousewithyourpresencenowandthentomeetyourchildren。Bequiteeasy；Iwillneversayanythingofwhatliesburiedatthebottomofmyheart。Ibehaved，indeed，likeanidiot，forI
shouldlosetoomuchbycuttingmyselfofffromseeingyou。””Monsieur，anhonestwomanhasnoearsforsuchspeechesasthoseyoureferto。Ifyoukeepyourword，youneednotdoubtthatitwillgivemepleasuretoseetheendofacoolnesswhichmustalwaysbepainfulinafamily。””Well，yousulkyoldfellow，”saidHulot，draggingCreveloutintothegarden，”youavoidmeeverywhere，eveninmyownhouse。Aretwoadmirersofthefairsextoquarrelforeveroverapetticoat？Come；
thisisreallytooplebeian！””I，monsieur，amnotsuchafinemanasyouare，andmysmallattractionshindermefromrepairingmylossessoeasilyasyoucan——””Sarcastic！”saidtheBaron。”Ironyisallowablefromthevanquishedtotheconquerer。”
Theconversation，beguninthisstrain，endedinacompletereconciliation；stillCrevelmaintainedhisrighttotakehisrevenge。
MadameMarneffeparticularlywishedtobeinvitedtoMademoiselleHulot’swedding。Toenablehimtoreceivehisfuturemistressinhisdrawing-room，thegreatofficialwasobligedtoinvitealltheclerksofhisdivisiondowntothedeputyhead-clerksinclusive。Thusagrandballwasanecessity。TheBaroness，asaprudenthousewife，calculatedthataneveningpartywouldcostlessthanadinner，andallowofalargernumberofinvitations；soHortense’sweddingwasmuchtalkedabout。
MarshalPrinceWissembourgandtheBarondeNucingensignedinbehalfofthebride，theComtesdeRastignacandPopinotinbehalfofSteinbock。Then，asthehighestnobilityamongthePolishemigrantshadbeenciviltoCountSteinbocksincehehadbecomefamous，theartistthoughthimselfboundtoinvitethem。TheStateCouncil，andtheWarOfficetowhichtheBaronbelonged，andthearmy，anxioustodohonortotheComtedeForzheim，wereallrepresentedbytheirmagnates。Therewerenearlytwohundredindispensableinvitations。Hownatural，then，thatlittleMadameMarneffewasbentonfiguringinallhergloryamidsuchanassembly。TheBaronesshad，amonthsince，soldherdiamondstosetupherdaughter’shouse，whilekeepingthefinestforthetrousseau。Thesalerealizedfifteenthousandfrancs，ofwhichfivethousandweresunkinHortense’sclothes。Andwhatwastenthousandfrancsforthefurnitureoftheyoungfolks’apartment，consideringthedemandsofmodernluxury？However，youngMonsieurandMadameHulot，oldCrevel，andtheComtedeForzheimmadeveryhandsomepresents，fortheoldsoldierhadsetasideasumforthepurchaseofplate。Thankstothesecontributions，evenanexactingParisianwouldhavebeenpleasedwiththeroomstheyoungcouplehadtakenintheRueSaint-Dominique，neartheInvalides。Everythingseemedinharmonywiththeirlove，pure，honest，andsincere。
Atlastthegreatdaydawned——foritwastobeagreatdaynotonlyforWenceslasandHortense，butforoldHulottoo。MadameMarneffewastogiveahouse-warminginhernewapartmentthedayafterbecomingHulot’smistress/entitre/，andafterthemarriageofthelovers。
Whobuthasonceinhislifebeenaguestatawedding-ball？Everyreadercanrefertohisreminiscences，andwillprobablysmileashecallsuptheimagesofallthatcompanyintheirSunday-bestfacesaswellastheirfinestfrippery。
Ifanysocialeventcanprovetheinfluenceofenvironment，isitnotthis？Infact，theSunday-bestmoodofsomereactssoeffectuallyontherestthatthemenwhoaremostaccustomedtowearingfulldresslookjustlikethosetowhomthepartyisahighfestival，uniqueintheirlife。Andthinktoooftheseriousoldmentowhomsuchthingsaresocompletelyamatterofindifference，thattheyarewearingtheireverydayblackcoats；thelong-marriedmen，whosefacesbetraytheirsadexperienceofthelifetheyoungpairarebutjustenteringon；andthelighterelements，presentascarbonic-acidgasisinchampagne；andtheenviousgirls，thewomenabsorbedinwonderingiftheirdressisasuccess，thepoorrelationswhoseparsimonious”get-
up”contrastswiththatoftheofficialsinuniform；andthegreedyones，thinkingonlyofthesupper；andthegamblers，thinkingonlyofcards。
