Twentyminutesafter，LisbethandCrevelreachedthehouseintheRueBarbet，whereMadameMarneffewasawaiting，inmildimpatience，theresultofasteptakenbyhercommands。Valeriehadintheendfallenapreytotheabsorbinglovewhich，onceinherlife，mastersawoman’sheart。Wenceslaswasitsobject，and，afailureasanartist，hebecameinMadameMarneffe’shandsaloversoperfectthathewastoherwhatshehadbeentoBaronHulot。
Valeriewasholdingaslipperinonehand，andSteinbockclaspedtheother，whileherheadrestedonhisshoulder。TheramblingconversationinwhichtheyhadbeenengagedeversinceCrevelwentoutmaybeticketed，likecertainlengthyliteraryeffortsofourday，”/Allrightsreserved/，”foritcannotbereproduced。Thismasterpieceofpersonalpoetrynaturallybroughtaregrettotheartist’slips，andhesaid，notwithoutsomebitterness：”WhatapityitisthatImarried；forifIhadbutwaited，asLisbethtoldme，Imightnowhavemarriedyou。””WhobutaPolewouldwishtomakeawifeofadevotedmistress？”
criedValerie。”Tochangeloveintoduty，andpleasureintoabore。””Iknowyoutobesofickle，”repliedSteinbock。”DidInothearyoutalkingtoLisbethofthatBrazilian，BaronMontes？””Doyouwanttoridmeofhim？””Itwouldbetheonlywaytohinderhisseeingyou，”saidtheex-
sculptor。”Letmetellyou，mydarling——forItellyoueverything，”saidValerie——”Iwassavinghimupforahusband——ThepromisesIhavemadetothatman！——Oh，longbeforeIknewyou，”saidshe，inreplytoamovementfromWenceslas。”Andthosepromises，ofwhichheavailshimselftoplagueme，obligemetogetmarriedalmostsecretly；forifheshouldhearthatIammarryingCrevel，heisthesortofmanthat——
thatwouldkillme。””Oh，astothat！”saidSteinbock，withascornfulexpression，whichconveyedthatsuchadangerwassmallindeedforawomanbelovedbyaPole。
AndinthematterofvalorthereisnobragorbravadoinaPole，sothoroughlyandseriouslybravearetheyall。”AndthatidiotCrevel，”shewenton，”whowantstomakeagreatdisplayandindulgehistasteforinexpensivemagnificenceinhonorofthewedding，placesmeindifficultiesfromwhichIseenoescape。”
CouldValerieconfesstothisman，whomsheadored，thatsincethediscomfitureofBaronHulot，thisBaronHenriMonteshadinheritedtheprivilegeofcallingonheratallhoursofthedayornight；andthat，notwithstandinghercleverness，shewasstillpuzzledtofindacauseofquarrelinwhichtheBrazilianmightseemtobesolelyinthewrong？SheknewtheBaron’salmostsavagetemper——notunlikeLisbeth’s——toowellnottoquakeasshethoughtofthisOthelloofRiodeJaneiro。
Asthecarriagedroveup，SteinbockreleasedValerie，forhisarmwasroundherwaist，andtookupanewspaper，inwhichhewasfoundabsorbed。ValeriewasstitchingwithelaboratecareattheslippersshewasworkingforCrevel。”Howtheyslanderher！”whisperedLisbethtoCrevel，pointingtothispictureastheyopenedthedoor。”Lookatherhair——notintheleasttumbled。TohearVictorin，youmighthaveexpectedtofindtwoturtle-
dovesinanest。””MydearLisbeth，”criedCrevel，inhisfavoriteposition，”youseethattoturnLucretiaintoAspasia，youhaveonlytoinspireapassion！””AndhaveInotalwaystoldyou，”saidLisbeth，”thatwomenlikeaburlyprofligatelikeyou？””Andshewouldbemostungrateful，too，”saidCrevel；”forastothemoneyIhavespenthere，GrindotandIalonecantell！”
Andhewavedahandatthestaircase。
Indecoratingthishouse，whichCrevelregardedashisown，GrindothadtriedtocompetewithCleretti，inwhosehandstheDucd’HerouvillehadplacedJosepha’svilla。ButCrevel，incapableofunderstandingart，had，likeallsordidsouls，wantedtospendacertainsumfixedbeforehand。Grindot，fetteredbyacontract，hadfounditimpossibletoembodyhisarchitecturaldream。
ThedifferencebetweenJosepha’shouseandthatintheRueBarbetwasjustthatbetweentheindividualstamponthingsandcommonness。TheobjectsyouadmiredatCrevel’sweretobeboughtinanyshop。ThesetwotypesofluxuryaredividedbytheriverMillion。Amirror，ifunique，isworthsixthousandfrancs；amirrordesignedbyamanufacturerwhoturnsthemoutbythedozencostsfivehundred。A
genuinelustrebyBoullewillsellatapublicauctionforthreethousandfrancs；thesamethingreproducedbycastingmaybemadeforathousandortwelvehundred；oneisarchaeologicallywhatapicturebyRaphaelisinpainting，theotherisacopy。AtwhatwouldyouvalueacopyofaRaphael？ThusCrevel’smansionwasasplendidexampleoftheluxuryofidiots，whileJosepha’swasaperfectmodelofanartist’shome。”Warisdeclared，”saidCrevel，goinguptoMadameMarneffe。
Sherangthebell。”GoandfindMonsieurBerthier，”saidshetotheman-servant，”anddonotreturnwithouthim。Ifyouhadsucceeded，”saidshe，embracingCrevel，”wewouldhavepostponedourhappiness，mydearDaddy，andhavegivenareallysplendidentertainment；butwhenawholefamilyissetagainstamatch，mydear，decencyrequiresthattheweddingshallbeaquietone，especiallywhentheladyisawidow。””Onthecontrary，Iintendtomakeadisplayofmagnificence/ala/
LouisXIV。，”saidCrevel，whooflatehadheldtheeighteenthcenturyrathercheap。”Ihaveorderednewcarriages；thereisoneformonsieurandoneformadame，twoneatcoupes；andachaise，ahandsometravelingcarriagewithasplendidhammercloth，onspringsthattremblelikeMadameHulot。””Oh，ho！/Youintend？/——Thenyouhaveceasedtobemylamb？——No，no，myfriend，youwilldowhat/I/intend。Wewillsignthecontractquietly——justourselves——thisafternoon。Then，onWednesday，wewillberegularlymarried，reallymarried，inmufti，asmypoormotherwouldhavesaid。Wewillwalktochurch，plainlydressed，andhaveonlyalowmass。OurwitnessesareStidmann，Steinbock，Vignon，andMassol，allwide-awakemen，whowillbeatthemairiebychance，andwhowillsofarsacrificethemselvesastoattendmass。”Yourcolleaguewillperformthecivilmarriage，foronceinaway，asearlyashalf-pastnine。Massisatten；weshallbeathometobreakfastbyhalf-pasteleven。”Ihavepromisedourgueststhatwewillsitattabletilltheevening。TherewillbeBixiou，youroldofficialchumduTillet，Lousteau，Vernisset，LeondeLora，Vernou，allthewittiestmeninParis，whowillnotknowthatwearemarried。Wewillplaythemalittletrick，wewillgetjustalittletipsy，andLisbethmustjoinus。Iwanthertostudymatrimony；Bixioushallmakelovetoher，and——andenlightenherdarkness。”
FortwohoursMadameMarneffewentontalkingnonsense，andCrevelmadethisjudiciousreflection：”Howcansolight-heartedacreaturebeutterlydepraved？Feather-
brained，yes！butwicked？Nonsense！””Well，andwhatdidtheyoungpeoplesayaboutme？”saidValerietoCrevelatamomentwhenhesatdownbyheronthesofa。”Allsortsofhorrors？””TheywillhaveitthatyouhaveacriminalpassionforWenceslas——
you，whoarevirtueitself。””Ilovehim！——Ishouldthinkso，mylittleWenceslas！”criedValerie，callingtheartisttoher，takinghisfaceinherhands，andkissinghisforehead。”Apoorboywithnofortune，andnoonetodependon！
Castoffbyacarrottygiraffe！Whatdoyouexpect，Crevel？Wenceslasismypoet，andIlovehimasifheweremyownchild，andmakenosecretofit。Bah！yourvirtuouswomenseeevileverywhereandineverything。Blessme，couldtheynotsitbyamanwithoutdoingwrong？
Iamaspoiltchildwhohashadalliteverwanted，andbonbonsnolongerexciteme——Poorthings！Iamsorryforthem！”Andwhoslanderedmeso？””Victorin，”saidCrevel。”Thenwhydidyounotstophismouth，theodiouslegalmacaw！withthestoryofthetwohundredthousandfrancsandhismamma？””Oh，theBaronesshadfled，”saidLisbeth。”Theyhadbettertakecare，Lisbeth，”saidMadameMarneffe，withafrown。”Eithertheywillreceivemeanddoithandsomely，andcometotheirstepmother’shouse——alltheparty！——orIwillseetheminlowerdepthsthantheBaronhasreached，andyoumaytellthemIsaidso！——
