Surely，sir，youcannotdesirethatmydaughtershouldcontinuetolivewithamanwhohasstruckhersobrutal，socowardly，ablow。\"
\"IfIrefuseyourrequest，\"thedoctoranswered，\"itisintheinterestofyourdaughter。\"Then，seeingtheother’sexcitementreturning，hecontinued，\"Inyourstateofmind，MonsieurLoches，Iknowthatyouwillprobablybeabusingmebeforefiveminuteshaspassed。Butthatwillnottroubleme。Ihaveseenmanycases。AndsinceIhavemadethemistakeoflettingmyselfbetrappedintothisdiscussion，Imustexplaintoyouthereasonformyattitude。Youaskofmeacertificatesothatyoumayproveincourtthatyourson—in—lawisafflictedwithsyphilis。\"
\"Precisely，\"saidtheother。
\"Andhaveyounotreflecteduponthis——thatatthesametimeyouwillbepubliclyattestingthatyourdaughterhasbeenexposedtothecontagion？Withsuchanadmission，anadmissionofficiallyregisteredinthepublicrecords，doyoubelievethatshewillfinditeasytore—marrylateron？\"
\"Shewillneverre—marry，\"saidthefather。
\"Shesaysthattoday，butcanyouaffirmthatshewillsaythesamethingfiveyearsfromnow，tenyearsfromnow？Itellyouyouwillnotobtainthatdivorce，becauseIwillmostcertainlyrefuseyouthenecessarycertificate。\"
\"Then，\"criedtheother，\"Iwillfindothermeansofestablishingproofs。Iwillhavethechildexaminedbyanotherdoctor!\"
Theotheranswered。\"Thenyoudonotfindthatthatpoorlittleonehasbeenalreadysufficientlyhandicappedattheoutsetofitslife？Yourgranddaughterhasaphysicaldefect。Doyouwishtoaddtothatacertificateofhereditarysyphilis，whichwillfollowherallherlife？\"
MonsieurLochessprangfromhischair。\"Youmeanthatifthevictimsseektodefendthemselves，theywillbestrucktheharder!Youmeanthatthelawgivesmenoweaponagainstamanwho，knowinghiscondition，takesayounggirl，sound，trusting，innocent，andbefoulsherwiththeresultofhisdebauches——makesherthemotherofapoorlittlecreature，whosefutureissuchthatthosewholoveherthemostdonotknowwhethertheyoughttoprayforherlife，orforherimmediatedeliverance？Sir，\"hecontinued，inhisorator’svoice，\"thatmanhasinflicteduponthewomanhehasmarriedasupremeinsult。Hehasmadeherthevictimofthemostodiousassault。Hehasdegradedher——hehasbroughther，sotospeak，intocontactwiththewomanofthestreets。HehascreatedbetweenherandthatcommonwomanIknownotwhatmysteriousrelationship。Itisthepoisonedbloodoftheprostitutewhichpoisonsmydaughterandherchild；thatabjectcreature，shelives，shelivesinus!Shebelongstoourfamily——hehasgivenheraseatatourhearth!Hehassoiledtheimaginationandthethoughtsofmypoorchild，ashehassoiledherbody。Hehasunitedforeverinhersoultheideaoflovewhichshehasplacedsohigh，withIknownotwhathorrorsofthehospitals。Hehastaintedherinherdignityandhermodesty，inherloveaswellasinherbaby。Hehasstruckherdownwithphysicalandmoraldecay，hehasoverwhelmedherwithvileness。
Andyetthelawissuch，thecustomsofsocietyaresuch，thatthewomancannotseparateherselffromthatmansavebytheaidoflegalproceedingswhosescandalwillfalluponherselfanduponherchild!\"
MonsieurLocheshadbeenpacingupanddowntheroomashespoke，andnowheclenchedhisfistsinsuddenfury。
\"Verywell!Iwillnotaddressmyselftothelaw。SinceI
learnedthetruthIhavebeenaskingmyselfifitwasnotmydutytofindthatmonsterandtoputabulletintohishead，asonedoestoamaddog。Idon’tknowwhatweakness，whatcowardice，hasheldmeback，anddecidedmetoappealtothelaw。Sincethelawwillnotprotectme，Iwillseekjusticeformyself。Perhapshisdeathwillbeagoodwarningfortheothers!\"
Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders，asiftosaythatthiswasnoaffairofhisandthathewouldnottrytointerfere。Butheremarked，quietly：\"Youwillbetriedforyourlife。\"
\"Ishallbeacquitted!\"criedtheother。
\"Yes，butafterapublicrevelationofallyourmiseries。Youwillmakethescandalgreater，themiseriesgreater——thatisall。
Andhowdoyouknowbutthatonthemorrowofyouracquittal，youwillfindyourselfconfrontinganothercourt，ahigherandmoresevereone？Howdoyouknowbutthatyourdaughter，seizedatlastbypityforthemanyouhavekilled，willnotdemandtoknowbywhatrightyouhaveactedso，bywhatrightyouhavemadeanorphanofherchild？Howcanyouknowbutthatherchildalsomaysomedaydemandanaccountingofyou？\"
MonsieurLocheslethishandsfall，andstood，apictureofcrusheddespair。\"Tellmethen，\"hesaid，inafaintvoice，\"whatoughtItodo？\"
\"Forgive!\"
Forawhilethedoctorsatlookingathim。\"Sir，\"hesaid，atlast，\"tellmeonething。Youareinflexible；youfeelyouhavetherighttobeinflexible。Butareyoureallysocertainthatitwasnotyourduty，onceuponatime，tosaveyourdaughterfromthepossibilityofsuchmisfortune？\"
\"What？\"criedtheother。\"Myduty？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imeanthis，sir。Whenthatmarriagewasbeingdiscussed，youcertainlytookprecautionstoinformyourselfaboutthefinancialconditionofyourfutureson—in—law。Youdemandedthatheshouldprovetoyouthathisstocksandbondswereactualvalue，listedontheexchange。Also，youobtainedsomeinformationabouthischaracter。Infact，youforgotonlyonepoint，themostimportantofall——thatwas，toinquireifhewasingoodhealth。
Youneverdidthat。\"
Thefather—in—law’svoicehadbecomefaint。\"No，\"hesaid。
