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8/14/2019 Monsieur De Camors Volume 3 by Feuillet, Octave, 1821-1890
1/62
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MONSIEURDECAMORS
ByOCTAVEFEUILLET
BOOK3.
CHAPTERXV
THECOUNTESSDECAMORS
AfterpassingthefewweeksofthehoneymoonatReuilly,theComteandComtessedeCamorsreturnedtoParisandestablishedthemselvesattheirhotelintheRuedel'Imperatrice.Fromthismoment,andduringthemonthsthatfollowed,theyoungwifekeptupanactivecorrespondencewithhermother;andweheretranscribesomeoftheletters,whichwillmakeusmoreintimatelyacquaintedwiththecharacteroftheyoungwoman.
MadamedeCamorstoMadamedeTecle."October.
"AmIhappy?No,mydearestmother!No--nothappy!Ihaveonlywingsandsoartoheavenlikeabird!Ifeelthesunshineinmyhead,inmyeyes,inmyheart.
"Itblindsme,itenchantsme,itcausesmetosheddelicioustears!Happy?No,mytendermother;thatisnotpossible,whenIthinkthatIamhiswife!Thewife--understandme--ofhimwhohasreignedinmypoorthoughtssinceIwasabletothink--ofhimwhomIshouldhavechosenoutofthewholeuniverse!WhenIrememberthatIamhiswife,thatweareunitedforever,howIlovelife!howIlove
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you!howIloveGod!
"TheBoisandthelakearewithinafewstepsofus,asyouknow.Weridethithernearlyeverymorning,myhusbandandI!--Irepeat,Iandmyhusband!Wegothere,myhusbandandI--Iandmyhusband!
"Iknownothowitis,butitisalwaysdeliciousweathertome,evenwhenitrains--asitdoesfuriouslyto-day;forwehavejustcomein,drivenhomebythestorm.
"Duringourrideto-day,Itookoccasiontoquestionhimquietlyastosomepointsofourhistorywhichpuzzledme.First,whyhadhemarriedme?
"'Becauseyoupleasedmeapparently,MissMary.'Helikestogivemethisname,whichrecallstohimIknownotwhatepisodeofmyuntamedyouth--untamedstilltohim.
"'IfIpleasedyou,whydidIseeyousoseldom?'
"'BecauseIdidnotwishtocourtyouuntilIhaddecidedonmarrying.'
"'HowcouldIhavepleasedyou,notbeingatallbeautiful?'
"'Youarenotbeautiful,itistrue,'repliesthiscruelyoungman,'butyouareverypretty;andaboveallyouaregraceitself,likeyourmother.'
"AlltheseobscurepointsbeingcleareduptothecompletesatisfactionofMissMary,MissMarytooktofastgalloping;notbecauseitwasraining,butbecauseshebecamesuddenly--wedonotknowthereasonwhy--asredasapoppy.
"Oh,belovedmother!howsweetitistobelovedbyhimweadore,andtobelovedpreciselyaswewish--aswehavedreamed--accordingtotheexactprogrammeofouryoung,romantichearts!
"DidyoueverbelieveIhadideasonsuchadelicatesubject?Yes,dearmother,Ihadthem.Thus,itseemedtomethereweremanydifferentstylesofloving--somevulgar,somepretentious,somefoolish,andothers,again,excessivelycomic.NoneoftheseseemedsuitedtothePrince,ourneighbor.Ieverfeltheshouldlove,likethePrinceheis,withgraceanddignity;withserioustenderness,alittlesternperhaps;withamiability,butalmostwithcondescension--asalover,butasamaster,too--infine,likemyhusband!
"Dearangel,whoartmymother!behappyinmyhappiness,whichwasyoursolework.Ikissyourhands--Ikissyourwings!
"Ithankyou!Iblessyou!Iadoreyou!
"Ifyouwerenearme,itwouldbetoomuchhappiness!Ishoulddie,Ithink.Nevertheless,cometousverysoon.Yourchamberawaitsyou.ItisasblueastheheavensinwhichIfloat.Ihavealreadytoldyouthis,butIrepeatit.
"Good-by,motherofthehappiestwomanintheworld!
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"MISSMARY,
"ComtessedeCamors."
...............................
"November.
"MYMOTHER:
"Youmademeweep--Iwhoawaityoueverymorning.Iwillsaynothingtoyou,however;Iwillnotbegyou.Ifthehealthofmygrandfatherseemstoyousofeebleastodemandyourpresence,Iknownoprayerwouldtakeyouawayfromyourduty.NorwouldImaketheprayer,myangelmother!
"Butexaggeratenothing,Iprayyou,andthinkyourlittleMariecannotpassbythebluechamberwithoutfeelingaswellingoftheheart.Apartfromthisgriefwhichyoucauseher,shecontinuestobeashappyasevenyoucouldwish.
"HercharmingPrinceisevercharmingandeverherPrince!Hetakeshertoseethemonuments,themuseums,thetheatres,likethepoorlittleprovincialthatsheis.Isitnottouchingonthepartofso
greatapersonage?
