Romance of Youth, a — Volume 4 by Coppée, François, 1842-1908

8/14/2019 Romance of Youth, a Volume 4 by Coppe, Franois, 1842-1908

1/36

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofARomanceofYouthbyFrancoisCoppee,v4#48inourseriesTheFrenchImmortalsCrownedbytheFrenchAcademy#4inourseriesbyFrancoisCoppee

Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld,besuretocheckthelawsforyourcountrybeforeredistributingthesefiles!!!!!

Pleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader.Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepinganelectronicpathopenforthenextreaders.

Pleasedonotremovethis.

Thisshouldbethefirstthingseenwhenanyoneopensthebook.Donotchangeoredititwithoutwrittenpermission.Thewordsarecarefullychosentoprovideuserswiththeinformationtheyneedaboutwhattheycanlegallydowiththetexts.

**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**

**EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**

*****TheseEtextsArePreparedByThousandsofVolunteers!*****

InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,andfurtherinformationisincludedbelow,includingfordonations.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541

Title:ARomanceofYouth,v4

Author:FrancoisCoppee

ReleaseDate:April,2003[Etext#3961][Yes,weareaboutoneyearaheadofschedule][Theactualdatethisfilefirstposted=09/16/01]

Edition:10

Language:English

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofARomanceofYouthbyFrancoisCoppee,v4**********Thisfileshouldbenamedim48b10.txtorim48b10.zip**********

CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,im48b11.txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,im48b10a.txt

ThisetextwasproducedbyDavidWidger

ProjectGutenbergEtextsareusuallycreatedfrommultipleeditions,allofwhichareinthePublicDomainintheUnitedStates,unlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Therefore,weusuallydoNOTkeepanyofthesebooksincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.

Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksoneyearinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,leavingtimeforbetterediting.


2/36

Pleasebeencouragedtosenduserrormessagesevenyearsaftertheofficialpublicationdate.

Pleasenoteneitherthislistingnoritscontentsarefinaltilmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.

Mostpeoplestartatoursitesat:http://gutenberg.nethttp://promo.net/pg

ThoseofyouwhowanttodownloadanyEtextbeforeannouncementcansurftothemasfollows,andjustdownloadbydate;thisisalsoagoodwaytogettheminstantlyuponannouncement,astheindexesourcataloguersproduceobviouslytakeawhileafteranannouncementgoesoutintheProjectGutenbergNewsletter.

http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03orftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03

Or/etext02,01,00,99,98,97,96,95,94,93,92,92,91or90

Justsearchbythefirstfivelettersofthefilenameyouwant,asitappearsinourNewsletters.

InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)

Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thetimeittakesus,aratherconservativeestimate,isfiftyhourstogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.This

projectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasefiftynewEtextfilespermonth,or500moreEtextsin2000foratotalof3000+Iftheyreachjust1-2%oftheworld'spopulationthenthetotalshouldreachover300billionEtextsgivenawaybyyear'send.

TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAwayOneTrillionEtextFilesbyDecember31,2001.[10,000x100,000,000=1Trillion]Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonlyabout4%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.

Atourrevisedratesofproduction,wewillreachonlyone-third

ofthatgoalbytheendof2001,orabout4,000Etextsunlesswemanagetogetsomerealfunding.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeencreatedtosecureafutureforProjectGutenbergintothenextmillennium.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

AsofJuly12,2001contributionsareonlybeingsolicitedfrompeoplein:Arkansas,Colorado,Connecticut,Delaware,Florida,Georgia,Hawaii,Idaho,


3/36

Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kansas,Louisiana,Maine,Massachusetts,Minnesota,Missouri,Montana,Nebraska,NewMexico,Nevada,NewJersey,NewYork,NorthCarolina,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,RhodeIsland,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Tennessee,Texas,Utah,Vermont,Virginia,Washington,WestVirginia,Wisconsin,andWyoming.

Wehavefiledinabout45statesnow,butthesearetheonlyonesthathaveresponded.

Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.Pleasefeelfreetoasktocheckthestatusofyourstate.

Inanswertovariousquestionswehavereceivedonthis:

Weareconstantlyworkingonfinishingthepaperworktolegallyrequestdonationsinall50states.Ifyourstateisnotlistedandyouwouldliketoknowifwehaveaddeditsincethelistyouhave,justask.

Whilewecannotsolicitdonationsfrompeopleinstateswherewearenotyetregistered,weknowofnoprohibitionagainstacceptingdonations

fromdonorsinthesestateswhoapproachuswithanoffertodonate.

Internationaldonationsareaccepted,butwedon'tknowANYTHINGabouthowtomakethemtax-deductible,oreveniftheyCANbemadedeductible,anddon'thavethestafftohandleitevenifthereareways.

Alldonationsshouldbemadeto:

ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationPMB1131739UniversityAve.Oxford,MS38655-4109

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541,andhasbeenapprovedasa501(c)(3)organizationbytheUSInternalRevenueService(IRS).Donationsaretax-deductibletothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

Youcangetuptodatedonationinformationat:

http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html

***


4/36

Ifyoucan'treachProjectGutenberg,youcanalwaysemaildirectlyto:

MichaelS.Hart

[email protected]@prairienet.organdarchive.orgifyourmailbouncesfromarchive.org,Iwillstillseeit,ifitbouncesfromprairienet.org,betterresendlateron....

Prof.Hartwillanswerorforwardyourmessage.

Wewouldprefertosendyouinformationbyemail.

***

Examplecommand-lineFTPsession:

ftpftp.ibiblio.orglogin:anonymouspassword:your@logincdpub/docs/books/gutenbergcdetext90throughetext99oretext00throughetext02,etc.

dir[toseefiles]getormget[togetfiles...setbinforzipfiles]GETGUTINDEX.??[togetayear'slistingofbooks,e.g.,GUTINDEX.99]GETGUTINDEX.ALL[togetalistingofALLbooks]

**TheLegalSmallPrint**

(ThreePages)

***START**THESMALLPRINT!**FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS**START***Whyisthis"SmallPrint!"statementhere?Youknow:lawyers.

Theytellusyoumightsueusifthereissomethingwrongwithyourcopyofthisetext,evenifyougotitforfreefromsomeoneotherthanus,andevenifwhat'swrongisnotourfault.So,amongotherthings,this"SmallPrint!"statementdisclaimsmostofourliabilitytoyou.Italsotellsyouhowyoumaydistributecopiesofthisetextifyouwantto.

*BEFORE!*YOUUSEORREADTHISETEXTByusingorreadinganypartofthisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,youindicatethatyouunderstand,agreetoandacceptthis"SmallPrint!"statement.Ifyoudonot,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforthisetextbysendingarequestwithin30daysofreceivingittotheperson

yougotitfrom.Ifyoureceivedthisetextonaphysicalmedium(suchasadisk),youmustreturnitwithyourrequest.

ABOUTPROJECTGUTENBERG-TMETEXTSThisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,likemostPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetexts,isa"publicdomain"workdistributedbyProfessorMichaelS.HartthroughtheProjectGutenbergAssociation(the"Project").Amongotherthings,thismeansthatnooneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightonorforthiswork,sotheProject(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissionand


5/36

withoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,setforthbelow,applyifyouwishtocopyanddistributethisetextunderthe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademark.

Pleasedonotusethe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademarktomarketanycommercialproductswithoutpermission.

Tocreatetheseetexts,theProjectexpendsconsiderableeffortstoidentify,transcribeandproofreadpublicdomainworks.Despitetheseefforts,theProject'setextsandanymediumtheymaybeonmaycontain"Defects".Amongotherthings,Defectsmaytaketheformofincomplete,inaccurateorcorruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorotherintellectualpropertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorotheretextmedium,acomputervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadbyyourequipment.

LIMITEDWARRANTY;DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGESButforthe"RightofReplacementorRefund"describedbelow,[1]MichaelHartandtheFoundation(andanyotherpartyyoumayreceivethisetextfromasaPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext)disclaimsallliabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,and[2]YOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCEORUNDERSTRICTLIABILITY,ORFORBREACHOFWARRANTYORCONTRACT,

INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOINDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEORINCIDENTALDAMAGES,EVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGES.

IfyoudiscoveraDefectinthisetextwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinganexplanatorynotewithinthattimetothepersonyoureceiveditfrom.Ifyoureceiveditonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnitwithyournote,andsuchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouareplacementcopy.Ifyoureceiveditelectronically,suchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouasecondopportunitytoreceiveitelectronically.

THISETEXTISOTHERWISEPROVIDEDTOYOU"AS-IS".NOOTHERWARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,AREMADETOYOUASTOTHEETEXTORANYMEDIUMITMAYBEON,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.

Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofimpliedwarrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofconsequentialdamages,sotheabovedisclaimersandexclusionsmaynotapplytoyou,andyoumayhaveotherlegalrights.

INDEMNITY

YouwillindemnifyandholdMichaelHart,theFoundation,anditstrusteesandagents,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproductionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmtextsharmless,fromallliability,costandexpense,includinglegalfees,thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingthatyoudoorcause:[1]distributionofthisetext,[2]alteration,modification,oradditiontotheetext,or[3]anyDefect.

DISTRIBUTIONUNDER"PROJECTGUTENBERG-tm"


6/36

Youmaydistributecopiesofthisetextelectronically,orbydisk,bookoranyothermediumifyoueitherdeletethis"SmallPrint!"andallotherreferencestoProjectGutenberg,or:

[1]Onlygiveexactcopiesofit.Amongotherthings,thisrequiresthatyoudonotremove,alterormodifytheetextorthis"smallprint!"statement.Youmayhowever,ifyouwish,distributethisetextinmachinereadablebinary,compressed,mark-up,orproprietaryform,includinganyformresultingfromconversionbywordprocessingorhypertextsoftware,butonlysolongas*EITHER*:

[*]Theetext,whendisplayed,isclearlyreadable,anddoes*not*containcharactersotherthanthoseintendedbytheauthorofthework,althoughtilde(~),asterisk(*)andunderline(_)charactersmaybeusedtoconveypunctuationintendedbytheauthor,andadditionalcharactersmaybeusedtoindicatehypertextlinks;OR

[*]TheetextmaybereadilyconvertedbythereaderatnoexpenseintoplainASCII,EBCDICorequivalent

formbytheprogramthatdisplaystheetext(asisthecase,forinstance,withmostwordprocessors);OR

[*]Youprovide,oragreetoalsoprovideonrequestatnoadditionalcost,feeorexpense,acopyoftheetextinitsoriginalplainASCIIform(orinEBCDICorotherequivalentproprietaryform).

[2]Honortheetextrefundandreplacementprovisionsofthis"SmallPrint!"statement.

[3]PayatrademarklicensefeetotheFoundationof20%ofthe

grossprofitsyouderivecalculatedusingthemethodyoualreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Ifyoudon'tderiveprofits,noroyaltyisdue.Royaltiesarepayableto"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation"the60daysfollowingeachdateyouprepare(orwerelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourannual(orequivalentperiodic)taxreturn.Pleasecontactusbeforehandtoletusknowyourplansandtoworkoutthedetails.

WHATIFYOU*WANT*TOSENDMONEYEVENIFYOUDON'THAVETO?ProjectGutenbergisdedicatedtoincreasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbefreelydistributedinmachinereadableform.

TheProjectgratefullyacceptscontributionsofmoney,time,publicdomainmaterials,orroyaltyfreecopyrightlicenses.Moneyshouldbepaidtothe:"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."

Ifyouareinterestedincontributingscanningequipmentorsoftwareorotheritems,pleasecontactMichaelHartat:[email protected]


7/36

[Portionsofthisheaderarecopyright(C)2001byMichaelS.HartandmaybereprintedonlywhentheseEtextsarefreeofallfees.][ProjectGutenbergisaTradeMarkandmaynotbeusedinanysalesofProjectGutenbergEtextsorothermaterialsbetheyhardwareorsoftwareoranyotherrelatedproductwithoutexpresspermission.]

*ENDTHESMALLPRINT!FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver.07/27/01*END*

ThisetextwasproducedbyDavidWidger

[NOTE:Thereisashortlistofbookmarks,orpointers,attheendofthefileforthosewhomaywishtosampletheauthor'sideasbeforemakinganentiremealofthem.D.W.]

AROMANCEOFYOUTH

ByFRANCOISCOPPEE

BOOK4.

CHAPTERXIV

TOOLATE!

IthadbeenmorethanthreemonthssinceMariaandMauricehadmetagain.OnedaytheyoungmanwenttotheLouvretoseehisfavoritepicturesofthepaintersoftheEighteenthCentury.Hisattentionwasattractedbythebeautifulhairofayoungartistdressedinblack,whowascopyingoneofRosalba'sportraits.Itwasourprettypastelartistwhosewonderfullocksdisturbedallthedaubersinthemuseum,andwhichmadecoloristsoutofSignol'spupilsthemselves.Mauriceapproachedthecopyist,andthenbothexclaimedatonce:

"MademoiselleMaria!"

"MonsieurMaurice!"