Therearesomeofeverysort，richandpoor，enviousandenvied，philosophersanddreamers，allgroupedliketheplantsinaflower-bedroundtherare，choiceblossom，thebride。Awedding-ballisanepitomeoftheworld。
AttheliveliestmomentoftheeveningCrevelledtheBaronaside，andsaidinawhisper，withthemostnaturalmannerpossible：”ByJove！that’saprettywoman——thelittleladyinpinkwhohasopenedarackingfireonyoufromhereyes。””Which？””Thewifeofthatclerkyouarepromoting，heavenknowshow！——MadameMarneffe。””Whatdoyouknowaboutit？””Listen，Hulot；Iwilltrytoforgiveyoutheillyouhavedonemeifonlyyouwillintroducemetoher——IwilltakeyoutoHeloise。
Everybodyisaskingwhoisthatcharmingcreature。Areyousurethatitwillstrikenoonehowandwhyherhusband’sappointmentgotitselfsigned？——Youhappyrascal，sheisworthawholeoffice——Iwouldserveinherofficeonlytoogladly——Come，cinna，letusbefriends。””Betterfriendsthanever，”saidtheBarontotheperfumer，”andI
promiseyouIwillbeagoodfellow。Withinamonthyoushalldinewiththatlittleangel——Foritisanangelthistime，oldboy。AndI
adviseyou，likeme，tohavedonewiththedevils。”
CousinBetty，whohadmovedtotheRueVanneau，intoanicelittleapartmentonthethirdfloor，lefttheballatteno’clock，butcamebacktoseewithherowneyesthetwobondsbearingtwelvehundredfrancsinterest；oneofthemwasthepropertyoftheCountessSteinbock，theotherwasinthenameofMadameHulot。
ItisthusintelligiblethatMonsieurCrevelshouldhavespokentoHulotaboutMadameMarneffe，asknowingwhatwasasecrettotherestoftheworld；for，asMonsieurMarneffewasaway，noonebutLisbethFischer，besidestheBaronandValerie，wasinitiatedintothemystery。
TheBaronhadmadeablunderingivingMadameMarneffeadressfartoomagnificentforthewifeofasubordinateofficial；otherwomenwerejealousalikeofherbeautyandofhergown。Therewasmuchwhisperingbehindfans，forthepovertyoftheMarneffeswasknowntoeveryoneintheoffice；thehusbandhadbeenpetitioningforhelpattheverymomentwhentheBaronhadbeensosmittenwithmadame。Also，HectorcouldnotconcealhisexultationatseeingValerie’ssuccess；andshe，severelyproper，verylady-like，andgreatlyenvied，wastheobjectofthatstrictexaminationwhichwomensogreatlyfearwhentheyappearforthefirsttimeinanewcircleofsociety。
Afterseeinghiswifeintoacarriagewithhisdaughterandhisson-
in-law，Hulotmanagedtoescapeunperceived，leavinghissonandCelestinetodothehonorsofthehouse。HegotintoMadameMarneffe’scarriagetoseeherhome，buthefoundhersilentandpensive，almostmelancholy。”Myhappinessmakesyouverysad，Valerie，”saidhe，puttinghisarmroundheranddrawinghertohim。”Canyouwonder，mydear，”saidshe，”thatahaplesswomanshouldbealittledepressedatthethoughtofherfirstfallfromvirtue，evenwhenherhusband’satrocitieshavesetherfree？DoyousupposethatI
havenosoul，nobeliefs，noreligion？Yourgleethiseveninghasbeenreallytoobarefaced；youhaveparadedmeodiously。Really，aschoolboywouldhavebeenlessofacoxcomb。Andtheladieshavedissectedmewiththeirside-glancesandtheirsatiricalremarks。
Everywomanhassomecareforherreputation，andyouhavewreckedmine。”Oh，Iamyoursandnomistake！AndIhavenotanexcuseleftbutthatofbeingfaithfultoyou——Monsterthatyouare！”sheadded，laughing，andallowinghimtokissher，”youknewverywellwhatyouweredoing！
MadameCoquet，ourchiefclerk’swife，cametositdownbyme，andadmiredmylace。’Englishpoint！’saidshe。’Wasitveryexpensive，madame？’——’Idonotknow。Thislacewasmymother’s。Iamnotrichenoughtobuythelike，’saidI。”
MadameMarneffe，inshort，hadsobewitchedtheoldbeau，thathereallybelievedshewassinningforthefirsttimeforhissake，andthathehadinspiredsuchapassionashadledhertothisbreachofduty。ShetoldhimthatthewretchMarneffehadneglectedheraftertheyhadbeenthreedaysmarried，andforthemostodiousreasons。
Sincethenshehadlivedasinnocentlyasagirl；marriagehadseemedtohersohorrible。Thiswasthecauseofherpresentmelancholy。”Ifloveshouldprovetobelikemarriage——”saidsheintears。