"Heisamusedatmyecstasies--forIhaveecstasies.DonotbreatheittomyUncleDesRameures,butParisissuperb!Thedaysherecountdoubleourownforthoughtandlife.
"MyhusbandtookmetoVersaillesyesterday.Isuspectthatthis,intheeyesofthepeoplehere,isratheraridiculousepisode;forInoticetheCountdidnotboastofit.Versaillescorrespondsentirelywiththeimpressionsyouhadgivenmeofit;forthereisnottheslightestchangesinceyouvisiteditwithmygrandfather.
"Itisgrand,solemn,andcold.Thereis,though,anewandvery
curiousmuseumintheupperstoryofthepalace,consistingchieflyoforiginalportraitsofthefamousmenofhistory.Nothingpleasesmemorethantoseetheseheroesofmymemorypassingbeforemeingrandprocession--fromCharlestheBoldtoGeorgeWashington.Thosefacesmyimaginationhassooftentriedtoevoke,thatitseemstomeweareintheElysianFields,andholdconversewiththedead:
"Youmustknow,mymother,IwasfamiliarwithmanythingsthatsurprisedM.deCamorsverymuch.Hewasgreatlystruckbymyknowledgeofscienceandmygenius.Ididnomore,asyoumayimagine,thanrespondtohisquestions;butitseemedtoastonishhimthatIcouldrespondatall.
"Whyshouldheaskmethesethings?IfhedidnotknowhowtodistinguishthedifferentPrincessesofConti,theanswerissimple.
"ButIknew,becausemymothertaughtme.Thatissimpleenoughtoo.
"Wedinedafterward,atmysuggestion,atarestaurant.Oh,mymother!thiswasthehappiestmomentofmylife!Todineatarestaurantwithmyhusbandwasthemostdelightfulofalldissipations!
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"Ihavesaidheseemedastonishedatmylearning.Ioughttoaddingeneral,heseemedastonishedwheneverIopenedmylips.Didheimaginemeamute?Ispeaklittle,Iacknowledge,however,forheinspiresmewithaceaselessfear:Iamafraidofdispleasinghim,ofappearingsillybeforehim,orpretentious,orpedantic.ThedaywhenIshallbeateasewithhim,andwhenIcanshowhimmygoodsenseandgratitude--ifthatdayevercomes--Ishallberelievedofagreatweightonmymind,fortrulyIsometimesfearhelooksonmeasachild.
"TheotherdayIstoppedbeforeatoy-shopontheBoulevard.Whatablunder!Andashesawmyeyefixedonamagnificentsquadronofdolls--
"'Doyouwishone,MissMary?'hesaid.
"Wasnotthishorrible,mymother--fromhimwhoknowseverythingexceptthePrincessesofConti?Heexplainedeverythingtome;butbrieflyinaword,asiftoapersonhedespairedofevermakingunderstandhim.AndIunderstandsowellallthetime,mypoorlittlemother!
"Butsomuchthebetter,sayI;forifhelovesmewhilethinkingme
silly,whatwillitbelater!
"Withfondlove,your
"MARIE."
.............................
"December.
"AllParishasreturnedoncemore,mydearmother,andforfifteendaysIhavebeenoccupiedwithvisits.Themenheredonotusuallyvisit;butmyhusbandisobligedtopresentmeforthefirsttimeto
thepersonsIoughttoknow.Heaccompaniesmethere,whichismuchmoreagreeabletomethantohim,Ibelieve.
"Heismoreseriousthanusual.Isnotthistheonlyforminwhichamiablemenshowtheirbadhumor?Thepeoplewevisitlookonmewithacertaininterest.Thewomanwhomthisgreatlordhashonoredwithhischoiceisevidentlyanobjectofgreatcuriosity.Thisflattersandintimidatesme;Iblushandfeelconstrained;Iappearawkward.Whentheyfindmeawkwardandinsignificant,theystare.Theybelievehemarriedmeformyfortune:thenIwishtocry.Wereenterthecarriage,hesmilesuponme,andIaminheaven!Suchareourvisits.
"Youmustknow,mymother,thattomeMadameCampvallonisdivine.SheoftentakesmetoherboxattheItaliens,asminewillnotbevacantuntilJanuary.Yesterdayshegavealittlefeteformeinherbeautifulsalon:theGeneralopenedtheballwithme.
"Oh!mymother,whatawonderfullyclevermantheGeneralis!AndIadmirehimbecauseheadmiresyou!
"TheMarquisepresentedtomeallthebestdancers.Theywereyounggentlemen,withtheirneckssouncovereditalmostgavemeachill.
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Ineverbeforehadseenmenbare-neckedandthefashionisnotbecoming.Itwasveryevident,however,thattheyconsideredthemselvesindispensableandcharming.Theirdeportmentwasinsolentandself-sufficient;theireyesweredisdainfulandall-conquering.
