第14章
Canalispushedthishabittoofar;forheoftenforgottoansweraspeechwhichrequiredananswer，andpassed，withouttheordinarytransitionsofcourtesy，tothesubject，whateveritwas，thatpreoccupiedhim。Thoughsuchimpertinenceisacceptedwithoutprotestfromamanofmarkeddistinction，itstirsaleavenofhatredandvengeanceinmanyhearts;inthoseofequalsitevengoessofarastodestroyafriendship。IfbychanceMelchiorwasforcedtolisten，hefellintoanotherfault;hemerelylenthisattention，andnevergaveit。Thoughthismaynotbesomortifying，itshowsakindofsemi—
concessionwhichisalmostasunsatisfactorytothehearerandleaveshimdissatisfied。Nothingbringsmoreprofitinthecommerceofsocietythanthesmallchangeofattention。Hethathearethlethimhear，isnotonlyagospelprecept，itisanexcellentspeculation;
followit，andallwillbeforgivenyou，evenvice。CanalistookagreatdealoftroubleinhisanxietytopleaseModeste;butthoughhewascompliantenoughwithher，hefellbackintohisnaturalselfwiththeothers。
Modeste，pitilessforthetenmartyrsshewasmaking，beggedCanalistoreadsomeofhispoems;shewanted，shesaid，aspecimenofhisgiftforreading，ofwhichshehadheardsomuch。Canalistookthevolumewhichshegavehim，andcooed（forthatistheproperword）apoemwhichisgenerallyconsideredhisfinest，——animitationofMoore’s"LovesoftheAngels，"entitled"Vitalis，"whichMonsieurandMadameDumay，MadameLatournelle，andGobenheimwelcomedwithafewyawns。
"Ifyouareagoodwhist—player，monsieur，"saidGobenheim，flourishingfivecardsheldlikeafan，"ImustsayIhavenevermetamanasaccomplishedasyou。"
Theremarkraisedalaugh，foritwasthetranslationofeverybody’sthought。
"Iplayitsufficientlywelltoliveintheprovincesfortherestofmydays，"repliedCanalis。"That，Ithink，isenough，andmorethanenoughliteratureandconversationforwhist—players，"headded，throwingthevolumeimpatientlyonatable。
Thislittleincidentservestoshowwhatdangersenvironadrawing—
roomherowhenhesteps，likeCanalis，outofhissphere;heislikethefavoriteactorofasecond—rateaudience，whosetalentislostwhenheleaveshisownboardsandstepsuponthoseofanupper—classtheatre。
CHAPTERXXI
MODESTEPLAYSHERPART
Thegameopenedwiththebaronandtheduke，GobenheimandLatournelleaspartners。Modestetookaseatnearthepoet，toErnest’sdeepdisappointment;hewatchedthefaceofthewaywardgirl，andmarkedtheprogressofthefascinationwhichCanalisexertedoverher。LaBrierehadnotthegiftofseductionwhichMelchiorpossessed。Naturefrequentlydeniesittotruehearts，whoare，asarule，timid。Thisgiftdemandsfearlessness，analacrityofwaysandmeansthatmightbecalledthetrapezeofthemind;alittlemimicrygoeswithit;infactthereisalways，morallyspeaking，somethingofthecomedianinapoet。Thereisavastdifferencebetweenexpressingsentimentswedonotfeel，thoughwemayimaginealltheirvariations，andfeigningtofeelthemwhenbiddingforsuccessonthetheatreofprivatelife。Andyet，thoughthenecessaryhypocrisyofamanoftheworldmayhavegangrenedapoet，heendsbycarryingthefacultiesofhistalentintotheexpressionofanyrequiredsentiment，justasagreatmandoomedtosolitudeendsbyinfusinghisheartintohismind。
"Heisafterthemillions，"thoughtLaBriere，sadly;"andhecanplaypassionsowellthatModestewillbelievehim。"
Insteadofendeavoringtoappearmoreamiableandwittierthanhisrival，ErnestimitatedtheDucd’Herouville，andwasgloomy，anxious，andwatchful;butwhereasthecourierstudiedthefreaksoftheyoungheiress，Ernestsimplyfellapreytothepainsofdarkandconcentratedjealousy。Hehadnotyetbeenabletoobtainaglancefromhisidol。AfterawhilehelefttheroomwithButscha。
