SoLisbethhadtriumphed。Shewasachievingtheobjectofherambition，shewouldseethesuccessofherscheme，andherhatredgratified。Shedelightedintheanticipatedjoyofreigningsupremeoverthefamilywhohadsolonglookeddownuponher。Yes，shewouldpatronizeherpatrons，shewouldbetherescuingangelwhowoulddoleoutalivelihoodtotheruinedfamily；sheaddressedherselfas”MadamelaComtesse”and”MadamelaMarechale，”courtesyinginfrontofaglass。AdelineandHortenseshouldendtheirdaysinstrugglingwithpoverty，whileshe，avisitorattheTuileries，wouldlorditinthefashionableworld。
Aterribledisasteroverthrewtheoldmaidfromthesocialheightswhereshesoproudlyenthronedherself。
Ontheverydaywhenthebannswerefirstpublished，theBaronreceivedasecondmessagefromAfrica。AnotherAlsatianarrived，handedhimaletter，afterassuringhimselfthathespoketoBaronHulot，andaftergivingtheBarontheaddressofhislodgings，bowedhimselfout，leavingthegreatmanstrickenbytheopeninglinesofthisletter：——”DEARNEPHEW，——Youwillreceivethisletter，bymycalculations，onthe7thofAugust。Supposingittakesyouthreedaystosendusthehelpweneed，andthatitisafortnightonthewayhere，thatbringsustothe1stofSeptember。”Ifyoucanactdecisivelywithinthattime，youwillhavesavedthehonorandthelifeofyourssincerely，JohannFischer。”ThisiswhatIamrequiredtodemandbytheclerkyouhavemademyaccomplice；forIamamenable，itwouldseem，tothelaw，attheAssizes，orbeforeacouncilofwar。Ofcourse，youunderstandthatJohannFischerwillneverbebroughttothebarofanytribunal；hewillgoofhisownacttoappearatthatofGod。”Yourclerkseemstomeabadlot，quitecapableofgettingyouintohotwater；butheisascleverasanyrogue。Hesaysthelineforyoutotakeistocalloutlouderthananyone，andtosendoutaninspector，aspecialcommissioner，todiscoverwhoisreallyguilty，rakeupabuses，andmakeafuss，inshort；butifwestirupthestruggle，whowillstandbetweenusandthelaw？”Ifyourcommissionerarrivesherebythe1stofSeptember，andyouhavegivenhimyourorders，sendingbyhimtwohundredthousandfrancstoplaceinourstorehousesthesuppliesweprofesstohavesecuredinremotecountryplaces，weshallbeabsolutelysolventandregardedasblameless。YoucantrustthesoldierwhoisthebearerofthisletterwithadraftinmynameonahouseinAlgiers。Heisatrustworthyfellow，arelationofmine，incapableoftryingtofindoutwhatheisthebearerof。I
havetakenmeasurestoguaranteethefellow’ssafereturn。Ifyoucandonothing，IamreadyandwillingtodieforthemantowhomweoweourAdeline’shappiness！”
TheanguishandrapturesofpassionandthecatastrophewhichhadcheckedhiscareerofprofligacyhadpreventedBaronHulot’severthinkingofpoorJohannFischer，thoughhisfirstletterhadgivenwarningofthedangernowbecomesopressing。TheBaronwentoutofthedining-roominsuchagitationthatheliterallydroppedontoasofainthedrawing-room。Hewasstunned，sunkinthedullnumbnessofaheavyfall。Hestaredatafloweronthecarpet，quiteunconsciousthathestillheldinhishandJohann’sfatalletter。
Adeline，inherroom，heardherhusbandthrowhimselfonthesofa，likealifelessmass；thenoisewassopeculiarthatshefanciedhehadanapoplecticattack。Shelookedthroughthedooratthemirror，insuchdreadasstopsthebreathandhindersmotion，andshesawherHectorintheattitudeofamancrushed。TheBaronessstoleinontiptoe；Hectorheardnothing；shewentcloseuptohim，sawtheletter，tookit，readit，tremblingineverylimb。Shewentthroughoneofthoseviolentnervousshocksthatleavetheirtracesforeveronthesufferer。Withinafewdaysshebecamesubjecttoaconstanttrembling，forafterthefirstinstanttheneedforactiongavehersuchstrengthascanonlybedrawnfromtheverywellspringofthevitalpowers。”Hector，comeintomyroom，”saidshe，inavoicethatwasnomorethanabreath。”Donotletyourdaughterseeyouinthisstate！Come，mydear，come！””Twohundredthousandfrancs？WherecanIfindthem？IcangetClaudeVignonsentoutthereascommissioner。Heisaclever，intelligentfellow——Thatisamatterofacoupleofdays——Buttwohundredthousandfrancs！Mysonhasnotsomuch；hishouseisloadedwithmortgagesforthreehundredthousand。Mybrotherhassavedthirtythousandfrancsatmost。Nucingenwouldsimplylaughatme！——Vauvinet？——
hewasnotveryreadytolendmethetenthousandfrancsIwantedtomakeupthesumforthatvillainMarneffe’sboy。No，itisallupwithme；ImustthrowmyselfatthePrince’sfeet，confesshowmattersstand，hearmyselftoldthatIamalowscoundrel，andtakehisbroadsidesoastogodecentlytothebottom。””But，Hector，thisisnotmerelyruin，itisdisgrace，”saidAdeline。”Mypoorunclewillkillhimself。Onlykillus——yourselfandme；youhavearighttodothat，butdonotbeamurderer！Come，takecourage；
theremustbesomewayoutofit。””Notone，”saidHulot。”NooneintheGovernmentcouldfindtwohundredthousandfrancs，notifitweretosaveanAdministration！——
Oh，Napoleon！whereartthou？””Myuncle！poorman！Hector，hemustnotbeallowedtokillhimselfindisgrace。””Thereisonemorechance，”saidhe，”butaveryremoteone——Yes，Crevelisatdaggersdrawnwithhisdaughter——Hehasplentyofmoney，healonecould——””Listen，Hectoritwillbebetterforyourwifetoperishthantoleaveouruncletoperish——andyourbrother——thehonorofthefamily！”
criedtheBaroness，struckbyaflashoflight。”Yes，Icansaveyouall——GoodGod！whatadegradingthought！Howcouldithaveoccurredtome？”
Sheclaspedherhands，droppedonherknees，andputupaprayer。Onrising，shesawsuchacrazyexpressionofjoyonherhusband’sface，thatthediabolicalsuggestionreturned，andthenAdelinesankintoasortofidioticmelancholy。”Go，mydear，atoncetotheWarOffice，”saidshe，rousingherselffromthistorpor；”trytosendoutacommission；itmustbedone。GetroundtheMarshal。Andonyourreturn，atfiveo’clock，youwillfind——perhaps——yes！youshallfindtwohundredthousandfrancs。Yourfamily，yourhonorasaman，asaStateofficial，aCouncillorofState，yourhonesty——yourson——allshallbesaved；——butyourAdelinewillbelost，andyouwillseehernomore。Hector，mydear，”saidshe，kneelingbeforehim，claspingandkissinghishand，”givemeyourblessing！Sayfarewell。”
Itwassoheart-rendingthatHulotputhisarmsroundhiswife，raisedherandkissedher，saying：”Idonotunderstand。””Ifyoudid，”saidshe，”Ishoulddieofshame，orIshouldnothavethestrengthtocarryoutthislastsacrifice。””Breakfastisserved，”saidMariette。
Hortensecameintowishherparentsgood-morning。Theyhadtogotobreakfastandassumeafalseface。”Beginwithoutme；Iwilljoinyou，”saidtheBaroness。
Shesatdowntoherdeskandwroteasfollows：”MYDEARMONSIEURCREVEL，——Ihavetoaskaserviceofyou；Ishallexpectyouthismorning，andIcountonyourgallantry，whichiswellknowntome，tosavemefromhavingtoolongtowaitforyou——
Yourfaithfulservant，”ADELINEHULOT。””Louise，”saidshetoherdaughter’smaid，whowaitedonher，”takethisnotedowntotheporteranddesirehimtocarryitatoncetothisaddressandwaitforananswer。”
TheBaron，whowasreadingthenews，heldoutaRepublicanpapertohiswife，pointingtoanarticle，andsaying：”Istheretime？”
