第1章

PREFACE Myendeavorhasbeentotellasimplestory，preservingascloselyaspossiblethespiritandfeelingoftheoriginal。I havetried，asitwere，totaketheplaytopieces，andbuildanoveloutofthesamematerial。IhavenotfeltatlibertytoembellishM。Brieux’sideas，andIhaveusedhisdialoguewordforwordwhereverpossible。UnlessIhavemis—readtheauthor，hissolepurposeinwritingLESAVARIESwastoplaceanumberofmostimportantfactsbeforethemindsofthepublic，andtodrivethemhomebymeansofintenseemotion。IfIhavebeenabletoassisthim，thisbitofliterarycarpenteringwillbeworthwhile。IhavetothankM。Brieuxforhiskindpermissiontomaketheattempt，andforthecordialspiritwhichhehasmanifested。 UptonSinclairPRESSCOMMENTSONTHEPLAY DAMAGEDGOODSwasfirstpresentedinAmericaataFridaymatineeonMarch14th，1913，intheFultonTheater，NewYork，beforemembersoftheSociologicalFund。ImmediatelyitwasacclaimedbypublicpressandpulpitasthegreatestcontributionevermadebytheStagetothecauseofhumanity。Mr。RichardBennett，theproducer，whohadthecouragetopresenttheplay，withtheaidofhisco—workers，inthefaceofmostsavagecriticismfromtheignorant，wasoverwhelmedwithrequestsforarepetitionoftheperformance。 BeforedecidingwhetherofnottopresentDAMAGEDGOODSbeforethegeneralpublic，itwasarrangedthatthehighestofficialsintheUnitedStatesshouldpassjudgmentuponthemannerinwhichtheplayteachesitsvitallesson。AspecialguestperformanceformembersoftheCabinet，membersofbothhousesofCongress，membersoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt，representativesoftheDiplomaticcorpsandothersprominentinnationallifewasgiveninWashington，D。C。 AlthoughtheperformancewasgivenonaSundayafternoon（April6，1913），theNationalTheaterwascrowdedtotheverydoorswiththemostdistinguishedaudienceeverassembledinAmerica，includingexclusivelytheforemostmenandwomenoftheCapital。 ThemostnotedclergymenofWashingtonwereamongthespectators。 TheresultofthisremarkableperformancewasatremendousendorsementoftheplayandofthemannerinwhichMr。Bennettandhisco—workerswerepresentingit。 ThisreceptionresultedinthecontinuanceoftheNewYorkperformancesuntilmid—summerandisresponsibleforthedecisiononthepartofMr。BennetttooffertheplayineverycityinAmericawherecitizensfeelthattheultimatewelfareofthecommunityisdependentuponahigherstandardofmoralityandclearerunderstandingofthelawsofhealth。 TheWASHINGTONPOST，commentingontheWashingtonperformance，said： Theplaywaspresentedwithalltheimpressivenessofasermon； withallthevigoranddynamicforceofagreatdrama；withalltheearnestnessandpowerofavitaltruth。 Inmanyrespectsthepresentationofthisdramatizationofagreatsocialevilassumedtheaspectsofareligiousservice。 Dr。DonaldC。Macleod，pastoroftheFirstPresbyterianChurch，mountedtherostrumusuallyoccupiedbytheleaderoftheorchestra，andannouncedthatthenatureoftheperformance，thesacrednessoftheplay，andthecharacteroftheaudiencegavetotheplaythesignificanceofatremendoussermoninbehalfofmankind，andthatassuchitwaseminentlyfittingthatadivineblessingbeinvoked。Dr。EarleWilfley，pastoroftheVermontAvenueChristianChurch，askedallpersonsintheaudiencetobowtheirheadsinaprayerfortheproperreceptionofthemessagetobepresentedfromthestage。Dr。MacLeodthenreadtheBernardShawprefacetotheplay，andaskedthattherebenoapplauseduringtheperformance，asuggestionwhichwasrigidlyfollowed，thusaddinggreatlytotheeffectivenessandtheseriousnessofthedramaticportrayal。 Theimpressionmadeupontheaudiencebytheremarkableplayisreflectedinsuchcommentsasthefollowingexpressionsvoicedaftertheperformance： RABBISIMON，OFTHEWASHINGTONHEBREWCONGREGATION——IfIcouldpreachfrommypulpitasermononetenthaspowerful，asconvincing，asfar—reaching，andashelpfulasthisperformanceofDAMAGEDGOODSmustbe，IwouldconsiderthatIhadachievedthetriumphofmylife。 COMMISSIONERCUNOH。RUDOLPH——IwasdeeplyimpressedbywhatI saw，andIthinkthatthedramashouldberepeatedineverycity，amatineeonedayforfatherandsonandthenextdayformotheranddaughter。 REV。EARLEWILFLEY——IamconfirmedintheopinionthatwemusttakeupourcudgelsinacrusadeagainstthemodernproblemsbroughttotheforebyDAMAGEDGOODS。Thereportthatthesediseasesareincreasingisenoughtomakeusgetbusyonacampaignagainstthem。 SURGEONGENERALBLUE——Itwasamoststrikingandtellinglesson。 Foryearswehavebeenfightingtheseconditioninthenavy。Itishightimethatciviliansawakenedtothedangerssurroundingthemandcrusadedagainsttheminapropermanner。 MRS。ARCHIBALDHOPKINS——Theplaywasapowerfulpresentationofaveryimportantquestionandwashandledinamostadmirablemanner。Thedramaisafineenteringwedgeforthiscrusadeandisboundtodoconsiderablegoodinconveyinginformationofaveryseriousnature。 MINISTERPEZET，OFPERU——Therecanbenodoubtbutthattheperformancewillhavegreatupliftingpower，andaccomplishthegoodforwhichitwascreated。Fortunately，wedonothavethepruderyinSouthAmericathatyouofthenorthpossess，andhaveopenmindstoconsidertheseseriousquestions。 JUSTICEDANIELTHEWWRIGHT——IfeelquitesurethatDAMAGEDGOODS willhaveconsiderableeffectineducatingthepeopleofthenatureofthedangerthatsurroundsthem。 SENATORKERN，OFINDIANA——Therecanbenodenialofthefactthatitistimetolookattheseriousproblemspresentedintheplaywithanopenmind。 BrieuxhasbeenhailedbyBernardShawas\"incomparablythegreatestwriterFrancehasproducedsinceMoliere，\"andperhapsnowritereverwieldedhispenmoreearnestlyintheserviceoftherace。ToquotefromanarticlebyEdwinE。SlossonintheINDEPENDENT： Brieuxisnotonewhobelievesthatsocialevilsaretobecuredbylawsandyetmorelaws。Hebelievesthatmostofthetroubleiscausedbyignoranceandurgeseducation，publicenlightenmentandfrankerrecognitionofexistingconditions。Allthismaybeneeded，butstillwemaywelldoubtitseffectivenessasaremedy。ThedrunkenHelotargumentisnotastrongone，andthosewholeadaviciouslifeknowmoreaboutitsrisksthananyteacherorpreachercouldtellthem。