Theseinsinuatinglies，withwhichalmosteverywomaninValerie’spredicamentisready，gavetheBarondistantvisionsoftherosesoftheseventhheaven。AndsoValeriecoquettedwithherlover，whiletheartistandHortensewereimpatientlyawaitingthemomentwhentheBaronessshouldhavegiventhegirlherlastkissandblessing。
AtseveninthemorningtheBaron，perfectlyhappy——forhisValeriewasatoncethemostguilelessofgirlsandthemostconsummateofdemons——wentbacktoreleasehissonandCelestinefromtheirduties。
Allthedancers，forthemostpartstrangers，hadtakenpossessionoftheterritory，astheydoateverywedding-ball，andwerekeepinguptheendlessfiguresofthecotillions，whilethegamblerswerestillcrowdingroundthe/bouillotte/tables，andoldCrevelhadwonsixthousandfrancs。
Themorningpapers，carriedroundthetown，containedthisparagraphintheParisarticle：——”Themarriagewascelebratedthismorning，attheChurchofSaint-
Thomasd’Aquin，betweenMonsieurleComteSteinbockandMademoiselleHortenseHulot，daughterofBaronHulotd’Ervy，CouncillorofState，andaDirectorattheWarOffice；nieceofthefamousGeneralComtedeForzheim。Theceremonyattractedalargegathering。Therewerepresentsomeofthemostdistinguishedartistsoftheday：LeondeLora，JosephBridau，Stidmann，andBixiou；themagnatesoftheWarOffice，oftheCouncilofState，andmanymembersofthetwoChambers；alsothemostdistinguishedofthePolishexileslivinginParis：CountsPaz，Laginski，andothers。”MonsieurleComteWenceslasSteinbockisgrandnephewtothefamousgeneralwhoservedunderCharlesXII。，KingofSweden。TheyoungCount，havingtakenpartinthePolishrebellion，foundarefugeinFrance，wherehiswell-earnedfameasasculptorhasprocuredhimapatentofnaturalization。”
Andso，inspiteoftheBaron’scruellackofmoney，nothingwaslackingthatpublicopinioncouldrequire，noteventhetrumpetingofthenewspapersoverhisdaughter’smarriage，whichwassolemnizedinthesameway，ineveryparticular，ashisson’shadbeentoMademoiselleCrevel。ThisdisplaymoderatedthereportscurrentastotheBaron’sfinancialposition，whilethefortuneassignedtohisdaughterexplainedtheneedforhavingborrowedmoney。
Hereendswhatis，inaway，theintroductiontothisstory。Itistothedramathatfollowsthatthepremiseistoasyllogism，whattheprologueistoaclassicaltragedy。
InParis，whenawomandeterminestomakeabusiness，atrade，ofherbeauty，itdoesnotfollowthatshewillmakeafortune。Lovelycreaturesmaybefoundthere，andfullofwit，whoareinwretchedcircumstances，endinginmiseryalifebeguninpleasure。Andthisiswhy。Itisnotenoughmerelytoaccepttheshamefullifeofacourtesanwithaviewtoearningitsprofits，andatthesametimetobearthesimplegarbofarespectablemiddle-classwife。Vicedoesnottriumphsoeasily；itresemblesgeniusinsofarthattheybothneedaconcurrenceoffavorableconditionstodevelopthecoalitionoffortuneandgifts。EliminatethestrangeprologueoftheRevolution，andtheEmperorwouldneverhaveexisted；hewouldhavebeennomorethanasecondeditionofFabert。Venalbeauty，ifitfindsnoamateurs，nocelebrity，nocrossofdishonorearnedbysquanderingmen’sfortunes，isCorreggioinahay-loft，isgeniusstarvinginagarret。Lais，inParis，mustfirstandforemostfindarichmanmadenoughtopayherprice。Shemustkeepupaveryelegantstyle，forthisishershop-sign；shemustbesufficientlywellbredtoflatterthevanityofherlovers；shemusthavethebrilliantwitofaSophieArnould，whichdivertstheapathyofrichmen；finally，shemustarousethepassionsoflibertinesbyappearingtobemistresstoonemanonlywhoisenviedbytherest。
Theseconditions，whichawomanofthatclasscallsbeinginluck，aredifficulttocombineinParis，althoughitisacityofmillionaires，ofidlers，ofused-upandcapriciousmen。
Providencehas，nodoubt，vouchsafedprotectiontoclerksandmiddle-