Shehadrecognizedhimsoquicklyandwithsuchacharmingsmile,shehadnot,then,forgottenhim?WhenheusedtovisitPereGerardhehadnoticedthatshewasnotdispleasedwithhim;butaftersuchalongtime,atfirstsight,toobtainsuchagreeting,suchadelightedexclamation--itwasflattering!

Theyoungmanstandingbyhereasel,withhishatoff,sogracefulandelegantinhiswell-cutgarments,begantotalkwithher.Hespoke


8/36

first,inbecomingandproperterms,ofherfather'sdeath;inquiredforhermotherandsister,congratulatedhimselfuponhavingbeenrecognizedthus,andthenyieldingtohisboldcustom,headded:

"Astomyself,Ihesitatedatfirst.Youhavegrownstillmorebeautifulintwoyears."

Assheblushed,hecontinued,inajokingway,whichexcusedhisaudacity:

"Amedeetoldmethatyouhadbecomedelicious,butnowIhardlydareaskhimfornewsofyou.EversinceyouhavelivedatMontmartre--andIknowthatheseesyoueverySunday--hehasneverofferedtotakemewithhimtopaymyrespects.Uponmywordofhonor,MademoiselleMaria,IbelievethatheisinlovewithyouandasjealousasaTurk."

Sheprotestedagainstit,confusedbutstillsmiling.

Ah!ifhehadknownofthedreamthatMariahadkeptconcealedinonecornerofherhearteversincetheirfirstmeeting.IfhehadknownthatheronlydesirewastobechosenandlovedbythishandsomeMaurice,whohadgonethroughtheirhouseandamongpoorPapaGerard'sbric-a-braclikeameteor!Whynot,afterall?Didshenotpossessthatgreatpower,beauty?Herfather,hermother,andevenhersister,thewise

Louise,hadoftensaidsotoher.Yes!fromtheveryfirstshehadbeencharmedbythisyoungmanwiththegoldenmoustache,andthewaysofayounglord;shehadhopedtopleasehim,andlater,inspiteofpovertyanddeath,shehadcontinuedtobeintoxicatedwiththisfollyandtodreamofthisnarcoticagainstgrief,ofthereturnofthisPrinceCharming.PoorMaria,sogoodandsoartless,whohadbeentoldtoomanytimesthatshewaspretty!Poorlittlespoiledchild!

Whenheleftyouyesterday,littleMaria,afterhalfanhour'spleasingconversation,Mauricesaidtoyoujokingly:"DonottellViolette,aboveall,thatwehavemet.Ishouldlosemybestfriend."YounotonlysaidnothingtoAmedee,butyoutoldneitheryourmothernoryoursister.ForLouiseandMadameGerardareprudentandwise,andtheywouldtellyouto

avoidthisrashfellowwhohasaccostedyouinapublicplace,andhastoldyouatoncethatyouarebeautifulandbeloved.Theywouldscoldyou;theywouldtellyouthatthisyoungmanisofarichanddistinguishedfamily;thathismotherhasgreatambitionsforhim;thatyouhaveonlyyouroldblackdressandbeautifuleyes,andto-morrow,whenyoureturntotheLouvre,MadameGerardwillestablishherselfnearyoureaselanddiscouragetheyounggallant.

But,littleMaria,youconcealitfromyourmotherandLouise!Youhaveasecretfromyourfamily!To-morrowwhenyoumakeyourtoilettebeforethemirrorandtwistupyourgoldenhair,yourheartwillbeatwithhopeandvanity.IntheLouvreyourattentionwillbedistractedfromyourworkwhenyouhearaman'sstepresoundinaneighboringgallery,and

whenMauricearrivesyouwilldoubtlessbetroubled,butverymuchsurprisedandnotdispleased,ah!onlytoomuchpleased.LittleMaria,littleMaria,hetalkstoyouinalowtonenow.Hisblondmoustacheisverynearyourcheek,andyoudowelltoloweryoureyes,forIseeagleamofpleasureunderyourlonglashes.Idonothearwhathesays,noryourreplies;buthowfastheworks,howhegainsyourconfidence!Youwillcompromiseyourself,littleMaria,ifyoukeephimtoolongbyyoureasel.Fouro'clockwillsoonstrike,andthewatchmaninthegreencoat,whoissnoozingbeforeWatteau'sdesigns,willarousefromhistorpor,stretchhisarms,lookathiswatch,getupfromhisseat,and


9/36

callout"Timetoclose."WhydoyouallowMauricetohelpyouarrangeyourthings,toaccompanyyouthroughthegalleries,carryingyourboxofpastels?Thelong,lankygirlintheSalonCarre,whoaffectstheEnglishways,theonewhowillneverfinishcopyingthe"Viergeaucoussinvert,"hasfollowedyouintotheLouvrecourt.Takecare!Shehasnoticed,enviouscreature,thatyouareverymuchmovedasyoutakeleaveofyourcompanion,andthatyouletyourhandremainforasecondinhis!Thisoldmaid'al'anglaise'hasaviper'stongue.To-morrowyouwillbethetalkoftheLouvre,andthegossipwillspreadtothe'EcoledesBeaux-Arts',eventoSignol'sstudio,wherethetwodaubers,yourrespectfuladmirers,whothinkofcuttingtheirthroatsinyourhonor,willaccosteachotherwitha"Well,theprettypastellist!Yes,Iknow,shehasalover."

Ifitwasonlyalover!Buttheprettypastellisthasbeenverycareless,morefoolishthantheoldmaidorthetwoyoungfellowsdreamof.Itissosweettohearhimsay:"Iloveyou!"andsodelicioustolistenforthequestion:"Andyou,doyoulovemealittle?"whensheisdyingtosay,"Yes!"BendingherheadandblushingwithconfusionunderMaurice'sardentgaze,theprettyMariaendsbymurmuringthefatal"Yes."ThensheseesMauriceturnpalewithjoy,andhesaystoher,"Imusttalktoyoualone;notbeforethesebores."Shereplies:"Buthow?Itisimpossible!"Thenheaskswhethershedoesnottrusthim,whethershedoesnotbelievehimtobeanhonestman,andtheyoung

girl'slookssaymorethananyprotestationwould.

"Well!to-morrowmorningatteno'clock--insteadofcomingtotheLouvre--willyou?IwillwaitforyouontheQuaid'Orsay,beforetheSaint-Cloudpier."

Shewasthereattheappointedhour,overwhelmedwithemotionandreadytofaint.Hetookherbythearmandledheraboardtheboat.

"Doyousee,nowwearealmostalone.Givemethepleasureofwanderingthroughthefieldswithyou.Itissuchbeautifulweather.Betranquil,weshallreturnearly."

Oh,thehappyday!Mariaseespassbeforeher,assheisseatedbesideMaurice,whoiswhisperinginherearlovingwordsandwhoseglancescoverherwithcaresses,asifinadream,viewsofParisthatwerenotfamiliartoher,highwalls,archesofbridges,thenthebaresuburbs,thesmokingmanufactoriesofGrenelle,theBasMeudon,withitsboatsandpublic-houses.Atlast,onthebordersofthestream,theparkwithitsextensiveverdureappeared.

Theywanderedthereforalongtimeunderthechestnut-trees,loadedwiththeirfruitinitsgreenshells.Thesun,filteringthroughthefoliage,dottedthewalkswithpatchesoflight,andMauricecontinuedtorepeattoMariathathelovedher;thathehadneverlovedanyonebuther!thathehadlovedherfromtheveryfirsttimethathesawheratPere

Gerard's,andthatneithertimenorabsencehadbeenabletodriveawaytheremembranceofher.Andatthismomentheimaginedthatitwastrue.Hedidnotthinkthathewastellingalie.AstopoorMaria,donotbetoosevereuponher!thinkofheryouth,herpovertyandimprisonment--shewasoverwhelmedwithhappiness.Shecouldthinkofnothingtosay,and,givingherselfupintotheyoungman'sarms,shehadhardlythestrengthtoturnuponhim,fromtimetotime,hereyestorturedwithlove.

Isitnecessarytotellhowshesuccumbed?howtheywenttoarestaurant


10/36

anddined?Emotion,theheavyheatoftheafternoon,champagne,thatgoldenwinethatshetastedforthefirsttime,stunnedtheimprudentchild.Hercharmingheadslipsdownuponthesofa-pillow,sheisnearlyfainting.

"Youaretoowarm,"saidMaurice."Thisbrightlightmakesyouill."

Hedrawsthecurtains;theyareinthedarkness,andhetakestheyounggirlinhisarms,coveringherhands,eyes,andlipswithkisses.

Doubtlessheswearstoherthatsheshallbehiswife.Heasksonlyalittletime,afewweeks,inwhichtopreparehismother,theambitiousMadameRoger,forhisunexpectedmarriage.Marianeverdoubtshim,butovercomebyherfault,shefeelsanintenseshame,andburiesherfaceonherlover'sshoulder.Shethinksthen,theguiltygirl,ofherpast;ofherinnocenceandpoverty,ofherhumblebuthonesthome;herdeadfather,hermotherandsister---hertwomothers,properlyspeaking---whoyetcallher"littleone"andalwaysconsiderherasachild,aninfantinallitspurity.Shefeelsimpressedwithhersin,andwishesthatshemightdiethereatonce.

Oh!Ibegofyou,becharitabletothepoor,weakMaria,forsheisyoungandshemustsuffer!

Mauricewasnotarascal,afterall;hewasinearnestwhenhepromisedtomarryherwithoutdelay.Heevenmeanttoadmitalltohismotherthenextday;butwhenhesawhersheneverhadappearedsoimposingtohim,withhergrayhairunderherwidow'scap.Heshiveredashethoughtofthetearfulscenes,thereproachesandanger,andinhisindolencehesaidtohimself:"Uponmyhonor,Iwilldoitlater!"HelovesMariaafterhisfashion.Heisfaithfultoher,andwhenshestealsawayanhourfromherworktocometoseehim,heisuneasyattheleastdelay.Sheistrulyadorable,onlyMauricedoesnotliketheunhappylookthatshewearswhensheaskshim,inatremblingvoice:"Haveyouspokentoyourmother?"Heembracesher,reassuresher."Beeasy.Leavemetimetoarrangeit."Thetruthis,thatnowhebeginstobeperplexedattheideaofthismarriage.Itishisduty,heknowsthatverywell;buthe

isnottwentythreeyearsoldyet.Thereisnohurry.Afterall,isitduty?thelittleoneyieldedeasilyenough.Hashenottherighttotestherandwaitalittle?Itiswhathismotherwouldadvisehim,heiscertain.Thatistheonlyreasonablewaytolookatit.

Alas,egotistsandcowardsalwayshaveareasonforeverything!

HowdearlypoorMaria'sfoolishstephascosther!Howheavilysuchasecretweighsuponthechild'sheart!Forafewmomentsofuneasyintoxicationwiththisman,whomshealreadydoubtsandwhosometimesmakesherafraid,shemustlietohermotherwithoutblushingorloweringhereyes,andenterMaurice'shouseveiledandhidinglikeathief.Butthatisnothingyet.Aftersometimeofthisagonizinglifeherhealth

istroubled.QuicklyshegoestofindMaurice!Shearrivesunexpectedlyandfindshimlyinguponthesofasmokingacigar.Withoutgivinghimtimetorise,shethrowsherselfintohisarms,and,burstingintosobs,makesherterribleavowal.Atfirstheonlygivesastartofangryastonishment,aharshglance.

"Bah!youmustbemistaken."

"Iamsureofit,Itellyou,Iamsureofit!"


11/36

Shehascaughthisangryglanceandfeelscondemnedinadvance.However,hegivesheracoldkiss,anditiswithagreateffortthatshestammers:

"Maurice--youmust--speaktoyourmother--"

HeriseswithanimpatientgestureandMariaseatsherself--herstrengthisleavingher--whilehewalksupanddowntheroom.

"MypoorMaria,"hebeginsinahesitatingmanner,"Idarednottellyou,butmymotherwillnotconsenttoourmarriage--now,atleast."

Helies!Hehasnotspokentohismother;sheknowsit.Ah!unhappycreature!hedoesnotloveher!and,discouraged,witharumblingnoiseinherears,shelistenstoMauriceashespeaksinhissoftvoice.

"Oh!betranquil.Ishallnotabandonyou,mypoorchild.Ifwhatyousayistrue-ifyouaresureofit,thenthebestthingthatyoucando,yousee,istoleaveyourfamilyandcomeandlivewithme.AtfirstwewillgoawayfromParis;youcanbeconfinedinthecountry.Wecanputthechildouttonurse;theywilltakecareofthelittlebrat,ofcourse.Andlater,perhaps,mymotherwillsoftenandwillunderstandthatwemustmarry.No,truly,themoreIthinkofit,themoreIbelievethatthatisthebestwaytodo.Yes!Iknowverywellitwill

behardtoleaveyourhome,butwhatcanyoudo,mydarling?Youcanwriteyourmotheraveryaffectionateletter."

Andgoingtoherhetakesher,inertandheartbroken,intohisarms,andtriestoshowhimselfloving.

"Youaremywife,mydearlittlewife,Irepeatit.Areyounotglad,eh!thatwecanlivetogether?"