Brieuxalsourgestherequirementofhealthcertificatesformarriage，suchasmanyclergymennowinsistuponandwhichdoubtlesswillbemadecompulsorybeforelonginmanyofourStates。 Brieuxpaintsinblackcolorsyetisnofanatic；infact，hewillbecriticisedbymanyasbeingtootolerantofhumanweakness。 TheconditionsofsocietyandthemoralstandardsofFrancearesodifferentfromthoseofAmericathathispointofviewandhisproposalsforreformwillnotmeetwithgeneralacceptance，butitisencouragingtofindadramatistwhorealizestheimportanceofbeingearnestandwhouseshisartindefenseofvirtueinsteadofitsdestruction。 Othercommentsfollow，showingthegreatinterestmanifestedintheplayandthebeliefinthehighestseriousnessofitspurpose： Thereisnouncleannessinfacts。Theuncleannessisintheglamour，inthesecretimagination。Itisinhints，half—truths，andsuggestionsthethreattolifelies。 Thisplayputsthehorribletruthinsolivingaway，withsuchclean，artisticforce，thatthemindisimpressedasitcouldpossiblybeimpressedinnoothermanner。 Bestofall，itisthephysicianwhodominatestheaction。Thereisnosentimentalizing。Thereisnoweakandmorbidhandlingofthetheme。Thedoctorappearsinhisidealfunction，asthemodernhigh—priestoftruth。Aroundhimwrithethevictimsofignoranceandthecriminalsofconventionalcruelty。Kind，stern，high—minded，clear—headed，yethuman—hearted，hetowersoverall，asthemaster。 Thisisasitshouldbe。Themantosaythewordtosavetheworldofignorantwretches，cursedbythecloudsanddarknessamistakenmodestyhasthrownaroundalife—and—deathinstinct，isthephysician。 Theonlyquestionisthis：Isthisplaydecent？MyansweristhatitisthedecentestplaythathasbeeninNewYorkforayear。Itissodecentthatitisreligious。 ——HEARST’SMAGAZINE。 Theplayis，aboveall，apowerfulpleaforthetearingawayoftheveilofmysterythathassouniversallyshroudedthissubjectofthepenaltyofsexualimmorality。Itisapleaforlightonthishiddendanger，thatfathersandmothers，youngmenandyoungwomen，mayknowtheterriblepricethatmustbepaid，notonlybythegenerationthatviolatesthelaw，butbythegenerationstocome。Itisaseriousquestionjusthowtheeducationofmenandwomen，especiallyyoungmenandyoungwomen，inthevitalmattersofsexrelationshipshouldbecarriedon。Onethingissure，however。Theworstpossiblewayistheonewhichhassooftenbeenfollowedinthepast——nottocarryitonatallbuttoignoreit。 ——THEOUTLOOK。 It（DAMAGEDGOODS）is，ofcourse，amasterpieceof\"thesisdrama，\"——anargument，dogmatic，insistent，inescapable，cumulative，betweenscienceandcommonsense，ononeside，andlove，ofvarioustypes，ontheother。ItiswhatMr。BernardShawhascalleda\"dramaofdiscussion\"；ithasthesplendidmovementofthebestShawplays，unrelieved——andundiluted——byShavianparadox，wit，andirony。WeimaginethatmanyaudiencesattheFultonTheaterwereastonishedattheplay’sshowingofsheerstrengthasacteddrama。Possiblyitmightnotinterestthegeneralpublic；probablyitwouldbeinadvisabletopresentittothem。Butnothinkingperson，withthemostcasualinterestincurrentsocialevils，couldlistentotheversionofRichardBennett，WiltonLackaye，andtheirassociates，withoutbeinggrippedbythepowerofBrieux’smessage。 ——THEDIAL。 Itisawonderthattheworldhasbeensolongingettingholdofthisplay，whichisoneofFrance’smostvaluablecontributionstothedrama。Itshistoryisinteresting。Brieuxwroteitovertenyearsago。AntoineproduceditathistheaterandParisimmediatelycensoredit，butsoonthoughtbetterofitandremovedtheban。Duringthesummerof1910itwasplayedinBrusselsbeforecrowdedhouses，forthenthecitywasthrongedwithvisitorstotheexposition。FinallyNewYorkgotitlastspringandeugenicenthusiastsanddoctorseverywherehavewelcomedit。 ——THEINDEPENDENT。 AlettertoMr。BennettfromDr。Hills，PastorofPlymouthChurch，Brooklyn。 23MonroeStreetBklyn。August1，1913。 Mr。RichardBennett，NewYorkCity，N。Y。 MyDearMr。Bennett： Duringthepasttwenty—oneyearssinceIenteredpubliclife，I haveexperiencedmanyexcitinghoursundertheinfluenceofreformer，oratorandactor，but，inthismoodofretrospection，I donotknowthatIhaveeverpassedthroughamorethrilling，terrible，andyethopefulexperiencethanlastevening，whileI listenedtoyourinterpretationofEugeneBrieux’\"DAMAGED GOODS。\" Ihavebeenfollowingyourworkwitheverdeepeninginterest。Itisnottoomuchtosaythatyouhavechangedthethinkingofthepeopleofourcountryastothesocialevil。Atlast，thankGod，thisconspiracyofsilenceisended。Noyoungmanwhosees\"DamagedGoods\"willeverbethesameagain。IfIwantedtobuildaroundaninnocentboybuttressesoffireandgranite，andlendhimtriplearmouragainsttemptationandtheassaultsofevil，Iwouldputhimforoneeveningunderyourinfluence。Thatwhichtheteacher，thepreacherandtheparenthavefailedtoaccomplishithasbeengiventoyoutoachieve。Youhavedoneaworkforwhichyourgenerationowesyouanimmeasurabledebtofgratitude。 IshallbedelightedtohaveyouusemyStudyofSocialDiseasesandHeredityinconnectionwithyourgreatreform。 Withallgoodwishes，Iam，mydearMr。Bennett，Faithfullyyours，NewellDwightHillisCHAPTERI Itwasfouro’clockinthemorningwhenGeorgeDupontclosedthedoorandcamedownthestepstothestreet。Thefirstfaintstreaksofdawnwereinthesky，andhenoticedthiswithannoyance，becauseheknewthathishairwasindisarrayandhiswhileaspectdisorderly；yethedarednottakeacab，becausehefearedtoattractattentionathome。Whenhereachedthesidewalk，heglancedabouthimtomakesurethatnoonehadseenhimleavethehouse，thenstarteddownthestreet，hiseyesuponthesidewalkbeforehim。 Georgehadthefeelingofthemorningafter。Therearefewmeninthisworldofabundantsinwhowillnotknowwhatthephrasemeans。Thefumesofthenighthadevaporated；hewasquitesobernow，quitefreefromexcitement。Hesawwhathehaddone，anditseemedtohimsomethingblackanddisgusting。 Neverhadawalkseemedlongerthanthefewblockswhichhehadtotraversetoreachhishome。Hemustgettherebeforethemaidwasup，beforethebaker’sboycalledwiththerolls；otherwise，whatexplanationcouldhegive？