Monsieur De Camors — Volume 3 by Feuillet, Octave, 1821-1890

8/14/2019 Monsieur De Camors Volume 3 by Feuillet, Octave, 1821-1890

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MONSIEURDECAMORS

ByOCTAVEFEUILLET

BOOK3.

CHAPTERXV

THECOUNTESSDECAMORS

AfterpassingthefewweeksofthehoneymoonatReuilly,theComteandComtessedeCamorsreturnedtoParisandestablishedthemselvesattheirhotelintheRuedel'Imperatrice.Fromthismoment,andduringthemonthsthatfollowed,theyoungwifekeptupanactivecorrespondencewithhermother;andweheretranscribesomeoftheletters,whichwillmakeusmoreintimatelyacquaintedwiththecharacteroftheyoungwoman.

MadamedeCamorstoMadamedeTecle."October.

"AmIhappy?No,mydearestmother!No--nothappy!Ihaveonlywingsandsoartoheavenlikeabird!Ifeelthesunshineinmyhead,inmyeyes,inmyheart.

"Itblindsme,itenchantsme,itcausesmetosheddelicioustears!Happy?No,mytendermother;thatisnotpossible,whenIthinkthatIamhiswife!Thewife--understandme--ofhimwhohasreignedinmypoorthoughtssinceIwasabletothink--ofhimwhomIshouldhavechosenoutofthewholeuniverse!WhenIrememberthatIamhiswife,thatweareunitedforever,howIlovelife!howIlove


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you!howIloveGod!

"TheBoisandthelakearewithinafewstepsofus,asyouknow.Weridethithernearlyeverymorning,myhusbandandI!--Irepeat,Iandmyhusband!Wegothere,myhusbandandI--Iandmyhusband!

"Iknownothowitis,butitisalwaysdeliciousweathertome,evenwhenitrains--asitdoesfuriouslyto-day;forwehavejustcomein,drivenhomebythestorm.

"Duringourrideto-day,Itookoccasiontoquestionhimquietlyastosomepointsofourhistorywhichpuzzledme.First,whyhadhemarriedme?

"'Becauseyoupleasedmeapparently,MissMary.'Helikestogivemethisname,whichrecallstohimIknownotwhatepisodeofmyuntamedyouth--untamedstilltohim.

"'IfIpleasedyou,whydidIseeyousoseldom?'

"'BecauseIdidnotwishtocourtyouuntilIhaddecidedonmarrying.'

"'HowcouldIhavepleasedyou,notbeingatallbeautiful?'

"'Youarenotbeautiful,itistrue,'repliesthiscruelyoungman,'butyouareverypretty;andaboveallyouaregraceitself,likeyourmother.'

"AlltheseobscurepointsbeingcleareduptothecompletesatisfactionofMissMary,MissMarytooktofastgalloping;notbecauseitwasraining,butbecauseshebecamesuddenly--wedonotknowthereasonwhy--asredasapoppy.

"Oh,belovedmother!howsweetitistobelovedbyhimweadore,andtobelovedpreciselyaswewish--aswehavedreamed--accordingtotheexactprogrammeofouryoung,romantichearts!

"DidyoueverbelieveIhadideasonsuchadelicatesubject?Yes,dearmother,Ihadthem.Thus,itseemedtomethereweremanydifferentstylesofloving--somevulgar,somepretentious,somefoolish,andothers,again,excessivelycomic.NoneoftheseseemedsuitedtothePrince,ourneighbor.Ieverfeltheshouldlove,likethePrinceheis,withgraceanddignity;withserioustenderness,alittlesternperhaps;withamiability,butalmostwithcondescension--asalover,butasamaster,too--infine,likemyhusband!

"Dearangel,whoartmymother!behappyinmyhappiness,whichwasyoursolework.Ikissyourhands--Ikissyourwings!

"Ithankyou!Iblessyou!Iadoreyou!

"Ifyouwerenearme,itwouldbetoomuchhappiness!Ishoulddie,Ithink.Nevertheless,cometousverysoon.Yourchamberawaitsyou.ItisasblueastheheavensinwhichIfloat.Ihavealreadytoldyouthis,butIrepeatit.

"Good-by,motherofthehappiestwomanintheworld!


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"MISSMARY,

"ComtessedeCamors."

...............................

"November.

"MYMOTHER:

"Youmademeweep--Iwhoawaityoueverymorning.Iwillsaynothingtoyou,however;Iwillnotbegyou.Ifthehealthofmygrandfatherseemstoyousofeebleastodemandyourpresence,Iknownoprayerwouldtakeyouawayfromyourduty.NorwouldImaketheprayer,myangelmother!

"Butexaggeratenothing,Iprayyou,andthinkyourlittleMariecannotpassbythebluechamberwithoutfeelingaswellingoftheheart.Apartfromthisgriefwhichyoucauseher,shecontinuestobeashappyasevenyoucouldwish.

"HercharmingPrinceisevercharmingandeverherPrince!Hetakeshertoseethemonuments,themuseums,thetheatres,likethepoorlittleprovincialthatsheis.Isitnottouchingonthepartofso

greatapersonage?

"Heisamusedatmyecstasies--forIhaveecstasies.DonotbreatheittomyUncleDesRameures,butParisissuperb!Thedaysherecountdoubleourownforthoughtandlife.

"MyhusbandtookmetoVersaillesyesterday.Isuspectthatthis,intheeyesofthepeoplehere,isratheraridiculousepisode;forInoticetheCountdidnotboastofit.Versaillescorrespondsentirelywiththeimpressionsyouhadgivenmeofit;forthereisnottheslightestchangesinceyouvisiteditwithmygrandfather.

"Itisgrand,solemn,andcold.Thereis,though,anewandvery

curiousmuseumintheupperstoryofthepalace,consistingchieflyoforiginalportraitsofthefamousmenofhistory.Nothingpleasesmemorethantoseetheseheroesofmymemorypassingbeforemeingrandprocession--fromCharlestheBoldtoGeorgeWashington.Thosefacesmyimaginationhassooftentriedtoevoke,thatitseemstomeweareintheElysianFields,andholdconversewiththedead:

"Youmustknow,mymother,IwasfamiliarwithmanythingsthatsurprisedM.deCamorsverymuch.Hewasgreatlystruckbymyknowledgeofscienceandmygenius.Ididnomore,asyoumayimagine,thanrespondtohisquestions;butitseemedtoastonishhimthatIcouldrespondatall.

"Whyshouldheaskmethesethings?IfhedidnotknowhowtodistinguishthedifferentPrincessesofConti,theanswerissimple.

"ButIknew,becausemymothertaughtme.Thatissimpleenoughtoo.

"Wedinedafterward,atmysuggestion,atarestaurant.Oh,mymother!thiswasthehappiestmomentofmylife!Todineatarestaurantwithmyhusbandwasthemostdelightfulofalldissipations!


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"Ihavesaidheseemedastonishedatmylearning.Ioughttoaddingeneral,heseemedastonishedwheneverIopenedmylips.Didheimaginemeamute?Ispeaklittle,Iacknowledge,however,forheinspiresmewithaceaselessfear:Iamafraidofdispleasinghim,ofappearingsillybeforehim,orpretentious,orpedantic.ThedaywhenIshallbeateasewithhim,andwhenIcanshowhimmygoodsenseandgratitude--ifthatdayevercomes--Ishallberelievedofagreatweightonmymind,fortrulyIsometimesfearhelooksonmeasachild.

"TheotherdayIstoppedbeforeatoy-shopontheBoulevard.Whatablunder!Andashesawmyeyefixedonamagnificentsquadronofdolls--

"'Doyouwishone,MissMary?'hesaid.

"Wasnotthishorrible,mymother--fromhimwhoknowseverythingexceptthePrincessesofConti?Heexplainedeverythingtome;butbrieflyinaword,asiftoapersonhedespairedofevermakingunderstandhim.AndIunderstandsowellallthetime,mypoorlittlemother!

"Butsomuchthebetter,sayI;forifhelovesmewhilethinkingme

silly,whatwillitbelater!

"Withfondlove,your

"MARIE."

.............................

"December.

"AllParishasreturnedoncemore,mydearmother,andforfifteendaysIhavebeenoccupiedwithvisits.Themenheredonotusuallyvisit;butmyhusbandisobligedtopresentmeforthefirsttimeto

thepersonsIoughttoknow.Heaccompaniesmethere,whichismuchmoreagreeabletomethantohim,Ibelieve.

"Heismoreseriousthanusual.Isnotthistheonlyforminwhichamiablemenshowtheirbadhumor?Thepeoplewevisitlookonmewithacertaininterest.Thewomanwhomthisgreatlordhashonoredwithhischoiceisevidentlyanobjectofgreatcuriosity.Thisflattersandintimidatesme;Iblushandfeelconstrained;Iappearawkward.Whentheyfindmeawkwardandinsignificant,theystare.Theybelievehemarriedmeformyfortune:thenIwishtocry.Wereenterthecarriage,hesmilesuponme,andIaminheaven!Suchareourvisits.

"Youmustknow,mymother,thattomeMadameCampvallonisdivine.SheoftentakesmetoherboxattheItaliens,asminewillnotbevacantuntilJanuary.Yesterdayshegavealittlefeteformeinherbeautifulsalon:theGeneralopenedtheballwithme.

"Oh!mymother,whatawonderfullyclevermantheGeneralis!AndIadmirehimbecauseheadmiresyou!

"TheMarquisepresentedtomeallthebestdancers.Theywereyounggentlemen,withtheirneckssouncovereditalmostgavemeachill.


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Ineverbeforehadseenmenbare-neckedandthefashionisnotbecoming.Itwasveryevident,however,thattheyconsideredthemselvesindispensableandcharming.Theirdeportmentwasinsolentandself-sufficient;theireyesweredisdainfulandall-conquering.

"Theirmouthseveropentobreathefreer,theircoat-tailsflappinglikewings,theytakeonebythewaist--asonetakeshisownproperty.Informingyoubyalookthattheyareabouttodoyouthehonorofremovingyou,theywhirlyouaway;then,pantingforbreath,informyoubyanotherlookthattheywilldothemselvesthepleasureofstopping--andtheystop.Thentheyrestamoment,panting,laughing,showingtheirteeth;anotherlook--andtheyrepeatthesameperformance.Theyarewonderful!

"Louiswaltzedwithmeandseemedsatisfied.IsawhimforthefirsttimewaltzwiththeMarquise.Oh,mymother,itwasthedanceofthestars!

"Onethingwhichstruckmethisevening,asalways,wasthemanifestidolatrywithwhichthewomenregardmyhusband.This,mytendermother,terrifiesme.Why--Iaskmyself--whydidhechooseme?HowcanIpleasehim?HowcanIsucceed?

"Beholdtheresultofallmymeditations!Afollyperhaps,butofwhichtheeffectistoreassureme:

"PortraitoftheComtessedeCamors,drawnbyherself.

"TheComtessedeCamors,formerlyMariedeTecle,isapersonagewho,havingreachedhertwentiethyear,looksolder.Sheisnotbeautiful,asherhusbandisthefirstpersontoconfess.Hesayssheispretty;butshedoubtseventhis.Letussee.Shehasverylonglimbs,afaultwhichsheshareswithDiana,theHuntress,andwhichprobablygivestothegaitoftheCountessalightnessitmightnototherwisepossess.Herbodyisnaturallyshort,andonhorsebackappearstobestadvantage.Sheisplumpwithoutbeing

gross.