"Itisallover！"hesaid;"sheiscaughtbyhim;Iammoredisagreeabletoher，andmoreover，sheisright。Canalisischarming;
there’sintellectinhissilence，passioninhiseyes，poetryinhisrhodomontades。"
"Isheanhonestman？"askedButscha。
"Oh，yes，"repliedLaBriere。"Heisloyalandchivalrous，andcapableofgettingrid，underModeste’sinfluence，ofthoseaffectationswhichMadamedeChaulieuhastaughthim。"
"Youareafinefellow，"saidthehunchback;"butishecapableofloving，——willheloveher？"
"Idon’tknow，"answeredLaBriere。"Hasshesaidanythingaboutme？"
heaskedafteramoment’ssilence。
"Yes，"saidButscha，andherepeatedModeste’sspeechaboutdisguises。
PoorErnestflunghimselfuponabenchandheldhisheadinhishands。
Hecouldnotkeepbackhistears，andhedidnotwishButschatoseethem;butthedwarfwastheverymantoguesshisemotion。
"Whattroublesyou？"heasked。
"Sheisright！"criedErnest，springingup;"Iamawretch。"
AndherelatedthedeceptionintowhichCanalishadledhimwhenModeste’sfirstletterwasreceived，carefullypointingouttoButschathathehadwishedtoundeceivetheyounggirlbeforesheherselftookoffthemask，andapostrophizing，inratherjuvenilefashion，hislucklessdestiny。Butschasympatheticallyunderstoodtheloveintheflavorandvigorofhissimplelanguage，andinhisdeepandgenuineanxiety。
"Butwhydon’tyoushowyourselftoMademoiselleModesteforwhatyouare？"hesaid;"whydoyouletyourrivaldohisexercises？"
"Haveyouneverfeltyourthroattightenwhenyouwishedtospeaktoher？"criedLaBriere;"isthereneverastrangefeelingintherootsofyourhairandonthesurfaceofyourskinwhenshelooksatyou，——
evenifsheisthinkingofsomethingelse？"
"Butyouhadsufficientjudgmenttoshowdispleasurewhensheasgoodastoldherexcellentfatherthathewasadolt。"
"Monsieur，IlovehertoowellnottohavefeltaknifeinmyheartwhenIheardhercontradictingherownperfections。"
"Canalissupportedher。"
"Ifshehadmoreself—lovethanhearttherewouldbenothingforamantoregretinlosingher，"answeredLaBriere。
Atthismoment，Modeste，followedbyCanalis，whohadlosttherubber，cameoutwithherfatherandMadameDumaytobreathethefreshairofthestarrynight。Whilehisdaughterwalkedaboutwiththepoet，CharlesMignonleftherandcameuptoLaBriere。
"Yourfriend，monsieur，oughttohavebeenalawyer，"hesaid，smilingandlookingattentivelyattheyoungman。
"Youmustnotjudgeapoetasyouwouldanordinaryman，——asyouwouldme，forexample，Monsieurlecomte，"saidLaBriere。"Apoethasamission。Heisobligedbyhisnaturetoseethepoetryofquestions，justasheexpressesthatofthings。Whenyouthinkhiminconsistentwithhimselfheisreallyfaithfultohisvocation。HeisapaintercopyingwithequaltruthaMadonnaandacourtesan。Moliereisastruetonatureinhisoldmenasinhisyoungones，andMoliere’sjudgmentwasassuredlyasoundandhealthyone。Thesewittyparadoxesmightbedangerousforsecond—rateminds，buttheyhavenorealinfluenceonthecharacterofgreatmen。"
CharlesMignonpressedLaBriere’shand。
"Thatadaptability，however，leadsamantoexcusehimselfinhisowneyesforactionsthatarediametricallyopposedtoeachother;aboveall，inpolitics。"