Thisiswhatheproposestodo.Hethinkstotakeherpubliclytohishouseandtoblazonhershamebeforetheeyesofeverybody!Mariafeelsthatsheislost.Sherisesabruptlyandsaystohiminthetoneofasomnambulist:"Thatwilldo.Wewilltalkofitagain."

ShegoesawayandreturnstoMontmartreatacrazywoman'space,andfindshermotherknittingandhersisterreadytolaythetable-yes!asifnothingatallwasthematter.Shetakestheirhandsandfallsattheirfeet!

Ah,poorwomen!

Theyhadalreadybeenverymuchtried.Thedecayofthisworthyfamilywaslamentable;butinspiteofall,yesterdayeven,theyenduredtheirfatewithresignation.Yes!theeconomy,thedegradingdrudgery,theold,mendedgowns--theyacceptedallthiswithoutamurmur.Anoblesentimentsustainedandgavethemcourage.Allthree--theoldmotherin

alinencapdoingthecookingandthewashing,theeldersistergivinglessonsatfortysous,andthelittleoneworkinginpastels--werevaguelyconsciousofrepresentingsomethingveryhumble,butsacredandnoble--afamilywithoutablemishontheirname.Theyfeltthattheymovedinanatmosphereofesteemandrespect."Thoseladiesuponthefirstfloorhavesomanyaccomplishments,"saytheneighbors.Theirapartment--withitsstainedwoodwork,itstornwall,paper,butwheretheywereallunitedinworkanddrawncloserandclosertoeachotherinlove--hadstillthesweetnessofahome;andupontheirraggedmourning,theirdilapidatedfurniture,themeagremeatsoupatnight,thepure


12/36

lightofhonorgleamedandwatchedoverthem.Now,afterthisguiltychild'savowal,allthiswasended,lostforever!Therewasablemishupontheirlifeofdutyandpoverty,upontheirirreproachablepast,evenuponthefather'smemory.Certainlythemotherandeldersisterexcusedthepoorcreaturewhosobbedundertheirkissesandbeggedtheirpardon.However,whentheygazedateachotherwithredeyesanddrylips,theymeasuredthefallofthefamily;theysawforthefirsttimehowfrightfulweretheirdestitutionanddistress;theyfelttheunbearablefeelingofshameglideintotheirheartslikeasinisterandunexpectedguestwho,atthefirstglance,makesoneunderstandthathehascometobemasterofthelodging.Thiswasthesecret,theoverwhelmingsecret,whichthedistractedLouiseGerardrevealedthateveningtoheronlyfriend,AmedeeViolette,actingthusbyinstinct,asawomanwithtooheavyaburdenthrowsittotheground,cryingforhelp.

Whenshehadendedhercruelconfidence,towhichthepoetlistenedwithhisfaceburiedinhishands,andheuncoveredhisfacecreasedandfurrowedbythesuddenwrinklesofdespair,Louisewasfrightened.

"HowIhavewoundedhim!"shethought."HowhelovesMaria!"

Butshesawshiningintheyoungman'seyesagloomyresolution.

"Verywell,Louise,"mutteredhe,betweenhisteeth."Donottellmeany

more,Ibegofyou.IdonotknowwheretofindMauriceatthishour,buthewillseemeto-morrowmorning,resteasy.Iftheevilisnotrepaired--andatonce!"

Hedidnotfinish;hisvoicewasstifledwithgriefandrage,anduponanalmostimperiousgesturetoleave,Louisedeparted,overcomebyherundertaking.

No,MauriceRogerwasnotavillain.AfterMaria'sdeparturehefeltashamedanddispleasedwithhimself.Amother!poorlittlething!Certainlyhewouldtakechargeofherandthechild;hewouldbehavelikeagentleman.But,tospeakplainly,hedidnotnowloveherasmuchashedid.Hisvagabondnaturewasalreadytiredofhislove-affair.This

onewaswateredtoomuchbytears.Bah!hewasusuallylucky,andthistroublesomeaffairwouldcomeoutallrightliketheothers.Truly,itwasasbadanaccidentasifonehadfallenintoaholeandbrokenhisleg.Butthen,whocouldtell?Chanceandtimearrangemanythings.Thechildmightnotlive,perhaps;atanyrate,itwasperfectlynaturalthatheshouldwaitandseewhathappened.

ThenextmorningtherecklessMaurice--whohadnotsleptbadly--wastranquillypreparinghispalettewhileawaitinghismodel,whenhesawAmedeeVioletteenterhisstudio.Atthefirstglancehesawthatthepoetknewall.

"Maurice,"saidAmedee,inafreezingtone,"Ireceivedavisitfrom

MademoiselleLouiseGerardlastevening.Shetoldmeeverything--all,doyouunderstandmeperfectly?IhavecometolearnwhetherIammistakenregardingyou--whetherMauriceRogerisanhonestman."

Aflamedartedfromtheyoungartist'seyes.Amedee,withhislividcomplexionandhaggardfromasleeplessnightandtears,waspitifultosee.AndthenitwasAmedee,littleAmedeewhomMauricesincerelyloved,forwhomhehadkept,eversincetheircollegedays,asentiment,allthemorepreciousthatitflatteredhisvanity,theindulgentaffectionandprotectionofasuperior.


13/36

"Oh!Grand,melodramaticwordsalready!"saidhe,placinghispaletteuponthetable."Amedee,mydearboy,Idonotrecognizeyou,andifyouhaveanyexplanationthatyouwishtoaskofyouroldfriend,itisnotthusthatyoushoulddoit.Youhavereceived,youtellme,MademoiselleGerard'sconfidence.Iknowyouaredevotedtothoseladies.IunderstandyouremotionandIthinkyourinterventionlegitimate;butyouseeIspeakcalmlyandinafriendlyway.Calmyourselfinyourturnanddonotforgetthat,inspiteofyourzealforthoseladies,Iamthebestanddearestcompanionofyouryouth.Iam,Iknow,inoneofthegravestsituationsofmylife.Letustalkofit.Adviseme;youhavetherighttodoso;butnotinthattoneofvoice--thatangry,threateningtonewhichIpardon,butwhichhurtsandmakesmedoubt,wereitpossible,yourloveforme."

"Ah!youknowverywellthatIloveyou,"repliedtheunhappyAmedee,"butwhydoyouneedmyadvice?Youarefrankenoughtodenynothing.Youadmitthatitistrue,thatyouhaveseducedayounggirl.Doesnotyourconsciencetellyouwhattodo?"

"Tomarryher?Thatismyintention.But,Amedee,doyouthinkofmymother?Thismarriagewilldistressher,destroyherfondhopesandambitions.Ihopetobeabletogainherconsent;onlyImusthavetimetoturnmyself.Later--verysoon.Idonotsay--ifthechildlives."

Thisword,tornfromMauricebythecynicismwhichisintheheartofallegotists,madeAmedeeangry.

"Yourmother!"exclaimedhe."YourmotheristhewidowofaFrenchofficerwhodiedfacingtheenemy.Shewillunderstandit,Iamsure,asamatterofhonorandduty.Goandfindher,tellherthatyouhaveruinedthisunfortunatechild.Yourmotherwilladviseyoutomarryher.Shewillcommandyoutodoit."

Thisargumentwasforcibleanddirect,andimpressedMaurice;buthisfriend'sviolenceirritatedhim.

"Yougotoworkbadly,Amedee,Irepeatit,"saidhe,raisinghistone."Youhavenorighttoprejudgemymother'sopinion,andIreceivenoordersfromanybody.Afterall,nothingauthorizesyoutodoit;ifitisbecauseyouwereinlovewithMaria--"

Afuriouscryinterruptedhim.Amedee,withwildeyesandshakinghisfists,walkedtowardMaurice,speakinginacuttingtone:

"Well,yes!Ilovedher,"saidhe,"andIwishedtomakehermywife.You,whonolongerloveher,whotookheroutofcaprice,asyouhavetakenothers,youhavedestroyedallofmydreamsforthefuture.Shepreferredyou,and,understandme,Maurice,Iamtooproudtocomplain,toojusttoholdspiteagainstyou.Iamonlyheretopreventyour

committinganinfamy.Uponmyhonor!Ifyourepulseme,ourfriendshipisdestroyedforever,andIdarenotthinkofwhatwillhappenbetweenus,butitwillbeterrible!Alas!Iamwrong,IdonottalktoyouasIought.Maurice,thereistimeyet!Onlylistentoyourheart,whichIknowisgenerousandgood.Youhavewrongedaninnocentchildanddrivenapoorandworthyfamilytodespair.Youcanrepairtheevilyouhavecaused.Youwishto.Youwill!Ibegofyou,doitoutofrespectforyourselfandthenameyoubear.Actlikeabravemanandagentleman!Givethisyounggirl--whoseonlywronghasbeeninlovingyoutoomuch--givethemotherofyourchildyourname,yourheart,yourlove.Youwill


14/36

behappywithherandthroughher.Go!Ishallnotbejealousofyourhappiness,butonlytoogladtohavefoundmyfriend,myloyalMauriceoncemore,andtobeablestilltoloveandadmirehimasheretofore."

Stirredbythesewarmwords,andfatiguedbythediscussionandstruggle,thepainterreachedouthishandstohisfriend,whopressedtheminhis.SuddenlyhelookedatAmedeeandsawhiseyesshiningwithtears,and,partlyfromsorrow,butmorefromwantofwillandfrommoralweakness,toenditheexclaimed:

"Youareright,afterall.Wewillarrangethismatterwithoutdelay.Whatdoyouwishmetodo?"

Ah,howAmedeeboundeduponhisneck!

"Mygood,mydearMaurice!Quicklydressyourself.Letusgotothoseladiesandembraceandconsolethatdearchild.Ah!Iknewverywellthatyouwouldunderstandmeandthatyourheartwasintherightplace.Howhappythepoorwomenwillbe!Nowthen,myoldfriend,isitnotgoodtodoone'sduty?"

Yes,Mauricefoundthatitwasgoodnow;excitedandcarriedawaybyhisfriend,hehurriedtowardthegoodactionthatwaspointedouttohimashewouldtoapleasure-party,andwhileputtingonhiscoattogoout,he

said:

"Afterall,mymothercanonlyapprove,andsinceshealwaysdoesasIwish,shewillendbyadoringmylittleMaria.Itisallright;thereisnowayofresistingyou,Violette.YouareagoodandpersuasiveViolette.Now,then,hereIam,ready--ahandkerchief--myhat.Offwego!"

TheywentoutandtookacabwhichcarriedthemtowardMontmartre.Theeasy-goingMaurice,reconciledtohisfuture,sketchedouthisplanoflife.Oncemarried,hewouldworkseriously.Atfirst,immediatelyaftertheceremony,hewouldleavewithhiswifetopassthewinterintheSouth,whereshecouldbeconfined.Heknewaprettyplaceinthe

Corniche,nearAntibes,whereheshouldnotlosehistime,ashecouldbringbackmarineandlandscapesketches.Butitwouldnotbeuntilthenextwinterthathewouldentirelyarrangehislife.ThepainterLaugeolwasgoingtomove;hewouldhirehisapartment--"asuperbstudio,mydearfellow,withwindowslookingoutupontheLuxembourg."Hecouldseehimselftherenow,workinghard,havingasuccessfulpictureintheSalon,wearingamedal.Hechoseeventhehangingsinthesleeping-roomsinadvance.Then,uponbeautifuldays,howconvenientthegardenwouldbeforthechildandthenurse.

Suddenly,inthemidstofthischattering,henoticedAmedee'ssadfaceasheshrankintothebackofthecarriage.

"Forgiveme,mydearfriend,"saidhe,takinghimaffectionatelybythehand."Iforgotwhatyoutoldmejustnow.Ah!fateisridiculous,whenIthinkthatmyhappinessmakesyoufeelbadly."

Thepoetgavehisfriendalong,sadlook.

"BehappywithMariaandmakeherhappy,thatisallIaskforyouboth."

TheyhadreachedthefootofMontmartre,andthecarriagewentslowlyupthesteepstreets.


15/36

"Myfriend,"saidAmedee,"weshallarrivetheresoon.Youwillgoinalonetoseetheseladies,willyounot?Oh!donotbeafraid.IknowLouiseandthemother.Theywillnotutteronewordofreproach.Youruprightactwillbeappreciatedbythemasitmerits--butyouwillexcusemefromgoingwithyou,doyousee?Itwouldbetoopainfulforme."

"Yes,Iunderstand,mypoorAmedee.Asitpleasesyou.Nowthen,courage,youwillbecuredofit.Everythingisalleviatedintime,"repliedMaurice,whosupposedeverybodytohavehisficklenature."Ishallalwaysremembertheservicethatyouhaverenderedme,forIblushnowasIthinkofit.Yes,Iwasgoingtodoavillainousact.Amedee,embraceme."

Theythrewtheirarmsabouteachother'sneck,andthecarriagestopped.Onceonthesidewalk,Amedeenoticedhisfriend'swryfaceashesawthehomeoftheGerards,amiserable,commonplacelodging-house,whosecrackledplasteredfrontmadeonethinkofthewrinklesonapoorman'sface.Ontherightandontheleftoftheentrance-doorweretwoshops,oneabutcher's,theotherafruiterer's,exhalingtheirfetidodors.ButAmedeepaidnoattentiontothedelicateMaurice'srepugnance,saying:

"Doyouseethatlittlegardenattheendofthewalk?Itisthere.Au

revoir."