\"Butwhynot？\"
\"Becausethatisnotthecustom。\"
\"Verywell，butthatoughttobethecustom。Surelythefatherofafamily，beforehegiveshisdaughtertoaman，shouldtakeasmuchprecautionasabusinessconcernwhichacceptsanemployee。\"
\"Youareright，\"wasthereply，\"thereshouldbealaw。\"Themanspokeasadeputy，havingauthorityinthesematters。
Butthedoctorcried，\"No，no，sir!Donotmakeanewlaw。Wehavetoomanyalready。Thereisnoneedofit。Itwouldsufficethatpeopleshouldknowalittlebetterwhatsyphilisis。Thecustomwouldestablishitselfveryquicklyforasuitortoaddtoalltheotherdocumentswhichhepresents，acertificateofadoctor，asproofthathecouldbereceivedintoafamilywithoutbringingapestilencewithhim。Thatwouldbeverysimple。Onceletthecustombeestablished，thenthesuitorwouldgotothedoctorforacertificateofhealth，justashegoestothepriestforacertificatethathehasconfessed；andbythatmeansyouwouldpreventagreatdealofsufferingintheworld。Orletmeputitanotherway，sir。Nowadays，beforeyouconcludeamarriage，yougetthelawyersofthetwofamiliestogether。Itwouldbeofatleastequalimportancetogettheirtwodoctorstogether。Yousee，sir，yourinquiryconcerningyourson—in—lawwasfarfromcomplete。Soyourdaughtermayfairlyaskyou，whyyou，beingaman，beingafatherwhooughttoknowthesethings，didnottakeasmuchcareofherhealthasyoutookofherfortune。Soitis，sir，thatIsaytoyou，forgive!\"
ButMonsieurLochessaidagain，\"Never!\"
Andagainthedoctorsatandwatchedhimforaminute。\"Come，sir，\"hebegan，finally，\"sinceitisnecessarytoemploythelastargument，Iwilldoso。Tobesosevereandsopitiless——
areyouyourselfwithoutsin？\"
Theotheranswered，\"Ihaveneverhadashamefuldisease。\"
\"Idonotaskyouthat，\"interruptedthedoctor。\"Iaskyouifyouhaveneverexposedyourselftothechanceofhavingit。\"Andthen，readingtheother’sface，hewenton，inatoneofquietcertainty。\"Yes，youhaveexposedyourself。Then，sir，itwasnotvirtuethatyouhad；itwasgoodfortune。Thatisoneofthethingswhichexasperatemethemost——thatterm’shamefuldisease’
whichyouhavejustused。Likeallotherdiseases，thatisoneofourmisfortunes，anditisnevershamefultobeunfortunate——
evenifonehasdeservedit。\"Thedoctorpaused，andthenwithsomeexcitementhewenton：\"Come，sir，come，wemustunderstandeachother。Amongmenthemostexacting，amongthosewhowiththeirmiddle—classpruderydarenotpronouncethenameofsyphilis，orwhomakethemostterrifyingfaces，themostdisgusted，whentheyconsenttospeakofit——whoregardthesyphiliticassinners——Ishouldwishtoknowhowmanytherearewhohaveneverexposedthenselvestoasimilarmisadventure。
Theyandtheyalonehavetherighttospeak。Howmanyarethere？
Amongathousandmen，aretherefour？Verywell，then。
Exceptingthosefour，betweenalltherestandthesyphiliticthereisnothingbutthedifferenceofchance。\"
Therecameintothedoctor’svoiceatthismomentanoteofintensefeeling；fortheseweremattersofwhichevidencecametohimeveryday。\"Itellyou，sir，thatsuchpeoplearedeservingofsympathy，becausetheyaresuffering。Iftheyhavecommittedafault，theyhaveatleastthepleathattheyareexpiatingit。
No，sir，letmehearnomoreofthathypocrisy。Recallyourownyouth，sir。Thatwhichafflictsyourson—in—law，youhavedeserveditjustasmuchashe——morethanhe，perhaps。
Therefore，havepityonhim；haveforhimthetolerationwhichtheunpunishedcriminaloughttohaveforthecriminallessfortunatethanhimselfuponwhomthepenaltyhasfallen。Isthatnotso？\"
MonsieurLocheshadbeenlisteningtothisdiscoursewiththefeelingofathiefbeforethebar。Therewasnothingthathecouldanswer。\"Sir，\"hestammered，\"asyoupresentthisthingtome——\"
\"ButamInotright？\"insistedthedoctor。
\"Perhapsyouare，\"theotheradmitted。\"But——Icannotsayallthattomydaughter，topersuadehertogobacktoherhusband。\"
\"Youcangiveherotherarguments，\"wastheanswer。
\"Whatarguments，inGod’sname？\"
\"Thereisnolackofthem。Youwillsaytoherthataseparationwouldbeamisfortuneforall；thatherhusbandistheonlyoneintheworldwhowouldbedevotedenoughtohelphersaveherchild。Youwillsaytoherthatoutoftheruinsofherfirsthappinessshecanbuildherselfanotherstructure，farstronger。
And，sir，youwilladdtothatwhateveryourgoodheartmaysuggest——andwewillarrangesothatthenextchildofthepairshallbesoundandvigorous。\"
MonsieurLochesreceivedthisannouncementwiththesamesurprisethatGeorgehimselfhadmanifested。\"Isthatpossible？\"heasked。
Thedoctorcried：\"Yes，yes，yes——athousandtimesyes!ThereisaphrasewhichIrepeatoneveryoccasion，andwhichIwouldwishtopostuponthewalls。Itisthatsyphilisisanimperiousmistress，whoonlydemandsthatoneshouldrecognizeherpower。
Sheisterribleforthosewhothinkherinsignificant，andgentlewiththosewhoknowhowdangeroussheis。Youknowthatkindofmistress——whoisonlyvexedwhensheisneglected。Youmaytellthistoyourdaughter——youwillrestorehertothearmsofherhusband，fromwhomshehasnolongeranythingtofear，andIwillguaranteethatyouwillbeahappygrandfathertwoyearsfromnow。\"
MonsieurLochesatlastshowedthathewasweakenedinhisresolution。
\"Doctor，\"hesaid，\"IdonotknowthatIcanevergosofarasforgiveness，butIpromiseyouthatIwilldonoirreparableact，andthatIwillnotopposeareconciliationifafterthelapseofsometime——Icannotventuretosayhowlong——mypoorchildshouldmakeuphermindtoareconciliation。\"