"Herfeaturesareirregular;themouthbeingtoolargeandthelipstoothick,with--alas!theshadeofamoustache;whiteteeth,alittletoosmall;acommonplacenose,aslightlypug;andhermother'seyes--herbestfeature.ShehastheeyebrowsofherUncleDesRameures,whichgivesanairofseveritytothefaceandneutralizesthegood-naturedexpression-areflexfromthesoftnessofherheart.

"Shehasthedarkcomplexionofhermother,whichismorebecomingtohermotherthantoher.Addtoallthis,blue-blackhairingreatsilkymasses.Onthewhole,oneknowsnotwhattopronounce

her.

"There,mymother,ismyportrait!Intendedtoreassureme,ithashardlydoneso;foritseemstometobethatofanuglylittlewoman!

"Iwishtobethemostlivelyofwomen;Iwishtobeoneofthemostdistinguished.Iwishtobeoneofthemostcaptivating!But,oh,mymother!ifIpleasehimIamstillmoreenchanted!Onthewhole,thankGod!hefindsmeperhapsmuchbetterthanIam:for


12/62

menhavenotthesametasteinthesemattersthatwehave.

"ButwhatIreallycannotcomprehend,iswhyhehassolittleadmirationfortheMarquisedeCampvallon.Hismannerisverycoldtoher.WereIaman,Ishouldbewildlyinlovewiththatsuperbwoman!Good-night,mostbelovedofmothers!

..........................

"January.

"Youcomplainofme,mycherishedone!Thetoneofmyletterswoundsyou!Youcannotcomprehendhowthismatterofmypersonalappearancehauntsme.Iscrutinizeit;Icompareitwiththatofothers.Thereissomethingoflevityinthatwhichhurtsyou?YouaskhowcanIthinkamanattacheshimselftothesethings,whilethemeritsofmindandsoulgofornothing?

"But,mydearestmother,howwillthesemeritsofmindandofsoul--supposingyourdaughtertopossessthem--serveher,unlessshepossessesthecourageorhastheopportunitytodisplaythem?AndwhenIsummonupthecourage,itseemstometheoccasionnevercomes.

"ForImustconfesstoyouthatthisdeliciousParisisnotperfect;andIdiscover,littlebylittle,thespotsuponthesun.

"Parisisthemostcharmingplace!Theonlypityisthatithasinhabitants!Notbutthattheyareagreeable,fortheyareonlytoomuchso;onlytheyarealsoverycareless,andappeartomyviewtoliveanddiewithoutreflectingmuchonwhattheyaredoing.Itisnottheirfault;theyhavenotime.

"WithoutleavingParis,theyareincessanttravellers,eternallydistractedbymotionandnovelty.Othertravellers,whentheyhavevisitedsomedistantcorner--forgettingforawhiletheirfamilies,theirduties,andtheirhomes--returnandsettledownagain.But

theseParisiansneverdo.Theirlifeisanendlessvoyage;theyhavenohome.Thatwhichelsewhereisthegreataimoflifeissecondaryhere.Onehashere,aselsewhere,anestablishment--ahouse,aprivatechamber.Onemusthave.Hereoneiswifeormother,husbandorfather,justaselsewhere;but,mypoormother,theyarethesethingsjustaslittleaspossible.Thewholeinterestcentresnotinthehomes;butinthestreets,themuseums,thesalons,thetheatres,andtheclubs.Itradiatestotheimmenseoutsidelife,whichinallitsformsnightanddayagitatesParis,attracts,excites,andenervatesyou;stealsyourtime,yourmind,yoursoul--anddevoursthemall!

"Parisisthemostdeliciousofplacestovisit--theworstofplaces

tolivein.

"Understandwell,mymother,thatinseekingbywhatqualifiesIcanbestattractmyhusband--whoisthebestofmen,doubtless,butofParisianmennevertheless--Ihavecontinuallyreflectedonmeritswhichmaybeseenatonce,whichdonotrequiretimetobeappreciated.

"Finally,Idonotdenythatallthisismiserablecynicism,unworthyofyouandofmyself;foryouknowIamnotatheartabad


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littlewoman.Certainly,ifIcouldkeepMonsieurdeCamorsforayearortwoatanoldchateauinthemidstofasolitarywood,Ishouldlikeitmuch.Icouldthenseehimmorefrequently,Icouldthenbecomefamiliarwithhisaugustperson,andcoulddevelopmylittletalentsunderhischarmedeyes.Butthenthismightwearyhimandwouldbetooeasy.Lifeandhappiness,Iknow,arenotsoeasilymanaged.Allisdifficulty,peril,andconflict.

"Whatjoy,then,toconquer!AndIsweartoyou,mymother,thatIwillconquer!Iwillforcehimtoknowmeasyouknowme;toloveme,notashenowdoes,butasyoudo,formanygoodreasonsofwhichhedoesnotyetdream.

"Notthathebelievesmeabsolutelyafool;Ithinkhehasabandonedthatideaforatleasttwodayspast.

"Howhecamethustothink,mynextlettershallexplain.

"Yourown"MARIE."

CHAPTERXVI

THEREPTILESTRIVESTOCLIMB

"March.

"Youwillremember,mymother,thattheCounthasassecretaryamannamedVautrot.Thenameisabadone;butthemanhimselfisagoodenoughcreature,exceptthatIsomewhatdislikehiscatlikestyleoflookingatone.

"Well,MonsieurdeVautrotlivesinthehousewithus.Hecomes

earlyinthemorning,breakfastsatsomeneighboringcafe,passesthedayintheCount'sstudy,andoftenremainstodinewithus,ifhehasworktofinishintheevening.

"Heisaneducatedman,andknowsalittleofeverything;andhehasundertakenmanyoccupationsbeforeheacceptedthesubordinatethoughlucrativeposthenowoccupieswithmyhusband.Helovesliterature;butnotthatofhistimeandofhiscountry,perhapsbecausehehimselfhasfailedinthis.Heprefersforeignwritersandpoets,whomhequoteswithsometaste,thoughwithtoomuchdeclamation.

"Mostprobablyhisearlyeducationwasdefective;foronall

occasions,whenspeakingwithus,hesays,'Yes,MonsieurleComte!'or'Certainly,MadamelaComtesse!'asifhewereaservant.Yetwithal,hehasapeculiarpride,orperhapsIshouldsayinsufferablevanity.Buthisgreatfault,inmyeyes,isthescoffingtoneheadopts,whenthesubjectisreligionormorals.

"Twodaysago,whileweweredining,Vautrotallowedhimselftoindulgeinaratherviolenttiradeofthisdescription.Itwascertainlycontrarytoallgoodtaste.


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"'MydearVautrot,'myhusbandsaidquietlytohim,'tomethesepleasantriesofyoursareindifferent;butprayremember,thatwhileyouareastrong-mindedman,mywifeisaweak-mindedwoman;andstrength,youknow,shouldrespectweakness.'

"MonsieurVautrotfirstgrewwhite,thenred,andfinallygreen.Herose,bowedawkwardly,andimmediatelyafterwardleftthetable.SincethattimeIhaveremarkedhismannerhasbeenmorereserved.ThemomentIwasalonewithLouis,Isaid:

"'Youmaythinkmeindiscreet,butprayletmeaskyouaquestion.Howcanyouconfideallyouraffairsandallyoursecretstoamanwhoprofessestohavenoprinciples?'

"MonsieurdeCamorslaughed.

"'Oh,hetalksthusoutofbravado,'heanswered.'HethinkstomakehimselfmoreinterestinginyoureyesbytheseMephistophelianairs.Atbottomheisagoodfellow.'

"'But,'Ianswered,'hehasfaithinnothing.'

"'Notinmuch,Ibelieve.Yethehasneverdeceivedme.Heisanhonorableman.'

"Iopenedmyeyeswideatthis.

"'Well,'hesaid,withanamusedlook,'whatisthematter,MissMary?'

"'Whatisthishonoryouspeakof?'

"'Letmeaskyourdefinitionofit,MissMary,'hereplied.

"'MonDieu!'Icried,blushingdeeply,'Iknowbutlittleofit,butitseemstomethathonorseparatedfrommoralityisnogreatthing;andmoralitywithoutreligionisnothing.Theyallconstitutea

chain.Honorhangstothelastlink,likeaflower;butifthechainbebroken,honorfallswiththerest.'Helookedatmewithstrangeeyes,asifhewerenotonlyconfoundedbutdisquietedbymyphilosophy.Thenhegaveadeepsigh,andrisingsaid:

"'Veryneat,thatdefinition-veryneat.'

"Thatnight,attheopera,hepliedmewithbonbonsandorangeices.MadamedeCampvallonaccompaniedus;andatparting,IbeggedhertocallformenextdayonherwaytotheBois,forsheismyidol.Sheissolovelyandsodistinguished--andsheIknowsitwell.Ilovetobewithher.Onourreturnhome,Louisremainedsilent,contrarytohiscustom.Suddenlyhesaid,brusquely:

"'Marie,doyougowiththeMarquisetotheBoisto-morrow?'

"'Yes.'

"'Butyouseeheroften,itseemstome-morningandevening.Youarealwayswithher.'

"'Heavens!Idoittobeagreeabletoyou.IsnotMadamedeCampvallonagoodassociate?'


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"'Excellent;onlyingeneralIdonotadmirefemalefriendships.ButIdidwrongtospeaktoyouonthissubject.Youhavewitanddiscretionenoughtopreservetheproperlimits.'

"This,mymother,waswhathesaidtome.Iembraceyou.

Everyour"MARIE."

............................

"March.

"Ihope,myownmother,nottoboreyouthisyearwithacatalogueoffetesandfestivals,lampsandgirandoles;forLentiscoming.To-dayisAsh-Wednesday.Well,wedanceto-morroweveningatMadamed'Oilly's.Ihadhopednottogo,butIsawLouiswasdisappointed,andIfearedtooffendMadamed'Oilly,whohasactedamother'sparttomyhusband.Lenthereisonlyanemptyname.Isightomyself:'Willtheyneverstop!Greatheavens!willtheyneverceaseamusingthemselves?'

"Imustconfesstoyou,mydarlingmother,Iamusemyselftoomuch

tobehappy.IdependedonLentforsometimetomyself,andseehowtheyeffacethecalendar!

"ThisdearLent!Whatasweet,honest,piousinventionitis,notwithstanding.Howsensibleisourreligion!Howwellitunderstandshumanweaknessandfolly!Howfar-seeinginitsregulations!Howindulgentalso!fortolimitpleasureistopardonit.

"Ialsolovepleasure--thebeautifultoiletsthatmakeusresembleflowers,thelightedsalons,themusic,thegayvoicesandthedance.Yes,Iloveallthesethings;Iexperiencetheircharmingconfusion;Ipalpitate,Iinhaletheirintoxication.Butalways--

always!atParisinthewinter--atthespringsinsummer--everthiscrowd,everthiswhirl,thisintoxicationofpleasure!Allbecomelikesavages,likenegroes,and--dareIsayso?--bestial!AlasforLent!

"HEforesawit.HEtoldus,asthepriesttoldmethismorning:'Rememberyouhaveasoul:Rememberyouhaveduties!--ahusband--achild--amother--aGod!'

"Then,mymother,weshouldretirewithinourselves;shouldpassthetimeingravethoughtbetweenthechurchandourhomes;shouldconverseonsolemnandserioussubjects;andshoulddwellinthemoralworldtogainafootholdinheaven!Thisseasonisintended

asawholesomeintervaltopreventourrunningfrivolityintodissipation,andpleasureintoconvulsion;topreventourwinter'smaskfrombecomingourpermanentvisage.ThisisentirelytheopinionofMadameJaubert.