classcitizens，forwhomobstaclesofthiskindareatleastdoubleinthesphereinwhichtheymove。Atthesametime，thereareenoughMadameMarneffesinParistoallowofourtakingValerietofigureasatypeinthispictureofmanners。Someofthesewomenyieldtothedoublepressureofagenuinepassionandofhardnecessity，likeMadameColleville，whowasforlongattachedtooneofthefamousoratorsoftheleft，Kellerthebanker。Othersarespurredbyvanity，likeMadamedelaBaudraye，whoremainedalmostrespectableinspiteofherelopementwithLousteau。Some，again，areledastraybytheloveoffineclothes，andsomebytheimpossibilityofkeepingahousegoingonobviouslytoonarrowmeans。ThestinginessoftheState——orofParliament——leadstomanydisastersandtomuchcorruption。
Atthepresentmomentthelaboringclassesarethefashionableobjectofcompassion；theyarebeingmurdered——itissaid——bythemanufacturingcapitalist；buttheGovernmentisahundredtimesharderthanthemeanesttradesman，itcarriesitseconomyinthearticleofsalariestoabsolutefolly。Ifyouworkharder，themerchantwillpayyoumoreinproportion；butwhatdoestheStatedoforitscrowdofobscureanddevotedtoilers？
Inamarriedwomanitisaninexcusablecrimewhenshewandersfromthepathofhonor；still，therearedegreeseveninsuchacase。Somewomen，farfrombeingdepraved，concealtheirfallandremaintoallappearancesquiterespectable，likethosetwojustreferredto，whileothersaddtotheirfaultthedisgraceofspeculation。ThusMadameMarneffeis，asitwere，thetypeofthoseambitiousmarriedcourtesanswhofromthefirstacceptdepravitywithallitsconsequences，anddeterminetomakeafortunewhiletakingtheirpleasure，perfectlyunscrupulousastothemeans。ButalmostalwaysawomanlikeMadameMarneffehasahusbandwhoisherconfederateandaccomplice。TheseMachiavellisinpetticoatsarethemostdangerousofthesisterhood；ofeveryevilclassofParisianwoman，theyaretheworst。
Amerecourtesan——aJosepha，aMalaga，aMadameSchontz，aJennyCadine——carriesinherfrankdishonorawarningsignalasconspicuousastheredlampofahouseofill-fameortheflaringlightsofagamblinghell。Amanknowsthattheylighthimtohisruin。
Butmealy-mouthedpropriety，thesemblanceofvirtue，thehypocriticalwaysofamarriedwomanwhoneverallowsanythingtobeseenbutthevulgarneedsofthehousehold，andaffectstorefuseeverykindofextravagance，leadstosilentruin，dumbdisaster，whichisallthemorestartlingbecause，thoughcondoned，itremainsunaccountedfor。
Itistheignoblebillofdailyexpensesandnotgaydissipationthatdevoursthelargestfortune。Thefatherofafamilyruinshimselfingloriously，andthegreatconsolationofgratifiedvanityiswantinginhismisery。
Thislittlesermonwillgolikeajavelintotheheartofmanyahome。
MadameMarneffesaretobeseenineverysphereofsociallife，evenatCourt；forValerieisamelancholyfact，modeledfromthelifeinthesmallestdetails。And，alas！theportraitwillnotcureanymanofthefollyoflovingthesesweetly-smilingangels，withpensivelooksandcandidfaces，whoseheartisacash-box。
AboutthreeyearsafterHortense’smarriage，in1841，BaronHulotd’Ervywassupposedtohavesownhiswildoats，tohave”putuphishorses，”toquotetheexpressionusedbyLouisXV。’sheadsurgeon，andyetMadameMarneffewascostinghimtwiceasmuchasJosephahadevercosthim。Still，Valerie，thoughalwaysnicelydressed，affectedthesimplicityofasubordinateofficial’swife；shekeptherluxuryforherdressing-gowns，herhomewear。ShethussacrificedherParisianvanitytoherdearHector。Atthetheatre，however，shealwaysappearedinaprettybonnetandadressofextremeelegance；andtheBarontookherinacarriagetoaprivatebox。
Herrooms，thewholeofthesecondfloorofamodernhouseintheRueVanneau，betweenafore-courtandagarden，wasredolentofrespectability。Allitsluxurywasingoodchintzhangingsandhandsomeconvenientfurniture。