\"Verygood，\"saidtheother。\"Butletmeaddthis：Ifyouhaveanotherdaughter，takecaretoavoidthefaultwhichyoucommittedwhenyoumarriedoffthefirst。\"
\"But，\"saidtheoldman，\"Ididnotknow。\"
\"Ah，surely!\"criedtheother。\"Youdidnotknow!Youareafather，andyoudidnotknow!Youareadeputy，youhaveassumedtheresponsibilityandthehonorofmakingourlaws——andyoudidnotknow!Youareignorantaboutsyphilis，justasyouprobablyareignorantaboutalcoholismandtuberculosis。\"
\"No，\"exclaimedtheother，quickly。
\"Verywell，\"saidthedoctor，\"Iwillleaveyouout，ifyouwish。
Iamtalkingoftheothers，thefivehundred，andIdon’tknowhowmanymore，whoarethereintheChamberofDeputies，andwhocallthemselvesrepresentativesofthepeople。Theyarenotabletofindasinglehourtodiscussthesethreecruelgods，towhichegotismandindifferencemakeeverydaysuchfrightfulhumansacrifices。Theyhavenotsufficientleisuretocombatthisferocioustrinity，whichdestroyseverydaythousandsoflives。
Alcoholism!Itwouldbenecessarytoforbidthemanufactureofpoisons，andtorestrictthenumberoflicenses；butasonehasfearofthegreatdistillers，whoarerichandpowerful，andofthelittledealers，whoarethemastersofuniversalsuffrage，oneputsone’sconsciencetosleepbylamentingtheimmoralityoftheworking—class，andpublishinglittlepamphletsandsermons。
Imbeciles!……Tuberculosis!Everybodyknowsthetrueremedy，whichwouldbethepayingofsufficientwages，andthetearingdownofthefilthytenementsintowhichthelaborersarepacked——
thosewhoarethemostusefulandthemostunfortunateamongourpopulation!Butneedlesstosay，noonewantsthatremedy，sowegoroundbeggingtheworkingmennottospitonthesidewalks。
Wonderful!Butsyphilis——whydoyounotoccupyyourselfwiththat？Why，sinceyouhaveministerswhosedutyitistoattendtoallsortsofthings，doyounothaveaministertoattendtothepublichealth？\"
\"MydearDoctor，\"respondedMonsieurLoches，\"youfallintotheFrenchhabitofconsideringthegovernmentasthecauseofallevils。Showustheway，youlearnedgentlemen!Sincethatisamatteraboutwhichyouareinformed，andweareignorant，beginbytellinguswhatmeasuresyoubelievetobenecessary。\"
\"Ah，ah!\"exclaimedtheother。\"That’sfine，indeed!Itwasabouteighteenyearsagothataprojectofthatnature，workedoutbytheAcademyofMedicine，andapprovedbyitUNANIMOUSLY，wassenttotheproperminister。Wehavenotyetheardhisreply。\"
\"Youreallybelieve，\"inquiredMonsieurLoches，insomebewilderment，\"youbelievethattherearesomemeasures——\"
\"Sir，\"brokeinthedoctor，\"beforewegetthough，youaregoingtosuggestsomemeasuresyourself。Letmetellyouwhathappenedtoday。WhenIreceivedyourcardIdidnotknowthatyouwerethefather—in—lawofGeorgeDupont。Isaythatyouwereadeputy，andIthoughtthatyouwantedtogetsomeinformationaboutthesematters。Therewasawomanpatientwaitingtoseeme，andIkeptherinmywaiting—room——sayingtomyself，\"Thisisjustthesortofpersonthatourdeputiesoughttotalkto。\"
Thedoctorpausedforamoment，thencontinued：\"Bereassured，I
willtakecareofyournerves。Thispatienthasnotroublethatisapparenttotheeye。SheissimplyanillustrationoftheargumentIhavebeenadvancing——thatourworstenemyisignorance。Ignorance——youunderstandme？SinceIhavegotyouhere，sir，IamgoingtoholdyouuntilIhavemanagedtocurealittleofyourignorance!ForItellyou，sir，itisathingwhichdrivesmetodistraction——weMUSTdosomethingabouttheseconditions!Takethiscase，forexample。Hereisawomanwhoisveryseriouslyinfected。Itoldher——well，wait；youshallseeforyourself。
ThedoctorwenttothedoorandsummonedintotheroomawomanwhomMonsieurLocheshadnoticedwaitingthere。Shewasvergingonoldage，small，frail，andill—nourishedinappearance，poorlydressed，andyetwithasuggestionofrefinementabouther。Shestoodnearthedoor，twistingherhandstogethernervously，andshrinkingfromthegazeofthestrangegentleman。Thedoctorbeganinanangryvoice。\"DidInottellyoutocomeandseemeonceeveryeightdays？Isthatnottrue？\"
Thewomananswered，inafaintvoice，\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Well，\"heexclaimed，\"andhowlonghasitbeensinceyouwerehere？\"
\"Threemonths，sir。\"
\"Threemonths!AndyoubelievethatIcantakecareofyouundersuchconditions？Igiveyouup!Doyouunderstand？Youdiscourageme，youdiscourageme。\"Therewasapause。Then，seeingthewoman’ssuffering，hebegan，inagentlertone，\"Comenow，whatisthereasonthatyouhavenotcome？Didn’tyouknowthatyouhaveaseriousdisease——mostserious？\"
\"Oh，yes，sir，\"repliedthewoman，\"Iknowthatverywell——sincemyhusbanddiedofit。\"
Thedoctor’svoiceboreonceagainitsnoteofpity。\"Yourhusbanddiedofit？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Hetooknocareofhimself？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Andwasnotthatawarningtoyou？\"
\"Doctor，\"thewomanreplied，\"Iwouldasknothingbetterthantocomeasoftenasyoutoldme，butthecostistoogreat。\"
\"How——whatcost？Youwerecomingtomyfreeclinic。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"repliedthewoman，\"butthat’sduringworkinghours，andthenitisalongwayfromhome。Therearesomanysickpeople，andIhavetowaitmyturn，Itisinthemorning——