AtlastIshallturnnasty。Onmyhonor，Ibelievethatevilisthescythewithwhichtocutdownthegood。”
Atthreeo’clockMonsieurBerthier，Cardot’ssuccessor，readthemarriage-contract，afterashortconferencewithCrevel，forsomeofthearticlesweremadeconditionalontheactiontakenbyMonsieurandMadameVictorinHulot。
Crevelsettledonhiswifeafortuneconsisting，inthefirstplace，offortythousandfrancsindividendsonspecifiedsecurities；
secondly，ofthehouseandallitscontents；andthirdly，ofthreemillionfrancsnotinvested。Healsoassignedtohiswifeeverybenefitallowedbylaw；heleftallthepropertyfreeofduty；andintheeventoftheirdyingwithoutissue，eachdevisedtothesurvivorthewholeoftheirpropertyandrealestate。
BythisarrangementthefortunelefttoCelestineandherhusbandwasreducedtotwomillionsoffrancsincapital。IfCrevelandhissecondwifeshouldhavechildren，Celestine’ssharewaslimitedtofivehundredthousandfrancs，asthelife-interestintherestwastoaccruetoValerie。Thiswouldbeabouttheninthpartofhiswholerealandpersonalestate。
LisbethreturnedtodineintheRueLouis-le-Grand，despairwrittenonherface。Sheexplainedandbewailedthetermsofthemarriage-
contract，butfoundCelestineandherhusbandinsensibletothedisastrousnews。”Youhaveprovokedyourfather，mychildren。MadameMarneffeswearsthatyoushallreceiveMonsieurCrevel’swifeandgotoherhouse，”
saidshe。”Never！”saidVictorin。”Never！”saidCelestine。”Never！”saidHortense。
LisbethwaspossessedbythewishtocrushthehaughtyattitudeassumedbyalltheHulots。”Sheseemstohavearmsthatshecanturnagainstyou，”shereplied。”Idonotknowallaboutit，butIshallfindout。ShespokevaguelyofsomehistoryoftwohundredthousandfrancsinwhichAdelineisimplicated。”
TheBaronessfellgentlybackwardonthesofashewassittingoninafitofhystericalsobbing。”Gothere，go，mychildren！”shecried。”Receivethewoman！MonsieurCrevelisaninfamouswretch。Hedeservestheworstpunishmentimaginable——Doasthewomandesiresyou！Sheisamonster——sheknowsall！”
Aftergaspingoutthesewordswithtearsandsobs，MadameHulotcollectedherstrengthtogotoherroom，leaningonherdaughterandCelestine。”Whatisthemeaningofallthis？”criedLisbeth，leftalonewithVictorin。
Thelawyerstoodrigid，inverynaturaldismay，anddidnothearher。”Whatisthematter，mydearVictorin？””Iamhorrified！”saidhe，andhisfacescowleddarkly。”Woetoanybodywhohurtsmymother！Ihavenoscruplesthen。IwouldcrushthatwomanlikeaviperifIcould！——What，doessheattackmymother’slife，mymother’shonor？””Shesaid，butdonotrepeatit，mydearVictorin——shesaidyoushouldallfalllowereventhanyourfather。AndshescoldedCrevelroundlyfornothavingshutyourmouthswiththissecretthatseemstobesuchaterrortoAdeline。”
Adoctorwassentfor，fortheBaronesswasevidentlyworse。Hegaveheradraughtcontainingalargedoseofopium，andAdeline，havingswallowedit，fellintoadeepsleep；butthewholefamilyweregreatlyalarmed。
EarlynextmorningVictorinwentout，andonhiswaytotheCourtscalledatthePrefectureofthePolice，wherehebeggedVautrin，theheadofthedetectivedepartment，tosendhimMadamedeSaint-Esteve。”Weareforbidden，monsieur，tomeddleinyouraffairs；butMadamedeSaint-Esteveisinbusiness，andwillattendtoyourorders，”repliedthisfamouspoliceofficer。
Onhisreturnhome，theunhappylawyerwastoldthathismother’sreasonwasindanger。DoctorBianchon，DoctorLarabit，andProfessorAngardhadmetinconsultation，andwerepreparedtoapplyheroicremediestohindertherushofbloodtothehead。AtthemomentwhenVictorinwaslisteningtoDoctorBianchon，whowasgivinghim，atsomelength，hisreasonsforhopingthatthecrisismightbegotover，theman-servantannouncedthataclient，MadamedeSaint-Esteve，waswaitingtoseehim。VictorinleftBianchoninthemiddleofasentenceandflewdownstairslikeamadman。”Isthereanyhereditarylunacyinthefamily？”saidBianchon，addressingLarabit。
Thedoctorsdeparted，leavingahospitalattendant，instructedbythem，towatchMadameHulot。”Awholelifeofvirtue！——”wastheonlysentencethesuffererhadspokensincetheattack。
LisbethneverleftAdeline’sbedside；shesatupallnight，andwasmuchadmiredbythetwoyoungerwomen。”Well，mydearMadamedeSaint-Esteve，”saidVictorin，showingthedreadfuloldwomanintohisstudyandcarefullyshuttingthedoors，”howarewegettingon？””Ah，ha！mydearfriend，”saidshe，lookingatVictorinwithcoldirony。”Soyouhavethoughtthingsover？””Haveyoudoneanything？””Willyoupayfiftythousandfrancs？””Yes，”repliedVictorin，”forwemustgeton。Doyouknowthatbyonesinglephrasethatwomanhasendangeredmymother’slifeandreason？
So，Isay，geton。””Wehavegoton！”repliedtheoldwoman。”Well？”criedVictorin，withagulp。”Well，youdonotcryofftheexpenses？””Onthecontrary。””Theyrunuptotwenty-threethousandfrancsalready。”
Victorinlookedhelplesslyatthewoman。”Well，couldwehoodwinkyou，you，oneoftheshininglightsofthelaw？”saidshe。”Forthatsumwehavesecuredamaid’sconscienceandapicturebyRaphael——Itisnotdear。”
Hulot，stillbewildered，satwithwideopeneyes。”Well，then，”hisvisitorwenton，”wehavepurchasedthehonestyofMademoiselleReineTousard，adamselfromwhomMadameMarneffehasnosecrets——””Iunderstand！””Butifyoushy，sayso。””Iwillplayblindfold，”hereplied。”Mymotherhastoldmethatthatcoupledeservetheworsttorments——””Therackisoutofdate，”saidtheoldwoman。”Youanswerfortheresult？””Leaveitalltome，”saidthewoman；”yourvengeanceissimmering。”
Shelookedattheclock；itwassix。”Youravengerisdressing；thefiresarelightedatthe/RocherdeCancale/；thehorsesarepawingtheground；myironsaregettinghot——
Oh，IknowyourMadameMarneffebyheart！——Everythingisready。Andtherearesomebolusesintherat-trap；Iwilltellyouto-morrowmorningifthemouseispoisoned。Ibelieveshewillbe；goodevening，myson。””Good-bye，madame。””DoyouknowEnglish？””Yes。””Well，myson，thoushaltbeKing。Thatistosay，youshallcomeintoyourinheritance，”saidthedreadfuloldwitch，foreseenbyShakespeare，andwhoseemedtoknowherShakespeare。
SheleftHulotamazedatthedoorofhisstudy。”Theconsultationisforto-morrow！”saidshe，withthegraciousairofaregularclient。
Shesawtwopersonscoming，andwishedtopassintheireyesapinchbeckcountess。”Whatimpudence！”thoughtHulot，bowingtohispretendedclient。
BaronMontesdeMontejanoswasa/lion/，butalionnotaccountedfor。
FashionableParis，Parisoftheturfandofthetown，admiredtheineffablewaistcoatsofthisforeigngentleman，hisspotlesspatent-
leatherboots，hisincomparablesticks，hismuch-covetedhorses，andthenegroservantswhorodethehorsesandwhowereentirelyslavesandmostconsumedlythrashed。
Hisfortunewaswellknown；hehadacreditaccountuptosevenhundredthousandfrancsinthegreatbankinghouseofduTillet；buthewasalwaysseenalone。Whenhewentto”firstnights，”hewasinastall。Hefrequentednodrawing-rooms。Hehadnevergivenhisarmtoagirlonthestreets。Hisnamewouldnotbecoupledwiththatofanyprettywomanoftheworld。TopasshistimeheplayedwhistattheJockey-Club。Theworldwasreducedtocalumny，or，whichitthoughtfunnier，tolaughingathispeculiarities；hewentbythenameofCombabus。