——hewhohadalwaysbeensuchamoralman，whohadbeenpointedoutbymothersasanexampletotheirsons。 Georgethoughtofhisownmother，andwhatshewouldthinkifshecouldknowabouthisnight’sadventure。Hethoughtagainandagain，withapangofanguish，ofHenriette。Coulditbepossiblethatamanwhowasengaged，whosemarriagecontracthadactuallybeensigned，whowassoontopossesstheloveofabeautifulandnoblegirl——thatsuchamancouldhavebeenweakenoughandbaseenoughtolethimselfbetrappedintosuchalowaction？ Hewentbackoverthewholeseriesofevents，shudderingatthem，tryingtorealizehowtheyhadhappened，tryingtoexcusehimselfforthem。Hehadnotintendedsuchaculmination；hehadnevermeanttodosuchathinginhislife。Hehadnotthoughtofanyharmwhenhehadacceptedtheinvitationtothesupperpartywithhisoldcompanionsfromthelawschool。Ofcourse，hehadknownthatseveralofthesechumsled\"fast\"lives——but，then，surelyafellowcouldgotoafriend’sroomsforalarkwithoutharm! Herememberedthegirlwhohadsatbyhissideatthetable。Shehadcomewithafriendwhowasamarriedwoman，andsohehadassumedthatshewasallright。Georgerememberedhowembarrassedhehadbeenwhenfirsthehadnoticedherglancesathim。Butthenthewinehadbeguntogotohishead——hewasoneofthoseunfortunatewretcheswhocannotdrinkwineatall。Hehadofferedtotakethegirlhomeinacab，andonthewayhehadlosthishead。 Oh!Whatawretchedthingitwas。Hecouldhardlybelievethatitwashewhohadspokenthosefrenziedwords；andyethemusthavespokenthem，becauseherememberedthem。Herememberedthatithadtakenalongtimetopersuadeher。Hehadhadtopromiseheraringliketheonehermarriedfriendwore。Beforetheyenteredherhomeshehadmadehimtakeoffhisshoes，sothattheportermightnothearthem。ThishadstruckGeorgeparticularly，because，evenflushedwithexcitementashewas，hehadnotforgottenthewarningshisfatherhadgivenhimastothedangersofcontactwithstrangewomen。Hehadthoughttohimself，\"Thisgirlmustbesafe。Itisprobablythefirsttimeshehaseverdonesuchathing。\" ButnowGeorgecouldgetbutlittleconsolationoutofthatidea。 Hewassufferingintensely——theemotiondescribedbythepoetinthebitterwordsabout\"Time’smovingfingerhavingwrit。\"Hismind，seekingsomeexplanation，somejustification，wentbacktotheeventsbeforethatnight。Withasuddenpangofyearning，hethoughtofLizette。Shewasadecentgirl，andhadkepthimdecent，andhewaslonelywithouther。Hehadbeensoafraidofbeingfoundoutthathehadgivenherupwhenhebecameengaged； butnowforawhilehefeltthathewouldhavetobreakhisresolution，andpayhisregularSundayvisittothelittleflatintheworking—classportionofParis。 ItwaswhileGeorgewasfittinghimselfforthesamecareerashisfather——thatofnotary——thathehadmadetheacquaintanceoftheyoungworkinggirl。Itmaynotbeeasytobelieve，butLizettehadreallybeenadecentgirl。Shehadafamilytotakecareof，andwasinneed。Therewasagrandmotherinpoorhealth，afathernotmuchbetter，andthreelittlebrothers；soLizettedidnotverylongresistGeorgeDupont，andhefeltquitevirtuousingivinghersufficientmoneytotakecareoftheseunfortunatepeople。Amongpeopleofhisclassitwasconsideredpropertotakesuchthingsifonepaidforthem。 Allthefamilyofthisworkinggirlweregratefultohim。Theyadoredhim，andtheycalledhimUncleRaoul（forofcoursehehadnotbeensofoolishastogivethemhistruename）。 SinceGeorgewaspayingforLizette，hefelthehadthetighttocontrolherlife。Hegaveherfairwarningconcerninghisattitude。Ifshedeceivedhimhewouldleaveherimmediately。 Hetoldthistoherrelativesalso，andsohehadthemallwatchingher。Shewasnevertrustedoutalone。EverySundayGeorgewenttospendthedaywithhislittle\"family，\"sothathiscomingbecamealmostamatteroftradition。Heinterestedherinchurchaffairs——massandvesperswereherregularoccasionsforexcursions。Georgerentedtwoseats，andthegrandmotherwentwithhertotheservices。Thesimplepeoplewereproudtoseetheirnameengraveduponthebrassplateofthepew。 ThereasonforalltheseprecautionswasGeorge’sterrorofdisease。Hehadbeenwarnedbyhisfatherastothedangerswhichyoungmenencounterintheiramours。AndtheselessonshadsunkdeepintoGeorge’sheart；hehadmadeuphismindthatwhateverhisfriendsmightdo，he，forone，wouldprotecthimself。 Thatdidnotmean，ofcourse，thatheintendedtoliveavirtuouslife；suchwasthecustomamongyoungmenofhisclass，nothaditprobablyeveroccurredtohisfatherthatitwaspossibleforayoungmantodosuchathing。TheFrenchhaveaphrase，\"l’hommemoyensensuel\"——theaveragesensualman。AndGeorgewassuchaman。Hehadnonobleidealisms，noparticularreverenceforwomen。Thebasisofhisattitudewasapurelyselfishone； hewantedtoenjoyhimself，andatthesametimetokeepoutoftrouble。 Hedidnotfindanyhappinessintherenunciationwhichheimposeduponhimself；hehadnoreligiousideasaboutit。Onthecontrary，hesufferedkeenly，andwasbitterbecausehehadnoshareintheamusementsofhisfriends。Hestucktohisworkandforcedhimselftokeepregularhours，preparingforhislawexaminations。Butallthetimehewaslongingforadventures。 And，ofcourse，thiscouldnotgoonforever，forthemotiveoffearaloneisnotsufficienttosubduethesexualurgeinafull— bloodedyoungman。 TheaffairwithLizettemighthavecontinuedmuchlongerhaditnotbeenforthefactthathisfatherdied。Hediedquitesuddenly，whileGeorgewasawayonatrip。Thesoncamebacktoconsolehisbroken—heartedmother，andinthetwoweektheyspentinthecountrytogetherthemotherbroachedaplantohim。Thelastwishofthedyingmanhadbeenthathissonshouldbefixedinlife。Inthemidstofhisintensesufferinghehadbeenabletothinkaboutthematter，andhadnamedthegirlwhomhewishedGeorgetomarry。Naturally，Georgewaitedwithsomeinteresttolearnwhothismightbe。Hewassurprisedwhenhismothertoldhimthatitwashiscousin，HenrietteLoches。 Hecouldnotkeephisemotionfromrevealingitselfinhisface。 \"Itdoesn’tpleaseyou？\"askedhismother，withatonedisappointment。 \"Whyno，mother，\"heanswered。\"It’snotthat。Itjustsurprisesme。\" \"Butwhy？\"askedthemother。