sometimesIloseawholeday——andthenmyemployerisannoyed，andhethreatenstoturnmeoff。Itisthingslikethatthatkeeppeoplefromcoming，untiltheydarenotputitoffanylonger。Then，too，sir——\"thewomanstopped，hesitating。
\"Well，\"demandedthedoctor。
\"Oh，nothing，sir，\"shestammered。\"Youhavebeentoogoodtomealready。\"
\"Goon，\"commandedtheother。\"Tellme。\"
\"Well，\"murmuredthewoman，\"IknowIoughtnottoputonairs，butyouseeIhavenotalwaysbeensopoor。Beforemyhusband’smisfortune，wewerewellfixed。Soyousee，Ihavealittlepride。Ihavealwaysmanagedtotakecareofmyself。Iamnotawomanofthestreets，andtostandaroundlikethat，witheverybodyelse，tobeobligedtotellallone’smiseriesoutloudbeforetheworld!Iamwrong，Iknowitperfectlywell；Iarguewithmyself——butallthesame，it’shard，sir；Iassureyou，itistrulyhard。\"
\"Poorwoman!\"saidthedoctor；andforawhiletherewasasilence。Thenheasked：\"Itwasyourhusbandwhobroughtyouthedisease？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"wasthereply。\"Everythingwhichhappenedtouscamefromhim。Wewerelivinginthecountrywhenhegotthedisease。
Hewenthalfcrazy。Henolongerknewhowtomanagehisaffairs。
Hegaveordershereandthereforconsiderablesums。Wewerenotabletofindthemoney。\"
\"Whydidhenotundergotreatment？\"
\"Hedidn’tknowthen。Weweresoldout，andwecametoParis。
Butwehadn’tapenny。Hedecidedtogotothehospitalfortreatment。\"
\"Andthen？\"
\"Why，theylookedhimover，buttheyrefusedhimanymedicine。\"
\"Howwasthat？\"
\"BecausewehadbeeninParisonlythreemonths。Ifonehasn’tbeenaresidentsixmonths，onehasnorighttofreemedicine。\"
\"Isthattrue？\"brokeinMonsieurLochesquickly。
\"Yes，\"saidthedoctor，\"that’stherule。\"
\"Soyousee，\"saidthewoman，\"itwasnotourfault。\"
\"Youneverhadchildren？\"inquiredthedoctor。
\"Iwasneverabletobringonetobirth，\"wastheanswer。\"Myhusbandwastakenjustatthebeginningofourmarriage——itwaswhilehewasservinginthearmy。Youknow，sir——therearewomenaboutthegarrisons——\"Shestopped，andtherewasalongsilence。
\"Come，\"saidthedoctor，\"that’sallright。Iwillarrangeitwithyou。Youcancomeheretomyoffice，andyoucancomeonSundaymornings。\"Andasthepoorcreaturestartedtoexpresshergratitude，heslippedacoinintoherhand。\"Come，come；
takeit，\"hesaidgruffly。\"Youarenotgoingtoplayproudwithme。No，no，Ihavenotimetolistentoyou。Hush!\"Andhepushedheroutofthedoor。
Thenheturnedtothedeputy。\"Youheardherstory，sir，\"hesaid。\"Herhusbandwasservinghistimeinthearmy；itwasyoulaw—makerswhocompelledhimtodothat。Andtherearewomenaboutthegarrisons——youheardhowhervoicetrembledasshesaidthat？Takemyadvice，sir，andlookupthestatisticsastotheprevalenceofthisdiseaseamongoursoldiers。Cometosomeofmyclinics，andletmeintroduceyoutoothersocialtypes。Youdon’tcareverymuchaboutsoldiers，perhaps——theybelongtothelowerclasses，andyouthinkofthemasroughmen。Butletmeshowyouwhatisgoingonamongourcollegestudents——amongthemenourdaughtersaresomedaytomarry。Letmeshowyouthewomenwhopreyuponthem!Perhaps，whoknows——Icanshowyoutheverywomanwhowasthecauseofallthemiseryinyourownfamily!\"
AndasMonsieurLochesrosefromhischair，thedoctorcametohimandtookhimbythehand。\"Promiseme，sir，\"hesaid，earnestly，\"thatyouwillcomebackandletmeteachyoumoreaboutthesematters。ItisachancethatImustnotletgo——thefirsttimeinmylifethatIevergotholdofareallivedeputy!
Comeandmakeastudyofthissubject，andletustrytoworkoutsomesensibleplan，andgetseriouslytoworktoremedythesefrightfulevils!\"
CHAPTERVI
GeorgelivedwithhismotherafterHenriettehadlefthishome。
Hewaswretchedlyunhappyandlonely。Hecouldfindnointerestinanyofthethingswhichhadpleasedhimbefore。Hewasashamedtomeetanyofhisfriends，becauseheimaginedthateveryonemusthaveheardthedreadfulstory——orbecausehewasnotequaltomakingupexplanationsforhismournfulstate。Henolongercaredmuchabouthiswork。Whatwastheuseofmakingareputationorearninglargefeeswhenonehadnothingtospendthemfor？
Allhisthoughtswerefixeduponthewifeandchildhehadlost。
HewasremindedofHenrietteinathousandways，andeachwaybroughthimaseparatepangofgrief。Hehadneverrealizedhowmuchhehadcometodependuponherineverylittlething——untilnow，whenhercompanionshipwaswithdrawnfromhim，andeverythingseemedtobeablank。Hewouldcomehomeatnight，andoppositetohimatthedinner—tablewouldbehismother，silentandspectral。HowdifferentfromthedayswhenHenriettewasthere，radiantandmerry，eagertobetoldeverythingthathadhappenedtohimthroughtheday!
TherewasalsohisworryaboutlittleGervaise。Hemightnolongerhearhowshewasdoing，forhecouldnotgetupcouragetoaskhismotherthenews。ThuspoorGeorgewaspayingforhissins。Hecouldmakenocomplaintsagainsttheprice，howeverhigh——onlysometimeshewonderedwhetherhewouldbeabletopayit。Thereweretimesofsuchdiscouragementthathethoughtofdifferentwaysofkillinghimself。
Acuriousadventurebefellhimduringthisperiod。Hewaswalkingonedayinthepark，whenhesawapproachingagirlwhosefacestruckhimasfamiliar。Atfirsthecouldnotrecollectwherehehadseenher。Itwasonlywhenshewasnearlyoppositehimthatherealized——itwasthegirlwhohadbeenthecauseofallhismisery!