Theyseparatedwithalastgraspofthehand.ThepoetsawMauriceenterthedarkalley,crossthenarrowcourtandpushthegateopenintothegarden,andthendisappearamongthemassofverdure.HowmanytimesAmedeehadpassedthroughthere,movedatthethoughtthathewasgoingtoseeMaria;andMauricecrossedthisthresholdforthefirsttimeinhislifetotakeheraway.Hewantedher!Hehadhimselfgivenhisbelovedtoanother!Hehadbegged,almostforcedhisrival,sotospeak,torobhimofhisdearesthope!Whatsorrow!

Amedeegavehisaddresstothedriverandenteredthecarriageagain.Acoldautumnrainhadcommencedtofall,andhewasobligedtoclosethe

windows.AshewasjoltedharshlythroughthestreetsofParisatatrot,theyoungpoet,allofashiver,sawcarriagesstreamingwithwater,bespatteredpedestriansundertheirumbrellas,aheavygloomfallfromtheleadensky;andAmedee,stupefiedwithgrief,feltastrangesensationofemptiness,asifsomebodyhadtakenawayhisheart.

Whenheenteredhisroom,thesightofhisfurniture,hisengravings,hisbooksontheirshelves,andhistablecoveredwithitspapersdistressedhim.Hislongeveningsofstudynearthislamp,thelonghoursofthoughtoversomedifficultwork,theaustereandcheerlessyearthathehadlivedthere,allhadbeendedicatedtoMaria.Itwasinordertoobtainhersomeday,thathehadlaboredsoassiduouslyandobstinately!Andnowthefrivolousandguiltychildwasdoubtlessweepingforjoyin

Maurice'sarms,herhusbandto-morrow?

Seatedbeforehistable,withhisheadburiedinhishands,Amedeesankintothedepthsofmelancholy.Hislifeseemedsuchafailure,hisfatesodisastrous,hisfuturesogloomy,hefeltsodiscouragedandlonely,thatforthemomentthecouragetolivedesertedhim.Itseemedtohimthataninvisiblehandtouchedhimupontheshoulderwithcompassion,andhehadatonceadesireandafeartoturnaroundandlook;forheknewverywellthatthishandwasthatofthedead.Hedidnotfancyitunderthehideousaspectofaskeleton,butasacalm,sad,butyetverysweet


16/36

facewhichdrewhimagainstitsbreastwithamother'stenderness,andmadehimandhisgriefsleep--asleepwithoutdreams,profoundandeternal.Suddenlyheturnedaroundandutteredafrightfulcry.Foramomenthethoughthesaw,extendedathisfeet,andstillholdingarazorinhishand,thedeadbodyofhisunhappyfather,ahorriblewoundinhisthroat,andhisthingrayhairinapoolofblood!

Hewasstilltremblingwiththisfrightfulhallucinationwhensomebodyknockedathisdoor.Itwastheconcierge,whobroughthimtwoletters.

Thefirstwasstampedwiththecelebratedname:

"ComedieFrancaise,1680."Themanagerannouncedinthemostgracioustermsthathehadreadwiththekeenestpleasurehisdramainverse,entitledL'Atelier,andhehopedthatthereadingcommitteewouldacceptthiswork.

"Toolate!"thoughttheyoungpoet,ashetoreopentheotherenvelope.

ThissecondletterboretheaddressofaParisnotary,andinformedM.AmedeeViolettethatM.IsidoreGaufrehaddiedwithoutleavingawill,andthat,asnephewofthedefunct,hewouldreceiveapartoftheestate,stilldifficulttoappraise,butwhichwouldnotbelessthantwohundredandfiftyorthreehundredthousandfrancs.

Successandfortune!Everythingcameatonce!Amedeewasatfirstoverwhelmedwithsurprise;butwithalltheseunhoped-forfavorsoffortune,whichdidnotgivehimthepowertorepairhismisfortune,thenoblepoetdeeplyrealizedthatrichesandglorywerenotequaltoagreatloveorabeautifuldream,and,completelyupsetbytheironyofhisfate,hebrokeintoaharshburstoflaughter.

CHAPTERXV

REPARATION

ThelateM.ViolettewasnotmistakenwhenhesupposedM.Gaufrecapableofdisinheritinghisfamilyinfavorofhisservant-mistress,butBerenicewaswantinginpatience.Theroughbeardandcapofanirresistiblesergeant-majorweretheruinofthegirl.OneSunday,whenM.Gaufre,asusual,recitedvespersatSt.Sulpice,hefoundthatforthefirsttimeinhislifehehadforgottenhissnuff-box.Theholyofficeswereunbearabletothishypocriticalpersonunlessfrequentlybrokenbyagoodpinchofsnuff.Insteadofwaitingforthefinalbenedictionandthengoingtotakehisusualwalk,helefthischurchwarden'sstallandreturnedunexpectedlytotheRueServandoni,wherehesurprisedBereniceinalovinginterviewwithhermilitaryfriend.The

oldman'sragewaspitifultobehold.HeturnedtheNormandybeautyignominiouslyoutofdoors,toreupthewillhehadmadeinherfavor,anddiedsomeweeksafterfromindigestion,andleft,inspiteofhimself,allhisfortunetohisnaturalheirs.

Amedee'sdramahadbeenacceptedbytheComedieFrancaise,butwasnottobebroughtoutuntilspring.Thenotaryinchargeofhisuncle'sestatehadadvancedhimafewthousandfrancs,and,feelingsadandnothavingthecouragetobepresentatthemarriageofMauriceandMaria,thepoetwishedatleasttoenjoy,inaway,hisnewfortuneandtheindependence


17/36

thatitgavehim;soheresignedhispositionandleftforatriptoItaly,inthehopeofdissipatinghisgrief.

Ah,nevertravelwhentheheartistroubled!Yousleepwiththeechoofadearnameinyourthoughts,andthehalfsleepofnightsonatrainisfeverishandfullofnightmares.Amedeesufferedtorturesfromit.Inthemidstofthecontinualnoiseofthecarshethoughthecouldhearsadvoicescryingloudlythenameofabelovedlostone.Sometimesthetumultwouldbecomequietforalittle;brakes,springs,wheels,allpartsofthefuriouscast-ironmachineseemedtohimtiredofhowlingthedeafeningrhythmicalgallop,andthevigorouslyrockedtravellercoulddistinguishinthediminisheduproarastrainofmusic,atfirstconfusedlikeagroan,thenmoredistinct,butalwaysthesamecruel,hauntingmonotone--thefragmentofasongthatMariaoncesangwhentheywerebothchildren.Suddenlyamournfulandprolongedwhistlewouldresoundthroughthenight.Theexpressrushedmadlyintoatunnel.Underthesonorousroof,thefrightfulconcertredoubled,exasperatinghimamongallthesemetallicclamors;butAmedeestillheardadistantsoundlikethatofablacksmith'shammer,andeachheavyblowmadehisheartboundpainfully.

Ah!nevertravel,andaboveall,nevertravelalone,ifyourheartissad!Howhostileandinhospitablethefirstsensationisthatonefeelsthenwhenenteringanunknowncity!Amedeewasobligedtosubmittothe

tiresomedelayoflookingafterhisbaggageinacommonplacestation;thehastypackingintoanomnibusoftired-outtravellers,dartingglancesofbadhumorandsuspicion;tothereceptionuponthehotelstepsbytheinevitableSwissporterwithhisgold-bandedcap,murderingalltheEuropeanlanguages,greetingallthenewcomers,andgettingmixedinhis"Yes,sir,""Ja,wohl,"and"Si,signor."Amedeewasaninexperiencedtourist,whodidnotdragalongwithhimadozentrunks,andhadnotarichandindolentair;sohewasquicklydespatchedbytheSwisspolyglotintoafourth-storyroom,whichlookedoutintoanopenwell,andwassogloomythatwhilehewashedhishandshewasafraidoffallingillanddyingtherewithouthelp.Anoticewritteninfourlanguageshunguponthewall,and,toaddtohischeerfulness,itadvisedhimtoleaveallhisvaluablesattheofficeofthehotel--asifhehadpenetrateda

forestinfestedwithbrigands.Therigidwritingwarnedhimstillfurtherthattheylookeduponhimasaprobablesharper,andthathisbillwouldbepresentedeveryfivedays.

Thetiresomelifeofrailroadsandtable-d'hotesbeganforhim.

Hewouldbedraggedaboutfromcitytocity,likeabagofwheatoracaskofwine.Hewoulddwellinpretentiousandmonumentalhotels,wherehewouldbenumberedlikeaconvict;hewouldmeetthesamecarnivorousEnglishfamily,withwhomhemighthavemadeatouroftheworldwithoutexchangingoneword;swallowingeverydaythetastelesssoup,oldfish,toughvegetables,andinsipidwinewhichhaveaninternationalreputation,sotospeak.Butaboveall,hewastohavethehorror,every

eveningupongoingtohisroom,ofpassingthroughthoseuniformanddesolatecorridors,faintlylightedbygas,wherebeforeeachdoorarepairsofcosmopolitanshoes--heavyalpineshoes,filthyGermanboots,theconjugalbootsofmylordandmylady,whichmakeonethink,bytheirsize,ofthetroglodytegiants--awaiting,withafatiguedair,theirmorningpolish.

TheimprudentAmedeewasdestinedtoallsortsofweariness,allsortsofdeceptions,andallthehomesicknessofasolitarytraveller.Atthesightofthefamousmonumentsandcelebratedsites,whichhavebecomein


18/36

somewaylookeduponasmodelsforpaintersandmaterialforliterarydevelopment,Amedeefeltthatsensationof"alreadyseen"whichparalyzesthefacultyofadmiration.Darewesayit?ThedomeinMilan,thatenormousquiverofwhitemarblearrows,didnotmovehim.HewasindifferenttothesublimemedleyofbronzeintheBaptisteryinFlorence;andtheleaningtoweratPisaproducedsimplytheeffectofmystification.Hewalkedmilesthroughthemuseumsandsilentgalleries,satiatedwithartandgluttedwithmasterpieces.Hewasdisgustedtofindthathecouldnottolerateadozen"AdorationsoftheShepherds,"orfourteen"DescentsfromtheCross,"consecutively,eveniftheyweresignedwiththemostgloriousnames.Thescenesofsufferingandmartyrdom,somanytimesrepeated,wereparticularlydistastefultohim;andhetookastillgreaterdislikeeventoacertainmonk,alwaysrepresentedonhiskneesinprayerwithanaxestickinginhistonsure,thantotheeverlastingSt.Sebastianpiercedwitharrows.Hisdeadenedanddepravedattentiondiscernedonlythedisagreeableanduglysideofaworkofart.Intheadorableartlessoriginalshecouldseeonlychildishandbarbarousdrawing,andhethoughttheoldcolorists'yolk-of-an-eggtonemonotonous.

Hewishedtospurhissensations,toseesomethingextraordinary.HetravelledtowardVenice,thenoiselesscity,thecitywithoutbirdsorverdure,towardthatsilentcountryofsky,marble,andwater;butoncethere,therealityseemedinferiortohisdream.Hehadnotthatshock

ofsurpriseandenthusiasminthepresenceofSt.Mark'sandtheDoges'palacewhichhehadhopedfor.Hehadreadtoomanydescriptionsofallthesewonders;seentoomanymoreorlessfaithfulpictures,andinhisdisenchantmentherecalledalamp-shadewhichonce,inhisownhome,hadexcitedhischildishimagination--anuglylampshadeofbluepasteboarduponwhichwasprintedanocturnalfete,theilluminationsupontheducalpalacebeingrepresentedbyarowofpin-pricks.

OncemoreIrepeatit,nevertravelalone,andaboveall,nevergotoVenicealoneandwithoutlove!Foryoungmarriedpeopleintheirhoneymoon,orapairoflovers,thegondolaisafloatingboudoir,anestuponthewaterslikeakingfisher's.Butforonewhoissad,andwhostretcheshimselfuponthesombrecushionsofthebark,thegondolaisa

tomb.

TowardthelastofJanuary,AmedeesuddenlyreturnedtoParis.HewouldnotbeobligedtoseeMauriceorhisyoungbrideatonce.TheyhadbeenmarriedonemonthandwouldremainintheSouthuntiltheendofwinter.Hewasrecalledbytherehearsalsofhisdrama.Thenotarywhohadchargeofhisaffairsgavehimtwelvethousandpounds'income,alargecompetency,whichenabledhimtoworkforthepureanddisinterestedloveofart,andwithoutconcessionstocommonpeople.TheyoungpoetfurnishedanelegantapartmentinanoldandbeautifulhouseontheQuaid'Orsay,andsoughtoutsomeofhisoldcomrades--amongothersPaulSillery,whonowheldadistinguishedplaceinjournalismandreappearedalittleinsociety,becomingveryquicklyreconciledwithlife.