\"Henrietteisalovelygirlandagoodgirl。\" \"Yes，Iknow，\"saidGeorge；\"butthensheismycousin，and——\" Heblushedalittlewithembarrassment。\"Ihadneverthoughtofherinthatway。\" MadameDupontlaidherhanduponherson’s。\"Yes，George，\"shesaidtenderly。\"Iknow。Youaresuchagoodboy。\" Now，ofcourse，Georgedidnotfeelthathewasquitesuchagoodboy；buthismotherwasadeeplyreligiouswoman，whohadnoideaofthetruthaboutthemajorityofmen。Shewouldneverhavegotovertheshockifhehadtoldherabouthimself，andsohehadtopretendtobejustwhatshethoughthim。 \"Tellme，\"shecontinued，afterapause，\"haveyouneverfelttheleastbitinlove？\" \"Whyno——Idon’tthinkso，\"Georgestammered，becomingconsciousofasuddenriseoftemperatureinhischeeks。 \"Because，\"saidhismother，\"itisreallytimethatyouweresettledinlife。Yourfathersaidthatweshouldhaveseentoitbefore，andnowitismydutytoseetoit。Itisnotgoodforyoutolivealonesolong。\" \"But，mother，IhaveYOU，\"saidGeorgegenerously。 \"SomedaytheLordmaytakemeaway，\"wasthereply。\"Iamgettingold。And，George，dear——\"Heresuddenlyhervoicebegantotremblewithfeeling——\"IwouldliketoseemybabygrandchildrenbeforeIgo。Youcannotimaginewhatitwouldmeantome。\" MadameDupontsawhowmuchthissubjectdistressedherson，soshewentontothemoreworldlyaspectsofthematter。 Henriette’sfatherwaswell—to—do，andhewouldgiveheragooddowry。Shewasacharmingandaccomplishedgirl。Everybodywouldconsiderhimmostfortunateifthematchcouldbearranged。 Also，therewasanelderlyaunttowhomMadameDuponthadspoken，andwhowasmuchtakenwiththeidea。Sheownedagreatdealofpropertyandwouldsurelyhelptheyoungcouple。 Georgedidnotseejusthowhecouldobjecttothisproposition，evenifhehadwantedto。Whatreasoncouldhegiveforsuchacourse？Hecouldnotexplainthathealreadyhadafamily——withstepchildren，sotospeak，whoadoredhim。Andwhatcouldhesaytohismother’sobsession，towhichshecamebackagainandagain——herlongingtoseehergrandchildrenbeforeshedied？ MadameDupontwaitedonlylongenoughforGeorgetostammeroutafewprotestations，andtheninthenextbreathtotakethemback； afterwhichsheproceededtogoaheadwiththematch。Thefamilylawyersconferredtogether，andthetermsofthesettlementwereworkedoutandagreedupon。IthappenedthatimmediatelyafterwardsGeorgelearnedofanopportunitytopurchasethepracticeofanotary，whowasreadytoretirefrombusinessintwomonths’time。Henriette’sfatherconsentedtoadvanceaportionofherdowryforthispurpose。 ThusGeorgewassafelystarteduponthesamecareerashisfather，andthiswastohimasourceofsatisfactionwhichhedidnotattempttodeny，eithertohimselfoftoanyoneelse。 Georgewasacautiousyoungman，whocameofafrugalandsavingstock。Hehadalwaysbeentaughtthatitwashisprimarydutytomakecertainofareasonableamountofcomfort。Fromhisearliestdays，hehadbeentaughttoregardmaterialsuccessasthegreatestgoalinlife，andhewouldneverhavedreamedofengaginghimselftoagirlwithoutmoney。Butwhenhehadthegoodfortunetomeetonewhopossesseddesirablepersonalqualitiesinadditiontomoney，hewasnotintheleastbarredfromappreciatingthosequalities。Theywere，sotospeak，thesaucewhichwentwiththemeat，anditseemedtohimthatinthiscasethesaucewasoftheverybest。 George——abigfellowoftwenty—six，withlarge，roundeyesandagood—naturedcountenance——wasfullblooded，wellfed，withaheartylaughwhichspokeofunimpairedcontentment，asouluntroubledinitsdeeps。Heseemedtohimselftheluckiestfellowinthewholeroundworld；hecouldnotthinkwhathehaddonetodeservethegoodfortuneofpossessingsuchagirlasHenriette。Hewasordinarilyofasomewhatsentimentalturn—— easilyinfluencedbywomenandsensitivetotheircharms。 Moreover，hisrelationshipwithLizettehadsoftenedhim。Hehadlearnedtolovetheyoungworkinggirl，andnowHenriette，itseemed，wastoreapthebenefitofhisexperiencewithher。 Infact，hefoundhimselfalwayswithmemoriesofLizetteinhisrelationshipswiththegirlwhowastobehiswife。Whentheengagementwasannounced，andheclaimedhisfirstkissfromhisbride—to—be，asheplacedaringuponherfinger，herememberedthefirsttimehehadkissedLizette，andadoubleblushsuffusedhisroundcountenance。WhenhewalkedarmandarmwithHenrietteinthegardenherememberedhowhehadwalkedjustsowiththeothergirl，andhewasinterestedtocomparethewordsofthetwo。HerememberedwhatagoodtimehadhadwhenhehadtakenLizetteandherlittlefamilyforapicnicupononeoftheexcursionsteamerswhichrundowntheRiverSeine。ImmediatelyhedecidedthathewouldliketotakeHenrietteonsuchapicnic，andhepersuadedanauntofHenriette’stogowithherasachaperon。Georgetookhisbride—to—betothesamelittleinnwherehehadlunchbefore。 Thushewasalwayshauntedbymemories，someofwhichmadehimcheerfulandsomeofwhichmadehimmildlysad。Hesoongotusedtotheidea，anddidnotfinditawkward，exceptwhenhehadtosuppresstheimpulsetotellHenriettesomethingwhichLizettehadsaid，orsomefunnyincidentwhichhadhappenedinthehomeofthelittlefamily。Sometimeshefoundhimselfthinkingthatitwasashametohavetosuppresstheseimpulses。Theremustbesomethingwrong，hethought，withasocialsystemwhichmadeitnecessaryforhimtohideathingwhichwassoobviousandsosensible。Herehewas，amantwenty—sixyearsofage；hecouldnothaveaffordedtomarryearlier，notcouldhe，ashethought，havebeenexpectedtoleadacontinentlife。AndhehadreallylovedLizette；shewasreallyagoodgirl。Yet，ifHenriettehadgotanyideaofit，shewouldhavebeenhorrifiedandindignant—— shemightevenhavebrokenofftheengagement。 Andthen，too，therewasHenriette’sfather，apersonageofgreatdignityandimportance。M。LocheswasadeputyoftheFrenchParliament，fromadistrictintheprovinces。Hewasamanofuprightlife，andamanwhomadeagreatdealofthatuprightlife——keepingitonapedestalwhereeveryonemightobserveit。 ItwasimpossibletoimagineM。Lochesinanundignifiedorcompromisingsituation——suchastheyoungermanfoundhimselffacinginthematterofLizette。 ThemorehethoughtaboutitthemorenervousandanxiousGeorgebecame。