Hetriedtolookaway，buthewastoolate。Hereyeshadcaughthis，andshenoddedandthenstopped，exclaiming，\"Why，howdoyoudo？\"
Georgehadtofaceher。\"Howdoyoudo？\"heresponded，weakly。
Sheheldoutherhandandhehadtotakeit，buttherewasnotmuchwelcomeinhisclasp。\"Wherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourself？\"sheasked。Then，ashehesitated，shelaughedgood—
naturedly，\"What’sthematter？Youdon’tseemgladtoseeme。\"
Thegirl——Theresewashername——hadalittlepackageunderherarm，asifshehadbeenshopping。Shewasnotwelldressed，aswhenGeorgehadmetherbefore，anddoubtlessshethoughtthatwasthereasonforhislackofcordiality。Thismadehimratherashamed，andso，onlyhalfrealizingwhathewasdoing，hebegantostrollalongwithher。
\"Whydidyounevercometoseemeagain？\"sheasked。
Georgehesitated。\"I——I——\"hestammered——\"I’vebeenmarriedsincethen。\"
Shelaughed。\"Oh!Sothat’sit!\"Andthen，astheycametoabenchundersometrees，\"Won’tyousitdownawhile？\"Therewasallurementinherglance，butitmadeGeorgeshudder。Itwasincredibletohimthathehadeverbeenattractedbythiscrudegirl。Thespellwasnowbrokencompletely。
Shequicklysawthatsomethingwaswrong。\"Youdon’tseemverycheerful，\"shesaid。\"What’sthematter？\"
Andtheman，staringather，suddenlyblurtedout，\"Don’tyouknowwhatyoudidtome？\"
\"WhatIdidtoyou？\"Thereserepeatedwonderingly。
\"Youmustknow!\"heinsisted。
Andthenshetriedtomeethisgazeandcouldnot。\"Why——\"shestammered。
Therewassilencebetweenthem。WhenGeorgespokeagainhisvoicewaslowandtrembling。\"Youruinedmywholelife，\"hesaid——\"notonlymine，butmyfamily’s。Howcouldyoudoit？\"
Shestrovetolaughitoff。\"Acheerfultopicforanafternoonstroll!\"
ForalongwhileGeorgedidnotanswer。Then，almostinawhisper，herepeated，\"Howcouldyoudoit？\"
\"Someonedidittomefirst，\"wastheresponse。\"Aman!\"
\"Yes，\"saidGeorge，\"buthedidn’tknow。\"
\"Howcanyoutellwhetherheknewornot？\"
\"Youknew？\"heinquired，wonderingly。
Theresehesitated。\"Yes，Iknew，\"shesaidatlast，defiantly。
\"Ihaveknownforyears。\"
\"AndI’mnottheonlyman。\"
Shelaughed。\"Iguessnot!\"
Therefollowedalongpause。Atlastheresumed，\"Idon’twanttoblameyou；there’snothingtobegainedbythat；it’sdone，andcan’tbeundone。ButsometimesIwonderaboutit。Ishouldliketounderstand——whydidyoudoit？\"
\"Why？That’seasyenough。IdiditbecauseIhavetolive。\"
\"Youlivethatway？\"heexclaimed。
\"Whyofcourse。Whatdidyouthink？\"
\"Ithoughtyouwerea——a——\"Hehesitated。
\"YouthoughtIwasrespectable，\"laughedTherese。\"Well，that’sjustalittlegameIwasplayingonyou。\"
\"ButIdidn’tgiveyouanymoney!\"heargued。
\"Notthattime，\"shesaid，\"butIthoughtyouwouldcomeback。\"
Hesatgazingather。\"Andyouearnyourlivingthatwaystill？\"
heasked。\"Whenyouknowwhat’sthematterwithyou!Whenyouknow——\"
\"WhatcanIdo？Ihavetolive，don’tI？\"
\"Butdon’tyoueventakecareofyourself？Surelytheremustbesomeway，someplace——\"
\"Thereformatory，perhaps，\"shesneered。\"No，thanks!I’llgotherewhenthepolicecatchme，notbefore。Iknowsomegirlsthathavetriedthat。\"
\"Butaren’tyouafraid？\"criedtheman。\"Andthethingsthatwillhappentoyou!Haveyouevertalkedtoadoctor——orreadabook？\"
\"Iknow，\"shesaid。\"I’veseenitall。Ifitcomestome，I’llgooverthesideofoneofthebridgessomedarknight。\"
Georgesatlostinthought。Astrangeadventureitseemedtohim——tomeetthisgirlundersuchdifferentcircumstances!Itwasasifhewerewatchingaplayfrombehindthescenesinsteadofinfront。Ifonlyhehadhadthisnewviewintime——howdifferentwouldhavebeenhislife!Andhowterribleitwastothinkoftheotherswhodidn’tknow——theaudiencewhowerestillsittingoutinfront，watchingthespectacle，interestedinit!\"
HisthoughtscamebacktoTherese。Hewascuriousaboutherandthelifeshelived。\"Tellmealittleaboutit，\"hesaid。\"Howyoucametobedoingthis。\"Andheadded，\"Don’tthinkIwanttopreach；I’dreallyliketounderstand。\"
\"Oh，it’sacommonstory，\"shesaid——\"nothingespeciallyromantic。IcametoPariswhenIwasagirl。Myparentshaddied，andIhadnofriends，andIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Igotaplaceasanursemaid。Iwasseventeenyearsoldthen，andI
didn’tknowanything。IbelievedwhatIwastold，andIbelievedmyemployer。Hiswifewasillinahospital，andhesaidhewantedtomarrymewhenshedied。Well，Ilikedhim，andIwassorryforhim——andthenthefirstthingIknewIhadababy。Andthenthewifecameback，andIwasturnedoff。Ihadbeenafool，ofcourse。IfIhadbeeninherplaceshouldhavedonejustwhatshedid。\"
Thegirlwasspeakinginacold，matter—of—factvoice，asofthingsaboutwhichshewasnolongerabletosuffer。\"So，thereIwas——onthestreet，\"shewenton。\"Youhavealwayshadmoney，acomfortablehome，education，friendstohelpyou——allthat。
Youcan’timaginehowitistobeintheworldwithoutanyofthesethings。IlivedonmysavingsaslongasIcould；thenI
hadtoleavemybabyinafoundling’shome，andIwentouttodomyfivehoursontheboulevards。Youknowthegame，Ihavenodoubt。\"
Yes，Georgeknewthegame。Somehoworotherhenolongerfeltbittertowardsthispoorcreature。Shewaspartofthesystemofwhichhewasavictimalso。Therewasnothingtobegainedbyhatingeachother。Justasthedoctorsaid，whatwasneededwasenlightenment。\"Listen，\"hesaid，\"whydon’tyoutrytogetcured？\"
\"Ihaven’tgottheprice，\"wastheanswer。
\"Well，\"hesaid，hesitatingly，\"Iknowadoctor——oneofthereallygoodmen。Hehasafreeclinic，andI’venodoubthewouldtakeyouinifIaskedhimto。\"