"WhoisthisMadameJaubert?youwillask.SheisalittleParisianangelwhommymotherwoulddearlylove!Imetheralmosteverywhere--butchieflyatSt.PhillipedeRoule--forseveralmonthswithoutbeingawarethatsheisourneighbor,thatherhoteladjoinsours.SuchisParis!


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"Sheisagracefulperson,withasoftandtender,butdecidedair.Wesatneareachotheratchurch;wegaveeachotherside-glances;wepushedourchairstoleteachotherpass;andinoursoftestvoiceswouldsay,'Excuseme,Madame!''Oh,Madame!'Myglovewouldfall,shewouldpickitup;Iwouldofferhertheholywater,andreceiveasweetsmile,with'DearMadame!'OnceataconcertattheTuileriesweobservedeachotheratadistance,andsmiledrecognition;whenanypartofthemusicpleasedusparticularlyweglancedsmilinglyateachother.JudgeofmysurprisenextmorningwhenIsawmyaffinityenterthelittleItalianhousenextours--andenterit,too,asifitwereherhome.OninquiryIfoundshewasMadameJaubert,thewifeofatall,fairyoungmanwhoisacivilengineer.

"Iwasseizedwithadesiretocalluponmyneighbor.IspokeofittoLouis,blushingslightly,forIrememberedhedidnotapproveofintimaciesbetweenwomen.Butaboveall,helovesme!

"Notwithstandingheslightlyshruggedhisshoulders--'Permitmeatleast,MissMary,tomakesomeinquiriesaboutthesepeople.'

"Afewdaysafterwardhehadmadethem,forhesaid:'MissMary,youmayvisitMadameJaubert;sheisaperfectlyproperperson.'

"Ifirstflewtomyhusband'sneck,andthencewenttocalluponMadameJaubert.

"'ItisI,Madame!'

"'Oh,Madame,permitme!'

"Andweembracedeachotherandweregoodfriendsimmediately.

"Herhusbandisacivilengineer,asIhavesaid.Hewasonceoccupiedwithgreatinventionsandwithgreatindustrialworks;butthatwasonlyforashorttime.Havinginheritedalargeestate,he

abandonedhisstudiesanddidnothing--atleastnothingbutmischief.Whenhemarriedtoincreasehisfortune,hisprettylittlewifehadasadsurprise.Hewasneverseenathome;alwaysattheclub--alwaysbehindthescenesattheopera--alwaysgoingtothedevil!Hegambled,hehadmistressesandshamefulaffairs.Butworsethanall,hedrank--hecametohiswifedrunk.Oneincident,whichmypenalmostrefusestowrite,willgiveyouanidea.Thinkofit!Heconceivedtheideaofsleepinginhisboots!There,mymother,istheprettyfellowmysweetlittlefriendtransformed,littlebylittle,intoadecentman,amanofmerit,andanexcellenthusband!

"Andshediditallbygentleness,firmness,andsagacity.Nowis

notthisencouraging?--for,Godknows,mytaskislessdifficult.

"Theirhouseholdcharmsme;foritprovesthatonemaybuildforone'sself,eveninthemidstofthisParis,alittlenestsuchasonedreamsof.ThesedearneighborsareinhabitantsofParis--notitsprey.Theyhavetheirfireside;theyownit,anditbelongstothem.Parisisattheirdoor--somuchthebetter.Theyhaveeverarelishforrefinedamusement;'theydrinkatthefountain,'butdonotdrownthemselvesinit.Theirhabitsarethesame,passingtheireveningsinconversation,reading,ormusic;stirringthefire


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andlisteningtothewindandrainwithout,asiftheywereinaforest.

"Lifeslipsgentlythroughtheirfingers,threadbythread,asinourdearoldcountryevenings.

"Mymother,theyarehappy!

"Here,then,ismydream--hereismyplan.

"Myhusbandhasnovices,asMonsieurJauberthad.HehasonlythehabitsofallthebrilliantmenofhisParis-world.Itisnecessary,myownmother,graduallytoreformhim;tosuggestinsensiblytohimthenewideathatonemaypassoneeveningathomeincompanywithabelovedandlovingwife,withoutdyingsuddenlyofconsumption.

"Therestwillfollow.

"Whatisthisrest?Itisthetasteforaquietlife,fortheserioussweetnessofthedomestichearth--thefamilytaste--theideaofseclusion--therecoveredsoul!

"Isitnotso,mygoodangel?Thentrustme.Iammorethanever

fullofardor,courage,andconfidence.Forhelovesmewithallhisheart,withmorelevity,perhaps,thanIdeserve;butstill--helovesme!

"Helovesme;hespoilsme;heheapspresentsuponme.Thereisnopleasurehedoesnotofferme,except,beitunderstood,thepleasureofpassingoneeveningathometogether.

"Buthelovesme!Thatisthegreatpoint--helovesme!

"Now,dearestmother,letmewhisperonefinalword-awordthatmakesmelaughandcryatthesametime.ItseemstomethatforsometimepastIhavehadtwohearts--alargeoneofmyown,and--

another--smaller!

"Oh,mymother!Iseeyouintears.Butitisagreatmysterythis.Itisadreamofheaven;butperhapsonlyadream,whichIhavenotyettoldeventomyhusband--onlytomyadorablemother!Donotweep,foritisnotyetquitecertain.

"YournaughtyMissMARY."

InreplytothisletterMadamedeCamorsreceivedonethreemorningsafter,announcingtoherthedeathofhergrandfather.TheComtede

Teclehaddiedofapoplexy,ofwhichhisstateofhealthhadlonggivenwarning.MadamedeTecleforesawthatthefirstimpulseofherdaughterwouldbetojoinhertosharehersadbereavement.Sheadvisedherstronglyagainstundertakingthefatigueofthejourney,andpromisedtovisitherinParis,assoonassheconvenientlycould.ThemourninginthefamilyheightenedintheheartoftheCountesstheuneasyfeelingandvaguesadnessherlastlettershadindicated.

Shewasmuchlesshappythanshetoldhermother;forthefirstenthusiasmandfirstillusionsofmarriagecouldnotlongdeceivea


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spiritsoquickandacuteashers.

Ayounggirlwhomarriesiseasilydeceivedbytheshowofanaffectionofwhichsheistheobject.Itisrarethatshedoesnotadoreherhusbandandbelievesheisadoredbyhim,simplybecausehehasmarriedher.

Theyoungheartopensspontaneouslyanddiffusesitsdelicateperfumeofloveanditssongsoftenderness;andenvelopedinthisheavenlycloudallseemslovearoundit.But,littlebylittle,itfreesitself;and,toooften,recognizesthatthisdeliciousharmonyandintoxicatingatmospherewhichcharmeditcameonlyfromitself.

ThuswasitwiththeCountess;sofarasthepencanrendertheshadowsofafemininesoul.Suchweretheimpressionswhich,daybyday,penetratedtheverysoulofourpoor"MissMary."

Itwasnothingmorethanthis;butthiswaseverythingtoher!

Theideaofbeingbetrayedbyherhusband--andthat,too,withcruelpremeditation--neverhadarisentotorturehersoul.But,beyondthosedelicateattentionstoherwhichsheneverexaggeratedinherletterstohermother,shefeltherselfdisdainedandslighted.MarriagehadnotchangedCamors'shabits:hedinedathome,insteadofathisclub,that

wasall.Shebelievedherselfloved,however,butwithalightnessthatwasalmostoffensive.Yet,thoughshewassometimessadandnearlyintears,shedidnotdespair;thisvaliantlittleheartattacheditselfwithintrepidconfidencetoallthehappychancesthefuturemighthaveinstoreforit.

M.deCamorscontinuedveryindifferent--asonemayreadilycomprehend--totheagitationwhichtormentedthisyoungheart,butwhichneveroccurredtohimforamoment.Forhimself,strangeasitmayappear,hewashappyenough.Thismarriagehadbeenapainfulsteptotake;but,onceconfirmedinhissin,hebecamereconciledtoit.Buthisconscience,searedasitwas,hadsomelivingfibresinit;andhewouldnothavefailedinthedutyhethoughtheowedtohiswife.These

sentimentswerecomposedofasortofindifference,blendedwithpity.Hewasvaguelysorryforthischild,whoseexistencewasabsorbedanddestroyedbetweenthoseoftwobeingsofnaturesuperiortoherown;andhehopedshewouldalwaysremainignorantofthefatetowhichshewascondemned.Heresolvednevertoneglectanythingthatmightextenuateitsrigor;buthebelonged,nevertheless,morethaneversolelytothepassionwhichwasthesupremecrimeofhislife.ForhisintriguewithMadamedeCampvallon,continuallyexcitedbymysteryanddanger--andconductedwithprofoundaddressbyawomanwhosecunningwasequaltoherbeauty--continuedasstrong,afteryearsofenjoyment,asatfirst.

ThegraciouscourtesyofM.deCamors,onwhichhepiquedhimself,asregardedhiswife,haditslimits;astheyoungCountessperceived

wheneversheattemptedtoabuseit.Thus,onseveraloccasionsshedeclinedreceivingguestsonthegroundofindisposition,hopingherhusbandwouldnotabandonhertohersolitude.Shewasinerror.

TheCountgaveherinreality,underthesecircumstances,atete-a-teteofafewminutesafterdinner;butnearnineo'clockhewouldleaveherwithperfecttranquillity.Perhapsanhourlatershewouldreceivealittlepacketofbonbons,oraprettybasketofchoicefruit,thatwouldpermithertopasstheeveningasshemight.Theselittlegiftsshesometimesdividedwithherneighbor,MadameJaubert;sometimeswith


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M.deVautrot,secretarytoherhusband.

ThisM.deVautrot,forwhomshehadatfirstconceivedanaversion,wasgraduallygettingintohergoodgraces.Intheabsenceofherhusbandshealwaysfoundhimathand;andreferredtohimformanylittledetails,suchasaddresses,invitations,theselectionofbooksandthepurchaseoffurniture.Fromthiscameacertainfamiliarity;shebegantocallhimVautrot,or"MygoodVautrot,"whilehezealouslyperformedallherlittlecommissions.Hemanifestedforheragreatdealofrespectfulattention,andevenrefrainedfromindulginginthescepticalsneerswhichheknewdispleasedher.Happytowitnessthisreformandtotestifyhergratitude,sheinvitedhimtoremainontwoorthreeeveningswhenhecametotakehisleave,andtalkedwithhimofbooksandthetheatres.

Whenhermourningkeptherathome,M.deCamorspassedthetwofirsteveningswithheruntilteno'clock.Butthiseffortfatiguedhim,andthepooryoungwoman,whohadalreadyerectedanedificeforthefutureonthisfrailbasis,hadthemortificationofobservingthatonthethirdeveninghehadresumedhisbachelorhabits.

Thiswasagreatblowtoher,andhersadnessbecamegreaterthanithadbeenuptothattime;somuchsoinfact,thatsolitudewasalmostunbearable.ShehadhardlybeenlongenoughinParistoformintimacies.

MadameJaubertcametoherfriendasoftenasshecould;butintheintervalstheCountessadoptedthehabitofretainingVautrot,orevenofsendingforhim.Camorshimself,threefourthsofthetime,wouldbringhiminbeforegoingoutintheevening.