Bixiou，LeondeLora，Lousteau，Florine，MademoiselleHeloiseBrisetout，andNathan，suppingoneeveningwiththenotoriousCarabine，withalargepartyof/lions/and/lionesses/，hadinventedthisnamewithanexcessivelyburlesqueexplanation。Massol，asbeingontheCouncilofState，andClaudeVignon，erewhileProfessorofGreek，hadrelatedtotheignorantdamselsthefamousanecdote，preservedinRollin’s/AncientHistory/，concerningCombabus，thatvoluntaryAbelardwhowasplacedinchargeofthewifeofaKingofAssyria，Persia，Bactria，Mesopotamia，andothergeographicaldivisionspeculiartooldProfessorduBocage，whocontinuedtheworkofd’Anville，thecreatoroftheEastofantiquity。Thisnickname，whichgaveCarabine’sguestslaughterforaquarterofanhour，gaverisetoaseriesofover-freejests，towhichtheAcademycouldnotawardtheMontyonprize；butamongwhichthenamewastakenup，torestthenceforthonthecurlymaneofthehandsomeBaron，calledbyJosephathesplendidBrazilian——asonemightsayasplendid/Catoxantha/。
Carabine，theloveliestofhertribe，whosedelicatebeautyandamusingwithadsnatchedthesceptreoftheThirteenthArrondissementfromthehandsofMademoiselleTurquet，betterknownbythenameofMalaga——MademoiselleSeraphineSinet(thiswasherrealname)wastoduTilletthebankerwhatJosephaMirahwastotheDucd’Herouville。
Now，onthemorningoftheverydaywhenMadamedeSaint-EstevehadprophesiedsuccesstoVictorin，CarabinehadsaidtoduTilletataboutseveno’clock：”Ifyouwanttobeverynice，youwillgivemeadinneratthe/RocherdeCancale/andbringCombabus。Wewanttoknow，onceforall，whetherhehasamistress——Ibetthathehas，andIshouldliketowin。””HeisstillattheHoteldesPrinces；Iwillcall，”repliedduTillet。”Wewillhavesomefun。Askalltheyoungsters——theyoungsterBixiou，theyoungsterLora，inshort，alltheclan。”
Athalf-pastseventhatevening，inthehandsomestroomoftherestaurantwhereallEuropehasdined，asplendidsilverservicewasspread，madeonpurposeforentertainmentswherevanitypaysthebillinbank-notes。Afloodoflightfellinripplesonthechasedrims；
waiters，whomaprovincialmighthavetakenfordiplomatistsbutfortheirage，stoodsolemnly，asknowingthemselvestobeoverpaid。
Fiveguestshadarrived，andwerewaitingforninemore。ThesewerefirstandforemostBixiou，stillflourishingin1843，thesaltofeveryintellectualdish，alwayssuppliedwithfreshwit——aphenomenonasrareinParisasvirtueis；LeondeLora，thegreatestlivingpainteroflandscapeandtheseawhohasthisgreatadvantageoverallhisrivals，thathehasneverfallenbelowhisfirstsuccesses。Thecourtesanscouldneverdispensewiththesetwokingsofreadywit。Nosupper，nodinner，waspossiblewithoutthem。
SeraphineSinet，/dite/Carabine，asthemistress/entitre/oftheAmphitryon，wasoneofthefirsttoarrive；andthebrilliantlightingshowedoffhershoulders，unrivaledinParis，herthroat，asroundasifturnedinalathe，withoutacrease，hersaucyface，anddressofsatinbrocadeintwoshadesofblue，trimmedwithHonitonlaceenoughtohavefedawholevillageforamonth。
PrettyJennyCadine，notactingthatevening，cameinadressofincrediblesplendor；herportraitistoowellknowntoneedanydescription。ApartyisalwaysaLongchampsofeveningdressfortheseladies，eachanxioustowintheprizeforhermillionairebythusannouncingtoherrivals：”ThisisthepriceIamworth！”
Athirdwoman，evidentlyattheinitialstageofhercareer，gazed，almostshamefaced，attheluxuryofhertwoestablishedandwealthycompanions。Simplydressedinwhitecashmeretrimmedwithblue，herheadhadbeendressedwithrealflowersbyacoiffeuroftheold-
fashionedschool，whoseawkwardhandshadunconsciouslygiventhecharmofineptitudetoherfairhair。Stillunaccustomedtoanyfinery，sheshowedthetimidity——touseahackneyedphrase——
inseparablefromafirstappearance。ShehadcomefromValognestofindinParissomeuseforherdistractingyouthfulness，herinnocencethatmighthavestirredthesensesofadyingman，andherbeauty，worthytoholditsownwithanythatNormandyhaseversuppliedtothetheatresofthecapital。Thelinesofthatunblemishedfaceweretheidealofangelicpurity。Hermilk-whiteskinreflectedthelightlikeamirror。Thedelicatepinkinhercheeksmighthavebeenlaidonwithabrush。ShewascalledCydalise，and，aswillbeseen，shewasanimportantpawninthegameplayedbyMa’ameNourrissontodefeatMadameMarneffe。”Yourarmisnotamatchforyourname，mychild，”saidJennyCadine，towhomCarabinehadintroducedthismasterpieceofsixteen，havingbroughtherwithher。
And，infact，Cydalisedisplayedtopublicadmirationafinepairofarms，smoothandsatiny，butredwithhealthyyoungblood。”Whatdoyouwantforher？”saidJennyCadine，inanundertonetoCarabine。”Afortune。””Whatareyougoingtodowithher？””Well——MadameCombabus！””Andwhatareyoutogetforsuchajob？””Guess。””Aserviceofplate？””Ihavethree。””Diamonds？””Iamsellingthem。””Agreenmonkey？””No。ApicturebyRaphael。””Whatmaggotisthatinyourbrain？””Josephamakesmesickwithherpictures，”saidCarabine。”Iwantsomebetterthanhers。”
DuTilletcamewiththeBrazilian，theheroofthefeast；theDucd’HerouvillefollowedwithJosepha。Thesingerworeaplainvelvetgown，butshehadonanecklaceworthahundredandtwentythousandfrancs，pearlshardlydistinguishablefromherskinlikewhitecamelliapetals。Shehadstuckonescarletcamelliainherblackhair——apatch——theeffectwasdazzling，andshehadamusedherselfbyputtingelevenrowsofpearlsoneacharm。AssheshookhandswithJennyCadine，theactresssaid，”Lendmeyourmittens！”
Josephaunclaspedthemonebyoneandhandedthemtoherfriendonaplate。”There’sstyle！”saidCarabine。”QuitetheDuchess！Youhaverobbedtheoceantodressthenymph，MonsieurleDuc，”sheaddedturningtothelittleDucd’Herouville。
Theactresstooktwoofthebracelets；sheclaspedtheothertwentyonthesinger’sbeautifularms，whichshekissed。
Lousteau，theliterarycadger，laPalferineandMalaga，Massol，Vauvinet，andTheodoreGaillard，aproprietorofoneofthemostimportantpoliticalnewspapers，completedtheparty。TheDucd’Herouville，politetoeverybody，asafinegentlemanknowshowtobe，greetedtheComtedelaPalferinewiththeparticularnodwhich，whileitdoesnotimplyeitheresteemorintimacy，conveystoalltheworld，”Weareofthesamerace，thesameblood——equals！”——Andthisgreeting，theshibbolethofthearistocracy，wasinventedtobethedespairoftheuppercitizenclass。
CarabineplacedCombabusonherleft，andtheDucd’Herouvilleonherright。CydalisewasnexttotheBrazilian，andbeyondherwasBixiou。
MalagasatbytheDuke。
Oystersappearedatseveno’clock；ateighttheyweredrinkingicedpunch。Everyoneisfamiliarwiththebilloffareofsuchabanquet。
Bynineo’clocktheyweretalkingaspeopletalkafterforty-twobottlesofvariouswines，drunkbyfourteenpersons。Dessertwasonthetable，theodiousdessertofthemonthofApril。Ofalltheparty，theonlyoneaffectedbytheheadyatmospherewasCydalise，whowashummingatune。Noneoftheparty，withtheexceptionofthepoorcountrygirl，hadlosttheirreason；thedrinkersandthewomenweretheexperienced/elite/ofthesocietythatsups。Theirwitswerebright，theireyesglistened，butwithnolossofintelligence，thoughthetalkdriftedintosatire，anecdote，andgossip。Conversation，hithertoconfinedtotheinevitablecircleofracing，horses，hammeringsontheBourse，thedifferentoccupationsofthe/lions/
themselves，andthescandalsofthetown，showedatendencytobreakupintointimate/tete-a-tete/，thedialoguesoftwohearts。