\"YOUaskhim？\"echoedtheother，lookingatGeorgeinsurprise。
Theyoungmanfeltsomewhatuncomfortable。HewasnotusedtoplayingtheroleofthegoodSamaritan。\"I——Ineednottellhimaboutus，\"hestammered。\"IcouldjustsaythatImetyou。I
havehadsuchawretchedtimemyself，Ifeelsorryforanybodythat’sinthesameplight。IshouldliketohelpyouifI
could。\"
Thegirlsatstaringbeforeher，lostinthought。\"Ihavetreatedyoubadly，Iguess，\"shesaid。\"I’msorry。I’mashamedofmyself。\"
Georgetookapencilandpaperfromhispocketandwrotethedoctor’saddress。\"Hereitis，\"hesaid，inabusiness—likeway，becausehefeltthatotherwisehecouldbecomesentimental。Hewashalftemptedtotellthewomanwhathadhappenedtohim，andallaboutHenrietteandthesickchild；butherealizedthatthatwouldnotdo。Soheroseandshookhandswithherandleft。
Thenexttimehesawthedoctorhetoldhimaboutthisgirl。Hedecidedtotellhimthetruth——havingalreadymadesomanymistakestryingtoconcealthings。Thedoctoragreedtotreatthewoman，makingtheconditionthatGeorgepromisenottoseeheragain。
Theyoungmanwasrathershockedatthis。\"Doctor，\"heexclaimed，\"Iassureyouyouaremistaken。Thethingyouhaveinmindwouldbeutterlyimpossible。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidtheother，\"youthinkso。ButIthink，youngman，thatIknowmoreaboutlifethanyoudo。Whenamanandawomanhaveoncecommittedsuchasin，itiseasyforthemtoslipback。
Thelesstimetheyspendtalkingabouttheirmisfortunes，andbeinggenerousandforbearingtoeachother，thebetterforthemboth。\"
\"But，Doctor，\"criedGeorge。\"IloveHenriette!Icouldnotpossiblyloveanyoneelse。Itwouldbehorribletome!\"
\"Yes，\"saidthedoctor。\"ButyouarenotlivingwithHenriette。
Youarewanderinground，notknowingwhattodowithyourselfnext。\"
TherewasnoneedforanybodytotellGeorgethat。\"Whatdoyouthink？\"heaskedabruptly。\"Isthereanyhopeforme？\"
\"Ithinkthereis，\"saidtheother，who，inspiteofhisresolution，hadbecomeasortofambassadorfortheunhappyhusband。HehadtogototheLocheshousetoattendthechild，andsohecouldnothelpseeingHenriette，andtalkingtoheraboutthechild’shealthandherownfuture。HeconsideredthatGeorgehadhadhislesson，andurgedupontheyoungwifethathewouldbewiserinfuture，andsafetotrust。
Georgehadindeedlearnedmuch。Hegotnewlessonseverytimehewenttocallatthephysician’soffice——hecouldreadtheminthefacesofthepeoplehesawthere。Onedaywhenhewasaloneinthewaiting—room，thedoctorcameoutofhisinneroffice，talkingtoanelderlygentleman，whomGeorgerecognizedasthefatherofoneofhisclassmatesatcollege。Thefatherwasalittleshopkeeper，andtheyoungmanrememberedhowpatheticallyproudhehadbeenofhisson。Coulditbe，thoughtGeorge，thatthisoldmanwasavictimofsyphilis？
Butitwastheson，andnotthefather，whowasthesubjectoftheconsultation。Theoldmanwasspeakinginadeeplymovedvoice，andhestoodsothatGeorgecouldnothelphearingwhathesaid。\"Perhapsyoucan’tunderstand，\"hesaid，\"justwhatitmeanstous——thehopeswehadofthatboy!Suchafinefellowhewas，andagoodfellow，too，sir!Weweresoproudofhim；wehadbledourveinstokeephimincollege——andnowjustsee!\"
\"Don’tdespair，sir，\"saidthedoctor，\"we’lltrytocurehim。\"
AndheaddedwiththatsamenoteofsorrowinhisvoicewhichGeorgehadheard，\"Whydidyouwaitsolongbeforeyoubroughttheboytome？\"
\"HowwasItoknowwhathehad？\"criedtheother。\"Hedidn’tdaretellme，sir——hewasafraidofmyscoldinghim。Andinthemeantimethediseasewasrunningitscourse。Whenherealizedthathehadit，hewentsecretlytooneofthequacks，whorobbedhim，anddidn’tcurehim。Youknowhowitis，sir。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidthedoctor。
\"Suchthingsoughtnottobepermitted，\"criedtheoldman。
\"Whatisourgovernmentaboutthatitallowssuchthingstogoon？Taketheconditionsthereatthecollegewheremypoorboywasruined。Attheverygatesofthebuildingthesewomenarewaitingforthelads!Oughttheytobepermittedtodebauchyoungboysonlyfifteenyearsold？Haven’twegotpoliceenoughtopreventathinglikethat？Tellme，sir!\"
\"Onewouldthinkso，\"saidthedoctor，patiently。
\"Butisitthatthepolicedon’twantto？\"
\"Nodoubttheyhavethesameexcuseasalltherest——theydon’tknow。Takecourage，sir；wehavecuredworsecasesthanyourson’s。Andsomeday，perhaps，weshallbeabletochangetheseconditions。\"
Sohewentonwiththeman，leavingGeorgewithsomethingtothinkabout。Howmuchhecouldhavetoldthemaboutwhathadhappenedtothatyoungfellowwhenonlyfifteenyearsold!Ithadnotbeenaltogetherthefaultofthewomenwhowerelurkingoutsideofthecollegegates；itwasafactthattheboy’sclassmateshadteasedhimandridiculedhim，hadliterallymadehislifeatorment，untilhehadyieldedtotemptation。
Itwastheold，oldstoryofignorantandunguidedschoolboysallovertheworld!Theythoughtthattobechastewastobeweakandfoolish；thatafellowwasnotamanunlessheledalifeofdebaucheryliketherest。Andwhatdidtheyknowaboutthesedreadfuldiseases？Theyhadthemosthorriblesuperstitions——
ideasofcuressoloathsomethattheycouldnotbesetdowninprint；ideasasignorantanddestructiveasthoseofsavagesintheheartofAfrica。Andyoumighthearthemlaughingandjestingaboutoneanother’scondition。Theymightbeafflictedwithdiseaseswhichwouldhavethemostterribleafter—effectsupontheirwholelivesandupontheirfamilies——diseaseswhichcausetensofthousandsofsurgicaloperationsuponwomen，andalargepercentageofblindnessandidiocyinchildren——andyoumighthearthemconfidentlyexpresstheopinionthatthesediseaseswerenoworsethanabadcold!