"Ah，mademoiselle，"Canaliswasatthismomentsaying，inacaressingvoice，replyingtoaroguishremarkofModeste，"donotthinkthatamultiplicityofemotionscaninanywaylessenthestrengthoffeelings。Poets，evenmorethanothermen，mustneedslovewithconstancyandfaith。YoumustnotbejealousofwhatiscalledtheMuse。Happyisthewifeofamanwhosedaysareoccupied。Ifyouheardthecomplaintsofwomenwhohavetoenduretheburdenofanidlehusband，eitheramanwithoutduties，oronesorichastohavenothingtodo，youwouldknowthatthehighesthappinessofaParisianwifeisfreedom，——therighttoruleinherownhome。Nowwewritersandmenoffunctionsandoccupations，weleavethesceptretoourwives;wecannotdescendtothetyrannyoflittleminds;wehavesomethingbettertodo。IfIevermarry，——whichIassureyouisacatastropheveryremoteatthepresentmoment，——Ishouldwishmywifetoenjoythesamemoralfreedomthatamistressenjoys，andwhichisperhapstherealsourceofherattraction。"
Canalistalkedon，displayingthewarmthofhisfancyandallhisgraces，forModeste’sbenefit，ashespokeoflove，marriage，andtheadorationofwomen，untilMonsieurMignon，whohadrejoinedthem，seizedtheopportunityofaslightpausetotakehisdaughter’sarmandleadheruptoErnestdeLaBriere，whomhehadbeenadvisingtoseekanopenexplanationwithher。
"Mademoiselle，"saidErnest，inavoicethatwasscarcelyhisown，"itisimpossibleformetoremainanylongerundertheweightofyourdispleasure。Idonotdefendmyself;Idonotseektojustifymyconduct;IdesireonlytomakeyouseethatBEFOREreadingyourmostflatteringletter，addressedtotheindividualandnolongertothepoet，——thelastwhichyousenttome，——Iwished，andItoldyouinmynotewrittenatHavrethatIwished，tocorrecttheerrorunderwhichyouwereacting。AllthefeelingsthatIhavehadthehappinesstoexpresstoyouaresincere。AhopedawnedonmeinPariswhenyourfathertoldmehewascomparativelypoor，——butnowthatallislost，nowthatnothingisleftformebutendlessregrets，whyshouldIstayherewhereallistorture？Letmecarryawaywithmeonesmiletoliveforeverinmyheart。"
"Monsieur，"answeredModeste，whoseemedcoldandabsent—minded，"Iamnotthemistressofthishouse;butIcertainlyshoulddeeplyregrettoretainanyonewherehefindsneitherpleasurenorhappiness。"
SheleftLaBriereandtookMadameDumay’sarmtore—enterthehouse。
Afewmomentslateralltheactorsinthisdomesticscenereassembledinthesalon，andwereagooddealsurprisedtoseeModestesittingbesidetheDucd’HerouvilleandcoquettingwithhimlikeanaccomplishedParisianwoman。Shewatchedhisplay，gavehimtheadvicehewanted，andfoundoccasiontosayflatteringthingsbyrankingthemeritsofnoblebirthwiththoseofgeniusandbeauty。Canalisthoughtheknewthereasonofthischange;hehadtriedtopiqueModestebycallingmarriageacatastrophe，andshowingthathewasalooffromit;
butlikeotherswhoplaywithfire，hehadburnedhisfingers。
Modeste’sprideandherpresentdisdainfrightenedhim，andheendeavoredtorecoverhisground，exhibitingajealousywhichwasallthemorevisiblebecauseitwasartificial。Modeste，implacableasanangel，tastedthesweetsofpower，and，naturallyenough，abusedit。
TheDucd’Herouvillehadneverknownsuchahappyevening;awomansmiledonhim！Ateleveno’clock，anunheard—ofhourattheChalet，thethreesuitorstooktheirleave，——thedukethinkingModestecharming，Canalisbelievingherexcessivelycoquettish，andLaBriereheart—brokenbyhercruelty。