Andatthisstage，atasignalfromCarabinetoLeondeLora，Bixiou，laPalferine，andduTillet，lovecameunderdiscussion。”Adoctoringoodsocietynevertalksofmedicine，truenoblesneverspeakoftheirancestors，menofgeniusdonotdiscusstheirworks，”
saidJosepha；”whyshouldwetalkbusiness？IfIgottheoperaputoffinordertodinehere，itwasassuredlynottowork——Soletuschangethesubject，dearchildren。””Butwearespeakingofreallove，mybeauty，”saidMalaga，”ofthelovethatmakesamanflingalltothedogs——father，mother，wife，children——andretiretoClichy。””Talkaway，then，’don’tknowyer，’”saidthesinger。
Theslangwords，borrowedfromtheStreetArab，andspokenbythesewomen，maybeapoemontheirlips，helpedbytheexpressionoftheeyesandface。”What，donotIloveyou，Josepha？”saidtheDukeinalowvoice。”You，perhaps，maylovemetruly，”saidsheinhisear，andshesmiled。”ButIdonotloveyouinthewaytheydescribe，withsuchloveasmakestheworlddarkintheabsenceofthemanbeloved。Youaredelightfultome，useful——butnotindispensable；andifyouweretothrowmeoverto-morrow，Icouldhavethreedukesforone。””IstruelovetobefoundinParis？”askedLeondeLora。”Menhavenoteventimetomakeafortune；howcantheygivethemselvesovertotruelove，whichswampsamanaswatermeltssugar？Amanmustbeenormouslyrichtoindulgeinit，forloveannihilateshim——forinstance，likeourBrazilianfriendoverthere。AsIsaidlongago，’Extremesdefeat——themselves。’Atrueloverislikeaneunuch；womenhaveceasedtoexistforhim。Heismystical；heislikethetrueChristian，ananchoriteofthedesert！——SeeournobleBrazilian。”
EveryoneattablelookedatHenriMontesdeMontejanos，whowasshyatfindingeveryeyecentredonhim。”Hehasbeenfeedingthereforanhourwithoutdiscovering，anymorethananoxatpasture，thatheissittingnextto——Iwillnotsay，insuchcompany，theloveliest——butthefreshestwomaninallParis。””Everythingisfreshhere，eventhefish；itiswhatthehouseisfamousfor，”saidCarabine。
BaronMonteslookedgood-naturedlyatthepainter，andsaid：”Verygood！Idrinktoyourverygoodhealth，”andbowingtoLeondeLora，heliftedhisglassofportwineanddrankitwithmuchdignity。”Areyouthentrulyinlove？”askedMalagaofherneighbor，thusinterpretinghistoast。
TheBrazilianrefilledhisglass，bowedtoCarabine，anddrankagain。”Tothelady’shealththen！”saidthecourtesan，insuchadrolltonethatLora，duTillet，andBixiouburstoutlaughing。
TheBraziliansatlikeabronzestatue。ThisimpassibilityprovokedCarabine。SheknewperfectlywellthatMonteswasdevotedtoMadameMarneffe，butshehadnotexpectedthisdoggedfidelity，thisobstinatesilenceofconviction。
Awomanisasoftengaugedbytheattitudeofherloverasamanisjudgedfromthetoneofhismistress。TheBaronwasproudofhisattachmenttoValerie，andofherstohim；hissmilehad，totheseexperiencedconnoisseurs，atouchofirony；hewasreallygrandtolookupon；winehadnotflushedhim；andhiseyes，withtheirpeculiarlustreasoftarnishedgold，keptthesecretsofhissoul。EvenCarabinesaidtoherself：”Whatawomanshemustbe！Howshehassealedupthatheart！””Heisarock！”saidBixiouinanundertone，imaginingthatthewholethingwasapracticaljoke，andneversuspectingtheimportancetoCarabineofreducingthisfortress。
Whilethisconversation，apparentlysofrivolous，wasgoingonatCarabine’sright，thediscussionoflovewascontinuedonherleftbetweentheDucd’Herouville，Lousteau，Josepha，JennyCadine，andMassol。Theywerewonderingwhethersuchrarephenomenaweretheresultofpassion，obstinacy，oraffection。Josepha，boredtodeathbyitall，triedtochangethesubject。”Youaretalkingofwhatyouknownothingabout。Isthereamanamongyouwhoeverlovedawoman——awomanbeneathhim——enoughtosquanderhisfortuneandhischildren’s，tosacrificehisfutureandblighthispast，toriskgoingtothehulksforrobbingtheGovernment，tokillanuncleandabrother，tolethiseyebesoeffectuallyblindedthathedidnotevenperceivethatitwasdonetohinderhisseeingtheabyssintowhich，asacrowningjest，hewasbeingdriven？DuTillethasacash-boxunderhisleftbreast；LeondeLorahashiswit；Bixiouwouldlaughathimselfforafoolifhelovedanyonebuthimself；
Massolhasaminister’sportfoliointheplaceofaheart；Lousteaucanhavenothingbutviscera，sincehecouldenduretobethrownoverbyMadamedeBaudraye；MonsieurleDucistoorichtoprovehislovebyhisruin；Vauvinetisnotinit——Idonotregardabill-brokerasoneofthehumanrace；andyouhaveneverloved，norI，norJennyCadine，norMalaga。Formypart，IneverbutonceevensawthephenomenonIhavedescribed。Itwas，”andsheturnedtoJennyCadine，”thatpoorBaronHulot，whomIamgoingtoadvertiseforlikealostdog，forIwanttofindhim。””Oh，ho！”saidCarabinetoherself，andlookingkeenlyatJosepha，”thenMadameNourrissonhastwopicturesbyRaphael，sinceJosephaisplayingmyhand！””Poorfellow，”saidVauvinet，”hewasagreatman！Magnificent！Andwhatafigure，whatastyle，theairofFrancisI。！Whatavolcano！
andhowfullofingeniouswaysofgettingmoney！Hemustbelookingforitnow，whereverheis，andImakenodoubtheextractsitevenfromthewallsbuiltofbonesthatyoumayseeinthesuburbsofParisnearthecitygates——””Andallthat，”saidBixiou，”forthatlittleMadameMarneffe！Thereisaprecioushussyforyou！””SheisjustgoingtomarrymyfriendCrevel，”saidduTillet。”AndsheismadlyinlovewithmyfriendSteinbock，”LeondeLoraputin。
Thesethreephraseswerelikesomanypistol-shotsfiredpoint-blankatMontes。Heturnedwhite，andtheshockwassopainfulthatherosewithdifficulty。”Youareasetofblackguards！”criedhe。”Youhavenorighttospeakthenameofanhonestwomaninthesamebreathwiththosefallencreatures——aboveall，nottomakeitamarkforyourslander！”
Hewasinterruptedbyunanimousbravosandapplause。Bixiou，LeondeLora，Vauvinet，duTillet，andMassolsettheexample，andtherewasachorus。”HurrahfortheEmperor！”saidBixiou。”Crownhim！crownhim！”criedVauvinet。”Threegroansforsuchagooddog！HurrahforBrazil！”criedLousteau。”So，mycopper-coloredBaron，itisourValeriethatyoulove；andyouarenotdisgusted？”saidLeondeLora。”Hisremarkisnotparliamentary，butitisgrand！”observedMassol。”But，mymostdelightfulcustomer，”saidduTillet，”youwererecommendedtome；Iamyourbanker；yourinnocencereflectsonmycredit。””Yes，tellme，youareareasonablecreature——”saidtheBraziliantothebanker。”Thanksonbehalfofthecompany，”saidBixiouwithabow。”Tellmetherealfacts，”Monteswenton，heedlessofBixiou’sinterjection。”Well，then，”repliedduTillet，”IhavethehonortotellyouthatI
amaskedtotheCrevelwedding。””Ah，ha！CombabusholdsabriefforMadameMarneffe！”saidJosepha，risingsolemnly。
ShewentroundtoMonteswithatragiclook，pattedhimkindlyonthehead，lookedathimforamomentwithcomicaladmiration，andnoddedsagely。”Hulotwasthefirstinstanceoflovethroughfireandwater，”saidshe；”thisisthesecond。Butitoughtnottocount，asitcomesfromtheTropics。”
Monteshaddroppedintohischairagain，whenJosephagentlytouchedhisforehead，andlookedatduTilletashesaid：”IfIamthevictimofaParisjest，ifyouonlywantedtogetatmysecret——”andhesentaflashinglookroundthetable，embracingalltheguestsinaflamingglancethatblazedwiththesunofBrazil，——”I
begofyouasafavortotellmeso，”hewenton，inatoneofalmostchildlikeentreaty；”butdonotvilifythewomanIlove。””Nay，indeed，”saidCarabineinalowvoice；”butif，onthecontrary，youareshamefullybetrayed，cheated，trickedbyValerie，ifIshouldgiveyoutheproofinanhour，inmyownhouse，whatthen？””IcannottellyoubeforealltheseIagos，”saidtheBrazilian。