Herbedroom，indeed，wastheexception，andrichwithsuchprofusionasJennyCadineorMadameSchontzmighthavedisplayed。Therewerelacecurtains，cashmerehangings，brocadeportieres，asetofchimneyornamentsmodeledbyStidmann，aglasscabinetfilledwithdaintynicknacks。HulotcouldnotbeartoseehisValerieinabowerofinferiormagnificencetothedunghillofgoldandpearlsownedbyaJosepha。Thedrawing-roomwasfurnishedwithreddamask，andthedining-roomhadcarvedoakpanels。ButtheBaron，carriedawaybyhiswishtohaveeverythinginkeeping，hadattheendofsixmonths，addedsolidluxurytomerefashion，andhadgivenherhandsomeportableproperty，as，forinstance，aserviceofplatethatwastocostmorethantwenty-fourthousandfrancs。
MadameMarneffe’shousehadinacoupleofyearsachievedareputationforbeingaverypleasantone。Gamblingwentonthere。Valerieherselfwassoonspokenofasanagreeableandwittywoman。Toaccountforherchangeofstyle，arumorwassetgoingofanimmenselegacybequeathedtoherbyher”naturalfather，”MarshalMontcornet，andleftintrust。
Withaneyetothefuture，Valeriehadaddedreligioustosocialhypocrisy。PunctualattheSundayservices，sheenjoyedallthehonorsduetothepious。Shecarriedthebagfortheoffertory，shewasamemberofacharitableassociation，presentedbreadforthesacrament，anddidsomegoodamongthepoor，allatHector’sexpense。Thuseverythingaboutthehousewasextremelyseemly。AndagreatmanypersonsmaintainedthatherfriendshipwiththeBaronwasentirelyinnocent，supportingtheviewbythegentleman’smatureage，andascribingtohimaPlatoniclikingforMadameMarneffe’spleasantwit，charmingmanners，andconversation——suchalikingasthatofthelatelamentedLouisXVIII。forawell-turnednote。
TheBaronalwayswithdrewwiththeothercompanyataboutmidnight，andcamebackaquarterofanhourlater。
Thesecretofthissecrecywasasfollows。Thelodge-keepersofthehousewereaMonsieurandMadameOlivier，who，undertheBaron’spatronage，hadbeenpromotedfromtheirhumbleandnotverylucrativepostintheRueduDoyennetothehighly-paidandhandsomeoneintheRueVanneau。Now，MadameOlivier，formerlyaneedlewomaninthehouseholdofCharlesX。，whohadfallenintheworldwiththelegitimatebranch，hadthreechildren。Theeldest，anunder-clerkinanotary’soffice，wasobjectofhisparents’adoration。ThisBenjamin，forsixyearsindangerofbeingdrawnforthearmy，wasonthepointofbeinginterruptedinhislegalcareer，whenMadameMarneffecontrivedtohavehimdeclaredexemptforoneofthoselittlemalformationswhichtheExaminingBoardcanalwaysdiscernwhenrequestedinawhisperbysomepowerintheministry。SoOlivier，formerlyahuntsmantotheKing，andhiswifewouldhavecrucifiedtheLordagainfortheBaronorforMadameMarneffe。
Whatcouldtheworldhavetosay？ItknewnothingoftheformerepisodeoftheBrazilian，MonsieurMontesdeMontejanos——itcouldsaynothing。Besides，theworldisveryindulgenttothemistressofahousewhereamusementistobefound。
AndthentoallhercharmsValerieaddedthehighly-prizedadvantageofbeinganoccultpower。ClaudeVignon，nowsecretarytoMarshalthePrincedeWissembourg，anddreamingofpromotiontotheCouncilofStateasaMasterofAppeals，wasconstantlyseeninherrooms，towhichcamealsosomeDeputies——goodfellowsandgamblers。MadameMarneffehadgothercircletogetherwithprudentdeliberation；onlymenwhoseopinionsandhabitsagreedforegatheredthere，menwhoseinterestitwastoholdtogetherandtoproclaimthemanymeritsoftheladyofthehouse。ScandalisthetrueHolyAllianceinParis。
Takethatasanaxiom。Interestsinvariablyfallasunderintheend；
viciousnaturescanalwaysagree。
WithinthreemonthsofsettlingintheRueVanneau，MadameMarneffehadentertainedMonsieurCrevel，whobythattimewasMayorofhis/arrondissement/andOfficeroftheLegionofHonor。Crevelhadhesitated；hewouldhavetogiveupthefamousuniformoftheNationalGuardinwhichhestruttedattheTuileries，believinghimselfquiteasmuchasoldierastheEmperorhimself；butambition，urgedbyMadameMarneffe，hadprovedstrongerthanvanity。ThenMonsieurleMairehadconsideredhisconnectionwithMademoiselleHeloiseBrisetoutasquiteincompatiblewithhispoliticalposition。