Foreightdaystheheiresscontinuedtobetoherthreeloversverymuchwhatshehadbeenduringthatevening;sothatthepoetappearedtocarrythedayagainsthisrivals，inspiteofcertainfreaksandcapriceswhichfromtimetotimegavetheDucd’Herouvillealittlehope。Thedisrespectsheshowedtoherfather，andthegreatlibertiesshetookwithhim;herimpatiencewithherblindmother，towhomsheseemedtogrudgethelittleserviceswhichhadoncebeenthedelightofherfilialpiety，——seemedtheresultofacapriciousnatureandaheedlessgaietyindulgedfromchildhood。WhenModestewenttoofar，sheturnedroundandopenlytookherselftotask，ascribingherimpertinenceandlevitytoaspiritofindependence。SheacknowledgedtothedukeandCanalisherdistasteforobedience，andprofessedtoregarditasanobstacletohermarriage;thusinvestigatingthenatureofhersuitors，afterthemannerofthosewhodigintotheearthinsearchofmetals，coal，tufa，orwater。
"Ishallnever，"shesaid，theeveningbeforethedayonwhichthefamilyweretomoveintothevilla，"findahusbandwhowillputupwithmycapricesasmyfatherdoes;hiskindnessneverflags。Iamsurenoonewilleverbeasindulgenttomeasmypreciousmother。"
"Theyknowthatyoulovethem，mademoiselle，"saidLaBriere。
"Youmaybeverysure，mademoiselle，thatyourhusbandwillknowthefullvalueofhistreasure，"addedtheduke。
"Youhavespiritandresolutionenoughtodisciplineahusband，"criedCanalis，laughing。
ModestesmiledasHenriIV。musthavesmiledafterdrawingoutthecharactersofhisthreeprincipalministers，forthebenefitofaforeignambassador，bymeansofthreeanswerstoaninsidiousquestion。
Onthedayofthedinner，Modeste，ledawaybythepreferenceshebestowedonCanalis，walkedalonewithhimupanddownthegravelledspacewhichlaybetweenthehouseandthelawnwithitsflower—beds。
Fromthegesturesofthepoet，andtheairandmanneroftheyoungheiress，itwaseasytoseethatshewaslisteningfavorablytohim。
Thetwodemoisellesd’Herouvillehastenedtointerruptthescandaloustete—a—tete;andwiththenaturalclevernessofwomenundersuchcircumstances，theyturnedtheconversationonthecourt，andthedistinctionofanappointmentunderthecrown，——pointingoutthedifferencethatexistedbetweenappointmentsinthehouseholdofthekingandthoseofthecrown。TheytriedtointoxicateModeste’smindbyappealingtoherpride，anddescribingoneofthehigheststationstowhichawomancouldaspire。
"Tohaveadukeforason，"saidtheelderlady，"isanactualadvantage。Thetitleisafortunethatwesecuretoourchildrenwithoutthepossibilityofloss。"
"Howisit，then，"saidCanalis，displeasedathistete—a—tetebeingthusbrokeninupon，"thatMonsieurleduchashadsolittlesuccessinamatterwherehistitlewouldseemtobeofspecialservicetohim？"
ThetwoladiescastalookatCanalisasfullofvenomasthetoothofasnake，andtheyweresodisconcertedbyModeste’samusedsmilethattheywereactuallyunabletoreply。
"Monsieurleduchasneverblamedyou，"shesaidtoCanalis，"forthehumilitywithwhichyoubearyourfame;whyshouldyouattackhimforhismodesty？"
"Besides，wehaveneveryetmetawomanworthyofmynephew’srank，"
saidMademoiselled’Herouville。"Somehadonlythewealthoftheposition;others，withoutfortune，hadthewitandbirth。ImustadmitthatwehavedonewelltowaittillGodgrantedusanopportunitytomeetoneinwhomwefindthenobleblood，themind，andfortuneofaDuchessed’Herouville。"
"MydearModeste，"saidHelened’Herouville，leadinghernewfriendapart，"thereareathousandbaronsinthekingdom，justasthereareahundredpoetsinParis，whoareworthasmuchashe;heissolittleofagreatmanthatevenI，apoorgirlforcedtotaketheveilforwantofa’dot，’Iwouldnottakehim。Youdon’tknowwhatayoungmaniswhohasbeenfortenyearsinthehandsofaDuchessedeChaulieu。