Thiswastheparagraph，oneoftheterrible”notes”withwhichthepapersspicetheirpoliticalbreadandbutter：——”AcorrespondentinAlgierswritesthatsuchabuseshavebeendiscoveredinthecommissariatetransactionsoftheprovinceofOran，thattheLawismakinginquiries。Thepeculationisself-
evident，andtheguiltypersonsareknown。Ifseveremeasuresarenottaken，weshallcontinuetolosemorementhroughtheextortionthatlimitstheirrationsthanbyArabsteelorthefierceheatoftheclimate。Weawaitfurtherinformationbeforeenlargingonthisdeplorablebusiness。WeneednolongerwonderattheterrorcausedbytheestablishmentofthePressinAfrica，aswascontemplatedbytheCharterof1830。””IwilldressandgototheMinister，”saidtheBaron，astheyrosefromtable。”Timeisprecious；aman’slifehangsoneveryminute。””Oh，mamma，thereisnohopeforme！”criedHortense。Andunabletocheckhertears，shehandedtohermotheranumberofthe/RevuedesBeauxArts/。
MadameHulot’seyefellonaprintofthegroupof”Delilah”byCountSteinbock，underwhichwerethewords，”ThepropertyofMadameMarneffe。”
Theveryfirstlinesofthearticle，signedV。，showedthetalentandfriendlinessofClaudeVignon。”Poorchild！”saidtheBaroness。
Alarmedbyhermother’stoneofindifference，Hortenselookedup，sawtheexpressionofasorrowbeforewhichherownpaled，androsetokisshermother，saying：”Whatisthematter，mamma？Whatishappening？Canwebemorewretchedthanwearealready？””Mychild，itseemstomethatinwhatIamgoingthroughto-daymypastdreadfulsorrowsareasnothing。WhenshallIhaveceasedtosuffer？””Inheaven，mother，”saidHortensesolemnly。”Come，myangel，helpmetodress——No，no；Iwillnothaveyouhelpmeinthis！SendmeLouise。”
Adeline，inherroom，wenttostudyherselfintheglass。Shelookedatherselfcloselyandsadly，wonderingtoherself：”AmIstillhandsome？CanIstillbedesirable？AmInotwrinkled？”
Sheliftedupherfinegoldenhair，uncoveringhertemples；theywereasfreshasagirl’s。Shewentfurther；sheuncoveredhershoulders，andwassatisfied；nay，shehadalittlefeelingofpride。Thebeautyofreallyhandsomeshouldersisoneofthelastcharmsawomanloses，especiallyifshehaslivedchastely。
Adelinechoseherdresscarefully，butthepiousandblamelesswomanisdecenttotheend，inspiteofherlittlecoquettishgraces。Ofwhatusewerebrand-newgraysilkstockingsandhighheeledsatinshoeswhenshewasabsolutelyignorantoftheartofdisplayingaprettyfootatacriticalmoment，byobtrudingitaninchortwobeyondahalf-liftedskirt，openinghorizonstodesire？Sheputon，indeed，herprettiestfloweredmuslindress，withalowbodyandshortsleeves；buthorrifiedatsomuchbareness，shecoveredherfinearmswithcleargauzesleevesandhidhershouldersunderanembroideredcape。Hercurls，/al’Anglaise/，struckherastoofly-away；shesubduedtheirairylightnessbyputtingonaveryprettycap；but，withorwithoutthecap，wouldshehaveknownhowtotwistthegoldenringletssoastoshowoffhertaperfingerstoadmiration？
Astorouge——theconsciousnessofguilt，thepreparationsforadeliberatefall，threwthissaintlywomanintoastateofhighfever，which，forthetime，revivedthebrilliantcoloringofyouth。Hereyeswerebright，hercheeksglowed。Insteadofassumingaseductiveair，shesawinherselfalookofbarefacedaudacitywhichshockedher。
Lisbeth，atAdeline’srequest，hadtoldherallthecircumstancesofWenceslas’infidelity；andtheBaronesshadlearnedtoherutteramazement，thatinoneeveninginonemoment，MadameMarneffehadmadeherselfthemistressofthebewitchedartist。”Howdothesewomendoit？”theBaronesshadaskedLisbeth。
Thereisnocuriositysogreatasthatofvirtuouswomenonsuchsubjects；theywouldliketoknowtheartsofviceandremainimmaculate。”Why，theyareseductive；itistheirbusiness，”saidCousinBetty。”Valeriethatevening，mydear，was，Ideclare，enoughtobringanangeltoperdition。””Buttellmehowshesettowork。””Thereisnoprinciple，onlypracticeinthatwalkoflife，”saidLisbethironically。
TheBaroness，recallingthisconversation，wouldhavelikedtoconsultCousinBetty；buttherewasnotimeforthat。PoorAdeline，incapableofimaginingapatch，ofpinningarosebudintheverymiddleofherbosom，ofdevisingthetricksofthetoiletintendedtoresuscitatetheardorsofexhaustednature，wasmerelywelldressed。Awomanisnotacourtesanforthewishing！”Womanissoupforman，”asMolieresaysbythemouthofthejudiciousGros-Rene。Thiscomparisonsuggestsasortofculinaryartinlove。
ThenthevirtuouswifewouldbeaHomericmeal，fleshlaidonhotcinders。Thecourtesan，onthecontrary，isadishbyCareme，withitscondiments，spices，andelegantarrangement。TheBaronesscouldnot——
didnotknowhowtoserveupherfairbosominalordlydishoflace，afterthemannerofMadameMarneffe。Sheknewnothingofthesecretsofcertainattitudes。Thishigh-souledwomanmighthaveturnedroundandroundahundredtimes，andshewouldhavebetrayednothingtothekeenglanceofaprofligate。
Tobeagoodwomanandaprudetoalltheworld，andacourtesantoherhusband，isthegiftofawomanofgenius，andtheyarefew。Thisisthesecretoflongfidelity，inexplicabletothewomenwhoarenotblessedwiththedoubleandsplendidfaculty。ImagineMadameMarneffevirtuous，andyouhavetheMarchesadiPescara。Butsuchloftyandillustriouswomen，beautifulasDianedePoitiers，butvirtuous，maybeeasilycounted。
SothescenewithwhichthisseriousandterribledramaofParismannersopenedwasabouttoberepeated，withthissingulardifference——thatthecalamitiesprophesiedthenbythecaptainofthemunicipalMilitiahadreversedtheparts。MadameHulotwasawaitingCrevelwiththesameintentionsashadbroughthimtoher，smilingdownatthePariscrowdfromhis/milord/，threeyearsago。And，strangestthingofall，theBaronesswastruetoherselfandtoherlove，whilepreparingtoyieldtothegrossestinfidelity，suchasthestormofpassionevendoesnotjustifyintheeyesofsomejudges。”WhatcanIdotobecomeaMadameMarneffe？”sheaskedherselfassheheardthedoor-bell。
Sherestrainedhertears，fevergavebrilliancytoherface，andshemeanttobequitethecourtesan，poor，noblesoul。”WhatthedevilcanthatworthyBaronneHulotwantofme？”Crevelwonderedashemountedthestairs。”SheisgoingtodiscussmyquarrelwithCelestineandVictorin，nodoubt；butIwillnotgiveway！”
Ashewentintothedrawing-room，showninbyLouise，hesaidtohimselfashenotedthebarenessoftheplace(Crevel’sword)：”Poorwoman！Shelivesherelikesomefinepicturestowedinaloftbyamanwhoknowsnothingofpainting。”
Crevel，seeingComtePopinot，theMinisterofCommerce，buypicturesandstatues，wantedalsotofigureasaMaecenasofParis，whoseloveofArtconsistsinmakinggoodinvestments。
AdelinesmiledgraciouslyatCrevel，pointingtoachairfacingher。”HereIam，fairlady，atyourcommand，”saidCrevel。
MonsieurtheMayor，apoliticalpersonage，nowworeblackbroadcloth。