Carabineunderstoodhimtosay/magots/(baboons)。”Well，well，saynomore！”shereplied，smiling。”Donotmakeyourselfalaughing-stockforallthewittiestmeninParis；cometomyhouse，wewilltalkitover。”
Monteswascrushed。”Proofs，”hestammered，”consider——””Onlytoomany，”repliedCarabine；”andifthemeresuspicionhitsyousohard，Ifearforyourreason。””Isthiscreatureobstinate，Iaskyou？HeisworsethanthelatelamentedKingofHolland！——Isay，Lousteau，Bixiou，Massol，allthecrewofyou，areyounotinvitedtobreakfastwithMadameMarneffethedayafterto-morrow？”saidLeondeLora。”/Ya/，”saidduTillet；”Ihavethehonorofassuringyou，Baron，thatifyouhadbyanychancethoughtofmarryingMadameMarneffe，youarethrownoutlikeabillinParliament，beatenbyablackballcalledCrevel。Myfriend，myoldcomradeCrevel，haseightythousandfrancsayear；andyou，Isuppose，didnotshowsuchagoodhand，forifyouhad，you，Iimagine，wouldhavebeenpreferred。”
Monteslistenedwithahalf-absent，half-smilingexpression，whichstruckthemallwithterror。
Atthismomentthehead-waitercametowhispertoCarabinethatalady，arelationofhers，wasinthedrawing-roomandwishedtospeaktoher。
CarabineroseandwentouttofindMadameNourrisson，decentlyveiledwithblacklace。”Well，child，amItogotoyourhouse？Hashetakenthehook？””Yes，mother；andthepistolissofullyloaded，thatmyonlyfearisthatitwillburst，”saidCarabine。
Aboutanhourlater，Montes，Cydalise，andCarabine，returningfromthe/RocherdeCancale/，enteredCarabine’slittlesitting-roomintheRueSaint-Georges。MadameNourrissonwassittinginanarmchairbythefire。”Hereismyworthyoldaunt，”saidCarabine。”Yes，child，Icameinpersontofetchmylittleallowance。Youwouldhaveforgottenme，thoughyouarekind-hearted，andIhavesomebillstopayto-morrow。Buyingandsellingclothes，Iamalwaysshortofcash。Whoisthisatyourheels？Thegentlemanlooksverymuchputoutaboutsomething。”
ThedreadfulMadameNourrisson，atthismomentsocompletelydisguisedastolooklikearespectableoldbody，rosetoembraceCarabine，oneofthehundredandoddcourtesansshehadlaunchedontheirhorriblecareerofvice。”HeisanOthellowhoisnottobetakenin，whomIhavethehonorofintroducingtoyou——MonsieurleBaronMontesdeMontejanos。””Oh！Ihaveheardhimtalkedabout，andknowhisname——YouarenicknamedCombabus，becauseyoulovebutonewoman，andinParis，thatisthesameaslovingnooneatall。Andisitbychancetheobjectofyouraffectionswhoisfrettingyou？MadameMarneffe，Crevel’swoman？
Itellyouwhat，mydearsir，youmayblessyourstarsinsteadofcursingthem。Sheisagood-for-nothingbaggage，isthatlittlewoman。
Iknowhertricks！””Getalong，”saidCarabine，intowhosehandMadameNourrissonhadslippedanotewhileembracingher，”youdonotknowyourBrazilians。
Theyarewrong-headedcreaturesthatinsistonbeingimpaledthroughtheheart。Themorejealoustheyare，themorejealoustheywanttobe。Monsieurtalksofdealingdeathallround，buthewillkillnobodybecauseheisinlove——However，Ihavebroughthimheretogivehimtheproofsofhisdiscomfiture，whichIhavegotfromthatlittleSteinbock。”
Monteswasdrunk；helistenedasifthewomenweretalkingaboutsomebodyelse。
Carabinewenttotakeoffhervelvetwrap，andreadafacsimileofanote，asfollows：——”DEARPUSS——HedineswithPopinotthisevening，andwillcometofetchmefromtheOperaateleven。Ishallgooutatabouthalf-
pastfiveandcountonfindingyouatourparadise。Orderdinnertobesentinfromthe/Maisond’or/。Dress，soastobeabletotakemetotheOpera。Weshallhavefourhourstoourselves。
Returnthisnotetome；notthatyourValeriedoubtsyou——Iwouldgiveyoumylife，myfortune，andmyhonor，butIamafraidofthetricksofchance。””Here，Baron，thisisthenotesenttoCountSteinbockthismorning；
readtheaddress。Theoriginaldocumentisburnt。”
Montesturnedthenoteoverandover，recognizedthewriting，andwasstruckbyarationalidea，whichissufficientevidenceofthedisorderofhisbrain。”And，pray，”saidhe，lookingatCarabine，”whatobjecthaveyouintorturingmyheart，foryoumusthavepaidverydearfortheprivilegeofhavingthenoteinyourpossessionlongenoughtogetitlithographed？””Foolishman！”saidCarabine，atanodfromMadameNourrisson，”don’tyouseethatpoorchildCydalise——agirlofsixteen，whohasbeenpiningforyouthesethreemonths，tillshehaslostherappetiteforfoodordrink，andwhoisheart-brokenbecauseyouhaveneverevenglancedather？”
Cydaliseputherhandkerchieftohereyeswithanappearanceofemotion——”Sheisfurious，”Carabinewenton，”thoughshelooksasifbutterwouldnotmeltinhermouth，furioustoseethemansheadoresdupedbyavillainoushussy；shewouldkillValerie——””Oh，asforthat，”saidtheBrazilian，”thatismybusiness！””What，killing？”saidoldNourrisson。”No，myson，wedon’tdothatherenowadays。””Oh！”saidMontes，”Iamnotanativeofthiscountry。IliveinaparishwhereIcanlaughatyourlaws；andifyougivemeproof——””Well，thatnote。Isthatnothing？””No，”saidtheBrazilian。”Idonotbelieveinthewriting。Imustseeformyself。””See！”criedCarabine，takingthehintatoncefromagestureofhersupposedaunt。”Youshallsee，mydearTiger，allyouwishtosee——ononecondition。””Andthatis？””LookatCydalise。”
AtawinkfromMadameNourrisson，CydalisecastatenderlookattheBaron。”Willyoubegoodtoher？Willyoumakeherahome？”askedCarabine。”Agirlofsuchbeautyiswellworthahouseandacarriage！Itwouldbeamonstrousshametoleavehertowalkthestreets。Andbesides——
sheisindebt——Howmuchdoyouowe？”askedCarabine，nippingCydalise’sarm。”Sheisworthallshecanget，”saidtheoldwoman。”Thepointisthatshecanfindabuyer。””Listen！”criedMontes，fullyawareatlastofthismasterpieceofwomankind”youwillshowmeValerie——””AndCountSteinbock——Certainly！”saidMadameNourrisson。
ForthepasttenminutestheoldwomanhadbeenwatchingtheBrazilian；shesawthathewasaninstrumenttuneduptothemurderouspitchsheneeded；and，aboveall，soeffectuallyblinded，thathewouldneverheedwhohadledhimontoit，andshespoke：——”Cydalise，myBrazilianjewel，ismyniece，soherconcernsarepartlymine。Allthiscatastrophewillbetheworkofafewminutes，forafriendofmineletsthefurnishedroomtoCountSteinbockwhereValerieisatthismomenttakingcoffee——aqueersortofcoffee，butshecallsithercoffee。Soletusunderstandeachother，Brazil！——I
likeBrazil，itisahotcountry——Whatistobecomeofmyniece？””Youoldostrich，”saidMontes，theplumesinthewoman’sbonnetcatchinghiseye，”youinterruptedme——Ifyoushowme——ifIseeValerieandthatartisttogether——””Asyouwouldwishtobe——”saidCarabine；”thatisunderstood。””ThenIwilltakethisgirlandcarryheraway——””Where？”askedCarabine。”ToBrazil，”repliedtheBaron。”Iwillmakehermywife。Myuncleleftmetenleaguessquareofentailedestate；thatishowIstillhavethathouseandhome。Ihaveahundrednegroes——nothingbutnegroesandnegressesandnegrobrats，allboughtbymyuncle——””Nephewtoanigger-driver，”saidCarabine，withagrimace。”Thatneedssomeconsideration——Cydalise，child，areyoufondoftheblacks？””Pooh！Carabine，nononsense，”saidtheoldwoman。”Thedeuceisinit！MonsieurandIaredoingbusiness。””IfItakeupanotherFrenchwoman，Imeantohavehertomyself，”theBrazilianwenton。”Iwarnyou，mademoiselle，Iamkingthere，andnotaconstitutionalking。IamCzar；mysubjectsareminebypurchase，andnoonecanescapefrommykingdom，whichisahundredleaguesfromanyhumansettlement，hemmedinbysavagesontheinterior，anddividedfromtheseabyawildernessaswideasFrance。””Ishouldpreferagarrethere。””SothoughtI，”saidMontes，”sinceIsoldallmylandandpossessionsatRiotocomebacktoMadameMarneffe。””Amandoesnotmakesuchavoyagefornothing，”remarkedMadameNourrisson。”Youhavearighttolookforloveforyourownsake，particularlybeingsogood-looking——Oh，heisveryhandsome！”saidshetoCarabine。”Veryhandsome，handsomerthanthe/PostillondeLongjumeau/，”repliedthecourtesan。