Nonebutanoldwomanofsixtycouldputupwiththelittleailmentsofwhich，theysay，thegreatpoetisalwayscomplaining，——ahabitinLouisXIV。thatbecameaperfectlyinsupportableannoyance。Itistruetheduchessdoesnotsufferfromitasmuchasawife，whowouldhavehimalwaysabouther。"
Then，practisingawell—knownmanoeuvrepeculiartohersex，Helened’HerouvillerepeatedinalowvoiceallthecalumnieswhichwomenjealousoftheDuchessedeChaulieuwereinthehabitofspreadingaboutthepoet。Thislittleincident，commonasitisintheintercourseofwomen，willservetoshowwithwhatfurythehoundswereafterModeste’swealth。
TendayssawagreatchangeintheopinionsattheChaletastothethreesuitorsforMademoiselledeLaBastie’shand。Thischange，whichwasmuchtothedisadvantageofCanalis，cameaboutthroughconsiderationsofanaturewhichoughttomaketheholdersofanykindoffamepause，andreflect。Noonecandeny，ifwerememberthepassionwithwhichpeopleseekforautographs，thatpubliccuriosityisgreatlyexcitedbycelebrity。EvidentlymostprovincialsneverformanexactideaintheirownmindsofhowillustriousParisiansputontheircravats，walkontheboulevards，standgapingatnothing，oreatacutlet;because，nosoonerdotheyperceiveamanclothedinthesunbeamsoffashionorresplendentwithsomedignitythatismoreorlessfugitive（thoughalwaysenvied），thantheycryout，"Lookatthat！""Howqueer！"andotherdepreciatoryexclamations。Inaword，themysteriouscharmthatattachestoeverykindoffame，eventhatwhichismostjustlydue，neverlasts。Itis，andespeciallywithsuperficialpeoplewhoareenviousorsarcastic，asensationwhichpassesoffwiththerapidityoflightning，andneverreturns。Itwouldseemasthoughfame，likethesun，hotandluminousatadistance，iscoldasthesummitofanalpwhenyouapproachit。Perhapsmanisonlyreallygreattohispeers;perhapsthedefectsinherentinhisconstitutiondisappearsoonertotheeyesofhisequalsthantothoseofvulgaradmirers。Apoet，ifhewouldpleaseinordinarylife，mustputonthefictitiousgracesofthosewhoareabletomaketheirinsignificancesforgottenbycharmingmannersandcomplyingspeeches。
ThepoetofthefaubourgSaint—Germain，whodidnotchoosetobowbeforethissocialdictum，wasmadebeforelongtofeelthataninsultingprovincialindifferencehadsucceededtothedazedfascinationoftheearlierevenings。Theprodigalityofhiswitandwisdomhadproducedupontheseworthysoulssomewhattheeffectwhichashopfulofglass—wareproducesontheeye;inotherwords，thefireandbrilliancyofCanalis’seloquencesoonweariedpeoplewho，tousetheirownwords，"caredmoreforthesolid。"
Forcedafterawhiletobehavelikeanordinaryman，thepoetfoundanunexpectedstumbling—blockongroundwhereLaBrierehadalreadywonthesuffrageoftheworthypeoplewhoatfirsthadthoughthimsulky。
TheyfelttheneedofcompensatingthemselvesforCanalis’sreputationbypreferringhisfriend。Thebestofmenareinfluencedbysuchfeelingsasthese。Thesimpleandstraightforwardyoungfellowjarrednoone’sself—love;comingtoknowhimbettertheydiscoveredhisheart，hismodesty，hissilentandsurediscretion，andhisexcellentbearing。TheDucd’Herouvilleconsideredhim，asapoliticalelement，faraboveCanalis。Thepoet，ill—balanced，ambitious，andrestlessasTasso，lovedluxury，grandeur，andranintodebt;whiletheyounglawyer，whosecharacterwasequableandwell—balanced，livedsoberly，wasusefulwithoutproclaimingit，awaitedrewardswithoutbeggingforthem，andlaidbyhismoney。