HisfirstcallwasuponMadameRoger.HewasverygladtoseeMaurice'smother;shewasalittlesad,butindulgenttoMaurice,andresignedtoherson'smarriage,becauseshefeltsatisfiedthathehadactedlikeamanofhonor.HealsowentatoncetoMontmartretoembraceLouiseandMadameGerard,whoreceivedhimwithgreatdemonstrations.Theywerenotsomuchembarrassedinmoneymatters,forMauricewasverygenerousandhadaidedhiswife'sfamily.Louisegavelessonsnowforaproperremuneration,andMadameGerardwasabletorefuse,withtearsofgratitude,thepoet'sofferofassistance,whofiliallyopenedhispurse


19/36

toher.Hedinedasusualwithhisoldfriends,andtheyhadtactenoughnottosaytoomuchaboutthenewlymarriedones;buttherewasoneemptyplaceatthetable.Hewasoncemoreseizedwiththoughtsoftheabsent,andreturnedtohisroomthateveningwithanattackoftheblues.

Therehearsalofhispiece,whichhadjustbegunattheComedieFrancaise,thelongsittingsatthetheatre,andthechangestobemadefromdaytoday,wereausefulandpowerfuldistractionforAmedeeViolette'sgrief.L'Atelier,whenplayedthefirstweekinApril,didnotobtainmorethanarespectfulgreetingfromthepublic;itwasanindifferentsuccess.Thisvulgarsociety,thesesimple,plain,sentiments,thesweetheartinacalicogown,therespectableoldmaninshortfrockandoveralls,thesharplineswherehereandthereboldlyrangoutaslangwordofthefaubourg;aboveall,thescenerepresentingamillinfullactivity,withitsgrumblingworkmen,itsmachinesinmotion,eventhecontinualpuffingofsteam,alldispleasedtheworldlypeopleandshockedthem.Thiswastooabruptachangefromluxuriousdrawing-rooms,titledpersons,aristocraticadulteresses,anddeclarationsoflovemurmuredtotheheroineinfulltoilettebyaloverleaninghiselbowuponthepiano,withalltheairsandgracesofafirst-classdandy.However,Jocquelet,intheoldartisan'srole,wasemphaticandexaggerated,andanuglyandcommonplacedebutantewasanutterfailure.Thecriticisms,generallyroutineincharacter,werenotgracious,andtheleastsurlyonescondemnedAmedee'sattempt,qualifying

itasanhonorableeffort.Thereweresomeslashes;one"long-haired"fellowfromtheCafedeSevillefailedinhiscriticism--theveryonewhooncewroteadescriptionoftheviolationofatomb--tocrushtheauthorofL'Atelierinanultra-classicalarticle,whereinheprotestedagainstrealismandcalledtowitnessallthesilent,sculpturedauthorsinthehall.

Itwasasingularthing,butAmedeewaseasilyconsoledoverhisfailure.Hedidnothavethenecessaryqualitiestosucceedinthetheatricalline?Verywell,hewouldgiveitup,thatwasall!Itwasnotsuchagreatmisfortune,uponthewhole,toabandonthemostdifficultartofall,butnotthefirst;whichdidnotallowapoettoacthisownfreeliking.Amedeebegantocomposeversesforhimself--forhisown

gratification;tobecomeintoxicatedwithhisownrhymesandfancies;togatherwithasadpleasurethemelancholyflowersthathistroublehadcausedtoblossominhisheart.

Meanwhilesummerarrived,andMauricereturnedtoPariswithhiswifeandalittleboy,bornatNice,andAmedeemustgotoseethem,althoughheknewinadvancethatthevisitwouldmakehimunhappy.

Theamateurpainterwashandsomerthanever.Hewasaloneinhisstudio,wearinghissameredjacket.Hehaddecoratedandevencrammedtheroomfullofluxuriousandamusingknickknacks.Thecarelessyoungmanreceivedhisfriendasifnothinghadhappenedbetweenthem,andaftertheirgreetingsandinquiriesastooldfriends,andtheeventsthathad

happenedsincetheirlastmeeting,theylightedtheircigarettes.

"Well,whathaveyoudone?"askedthepoet."Youhadgreatprojectsofwork.Haveyoucarriedoutyourplans?Haveyoumanysketchestoshowme?"

"Uponmyword,no!Almostnothing.Doyouknow,whenIwasthereIabandonedmyselftoliving;Iplayedthelizardinthesun.Happinessisveryengrossing,andIhavebeenfoolishlyhappy."


20/36

Thenplacinghishanduponhisfriend's,whosatnearhim,headded:

"ButIowethathappinesstoyou,mygoodAmedee."

Mauricesaidthiscarelessly,inordertosatisfyhisconscience.Didheremember,didheevensuspecthowunhappythepoethadbeen,andwasnow,onaccountofthishappiness?Abellrang.

"Ah!"exclaimedthemasterofthehouse,joyfully.

"ItisMariareturningwiththebabyfromawalkinthegardens.Thislittlecitizenwillbesixweeksoldto-morrow,andyoumustseewhatahandsomelittlefellowheisalready."

Amedeefeltstifledwithemotion.Hewasabouttoseeheragain!Toseeherasawifeandamotherwasquitedifferent,ofcourse.

Sheappeared,raisingtheportierewithonehand,whilebehindherappearedthewhitebonnetandrusticfaceofthenurse.No!shewasnotchanged,butmaternity,love,andarichandeasylifehadexpandedherbeauty.Shewasdressedinafreshandcharmingtoilette.SheblushedwhenshefirstrecognizedAmedee;andhefeltwithsadnessthathispresencecouldonlyawakenunpleasantrecollectionsintheyoungwoman'smind.

"Kisseachother,likeoldacquaintances,"saidthepainter,laughing,withtheairofamanwhoislovedandsureofhimself.

ButAmedeecontentedhimselfwithkissingthetipsofherglove,andtheglancewithwhichMariathankedhimforthisreservewasonemoretortureforhimtoendure.Shewasgratefultohimandgavehimakindsmile.

"Mymotherandmysister,"saidshe,graciously,"oftenhavethepleasureofavisitfromyou,MonsieurAmedee.Ihopethatyouwillnotmakeusjealous,butcomeoftentoseeMauriceandme."

"Mauriceandme!"Howsoftandtenderhervoiceandeyesbecameasshe

saidthesesimplewords,"Mauriceandme!"Ah,weretheynotone!Howshelovedhim!Howshelovedhim!

ThenAmedeemustadmirethebaby,whowasnowawakeinhisnurse'sarms,arousedbyhisfather'snoisygayety.Thechildopenedhisblueeyes,asseriousasthoseofanoldman's,andpeepedoutfromthedepthoflace,feeblysqueezingthefingerthatthepoetextendedtohim.

"Whatdoyoucallhim?"askedAmedee,troubledtofindanythingtosay.

"Maurice,afterhisfather,"quicklyrespondedMaria,whoalsoputamintofloveintothesewords.

Amedeecouldendurenomore.Hemadesomepretextforwithdrawingandwentaway,promisingthathewouldseethemagainsoon.

"Ishallnotgothereveryoften!"hesaidtohimself,ashedescendedthesteps,furiouswithhimselfthathewasobligedtoholdbackasob.

Hewentthere,however,andalwayssufferedfromit.Hewastheonewhohadmadethismarriage;heoughttorejoicethatMaurice,softenedbyconjugallifeandpaternity,didnotreturntohisrecklessnessofformerdays;but,onthecontrary,thesightofthishousehold,Maria'shappy


21/36

looks,theallusionsthatshesometimesmadeofgratitudetoAmedee;aboveallMaurice'sdomineeringwayinhishome,hiswayofspeakingtohiswifelikeanindulgentmastertoaslavedelightedtoobey,alldispleasedandunmannedhim.HealwaysleftMaurice'sdispleasedwithhimself,andirritatedwiththebadsentimentsthathehadinhisheart;ashamedoflovinganother'swife,thewifeofhisoldcomrade;andkeepingupallthesamehisfriendshipforMaurice,whomhewasneverabletoseewithoutafeelingofenvyandsecretbitterness.

Hemanagedtolengthenthedistancebetweenhisvisitstotheyoungpair,andtoputanotherinterestintohislife.Hewasnowamanofleisure,andhisfortuneallowedhimtoworkwhenhelikedandfeltinspired.Hereturnedtosocietyandtraversedthemidstofmiscellaneousparlors,greenrooms,andBohemiansociety.Heloiteredabouttheseplacesagreatdealandlosthistime,wasinterestedbyallthewomen,dupedbyhistenderimagination;alwaysexpendingtoomuchsensibilityinhisfancies;takinghisdesiresforlove,anddevotinghimselftowomen.

ThefirstofhisloveswasabeautifulMadame,whomhemetintheCountessFontaine'sparlors.Shewasprovidedwithaveryoldhusbandbelongingtothepoliticalandfinancialworld;aservantofseveralregimes,whohavingonmanyoccasionsfeatheredhisownnest,madefalsestatementsofaccounts,andbetrayedhisvows,hisnamecouldnotbespokeninpublicassemblieswithoutbeingprecededbytheepithetof

honorable.AmansoseriouslyoccupiedinsavingtheCapitol,thatistosay,incourageouslysustainingthestronger,approvingthemajoritiesinalloftheirmeanactionsandthusincreasinghisownground,sinecures,tips,stocks,andvariousotheradvantages,necessarilyneglectedhischarmingwife,andtookverylittlenoticeoftheridiculethatsheinflicteduponhimoften,andtowhichheseemedpredestined.

Thefairlady--withawaxdoll'sbeauty,notveryyoung,confiningherselftoGeorgeSandinliterature,makingthreetoilettesaday,andhavingalargeaccountatthedentist's--singledouttheyoungpoetwitharomantichead,andrapidlytraversedwithhimthewholeroutethroughthecountryofLove.Thankstomodernprogress,thevoyageisnowmadebyathroughtrain.Afterpassingthesmallerstations,"blushingbehind

thefan,"a"significantpressureofthehand,""appointmentinamuseum,"etc.,andhaltingatastationofverylittleimportancecalled"scruples"(tenminutes'pause),Amedeereachedtheterminusofthelineandwasthemostenviableofmortals.HebecameMadame'slapdog,theessentialornamentinherdrawing-room,figuredatallthedinners,balls,androutswheresheappeared,stifledhisyawnsatthebackofherboxattheOpera,andreceivedtheconfidentialmissionofgoingtohuntforsweetmeatsandchocolatesinthefoyer.Hisrecompenseconsistedinmetaphysicalconversationsandsentimentalseances,inwhichhewasnotlongindiscoveringthathisheartwasblindedbyhisemotions.Attheendofafewmonthsofthiscommonplacehappiness,therupturetookplacewithoutanyregretsoneitherside,andAmedeereturned,withoutapang,thelove-tokenshehadreceived,namely:aphotograph,apackageof

lettersinimitationoffashionableromances,writteninlong,angularhandwriting,aftertheEnglishstyle,uponverychicpaper;and,wemustnotforget,awhiteglovewhichwasalittleyellowedfromconfinementinthecasket,likethebeautifulMadameherself.

Atallgirl,withabodylikeagoddess,whoearnedthreehundredfrancsamonthbyshowinghercostumesontheVaudevillestage,andwhogaveonelouisadaytoherhairdresser,gaveAmedeeanewexperienceinlove,moreexpensive,butmuchmoreamusingthanthefirst.Therewerenomorepsychologicalsubtletiesorhazyconsciences;butshehadfine,strong


22/36

limbsandthemajesticcarriageofacardinal'smistressgoingthroughtheRuedeConstanceinheavybrocadegarments,toseeJeanHussburned;andhervoluptuoussmileshowedteethmadetodevourpatrimonies.Unfortunately,MademoiselleRosedeJuin's--thatwastheyounglady'stheatricalname--charmingheadwasfullofthefoolishnessandvanityofapooractress.Herattacksofragewhenshereadanarticleinthejournalswhichcutherup,hernervousattacksandtorrentsoftearswhentheygaveherpartswithonlyfifteenlinesinanewpiece,hadbeguntoannoyAmedee,whenchancegavehimanewrivalinthepersonofGradoux,anactorintheVarietes,theuglyclownwhosechroniccoldintheheadanduglyfaceseemedfortwentyyearssodelicioustothemostrefinedpublicintheworld.Relievedofalargenumberofbank-notes,Violettediscreetlyretired.