Andallthismassofmiseryandignorancecoveredoverandclampeddownbyatabooofsilence，imposedbythehorriblesuperstitionofsex—prudery!Georgewentoutfromthedoctor’sofficetremblingwithexcitementoverthissituation。Oh，whyhadnotsomeonewarnedhimintime？Whydidn’tthedoctorsandtheteachersliftuptheirvoicesandtellyoungmenaboutthesefrightfuldangers？Hewantedtogooutinthehighwaysandpreachithimself——exceptthathedarednot，becausehecouldnotexplaintotheworldhisownsuddeninterestinthisforbiddentopic。
Thesewasonlyonepersonhedaredtotalkto：thatwashismother——towhomheoughttohavetalkedmany，manyyearsbefore。
Hewasmovedtomentiontohertheinterviewhehadoverheardinthedoctor’soffice。Inasuddenburstofgriefhetoldherofhisstrugglesandtemptations；hepleadedwithhertogotoHenrietteoncemore——totellherthesethings，andtrytomakeherrealizethathealonewasnottoblameforthem，thattheywereaconditionwhichprevailedeverywhere，thattheonlydifferencebetweenherhusbandandothermenwasthathehadhadthemisfortunetobecaught。
TherewaspressurebeingappliedtoHenriettefromseveralsides。
Afterall，whatcouldshedo？Shewascomfortableinherfather’shome，sofarasthephysicalsideofthingswent；butsheknewthatallherfriendsweregossipingandspeculatingaboutherseparationfromherhusband，andsoonerorlatershewouldhavetomakeuphermind，eithertoseparatepermanentlyfromGeorgeortoreturntohim。Therewasnotmuchhappinessforherinthethoughtofgettingadivorcefromamanwhomdeepinherheartsheloved。Shewouldbepracticallyawidowtherestofherlife，andthehomeinwhichpoorlittleGervaisewouldbebroughtupwouldnotbeacheerfulone。
Georgewasreadytoofferanyterms，ifonlyshewouldcomebacktohishome。TheymightliveseparatelivesforaslongasHenriettewished。Theywouldhavenomorechildrenuntilthedoctordeclareditwasquitesafe；andinthemeantimehewouldbehumbleandpatient，andwouldtryhisbesttoatoneforthewrongthathehaddoneher。
TotheseargumentsMadameDupontaddedothersofherown。Shetoldthegirlsomethingswhichthroughbitterexperienceshehadlearnedaboutthenatureandhabitsofmen；thingsthatshouldbetoldtoeverygirlbeforemarriage，butwhichalmostallofthemarelefttofindoutafterwards，withterriblesufferinganddisillusionment。WhateverGeorge’ssinsmayhavebeen，hewasamanwhohadbeenchastenedbysuffering，andwouldknowhowtovalueawoman’slovefortherestofhislife。Notallmenknewthat——noteventhosewhohadbeenfortunateinescapingfromtheso—called\"shamefuldisease。\"
Henriettewasalsohearingargumentsfromherfather，whobythistimehadhadtimetothinkthingsover，andhadcometotheconclusionthatthedoctorwasright。Hehadnotedhisson—in—
law’spatienceandpenitence，andhadalsomadesurethatinspiteofeverythingHenriettestilllovedhim。Thebabyapparentlywasdoingwell；andtheFrenchman，withhisstrongsenseoffamilyties，feltitaseriousmattertoseparateachildpermanentlyfromitsfather。Sointheendhecasttheweightofhisinfluenceinfavorofareconciliation，andHenriettereturnedtoherhusband，upontermswhichthedoctorlaiddown。
Thedoctorplayedinthesenegotiationsthepartwhichhehadnotbeenallowedtoplayinthemarriage。Forthedeputywasnowthoroughlyawaketotheimportanceofthedutyheowedhisdaughter。Infact，hehadbecomesomewhatofa\"crank\"uponthewholesubject。Hehadattendedseveralofthedoctor’sclinics，andhadreadbooksandpamphletsonthesubjectofsyphilis，andwasnowdeterminedthatthereshouldbesomepracticalstepstowardsreform。
Attheoutset，hehadtakentheattitudeoftheaveragelegislator，thatthethingtodowastostrengthenthelawsagainstprostitution，andtoenforcethemmorestrictly。HeechoedthecryoftheoldmanwhomGeorgehadheardinthedoctor’soffice：\"Aretherenotenoughpolice？\"
\"Wemustgotothesource，\"hedeclared。\"Wemustproceedagainstthesemiserablewomen——veritablepoisonersthattheyare!\"
Hereallythoughtthiswasgoingtothesource!Butthedoctorwasquicktoanswerhisarguments。\"Poisoners？\"hesaid。\"Youforgetthattheyhavefirstbeenpoisoned。Everyoneofthesewomenwhocommunicatesthediseasehasfirstreceiveditfromsomeman。\"
MonsieurLochesadvancedtohissecondidea，topunishthemen。
Butthedoctorhadlittleinterestinthisideaeither。Hehadseenittriedsomanytimes——suchalawcouldneverbeenforced。
Whatmustcomefirstwaseducation，andbythismeansamodificationofmorals。Peoplemustceasetotreatsyphilisasamysteriousevil，ofwhichnoteventhenamecouldbepronounced。
\"But，\"objectedtheother，\"onecannotlayitbaretochildreninoureducationalinstitutions!\"
\"Whynot？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Because，sir，therearecuriositieswhichitwouldbeimprudenttoawaken。\"
Thedoctorbecamemuchexcitedwheneverheheardthisargument。
\"Youbelievethatyouarepreventingthesecuriositiesfromawakening？\"hedemanded。\"Iappealtothose——bothmenandwomen——whohavepassedthroughcollegesandboardingschools!