CydalisetooktheBrazilian’shand，buthereleaseditaspolitelyashecould。”IcamebackforMadameMarneffe，”themanwentonwherehehadleftoff，”butyoudonotknowwhyIwasthreeyearsthinkingaboutit。””No，savage！”saidCarabine。”Well，shehadsorepeatedlytoldmethatshelongedtolivewithmealoneinadesert——””Oh，ho！heisnotasavageafterall，”criedCarabine，withashoutoflaughter。”Heisofthehighly-civilizedtribeofFlats！””Shehadtoldmethissooften，”Monteswenton，regardlessofthecourtesan’smockery，”thatIhadalovelyhousefittedupintheheartofthatvastestate。IcamebacktoFrancetofetchValerie，andthefirsteveningIsawher——””Sawherisveryproper！”saidCarabine。”Iwillrememberit。””ShetoldmetowaittillthatwretchedMarneffewasdead；andI
agreed，andforgaveherforhavingadmittedtheattentionsofHulot。
WhetherthedevilhadherinhandIdon’tknow，butfromthatinstantthatwomanhashumoredmyeverywhim，compliedwithallmydemands——
neverforonemomenthasshegivenmecausetosuspecther！——””Thatissupremelyclever！”saidCarabinetoMadameNourrisson，whonoddedinsignofassent。”Myfaithinthatwoman，”saidMontes，andheshedatear，”wasamatchformylove。Justnow，Iwasreadytofighteverybodyattable——””SoIsaw，”saidCarabine。”AndifIamcheated，ifsheisgoingtobemarried，ifsheisatthismomentinSteinbock’sarms，shedeservesathousanddeaths！IwillkillherasIwouldsmashafly——””Andhowaboutthegendarmes，myson？”saidMadameNourrisson，withasmilethatmadeyourfleshcreep。”Andthepoliceagents，andthejudges，andtheassizes，andalltheset-out？”addedCarabine。”Youarebragging，mydearfellow，”saidtheoldwoman，whowantedtoknowalltheBrazilian’sschemesofvengeance。”Iwillkillher，”hecalmlyrepeated。”Youcalledmeasavage——DoyouimaginethatIamfoolenoughtogo，likeaFrenchman，andbuypoisonatthechemist’sshop？——Duringthetimewhileweweredrivingher，Ithoughtoutmymeansofrevenge，ifyoushouldprovetoberightasconcernsValerie。Oneofmynegroeshasthemostdeadlyofanimalpoisons，andincurableanywherebutinBrazil。IwilladministerittoCydalise，whowillgiveittome；thenbythetimewhendeathisacertaintytoCrevelandhiswife，IshallbebeyondtheAzoreswithyourcousin，whowillbecured，andIwillmarryher。
Wehaveourownlittletricks，wesavages！——Cydalise，”saidhe，lookingatthecountrygirl，”istheanimalIneed——Howmuchdoessheowe？””Ahundredthousandfrancs，”saidCydalise。”Shesayslittle——buttothepurpose，”saidCarabine，inalowtonetoMadameNourrisson。”Iamgoingmad！”criedtheBrazilian，inahuskyvoice，droppingontoasofa。”Ishalldieofthis！ButImustsee，foritisimpossible！——
Alithographednote！Whatistoassuremethatitisnotaforgery？——
BaronHulotwasinlovewithValerie？”saidhe，recallingJosepha’sharangue。”Nay；theproofthathedidnotloveisthatsheisstillalive——Iwillnotleaveherlivingforanybodyelse，ifsheisnotwhollymine。”
Monteswasterribletobehold。Hebellowed，hestormed；hebrokeeverythinghetouched；rosewoodwasasbrittleasglass。”Howhedestroysthings！”saidCarabine，lookingattheoldwoman。”Mygoodboy，”saidshe，givingtheBrazilianalittleslap，”RolandtheFuriousisveryfineinapoem；butinadrawing-roomheisprosaicandexpensive。””Myson，”saidoldNourrisson，risingtostandinfrontofthecrestfallenBaron，”Iamofyourwayofthinking。Whenyouloveinthatway，andarejoined’tilldeathdoesyoupart，’lifemustanswerforlove。Theonewhofirstgoes，carrieseverythingaway；itisageneralwreck。Youcommandmyesteem，myadmiration，myconsent，especiallyforyourinoculation，whichwillmakemeaFriendoftheNegro——Butyouloveher！Youwillharkback？””I？——Ifsheissoinfamous，I——””Well，comenow，youaretalkingtoomuch，itstrikesme。Amanwhomeanstobeavenged，andwhosayshehasthewaysandmeansofasavage，doesn’tdothat——Ifyouwanttoseeyour’object’inherparadise，youmusttakeCydaliseandwalkstraightinwithheronyourarm，asiftheservanthadmadeamistake。Butnoscandal！Ifyoumeantoberevenged，youmusteattheleek，seemtobeindespair，andallowhertobullyyou——Doyousee？”saidMadameNourrisson，findingtheBrazilianquiteamazedbysosubtleascheme。”Allright，oldostrich，”hereplied。”Comealong：Iunderstand。””Good-bye，littleone！”saidtheoldwomantoCarabine。
ShesignedtoCydalisetogoonwithMontes，andremainedaminutewithCarabine。”Now，child，Ihavebutonefear，andthatisthathewillstrangleher！Ishouldbeinaverytightplace；wemustdoeverythinggently。
IbelieveyouhavewonyourpicturebyRaphael；buttheytellmeitisonlyaMignard。Nevermind，itismuchprettier；alltheRaphaelsaregoneblack，Iamtold，whereasthisoneisasbrightasaGirodet。””AllIwantistocrowoverJosepha；anditisallthesametomewhetherIhaveaMignardoraRaphael！——Thatthiefhadonsuchpearlsthisevening！——youwouldsellyoursoulforthem。”
Cydalise，Montes，andMadameNourrissongotintoahackneycoachthatwaswaitingatthedoor。MadameNourrissonwhisperedtothedrivertheaddressofahouseinthesameblockastheItalianOperaHouse，whichtheycouldhavereachedinfiveorsixminutesfromtheRueSaint-
Georges；butMadameNourrissondesiredthemantodrivealongtheRuelePeletier，andtogoveryslowly，soastobeabletoexaminethecarriagesinwaiting。”Brazilian，”saidtheoldwoman，”lookoutforyourangel’scarriageandservants。”
TheBaronpointedoutValerie’scarriageastheypassedit。”Shehastoldthemtocomeforheratteno’clock，andsheisgoneinacabtothehousewhereshevisitsCountSteinbock。Shehasdinedthere，andwillcometotheOperainhalfanhour——Itiswellcontrived！”saidMadameNourrisson。”Thusyouseehowshehaskeptyousolonginthedark。”
TheBrazilianmadenoreply。Hehadbecomethetiger，andhadrecoveredtheimperturbablecoolferocitythathadbeensostrikingatdinner。Hewasascalmasabankruptthedayafterhehasstoppedpayment。
Atthedoorofthehousestoodahackneycoachwithtwohorses，ofthekindknownasa/CompagnieGenerale/，fromtheCompanythatrunsthem。”Stayhereinthebox，”saidtheoldwomantoMontes。”Thisisnotanopenhouselikeatavern。Iwillsendforyou。”
TheparadiseofMadameMarneffeandWenceslaswasnotatalllikethatofCrevel——who，findingituselessnow，hadjustsoldhistotheComteMaximedeTrailles。Thisparadise，theparadiseofallcomers，consistedofaroomonthefourthflooropeningtothelanding，inahouseclosetotheItalianOpera。Oneachfloorofthishousetherewasaroomwhichhadoriginallyservedasthekitchentotheapartmentsonthatfloor。Butthehousehavingbecomeasortofinn，letoutforclandestineloveaffairsatanexorbitantprice，theowner，therealMadameNourrisson，anold-clothesbuyerintheRueNueveSaint-Marc，hadwiselyappreciatedthegreatvalueofthesekitchens，andhadturnedthemintoasortofdining-rooms。Eachoftheserooms，builtbetweenthickparty-wallsandwithwindowstothestreet，wasentirelyshutinbyverythickdoubledoorsonthelanding。Thusthemostimportantsecretscouldbediscussedoveradinner，withnoriskofbeingoverheard。Forgreatersecurity，thewindowshadshuttersinsideandout。Theserooms，inconsequenceofthispeculiarity，wereletfortwelvehundredfrancsamonth。Thewholehouse，fullofsuchparadisesandmysterieswasrentedbyMadameNourrissontheFirstfortwenty-eightthousandfrancsofclearprofit，afterpayingherhousekeeper，MadameNourrissontheSecond，forshedidnotmanageitherself。