Henextcarriedonacommonplaceromancewithaprettylittlegirlwhoseacquaintancehemadeoneeveningatapublicfete.Louisonwastwentyyearsold,andearnedherlivingatafamousflorist's,andwasaspinkandfreshasanalmond-bushinApril.Shehadhadonlytwolovers,gayfellows--anartstudentfirst--thenaclerkinanoveltystore,whohadgivenherthenotveryaristocratictasteforboating.ItwasontheMarne,seatednearLouisoninaboatmooredtothewillowsontheIled'Amour,thatAmedeeobtainedhisfirstkissbetweentwostanzasofaboatingsong,andthisprettycreature,whonevercametoseehimwithoutbringinghimabouquet,charmedthepoet.HerememberedBeranger's

charmingverses,"Iamofthepeopleaswell,mylove!"feltthatheloved,andwassoftened.Inreality,hehadturnedthisnaivehead.Louisonbecamedreamy,askedforalockofhishair,whichshealwayscarriedwithherinher'porte-monnaie',wenttogetherfortunetoldtoknowwhetherthedark-complexionedyoungman,theknaveofclubs,wouldbefaithfultoherforalongtime.Amedeetrustedthissimpleheartforsometime,butatlengthhebecametiredofhervulgarities.Shewasreallytootalkative,notmindingherh'sandpunctuatingherdiscoursewith"forcertain"and"listentome,then,"callingAmedee"mylittleman,"andeatingvulgardishes.Onedaysheofferedtokisshim,withabreaththatsmelledofgarlic.Shewastheonewholefthim,fromfemininepride,feelingthathenolongerlovedher,andhealmostregrettedher.

Thushislifepassed;heworkedalittleanddreamedmuch.HewentasrarelyaspossibletoMauriceRoger'shouse.Mauricehaddecidedlyturnedouttobeagoodhusband,andwasfondofhishomeandplayingwithhislittleboy.EverytimethatAmedeesawMariaitmeantseveraldaysofdiscouragement,sorrow,andimpossibilityofwork.

"Well!well!"hewouldmurmur,throwingdownhispen,whentheyoungwoman'sfacewouldrisebetweenhisthoughtsandhispage;"Iamincurable;Ishallalwaysloveher."

Inthesummerof1870Amedee,beingtiredofParis,thoughtofanewtrip,andhewasuponthepointofgoingagain,unfortunatefellow!to

seetheSwissporterswhospeakallthelanguagesintheworld,andtoviewthemelancholybootsinthehotelcorridors,whenthewarbrokeout.Thepoet'spassagethroughthemidstoftherevolutionary"beards"intheCafedeSeville,andtheparliamentarycravatsintheCountess'sdrawing-room,haddisgustedhimforeverwithpolitics.HealsowasverysuspiciousoftheLiberalministersandallthedifferentphasesofthemaladythatwasdestroyingtheSecondEmpire.ButAmedeewasagoodFrenchman.Theassaultsuponthefrontiers,andthefirstbattleslost,madeaburningblushsuffusehisfaceattheinsult.WhenPariswasthreatenedheaskedforarms,liketheothers,andalthoughhehadnota


23/36

militaryspirit,hesworetodohisduty,andhisentireduty,too.OnebeautifulSeptembermorninghesawTrochu'sgildedcappassingamongthebayonets;fourhundredthousandParisianswerethere,likehimself,fullofgood-will,whohadtakenuptheirgunswiththeresolvetodiesteadfast.Ah,themiseryofdefeat!Allthesebravemenforfivemonthscouldonlyfidgetabouttheplaceandeatcarcases.MaythegoodGodforgivethetimidandtheprattler!Alas!PooroldFrance!Aftersomuchglory!PoorFranceofJeanned'ArcandofNapoleon!

CHAPTERXVI

INTIMEOFWAR

Thegreatsiegelastednearlythreemonths.UponthethirtiethofNovembertheyhadfoughtabattleuponthebanksoftheMarne,thenfortwenty-fourhoursthefighthadseemedtoslacken,andtherewasaheavysnow-storm;buttheymaintainedthatthesecondofDecemberwouldbedecisive.ThatmorningthebattalionoftheNationalGuard,ofwhichAmedeeViolettewasone,wentoutforthefirsttime,withtheordersimplytoholdthemselvesinreserveinthethirdrank,bythefort'scannons,uponahideousplainattheeastofParis.

TrulythisNationalGuarddidnotmakeabadappearance.Theywereatrifleawkward,perhaps,intheirdark-bluehoodedcloaks,withtheirtin-platebuttons,andarmedwithbreech-loadingrifles,andencumberedwithcanteens,basins,andpouches,allhavinganunpreparedandtoo-newlook.Theyallcamefromthebestpartsofthecity,withacceleratedstepsandaloudbeatingofdrums,andheaded,ifyouplease,bytheirmajoronhorseback,atruss-maker,whohadformerlybeenquartermasterofthethirdhussars.Certainlytheyonlyaskedforservice;itwasnottheirfault,afterall,ifonehadnotconfidenceinthem,andiftheywerenotsenttothefrontassoonastheyreachedthefortifications.WhilecrossingthedrawbridgetheyhadsungtheMarseillaiselikemenreadytobeshotdown.Whatspoiledtheirmartialappearance,perhaps,

weretheirstronghunting-boots,theirleatherleggings,knitgloves,andlonggaiters;lastly,thatcomfortableairofpeoplewhohavebroughtwiththemafewdainties,suchasalittlebreadwithsomethingeatablebetween,sometabletsofchocolate,tobacco,andaphialfilledwitholdrum.Theyhadnotgonetwokilometresoutsidetheramparts,andwerenearthefort,whereforthetimebeingtheartillerywassilent,whenastaffofficerwhowasawaitingthemuponanoldhackofahorse,merelyskinandbones,stoppedthembyagestureofthehand,andsaidsharplytotheirmajortotakepositionontheleftoftheroad,inanopenfield.Theythenstackedtheirarmsthereandbrokeranks,andresteduntilfurtherorders.

Whatadismalplace!Underacanopyofdullclouds,theearthbarewith

half-meltedsnow,withthelowfortrisingupbeforethemasifinanattitudeofdefence,hereandtheregroupsofruinedhouses,amillwhosetallchimneyandwallshadbeenhalfdestroyedbyshells,butwhereonestillread,inlargeblackletters,thesewords,"Soap-makertotheNobility;"andthroughthisdesolatedcountrywasalongandmuddyroadwhichledovertowherethebattlefieldlay,andinthemidstofwhich,presentingasymbolofdeath,laythedeadbodyofahorse.

InfrontoftheNationalGuard,ontheothersideoftheroad,abattalion,whichhadbeenstronglyputtothetestthenightbefore,


24/36

werecooking.Theyhadretreatedasfarasthistorestalittle,andhadspentallthatnightwithoutshelterunderthefallingsnow.Exhausted,bespattered,inrags,theyweredolefullycrouchedaroundtheirmeagregreen-woodfires;thepoorcreaturesweretobepitied.Underneaththeirmisshapencapstheyallshowedyellow,wrinkled,andunshavenfaces.Thebitter,coldwindthatsweptovertheplainmadetheirthinshoulders,stoopingfromfatigue,shiver,andtheirshoulder-bladesprotrudedundertheirfadedcapes.Someofthemwerewounded,tooslightlytobesentawayintheambulance,andworeabouttheirwristsandforeheadsbandsofbloodylinen.Whenanofficerpassedwithhisheadbentandahumiliatedair,nobodysalutedhim.Thesemenhadsufferedtoomuch,andonecoulddivineanangryandinsolentdespairintheirgloomylooks,readytoburstoutandtelloftheirinjuries.Theywouldhavedisgustedoneiftheyhadnotexcitedone'spity.Alas,theywerevanquished!

TheParisianswereeagerfornewsastorecentmilitaryoperations,fortheyhadonlyreadinthemorningpapers--astheyalwaysdidduringthisfrightfulsiege--enigmaticaldespatchesandbulletinspurposelybristlingwithstrategicexpressionsnotcomprehensibletotheoutsider.Butall,ornearlyall,hadkepttheirpatriotichopesintact,or,tospeakmoreplainly,theirblindfanaticalpatriotism,andwerecertainagainstallreasonofadefinitevictory;theywalkedalongtheroadinlittlegroups,anddrewneartheredpantaloonstotalkalittle.

"Well,itwasaprettyhotaffaironthethirtieth,wasn'tit?IsittruethatyouhadcommandoftheMarne?YouknowwhattheysayinParis,mychildren?ThatTrochuknowssomethingnew,thatheisgoingtomakehiswaythroughthePrussianlinesandjoinhandswiththehelpingarmies--inawordthatwearegoingtostrikethelastblow."

Atthesightofthesespectresofsoldiers,theseunhappymenbrokendownwithhungerandfatigue,thegenteelNationalGuards,warmlycladandwrappedupforthewinter,commencedtoutterfoolishspeechesandbighopeswhichhadbeentheirdailyfoodforseveralmonths:"Breaktheironcircle;""notoneinch,notastone;""wartotheknife;""onegrandeffort,"etc.Buttheverybesttalkerswerespeedilydiscouragedbythe

shruggingofshouldersanduglyglancesofthesoldiers,thatwerelikethoseofasnarlingcur.

Meanwhile,asuperbsergeant-majoroftheNationalGuard,newlyequipped,abig,full-bloodedfellow,witharedbeard,thehusbandofafashionabledressmaker,whoeveryeveningatthebeer-house,afterhissixthglassofbeerwouldshow,withmatches,aninfallibleplanforblockingParisandcrushingthePrussianarmylikepepper,andwasfoolishenoughtoinsistuponit.

"Nowthen,you,mygoodfellow,"saidhe,addressinganinsignificantcorporaljustabouttoeathisstew,asifhewerequestioninganoldtacticianoramanskilledlikeTurenneorDavoust;"doyousee?youhit

itinthisaffairofdaybeforeyesterday.Giveusyouropinion.ArethepositionsoccupiedbyDucrotasstrongastheypretend?Isitvictoryforto-day?"

Thecorporalturnedaroundsuddenly;withafacethecolorofboxwood,andhisblueeyesshiningwithrageanddefiance,hecriedinahoarsevoice:

"Goandseeforyourselves,youstay-at-homes!"


25/36

Saddenedandheart-brokenatthedemoralizationofthesoldiers,theNationalGuardswithdrew.

"BeholdthearmywhichtheEmpirehasleftus!"saidthedressmaker'shusband,whowasafool.

UpontheroadleadingfromParis,pressingtowardthecannon'smouthwhichwascommencingtogrumbleagaininthedistance,abattalionofmilitiaarrived,adisorderlytroop.Theywerepoorfellowsfromthedepartmentsinthewest,allyoung,wearingintheircapstheBrittanycoat-of-arms,andwhomsufferingandprivationhadnotyetentirelydeprivedoftheirgoodcountrycomplexions.Theywerelesswornoutthantheotherunfortunatefellowswhoseturncametoooften,anddidnotfeelthecoldundertheirsheepskins,andstillrespectedtheirofficers,whomtheyknewpersonally,andwereassuredincaseofaccidentofabsolutiongivenbyoneoftheirpriests,whomarchedintherearfileofthefirstcompany,withhiscassocktuckedupandhisRomanhatoverhiseyes.Thesecountryfellowswalkedbriskly,alittlehelter-skelter,liketheirancestorsinthetimeofStoffletandM.delaRochejaquelin,butwithafirmstepandtheirmusketswellplacedupontheirshoulders,bySte.Anne!Theylookedlikesoldiersinearnest.

WhentheypassedbytheNationalGuard,thebigblondwavedhiscapintheair,furiouslyshoutingatthetopofhislungs:

"LonglivetheRepublic!"

Butoncemorethefanaticalpatriot'senthusiasmfellflat.TheBretonsweremarchingintodangerpartlyfromdesire,butmorefromdutyanddiscipline.Attheveryfirstshotthesesimple-mindedcreaturesreachthesupremewisdomoflovingone'scountryandlosingone'slifeforit,ifnecessary,withoutinterestingthemselvesinthevariedmystificationsonecallsgovernment.Fourorfiveofthemen,moreorlessastonishedatthecrywhichgreetedthem,turnedtheirplacid,countrifiedfacestowardtheNationalGuard,andthebattalionpassedby.

Thedressmaker'shusband--hedidnothingathistrade,forhiswife

adoredhim,andhespentatcafesallthemoneywhichshegavehim--wasextremelyscandalized.DuringthistimeAmedeeViolettewasdreamilywalkingupanddownbeforethestacksofguns.Hiswarlikeardorofthefirstfewdayshaddampened.Hehadseenandheardtoomanyfoolishthingssaidanddonesincethebeginningofthishorriblesiege;hadtakenparttoomanytimesinoneofthemostwretchedspectaclesinwhichapeoplecanshowvanityinadversity.Hewasheartbrokentoseehisdearcompatriots,hisdearParisians,redoubletheirboastingaftereachdefeatandtaketheirlevityforheroism.Ifheadmiredtheresignationofthepoorwomenstandinginlinebeforethedoorofabutcher'sshop,hewaseverydaymoresadlytormentedbythebraggingofhiscomrades,whothoughtthemselvesheroeswhenplayingagameofcorks.Theofficialplacards,thetrashinthejournals,inspiredhimwithimmensedisgust,

fortheyhadneverliedsoboldlyorflatteredthepeoplewithsomuchlowmeanness.ItwaswithadespairingheartandthecertitudeoffinaldisasterthatAmedee,needingalittlesleepafterthefatigue,wanderedthroughParis'sobscurestreets,barelylightedhereandtherebypetroleumlamps,underthedark,opaquewintersky,wheretheechoesofthedistantcannonadingunceasinglygrowledlikethebarkingofmonstrousdogs.