Canalishadmoreoverlaidhimselfopeninaspecialwaytothebourgeoiseyesthatwerewatchinghim。Fortwoorthreedayshehadshownsignsofimpatience;hehadgivenwaytodepression，tostatesofmelancholywithoutapparentreason，tothosecapriciouschangesoftemperwhicharethenaturalresultsofthenervoustemperamentofpoets。Theseoriginalities（weusetheprovincialword）camefromtheuneasinessthathisconducttowardtheDuchessedeChaulieuwhichgrewdailylessexplainable，causedhim。Heknewheoughttowritetoher，butcouldnotresolveondoingso。AllthesefluctuationswerecarefullyremarkedandcommentedonbythegentleAmerican，andtheexcellentMadameLatournelle，andtheyformedthetopicofmanyadiscussionbetweenthesetwoladiesandMadameMignon。Canalisfelttheeffectsofthesediscussionswithoutbeingabletoexplainthem。
Theattentionpaidtohimwasnotthesame，thefacessurroundinghimnolongerworetheentrancedlookoftheearlierdays;whileatthesametimeErnestwasevidentlygainingground。
ForthelasttwodaysthepoethadendeavoredtofascinateModesteonly，andhetookadvantageofeverymomentwhenhefoundhimselfalonewithher，toweavethewebofpassionatelanguagearoundhislove。Modeste’sblush，asshelistenedtohimontheoccasionwehavejustmentioned，showedthedemoisellesd’Herouvillethepleasurewithwhichshewaslisteningtosweetconceitsthatweresweetlysaid;andthey，horriblyuneasyatthesight，hadimmediaterecoursetothe"ultimaratio"ofwomeninsuchcases，namely，thosecalumnieswhichseldommisstheirobject。Accordingly，whenthepartymetatthedinner—tablethepoetsawacloudonthebrowofhisidol;heknewthatMademoiselled’Herouville’smalignityallowedhimtolosenotime，andheresolvedtoofferhimselfasahusbandatthefirstmomentwhenhecouldfindhimselfalonewithModeste。
Overhearingafewacidthoughpoliteremarksexchangedbetweenthepoetandthetwonobleladies，GobenheimnudgedButschawithhiselbow，andsaidinanundertone，motioningtowardsthepoetandthegrandequerry，——
"They’lldemolishoneanother！"
"Canalishasgeniusenoughtodemolishhimselfallalone，"answeredthedwarf。
CHAPTERXXII
ARIDDLEGUESSED
Duringthedinner，whichwasmagnificentandadmirablywellserved，thedukeobtainedasignaladvantageoverCanalis。Modeste，whohadreceivedherhabitandotherequestrianequipmentsthenightbefore，spokeoftakingridesaboutthecountry。Aturnoftheconversationledhertoexpressthewishtoseeahuntwithhounds，apleasureshehadneveryetenjoyed。Thedukeatonceproposedtoarrangeahuntinoneofthecrownforests，whichlayafewleaguesfromHavre。ThankstohisintimacywiththePrincedeCadignan，MasteroftheHunt，hesawhischanceofdisplayinganalmostregalpompbeforeModeste’seyes，andalluringherwithaglimpseofcourtfascinations，towhichshecouldbeintroducedbymarriage。Glanceswereexchangedbetweenthedukeandthetwodemoisellesd’Herouville，whichplainlysaid，"Theheiressisours！"andthepoet，whodetectedthem，andwhohadnothingbuthispersonalsplendorstodependon，determinedallthemorefirmlytoobtainsomepledgeofaffectionatonce。Modeste，ontheotherhand，half—frightenedatbeingthuspushedbeyondherintentionsbythed’Herouvilles，walkedrathermarkedlyapartwithMelchior，whenthecompanyadjournedtotheparkafterdinner。Withthepardonablecuriosityofayounggirl，shelethimsuspectthecalumnieswhichHelenehadpouredintoherears;butonCanalis’sexclamationofanger，shebeggedhimtokeepsilenceaboutthem，whichhepromised。
"Thesestabsofthetongue，"hesaid，"areconsideredfairinthegreatworld。Theyshockyouruprightnature;butasforme，Ilaughatthem;Iamevenpleased。Theseladiesmustfeelthattheduke’sinterestsareingreatperil，whentheyhaverecoursetosuchwarfare。"