Hisface，atthetopofthissolemnsuit，shonelikeafullmoonrisingaboveamassofdarkclouds。Hisshirt，buttonedwiththreelargepearlsworthfivehundredfrancsapiece，gaveagreatideaofhisthoraciccapacity，andhewasapttosay，”Inmeyouseethecomingathleteofthetribune！”Hisenormousvulgarhandswereencasedinyellowgloveseveninthemorning；hispatentleatherbootsspokeofthechocolate-coloredcoupewithonehorseinwhichhedrove。
InthecourseofthreeyearsambitionhadalteredCrevel’spretensions。Likeallgreatartists，hehadcometohissecondmanner。
Inthegreatworld，whenhewenttothePrincedeWissembourg’s，tothePrefecture，toComtePopinot’s，andthelike，heheldhishatinhishandinanairymannertaughthimbyValerie，andheinsertedthethumboftheotherhandinthearmholeofhiswaistcoatwithaknowingair，andasimperingfaceandexpression。ThisnewgraceofattitudewasduetothesatiricalinventivenessofValerie，who，underpretenceofrejuvenatinghermayor，hadgivenhimanaddedtouchoftheridiculous。”Ibeggedyoutocome，mydearkindMonsieurCrevel，”saidtheBaronessinahuskyvoice，”onamatterofthegreatestimportance——””Icanguesswhatitis，madame，”saidCrevel，withaknowingair，”butwhatyouwouldaskisimpossible——Oh，Iamnotabrutalfather，aman——touseNapoleon’swords——sethardandfastonsheeravarice。
Listentome，fairlady。Ifmychildrenwereruiningthemselvesfortheirownbenefit，Iwouldhelpthemoutofthescrape；butasforbackingyourhusband，madame？ItisliketryingtofillthevatoftheDanaides！Theirhouseismortgagedforthreehundredthousandfrancsforanincorrigiblefather！Why，theyhavenothingleft，poorwretches！Andtheyhavenofunfortheirmoney。AlltheyhavetoliveuponiswhatVictorinmaymakeinCourt。Hemustwaghistonguemore，mustmonsieuryourson！AndhewastohavebeenaMinister，thatlearnedyouth！Ourhopeandpride。Aprettypilot，whorunsagroundlikealand-lubber；forifhehadborrowedtoenablehimtogeton，ifhehadrunintodebtforfeastingDeputies，winningvotes，andincreasinghisinfluence，Ishouldbethefirsttosay，’Hereismypurse——dipyourhandin，myfriend！’Butwhenitcomesofpayingforpapa’sfolly——follyIwarnedyouof！——Ah！hisfatherhasdeprivedhimofeverychanceofpower——ItisIwhoshallbeMinister！””Alas，mydearCrevel，ithasnothingtodowiththechildren，poordevotedsouls！——IfyourheartisclosedtoVictorinandCelestine，I
shalllovethemsomuchthatperhapsImaysoftenthebitternessoftheirsoulscausedbyyouranger。Youarepunishingyourchildrenforagoodaction！””Yes，foragoodactionbadlydone！Thatishalfacrime，”saidCrevel，muchpleasedwithhisepigram。”Doinggood，mydearCrevel，doesnotmeansparingmoneyoutofapursethatisburstingwithit；itmeansenduringprivationstobegenerous，sufferingforliberality！Itisbeingpreparedforingratitude！Heavendoesnotseethecharitythatcostsusnothing——””Saints，madame，mayiftheypleasegototheworkhouse；theyknowthatitisforthemthedoorofheaven。Formypart，Iamworldly-
minded；IfearGod，butyetmoreIfearthehellofpoverty。Tobedestituteisthelastdepthofmisfortuneinsocietyasnowconstituted。Iamamanofmytime；Irespectmoney。””Andyouareright，”saidAdeline，”fromtheworldlypointofview。”
Shewasathousandmilesfromherpoint，andshefeltherselfonagridiron，likeSaintLaurence，asshethoughtofheruncle，forshecouldseehimblowinghisbrainsout。
Shelookeddown；thensheraisedhereyestogazeatCrevelwithangelicsweetness——notwiththeinvitingsuggestivenesswhichwaspartofValerie’swit。ThreeyearsagoshecouldhavebewitchedCrevelbythatbeautifullook。”Ihaveknownthetime，”saidshe，”whenyouweremoregenerous——youusedtotalkofthreehundredthousandfrancslikeagrandgentleman——”
CrevellookedatMadameHulot；hebeheldherlikealilyinthelastofitsbloom，vaguesensationsrosewithinhim，buthefeltsuchrespectforthissaintlycreaturethathespurnedallsuspicionsandburiedtheminthemostprofligatecornerofhisheart。”I，madame，amstillthesame；butaretiredmerchant，ifheisagrandgentleman，plays，andmustplay，thepartwithmethodandeconomy；hecarrieshisideasoforderintoeverything。Heopensanaccountforhislittleamusements，anddevotescertainprofitstothatheadofexpenditure；butastotouchinghiscapital！itwouldbefolly。Mychildrenwillhavetheirfortuneintact，mineandmywife’s；
butIdonotsupposethattheywishtheirfathertobedull，amonkandamummy！Mylifeisaveryjollyone；Ifloatgailydownthestream。Ifulfilallthedutiesimposedonmebylaw，bymyaffections，andbyfamilyties，justasIalwaysusedtobepunctualinpayingmybillswhentheyfelldue。IfonlymychildrenconductthemselvesintheirdomesticlifeasIdo，Ishallbesatisfied；andforthepresent，solongasmyfollies——forIhavecommittedfollies——
arenolosstoanyonebutthegulls——excuseme，youdonotperhapsunderstandtheslangword——theywillhavenothingtoblamemefor，andwillfindatidylittlesumstillleftwhenIdie。Yourchildrencannotsayasmuchoftheirfather，whoisruininghissonandmydaughterbyhispranks——”
TheBaronesswasgettingfurtherfromherobjectashewenton。”Youareveryunkindaboutmyhusband，mydearCrevel——andyet，ifyouhadfoundhiswifeobliging，youwouldhavebeenhisbestfriend——”
SheshotaburningglanceatCrevel；but，likeDubois，whogavetheRegentthreekicks，sheaffectedtoomuch，andtherakishperfumer’sthoughtsjumpedatsuchprofligatesuggestions，thathesaidtohimself，”DoesshewanttoturnthetablesonHulot？——DoesshethinkmemoreattractiveasaMayorthanasaNationalGuardsman？Womenarestrangecreatures！”
Andheassumedthepositionofhissecondmanner，lookingattheBaronesswithhis/Regency/leer。”Icouldalmostfancy，”shewenton，”thatyouwanttovisitonhimyourresentmentagainstthevirtuethatresistedyou——inawomanwhomyoulovedwellenough——to——tobuyher，”sheaddedinalowvoice。”Inadivinewoman，”Crevelreplied，withameaningsmileattheBaroness，wholookeddownwhiletearsrosetohereyes。”Foryouhaveswallowednotafewbitterpills！——inthesethreeyears——hey，mybeauty？””Donottalkofmytroubles，dearCrevel；theyaretoomuchfortheenduranceofamerehumanbeing。Ah！ifyoustillloveme，youmaydragmeoutofthepitinwhichIlie。Yes，Iaminhelltorment！Theregicideswhowererackedandnippedandtornintoquartersbyfourhorseswereonrosescomparedwithme，fortheirbodiesonlyweredismembered，andmyheartistorninquarters——”
Crevel’sthumbmovedfromhisarmhole，heplacedhishandonthework-
table，heabandonedhisattitude，hesmiled！ThesmilewassovacuousthatitmisledtheBaroness；shetookitforanexpressionofkindness。”Youseeawoman，notindeedindespair，butwithherhonoratthepointofdeath，andpreparedforeverything，mydearfriend，tohinderacrime。”
FearingthatHortensemightcomein，sheboltedthedoor；thenwithequalimpetuosityshefellatCrevel’sfeet，tookhishandandkissedit。”Bemydeliverer！”shecried。