Indeed，longbeforehisaccessiontothecivicchairoftheMayoralty，hisgallantintimacieshadbeenwrappedinthedeepestmystery。But，asthereadermayhaveguessed，Crevelhadsoonpurchasedtherightoftakinghisrevenge，asoftenascircumstancesallowed，forhavingbeenbereftofJosepha，atthecostofabondbearingsixthousandfrancsofinterestinthenameofValerieFortin，wifeofSieurMarneffe，forhersoleandseparateuse。Valerie，inheritingperhapsfromhermotherthespecialacumenofthekeptwoman，readthecharacterofhergrotesqueadorerataglance。Thephrase”Ineverhadaladyforamistress，”spokenbyCreveltoLisbeth，andrepeatedbyLisbethtoherdearValerie，hadbeenhandsomelydiscountedinthebargainbywhichshegothersixthousandfrancsayearinfivepercents。AndsincethenshehadneverallowedherprestigetogrowlessintheeyesofCesarBirotteau’serewhilebagman。
CrevelhimselfhadmarriedformoneythedaughterofamilleroflaBrie，anonlychildindeed，whoseinheritanceconstitutedthree-
quartersofhisfortune；forwhenretail-dealersgrowrich，itisgenerallynotsomuchbytradeasthroughsomealliancebetweentheshopandruralthrift。Alargeproportionofthefarmers，corn-
factors，dairy-keepers，andmarket-gardenersintheneighborhoodofParis，dreamofthegloriesofthedeskfortheirdaughters，andlookuponashopkeeper，ajeweler，oramoney-changerasason-in-lawaftertheirownheart，inpreferencetoanotaryoranattorney，whosesuperiorsocialpositionisagroundofsuspicion；theyareafraidofbeingscornedinthefuturebythesecitizenbigwigs。
MadameCrevel，ugly，vulgar，andsilly，hadgivenherhusbandnopleasuresbutthoseofpaternity；shediedyoung。Herlibertinehusband，fetteredatthebeginningofhiscommercialcareerbythenecessityforworking，andheldinthrallbywantofmoney，hadledthelifeofTantalus。Thrownin——ashephrasedit——withthemostelegantwomeninParis，heletthemoutoftheshopwithservilehomage，whileadmiringtheirgrace，theirwayofwearingthefashions，andallthenamelesscharmsofwhatiscalledbreeding。Torisetothelevelofoneofthesefairiesofthedrawing-roomwasadesireformedinhisyouth，butburiedinthedepthsofhisheart。ThustowinthefavorsofMadameMarneffewastohimnotmerelytherealizationofhischimera，but，ashasbeenshown，apointofpride，ofvanity，ofself-
satisfaction。Hisambitiongrewwithsuccess；hisbrainwasturnedwithelation；andwhenthemindiscaptivated，theheartfeelsmorekeenly，everygratificationisdoubled。
Also，itmustbesaidthatMadameMarneffeofferedtoCrevelarefinementofpleasureofwhichhehadnoidea；neitherJosephanorHeloisehadlovedhim；andMadameMarneffethoughtitnecessarytodeceivehimthoroughly，forthisman，shesaw，wouldproveaninexhaustibletill。Thedeceptionsofavenalpassionaremoredelightfulthantherealthing。Trueloveismixedupwithbirdlikesquabbles，inwhichthedisputantswoundeachothertothequick；butaquarrelwithoutanimusis，onthecontrary，apieceofflatterytothedupe’sconceit。
TherareinterviewsgrantedtoCrevelkepthispassionatwhiteheat。
HewasconstantlyblockedbyValerie’svirtuousseverity；sheactedremorse，andwonderedwhatherfathermustbethinkingofherintheparadiseofthebrave。Againandagainhehadtocontendwithasortofcoldness，whichthecunningslutmadehimbelievehehadovercomebyseemingtosurrendertotheman’scrazypassion；andthen，asifashamed，sheentrenchedherselfoncemoreinherprideofrespectabilityandairsofvirtue，justlikeanEnglishwoman，neithermorenorless；andshealwayscrushedherCrevelundertheweightofherdignity——forCrevelhad，inthefirstinstance，swallowedherpretensionstovirtue。
Inshort，ValeriehadspecialveinsofaffectionswhichmadeherequallyindispensabletoCrevelandtotheBaron。Beforetheworldshedisplayedtheattractivecombinationofmodestandpensiveinnocence，ofirreproachablepropriety，withabrighthumorenhancedbythesuppleness，thegraceandsoftnessoftheCreole；butina/tete-a-
tete/shewouldoutdoanycourtesan；shewasaudacious，amusing，andfulloforiginalinventiveness。SuchacontrastisirresistibletoamanoftheCreveltype；heisflatteredbybelievinghimselfsoleauthorofthecomedy，thinkingitisperformedforhisbenefitalone，andhelaughsattheexquisitehypocrisywhileadmiringthehypocrite。