Whatsolitude!Thepoethadnotonefriend,notonecomradetowhomhecouldconfidehispatrioticsorrows.PaulSillerywasservinginthe


26/36

armyoftheLoire.ArthurPapillon,whohadshownsuchboisterousenthusiasmonthefourthofSeptember,hadbeennominatedprefetinaPyreneandepartment,andhavinglookedoverhispreviousstudies,theformerlaureateoftheuniversityexaminationsspentmuchofhistimetherein,farfromthefiring,inmakinggreatspeechesandharanguingfromthetopofthebalconies,inwhichspeechesthethreehundredheroesofantiquityinacertainmountain-passwereagreatdealtoooftenmentioned.AmedeesometimeswenttoseeJocqueletinthetheatres,wheretheygavebenefitperformancesforthefieldhospitalsortocontributetothemoldingofanewcannon.Theactor,wearingashortuniformandbootedtothethighs,wouldrecitewithenormoussuccesspoemsofthetimesinwhichenthusiasmandfinesentimentstooktheplaceofartandcommonsense.WhatcanonesaytoatriumphantactorwhotakeshimselfforasecondTyrtee,andwhoafterasecondrecallisconvincedthatheisgoingtosavethecountry,andthatBismarckandoldWilliamhadbetterlookaftertheirlaurels.

AstoMauriceRoger,atthebeginningofthecampaignhesenthismother,wife,andchildintothecountry,and,wearingthedoublegoldenstripeofalieutenantuponhismilitiajacket,hewasnowattheoutpostsnearhisfather'soldfriend,ColonelLantz.

Owingtoascarcityofofficers,theyhadfisheduptheoldColonelfromthedepthsofhisengineer'soffice,andhadtornhimawayfromhis

squaresandcompasses.Pooroldfellow!HissouvenirsofactivitywentasfarbackastheCrimeaandSebastopol.Sincethattimehehadnotevenseenapickaxeglisteninthesun,and,behold,theyaskedthisworthymantoreturntothetrench,andtopowderhisdespatcheswithearthploughedupbybombs,likeJunotatTouloninthefearlessbattery.

Well,hedidnotsay"No,"andafterkissinghisthreeportionlessdaughtersontheforehead,hetookhisolduniform,half-eatenupbymoths,fromadrawer,shookthegrainsofpepperandcamphorfromit,and,withhisslow,red-tapiststep,wenttomakehisexcavatorsworkasfaraspossiblefromthewallsandclosebythePrussians.Icantellyou,themenoftheauxiliaryengineersandthegentlemenwiththeAmerican-capshadnotjokedforsometimeoverhisAfricancapeorhis

superannuatedcap,whichseemedtodatefromPereBugeaud.Oneday,whenaGermanbombburstamongthem,andtheyallfelltothegroundexceptingColonelLantz,whohadnotflinched.Hetranquillysettledhisglassesuponhisnoseandwipedoffhissplashedbeardascoollyashehad,notlongsince,cleanedhisIndia-inkbrushes.Blessme!itgaveyoualesson,gentlemensnobs,tosustainthehonorofthespecialarmy,andtaughtyoutorespecttheblackvelvetplastronanddoubleredbandsonthetrousers.Inspiteofhisappearanceofabsenceofmindanddeafness,theColonelhadjustbeforeheardmurmuredaroundhimthewords"oldLantz,"and"olddolphin."Verywell,gentlemenofficers,youknownowthattheoldarmywascomposedofgoodmaterial!

MauriceRogerwasorderedfromhisbattaliontoColonelLantz,anddid

hisdutylikeatruesoldier'sson,followinghischiefintothemostperilouspositions,andhenolongerloweredhisheadorbenthisshouldersatthewhistlingofabomb.Itwasgenuinemilitarybloodthatflowedinhisveins,andhedidnotfeardeath;butlifeintheopenair,absencefromhiswife,thestateofexcitementproducedbythewar,andthiseagernessforpleasurecommontoallthosewhorisktheirlives,hadsuddenlyawakenedhislicentioustemperament.Whenhisserviceallowedhimtodoso,hewouldgointoParisandspendtwenty-fourhoursthere,profitingbyittohaveachampagnedinneratBrebant'sorVoisin's,incompanywithsomebeautifulgirl,andtoeattheluxuriousdishesofthat


27/36

time,suchasbeans,Gruyerecheese,andthegreatraritywhichhadbeensecretlyraisedforthreemonthsonthefifthfloor,alegofmutton.

OneeveningAmedeeViolettewasbelatedupontheboulevards,andsawcomingoutofarestaurantMauriceinfulluniform,withoneoftheprettycomedienesfromtheVarietesleaninguponhisarm.ThismeetinggaveAmedeeoneheart-achethemore.Itwasforsuchahusbandasthis,then,thatMaria,buriedinsomecountryplace,wasprobablyatthisverytimeoverwhelmedwithfearsabouthissafety.Itwasforthisincorrigiblerakethatshehaddisdainedherfriendfromchildhood,andscornedthemostdelicate,faithful,andtenderoflovers.

Finally,tokilltimeandtofleefromsolitude,AmedeewenttotheCafedeSeville,butheonlyfoundasmallgroupofhisformeracquaintancesthere.Nomoreliterarymen,oralmostnone.The"long-haired"oneshadto-daythe"regulationcut,"andworedivershead-gears,forthemostofthescatteredpoetscarriedcartridge-boxesandguns;butsomeofthepolitical"beards"hadnotrenouncedtheiroldcustoms;thewarandthefalloftheEmpirehadbeenatriumphforthem,andthefourthofSeptemberhadopenedeverycareerforthem.Twentyofthese"beards"hadbeenprovidedwithprefectures;atleastall,ornearlyall,ofthemoccupiedpublicpositions.TherewasoneintheGovernmentofNationalDefence,andthreeorfourothers,chosenfromamongthemostrabidones,weremembersoftheCommitteeonBarricades;for,improbableasthething

mayseemtoday,thiscommissionexistedandperformeditsduties,acommissionaccordingtoallrules,withanorganizedoffice,alargechinainkstand,stampedpaper,verbalreportsreadandvoteduponatthebeginningofeachmeeting;and,aroundatablecoveredwithgreencloth,theseprofessionalinstigatorsoftheCafedeSeville,theseteachersofinsurrection,generouslygavethecountrythebenefitofthepracticalexperiencethattheyhadacquiredinpractisingwiththegameofdominoes.

The"beards"remaininginPariswerebusiedwithemploymentsmoreorlessconsiderableinthegovernment,butdidnotdoverymuch,theofficesinwhichtheyworkedforFrance'ssalvationusuallyclosedatfouro'clock,andtheywentasusualtotaketheirappetizersattheCafedeSeville.

ItwastherethatAmedeemetthemagain,andmixedanewintheirconversations,whichnowdweltexclusivelyuponpatrioticandmilitarysubjects.These"beards"whowouldnoneofthemhavebeenabletocommand"bytherightflank"aplatoonofartillery,hadallatoncebeenendowedbysomemagicalpowerwiththegeniusofstrategy.Everyevening,fromfivetoseven,theyfoughtadecisivebattleuponeachmarbletable,sustainedbytheartilleryoftheiceddecanterwhichrepresentedMountValerien,aglassofbitters,thatistosay,Vinoy'sbrigade,feignedtoattackasaucerrepresentingtheMontretoutbatteries;whiletheregulararmyandNationalGuard,symbolizedbyaglassofvermouthandabsinthe,werecominginsolidmassesfromthesouth,andmarchingstraightintotheheartoftheenemy,thematch-box.

Therewereschemingmenamongthese"beards,"andparticularlyterribleinventors,whoallhadaninfalliblewayofdestroyingatablowthePrussianarmy,andwhoaccusedGeneralTrochuoftreason,andofrefusingtheiroffers,givingasareasontheoldprejudicesofmilitarylawsamongnations.Oneofthesevisionarypeoplehadformerlybeenphysiciantoasomnambulist,andtookfromhispocket--withhistobaccoandcigarettepapers--aseriesofbottleslabelled:cholera,yellowfever,typhusfever,smallpox,etc.,andproposedasaverysimplethingtogoandspreadtheseepidemicsinalltheGermancamps,bytheaidofanavigableballoon,whichhehadjustinventedthenightbeforeupongoing


28/36

tobed.Amedeesoonbecametiredofthesebraggartsandlunatics,andnolongerwenttotheCafedeSeville.Helivedaloneandshuthimselfupinhisdiscouragement,andhehadneverperhapshaditweighmoreheavilyuponhisshouldersthanthismorningofthesecondofDecember,thelastdayofthebattleofChampigny,whilehewassadlypromenadingbeforethestackedgunsofhisbattalion.

Thedarkclouds,heavywithsnow,werehurryingby,thetormentingrumbleofthecannons,themuddycountry,thecrumblingbuildings,andthesevanquishedsoldiersshiveringundertheirrags,allthrewthepoetintothemostgloomyofreveries.Thenhumanitysomanyages,centuries,perhaps,old,hadonlyreachedthispoint:Hatred,absurdwar,fratricidalmurder!Progress?Civilization?Merewords!Norest,nopeacefulrepose,eitherinfraternityorlove!Theprimitivebrutealwaysreappears,therightofthestrongertoholdinitsclutchesthepalecadaverofjustice!Whatistheuseofsomanyreligions,philosophies,allthenobledreams,allthegrandimpulsesofthethoughttowardtheidealandgood?Thishorribledoctrineofthepessimistswastruethen!Weare,then,likeanimals,eternallycondemnedtokilleachotherinordertolive?Ifthatisso,onemightaswellrenouncelife,andgiveuptheghost!

Meanwhilethecannonadingnowredoubled,andwithitstragicgrumblingwasmingledthedrycracklingsoundofthemusketry;beyondawooded

hillock,whichrestrictedtheviewtowardthesoutheast,averythickwhitesmokespreadoverthehorizon,mountingupintothegraysky.Thefighthadjustbeenresumedthere,anditwasgettinghot,forsoontheambulancesandarmy-wagonsdrawnbyartillerymenbegantopass.Theywerefullofthewounded,whoseplaintivemoanswereheardastheypassed.Theyhadcrowdedtheleastseriouslywoundedonesintotheomnibus,whichwentatafootpace,buttheroadhadbeenbrokenupbythebadweather,anditwaspitifultobeholdtheseheadsshakenastheypassedovereachrut.Thesightofthedyingextendeduponbloodymattresseswasstillmorelugubrioustosee.Thefrightfulprocessionoftheslaughteredwentslowlytowardthecitytothehospitals,butthecarriagessometimesstopped,onlyahundredstepsfromthepositionoccupiedbytheNationalGuards,beforeahousewhereaprovisionary

hospitalhadbeenestablished,andlefttheirleasttransportableonesthere.ThemorbidbutpowerfulattractionthathorriblesightsexertoveramanurgedAmedeeViolettetothisspot.ThishousehadbeensparedfrombombardmentandprotectedfrompillageandfirebytheGenevaflag;itwasasmallcottagewhichrealizedthedreamofeveryshopkeeperafterhehasmadehisfortune.Nothingwaslacking,noteventheearthenlionsatthesteps,orthelittlegardenwithitsglitteringweather-vane,ortherock-workbasinforgoldfish.Onwarmdaysthepastsummerpassers-bymighthaveseenveryoften,underthegreenarbor,bourgeoisieintheirshirt-sleevesandwomeninlightdresseseatingmelonstogether.Thepoet'simaginationfanciedatoncethispictureofaParisian'sSunday,whensuddenlyayoungassistantappearedatanopenwindowonthefirstfloor,wipinghishandsuponhisblood-stainedapron.Heleaned

outandcalledtoahospitalattendant,thatAmedeehadnotnoticedbefore,whowascuttinglinenuponatableinthegarden:

"Well,Vidal,youconfoundeddawdler,"exclaimedhe,impatiently,"arethosebandagesready?GoodGod!arewetohavethemto-dayortomorrow?"

"Makeroom,ifyouplease!"saidatthismomentavoiceatAmedee'selbow,whosteppedasidefortwostretchersbornebyfourbrothersoftheChristiandoctrinetopass.Thepoetgaveastartandacryofterror.


29/36

HerecognizedinthetwowoundedmenMauriceRogerandColonelLantz.

Wounded,bothofthem,yes!andmortally.Onlyonehourago.

Affairshadturnedoutbadlyforusdownthere,then,onthebordersoftheMarne.Theydidafoolishthingtorestonedayandgivetheenemytimetoconcentratehisforces;whentheywishedtorenewtheattacktheydashedagainstvastnumbersandformidableartillery.Twogeneralskilled!Somanybravemensacrificed!Nowtheybeataretreatoncemoreandlosetheground.Oneofthechiefgenerals,withloweredheadanddroopingshoulders,morefromdiscouragementthanfatigue,stoodglassinhand,observingfromadistanceourlines,whichwerebreaking.

"Ifwecouldfortifyourselvesthereatleast,"saidhe,pointingtoaneminencewhichoverlookedtheriver,"andestablisharedoubt--inonenightwithahundredpicksitcouldbedone.Idonotbelievethattheenemy'sfirecouldreachthisposition--itisagoodone."

"Wecouldgothereandsee,General,"saidsomeone,veryquietly.