Thenitwasdecideditwouldbenecessaryforhimtobreakwiththegirl，andbe\"good\"untilthetimeofhismarriage。Dearlittlesoft—eyedLizette——hedidnotdaretofaceherpersonally；hecouldneverbeartosaygood—by，hefelt。 Instead，hewenttothefather，whoasamancouldbeexpectedtounderstandthesituation。Georgewasembarrassedandnotalittlenervousaboutit；foralthoughhehadnevermisrepresentedhisattitudetothefamily，onecouldneverfeelentirelyfreefromthepossibilityofblackmailinsuchcases。However，Lizette’sfatherbehaveddecently，andwasdulygratefulforthemoderatesumofmoneywhichGeorgehandedhiminparting。HepromisedtobreakthenewsgentlytoLizette，andGeorgewentawaywithhismindmadeupthathewouldneverseeheragain。 Thisresolutionhekept，andheconsideredhimselfveryvirtuousindoingit。Butthetruthwasthathehadgrownusedtointimacywithawoman，andwasrestlesswithoutit。Andthat，hetoldhimself，waswhyheyieldedtotheshamefultemptationthenightofthatfatalsupperparty。 Hepaidforthemisadventureliberallyinremorse。Hefeltthathehadbeenawretch，thathehaddisgracedhimselfforever，thathehadprovedhimselfunworthyofthepuregirlhewastomarry。 SokeenwashisfeelingthatitwasseveraldaysbeforehecouldbringhimselftoseeHenrietteagain；andwhenhewent，itwaswithamindfilledwithabrand—newsetofresolutions。Itwasthelasttimethathewouldeverfallintoerror。Hewouldbeanewmanfromthenon。HethankedGodthattherewasnochanceofhissinbeingknown，thathemighthaveanopportunitytoprovehisnewdetermination。 SointensewerehisfeelingsthathecouldnothelpbetrayingapartofthemtoHenriette。Theysatinthegardenonesoftsummerevening，withHenriette’smotheroccupiedwithhercrochetingatadecorousdistance。George，inreverentandhumblemood，begantodropvaguehintsthathewasreallyunworthyofhisbride—to—be。Hesaidthathehadnotalwaysbeenasgoodasheshouldhavebeen；hesaidthatherpurityandsweetnesshadawakenedinhimnewideals；sothathefelthisoldlifehadbeenfullofblunders。Henriette，ofcourse，hadbutthevaguestofideasastowhattheblundersofatenderandgenerousyoungmanlikeGeorgemightbe。Sosheonlylovedhimthemoreforhishumility，andwasflatteredtohavesuchafineeffectuponhim，toawakeninhimsuchmoodsofexaltation。Whenhetoldherthatallmenwerebad，andthatnomanwasworthyofsuchabeautifullove，shewasquiteravished，andwipedawaytearsfromhereyes。 Itwouldhavebeenashametospoilsuchaheavenlymoodbytellingtherealtruth。Instead，Georgecontentedhimselfwithtellingofthenewresolutionshehadformed。Afterall，theywerethethingswhichreallymattered；forHenriettewasgoingtolivewithhisfuture，notwithhispast。 ItseemedtoGeorgeamostwonderfulthing，thisinnocenceofayounggirl，whichenabledhertomovethroughaworldofwickednesswithunpollutedmind。Itwasatouchingthing；andalso，asaprudentyoungmancouldnothelprealizing，amostconvenientthing。Herealizedtheimportanceofpreservingit，andthoughtthatifheeverhadadaughter，hewouldprotectherasrigidlyasHenriettehadbeenprotected。Hemadehastetoshyofffromthesubjectofhis\"badness\"andtoturntheconversationwithwhatseemedacleverjest。 \"IfIamgoingtobesogood，\"hesaid，\"don’tforgetthatyouwillhavetobegoodalso!\" \"Iwilltry，\"saidHenriette，whowasstillserious。 \"Youwillhavetotryhard，\"hepersisted。\"Youwillfindthatyouhaveaveryjealoushusband。\" \"WillI？\"saidHenriette，beamingwithhappiness——forwhenawomanisverymuchinloveshedoesn’tintheleastobjecttotheman’sbeingjealous。 \"Yes，indeed，\"smiledGeorge。\"I’llalwaysbewatchingyou。\" \"Watchingme？\"echoedthegirlwithasurprisedlook。 Andimmediatelyhefeltashamedofhimselfforhisjest。TherecouldbenoneedtowatchHenriette，anditwasbadtasteeventojokeaboutitatsuchatime。Thatwasoneoftheideaswhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromhisworldofevil。 Thetruthwas，however，thatGeorgewouldalwaysbeasuspicioushusband；nothingcouldeverchangethatfact，fortherewassomethinginhisownconsciencewhichhecouldnotgetout，andwhichwouldmakeitimpossibleforhimtobeateaseasamarriedman。ItwasthememoryofsomethingwhichhadhappenedearlierinhislifebeforehemetLizette。Therehadbeenoneearlierexperience，withthewifeofhisdearestfriend。Shehadbeenmuchyoungerthanherhusband，andhadbetrayedaninterestinGeorge，whohadyieldedtothetemptation。Forseveralyearstheintriguecontinued，andGeorgeconsidereditagoodsolutionofayoungman’sproblem。Therehadbeennodangerofcontamination，forheknewthathisfriendwasamanofpureandrigidmorals，ajealousmanwhowatchedhiswife，anddidnotpermithertocontractthosenewrelationswhicharealwaysdangerous。AsforGeorge，hehelpedinthisworthywork，keepingthewomaninterrorofsomedisease。Hetoldherthatalmostallmenwereinfected，forhehopedbythismeanstokeepherfromdeceivinghim。 Iamawarethatthismayseemadreadfulstory。AsIdonotwantanyonetothinktooillofGeorgeDupont，Iought，perhaps，topointoutthatpeoplefeeldifferentlyaboutthesemattersinFrance。Injudgingtheunfortunateyoungman，wemustjudgehimbythecustomsofhisowncountry，andnotbyours。InFrance，theyareaccustomedtowhatiscalledtheMARIAGEDECONVENANCE。 Theyounggirlisnotpermittedtogoaboutandmakeherownfriendsanddecidewhichoneofthemsheprefersforherhusband； onthecontrary，sheisstrictlyguarded，hertrainingoftenisofareligiousnature，andhermarriageisamatterofbusiness，tobeconsideredanddecidedbyherparentsandthoseoftheyoungman。Now，whateverwemaythinkright，itishumanlycertainthatwheremarriagesaremadeinthatway，theneedofmenandwomenforsympathyandforpassionateinterestwilloftenleadtotheformingofirregularrelationshipsaftermarriage。 ItisnotpossibletopresentstatisticsastothenumberofsuchirregularrelationshipsinParisiansociety；butinthebookswhichhereadandintheplayswhichhesaw，Georgefoundeverythingtoencouragehimtothinkthatitwasaromanticanddelightfulthingtokeepupasecretintriguewiththewifeofhisbestfriend。 Itshouldalso，perhaps，bepointedoutthatweareheretellingthetruth，andthewhiletruth，aboutGeorgeDupont；andthatitisnotcustomarytotellthisaboutmen，eitherinreallifeorinnovels。