Shethoughttherewassomegenerousfibreinthismercantilesoul，andfullofsuddenhopethatshemightgetthetwohundredthousandfrancswithoutdegradingherself：”Buyasoul——youwereoncereadytobuyvirtue！”shewenton，withafrenziedgaze。”Trusttomyhonestyasawoman，tomyhonor，ofwhichyouknowtheworth！Bemyfriend！Saveawholefamilyfromruin，shame，despair；keepitfromfallingintoabogwherethequicksandsaremingledwithblood！Oh！askfornoexplanations，”sheexclaimed，atamovementonCrevel’spart，whowasabouttospeak。”Aboveall，donotsaytome，’Itoldyouso！’likeafriendwhoisgladatamisfortune。Comenow，yieldtoherwhomyouusedtolove，tothewomanwhosehumiliationatyourfeetisperhapsthecrowningmomentofherglory；asknothingofher，expectwhatyouwillfromhergratitude！——
No，no。Givemenothing，butlend——lendtomewhomyouusedtocallAdeline——”
Atthispointhertearsflowedsofast，Adelinewassobbingsopassionately，thatCrevel’sgloveswerewet。Thewords，”Ineedtwohundredthousandfrancs，”werescarcelyarticulateinthetorrentofweeping，asstones，howeverlarge，areinvisibleinAlpinecataractsswollenbythemeltingofthesnows。
Thisistheinexperienceofvirtue。Viceasksfornothing，aswehaveseeninMadameMarneffe；itgetseverythingofferedtoit。Womenofthatstampareneverexactingtilltheyhavemadethemselvesindispensable，orwhenamanhastobeworkedasaquarryisworkedwherethelimeisratherscarce——goingtoruin，asthequarry-mensay。
Onhearingthesewords，”Twohundredthousandfrancs，”Crevelunderstoodall。HecheerfullyraisedtheBaroness，sayinginsolently：”Come，come，bearup，mother，”whichAdeline，inherdistraction，failedtohear。Thescenewaschangingitscharacter。Crevelwasbecoming”masterofthesituation，”tousehisownwords。ThevastnessofthesumstartledCrevelsogreatlythathisemotionatseeingthishandsomewomanintearsathisfeetwasforgotten。Besides，howeverangelicalandsaintlyawomanmaybe，whensheiscryingbitterlyherbeautydisappears。AMadameMarneffe，ashasbeenseen，whimpersnowandthen，ateartricklesdownhercheek；butastomeltingintotearsandmakinghereyesandnosered！——neverwouldshecommitsuchablunder。”Come，child，composeyourself——Deucetakeit！”Crevelwenton，takingMadameHulot’shandsinhisownandpattingthem。”Whydoyouapplytomefortwohundredthousandfrancs？Whatdoyouwantwiththem？Whomaretheyfor？””Donot，”saidshe，”insistonanyexplanations。Givemethemoney！——
Youwillsavethreelivesandthehonorofourchildren。””Anddoyousuppose，mygoodmother，thatinallParisyouwillfindamanwhoatawordfromahalf-crazywomanwillgooff/hicetnunc/，andbringoutofsomedrawer，Heavenknowswhere，twohundredthousandfrancsthathavebeenlyingsimmeringtheretillsheispleasedtoscoopthemup？Isthatallyouknowoflifeandofbusiness，mybeauty？Yourfolksareinabadway；youmaysendthemthelastsacraments；fornooneinParisbutherDivineHighnessMadamelaBanque，orthegreatNucingen，orsomemiserablemiserwhoisinlovewithgoldasweotherfolksarewithawoman，couldproducesuchamiracle！Thecivillist，civilasitmaybe，wouldbegyoutocallagaintomorrow。Everyoneinvestshismoney，andturnsitovertothebestofhispowers。”Youarequitemistaken，myangel，ifyousupposethatKingLouis-
Philipperulesus；hehimselfknowsbetterthanthat。HeknowsaswellaswedothatsupremeabovetheCharterreignstheholy，venerated，substantial，delightful，obliging，beautiful，noble，ever-youthful，andall-powerfulfive-francpiece！Butmoney，mybeauty，insistsoninterest，andisalwaysengagedinseekingit！’GodoftheJews，thouartsupreme！’saysRacine。Theperennialparableofthegoldencalf，yousee！——InthedaysofMosestherewasstock-jobbinginthedesert！”WehaverevertedtoBiblicaltraditions；theGoldenCalfwasthefirstStateledger，”hewenton。”You，myAdeline，havenotgonebeyondtheRuePlumet。TheEgyptianshadlentenormoussumstotheHebrews，andwhattheyranafterwasnotGod’speople，buttheircapital。”
HelookedattheBaronesswithanexpressionwhichsaid，”HowcleverI
am！””Youknownothingofthedevotionofeverycitymantohissacredhoard！”hewenton，afterapause。”Excuseme。Listentome。Getthiswellintoyourhead——Youwanttwohundredthousandfrancs？Noonecanproducethesumwithoutsellingsomesecurity。Nowconsider！Tohavetwohundredthousandfrancsinhardcashitwouldbeneedfultosellaboutsevenhundredthousandfrancs’worthofstockatthreepercent。
Well；andthenyouwouldonlygetthemoneyonthethirdday。Thatisthequickestway。Topersuadeamantopartwithafortune——fortwohundredthousandfrancsisthewholefortuneofmanyaman——heoughtatleasttoknowwhereitisallgoingto，andforwhatpurpose——””Itisgoing，mydearkindCrevel，tosavethelivesoftwomen，oneofwhomwilldieofgriefandtheotherwillkillhimself！Andtosavemetoofromgoingmad！AmInotalittlemadalready？””Notsomad！”saidhe，takingMadameHulotroundtheknees；”oldCrevelhashisprice，sinceyouthoughtofapplyingtohim，myangel。””Theysubmittohaveaman’sarmsroundtheirknees，itwouldseem！”
thoughtthesaintlywoman，coveringherfacewithherhands。”Onceyouofferedmeafortune！”saidshe，turningred。”Ay，mother！butthatwasthreeyearsago！”repliedCrevel。”Well，youarehandsomernowthaneverIsawyou！”hewenton，takingtheBaroness’armandpressingittohisheart。”Youhaveagoodmemory，mydear，byJove！——Andnowyouseehowwrongyouweretobesoprudish，forthosethreehundredthousandfrancsthatyourefusedsomagnanimouslyareinanotherwoman’spocket。Ilovedyouthen，Iloveyoustill；butjustlookbackthesethreeyears。”WhenIsaidtoyou，’Youshallbemine，’whatobjecthadIinview？I
meanttoberevengedonthatrascalHulot。Butyourhusband，mybeauty，foundhimselfamistress——ajewelofawoman，apearl，acunninghussythenagedthree-and-twenty，forsheissix-and-twentynow。Itstruckmeasmoreamusing，morecomplete，moreLouisXV。，moreMarechaldeRichelieu，morefirst-classaltogether，tofilchawaythatcharmer，who，inpointoffact，nevercaredforHulot，andwhoforthesethreeyearshasbeenmadlyinlovewithyourhumbleservant。”
Ashespoke，Crevel，fromwhosehandstheBaronesshadreleasedherown，hadresumedhisfavoriteattitude；boththumbswerestuckintohisarmholes，andhewaspattinghisribswithhisfingers，liketwoflappingwings，fancyingthathewasthusmakinghimselfveryattractiveandcharming。Itwasasmuchastosay，”Andthisisthemanyouwouldhavenothingtosayto！””Thereyouaremydear；Ihadmyrevenge，andyourhusbandknowsit。I
provedtohimclearlythathewasbasketed——justwherehewasbefore，aswesay。MadameMarneffeismymistress，andwhenherpreciousMarneffekicksthebucket，shewillbemywife。”
MadameHulotstaredatCrevelwithafixedandalmostdazedlook。”Hectorknewit？”shesaid。”Andwentbacktoher，”repliedCrevel。”AndIallowedit，becauseValeriewishedtobethewifeofahead-clerk；butshepromisedmethatshewouldmanagethingssothatourBaronshouldbesoeffectuallybowledoverthathecanneverinterfereanymore。Andmylittleduchess——forthatwomanisabornduchess，onmysoul！——keptherword。SherestoresyouyourHector，madame，virtuousinperpetuity，asshesays——sheissowitty！Hehashadagoodlesson，I
cantellyou！TheBaronhashadsomehardknocks；hewillhelpnomoreactressesorfineladies；heisradicallycured；cleanedoutlikeabeer-glass。”IfyouhadlistenedtoCrevelinthefirstinstance，insteadofscorninghimandturninghimoutofthehouse，youmighthavehadfourhundredthousandfrancs，formyrevengehascostmeallofthat——ButIshallgetmychangeback，Ihope，whenMarneffedies——Ihaveinvestedinawife，yousee；thatisthesecretofmyextravagance。I