"IbringyouVautrot,mydear,"hewouldsay,"andShakespeare.Youcanreadhimtogether."

Vautrotreadwell;andthoughhisheavydeclamatorystylefrequentlyannoyedtheCountess,shethusmanagedtokillmanyalongevening,whilewaitingtheexpectedvisitofMadamedeTecle.ButVautrot,wheneverhelookedather,woresuchasympatheticairandseemedsomortifiedwhenshedidnotinvitehimtostay,that,evenwhenweariedofhim,she

frequentlydidso.

AbouttheendofthemonthofApril,M.VautrotwasalonewiththeCountessdeCamorsaboutteno'clockintheevening.TheywerereadingGoethe'sFaust,whichshehadneverbeforeheard.Thisreadingseemedtointeresttheyoungwomanmorethanusual,andwithhereyesfixedonthereader,shelistenedtoitwithraptattention.Shewasnotalonefascinatedbythework,but--asisfrequentlythecase-shetracedherownthoughtsandherownhistoryinthefictionofthepoet.

Weallknowwithwhatstrangeclairvoyanceamindpossessedwithafixedideadiscoversresemblancesandallusionsinaccidentaldescription.MadamedeCamorsperceivedwithoutdoubtsomeremoteconnectionbetween

herhusbandandFaust--betweenherselfandMarguerite;forshecouldnothelpshowingthatshewasstrangelyagitated.Shecouldnotrestraintheviolenceofheremotion,whenMargueriteinprisoncriesout,inheragonyandmadness:

Marguerite.

Whohasgivenyou,headsman,thispoweroverme?Youcometomewhileitisyetmidnight.Bemercifulandletmelive.


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Isnotto-morrowmorningsoonenough?

Iamyetsoyoung--soyoung!andamtodiealready!Iwasfair,too;thatwasmyundoing.Mytruelovewasnear,nowheisfaraway.

Tornliesmygarland;scatteredtheflowers.Don'ttakeholdofmesoroughly!spareme!spareme.WhathaveIdonetoyou?Letmenotimploreyouinvain!Ineversawyoubeforeinallmylife;youknow.

Faust.

CanIendurethismisery?

Marguerite.

Iamnowentirelyinthypower.Onlyletmegivesucktothechild.Ipresseditthiswholenighttomyheart.Theytookitawaytovexme,andnowsayIkilledit,andIshallneverbehappyagain.Theysingsongsuponme!Itiswickedofthepeople.Anoldtaleendsso--whobidsthemapplyit?

Faust.

Aloverliesatthyfeet,tounloosethebondsofwickedness.

Whatablendingofconfusedsentiments,ofpowerfulsympathies,ofvagueapprehensions,suddenlyseizedonthebreastoftheyoungCountess!Onecanhardlyimaginetheirforce--totheveryvergeofdistractingher.Sheturnedonherfauteuilandclosedherbeautifuleyes,asiftokeepbackthetearswhichrolledunderthefringeofthelonglashes.

AtthismomentVautrotceasedtoread,droppedhisbook,sighedprofoundly,andstaredamoment.

ThenhekneltatthefeetoftheComtessedeCamors!Hetookherhand;hesaid,withatragicsigh,"Poorangel!"

Itwillbedifficulttounderstandthisincidentandtheunfortunatelygraveresultsthatfollowedit,withouthavingthemoralandphysicalportraitofitsprincipalactor.

M.HippolyteVautrotwasahandsomemanandknewitperfectly.Heevenflatteredhimselfonacertainresemblancetohispatron,theComtedeCamors.Partlyfromnatureandpartlyfromcontinualimitation,thisideahadsomefoundation;forheresembledtheCountasmuchasavulgarmancanresembleoneofthehighestpolish.

Hewasthesonofasmallconfectionerintheprovinces;hadreceivedfromhisfatheranhonestlyacquiredfortune,andhaddissipateditinthevariedenterprisesofhisadventurouslife.Theinfluenceofhiscollege,however,obtainedforhimaplaceintheSeminary.HeleftittocometoParisandstudylaw;placedhimselfwithanattorney;attemptedliteraturewithoutsuccess;gambledontheBourseandlostthere.

Hehadsuccessivelyknockedwithfeverishhandatallthedoorsof


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Fortune,andnonehadopenedtohim,because,thoughhisambitionwasgreat,hiscapacitywaslimited.Subordinatepositions,forwhichalonehewasfit,hedidnotwant.Hewouldhavemadeagoodtutor:hesighedtobeapoet.Hewouldhavebeenarespectablecureinthecountry:hepinedtobeabishop.Fittedforanexcellentsecretary,heaspiredtobeaminister.Infine,hewishedtobeagreatman,andconsequentlywasafailureasalittleone.

Buthemadehimselfahypocrite;andthathefoundmucheasier.HesupportedhimselfontheonehandbythephilosophicsocietytobemetatMadamed'Oilly's;ontheother,bytheorthodoxreunionsofMadamedelaRoche-Jugan.

BytheseinfluenceshecontrivedtosecurethesecretaryshiptotheComtedeCamors,who,inhisgeneralcontemptofthehumanspecies,judgedVautrottobeasgoodasanyother.Now,familiaritywithM.deCamorswas,morally,fearfullyprejudicialtothesecretary.Ithad,itistrue,theeffectofstrippingoffhisdevoutmask,whichheseldomputonbeforehispatron;butitterriblyincreasedinvenomthedepravitywhichdisappointmentandwoundedpridehadsecretedinhisulceratedheart.

OfcoursenoonewillimaginethatM.deCamorshadthebadtastetoundertakedeliberatelythedemoralizationofhissecretary;butcontact,intimacy,andexamplesufficedfullytodothis.Asecretaryisalways

moreorlessaconfidant.Hedivinesthatwhichisnotrevealedtohim;andVautrotcouldnotbelongindiscoveringthathispatron'ssuccessdidnotarise,morally,fromtoomuchprinciple--inpolitics,fromexcessofconviction--inbusiness,fromamaniaforscruples!TheintellectualsuperiorityofCamors,refinedandinsolentasitwas,aidedtoblindVautrot,showinghimevilwhichwasnotonlyprosperous,butwasalsoradiantingraceandprestige.Forthesereasonshemostprofoundlyadmiredhismaster--admired,imitated,andexecratedhim!

Camorsprofessedforhimandforhissolemnairsanuttercontempt,whichhedidnotalwaystakethetroubletoconceal;andVautrottrembledwhensomeburningsarcasmfellfromsuchaheightontheoldwoundofhisvanity--thatwoundwhichwaseversorewithinhim.Whathehatedmostin

Camorswashiseasyandinsolenttriumph--hisrapidandunmeritedfortune--allthoseenjoymentswhichlifeyieldedhimwithoutpain,withouttoil,withoutconscience--peacefullytasted!Butwhathehatedaboveall,wasthatthismanhadthusobtainedthesethingswhilehehadvainlystrivenforthem.

Assuredly,inthisVautrotwasnotanexception.Thesameexamplepresentedtoahealthiermindwouldnothavebeenmuchmoresalutary,forwemusttellthosewho,likeM.deCamors,trampleunderfootallprinciplesofright,andneverthelessimaginethattheirsecretaries,theirservants,theirwivesandtheirchildren,mayremainvirtuous--wemusttellthesethatwhiletheywrongotherstheydeceivethemselves!AndthiswasthecasewithHippolyteVautrot.

Hewasaboutfortyyearsofage--aperiodoflifewhenmenoftenbecomeveryvicious,evenwhentheyhavebeenpassablyvirtuousuptothattime.Heaffectedanaustereandpuritanicalair;wasthegreatmanofthecafehefrequented;andtherepassedjudgmentonhiscontemporariesandpronouncedthemallinferior.Hewasdifficulttoplease--inpointofvirtuedemandingheroism;intalent,genius;inart,perfection.

HispoliticalopinionswerethoseofErostratus,withthisdifference--alwaysinfavoroftheancient--thatVautrot,aftersettingfiretothe


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temple,wouldhaverobbeditalso.Inshort,hewasafool,butaviciousfoolaswell.

IfM.deCamors,atthemomentofleavinghisluxuriousstudythatevening,hadhadthebadtastetoturnandapplyhiseyetothekeyhole,hewouldhaveseensomethinggreatlytoastonishevenhim.

Hewouldhaveseenthis"honorableman"approachabeautifulItaliancabinetinlaidwithivory,turnoverthepapersinthedrawers,andfinallyopeninthemostnaturalmanneraverycomplicatedlock,thekeyofwhichtheCountatthatmomenthadinhispocket.

ItwasafterthissearchthatM.VautrotrepairedwithhisvolumeofFausttotheboudoiroftheyoungCountess,atwhosefeetwehavealreadylefthimtoolong.

CHAPTERXVII

LIGHTNINGFROMACLEARSKY

MadamedeCamorshadclosedhereyestoconcealhertears.Sheopened

themattheinstantVautrotseizedherhandandcalledher"Poorangel!"

Seeingthemanonhisknees,shecouldnotcomprehendit,andonlyexclaimed,simply:

"Areyoumad,Vautrot?"

"Yes,Iammad!"Vautrotthrewhishairbackwitharomanticgesturecommontohim,and,ashebelieved,tothepoets-"Yes,Iammadwithloveandwithpity,forIseeyoursufferings,pureandnoblevictim!"

TheCountessonlystaredinblankastonishment.

"Reposeyourselfwithconfidence,"hecontinued,"onaheartthatwillbedevotedtoyouuntildeath--aheartintowhichyourtearsnowpenetratetoitsmostsacreddepths!"

TheCountessdidnotwishhertearstopenetratetosuchadistance,soshedriedthem.

Amanonhiskneesbeforeawomanheadoresmustappeartohereithersublimeorridiculous.Unfortunately,theattitudeofVautrot,atoncetheatricalandawkward,didnotseemsublimetotheCountess.Toherlivelyimaginationitwasirresistiblyludicrous.Abrightgleamofamusementilluminedhercharmingcountenance;shebitherliptoconcealit,butitshoneoutofhereyesnevertheless.

Amannevershouldkneelunlesssureofrisingaconqueror.Otherwise,likeVautrot,heexposeshimselftobelaughedat.

"Rise,mygoodVautrot,"theCountesssaid,gravely."Thisbookhasevidentlybewilderedyou.Goandtakesomerestandwewillforgetthis;onlyyoumustneverforgetyourselfagaininthismanner."

Vautrotrose.Hewaslivid.


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"MadamelaComtesse,"hesaid,bitterly,"theloveofagreatheartnevercanbeanoffence.Mineatleastwouldhavebeensincere;minewouldhavebeenfaithful:minewouldnothavebeenaninfamoussnare!"

Theemphasisofthesewordsdisplayedsoevidentanintention,thecountenanceoftheyoungwomanchangedimmediately.Shemoveduneasilyonherfauteuil.

"Whatdoyoumean,MonsieurVautrot?"

"Nothing,Madame,whichyoudonotknow,Ithink,"hereplied,meaningly.

Sherose.

"Youshallexplainyourmeaningimmediatelytome,Monsieur!"sheexclaimed;"orlater,tomyhusband."

"Butyoursadness,yourtears,"criedthesecretary,inatoneofadmirablesincerity--"thesemademesureyouwerenotignorantofit!"

"Ofwhat?Youhesitate!Speak,man!"

"Iamnotawretch!Iloveyouandpityyou!--thatisall;"andVautrotsigheddeeply.