Thereisagreatdealofconcealmentintheworldaboutmattersofsex；andinsuchmattersthetruth—tellingmanisapttosufferinreputationincomparisonwiththetruth— concealingone。 NorhadGeorgereallybeenaltogethercallousaboutthething。 Ithadhappenedthathisbestfriendhaddiedinhisarms；andthishadsoaffectedtheguiltypairthattheyhadfelttheirrelationshipwasnolongerpossible。Shehadwithdrawntonursehergriefalone，andGeorgehadbeensodeeplyaffectedthathehadavoidedaffairsandentanglementswithwomenuntilhismeetingwithLizette。 Allthiswasnowinthefardistantpast，butithadmadeadeeperimpressionuponGeorgethanheperhapsrealized，anditwasnowworkinginhismindandmarringhishappiness。Herewasagirlwholovedhimwithanobleandunselfishandwhole—heartedlove——andyethewouldneverbeabletotrustherasshedeserved，butwouldalwayshavesuspicionslurkinginthebackofhismind。Hewouldbeunabletohavehisfriendsintimateinhishome，becauseofthememoryofwhathehadoncedonetoafriend。 Itwasasubtlekindofpunishment。ButsoitisthatNatureoftenfindswaysofpunishingus，withoutourevenbeingawareofit。 Thatwasallforthefuture，however。Atpresent，Georgewashappy。Heputhisblacksinbehindhim，feelingthathehadobtainedabsolutionbyhisconfessiontoHenriette。Daybyday，asherealizedhisgoodfortune，hisroundfacebeamedwithmoreandyetmorejoy。 HewentforalittletriptoHenriette’shomeinthecountry。Itwasasimplevillage，andtheytookwalksinthecountry，andstoppedtorefreshthemselvesatafarmhouseoccupiedbyoneofM。Loches’tenants。Herewasarosyandbuxompeasantwoman，withanursingchildinherarms。Shewasdestinedacoupleofyearslatertobethefoster—motherofHenriette’slittlegirlandtoplayanimportantpartinherlife。Butthepairhadnoideaofthatatpresent。Theysimplysawaproudandhappymother，andHenrietteplayedwiththebaby，givingventtochildishdelight。ThensuddenlyshelookedupandsawthatGeorgewaswatchingher，andasshereadhisthoughtsabeautifulblushsuffusedhercheeks。 AsforGeorge，heturnedawayandwentoutundertheblueskyinakindofecstasy。Lifeseemedverywonderfultohimjustthen； hehadfounditssupremehappiness，whichwaslove。HewasreallygettingquitemadaboutHenriette，hetoldhimself。Hecouldhardlybelievethatthedaywascomingwhenhewouldbeabletoclaspherinhisarms。 ButintheblueskyofGeorge’shappinesstherewasonelittlecloudofstorm。Asoftenhappenswithstorm—clouds，itwassosmallthatatfirsthepaidnoattentiontoitatall。 Henoteduponhisbodyonedayatinyulcer。Atfirsthetreateditwithsalvepurchasedfromanapothecary。Thenafteraweekortwo，whenthishadnoeffect，hebegantofeeluncomfortable。Herememberedsuddenlyhehadheardaboutthesymptomsofanunmentionable，dreadfuldisease，andavagueterrortookpossessionofhim。 Fordayshetriedtoputittooneside。Theideawasnonsense，itwasabsurdinconnectionwithawomansorespectable!Butthethoughtwouldnotbeputaway，andfinallyhewenttoaschoolfriend，whowasamanoftheworld，andgothimtotalkonthesubject。Ofcourse，Georgehadtobecareful，sothathisfriendshouldnotsuspectthathehadanyspecialpurposeinmind。 Thefriendwaswillingtotalk。Itwasaviledisease，hesaid； butonewasfoolishtobotheraboutit，becauseitwassorare。 Therewereotherdiseaseswhichfellowsgot，whichnearlyeveryfellowhad，andtowhichnoneofthempaidanyattention。ButoneseldommetanyonewhohadtheredplaguethatGeorgedreaded。 \"Andyet，\"headded，\"accordingtothebooks，itisn’tsouncommon。Isupposethetruthisthatpeoplehideit。Achapnaturallywouldn’ttell，whenheknewitwoulddamnhimforlife。\" Georgehadasicksensationinsideofhim。\"Isitasbadasthat？\"heasked。 \"Ofcourse，\"saidtheother，\"Shouldyouwanttohaveanythingtodowithapersonwhohadit？Shouldyoubewillingtoroomwithhimortravelwithhim？Youwouldn’tevenwanttoshakehandswithhim!\" \"No，Isupposenot，\"saidGeorge，feebly。 \"Iremember，\"continuedtheother，\"anoldfellowwhousedtoliveoutinthecountrynearme。Hewasnotsoveryold，either，buthelookedit。Hehadtobepushedaroundinawheel—chair。 Peoplesaidhehadlocomotorataxia，butthatreallymeantsyphilis。Weboysusedtopokeallkindsoffunathimbecauseonewindydayhishatandhiswigwereblownofftogether，andwediscoveredthathewasasbaldasanegg。Weusedtomakejokesabouthisautomobile，aswecalledit。Ithadalittlehandleinfront，insteadofasteering—wheel，andamanbehindtopush，insteadofanengine。\" \"Howhorrible!\"remarkedGeorgewithgenuinefeeling。 \"Irememberthepoordevilhadaparalysissoonafter，\"continuedthefriend，quitecarelessly。\"Hecouldnotsteeranymore，andalsohelosthisvoice。Whenyoumethimhewouldlookatyouasithethoughthewastalking，butallhecouldsaywas’Ga—ga—ga’。\" Georgewentawayfromthisconversationinacoldsweat。Hetoldhimselfoverandoveragainthathewasafool，butstillhecouldnotgetthehellishideaoutofhismind。Hefoundhimselfbroodingoveritalldayandlyingawakeatnight，hauntedbyimagesofhimselfinawheel—chair，andwithoutanyhaironhishead。Herealizedthatthesensiblethingwouldbeforhimtogotoadoctorandmakecertainabouthiscondition；buthecouldnotbringhimselftofacetheordeal——hewasashamedtoadmittoadoctorthathehadlaidhimselfopentosuchataint。 Hebegantolosetheradiantexpressionfromhisroundandrosyface。Hehadlessappetite，andhismoodsofdepressionbecamesofrequentthathecouldnothidethenevenfromHenriette。Sheaskedhimonceortwiceiftherewerenotsomethingthematterwithhim，andhelaughed——aforcedandhurriedlaugh——andtoldherthathehadsatuptoolatethenightbefore，worryingoverthematterofhisexaminations。Oh，whatacruelthingitwasthatamanwhostoodintheverygatewayofsuchagardenofdelightshouldbetormentedandmademiserablebythisloathsomeidea! Thedisturbingsymptomstillcontinued，andsoatlastGeorgepurchasedamedicalbook，dealingwiththesubjectofthedisease。Then，indeed，heopenedupachamberofhorrors；hemadeuphismindanabidingplaceofghastlyimages。