ValeriehadtakenentirepossessionofBaronHulot；shehadpersuadedhimtogrowoldbyoneofthosesubtletouchesofflatterywhichrevealthediabolicalwitofwomenlikeher。Inallevergreenconstitutionsamomentarriveswhenthetruthsuddenlycomesout，asinabesiegedtownwhichputsagoodfaceonaffairsaslongaspossible。Valerie，foreseeingtheapproachingcollapseoftheoldbeauoftheEmpire，determinedtoforestallit。”Whygiveyourselfsomuchbother，mydearoldveteran？”saidsheoneday，sixmonthsaftertheirdoublyadulterousunion。”Doyouwanttobeflirting？Tobeunfaithfultome？Iassureyou，Ishouldlikeyoubetterwithoutyourmake-up。Obligemebygivingupallyourartificialcharms。Doyousupposethatitisfortwosous’worthofpolishonyourbootsthatIloveyou？Foryourindia-rubberbelt，yourstrait-waistcoat，andyourfalsehair？Andthen，theolderyoulook，thelessneedIfearseeingmyHulotcarriedoffbyarival。”
AndHulot，trustingtoMadameMarneffe’sheavenlyfriendshipasmuchastoherlove，intending，too，toendhisdayswithher，hadtakenthisconfidentialhint，andceasedtodyehiswhiskersandhair。AfterthistouchingdeclarationfromhisValerie，handsomeHectormadehisappearanceonemorningperfectlywhite。MadameMarneffecouldassurehimthatshehadahundredtimesdetectedthewhitelineofthegrowthofthehair。”Andwhitehairsuitsyourfacetoperfection，”saidshe；”itsoftensit。Youlookathousandtimesbetter，quitecharming。”
TheBaron，oncestartedonthispathofreform，gaveuphisleatherwaistcoatandstays；hethrewoffallhisbracing。Hisstomachfellandincreasedinsize。Theoakbecameatower，andtheheavinessofhismovementswasallthemorealarmingbecausetheBarongrewimmenselyolderbyplayingthepartofLouisXII。Hiseyebrowswerestillblack，andleftaghostlyreminiscenceofHandsomeHulot，assometimesonthewallofsomefeudalbuildingafainttraceofsculptureremainstoshowwhatthecastlewasinthedaysofitsglory。Thisdiscordantdetailmadehiseyes，stillbrightandyouthful，allthemoreremarkableinhistannedface，becauseithadsolongbeenruddywiththefloridhuesofaRubens；andnowacertaindiscolorationandthedeeptensionofthewrinklesbetrayedtheeffortsofapassionatoddswithnaturaldecay。Hulotwasnowoneofthosestalwartruinsinwhichvirileforceassertsitselfbytuftsofhairintheearsandnostrilsandonthefingers，asmossgrowsonthealmosteternalmonumentsoftheRomanEmpire。
HowhadValeriecontrivedtokeepCrevelandHulotsidebyside，eachtiedtoanapron-string，whenthevindictiveMayoronlylongedtotriumphopenlyoverHulot？Withoutimmediatelygivingananswertothisquestion，whichthecourseofthestorywillsupply，itmaybesaidthatLisbethandValeriehadcontrivedapowerfulpieceofmachinerywhichtendedtothisresult。Marneffe，ashesawhiswifeimprovedinbeautybythesettinginwhichshewasenthroned，likethesunatthecentreofthesiderealsystem，appeared，intheeyesoftheworld，tohavefalleninlovewithheragainhimself；hewasquitecrazyabouther。Now，thoughhisjealousymadehimsomewhatofamarplot，itgaveenhancedvaluetoValerie’sfavors。Marneffemeanwhileshowedablindconfidenceinhischief，whichdegeneratedintoridiculouscomplaisance。TheonlypersonwhomhereallywouldnotstandwasCrevel。
Marneffe，wreckedbythedebaucheryofgreatcities，describedbyRomanauthors，thoughmoderndecencyhasnonameforit，wasashideousasananatomicalfigureinwax。Butthisdiseaseonfeet，clothedingoodbroadcloth，encasedhislathlikelegsineleganttrousers。Thehollowchestwasscentedwithfinelinen，andmuskdisguisedtheodorsofrottenhumanity。Thishideousspecimenofdecayingvice，trottinginredheels——forValeriedressedthemanasbeseemedhisincome，hiscross，andhisappointment——horrifiedCrevel，whocouldnotmeetthecolorlesseyesoftheGovernmentclerk。
MarneffewasanincubustotheMayor。Andthemeanrascal，awareofthestrangepowerconferredonhimbyLisbethandhiswife，wasamusedbyit；heplayedonitasonaninstrument；andcardsbeingthelastresourceofamindascompletelyplayedoutasthebody，hepluckedCrevelagainandagain，theMayorthinkinghimselfboundtosubserviencytotheworthyofficialwhom/hewascheating/。