TheparadiselettoCountSteinbockhadbeenhungwithchintz；thecold，hardfloor，ofcommontilesreddenedwithencaustic，wasnotfeltthroughasoftthickcarpet。Thefurnitureconsistedoftwoprettychairsandabedinanalcove，justnowhalfhiddenbyatableloadedwiththeremainsofanelegantdinner，whiletwobottleswithlongnecksandanemptychampagne-bottleinicestrewedthefieldofbacchuscultivatedbyVenus。
Therewerealso——theproperty，nodoubt，ofValerie——aloweasy-chairandaman’ssmoking-chair，andaprettytoiletchestofdrawersinrosewood，themirrorhandsomelyframed/ala/Pompadour。Alamphangingfromtheceilinggaveasubduedlight，increasedbywaxcandlesonthetableandonthechimney-shelf。
Thissketchwillsufficetogiveanidea，/urbietorbi/，ofclandestinepassioninthesqualidstylestampedonitinParisin1840。Howfar，alas！fromtheadulterouslove，symbolizedbyVulcan’snets，threethousandyearsago。
WhenMontesandCydalisecameupstairs，Valerie，standingbeforethefire，wherealogwasblazing，wasallowingWenceslastolaceherstays。
Thisisamomentwhenawomanwhoisneithertoofatnortoothin，butlikeValerie，elegantandslender，displaysdivinebeauty。Therosyskin，mostlysoft，invitesthesleepiesteye。Thelinesofherfigure，solittlehidden，aresocharminglyoutlinedbythewhitepleatsoftheshiftandthesupportofthestays，thatsheisirresistible——likeeverythingthatmustbepartedfrom。
Withahappyfacesmilingattheglass，afootimpatientlymarkingtime，ahandputuptorestoreorderamongthetumbledcurls，andeyesexpressiveofgratitude；withtheglowofsatisfactionwhich，likeasunset，warmstheleastdetailsofthecountenance——everythingmakessuchamomentamineofmemories。
Anymanwhodareslookbackontheearlyerrorsofhislifemay，perhaps，recallsomesuchreminiscences，andunderstand，thoughnotexcuse，thefolliesofHulotandCrevel。Womenaresowellawareoftheirpoweratsuchamoment，thattheyfindinitwhatmaybecalledtheaftermathofthemeeting。”Come，come；aftertwoyears’practice，youdonotyetknowhowtolaceawoman’sstays！YouaretoomuchaPole！——There，itisteno’clock，myWenceslas！”saidValerie，laughingathim。
Atthisverymoment，amischievouswaiting-woman，byinsertingaknife，pushedupthehookofthedoubledoorsthatformedthewholesecurityofAdamandEve。Shehastilypulledthedooropen——fortheservantsofthesedenshavelittletimetowaste——anddiscoveredoneofthebewitching/tableauxdegenre/whichGavarnihassooftenshownattheSalon。”Inhere，madame，”saidthegirl；andCydalisewentin，followedbyMontes。”Butthereissomeonehere——Excuseme，madame，”saidthecountrygirl，inalarm。”What？——Why！itisValerie！”criedMontes，violentlyslammingthedoor。
MadameMarneffe，toogenuinelyagitatedtodissembleherfeelings，droppedontothechairbythefireplace。Twotearsrosetohereyes，andatoncedriedaway。ShelookedatMontes，sawthegirl，andburstintoacackleofforcedlaughter。Thedignityoftheinsultedwomanredeemedthescantinessofherattire；shewalkedcloseuptotheBrazilian，andlookedathimsodefiantlythathereyesglitteredlikeknives。”Sothat，”saidshe，standingfacetofacewiththeBaron，andpointingtoCydalise——”thatistheothersideofyourfidelity？You，whohavemademepromisesthatmightconvertadisbelieverinlove！
You，forwhomIhavedonesomuch——haveevencommittedcrimes！——Youareright，monsieur，Iamnottocomparewithachildofherageandofsuchbeauty！”Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay，”shewenton，lookingatWenceslas，whoseundresswasprooftoocleartobedenied。”Thisismyconcern。
IfIcouldloveyouaftersuchgrosstreachery——foryouhavespieduponme，youhavepaidforeverystepupthesestairs，paidthemistressofthehouse，andtheservant，perhapsevenReine——anobledeed！——IfIhadanyremnantofaffectionforsuchameanwretch，I
couldgivehimreasonsthatwouldrenewhispassion！——ButIleaveyou，monsieur，toyourdoubts，whichwillbecomeremorse——Wenceslas，mygown！”
Shetookherdressandputiton，lookedatherselfintheglass，andfinisheddressingwithoutheedingtheBaron，ascalmlyasifshehadbeenaloneintheroom。”Wenceslas，areyouready？——Gofirst。”
ShehadbeenwatchingMontesintheglassandoutofthecornerofhereye，andfanciedshecouldseeinhispalloranindicationoftheweaknesswhichdeliversastrongmanovertoawoman’sfascinations；
shenowtookhishand，goingsoclosetohimthathecouldnothelpinhalingtheterribleperfumeswhichmenlove，andbywhichtheyintoxicatethemselves；then，feelinghispulsesbeathigh，shelookedathimreproachfully。”YouhavemyfullpermissiontogoandtellyourhistorytoMonsieurCrevel；hewillneverbelieveyou。Ihaveaperfectrighttomarryhim，andhebecomesmyhusbandthedayafterto-morrow——Ishallmakehimveryhappy——Good-bye；trytoforgetme。””Oh！Valerie，”criedHenriMontes，claspingherinhisarms，”thatisimpossible！——CometoBrazil！”
Valerielookedinhisface，andsawhimherslave。”Well，ifyoustillloveme，Henri，twoyearshenceIwillbeyourwife；butyourexpressionatthismomentstrikesmeasverysuspicious。””Isweartoyouthattheymademedrink，thatfalsefriendsthrewthisgirlonmyhands，andthatthewholethingistheoutcomeofchance！”
saidMontes。”ThenIamtoforgiveyou？”sheasked，withasmile。”Butyouwillmarry，allthesame？”askedtheBaron，inanagonyofjealousy。”Eightythousandfrancsayear！”saidshe，withalmostcomicalenthusiasm。”AndCrevellovesmesomuchthathewilldieofit！””Ah！Iunderstand，”saidMontes。”Well，then，inafewdayswewillcometoanunderstanding，”saidshe。
Andshedepartedtriumphant。”Ihavenoscruples，”thoughttheBaron，standingtransfixedforafewminutes。”What！Thatwomanbelievesshecanmakeuseofhispassiontobequitofthatdolt，asshecountedonMarneffe’sdecease！——Ishallbetheinstrumentofdivinewrath。”
TwodayslaterthoseofduTillet’sguestswhohaddemolishedMadameMarneffetoothandnail，wereseatedroundhertableanhouraftershehasshedherskinandchangedhernamefortheillustriousnameofaParismayor。ThisverbaltreasonisoneofthecommonestformsofParisianlevity。
ValeriehadhadthesatisfactionofseeingtheBrazilianinthechurch；forCrevel，nowsoentirelythehusband，hadinvitedhimoutofbravado。AndtheBaron’spresenceatthebreakfastastonishednoone。Allthesemenofwitandoftheworldwerefamiliarwiththemeannessofpassion，thecompromisesofpleasure。
Steinbock’sdeepmelancholy——forhewasbeginningtodespisethewomanwhomhehadadoredasanangel——wasconsideredtobeinexcellenttaste。ThePolethusseemedtoconveythatallwasatanendbetweenValerieandhimself。LisbethcametoembraceherdearMadameCrevel，andtoexcuseherselffornotstayingtothebreakfastonthescoreofAdeline’ssadstateofhealth。”Bequiteeasy，”saidshetoValerie，”theywillcallonyou，andyouwillcallonthem。Simplyhearingthewords/twohundredthousandfrancs/hasbroughttheBaronesstodeath’sdoor。Oh，youhavethemallhardandfastbythattale！——Butyoumusttellittome。”
Withinamonthofhermarriage，ValeriewasathertenthquarrelwithSteinbock；heinsistedonexplanationsastoHenriMontes，remindingherofthewordsspokenintheirparadise；and，notcontentwithspeakingtoherintermsofscorn，hewatchedhersocloselythatsheneverhadamomentofliberty，somuchwasshefetteredbyhisjealousyononesideandCrevel’sdevotionontheother。