Inthebooktherewerepicturesofthingssoawfulthatheturnedwhite，andtrembledlikealeaf，andhadtoclosethevolumeandhideitinthebottomofhistrunk。Buthecouldnotbanishthepicturesfromhismind。Worstofall，hecouldnotforgetthedescriptionofthefirstsymptomofthedisease，whichseemedtocorrespondexactlywithhisown。Soatlasthemadeuphismindhemustascertaindefinitelythetruthabouthiscondition。 Hebegantothinkoverplansforseeingadoctor。Hehadheardsomewhereastoryaboutayoungfellowwhohadfallenintothehandsofaquack，andbeenruinedforever。Sohedecidedthathewouldconsultonlythebestauthority。 Hegotthenamesofthebest—knownworksonthesubjectfromabookstore，andfoundthattheauthorofoneofthesebookswaspracticinginParisasaspecialist。Twoorthreedayselapsedbeforehewasabletogetupthecouragetocallonthisdoctor。 Andoh，theshameandhorrorofsittinginhiswaiting—roomwiththeotherpeople，noneofwhomdaredtolookeachotherintheeyes!Theymustallbeafflicted，Georgethought，andheglancedatthemfurtively，lookingforthevarioussymptomsofwhichhehadread。Orwerethere，perhaps，somelikehimself——merelyvictimsofafoolisherror，comingtohavethehagofdreadpulledfromofftheirbacks？ Andthensuddenly，whilehewasspeculating，therestoodthedoctor，signalingtohim。Histurnhadcome! CHAPTERII Thedoctorwasamanaboutfortyyearsofage，robust，witheveryappearanceofastrongcharacter。Inthebuttonholeofthefrockcoatheworewasaredrosette，thedecorationofsomeorder。 ConfusedandnervousasGeorgewas，hegotavagueimpressionofthephysician’srichlyfurnishedoffice，withitsbronzes，marblesandtapestries。 Thedoctorsignaledtotheyoungmantobeseatedinthechairbeforehisdesk。Georgecomplied，andthen，ashewipedawaytheperspirationfromhisforehead，stammeredoutafewwords，explaininghiserrand。Ofcourse，hesaid，itcouldnotbetrue，butitwasaman’sdutynottotakeanychancesinsuchamatter。 \"Ihavenotbeenamanoflooselife，\"headded；\"Ihavenottakensomanychancesasothermen。\" Thedoctorcuthimshortwiththebriefremarkthatonechancewasallthatwasnecessary。Insteadofdiscussingsuchquestions，hewouldmakeanexamination。\"Wedonotsaypositivelyinthesecasesuntilwehavemadeabloodtest。Thatistheonewaytoavoidthepossibilityofmistake。\" AdropofbloodwassqueezedoutofGeorge’sfingerontoalittleglassplate。Thedoctorretiredtoanadjoiningroom，andthevictimsataloneintheoffice，derivingnoenjoymentfromtheworksofartwhichsurroundedhim，butfeelinglikeaprisonerwhositsinthedockwithhislifeatstakewhilethejurydeliberates。 Thedoctorreturned，calmandimpassive，andseatedhimselfinhisoffice—chair。 \"Well，doctor？\"askedGeorge。Hewastremblingwithterror。 \"Well，\"wasthereply，\"thereisnodoubtwhatever。\" Georgewipedhisforehead。Hecouldnotcreditthewords。\"Nodoubtwhatever？Inwhatsense？\" \"Inthebadsense，\"saidtheother。 Hebegantowriteaprescription，withoutseemingtonoticehowGeorgeturnedpagewithterror。\"Come，\"hesaid，afterasilence，\"youmusthaveknownthetruthprettywell。\" \"No，no，sir!\"exclaimedGeorge。 \"Well，\"saidtheother，\"youhavesyphilis。\" Georgewasutterlystunned。\"MyGod!\"heexclaimed。 Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisprescription，lookedupandobservedhiscondition。\"Don’ttroubleyourself，sir。Outofeverysevenmenyoumeetuponthestreet，insociety，oratthetheater，thereisatleastonewhohasbeeninyourcondition。 Oneoutofseven——fifteenpercent!\" Georgewasstaringbeforehim。Hespokelow，asiftohimself。 \"IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。\" \"AndIknowalso，\"saidthedoctor，withasmile。\"Thereisyourprescription。Youaregoingtotakeittothedrugstoreandhaveitputup。\" Georgetooktheprescription，mechanically，butwhispered，\"No，sir。\" \"Yes，sir，youaregoingtodoaseverybodyelsedoes。\" \"No，becausemysituationisnotthatofeverybodyelse。IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。\" Saidthedoctor：\"Fivetimesoutoften，inthechairwhereyouaresitting，peopletalklikethat，perfectlysincerely。Eachonebelieveshimselfmoreunhappythanalltheothers；butafterthinkingitover，andlisteningtome，theyunderstandthatthisdiseaseisacompanionwithwhomonecanlive。Justasineveryhousehold，onegetsalongatthecostofmutualconcessions，that’sall。Come，sir，Itellyouagain，thereisnothingaboutitthatisnotperfectlyordinary，perfectlynatural，perfectlycommon；itisanaccidentwhichcanhappentoanyone。Itisagreatmistakethatpeoplespeakifthisasthe’FrenchDisease，’ forthereisnonewhichismoreuniversal。Underthepictureofthisdisease，addressingmyselftothosewhofollowtheoldestprofessionintheworld，Iwouldwritethefamousphrase：’Hereisyourmaster。Itis，itwas，oritmustbe。’\" Georgewasputtingtheprescriptionintotheoutsidepocketofhiscoat，stupidly，asifhedidnotknowwhathewasdoing。 \"But，sir，\"heexclaimed，\"Ishouldhavebeenspared!\" \"Why？\"inquiredtheother。\"Becauseyouareamanofposition，becauseyouarerich？Lookaroundyou，sir。Seetheseworksofartinmyroom。Doyouimaginethatsuchthingshavebeenpresentedtomebychimney—sweeps？\" \"But，Doctor，\"criedGeorge，withamoan，\"Ihaveneverbeenalibertine。Therewasneveranyone，youunderstandme，neveranyonecouldhavebeenmorecarefulinhispleasures。IfIweretotellyouthatinallmylifeIhaveonlyhadtwomistresses，whatwouldyouanswertothat？\" \"Iwouldanswer，thatasingleonewouldhavebeensufficienttobringyoutome。\" \"No，sir!\"criedGeorge。\"Itcouldnothavebeeneitherofthosewomen。\"Hewentontotellthedoctorabouthisfirstmistress，andthenaboutLizette。FinallyhetoldaboutHenriette，howmuchheadoredher。Hecouldreallyusesuchaword——helovedhermosttenderly。Shewassogood——andhehadthoughthimselfsolucky! Ashewenton，hecouldhardlykeepfromgoingtopieces。\"Ihadeverything，\"heexclaimed，\"everythingamanneeded!Allwhoknewmeenviedme。AndthenIhadtoletthosefellowsdragmeofftothatmiserablesupper—party!AndnowhereIam!Myfutureisruined，mywholeexistencepoisoned!Whatistobecomeofme？Everybodywillavoidme——Ishallbeapariah，aleper!