"Andwhydoyoupityme?"Shespokehaughtily;andthoughVautrothadneversuspectedthisimperiousnessofmanneroroflanguage,hereflectedhurriedlyonthepointatwhichhehadarrived.Moresurethaneverofsuccess,afteramomenthetookfromhispocketafoldedletter.ItwasonewithwhichhehadprovidedhimselftoconfirmthesuspicionsoftheCountess,nowawakenedforthefirsttime.

Inprofoundsilenceheunfoldedandhandedittoher.Shehesitatedamoment,thenseizedit.Asingleglancerecognizedthewriting,forshehadoftenexchangednoteswiththeMarquisedeCampvallon.

Wordsofthemostburningpassionterminatedthus:

"--AlwaysalittlejealousofMary;halfvexedathavinggivenhertoyou.For--sheisprettyand--butI!Iambeautiful,amInot,mybeloved?--and,aboveall,Iadoreyou!"

AtthefirstwordtheCountessbecamefearfullypale.Finishing,sheutteredadeepgroan;thensherereadtheletterandreturnedittoVautrot,asifunconsciousofwhatshewasdoing.

Forafewsecondssheremainedmotionless--petrified--hereyesfixedonvacancy.Aworldseemedrollingdownandcrushingherheart.

Suddenlysheturned,passedwithrapidstepsintoherboudoir;and

Vautrotheardthesoundofopeningandshuttingdrawers.Amomentaftershereappearedwithbonnetandcloak,andcrossedtheboudoirwiththesamestrongandrapidstep.

Vautrot,greatlyterrified,rushedtostopher.

"Madame!"hecried,throwinghimselfbeforeher.

Shewavedhimasidewithanimperiousgestureofherhand;hetrembledandobeyed,andshelefttheboudoir.Amomentlatershewasinthe


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AvenuedesChampsElysees,goingtowardParis.

Itwasnownearmidnight;cold,dampAprilweather,withtherainfallingingreatdrops.Thefewpedestriansstillonthebroadpavementturnedtofollowwiththeireyesthismajesticyoungwoman,whosegaitseemedhastenedbysomeerrandoflifeordeath.

ButinParisnothingissurprising,forpeoplewitnessallmannerofthingsthere.ThereforethestrangeappearanceofMadamedeCamorsdidnotexciteanyextraordinaryattention.Afewmensmiledandnodded;othersthrewafewwordsofrailleryather--bothwereunheededalike.ShetraversedthePlacedelaConcordewiththesameconvulsivehaste,andpassedtowardthebridge.Arrivingonit,thesoundoftheswollenSeinerushingunderthearchesandagainstthepillars,caughtherear;shestopped,leanedagainsttheparapet,andgazedintotheangrywater;thenbowingherheadsheutteredadeepsigh,andresumedherrapidwalk.

IntheRueVanneaushestoppedbeforeabrilliantlylightedmansion,isolatedfromtheadjoininghousesbyagardenwall.ItwasthedwellingoftheMarquisedeCampvallon:Arrivedthere,theunfortunatechildknewnotwhattodo,norevenwhyshehadcome.Shehadsomevaguedesignofassuringherselfpalpablyofhermisfortune;totouchitwithherfinger;orperhapstofindsomereason,somepretexttodoubtit.

Shedroppeddownonastonebenchagainstthegardenwall,andhidherfaceinbothherhands,vainlystrivingtothink.Itwaspastmidnight.Thestreetsweredeserted:ashowerofrainwasfallingoverParis,andshewaschilledtonumbness.

Asergent-de-villepassed,envelopedinhiscape.Heturnedandstaredattheyoungwoman;thentookherroughlybythearm.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"hesaid,brutally.

Shelookedupathimwithwonderingeyes.

"Idonotknowmyself,"sheanswered.

Themanlookedmorecloselyather,discoveredthroughallherconfusionanamelessrefinementandthesubtleperfumeofpurity.Hetookpityonher.

"But,Madame,youcannotstayhere,"herejoinedinasoftervoice.

"No?"

"Youmusthavesomegreatsorrow?"

"Verygreat."

"Whatisyourname?"

"TheComtessedeCamors,"shesaid,simply.

Themanlookedbewildered.

"Willyoutellmewhereyoulive,Madame?"

Shegavetheaddresswithperfectsimplicityandperfectindifference.Sheseemedtobethinkingnothingofwhatshewassaying.Themantooka


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fewsteps,thenstoppedandlistenedtothesoundofwheelsapproaching.Thecarriagewasempty.Hestoppedit,openedthedoor,andrequestedtheCountesstogetin.Shedidsoquietly,andheplacedhimselfbesidethedriver.

TheComtedeCamorshadjustreachedhishouseandheardwithsurprise,fromthelipsofhiswife'smaid,thedetailsoftheCountess'smysteriousdisappearance,whenthebellrangviolently.

Herushedoutandmethiswifeonthestairs.Shehadsomewhatrecoveredhercalmnessontheroad,andasheinterrogatedherwithasearchingglance,shemadeaghastlyefforttosmile.

"Iwasslightlyillandwentoutalittle,"shesaid."Idonotknowthestreetsandlostmyway."

Notwithstandingtheimprobabilityoftheexplanation,hedidnothesitate.Hemurmuredafewsoftwordsofreproachandplacedherinthehandsofhermaid,whoremovedherwetgarments.

Duringthattimehecalledthesergent-de-ville,whoremainedinthevestibule,andcloselyinterrogatedhim.OnlearninginwhatstreetandwhatprecisespothehadfoundtheCountess,herhusbandknewatonceandfullythewholetruth.

Hewentdirectlytohiswife.Shehadretiredandwastremblingineverylimb.Oneofherhandswasrestingoutsidethecoverlet.Herushedtotakeit,butshewithdrewitgently,withsadandresolutedignity.

Thesimplegesturetoldhimtheywereseparatedforever.

Byatacitagreement,arrangedbyherandastacitlyacceptedbyhim,MadamedeCamorsbecamevirtuallyawidow.

Heremainedforsomesecondsimmovable,hisexpressionlostintheshadowofthebed-hangings;thenwalkedslowlyacrossthechamber.Theideaoflyingtodefendhimselfneveroccurredtohim.

Hislineofconductwasalreadyarranged--calmly,methodically.Buttwobluecircleshadsunkaroundhiseyes,andhisfaceworeawaxenpallor.Hishands,joinedbehindhisback,wereclenched;andtheringheworesparkledwiththeirtremulousmovement.Atintervalsheseemedtoceasebreathing,ashelistenedtothechatteringteethofhisyoungwife.

Afterhalfanhourheapproachedthebed.

"Marie!"hesaidinalowvoice.Sheturneduponhimhereyesgleamingwithfever.

"Marie,Iamignorantofwhatyouknow,andIshallnotask,"he

continued."Ihavebeenverycriminaltowardyou,butperhapslesssothanyouthink.Terriblecircumstancesboundmewithironbands.Fateruledme!ButIseeknopalliation.Judgemeasseverelyasyouwish;butIbegofyoutocalmyourself--preserveyourself!Youspoketomethismorningofyourpresentiments--ofyourmaternalhopes.Attachyourselftothosethoughts,andyouwillalwaysbemistressofyourlife.Asformyself,Ishallbewhateveryouwill--astrangerorafriend.ButnowIfeelthatmypresencemakesyouill.Iwouldleaveyouforthepresent,butnotalone.DoyouwishMadameJauberttocometoyoutonight?"


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"Yes!"shemurmured,faintly.

"Ishallgoforher;butitisnotnecessarytotellyouthatthereareconfidencesonemustreserveevenfromone'sdearestfriends."

"Exceptamother?"Shemurmuredthequestionwithasupplicatingagonyverypainfultosee.

Hegrewstillpaler.Afteraninstant,"Exceptamother!"hesaid."Beitso!"

Sheturnedherfaceandburieditinthepillow.

"Yourmotherarrivesto-morrow,doesshenot?"Shemadeanaffirmativemotionofherhead."Youcanmakeyourarrangementswithher.Ishallaccepteverything."

"Thankyou,"shereplied,feebly.

HelefttheroomandwenttofindMadameJaubert,whomheawakened,andbrieflytoldherthathiswifehadbeenseizedwithaseverenervousattack--theeffectofachill.Theamiablelittlewomanranhastilytoherfriendandspentthenightwithher.

ButshewasnotthedupeoftheexplanationCamorshadgivenher.Womenquicklyunderstandoneanotherintheirgrief.Neverthelesssheaskednoconfidencesandreceivednone;buthertendernesstoherfriendredoubled.Duringthesilenceofthatterriblenight,theonlyserviceshecouldrenderherwastomakeherweep.

NordidthoselaggardhourspasslessbitterlyforM.deCamors.Hetriedtotakenorest,butwalkedupanddownhisapartmentuntildaylightinasortoffrenzy.Thedistressofthispoorchildwoundedhimtotheheart.Thesouvenirsofthepastrosebeforehimandpassedinsadprocession.Thenthemorrowwouldshowhimthecrusheddaughterwithhermother--andsuchamother!Mortallystrickeninallherbest

illusions,inallherdearestbeliefs,inallconnectedwiththehappinessoflife!

Hefoundthathestillhadinhisheartlivelyfeelingsofpity;stillsomeremorseinhisconscience.

Thisweaknessirritatedhim,andhedenouncedittohimself.Whohadbetrayedhim?Thisquestionagitatedhimtoanequaldegree;butfromthefirstinstanthehadnotbeendeceivedinthismatter.

Thesuddengriefandhalf-crazedconvictionofhiswife,herdespairingattitudeandhersilence,couldonlybeexplainedbystrongassuranceandcertainrevelation.Afterturningthematteroverandoverinhisown

mind,hearrivedattheconclusionthatnothingcouldhavethrownsuchclearlightintohislifesavethelettersofMadamedeCampvallon.

HeneverwrotetheMarquise,butcouldnotpreventherwritingtohim;fortoher,astoallwomen,lovewithoutletterswasincomplete.

ButthefaultoftheCount--inexcusableinamanofhistact--wasinpreservingtheseletters.Noone,however,isperfect,andhewasanartist.Hedelightedinthesethe'chefs-d'oeuvre'ofpassionateeloquence,wasproudofinspiringthem,andcouldnotmakeuphismindto


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burnordestroythem.Heexaminedatoncethesecretdrawerwherehehadconcealedthemand,bycertainsigns,discoveredthelockhadbeentamperedwith.Neverthelessnoletterwasmissing;thearrangementofthemalonehadbeendisturbed.

HissuspicionsatoncerevertedtoVautrot,whosescrupleshesuspectedwereslight;andinthemorningtheywereconfirmedbeyonddoubtbyaletterfromthesecretary.InfactVautrot,afterpassingonhispartamostwretchednight,didnotfeelhisnervesequalinthemorningtomeetingthereceptiontheCountpossiblyhadinwaitingforhim.Hisletterwasskilfullypennedtoputsuspiciontosleepifithadnotbeenfullyroused,andiftheCountesshadnotbetrayedhim.

ItannouncedhisacceptanceofalucrativesituationsuddenlyofferedhiminacommercialhouseinLondon.Hewasobligedtodecideatonce,andtosailthatsamemorningforfearoflosinganopportunitywhichcouldnotoccuragain.Itconcludedwithexpressionsoftheliveliestgratitudeandregret.

Camorscouldnotreachhissecretarytostranglehim;soheresolvedtopayhim.Henotonlysenthimallarrearsofsalary,butalargesuminadditionasatestimonialofhissympathyandgoodwishes.