SeeingCrevelamerechildinthehandsofthathideousandatrociousmummy，ofwhoseuttervilenesstheMayorknewnothing；andseeinghim，yetmore，anobjectofdeepcontempttoValerie，whomadegameofCrevelasofsomemountebank，theBaronapparentlythoughthimsoimpossibleasarivalthatheconstantlyinvitedhimtodinner。
Valerie，protectedbytwoloversonguard，andbyajealoushusband，attractedeveryeye，andexcitedeverydesireinthecirclesheshoneupon。Andthus，whilekeepingupappearances，shehad，inthecourseofthreeyears，achievedthemostdifficultconditionsofthesuccessacourtesanmostcaresforandmostrarelyattains，evenwiththehelpofaudacityandtheglitterofanexistenceinthelightofthesun。
Valerie’sbeauty，formerlyburiedinthemudoftheRueduDoyenne，now，likeawell-cutdiamondexquisitelysetbyChanor，wasworthmorethanitsrealvalue——itcouldbreakhearts。ClaudeVignonadoredValerieinsecret。
Thisretrospectiveexplanation，quitenecessaryafterthelapseofthreeyears，showsValerie’sbalance-sheet。Nowforthatofherpartner，Lisbeth。
LisbethFischerfilledtheplaceintheMarneffehouseholdofarelationwhocombinesthefunctionsofaladycompanionandahousekeeper；butshesufferedfromnoneofthehumiliationswhich，forthemostpart，weighuponthewomenwhoaresounhappyastobeobligedtofilltheseambiguoussituations。LisbethandValerieofferedthetouchingspectacleofoneofthosefriendshipsbetweenwomen，socordialandsoimprobable，thatmen，alwaystookeen-tonguedinParis，forthwithslanderthem。ThecontrastbetweenLisbeth’sdrymasculinenatureandValerie’screoleprettinessencouragedcalumny。
AndMadameMarneffehadunconsciouslygivenweighttothescandalbythecareshetookofherfriend，withmatrimonialviews，whichwere，aswillbeseen，tocompleteLisbeth’srevenge。
AnimmensechangehadtakenplaceinCousinBetty；andValerie，whowantedtosmartenher，hadturnedittothebestaccount。Thestrangewomanhadsubmittedtostays，andlacedtightly，sheusedbandolinetokeepherhairsmooth，worehergownsasthedressmakersentthemhome，neatlittleboots，andgraysilkstockings，allofwhichwereincludedinValerie’sbills，andpaidforbythegentlemaninpossession。Thusfurbishedup，andwearingtheyellowcashmereshawl，Lisbethwouldhavebeenunrecognizablebyanyonewhohadnotseenherforthreeyears。
Thisotherdiamond——ablackdiamond，therarestofall——cutbyaskilledhand，andsetasbestbecameher，wasappreciatedatherfullvaluebycertainambitiousclerks。AnyoneseeingherforthefirsttimemighthaveshudderedinvoluntarilyatthelookofpoeticwildnesswhichthecleverValeriehadsucceededinbringingoutbytheartsofdressinthisBleedingNun，framingtheasceticolivefaceinthickbandsofhairasblackasthefieryeyes，andmakingthemostoftherigid，slimfigure。Lisbeth，likeaVirginbyCranachorVanEyck，oraByzantineMadonnasteppedoutofitsframe，hadallthestiffness，theprecisionofthosemysteriousfigures，themoremoderncousinsofIsisandhersistergoddessessheathedinmarblefoldsbyEgyptiansculptors。Itwasgranite，basalt，porphyry，withlifeandmovement。
Savedfromwantfortherestofherlife，Lisbethwasmostamiable；
wherevershedinedshebroughtmerriment。AndtheBaronpaidtherentofherlittleapartment，furnished，asweknow，withtheleavingsofherfriendValerie’sformerboudoirandbedroom。”Ibegan，”shewouldsay，”asahungrynannygoat，andIamendingasa/lionne/。”
ShestillworkedforMonsieurRivetatthemoreelaboratekindsofgold-trimming，merely，asshesaid，nottolosehertime。Atthesametime，shewas，asweshallsee，veryfullofbusiness；butitisinherentinthenatureofcountry-folksnevertogiveupbread-
winning；inthistheyareliketheJews。
Everymorning，veryearly，CousinBettywentofftomarketwiththecook。ItwaspartofLisbeth’sschemethatthehouse-book，whichwasruiningBaronHulot，wastoenrichherdearValerie——asitdidindeed。