BereftnowofLisbeth，whoseadvicehadalwaysbeensovaluablesheflewintosucharageastoreproachWenceslasforthemoneyshehadlenthim。ThissoeffectuallyrousedSteinbock’spride，thathecamenomoretotheCrevels’house。SoValeriehadgainedherpoint，whichwastoberidofhimforatime，andenjoysomefreedom。ShewaitedtillCrevelshouldmakealittlejourneyintothecountrytoseeComtePopinot，withaviewtoarrangingforherintroductiontotheCountess，andwasthenabletomakeanappointmenttomeettheBaron，whomshewantedtohaveathercommandforawholedaytogivehimthose”reasons”whichweretomakehimlovehermorethanever。
Onthemorningofthatday，Reine，whoestimatedthemagnitudeofhercrimebythatofthebribeshereceived，triedtowarnhermistress，inwhomshenaturallytookmoreinterestthaninstrangers。Still，asshehadbeenthreatenedwithmadness，andendingherdaysintheSalpetriereincaseofindiscretion，shewascautious。”Madame，youaresowelloffnow，”saidshe。”WhytakeonagainwiththatBrazilian？——Idonottrusthimatall。””Youareveryright，Reine，andImeantoberidofhim。””Oh，madame，Iamgladtohearit；hefrightensme，doesthatbigMoor！Ibelievehimtobecapableofanything。””Sillychild！youhavemorereasontobeafraidforhimwhenheiswithme。”
AtthismomentLisbethcamein。”MydearlittlepetNanny，whatanagesincewemet！”criedValerie。”Iamsounhappy！Crevelboresmetodeath；andWenceslasisgone——wequarreled。””Iknow，”saidLisbeth，”andthatiswhatbringsmehere。Victorinmethimataboutfiveintheafternoongoingintoaneating-houseatfive-
and-twentysous，andhebroughthimhome，hungry，byworkingonhisfeelings，totheRueLouis-le-Grand——Hortense，seeingWenceslasleanandillandbadlydressed，heldoutherhand。Thisishowyouthrowmeover——””MonsieurHenri，madame，”theman-servantannouncedinalowvoicetoValerie。”Leavemenow，Lisbeth；Iwillexplainitallto-morrow。”But，aswillbeseen，Valeriewaserelongnotinastatetoexplainanythingtoanybody。
TowardstheendofMay，BaronHulot’spensionwasreleasedbyVictorin’sregularpaymenttoBaronNucingen。Aseverybodyknows，pensionsarepaidhalf-yearly，andonlyonthepresentationofacertificatethattherecipientisalive：andasHulot’sresidencewasunknown，thearrearsunpaidonVauvinet’sdemandremainedtohiscreditintheTreasury。Vauvinetnowsignedhisrenunciationofanyfurtherclaims，anditwasstillindispensabletofindthepensionerbeforethearrearscouldbedrawn。
ThankstoBianchon’scare，theBaronesshadrecoveredherhealth；andtothisJosepha’sgoodhearthadcontributedbyaletter，ofwhichtheorthographybetrayedthecollaborationoftheDucd’Herouville。ThiswaswhatthesingerwrotetotheBaroness，aftertwentydaysofanxioussearch：——”MADAMELABARONNE，——MonsieurHulotwasliving，twomonthssince，intheRuedesBernardins，withElodieChardin，alace-mender，forwhomhehadleftMademoiselleBijou；buthewentawaywithoutaword，leavingeverythingbehindhim，andnooneknowswherehewent。Iamnotwithouthope，however，andIhaveputamanonthistrackwhobelieveshehasalreadyseenhimintheBoulevardBourdon。”ThepoorJewessmeanstokeepthepromiseshemadetotheChristian。Willtheangelprayforthedevil？Thatmustsometimeshappeninheaven——Iremain，withthedeepestrespect，alwaysyourhumbleservant，”JOSEPHAMIRAH。”
Thelawyer，MaitreHulotd’Ervy，hearingnomoreofthedreadfulMadameNourrisson，seeinghisfather-in-lawmarried，havingbroughtbackhisbrother-in-lawtothefamilyfold，sufferingfromnoimportunityonthepartofhisnewstepmother，andseeinghismother’shealthimprovedaily，gavehimselfuptohispoliticalandjudicialduties，sweptalongbythetideofParislife，inwhichthehourscountfordays。
Onenight，towardstheendofthesession，havingoccasiontowriteupareporttotheChamberofDeputies，hewasobligedtositatworktilllateatnight。Hehadgoneintohisstudyatnineo’clock，and，whilewaitingtilltheman-servantshouldbringinthecandleswithgreenshades，histhoughtsturnedtohisfather。Hewasblaminghimselfforleavingtheinquirysomuchtothesinger，andhadresolvedtoseeMonsieurChapuzothimselfonthemorrow，whenhesawinthetwilight，outsidethewindow，ahandsomeoldhead，baldandyellow，withafringeofwhitehair。”Wouldyoupleasetogiveorders，sir，thatapoorhermitistobeadmitted，justcomefromtheDesert，andwhoisinstructedtobegforcontributionstowardsrebuildingaholyhouse。”
Thisapparition，whichsuddenlyremindedthelawyerofaprophecyutteredbytheterribleNourrisson，gavehimashock。”Letinthatoldman，”saidhetotheservant。”Hewillpoisontheplace，sir，”repliedtheman。”HehasonabrowngownwhichhehasneverchangedsinceheleftSyria，andhehasnoshirt——””Showhimin，”repeatedthemaster。
Theoldmancamein。Victorin’skeeneyeexaminedthisso-calledpilgrimhermit，andhesawafinespecimenoftheNeapolitanfriars，whosefrocksareakintotheragsofthe/lazzaroni/，whosesandalsaretattersofleather，asthefriarsaretattersofhumanity。Theget-upwassoperfectthatthelawyer，thoughstillonhisguard，wasvexedwithhimselfforhavingbelievedittobeoneofMadameNourrisson’stricks。”Howmuchtoyouwantofme？””Whateveryoufeelthatyououghttogiveme。”
Victorintookafive-francpiecefromalittlepileonhistable，andhandedittothestranger。”Thatisnotmuchonaccountoffiftythousandfrancs，”saidthepilgrimofthedesert。
ThisspeechremovedallVictorin’sdoubts。”AndhasHeavenkeptitsword？”hesaid，withafrown。”Thequestionisanoffence，myson，”saidthehermit。”Ifyoudonotchoosetopaytillafterthefuneral，youareinyourrights。Iwillreturninaweek’stime。””Thefuneral！”criedthelawyer，startingup。”Theworldmoveson，”saidtheoldman，ashewithdrew，”andthedeadmovequicklyinParis！”
WhenHulot，whostoodlookingdown，wasabouttoreply，thestalwartoldmanhadvanished。”Idon’tunderstandonewordofallthis，”saidVictorintohimself。”ButattheendoftheweekIwillaskhimagainaboutmyfather，ifwehavenotyetfoundhim。WheredoesMadameNourrisson——yes，thatwashername——pickupsuchactors？”
Onthefollowingday，DoctorBianchonallowedtheBaronesstogodownintothegarden，afterexaminingLisbeth，whohadbeenobligedtokeeptoherroomforamonthbyaslightbronchialattack。Thelearneddoctor，whodarednotpronounceadefiniteopiniononLisbeth’scasetillhehadseensomedecisivesymptoms，wentintothegardenwithAdelinetoobservetheeffectofthefreshaironhernervoustremblingaftertwomonthsofseclusion。Hewasinterestedandalluredbythehopeofcuringthisnervouscomplaint。Onseeingthegreatphysiciansittingwiththemandsparingthemafewminutes，theBaronessandherfamilyconversedwithhimongeneralsubjects。”Youlifeisaveryfullandaverysadone，”saidMadameHulot。”I
knowwhatitistospendone’sdaysinseeingpovertyandphysicalsuffering。””Iknow，madame，”repliedthedoctor，”allthescenesofwhichcharitycompelsyoutobeaspectator；butyouwillgetusedtoitintime，aswealldo。Itisthelawofexistence。Theconfessor，themagistrate，thelawyerwouldfindlifeunendurableifthespiritoftheStatedidnotassertitselfabovethefeelingsoftheindividual。Couldweliveatallbutforthat？Isnotthesoldierintimeofwarbroughtfacetofacewithspectaclesevenmoredreadfulthanthosewesee？Andeverysoldierthathasbeenunderfireiskind-hearted。Wemedicalmenhavethepleasurenowandagainofasuccessfulcure，asyouhavethatofsavingafamilyfromthehorrorsofhunger，depravity，ormisery，andofrestoringittosocialrespectability。Butwhatcomfortcanthemagistratefind，thepoliceagent，ortheattorney，whospendtheirlivesininvestigatingthebasestschemesofself-interest，thesocialmonsterwhoseonlyregretiswhenitfails，butonwhomrepentanceneverdawns？