havesolvedtheproblemofplayingthelordoneasyterms。””Wouldyougiveyourdaughtersuchamother-in-law？criedMadameHulot。”YoudonotknowValerie，madame，”repliedCrevelgravely，strikingtheattitudeofhisfirstmanner。”Sheisawomanwithgoodbloodinherveins，alady，andawomanwhoenjoysthehighestconsideration。
Why，onlyyesterdaythevicaroftheparishwasdiningwithher。Sheispious，andwehavepresentedasplendidmonstrancetothechurch。”Oh！sheisclever，sheiswitty，sheisdelightful，wellinformed——
shehaseverythinginherfavor。Formypart，mydearAdeline，Ioweeverythingtothatcharmingwoman；shehasopenedmymind，polishedmyspeech，asyoumayhavenoticed；shecorrectsmyimpetuosity，andgivesmewordsandideas。IneversayanythingnowthatIoughtnot。I
havegreatlyimproved；youmusthavenoticedit。Andthenshehasencouragedmyambition。IshallbeaDeputy；andIshallmakenoblunders，forIshallconsultmyEgeria。Everygreatpolitician，fromNumatoourpresentPrimeMinister，hashadhisSibylofthefountain。
AscoreofdeputiesvisitValerie；sheisacquiringconsiderableinfluence；andnowthatsheisabouttobeestablishedinacharminghouse，withacarriage，shewillbeoneoftheoccultrulersofParis。”Afinelocomotive！Thatiswhatsuchawomanis。Oh，Ihaveblessedyoumanyatimeforyoursternvirtue。””ItisenoughtomakeonedoubtthegoodnessofGod！”criedAdeline，whoseindignationhaddriedhertears。”But，no！Divinejusticemustbehangingoverherhead。””Youknownothingoftheworld，mybeauty，”saidthegreatpolitician，deeplyoffended。”Theworld，myAdeline，lovessuccess！Say，now，hasitcometoseekoutyoursublimevirtue，pricedattwohundredthousandfrancs？”
ThewordsmadeMadameHulotshudder；thenervoustremblingattackedheroncemore。Shesawthattheex-perfumerwastakingameanrevengeonherashehadonHulot；shefeltsickwithdisgust，andaspasmrosetoherthroat，hinderingspeech。”Money！”shesaidatlast。”Alwaysmoney！””Youtouchedmedeeply，”saidCrevel，remindedbythesewordsofthewoman’shumiliation，”whenIbeheldyouthere，weepingatmyfeet！——
Youperhapswillnotbelieveme，butifIhadmypocket-bookaboutme，itwouldhavebeenyours——Come，doyoureallywantsuchasum？”
Assheheardthisquestion，bigwithtwohundredthousandfrancs，Adelineforgottheodiousinsultsheapedonherbythischeap-jackfinegentleman，beforethetemptingpictureofsuccessdescribedbyMachiavelli-Crevel，whoonlywantedtofindouthersecretsandlaughoverthemwithValerie。”Oh！Iwilldoanything，everything，”criedtheunhappywoman。”Monsieur，Iwillsellmyself——IwillbeaValerie，ifImust。””Youwillfindthatdifficult，”repliedCrevel。”Valerieisamasterpieceinherway。Mygoodmother，twenty-fiveyearsofvirtuearealwaysrepellent，likeabadlytreateddisease。Andyourvirtuehasgrownverymouldy，mydearchild。ButyoushallseehowmuchI
loveyou。Iwillmanagetogetyouyourtwohundredthousandfrancs。”
Adeline，incapableofutteringaword，seizedhishandandlaiditonherheart；atearofjoytrembledinhereyes。”Oh！don’tbeinahurry；therewillbesomehardpulling。Iamajollygoodfellow，agoodsoulwithnoprejudices，andIwillputthingsplainlytoyou。YouwanttodoasValeriedoes——verygood。Butthatisnotall；youmusthaveagull，astockholder，aHulot——Well，Iknowaretiredtradesman——infact，ahosier。Heisheavy，dull，hasnotanidea，Iamlickinghimintoshape，butIdon’tknowwhenhewilldomecredit。Mymanisadeputy，stupidandconceited；thetyrannyofaturbanedwife，inthedepthsofthecountry，haspreservedhiminastateofuttervirginityastotheluxuryandpleasuresofParislife。ButBeauvisage——hisnameisBeauvisage——isamillionaire，and，likeme，mydear，threeyearsago，hewillgiveahundredthousandcrownstobetheloverofareallady——Yes，yousee，”hewenton，misunderstandingagestureonAdeline’spart，”heisjealousofme，youunderstand；jealousofmyhappinesswithMadameMarneffe，andheisafellowquitecapableofsellinganestatetopurchasea——””Enough，MonsieurCrevel！”saidMadameHulot，nolongercontrollingherdisgust，andshowingallhershameinherface。”Iampunishedbeyondmydeserts。Myconscience，sosternlyrepressedbytheironhandofnecessity，tellsme，atthisfinalinsult，thatsuchsacrificesareimpossible——Myprideisgone；Idonotsaynow，asI
didthefirsttime，’Go！’afterreceivingthismortalthrust。Ihavelosttherighttodoso。Ihaveflungmyselfbeforeyoulikeaprostitute。”Yes，”shewenton，inreplytoanegativeonCrevel’spart，”Ihavefouledmylife，tillnowsopure，byadegradingthought；andIaminexcusable！——Iknowit！——Ideserveeveryinsultyoucanofferme！
God’swillbedone！If，indeed，HedesiresthedeathoftwocreaturesworthytoappearbeforeHim，theymustdie！Ishallmournthem，andprayforthem！IfitisHiswillthatmyfamilyshouldbehumbledtothedust，wemustbowtoHisavengingsword，nay，andkissit，sinceweareChristians——Iknowhowtoexpiatethisdisgrace，whichwillbethetormentofallmyremainingdays。”Iwhospeaktoyou，monsieur，amnotMadameHulot，butawretched，humblesinner，aChristianwhosehearthenceforthwillknowbutonefeeling，andthatisrepentance，allmytimegivenuptoprayerandcharity。Withsuchasinonmysoul，Iamthelastofwomen，thefirstonlyofpenitents——Youhavebeenthemeansofbringingmetoarightmind；IcanheartheVoiceofGodspeakingwithinme，andIcanthankyou！”
Shewasshakingwiththenervoustremblingwhichfromthathourneverlefther。Herlow，sweettoneswerequiteunlikethefeveredaccentsofthewomanwhowasreadyfordishonortosaveherfamily。Thebloodfadedfromhercheeks，herfacewascolorless，andhereyesweredry。”AndIplayedmypartverybadly，didInot？”shewenton，lookingatCrevelwiththesweetnessthatmartyrsmusthaveshownintheireyesastheylookedupattheProconsul。”Truelove，thesacredloveofadevotedwoman，givesotherpleasures，nodoubt，thanthosethatareboughtintheopenmarket！——Butwhysomanywords？”saidshe，suddenlybethinkingherself，andadvancingastepfurtherinthewaytoperfection。”Theysoundlikeirony，butIamnotironical！Forgiveme。
Besides，monsieur，Ididnotwanttohurtanyonebutmyself——”
Thedignityofvirtueanditsholyflamehadexpelledthetransientimpurityofthewomanwho，splendidinherownpeculiarbeauty，lookedtallerinCrevel’seyes。Adelinehad，atthismoment，themajestyofthefiguresofReligionclingingtotheCross，aspaintedbytheoldVenetians；butsheexpressed，too，theimmensityofherloveandthegrandeuroftheCatholicChurch，towhichsheflewlikeawoundeddove。
Crevelwasdazzled，astounded。”Madame，Iamyourslave，withoutconditions，”saidhe，inaninspirationofgenerosity。”Wewilllookintothismatter——and——
whateveryouwant——theimpossibleeven——Iwilldo。IwillpledgemysecuritiesattheBank，andintwohoursyoushallhavethemoney。””GoodGod！amiracle！”saidpoorAdeline，fallingonherknees。