ItwasPereLantz,the"olddolphin,"whowasstandingtherewithMauricebesidehimandthreeorfouroftheauxiliaryengineers;and,uponmyword,inspiteofhiscap,whichseemedtodatefromthetimeofHoraceVernet's"Smala,"thepoorman,withhisglassesuponhisnose,long

cloak,andpeppercoloredbeard,hadnomoreprestigethanapolicemaninapublicsquare,oneofthoseoldfellowswhochasechildrenoffthegrass,threateningthemwiththeircanes.

"WhenIsaythattheGermanartillerywillnotreachthere,"murmuredtheheadgeneral,"Iamnotsureofit.Butyouareright,Colonel.Wemustsee.Sendtwoofyourmen."

"Withyourpermission,General,"saidPereLantz,"Iwillgomyself."Mauricebravelyaddedatonce:

"Notwithoutme,Colonel!"

"Asyouplease,"saidtheGeneral,whohadalreadypointedhisglassuponanotherpointofthebattlefield.

FollowedbytheonlysonofhiscompanioninarmsinAfricaandtheCrimea,thisofficeclerkanddauberinwatercolorswalkedtothefrontastranquillyashewouldhavegonetotheminister'sofficewithhisumbrellaunderhisarm.Attheverymomentwhenthetwoofficersreachedtheplateau,aprojectilefromthePrussianbatteriesfelluponachestandblewitupwithafrightfuluproar.Thedeadandwoundedwereheapedupontheground.PereLantzsawthefoot-soldiersfleeing,andtheartillerymenharnessingtheirwagons.

"What!"exclaimedhe,risinguptohisfullheight,"dotheyabandonthe

position?"

TheColonel'sfacewastransfigured;openingwidehislongcloakandshowinghisblackvelvetplastronuponwhichshonehiscommander'scross,hedrewhissword,and,puttinghiscapuponthetipofit,bareheaded,withhisgrayhairfloatinginthewind,withopenarmshethrewhimselfbeforetherunaways.

"Halt!"hecommanded,inathunderingtone."Turnabout,wretches,turnabout!Youarehereatapostofhonor.Formagain,mymen!Gunners,


30/36

toyourplaces!LonglifetoFrance!"

JustthenanewshellburstatthefeetoftheColonelandofMaurice,andtheybothfelltotheground.

Amedee,staggeringwithemotionandaheartburstingwithgriefandfear,enteredthehospitalbehindthetwolitters.

"Puttheminthedining-room,"saidoneofthebrothers."Thereisnobodythere.Thedoctorwillcomeimmediately."

Theyoungmanwiththebloodyaproncameinatonce,andafteralookatthewoundedmanhegaveadespairingshakeofthehead,and,shrugginghisshoulders,said:

"Thereisnothingtobedonetheywillnotlastlong."

Infact,theColonelwasdying.Theyhadthrownanoldwoollencoveringoverhimthroughwhichthehemorrhageshoweditselfbylargestainsofbloodwhichwereconstantlyincreasingandpenetratingthecloth.Thewoundedmanseemedtobecomingoutofhisfaint;hehalfopenedhiseyes,andhislipsmoved.

Thedoctor,whohadjustcomein,cameuptothelitteruponwhichtheoldofficerwaslyingandleanedoverhim.

"Didyouwishtosayanything?"heasked.

TheoldColonel,withoutmovinghishead,turnedhissadgazeuponthesurgeon,oh!sosad,andin.avoicescarcelytobeheardhemurmured:

"Threedaughters--tomarry--withoutadowry!Three--three--!"

Thenheheavedadeepsigh,hisblueeyespaledandbecameglassy.ColonelLantzwasdead.

Donotdespair,oldmilitaryFrance!Youwillalwayshavethesesimple-heartedsoldierswhoarereadytosacrificethemselvesforyourflag,readytoserveyouforamorselofbread,andtodieforyou,bequeathingtheirwidowsandorphanstoyou!Donotdespair,oldFranceoftheonehundredyears'warandof'92!

Thebrothers,whoworeupontheirblackrobestheredGenevacross,werekneelingaroundthebodyandprayinginalowtone.TheassistantsurgeonnoticedAmedeeVioletteforthefirsttime,standingmotionlessinacorneroftheroom.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"heaskedhim,brusquely.

"Iamthispoorofficer'sfriend,"Amedeereplied,pointingtoMaurice.

"Sobeit!staywithhim--ifheasksforadrinkyouhavetheteathereuponthestove.You,gentlemen,"addedhe,addressingthebrothers,whoaroseaftermakingthesignofthecross,"youwillreturntothebattle-field,Isuppose?"

Theysilentlybowedtheirheads,theeldestofthemclosedthedeadman'seyes.Astheywereallgoingouttogether,theassistantsurgeonsaidtothem,inapetulanttoneofvoice:


31/36

"Trytobringmesomenotquitesomuchusedup."

MauriceRogerwasabouttodie,too.Hisshirtwasstainedwithblood,andastreamrandownfromhisforeheaduponhisblondmoustache,buthewasstillbeautifulinhismarble-likepallor.Amedeecarefullyraiseduponeofthewoundedman'sarmsandplacedituponthestretcher,keepinghisfriend'shandinhisown.Mauricemovedslightlyatthetouch,andendedbyopeninghiseyes.

"Ah,howthirstyIam!"hegroaned.

Amedeewenttothestoveandgotthepotoftea,andleanedovertohelptheunfortunatemandrinkit.Mauricelookedathimwithsurprise.HerecognizedAmedee.

"You,Amedee!--whereamI,then?"

Heattemptedinvaintorise.Hisheaddroppedslightlytotheleft,andhesaw,nottwostepsfromhim,thelifelessbodyofhisoldcolonel,witheyesclosedandfeaturesalreadycalmedbythefirstmomentsofperfectrepose.

"MyColonel!"saidhe."Ah!Iunderstand--Iremember-!Howtheyran

away--miserablecowards!Butyou,Amedee?Whyareyouhere--?"

Hisfriendcouldnotrestrainhistears,andMauricemurmured:

"Donefor,amInot?"

"No,no!"exclaimedAmedee,withanimation."Theyaregoingtodressyourwoundsatonce--Theywillcomesoon!Courage,mygoodMaurice!Courage!"

Suddenlythewoundedmanhadaterriblechill;histeethchattered,andhesaidagain:

"Iamthirsty!--somethingtodrink,myfriend!--givemesomethingtodrink!"

Afewswallowsofteacalmedhimalittle.Heclosedhiseyesasiftorest,butamomentafterheopenedthem,and,fixingthemuponhisfriend'sface,hesaidtohiminafaintvoice:

"Youknow--Maria,mywife--marryher--Iconfidethemtoyou--sheandmyson--"

Then,doubtlesstiredoutbythefatigueofhavingspokenthesewords,heseemedtocollapseandsinkdownintothelitter,whichwassaturatednowwithhisblood.Amomentlaterhebegantopantforbreath.Amedee

kneltbyhisside,andtearsfelluponhishands,whilebetweenthedyingman'sgaspshecouldhearinthedistance,uponthebattlefield,theuninterruptedrumblingofthecannonasitmoweddownothers.

CHAPTERXVII

"WHENYOUTH,THEDREAM,DEPARTS"


32/36

Theleavesarefalling!

ThisOctoberafternoonisdeliciouslyserene,thereisnotacloudinthegrayish-bluesky,wherethesun,whichhasshedapureandsteadylightsincemorning,hasbegunmajesticallytodecline,likeagoodkingwhohasgrownoldafteralongandprosperousreign.Howsofttheairis!Howcalmandfresh!Thisiscertainlyoneofthemostbeautifulofautumndays.Below,inthevalley,theriversparkleslikeliquidsilver,andthetreeswhichcrownthehill-topsareofaluridgoldandcoppercolor.ThedistantpanoramaofParisisgrandandcharming,withallitsnotededificesandthedomeoftheInvalidesshininglikegoldoutlineduponthehorizon.Asalovingandcoquettishwoman,whowishestoberegretted,givesatthemomentofdeparturehermostintoxicatingsmiletoafriend,sothecloseofautumnhadputonforoneofherlastdaysallhersplendidcharms.

Buttheleavesarefalling!

AmedeeVioletteiswalkingaloneinhisgardenatMeudon.Itishiscountryhome,wherehehaslivedforeightyears.AshorttimeafterthecloseofthewarhemarriedMaurice'swidow.Heiswalkingupontheterraceplantedwithlindensthatarenowmorethanhalf-despoiledoftheirleaves,admiringthebeautifulpictureandthinking.

Heiscelebrated,hehasworkedhardandhasbuiltupareputationbygood,sincerebooks,asapoet.Doubtless,somepersonsarestilljealousofhim,andheisoftentreatedwithinjustice,butheisestimatedbythedignityofhislife,whichhisloveofartfillsentirely,andheoccupiesasuperiorpositioninliterature.Althoughhisresourcesaremodest,theyaresufficienttoexempthimfromanxietiesofatrivialnature.Livingfarfromsociety,inthecloseintimacyofthosethatheloves,hedoesnotknowthemiseriesofambitionandvanity.AmedeeVioletteshouldbehappy.

Hisoldfriend,PaulSillery,whobreakfastedwithhimthatmorninginMeudon,iscondemnedtodailylaborandtheexhaustinglifeofa

journalist;andwhenhewasseatedinthecarriagewhichtookhimbacktoParisthatmorning,toforcedlabor,tothearticletobeknockedofffortomorrow,inthemidstoftheracketandchatteringofaneditor'soffice,besideaninterruptedcigarlaidupontheedgeofatable,heheavedadeepsighashethoughtofAmedee.

Ah,thisViolettewastobeenvied!Withmoney,home,andafamily,hewasnotobligedtodisseminatehisideasrightandleft.Hehadleisure,andcouldstopwhenhewasnotinthespiritofwriting;hecouldthinkbeforehewroteanddosomegoodwork.Itwasnotastonishing,tobesure,thatheproducedveritableworksofartwhenheischeeredbytheatmosphereofaffection.First,headoreshiswife,thatiseasilyseen,andhelooksuponMaurice'slittlesonashisown,thelittlefellowis

soprettyandattractivewithhislong,lightcurls.Certainly,onecanseethatMadameViolettehasanever-to-be-forgottengrief,butwhatakindandgratefulglanceshegivesherhusband!CouldanythingbemoretouchingthanLouiseGerard,thatexcellentoldmaid,thelifeofthehouse,whohastheknackofmakingpleasingorderandelegantcomfortreigninthehouse,whileshesurroundshermother,theparalyticGrandmotherGerard,witheverycare?Truly,Amedeehasarrangedhislifewell.Helovesandisloved:hehasprocuredformindandbodyvaluableandcertaincustoms.Heisawiseandfortunateman.


33/36

WhilePaulSillery,buriedinthecornerofacarriage,allowedhimselftobealmostcarriedawaybyjealousyofhisfriend,Amedee,detainedbythecharmofthisbeautifuldaywhichisdrawingtoaclose,walkswithslow,lingeringstepsunderthelindensontheterrace.

Theleavesarefallingaroundhim!

Averyslightbreezeisrising,theblueskyisfadingalittlebelow;inthenearestParissuburbthewindowsareshiningintheobliqueraysofthesettingsun.Itwillsoonbenight,anduponthiscarpetofdeadleaves,whichcrackleunderthepoet'stread,otherleaveswillfall.Theyfallrarely,slowly,butcontinually.Thefrostofthenightbeforehasblightedthemall.Driedupandrusty,theybarelyhangtothetrees,sothattheslightestwindthatpassesoverthemgathersthemoneafteranother,detachingthemfromtheirbranches;whirlinganinstantinthegoldenlight,theyatlastrejoin,withasadlittlesound,theirwitheredsisters,whosprinklethegravelwalks.Theleavesfall,theleavesfall!

AmedeeVioletteisfilledwithmelancholy.

Heoughttobehappy.Whatcanhereproachdestinywith?Hashenottheonehealwaysdesiredforhiswife?Isshenotthesweetestandbestofcompanionsforhim?Yes!butheknowsverywellthatsheconsentedto

marryhiminordertoobeyMaurice'slastwish,heknowsverywellthatMaria'sheartisburiedinthesoldier'sgraveatChampigny.Shehassetapartasanctuarywithinherselfwhereburns,asaperpetuallight,theremembranceoftheadoreddead,ofthemantowhomshegaveherselfwithoutreserve,thefatherofherson,theherowhotorehimselffromherarmstoshedhisbloodforhiscountry.

Amedeemaybecertainofthegratitudeanddevotionofhiswife,butheneverwillhaveherlove,forMaurice,aposthumousrival,risesbetweenthem.Ah,thisMaurice!HehadlovedMariaverylittleornotveryfaithfully!Sheshouldrememberthathehadfirstbetrayedher,thatbutforAmedeehewouldhaveabandonedherandsheneverwouldhavebeenhiswife.IfsheknewthatinPariswhenshewasfarawa

Romance of Youth, a — Volume 4 by Coppée, François, 1842-1908

Documents

Transcript of Romance of Youth, a — Volume 4 by Coppée, François, 1842-1908