This,however,wasasimpleprecaution;fortheCountapprehendednothing

morefromthevenomousreptilesofarbeneathhim,afterhehadonceshakenitoff.Seeinghimdeprivedoftheonlyweaponhecoulduseagainsthim,hefeltsafe.Besides,hehadlosttheonlyinteresthecoulddesiretosubserve,forheknewM.VautrothaddonehimthecomplimentofcourtinghisWife.

Andhereallyesteemedhimalittlelesslow,afterdiscoveringthisgentlemanlytaste!

CHAPTERXVIII

ONEGLEAMOFHOPE

ItrequiredonthepartofM.deCamors,thismorning,anexertionofallhiscouragetoperformhisdutyasagentlemaningoingtoreceiveMadamedeTecleatthestation.Butcouragehadbeenforsometimepasthissoleremainingvirtue;andthisatleasthesoughtnevertolose.Hereceived,then,mostgracefullyhismother-in-law,robedinhermourningattire.Shewassurprisedatnotseeingherdaughterwithhim.Heinformedherthatshehadbeenalittleindisposedsincetheprecedingevening.Notwithstandingtheprecautionshetookinhislanguageandbyhissmile,hecouldnotpreventMadamedeTeclefromfeelingalivelyalarm.

Hedidnotpretend,however,entirelytoreassureher.Underhisreservedandmeasuredreplies,shefeltthepresentimentofsomedisaster.Afterfirstpressinghimwithmanyquestions,shekeptsilentduringtherestofthedrive.

TheyoungCountess,tosparehermotherthefirstshock,hadquittedherbed;andthepoorchildhadevenputalittlerougeonherpalecheeks.M.deCamorshimselfopenedforMadamedeTeclethedoorofherdaughter'schamber,andthenwithdrew.


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Theyoungwomanraisedherselfwithdifficultyfromhercouch,andhermothertookherinherarms.

Allthatpassedbetweenthematfirstwasasilentinterchangeofmutualcaresses.Thenthemotherseatedherselfnearherdaughter,drewherheadonherbosom,andlookedintothedepthsofhereyes.

"Whatisthematter?"shesaid,sadly.

"Oh,nothing--nothinghopeless!onlyyoumustloveyourlittleMarymorethanever.Willyounot?"

"Yes;butwhy?"

"Imustnotworryyou;andImustnotwrongmyselfeither--youknowwhy!"

"Yes;butIimploreyou,mydarling,totellme."

"Verywell;Iwilltellyoueverything;but,mother,youmustbebraveasIam."

Sheburiedherheadlowerstillonhermother'sbreast,andrecountedtoher,inalowvoice,withoutlookinguponce,theterriblerevelation

whichhadbeenmadetoher,andwhichherhusband'savowalhadconfirmed.

MadamedeTecledidnotonceinterruptherduringthiscruelrecital.Sheonlyimprintedakissonherhairfromtimetotime.TheyoungCountess,whodidnotdaretoraisehereyestoher,asifshewereashamedofanother'scrime,mighthaveimaginedthatshehadexaggeratedthegravityofhermisfortune,sincehermotherhadreceivedtheconfidencewithsomuchcalmness.ButthecalmnessofMadamedeTecleatthisterriblemomentwasthatofthemartyrs;forallthatcouldhavebeensufferedbytheChristiansundertheclawsofthetiger,orontherackofthetorturer,thismotherwassufferingatthehandsofherbest-beloveddaughter.Herbeautifulpaleface--herlargeeyesupturnedtoheaven,likethosethatartistsgivetothepurevictimskneelinginthe

Romancircus--seemedtoaskGodwhetherHereallyhadanyconsolationforsuchtorture.

Whenshehadheardall,shesummonedstrengthtosmileatherdaughter,whoatlastlookeduptoherwithanexpressionoftimiduncertainty--embracinghermoretightlystill.

"Well,mydarling,"saidshe,atlast,"itisagreataffliction,itistrue.Youareright,notwithstanding;thereisnothingtodespairof."

"Doyoureallybelieveso?"

"Certainly.Thereissomeinconceivablemysteryunderallthis;butbe

assuredthattheevilisnotsoterribleasitappears."

"Mypoormother!buthehasacknowledgedit?"

"Iambetterpleasedthathehasacknowledgedit.Thatproveshehasyetsomepride,andthatsomegoodisleftinhissoul.Then,too,hefeelsverymuchafflicted--hesuffersasmuchaswe.Thinkofthat.Letusthinkofthefuture,mydarling."

Theyclaspedeachother'shands,andsmiledateachothertorestrainthe


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tearswhichfilledtheeyesofboth.Afterafewminutes--"Iwishmuch,mychild,"saidMadamedeTecle,"toreposeforhalfanhour;andthenalsoIwishtoarrangemytoilet."

"Iwillconductyoutoyourchamber.Oh,Icanwalk!Ifeelagreatdealbetter."

MadamedeCamorstookhermother'sarmandconductedherasfarasthedoorofthechamberpreparedforher.Onthethresholdshelefther.

"Besensible,"saidMadamedeTecle,turningandgivingheranothersmile.

"Andyoualso,"saidtheyoungwoman,whosevoicefailedher.

MadamedeTecle,assoonasthedoorwasclosed,raisedherclaspedhandstowardheaven;then,fallingonherkneesbeforethebed,sheburiedherheadinit,andweptdespairingly.

ThelibraryofM.deCamorswascontiguoustothischamber.Hehadbeenwalkingwithlongstridesupanddownthiscorridor,expectingeverymomenttoseeMadamedeTecleenter.Asthetimepassed,hesathimselfdownandtriedtoread,buthisthoughtswandered.Hiseareagerlycaught,againsthiswill,theslightestsoundsinthehouse.Ifafoot

seemedapproachinghim,herosesuddenlyandtriedtocomposehiscountenance.Whenthedooroftheneighboringchamberwasopened,hisagonywasredoubled.Hedistinguishedthewhisperingofthetwovoices;then,aninstantafter,thedullfallofMadamedeTecleuponthecarpet;thenherdespairingsobs.M.deCamorsthrewfromhimviolentlythebookwhichhewasforcinghimselftoread,and,placinghiselbowsonthebureauwhichwasbeforehim,held,foralongtime,hispalebrowtightenedinhiscontractedhands.Whenthesoundofsobsabatedlittlebylittle,andthenceased,hebreathedfreer.Aboutmiddayhereceivedthisnote:

"Ifyouwillpermitmetotakemydaughtertothecountryforafewdays,Ishallbegratefultoyou.

"ELISEDETECLE."

Hereturnedimmediatelythissimplereply:

"YoucandonothingofwhichIdonotapproveto-dayandalways.CAMORS."

MadamedeTecle,infact,havingconsultedtheinclinationandthestrengthofherdaughter,haddeterminedtoremoveherwithoutdelay,ifpossible,fromtheimpressionsofthespotwhereshehadsufferedsoseverelyfromthepresenceofherhusband,andfromtheunfortunate

embarrassmentoftheirsituation.Shedesiredalsotomeditateinsolitude,inordertodecidewhatcoursetotakeundersuchunexampledcircumstances.Finally,shehadnotthecouragetoseeM.deCamorsagain--ifsheevercouldseehimagain--untilsometimehadelapsed.ItwasnotwithoutanxietythatsheawaitedthereplyoftheCounttotherequestshehadaddressedhim.

Inthemidstofthetroubledconfusionofherideas,shebelievedhimcapableofalmostanything;andshefearedeverythingfromhim.TheCount'snotereassuredher.Shehastenedtoreadittoherdaughter;


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andbothofthem,liketwopoorlostcreatureswhoclingtothesmallesttwig,remarkedwithpleasurethetoneofrespectfulabandonmentwithwhichhehadreposedtheirdestiniesintheirownhands.HespenthiswholedayatthesessionoftheCorpsLegislatif;andwhenhereturned,theyhaddeparted.

MadamedeCamorswokeupthenextmorninginthechamberwherehergirlhoodhadpassed.Thebirdsofspringweresingingunderherwindowsintheoldancestralgardens.Assherecognizedthesefriendlyvoices,sofamiliartoherinfancy,herheartmelted;butseveralhours'sleephadrestoredtoherhernaturalcourage.Shebanishedthethoughtswhichhadweakenedher,rose,andwenttosurprisehermotheratherfirstwaking.Soonafter,bothofthemwerewalkingtogetherontheterraceoflime-trees.ItwasneartheendofApril;theyoung,scentedverdurespreaditselfoutbeneaththesunbeams;buzzingfliesalreadyswarmedinthehalf-openedroses,inthebluepyramidsoflilacs,andintheclustersofpinkclover.Afterafewturnsmadeinsilenceinthemidstofthisfreshandenchantingscene,theyoungCountess,seeinghermotherabsorbedinreverie,tookherhand.

"Mother,"shesaid,"donotbesad.Hereweareasformerly--bothofusinourlittlenook.Weshallbehappy."

Themotherlookedather,tookherheadandkissedherferventlyonthe

forehead.

"Youareanangel!"shesaid.

Itmustbeconfessedthattheiruncle,DesRameures,notwithstandingthetenderaffectionheshowedthem,wasratherintheway.HeneverhadlikedCamors;hehadacceptedhimasanephewashehadacceptedhimforadeputy--withmoreofresignationthanenthusiasm.Hisantipathywasonlytoowelljustifiedbytheevent;butitwasnecessarytokeephiminignoranceofit.Hewasanexcellentman;butroughandblunt.TheconductofCamors,ifhehadbutsuspectedit,wouldsurelyhaveurgedhimtosomeirreparablequarrel.ThereforeMadamedeTecleandherdaughter,inhispresence,werecompelledtomakeonlyhalfutterances,

andmaintaingreatreserve--asmuchasifhehadbeenastranger.ThispainfulrestraintwouldhavebecomeinsupportablehadnottheyoungCountess'shealth,daybyday,assumedalessdoubtfulcharacter,andfurnishedthemwithexcusesfortheirpreoccupation,theirdisquiet,andtheirretiredlife.

MadamedeTecle,whoreproachedherselfwiththemisfortunesofherdaughter,asherownwork,andwhocondemnedherselfwithanunspeakablebitterness,didnotceasetosearch,inthemidstofthoseruinsofthepastandofthepresent,somereparation,somerefugeforthefuture.Thefirstideawhichpresenteditselftoherimaginationhadbeentoseparateabsolutely,andatanycost,theCountessfromherhusband.UnderthefirstshockoffrightwhichtheduplicityofCamorshad

inflicteduponher,shecouldnotdwellwithouthorroronthethoughtofreplacingherchildatthesideofsuchaman.Butthisseparation-supposingtheycouldobtainit,throughtheconsentofM.deCamors,ortheauthorityofthelaw--wouldgivetothepublicasecretscandal,andmightentailredoubledcatastrophes.Wereitnotfortheseconsequencesshewould,atleast,havedugbetweenMadamedeCamorsandherhusbandaneternalabyss.MadamedeTecledidnotdesirethis.ByforceofreflectionshehadfinallyseenthroughthecharacterofM.deCamorsinoneday--notprobablymorefavorably,butmoretruly.MadamedeTecle,althoughastrangertoallwickedness,knewtheworldandknewlife,and


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herpenetratingintelligencedivinedyetmorethansheknewcertainly.ShethenverynearlyunderstoodwhatspeciesofmoralmonsterM.deCamorswas.Suchassheunderstoodhim,shehopedsomethingfromhimstill.However,theconditionoftheCountessofferedhersomeconsolationinthefuture,whichsheoughtnottoriskdeprivingherselfof;andGodmightpermitthatthispledgeofthisunfortunateunionmightsomedayreunitetheseveredties.