SheprayedtoHeavenwithsuchfervorastouchedCreveldeeply；MadameHulotsawthathehadtearsinhiseyeswhen，havingendedherprayer，sherosetoherfeet。”Beafriendtome，monsieur，”saidshe。”Yourheartisbetterthanyourwordsandconduct。Godgaveyouyoursoul；yourpassionsandtheworldhavegivenyouyourideas。Oh，Iwillloveyoutruly，”sheexclaimed，withanangelictendernessinstrangecontrastwithherattemptsatcoquettishtrickery。”Butceasetotrembleso，”saidCrevel。”AmItrembling？”saidtheBaroness，unconsciousoftheinfirmitythathadsosuddenlycomeuponher。”Yes；why，look，”saidCrevel，takingAdelinebythearmandshowingherthatshewasshakingwithnervousness。”Come，madame，”headdedrespectfully，”composeyourself；IamgoingtotheBankatonce。””Andcomebackquickly！Remember，”sheadded，betrayingallhersecrets，”thatthefirstpointistopreventthesuicideofourpoorUncleFischerinvolvedbymyhusband——forItrustyounow，andIamtellingyoueverything。Oh，ifweshouldnotbeontime，Iknowmybrother-in-law，theMarshal，andhehassuchadelicatesoul，thathewoulddieofitinafewdays。””Iamoff，then，”saidCrevel，kissingtheBaroness’hand。”ButwhathasthatunhappyHulotdone？””HehasswindledtheGovernment。””GoodHeavens！Ifly，madame；Iunderstand，Iadmireyou！”
Crevelbentoneknee，kissedMadameHulot’sskirt，andvanished，saying，”Youwillseemesoon。”
Unluckily，onhiswayfromtheRuePlumettohisownhouse，tofetchthesecurities，CrevelwentalongtheRueVanneau，andhecouldnotresistgoingintoseehislittleDuchess。Hisfacestillboreanagitatedexpression。
HewentstraightintoValerie’sroom，whowashavingherhairdressed。
ShelookedatCrevelinherglass，and，likeeverywomanofthatsort，wasannoyed，beforesheknewanythingaboutit，toseethathewasmovedbysomestrongfeelingofwhichshewasnotthecause。”Whatisthematter，mydear？”saidshe。”IsthatafacetobringintoyourlittleDuchess？IwillnotbeyourDuchessanymore，monsieur，nomorethanIwillbeyour’littleduck，’youoldmonster。”
Crevelrepliedbyamelancholysmileandaglanceatthemaid。”Reine，child，thatwilldoforto-day；Icanfinishmyhairmyself。
GivememyChinesewrapper；mygentlemanseemstomeoutofsorts。”
Reine，whosefacewaspittedlikeacolander，andwhoseemedtohavebeenmadeonpurposetowaitonValerie，smiledmeaninglyinreply，andbroughtthedressing-gown。Valerietookoffhercombing-wrapper；
shewasinhershift，andshewriggledintothedressing-gownlikeasnakeintoaclumpofgrass。”Madameisnotathome？””Whataquestion！”saidValerie——”Come，tellme，mybigpuss，have/RivesGauches/gonedown？””No。””Theyhaveraisedthepriceofthehouse？””No。””YoufancythatyouarenotthefatherofourlittleCrevel？””Whatnonsense！”repliedhe，sureofhispaternity。”Onmyhonor，Igiveitup！”saidMadameMarneffe。”IfIamexpectedtoextractmyfriend’swoesasyoupullthecorkoutofabottleofBordeaux，Iletitalone——Goaway，youboreme。””Itisnothing，”saidCrevel。”Imustfindtwohundredthousandfrancsintwohours。””Oh，youcaneasilygetthem——IhavenotspentthefiftythousandfrancswegotoutofHulotforthatreport，andIcanaskHenriforfiftythousand——””Henri——itisalwaysHenri！”exclaimedCrevel。”Anddoyousuppose，yougreatbabyofaMachiavelli，thatIwillcastoffHenri？WouldFrancedisarmherfleet？——Henri！why，heisadaggerinasheathhangingonanail。Thatboyservesasaweather-glasstoshowmeifyouloveme——andyoudon’tlovemethismorning。””Idon’tloveyou，Valerie？”criedCrevel。”Iloveyouasmuchasamillion。””Thatisnotnearlyenough！”criedshe，jumpingontoCrevel’sknee，andthrowingbotharmsroundhisneckasifitwereapegtohangonby。”Iwanttobelovedasmuchastenmillions，asmuchasallthegoldintheworld，andmoretothat。Henriwouldneverwaitaminutebeforetellingmeallhehadonhismind。Whatisit，mygreatpet？
Haveitout。Makeacleanbreastofittoyourownlittleduck！”
AndshesweptherhairoverCrevel’sface，whileshejestinglypulledhisnose。”Canamanwithanoselikethat，”shewenton，”haveanysecretsfromhis/Vava——lele——ririe/？”
Andatthe/Vava/shetweakedhisnosetotheright；at/lele/itwenttotheleft；at/ririe/shenippeditstraightagain。”Well，Ihavejustseen——”CrevelstoppedandlookedatMadameMarneffe。”Valerie，mytreasure，promisemeonyourhonor——ours，youknow？——nottorepeatasinglewordofwhatItellyou。””Ofcourse，Mayor，weknowallaboutthat。Onehandup——so——andonefoot——so！”Andsheputherselfinanattitudewhich，touseRabelais’
phrase，strippedCrevelbarefromhisbraintohisheels，soquaintanddeliciouswasthenudityrevealedthroughthelightfilmoflawn。”Ihavejustseenvirtueindespair。””Candespairpossessvirtue？”saidshe，noddinggravelyandcrossingherarmslikeNapoleon。”ItispoorMadameHulot。Shewantstwohundredthousandfrancs，orelseMarshalHulotandoldJohannFischerwillblowtheirbrainsout；
andasyou，mylittleDuchess，arepartlyatthebottomofthemischief，Iamgoingtopatchmattersup。Sheisasaintlycreature，I
knowherwell；shewillrepayyoueverypenny。”
AtthenameofHulot，atthewordstwohundredthousandfrancs，agleamfromValerie’seyesflashedfrombetweenherlongeyelidsliketheflameofacannonthroughthesmoke。”Whatdidtheoldthingdotomoveyoutocompassion？Didsheshowyou——what？——her——herreligion？””Donotmakegameofher，sweetheart；sheisaverysaintly，averynobleandpiouswoman，worthyofallrespect。””AmInotworthyofrespectthen，heh？”answeredValerie，withathreateninggazeatCrevel。”Ineversaidso，”repliedhe，understandingthatthepraiseofvirtuemightnotbegratifyingtoMadameMarneffe。”Iampioustoo，”Valeriewenton，takingherseatinanarmchair；”butIdonotmakeatradeofmyreligion。Igotochurchinsecret。”
Shesatinsilence，andpaidnofurtherheedtoCrevel。He，extremelyillatease，cametostandinfrontofthechairintowhichValeriehadthrownherself，andsawherlostinthereflectionshehadbeensofoolishastosuggest。”Valerie，mylittleAngel！”
Uttersilence。Ahighlyproblematicaltearwasfurtivelydashedaway。”Oneword，mylittleduck？””Monsieur！””Whatareyouthinkingof，mydarling？””Oh，MonsieurCrevel，Iwasthinkingofthedayofmyfirstcommunion！
HowprettyIwas！Howpure，howsaintly！——immaculate！——Oh！ifanyonehadcometomymotherandsaid，’Yourdaughterwillbeahussy，andunfaithfultoherhusband；onedayapolice-officerwillfindherinadisreputablehouse；shewillsellherselftoaCreveltocheataHulot——twohorribleoldmen——’Poof！horrible——shewouldhavediedbeforetheendofthesentence，shewassofondofme，poordear！——””Nay，becalm。””Youcannotthinkhowwellawomanmustloveamanbeforeshecansilencetheremorsethatgnawsattheheartofanadulterouswife。I
amquitesorrythatReineisnothere；shewouldhavetoldyouthatshefoundmethismorningprayingwithtearsinmyeyes。I，MonsieurCrevel，formypart，donotmakeamockeryofreligion。HaveyoueverheardmesayawordIoughtnotonsuchasubject？”
Crevelshookhisheadinnegation。”Iwillneverallowittobementionedinmypresence。Icanmakefunofanythingunderthesun：Kings，politics，finance，everythingthatissacredintheeyesoftheworld——judges，matrimony，andlove——oldmenandmaidens。ButtheChurchandGod！——ThereIdrawtheline——I