MakingthemostoftheadvantageModestehadthusgivenhim，Canalisentereduponhisdefencewithsuchwarmth，sucheagerness，andwithapassionsoexquisitelyexpressed，ashethankedherforaconfidenceinwhichhecouldventuretoseethedawnoflove，thatshefoundherselfsuddenlyasmuchcompromisedwiththepoetasshefearedtobewiththegrandequerry。Canalis，feelingthenecessityofpromptaction，declaredhimselfplainly。Heutteredvowsandprotestationsinwhichhispoetryshonelikeamoon，invokedfortheoccasion，andilluminatinghisallusionstothebeautyofhismistressandthecharmsofhereveningdress。Thiscounterfeitenthusiasm，inwhichthenight，thefoliage，theheavensandtheearth，andNatureherselfplayedapart，carriedtheeagerloverbeyondallbounds;forhedweltonhisdisinterestedness，andrevampedinhisowncharmingstyle，Diderot’sfamousapostropheto"Sophieandfifteenhundredfrancs！"
andthewell—worn"loveinacottage"ofeveryloverwhoknowsperfectlywellthelengthofthefather—in—law’spurse。
"Monsieur，"saidModeste，afterlisteningwithdelighttothemelodyofthisconcerto;"thefreedomgrantedtomebymyparentshasallowedmetolistentoyou;butitistothemthatyoumustaddressyourself。"
"But，"exclaimedCanalis，"tellmethatifIobtaintheirconsent，youwillasknothingbetterthantoobeythem。"
"Iknowbeforehand，"shereplied，"thatmyfatherhascertainfancieswhichmaywoundtheproperprideofanoldfamilylikeyours。Hewishestohavehisowntitleandnamebornebyhisgrandsons。"
"Ah！dearModeste，whatsacrificeswouldInotmaketocommitmylifetotheguardiancareofanangellikeyou。"
"Youwillpermitmenottodecideinamomentthefateofmywholelife，"shesaid，turningtorejointhedemoisellesd’Herouville。
ThosenobleladieswerejustthenengagedinflatteringthevanityoflittleLatournelle，intendingtowinhimovertotheirinterests。
Mademoiselled’Herouville，towhomweshallinfutureconfinethefamilyname，todistinguishherfromhernieceHelene，wasgivingthenotarytounderstandthatthepostofjudgeoftheSupremeCourtinHavre，whichCharlesX。wouldbestowasshedesired，wasanofficeworthyofhislegaltalentandhiswell—knownprobity。Butscha，meanwhile，whohadbeenwalkingaboutwithLaBriere，wasgreatlyalarmedattheprogressCanaliswasevidentlymaking，andhewaylaidModesteatthelowerstepoftheporticowhenthewholepartyreturnedtothehousetoendurethetormentsoftheirinevitablewhist。
"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，inalowwhisper，"Idohopeyoudon’tcallhimMelchior。"
"I’mverynearit，myBlackDwarf，"shesaid，withasmilethatmighthavemadeanangelswear。
"GoodGod！"exclaimedButscha，lettingfallhishands，whichstruckthemarblesteps。
"Well！andisn’theworthmorethanthatspitefulandgloomysecretaryinwhomyoutakesuchaninterest？"sheretorted，assuming，atthemerethoughtofErnest，thehaughtymannerwhosesecretbelongsexclusivelytoyounggirls，——asiftheirvirginitylentthemwingstoflytoheaven。"Pray，wouldyourlittleLaBriereacceptmewithoutafortune？"shesaid，afterapause。
"Askyourfather，"repliedButscha，whowalkedafewstepsfromthehouse，togetModesteatasafedistancefromthewindows。"Listentome，mademoiselle。Youknowthathewhospeakstoyouisreadytogivenotonlyhislifebuthishonorforyou，atanymoment，andatalltimes。Thereforeyoumaybelieveinhim;youcanconfidetohimthatwhichyoumaynot，perhaps，bewillingtosaytoyourfather。Tellme，hasthatsublimeCanalisbeenmakingyouthedisinterestedofferthatyounowflingasareproachatpoorErnest？"