Suchcuriositiescannotbesmothered，andtheysatisfythemselvesasbesttheycan，basely，vilely。Itellyou，sir，thereisnothingimmoralabouttheactwhichperpetuateslifebymeansoflove。Butweorganizearoundit，sofarasconcernsourchildren，agiganticandrigorousconspiracyofsilence。Theworthycitizentakeshisdaughterandhissontopopularmusicalcomedies，wheretheylistentothingswhichwouldmakeamonkeyblush；butitisforbiddentodiscussseriouslybeforetheyoungthatactoflovewhichpeopleseemtothinktheyshouldonlyknowofthroughblasphemiesandprofanations!Eitherthatactisathingofwhichpeoplecanspeakwithoutblushing——orelse，sir，itisamatterfortheinnuendoesofthecabaretandthewitticismsofthemessroom!Pornographyisadmitted，butscienceisnot!Itellyou，sir，thatisthethingwhichmustbechanged!Wemustelevatethesouloftheyoungmanbytakingthesefactsoutoftherealmofmysteryandofslang。Wemustawakeninhimaprideinthatcreativepowerwithwhicheachoneofusisendowed。Wemustmakehimunderstandthatheisasortoftempleinwhichispreparedthefutureoftherace，andwemustteachhimthathemusttransmit，intact，theheritageentrustedtohim——thepreciousheritagewhichhasbeenbuiltoutofthetearsandmiseriesandsufferingsofaninterminablelineofancestors!\"
Sothedoctorargued。Hebroughtforthcaseaftercasetoprovethattheprostitutewaswhatshewas，notbecauseofinnatevileness，butbecauseofeconomicconditions。IthappenedthatthedeputycametooneoftheclinicswherehemetTherese。Thedoctorbroughtherintohisconsultingroom，aftertellingherthattheimposing—lookinggentlemanwasafriendofthedirectoroftheopera，andmightbeabletorecommendherforapositiononthestagetowhichsheaspired。\"Tellhimallaboutyourself，\"hesaid，\"howyoulive，andwhatyoudo，andwhatyouwouldliketodo。Youwillgethiminterestedinyou。\"
Sothepoorgirlretoldthestoryofherlife。Shespokeinamatter—of—factvoice，andwhenshecametotellhowshehadbeenobligedtoleaveherbabyinthefoundlingasylum，shewassurprisedthatMonsieurLochesshowedhorror。\"WhatcouldIdo？\"
shedemanded。\"HowcouldIhavetakencareofit？\"
\"Didn’tyouevermissit？\"heasked。
\"OfcourseImissedit。Butwhatdifferencedidthatmake？Itwouldhavediedofhungerwithme。\"
\"Still，\"hesaid，\"itwasyourchild——\"
\"Itwasthefather’schild，too，wasn’tit？Muchattentionhepaidtoit!IfIhadbeensureofgettingmoneyenough，Iwouldhaveputitouttonurse。Butwiththetwenty—fiveorthirtyfrancsamonthIcouldhaveearnedasaservant，couldIhavepaidforababy？That’sthesituationagirlfaces——solongasI
wantedtoremainhonest，itwasimpossibleformetokeepmychild。Youanswer，perhaps，’Youdidn’tstayhonestanyway。’
That’strue。Butthen——whenyouarehungry，andaniceyoungfellowoffersyoudinner，you’dhavetobemadeofwoodtorefusehim。Ofcourse，ifIhadhadatrade——butIdidn’thaveany。SoIwentonthestreet——Youknowhowitis。\"
\"Tellusaboutit，\"saidthedoctor。\"Thisgentlemanisfromthecountry。\"
\"Isthatso？\"saidthegirl。\"Ineversupposedtherewasanyonewhodidn’tknowaboutsuchthings。Well，Itookthepartofalittleworking—girl。Averysimpledress——thingsIhadmadeespeciallyforthat——alittlebundleinablacknapkincarriedinmyhand——soIwalkedalongwheretheshopsare。It’stiresome，becausetodoitright，youhavetopatteralongfast。ThenI
stopbeforeashop，andninetimesoutoften，thereyouare!A
funnythingisthatthemen——you’dimaginetheyhadagreedonthewordstoapproachyouwith。Theyhaveonlytwophrases；theynevervarythem。It’seither，’Youaregoingfast，littleone。’
Orit’s，’Aren’tyouafraidallalone？’Onethingortheother。
Oneknowsprettywellwhattheymean。Isn’titso？\"Thegirlpaused，thenwenton。\"Again，Iwouldgetmyselfupasayoungwidow。There，too，onehastowalkfast：Idon’tknowwhythatshouldbeso，butitis。Afteraminuteortwoofconversation，theygenerallyfindoutthatIamnotayoungwidow，butthatdoesn’tmakeanydifference——theygoonjustthesame。\"
\"Whoarethemen？\"askedthedeputy。\"Clerks？Travelingsalesmen？\"
\"Notmuch，\"sheresponded。\"Ikeepalookoutforgentlemen——likeyourself。\"
\"TheySAYtheyaregentlemen，\"hesuggested。
\"SometimesIcanseeit，\"wastheresponse。\"Sometimestheywearorders。It’sfunny——iftheyhaveonaribbonwhenyoufirstnoticethem，theyfollowyou，andpresto——theribbonisgone!I
alwayslaughoverthat。I’vewatchedthemintheglassoftheshopwindows。Theytrytolookunconcerned，butastheywalkalongtheysnapouttheribbonwiththeirthumb——asoneshellslittlepeas，youknow。\"
Shepaused；then，asnoonejoinedinherlaugh，shecontinued，\"Well，atlastthepolicegotafterme，That’sastorythatI’veneverbeenabletounderstand。Thosefilthymengavemeanastydisease，andthenIwastobeshutinprisonforit!Thatwasalittletoomuch，itseemstome。\"
\"Well，\"saidthedoctor，grimly，\"yourevengedyourselfonthem——
fromwhatyouhavetoldme。\"
Theotherlaughed。\"Oh，yes，\"shesaid。\"Ihadmyinnings。\"
SheturnedtoMonsieurLoches。\"Youwantmetotellyouthat？
Well，justontheverydayIlearnedthatthepolicewereafterme，Iwascominghomefurious，naturally。ItwasontheBoulevardSt。Denis，ifyouknowtheplace——andwhomdoyouthinkImet？Myoldmaster——theonewhogotmeintotrouble，youknow。
Thereitwas，God’sownwill!Isaidtomyself，’Now，mygoodfellow，here’sthetimewhereyoupaymewhatyouoweme，andwithinterest，too!’Iputonalittlesmile——oh，itdidn’ttakeverylong，youmaybesure!\"
Thewomanpaused；herfacedarkened，andshewenton，inavoicetremblingwithagitation：\"WhenIhadlefthim，Iwasseizedwitharage。Asortofmadnessgotintomyblood。Itookonallthemenwhoofferedthemselves，forwhatevertheyofferedme，fornothing，iftheydidn’toffermeanything。ItookasmanyasI
could，theyoungestonesandthehandsomestones。Justso!I
onlygavethembackwhattheyhadgiventome。AndsincethattimeIhaven’treallycaredaboutanyoneanymore。Ijustturneditallintoajoke。\"Shepaused，andthenlookingatthedeputy，andreadinginhisfacethehorrorwithwhichhewasregardingher，\"Oh，Iamnottheonlyone!\"sheexclaimed。\"Therearelotsofotherwomenwhodothesame。Tobesure，itisnotforvengeance——itisbecausetheymusthavesomethingtoeat。Forevenifyouhavesyphilis，youhavetoeat，don’tyou？Eh？\"
Shehadturnedtothedoctor，buthedidnotanswer。Therewasalongsilence；andthenthinkingthathisfriend，thedeputy，hadheardenoughforonesession，thedoctorrose。Hedismissedthewoman，thecauseofallGeorgeDupont’smisfortunes，andturningtoMonsieurLoches，said：\"ItwasonpurposethatIbroughtthatwretchedprostitutebeforeyou。Inherthewholestoryissummedup——notmerelythestoryofyourson—in—law，butthatofallthevictimsoftheredplague。Thatwomanherselfisavictim，andsheisasymboloftheevilwhichwehavecreatedandwhichfallsuponourownheadsagain。Icouldaddnothingtoherstory，I
onlyaskyou，MonsieurLoches——whennextyouareproposingnewlawsintheChamberofDeputies，nottoforgetthehorrorswhichthatpoorwomanhasexposedtoyou!\"