MadamedeTecle,incommunicatingherreflections,herhopes,andherfearstoherdaughter,added:"Mypoorchild,Ihavealmostlosttherighttogiveyoucounsel;butItellyou,wereitmyselfIshouldactthus."

"Verywell,mother,Ishalldoso,"repliedtheyoungwoman.

"Reflectwellonitfirst,forthesituationwhichyouareabouttoacceptwillhavemuchbitternessinit;butwehaveonlyachoiceofevils."

Atthecloseofthisconversation,andeightdaysaftertheirarrivalinthecountry,MadamedeTeclewroteM.deCamorsaletter,whichshereadtoherdaughter,whoapprovedit.

"Iunderstoodyoutosay,thatyouwouldrestoretoyourwifeher

libertyifshewishedtoresumeit.Sheneitherwishes,norcouldsheacceptit.Herfirstdutyistothechildwhichwillbearyourname.Itdoesnotdependonhertokeepthisnamestainless.Shepraysyou,then,toreserveforheraplaceinyourhouse.Youneednotfearanytroubleoranyreproachfromher.SheandIknowhowtosufferinsilence.Nevertheless,Isupplicateyoutobetruetoher--tospareher.Willyouleaveheryetafewdaysinpeace,thenrecall,orcomeforher?"

ThislettertouchedM.deCamorsdeeply.Impassiveashewas,itcaneasilybeimaginedthatafterthedepartureofhiswifehehadnotenjoyedperfecteaseofmind.Uncertaintyistheworstofallevils,becauseeverythingmaybeapprehended.Deprivedentirelyofallnewsfor

eightdays,therewasnopossiblecatastrophehedidnotfancyfloatingoverhishead.HehadthehaughtycouragetoconcealfromMadamedeCampvallontheeventthathadoccurredinhishouse,andtoleaveherundisturbedwhilehehimselfwassleeplessformanynights.Itwasbysucheffortsofenergyandofindomitablepridethatthisstrangemanpreservedwithinhisownconsciousnessaproudself-esteem.TheletterofMadamedeTeclecametohimlikeadeliverance.Hesentthefollowingbriefreply:

"Iacceptyourdecisionwithgratitudeandrespect.Theresolutionofyourdaughterisgenerous.Ihaveyetenoughofgenerosityleftmyselftocomprehendthis.Iamforever,whetheryouwishitornot,herfriendandyours.

"CAMORS."

Aweeklater,havingtakentheprecautionofannouncinghisintention,hearrivedoneeveningatMadamedeTecle's.

Hisyoungwifekeptherchamber.Theyhadtakencaretohavenowitnesses,buttheirmeetingwaslesspainfulandlessembarrassingthantheyapprehended.


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MadamedeTecleandherdaughterfoundinhiscourteousreplyagleamofnoblenesswhichinspiredthemwithashadowofconfidence.Aboveall,theywereproud,andmoreaversetonoisyscenesthanwomenusuallyare.Theyreceivedhimcoldly,then,butcalmly.Onhispart,hedisplayedtowardtheminhislooksandlanguageasubduedseriousnessandsadness,whichdidnotlackeitherdignityorgrace.

TheconversationhavingdweltforsometimeonthehealthoftheCountess,turnedoncurrentnews,onlocalincidents,andtook,littlebylittle,aneasyandordinarytone.M.deCamors,underthepretextofslightfatigue,retiredashehadentered--salutingboththeladies,butwithoutattemptingtotaketheirhands.Thuswasinaugurated,betweenMadamedeCamorsandherhusband,thenew,singularrelationwhichshouldhereafterbetheonlytieintheircommonlife.

Theworldmighteasilybesilenced,becauseM.deCamorsneverhadbeenverydemonstrativeinpublictowardhiswife,andhiscourteousbutreservedmannertowardherdidnotvaryfromhishabitualdemeanor.HeremainedtwodaysatReuilly.

MadamedeTeclevainlywaitedforthesetwodaysforaslightexplanation,whichshedidnotwishtodemand,butwhichshehopedfor.

WhatweretheterriblecircumstanceswhichhadoverruledthewillofM.

deCamors,tothepointofmakinghimforgetthemostsacredsentiments?Whenherthoughtsplungedintothisdreadmystery,theyneverapproachedthetruth.M.deCamorsmighthavecommittedthisbaseactionunderthemenaceofsomegreatdangertosavethefortune,thehonor,probablythelifeofMadamedeCampvallon.This,thoughapoorexcuseinthemother'seyes,stillwasanextenuation.Probablyalsohehadinhisheart,whilemarryingherdaughter,theresolutiontobreakoffthisfatalliaison,whichhehadagainresumedagainsthiswill,asoftenhappens.OnallthesepainfulpointsshedweltafterthedepartureofM.deCamors,asshehadprevioustohisarrival;confinedtoherownconjectures,whenshesuggestedtoherdaughterthemostconsolatoryappearances.ItwasagreeduponthatMadamedeCamorsshouldremaininthecountryuntilherhealthwasreestablished:onlyherhusbandexpressedthedesirethatshe

shouldresideordinarilyonhisestateatReuilly,thechateauonwhichhadrecentlybeenrestoredwiththegreatesttaste.

MadamedeTeclefelttheproprietyofthisarrangement.SheherselfabandonedtheoldhabitationoftheComtedeTecle,toinstallherselfnearherdaughterinthemodestchateauwhichbelongedtothematernalancestorsofM.deCamors,andwhichwehavealreadydescribedinanotherplace,withitssolemnavenue,itsbalustradesofgranite,itslabyrinthsofhornbeamsandtheblackfishpond,shadedwithpoplars.

Bothdweltthereinthemidstoftheirsweetestandmostpleasantsouvenirs;forthislittlechateau,solongdeserted--theneglectedwoodswhichsurroundeditthemelancholypieceofwater--thesolitarynymphall

thishadbeentheirparticulardomain,thefavoriteframeworkoftheirreveries,thelegendoftheirinfancy,thepoetryoftheiryouth.Itwasdoubtlessagreatgrieftorevisitagain,withtearfuleyesandwoundedheartsandheadsbowedbythestormsoflife,thefamiliarpathswheretheyonceknewhappinessandpeace.But,nevertheless,allthesedearconfidantsofpastjoys,ofblastedhopes,ofvanisheddreams--iftheyaremournfulwitnessestheyarealsofriends.Welovethem;andtheyseemtoloveus.Thusthesetwopoorwomen,strayingamidthesewoods,thesewaters,thesesolitudes,bearingwiththemtheirincurablewounds,fanciedtheyheardvoiceswhichpitiedthemandbreathedahealing


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sympathy.ThemostcrueltrialreservedtoMadamedeCamorsinthelifewhichshehadthecourageandjudgmenttoadopt,wasassuredlythedutyofagainseeingtheMarquisedeCampvallon,andpreservingwithhersuchrelationsasmightblindtheeyesoftheGeneralandoftheworld.

Sheresignedherselfeventothis;butshedesiredtodeferaslongaspossiblethepainofsuchameeting.Herhealthsuppliedherwithanaturalexcusefornotgoing,duringthatsummer,toCampvallon,andalsoforkeepingherselfconfinedtoherownroomthedaytheMarquisevisitedReuilly,accompaniedbytheGeneral.

MadamedeTeclereceivedherwithherusualkindness.MadamedeCampvallon,whomM.deCamorshadalreadywarned,didnottroubleherselfmuch;forthebestwomen,liketheworst,excelincomedy,andeverythingpassedoffwithouttheGeneralhavingconceivedtheshadowofasuspicion.

Thefineseasonhadpassed.M.deCamorshadvisitedthecountryseveraltimes,strengtheningateveryinterviewthenewtoneofhisrelationswithhiswife.HeremainedatReuilly,aswashiscustom,duringthemonthofAugust;andunderthepretextofthehealthoftheCountess,didnotmultiplyhisvisitsthatyeartoCampvallon.OnhisreturntoParis,heresumedhisoldhabits,andalsohiscarelessegotism,forherecoveredlittlebylittlefromtheblowhehadreceived.Hebeganto

forgethissufferingsandthoseofhiswife;andeventofelicitatehimselfsecretlyontheturnthatchancehadgiventohersituation.Hehadobtainedtheadvantageandhadnolongeranyannoyance.Hiswifehadbeenenlightened,andhenolongerdeceivedher--whichwasacomfortablethingforhim.Asforher,shewouldsoonbeamother,shewouldhaveaplaything,aconsolation;andhedesignedredoublinghisattentionsandregardstoher.

Shewouldbehappy,ornearlyso;asmuchsoastwothirdsofthewomenintheworld.

Everythingwasforthebest.Hegaveanewthereinstohiscarandlaunchedhimselfafreshonhisbrilliantcareer-proudofhisroyal

mistress,andforeseeinginthedistance,tocrownhislife,thetriumphsofambitionandpower.Pleadingvariousdoubtfulengagements,hewenttoReuillyonlyonceduringtheautumn;buthewrotefrequently,andMadamedeTeclesenthiminreturnbriefaccountsofhiswife'shealth.

OnemorningtowardthecloseofNovember,hereceivedadespatchwhichmadehimunderstand,intelegraphicstyle,thathispresencewasimmediatelyrequiredatReuilly,ifhewishedtobepresentatthebirthofhisson.

WheneversocialdutiesorcourtesywererequiredofM.deCamors,heneverhesitated.Seeinghehadnotamomenttospareifhewishedtocatchthetrainwhichleftthatmorning,hejumpedintoacabanddrove

tothestation.Hisservantwouldjoinhimthenextmorning.

ThestationatReuillywasseveralmilesdistantfromthehouse.Intheconfusionnoarrangementhadbeenmadetoreceivehimonhisarrival,andhewasobligedtocontenthimselfwithmakingtheintermediatejourneyinaheavycountry-wagon.Thebadconditionoftheroadswasanewobstacle,anditwasthreeo'clockinthemorningwhentheCount,impatientandtravel-worn,jumpedoutofthelittlecartbeforetherailingsofhisavenue.Hestrodetowardthehouseunderthedarkandsilentdomeofthetuftedelms.Hewasinthemiddleofthe


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avenuewhenasharpcryrenttheair.Hisheartboundedinhisbreast:hesuddenlystoppedandlistenedattentively.Thecryechoedthroughthestillnessofthenight.Onewouldhavedeemeditthedespairingshriekofahumanbeingundertheknifeofamurderer.

Thesedoloroussoundsgraduallyceasing,hecontinuedhiswalkwithgreaterhaste,andonlyheardthehollowandmuffledsoundofhisownbeatingheart.Atthemomenthesawthelightsofthechateau,anotheragonizedcry,moreshrillandalarmingthanthefirst,arose.

ThistimeCamorsstopped.Notwithstandingthatthenaturalexplanationoftheseagonizedcriespresenteditselftohismind,hewastroubled.

Itisnotunusualthatmenlikehim,accustomedtoapurelyartificiallife,feelastrangesurprisewhenoneofthesimplestlawsofnaturepresentsitselfallatoncebeforethemwithaviolenceasimperiousandirresistibleasadivinelaw.Camorssoonreachedthehouse,andreceivingsomeinformationfromtheservants,notifiedMadamedeTecleofhisarrival.MadamedeTecleimmediatelydescendedfromherdaughter'sroom.Onseeingherconvulsedfeaturesandstreamingeyes,"Areyoualarmed?"Camorsasked,quickly.