"Yes。"
"Doyoubelieveit？"
"Thatquestion，mymanikin，"shereplied，givinghimoneofthetenoradozennicknamesshehadinventedforhim，"strikesmeasundervaluingthestrengthofmyself—love。"
"Ah，youarelaughing，mydearMademoiselleModeste;thenthere’snodanger:Ihopeyouareonlymakingafoolofhim。"
"Praywhatwouldyouthinkofme，MonsieurButscha，ifIallowedmyselftomakefunofthosewhodomethehonortowishtomarryme？
Yououghttoknow，masterJean，thatevenifagirlaffectstodespisethemostdespicableattentions，sheisflatteredbythem。"
"ThenIflatteryou？"saidtheyoungman，lookingupatherwithafacethatwasilluminatedlikeacityforafestival。
"You？"shesaid;"yougivemethemostpreciousofallfriendships，——afeelingasdisinterestedasthatofamotherforherchild。Compareyourselftonoone;forevenmyfatherisobligedtobedevotedtome。"Shepaused。"IcannotsaythatIloveyou，inthesensewhichmengivetothatword，butwhatIdogiveyouiseternalandcanknownochange。"
"Then，"saidButscha，stoopingtopickupapebblethathemightkissthehemofhergarment，"suffermetowatchoveryouasadragonguardsatreasure。Thepoetwascoveringyoujustnowwiththelace—
workofhispreciousphrases，thetinselofhispromises;hechantedhisloveonthebeststringsofhislyre，Iknowhedid。If，assoonasthisnobleloverfindsouthowsmallyourfortuneis，hemakesasuddenchangeinhisbehavior，andiscoldandembarrassed，willyoustillmarryhim？shallyoustillesteemhim？"
"HewouldbeanotherFrancisqueAlthor，"shesaid，withagestureofbitterdisgust。
"Letmehavethepleasureofproducingthatchangeofscene，"saidButscha。"Notonlyshallitbesudden，butIbelieveIcanchangeitbackandmakeyourpoetaslovingasbefore，——nay，itispossibletomakehimblowalternatelyhotandcolduponyourheart，justasgracefullyashehastalkedonbothsidesofanargumentinoneeveningwithouteverfindingitout。"
"Ifyouareright，"shesaid，"whocanbetrusted？"
"Onewhotrulylovesyou。"
"Thelittleduke？"
ButschalookedatModeste。Thepairwalkedsomedistanceinsilence;
thegirlwasimpenetrableandnotaneyelashquivered。
"Mademoiselle，permitmetobetheexponentofthethoughtsthatarelyingatthebottomofyourheartlikesea—mossesunderthewaves，andwhichyoudonotchoosetogatherup。"
"Eh！"saidModeste，"somyintimatefriendandcounsellorthinkshimselfamirror，doeshe？"
"No，anecho，"heanswered，withagestureofsublimehumility。"Thedukelovesyou，buthelovesyoutoomuch。IfI，adwarf，haveunderstoodtheinfinitedelicacyofyourheart，itwouldberepugnanttoyoutobeworshippedlikeasaintinhershrine。Youareeminentlyawoman;youneitherwantamanperpetuallyatyourfeetofwhomyouareeternallysure，noraselfishegoistlikeCanalis，whowillalwayspreferhimselftoyou。Why？ah，thatIdon’tknow。ButIwillmakemyselfawoman，anoldwoman，andfindoutthemeaningoftheplanwhichIhavereadinyoureyes，andwhichperhapsisintheheartofeverygirl。Nevertheless，inyourgreatsoulyoufeeltheneedofworshipping。Whenamanisatyourknees，youcannotputyourselfathis。Youcan’tadvanceinthatway，asVoltairemightsay。Thelittledukehastoomanygenuflectionsinhismoralbeingandthepoethastoofew，——indeed，Imightsay，noneatall。Ha，Ihaveguessedthemischiefinyoursmileswhenyoutalktothegrandequerry，andwhenhetalkstoyouandyouanswerhim。Youwouldneverbeunhappywiththeduke，andeverybodywillapproveyourchoice，ifyoudochoosehim;butyouwillneverlovehim。Theiceofegotism，andtheburningheatofecstasybothproduceindifferenceintheheartofeverywoman。