knowIamwicked；Iamsacrificingmyfuturelifetoyou。Andyouhavenoconceptionoftheimmensityofmylove。”
Crevelclaspedhishands。”No，unlessyoucouldseeintomyheart，andfathomthedepthofmyconvictionsoastoknowtheextentofmysacrifice！IfeelinmethemakingofaMagdalen——AndseehowrespectfullyItreatthepriests；
thinkofthegiftsImaketotheChurch！MymotherbroughtmeupintheCatholicFaith，andIknowwhatismeantbyGod！ItistosinnerslikeusthatHisvoiceismostawful。”
Valeriewipedawaytwotearsthattrickleddownhercheeks。Crevelwasindismay。MadameMarneffestoodupinherexcitement。”Becalm，mydarling——youalarmme！”
MadameMarneffefellonherknees。”DearHeaven！Iamnotbadallthrough！”shecried，claspingherhands。”VouchsafetorescueThywanderinglamb，strikeher，crushher，snatchherfromfoulandadulteroushands，andhowgladlyshewillnestleonThyshoulder！Howwillinglyshewillreturntothefold！”
ShegotupandlookedatCrevel；hercolorlesseyesfrightenedhim。”Yes，Crevel，and，doyouknow？I，too，amfrightenedsometimes。ThejusticeofGodisexertedinthisnetherworldaswellasinthenext。
WhatmercycanIexpectatGod’shands？Hisvengeanceovertakestheguiltyinmanyways；itassumeseveryaspectofdisaster。Thatiswhatmymothertoldmeonherdeath-bed，speakingofherownoldage——ButifIshouldloseyou，sheadded，huggingCrevelwithasortofsavagefrenzy——”oh！Ishoulddie！”
MadameMarneffereleasedCrevel，kneltdownagainatthearmchair，foldedherhands——andinwhatabewitchingattitude！——andwithincrediblefervorpouredoutthefollowingprayer：——”Andthou，SaintValerie，mypatronsaint，whydostthousorarelyvisitthepillowofherwhowasintrustedtothycare？Oh，comethisevening，asthoudidstthismorning，toinspiremewithholythoughts，andIwillquitthepathofsin；liketheMagdalen，Iwillgiveupdeludingjoysandthefalseglitteroftheworld，eventhemanIlovesowell——””Mypreciousduck！””Nomoreofthe’preciousduck，’monsieur！”saidshe，turningroundlikeavirtuouswife，hereyesfulloftears，butdignified，cold，andindifferent。”Leaveme，”shewenton，pushinghimfromher。”Whatismyduty？Tobelongwhollytomyhusband——Heisadyingman，andwhatamIdoing？
Deceivinghimontheedgeofthegrave。Hebelievesyourchildtobehis。Iwilltellhimthetruth，andbeginbysecuringhispardonbeforeIaskforGod’s——Wemustpart。Good-bye，MonsieurCrevel，”andshestooduptoofferhimanicycoldhand。”Good-bye，myfriend；weshallmeetnomoretillwemeetinabetterworld——Youhavetothankmeforsomeenjoyment，criminalindeed；nowIwant——ohyes，Ishallhaveyouresteem。”
Crevelwasweepingbittertears。”Yougreatpumpkin！”sheexclaimed，withaninfernalpealoflaughter。”Thatishowyourpiouswomengoaboutittodragfromyouaplumoftwohundredthousandfrancs。Andyou，whotalkoftheMarechaldeRichelieu，theprototypeofLovelace，youcouldbetakeninbysuchastaletrickasthat！Icouldgethundredsofthousandsoffrancsoutofyouanyday，ifIchose，youoldninny！——Keepyourmoney！Ifyouhavemorethanyouknowwhattodowith，itismine。Ifyougivetwosoustothat’respectable’woman，whoispiousforsooth，becausesheisfifty-sixyearsofage，weshallnevermeetagain，andyoumaytakeherforyourmistress！Youcouldcomebacktomenextdaybruisedalloverfromherbonycaressesandsoddenwithhertears，andsickofherlittlebarmaid’scapsandherwhimpering，whichmustturnherfavorsintoshowers——””Inpointoffact，”saidCrevel，”twohundredthousandfrancsisaroundsumofmoney。””Theyhavefineappetites，havethegoodysort！Bythepoker！theyselltheirsermonsdearerthanweselltherarestandrealestthingonearth——pleasure——Andtheycanspinayarn！There，Iknowthem。Ihaveseenplentyinmymother’shouse。TheythinkeverythingisallowablefortheChurchandfor——Really，mydearlove，yououghttobeashamedofyourself——foryouarenotsoopen-handed！Youhavenotgivenmetwohundredthousandfrancsalltold！””Ohyes，”saidCrevel，”yourlittlehousewillcostasmuchasthat。””Thenyouhavefourhundredthousandfrancs？”saidshethoughtfully。”No。””Then，sir，youmeanttolendthatoldhorrorthetwohundredthousandfrancsdueformyhotel？Whatacrime，whathightreason！””Onlylistentome。””Ifyouweregivingthemoneytosomeidioticphilanthropicscheme，youwouldberegardedasacomingman，”shewenton，withincreasingeagerness，”andIshouldbethefirsttoadviseit；foryouaretoosimpletowriteabigpoliticalbookthatmightmakeyoufamous；asforstyle，youhavenotenoughtobutterapamphlet；butyoumightdoasothermendowhoareinyourpredicament，andwhogetahaloofgloryabouttheirnamebyputtingitatthetopofsomesocial，ormoral，orgeneral，ornationalenterprise。Benevolenceisoutofdate，quitevulgar。Providingforoldoffenders，andmakingthemmorecomfortablethanthepoordevilswhoarehonest，isplayedout。WhatI
shouldliketoseeissomeinventionofyourownwithanendowmentoftwohundredthousandfrancs——somethingdifficultandreallyuseful。
Thenyouwouldbetalkedaboutasamanofmark，aMontyon，andI
shouldbeveryproudofyou！”Butastothrowingtwohundredthousandfrancsintoaholy-watershell，orlendingthemtoabigot——castoffbyherhusband，andwhoknowswhy？thereisalwayssomereason：doesanyonecastmeoff，I
askyou？——isapieceofidiocywhichinourdayscouldonlycomeintotheheadofaretiredperfumer。Itreeksofthecounter。Youwouldnotdarelookatyourselfintheglasstwodaysafter。”Goandpaythemoneyinwhereitwillbesafe——run，fly；Iwillnotadmityouagainwithoutthereceiptinyourhand。Go，asfastandsoonasyoucan！”
ShepushedCreveloutoftheroombytheshoulders，seeingavariceblossominginhisfaceoncemore。Whensheheardtheouterdoorshut，sheexclaimed：”ThenLisbethisrevengedoverandoveragain！WhatapitythatsheisatheroldMarshal’snow！Wewouldhavehadagoodlaugh！Sothatoldwomanwantstotakethebreadoutofmymouth。Iwillstartleheralittle！”
MarshalHulot，beingobligedtoliveinastylesuitedtothehighestmilitaryrank，hadtakenahandsomehouseintheRueduMont-Parnasse，wheretherearethreeorfourprincelyresidences。Thoughherentedthewholehouse，heinhabitedonlythegroundfloor。WhenLisbethwenttokeephouseforhim，sheatoncewishedtoletthefirstfloor，which，asshesaid，wouldpaythewholerent，sothattheCountwouldlivealmostrent-free；buttheoldsoldierwouldnothearofit。
ForsomemonthspasttheMarshalhadhadmanysadthoughts。Hehadguessedhowmiserablypoorhissister-in-lawwas，andsuspectedhergriefswithoutunderstandingtheircause。Theoldman，socheerfulinhisdeafness，becametaciturn；hecouldnothelpthinkingthathishousewouldonedaybearefugefortheBaronessandherdaughter；anditwasforthemthathekeptthefirstfloor。Thesmallnessofhisfortunewassowellknownatheadquarters，thattheWarMinister，thePrincedeWissembourg，beggedhisoldcomradetoacceptasumofmoneyforhishouseholdexpenses。ThissumtheMarshalspentinfurnishingthegroundfloor，whichwasineverywaysuitable；for，ashesaid，hewouldnotaccepttheMarshal’sbatontowalkthestreetswith。