"Alarmed?No,"shereplied;"butshesuffersmuch,anditisverylong."

"CanIseeher?"

Therewasamoment'ssilence.

MadamedeTecle,whoseforeheadwascontracted,loweredhereyes,thenraisedthem."Ifyouinsistonit,"shesaid.

"Iinsistonnothing!Ifyoubelievemypresencewoulddoherharm--"ThevoiceofCamorswasnotassteadyasusual.

"Iamafraid,"repliedMadamedeTecle,"thatitwouldagitatehergreatly;andifyouwillhaveconfidenceinme,Ishallbemuchobligedtoyou."

"Butatleast,"saidCamors,"shemightprobablybegladtoknowthatIhavecome,andthatIamhere--thatIhavenotabandonedher."

"Ishalltellher."

"Itiswell."HesalutedMadamedeTeclewithaslightmovementofhishead,andturnedawayimmediately.

Heenteredthegardenatthebackofthehouse,andwalkedabstractedlyfromalleytoalley.WeknowthatgenerallytheroleofmeninthesituationinwhichM.deCamorsatthismomentwasplacedisnotveryeasyorveryglorious;butthecommonannoyanceofthispositionwas

particularlyaggravatedtohimbypainfulreflections.Notonlywashisassistancenotneeded,butitwasrepelled;notonlywashefarfromasupportonthecontrary,hewasbutanadditionaldangerandsorrow.Inthisthoughtwasabitternesswhichhekeenlyfelt.Hisnativegenerosity,hishumanity,shudderedasheheardtheterriblecriesandaccentsofdistresswhichsucceededeachotherwithoutintermission.Hepassedsomeheavyhoursinthedampgardenthiscoldnight,andthechillymorningwhichsucceededit.MadamedeTeclecamefrequentlytogivehimthenews.Neareighto'clockhesawherapproachhimwithagraveandtranquilair.


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"Monsieur,"shesaid,"itisaboy."

"Ithankyou.Howisshe?"

"Well.Ishallrequestyoutogoandseehershortly."

Halfanhourlatershereappearedonthethresholdofthevestibule,andcalled:

"MonsieurdeCamors!"andwhenheapproachedher,sheadded,withanemotionwhichmadeherlipstremble:

"Shehasbeenuneasyforsometimepast.Sheisafraidthatyouhavekepttermswithherinordertotakethechild.Ifeveryouhavesuchathought--notnow,Monsieur.Haveyou?"

"Youaresevere,Madame,"herepliedinahoarsevoice.

Shebreathedasigh.

"Come!"shesaid,andledthewayupstairs.Sheopenedthedoorofthechamberandpermittedhimtoenteritalone.

Hisfirstglancecaughttheeyesofhisyoungwifefixeduponhim.Shewashalfsittingupinbed,supportedbypillows,andwhiterthanthecurtainswhoseshadowenvelopedher.Sheheldclaspedtoherbreasthersleepinginfant,whichwasalreadycovered,likeitsmother,withlaceandpinkribbons.Fromthedepthsofthisnestshefixedonherhusbandherlargeeyes,sparklingwithakindofsavagelight--anexpressioninwhichthesentimentoftriumphwasblendedwithoneofprofoundterror.Hestoppedwithinafewfeetofthebed,andsalutedherwithhismostwinningsmile.

"Ihavepitiedyouverymuch,Marie,"hesaid.

"Ithankyou!"shereplied,inavoiceasfeebleasasigh.

Shecontinuedtoregardhimwiththesamesuppliantandaffrightedair.

"Areyoualittlehappiernow?"hecontinued.

Theglitteringeyeoftheyoungwomanwasfastenedonthecalmfaceofherinfant.ThenturningtowardCamors:

"Youwillnottakehimfromme?"

"Never!"hereplied.

Ashepronouncedthesewordshiseyesweresuddenlydimmed,andhewas

astonishedhimselftofeelateartricklingdownhischeek.Heexperiencedasingularfeeling,hebentover,seizedthefoldsofthesheet,raisedthemtohislips,roseimmediatelyandlefttheroom.

Inthisterriblestruggle,toooftenvictoriousagainstnatureandtruth,themanwasforoncevanquished.Butitwouldbeidletoimaginethatacharacterofthistemperamentandofthisobduracycouldtransformitself,orcouldbemateriallymodifiedunderthestrokeofafewtransitoryemotions,orofafewnervousshocks.M.deCamorsralliedquicklyfromhisweakness,ifevenhedidnotrepentit.Hespenteight


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daysatReuilly,remarkinginthecountenanceofMadamedeTecleandinhermannertowardhim,moreeasethanformerly.

OnhisreturntoParis,withthoughtfulcarehemadesomechangesintheinteriorarrangementofhismansion.ThiswastopreparefortheCountessandherson,whoweretojoinhimafewweekslater,largerandmorecomfortableapartments,inwhichtheyweretobeinstalled.

CHAPTERXIX

THEREPTILETURNSTOSTING

WhenMadamedeCamorscametoParisandenteredthehomeofherhusband,shethereexperiencedthepainfulimpressionsofthepast,andthesombrepreoccupationsofthefuture;butshebroughtwithher,althoughinafragileform,apowerfulconsolation.

Assailedbygrief,andevermenacedbynewemotionshewasobligedtorenouncethenursingofherchild;but,nevertheless,sheneverlefthim,forshewasjealousevenofhisnurse.Sheatleastwishedtobelovedbyhim.Shelovedhimwithaninfinitepassion.Shelovedhimbecause

hewasherownsonandofherblood.Hewasthepriceofhermisfortune--ofherpain.Shelovedhimbecausehewasheronlyhopeofhumanhappinesshereafter.Shelovedhimbecauseshefoundhimasbeautifulastheday.Anditwastruehewasso;forheresembledhisfather--andshelovedhimalsoonthataccount.Shetriedtoconcentrateherheartandallherthoughtsonthisdearcreature,andatfirstshethoughtshehadsucceeded.Shewassurprisedatherself,atherowntranquillity,whenshesawMadamedeCampvallon;forherlivelyimaginationhadexhausted,inadvance,allthesadnesswhichhernewexistencecouldcontain;butwhenshehadlostthekindoftorporintowhichexcessivesufferinghadplungedher--whenhermaternalsensationswerealittlequietedbycustom,herwoman'sheartrecovereditselfinthemother's.Shecouldnotpreventherselffromrenewingherpassionateinterestinhergraceful

thoughterriblehusband.

MadamedeTeclewenttopasstwomonthswithherdaughterinParis,andthenreturnedtothecountry.

MadamedeCamorswrotetoher,inthebeginningofthefollowingspring,aletterwhichgaveheranexactideaofthesentimentsoftheyoungwomanatthetime,andoftheturnherdomesticlifehadtaken.AfteralongandtouchingdetailofthehealthandbeautyofhersonRobert,sheadded:

"Hisfatherisalwaystomewhatyouhaveseenhim.Hesparesmeeverythinghecanspareme,butevidentlythefatalityhehasobeyed

continuesunderthesameform.Notwithstanding,Idonotdespairofthefuture,mybelovedmother.SinceIsawthattearinhiseye,confidencehasenteredmypoorheart.Beassured,myadoredmother,thathewilllovemeoneday,ifitisonlythroughourchild,whomhebeginsquietlytolovewithouthimselfperceivingit.Atfirst,asyouremember,thisinfantwasnomoretohimthanIwas.Whenhesurprisedhimonmyknee,hewouldgivehimacoldkiss,say,'Good-morning,Monsieur,'andwithdraw.Itisjustonemonth--Ihaveforgottenthedate--itwas,'Good-morning,myson--howprettyyouare!'Youseetheprogress;anddoyouknow,finally,whatpassed


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yesterday?IenteredRobert'sroomnoiselessly;thedoorwasopen--whatdidIbehold,mymother!MonsieurdeCamors,withhisheadrestingonthepillowofthecradle,andlaughingatthislittlecreature,whosmiledbackathim!Iassureyou,heblushedandexcusedhimself:'Thedoorwasopen,'hesaid,'andIcamein.'Iassuredhimthathehaddonenothingwrong.

"MonsieurdeCamorsisveryoddsometimes.Heoccasionallypassesthelimitswhichwereagreeduponasnecessary.Heisnotonlypolite,buttakesgreattrouble.Alas!oncethesecourtesieswouldhavefallenuponmyheartlikerosesfromheaven--nowtheyannoymealittle.Lastevening,forexample,Isatdown,asismycustom,atmypianoafterdinner,hereadingajournalatthechimney-corner--hisusualhourforgoingoutpassed.Beholdme,muchsurprised.Ithrewafurtiveglance,betweentwobarsofmusic,athim:hewasnotreading,hewasnotsleeping--hewasdreaming.'IsthereanythingnewintheJournal?'--'No,no;nothingatall.'Anothertwoorthreebarsofmusic,andIenteredmyson'sroom.Hewasinbedandasleep.Idevouredhimwithkissesandreturned--MonsieurdeCamorswasstillthere.Andnow,surpriseaftersurprise:'Haveyouheardfromyourmother?Whatdoesshesay?HaveyouseenMadameJaubert?Haveyoureadthisreview?'Justlikeonewhosoughttoopenaconversation.OnceIwouldwillinglyhavepaidwithmybloodforoneoftheseevenings,andnowheoffers

themtome,whenIknownotwhattodowiththem.NotwithstandingIremembertheadviceofmymother,Idonotwishtodiscouragethesesymptoms.Iadoptafestivemanner.Ilightfourextrawaxlights.Itrytobeamiablewithoutbeingcoquettish;forcoquetryherewouldbeshameful--woulditnot,mydearmother?Finally,wechattedtogether;hesangtwoairstothepiano;Iplayedtwoothers;hepaintedthedesignofalittleRussiancostumeforRoberttowearnextyear;thentalkedpoliticstome.Thisenchantedme.HeexplainedtomehissituationintheChamber.Midnightarrived;Ibecameremarkablysilent;herose:'MayIpressyourhandinfriendship?'--'MonDieu!yes.'--'Good-night,Marie.'--'Goodnight.'Yes,mymother,Ireadyourthoughts.Thereisdangerhere!butyouhaveshownittome;andIbelievealso,Ishould

haveperceiveditbymyself.Donotfear,then.Ishallbehappyathisgoodinclinations,andshallencouragethemtothebestofmypower;butIshallnotbeinhastetoperceiveareturn,onhispart,towardvirtueandmyself.Iseehereinsocietyarrangementswhichrevoltme.InthemidstofmymisfortuneIremainpureandproud;butIshouldfallintothedeepestcontemptofmyselfifIshouldeverpermitmyselftobeaplaythingforMonsieurdeCamors.Amansofallendoesnotraisehimselfinaday.Ifeverhereallyreturnstome,itwillbenecessaryformetohavemuchproof.Ineverhaveceasedtolovehim,andprobablyhedoubtsit:buthewilllearnthatifthissadlovecanbreakmyheartitcanneverabaseit;anditisunnecessarytotellmymotherthatIshallliveanddiecourageouslyinmy

Monsieur De Camors — Volume 3 by Feuillet, Octave, 1821-1890

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Transcript of Monsieur De Camors — Volume 3 by Feuillet, Octave, 1821-1890