\" Hepaused，andtheninsuddenwildgriefexclaimed，\"Come，now! WoulditnotbebetterthatIshouldtakemyselfoutoftheway？ Atleast，Ishouldnotsufferanymore。Youseethattherecouldnotbeanyonemoreunhappythanmyself——notanyone，Itellyou，sir，notanyone!\"Completelyovercome，hebegantoweepinhishandkerchief。 Thedoctorgotup，andwenttohim。\"Youmustbeaman，\"hesaid，\"andnotcrylikeachild。\" \"Butsir，\"criedtheyoungman，withtearsrunningdownhischeeks，\"ifIhadledawildlife，ifIhadpassedmytimeindissipationwithchorusgirls，thenIcouldunderstandit。ThenIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。\" Thedoctorexclaimedwithemphasis，\"No，no!Youwouldnotsayit。However，itisofnomatter——goon。\" \"ItellyouthatIwouldsayit。Iamhonest，andIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。Butno，Ihaveworked，Ihavebeenaregulargrind。Andnow，whenIthinkoftheshamethatisinstoreforme，thedisgustingthings，thefrightfulcatastrophestowhichIamcondemned——\" \"Whatisallthisyouaretellingme？\"askedthedoctor，laughing。 \"Oh，Iknow，Iknow!\"criedtheother，andrepeatedwhathisfriendhadtoldhimaboutthemaninawheel—chair。\"AndtheyusedtocallmehandsomeRaoul!Thatwasmyname——handsomeRaoul!\" \"Now，mydearsir，\"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，\"wipeyoureyesonelasttime，blowyournose，putyourhandkerchiefintoyourpocket，andhearmedry—eyed。\" Georgeobeyedmechanically。\"ButIgiveyoufairwarning，\"hesaid，\"youarewastingyourtime。\" \"Itellyou——\"begantheother。 \"Iknowexactlywhatyouaregoingtotellme!\"criedGeorge。 \"Well，inthatcase，thereisnothingmoreforyoutodohere—— runalong。\" \"SinceIamhere，\"saidthepatientsubmissively，\"Iwillhearyou。\" \"Verywell，then。Itellyouthatifyouhavethewillandtheperseverance，noneofthethingsyoufearwillhappentoyou。\" \"Ofcourse，itisyourdutytotellmethat。\" \"IwilltellyouthatthereareonehundredthousandlikeyouinParis，alert，andseeminglywell。Come，takewhatyouwerejustsaying——wheel—chairs。Onedoesn’tseesomanyofthem。\" \"No，that’strue，\"saidGeorge。 \"Andbesides，\"addedthedoctor，\"agoodmanypeoplewhorideinthemarenotthereforthecauseyouthink。Thereisnomorereasonwhyyoushouldbethevictimofacatastrophethananyoftheonehundredthousand。Thediseaseisserious，nothingmore。\" \"Youadmitthatitisaseriousdisease？\"arguedGeorge。 \"Yes。\" \"Oneofthemostserious？\" \"Yes，butyouhavethegoodfortune——\" \"TheGOODfortune？\" \"Relatively，ifyouplease。Youhavethegoodfortunetobeinfectedwithoneofthediseasesoverwhichwehavethemostcertaincontrol。\" \"Yes，yes，\"exclaimedGeorge，\"buttheremediesareworsethanthedisease。\" \"Youdeceiveyourself，\"repliedtheother。 \"YouaretryingtomakemebelievethatIcanbecured？\" \"Youcanbe。\" \"AndthatIamnotcondemned？\" \"Iswearittoyou。\" \"Youarenotdeceivingyourself，youarenotdeceivingme？Why，Iwastold——\" Thedoctorlaughed，contemptuously。\"Youweretold，youweretold!I’llwagerthatyouknowthelawsoftheChineseconcerningparty—walls。\" \"Yes，naturally，\"saidGeorge。\"ButIdon’tseewhattheyhavetodowithit。\" \"Insteadofteachingyousuchthings，\"wasthereply，\"itwouldhavebeenagreatdealbettertohavetaughtyouaboutthenatureandcauseofdiseasesofthissort。Thenyouwouldhaveknownhowtoavoidthecontagion。Suchknowledgeshouldbespreadabroad，foritisthemostimportantknowledgeintheworld。Itshouldbefoundineverynewspaper。\" ThisremarkgaveGeorgesomethingofashock，forhisfatherhadownedalittlepaperintheprovinces，andhehadasuddenvisionofthewaysubscriberswouldhavefallenoff，ifhehadprintedevensomuchasthenameofthisviledisease。 \"Andyet，\"pursuedthedoctor，\"youpublishromancesaboutadultery!\" \"Yes，\"saidGeorge，\"that’swhatthereaderswant。\" \"Theydon’twantthetruthaboutvenerealdiseases，\"exclaimedtheother。\"Iftheyknewthefulltruth，theywouldnolongerthinkthatadulterywasromanticandinteresting。\" Hewentontogivehisadviceastothemeansofavoidingsuchdiseases。Therewasreallybutonerule。Itwas：Tolovebutonewoman，totakeherasavirgin，andtolovehersomuchthatshewouldneverdeceiveyou。\"Takethatfromme，\"addedthedoctor，\"andteachittoyourson，whenyouhaveone。\" George’sattentionwascaughtbythislastsentence。 \"YoumeanthatIshallbeabletohavechildren？\"hecried。 \"Certainly，\"wasthereply。 \"Healthychildren？\" \"Irepeatittoyou；ifyoutakecareofyourselfproperlyforalongtime，conscientiously，youhavelittletofear。\" \"That’scertain？\" \"Ninety—ninetimesoutofahundred。\" Georgefeltasifhehadsuddenlyemergedfromadungeon。\"Why，then，\"heexclaimed，\"Ishallbeabletomarry!\" \"Youwillbeabletomarry，\"wasthereply。 \"Youarenotdeceivingme？Youwouldnotgivemethathope，youwouldnotexposeme？HowsoonwillIbeabletomarry？\" \"Inthreeorfouryears，\"saidthedoctor。 \"What!\"criedGeorgeinconsternation。\"Inthreeorfouryears？ Notbefore？\" \"Notbefore。\" \"Howisthat？AmIgoingtobesickallthattime？Why，youtoldmejustnow——\" Saidthedoctor：\"Thediseasewillnolongerbedangeroustoyou，yourself——butyouwillbedangeroustoothers。\" \"But，\"theyoungmancried，indespair，\"Iamtobemarriedamonthfromnow。\" \"Thatisimpossible。\" \"ButIcannotdoanydifferently。Thecontractisready!Thebannshavebeenpublished!Ihavegivenmyword!\" \"Well，youareagreatone!\"thedoctorlaughed。\"Justnowyouwerelookingforyourrevolver!Nowyouwanttobemarriedwithinthemonth。\" \"But，Doctor，itisnecessary!\" \"ButIforbidit。\" \"AssoonasIknewthatthediseaseisnotwhatIimagined，andthatIcouldbecured，naturallyIdidn’twanttocommitsuicide。 AndassoonasImakeupmymindnottocommitsuicide，Ihavetotakeupmyregularlife。Ihavetokeepmyengagements；Ihavetogetmarried。\" \"No，\"saidthedoctor。 \"Yes，yes!\"persistedGeorge，withblindobstinacy。\"Why，Doctor，ifIdidn’tmarryitwouldbeadisaster。Youaretalkingaboutsomethingyoudon’tunderstand。I，formypart——itisnotthatIamanxioustobemarried。AsItoldyou，Ihadalmostasecondfamily。Lizette’slittlebrothersadoredme。