ThehousehadbelongedtoasenatorundertheEmpire，andthegroundfloordrawing-roomshadbeenverymagnificentlyfittedwithcarvedwood，white-and-gold，stillinverygoodpreservation。TheMarshalhadfoundsomegoodoldfurnitureinthesamestyle；inthecoach-househehadacarriagewithtwobatonsinsaltireonthepanels；andwhenhewasexpectedtoappearinfullfig，attheMinister’s，attheTuileries，forsomeceremonyorhighfestival，hehiredhorsesforthejob。
Hisservantformorethanthirtyyearswasanoldsoldierofsixty，whosesisterwasthecook，sohehadsavedtenthousandfrancs，addingitbydegreestoalittlehoardheintendedforHortense。Everydaytheoldmanwalkedalongtheboulevard，fromtheRueduMont-ParnassetotheRuePlumet；andeverypensionerashepassedstoodatattention，withoutfail，tosalutehim：thentheMarshalrewardedtheveteranwithasmile。”Whoisthemanyoualwaysstandatattentiontosalute？”saidayoungworkmanonedaytoanoldcaptainandpensioner。”Iwilltellyou，boy，”repliedtheofficer。
The”boy”stoodresigned，asamandoestolistentoanoldgossip。”In1809，”saidthecaptain，”wewerecoveringtheflankofthemainarmy，marchingonViennaundertheEmperor’scommand。Wecametoabridgedefendedbythreebatteriesofcannon，oneaboveanother，onasortofcliff；threeredoubtslikethreeshelves，andcommandingthebridge。WewereunderMarshalMassena。ThatmanwhomyouseetherewasColoneloftheGrenadierGuards，andIwasoneofthem。Ourcolumnsheldonebankoftheriver，thebatterieswereontheother。Threetimestheytriedforthebridge，andthreetimestheyweredrivenback。’GoandfindHulot！’saidtheMarshal；’nobodybutheandhismencanboltthatmorsel。’Sowecame。TheGeneral，whowasjustretiringfromthebridge，stoppedHulotunderfire，totellhimhowtodoit，andhewasintheway。’Idon’twantadvice，butroomtopass，’
saidourGeneralcoolly，marchingacrossattheheadofhismen。Andthen，rattle，thirtygunsrakingusatonce。””ByHeaven！”criedtheworkman，”thataccountsforsomeofthesecrutches！””Andifyou，likeme，myboy，hadheardthosewordssoquietlyspoken，youwouldbowbeforethatmandowntotheground！ItisnotsofamousasArcole，butperhapsitwasfiner。WefollowedHulotatthedouble，rightuptothosebatteries。Allhonortothoseweleftthere！”andtheoldmanliftedhishat。”TheAustrianswereamazedatthedashofit——TheEmperormadethemanyousawaCount；hehonoredusallbyhonoringourleader；andtheKingofto-daywasveryrighttomakehimaMarshal。””HurrahfortheMarshal！”criedtheworkman。”Oh，youmayshout——shoutaway！TheMarshalisasdeafasapostfromtheroarofcannon。”
Thisanecdotemaygivesomeideaoftherespectwithwhichthe/Invalides/regardedMarshalHulot，whoseRepublicanproclivitiessecuredhimthepopularsympathyofthewholequarterofthetown。
Sorrowtakingholdonaspiritsocalmandstrictandnoble，wasaheart-breakingspectacle。TheBaronesscouldonlytelllies，withawoman’singenuity，toconcealthewholedreadfultruthfromherbrother-in-law。
Inthecourseofthismiserablemorning，theMarshal，who，likealloldmen，sleptbutlittle，hadextractedfromLisbethfullparticularsastohisbrother’ssituation，promisingtomarryherastherewardofherrevelations。Anyonecanimaginewithwhatgleetheoldmaidallowedthesecretstobedraggedfromherwhichshehadbeendyingtotelleversinceshehadcomeintothehouse；forbythismeansshemadehermarriagemorecertain。”Yourbrotherisincorrigible！”LisbethshoutedintotheMarshal’sbestear。
Herstrong，cleartonesenabledhertotalktohim，butsheworeoutherlungs，soanxiouswasshetoprovetoherfuturehusbandthattoherhewouldneverbedeaf。”Hehashadthreemistresses，”saidtheoldman，”andhiswifewasanAdeline！PoorAdeline！””Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，”shriekedLisbeth，”youwilluseyourinfluencewiththePrincedeWissembourgtosecurehersomesuitableappointment。Shewillneedit，fortheBaron’spayispledgedforthreeyears。””IwillgototheWarOffice，”saidhe，”andseethePrince，tofindoutwhathethinksofmybrother，andaskforhisinteresttohelpmysister。Thinkofsomeplacethatisfitforher。””ThecharitableladiesofParis，inconcertwiththeArchbishop，haveformedvariousbeneficentassociations；theyemploysuperintendents，verydecentlypaid，whosebusinessitistoseekoutcasesofrealwant。SuchanoccupationwouldexactlysuitdearAdeline；itwouldbeworkafterherownheart。””Sendtoorderthehorses，”saidtheMarshal。”Iwillgoanddress。I
willdrivetoNeuillyifnecessary。””Howfondheisofher！ShewillalwayscrossmypathwhereverI
turn！”saidLisbethtoherself。
Lisbethwasalreadysupremeinthehouse，butnotwiththeMarshal’scognizance。Shehadstruckterrorintothethreeservants——forshehadallowedherselfahousemaid，andsheexertedherold-maidishenergyintakingstockofeverything，examiningeverything，andarrangingineveryrespectforthecomfortofherdearMarshal。Lisbeth，quiteasRepublicanashecouldbe，pleasedhimbyherdemocraticopinions，andsheflatteredhimwithamazingdexterity；forthelastfortnighttheoldman，whosehousewasbetterkept，andwhowascaredforasachildbyitsmother，hadbeguntoregardLisbethasapartofwhathehaddreamedof。”MydearMarshal，”sheshouted，followinghimoutontothesteps，”pullupthewindows，donotsitinadraught，toobligeme！”
TheMarshal，whohadneverbeensocossetedinhislife，wentoffsmilingatLisbeth，thoughhisheartwasaching。
AtthesamehourBaronHulotwasquittingtheWarOfficetocallonhischief，MarshalthePrincedeWissembourg，whohadsentforhim。
ThoughtherewasnothingextraordinaryinoneoftheGeneralsontheBoardbeingsentfor，Hulot’sconsciencewassouneasythathefanciedhesawacoldandsinisterexpressioninMitouflet’sface。”Mitouflet，howisthePrince？”heasked，lockingthedoorofhisprivateroomandfollowingthemessengerwholedtheway。”Hemusthaveacrowtopluckwithyou，MonsieurleBaron，”repliedtheman，”forhisfaceissetatstormy。”
Hulotturnedpale，andsaidnomore；hecrossedtheanteroomandreceptionrooms，and，withaviolentlybeatingheart，foundhimselfatthedoorofthePrince’sprivatestudy。
Thechief，atthistimeseventyyearsold，withperfectlywhitehair，andthetannedcomplexionofasoldierofthatage，commandedattentionbyabrowsovastthatimaginationsawinitafieldofbattle。Underthisdome，crownedwithsnow，sparkledapairofeyes，oftheNapoleonblue，usuallysad-lookingandfullofbitterthoughtsandregrets，theirfireovershadowedbythepenthouseofthestronglyprojectingbrow。Thisman，Bernadotte’srival，hadhopedtofindhisseatonathrone。Butthoseeyescouldflashformidablelightningswhentheyexpressedstrongfeelings。
Then，hisvoice，alwayssomewhathollow，rangwithstridenttones。
Whenhewasangry，thePrincewasasoldieroncemore；hespokethelanguageofLieutenantCottin；hesparednothing——nobody。Hulotd’Ervyfoundtheoldlion，hishairshaggylikeamane，standingbythefireplace，hisbrowsknit，hisbackagainstthemantel-shelf，andhiseyesapparentlyfixedonvacancy。”Here！Atyourorders，Prince！”saidHulot，affectingagracefuleaseofmanner。
TheMarshallookedhardattheBaron，withoutsayingaword，duringthetimeittookhimtocomefromthedoortowithinafewstepsofwherethechiefstood。ThisleadenstarewasliketheeyeofGod；