"Theirmouthseveropentobreathefreer,theircoat-tailsflappinglikewings,theytakeonebythewaist--asonetakeshisownproperty.Informingyoubyalookthattheyareabouttodoyouthehonorofremovingyou,theywhirlyouaway;then,pantingforbreath,informyoubyanotherlookthattheywilldothemselvesthepleasureofstopping--andtheystop.Thentheyrestamoment,panting,laughing,showingtheirteeth;anotherlook--andtheyrepeatthesameperformance.Theyarewonderful!
"Louiswaltzedwithmeandseemedsatisfied.IsawhimforthefirsttimewaltzwiththeMarquise.Oh,mymother,itwasthedanceofthestars!
"Onethingwhichstruckmethisevening,asalways,wasthemanifestidolatrywithwhichthewomenregardmyhusband.This,mytendermother,terrifiesme.Why--Iaskmyself--whydidhechooseme?HowcanIpleasehim?HowcanIsucceed?
"Beholdtheresultofallmymeditations!Afollyperhaps,butofwhichtheeffectistoreassureme:
"PortraitoftheComtessedeCamors,drawnbyherself.
"TheComtessedeCamors,formerlyMariedeTecle,isapersonagewho,havingreachedhertwentiethyear,looksolder.Sheisnotbeautiful,asherhusbandisthefirstpersontoconfess.Hesayssheispretty;butshedoubtseventhis.Letussee.Shehasverylonglimbs,afaultwhichsheshareswithDiana,theHuntress,andwhichprobablygivestothegaitoftheCountessalightnessitmightnototherwisepossess.Herbodyisnaturallyshort,andonhorsebackappearstobestadvantage.Sheisplumpwithoutbeing
gross.
"Herfeaturesareirregular;themouthbeingtoolargeandthelipstoothick,with--alas!theshadeofamoustache;whiteteeth,alittletoosmall;acommonplacenose,aslightlypug;andhermother'seyes--herbestfeature.ShehastheeyebrowsofherUncleDesRameures,whichgivesanairofseveritytothefaceandneutralizesthegood-naturedexpression-areflexfromthesoftnessofherheart.
"Shehasthedarkcomplexionofhermother,whichismorebecomingtohermotherthantoher.Addtoallthis,blue-blackhairingreatsilkymasses.Onthewhole,oneknowsnotwhattopronounce
her.
"There,mymother,ismyportrait!Intendedtoreassureme,ithashardlydoneso;foritseemstometobethatofanuglylittlewoman!
"Iwishtobethemostlivelyofwomen;Iwishtobeoneofthemostdistinguished.Iwishtobeoneofthemostcaptivating!But,oh,mymother!ifIpleasehimIamstillmoreenchanted!Onthewhole,thankGod!hefindsmeperhapsmuchbetterthanIam:for
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menhavenotthesametasteinthesemattersthatwehave.
"ButwhatIreallycannotcomprehend,iswhyhehassolittleadmirationfortheMarquisedeCampvallon.Hismannerisverycoldtoher.WereIaman,Ishouldbewildlyinlovewiththatsuperbwoman!Good-night,mostbelovedofmothers!
..........................
"January.
"Youcomplainofme,mycherishedone!Thetoneofmyletterswoundsyou!Youcannotcomprehendhowthismatterofmypersonalappearancehauntsme.Iscrutinizeit;Icompareitwiththatofothers.Thereissomethingoflevityinthatwhichhurtsyou?YouaskhowcanIthinkamanattacheshimselftothesethings,whilethemeritsofmindandsoulgofornothing?
"But,mydearestmother,howwillthesemeritsofmindandofsoul--supposingyourdaughtertopossessthem--serveher,unlessshepossessesthecourageorhastheopportunitytodisplaythem?AndwhenIsummonupthecourage,itseemstometheoccasionnevercomes.
"ForImustconfesstoyouthatthisdeliciousParisisnotperfect;andIdiscover,littlebylittle,thespotsuponthesun.
"Parisisthemostcharmingplace!Theonlypityisthatithasinhabitants!Notbutthattheyareagreeable,fortheyareonlytoomuchso;onlytheyarealsoverycareless,andappeartomyviewtoliveanddiewithoutreflectingmuchonwhattheyaredoing.Itisnottheirfault;theyhavenotime.
"WithoutleavingParis,theyareincessanttravellers,eternallydistractedbymotionandnovelty.Othertravellers,whentheyhavevisitedsomedistantcorner--forgettingforawhiletheirfamilies,theirduties,andtheirhomes--returnandsettledownagain.But
theseParisiansneverdo.Theirlifeisanendlessvoyage;theyhavenohome.Thatwhichelsewhereisthegreataimoflifeissecondaryhere.Onehashere,aselsewhere,anestablishment--ahouse,aprivatechamber.Onemusthave.Hereoneiswifeormother,husbandorfather,justaselsewhere;but,mypoormother,theyarethesethingsjustaslittleaspossible.Thewholeinterestcentresnotinthehomes;butinthestreets,themuseums,thesalons,thetheatres,andtheclubs.Itradiatestotheimmenseoutsidelife,whichinallitsformsnightanddayagitatesParis,attracts,excites,andenervatesyou;stealsyourtime,yourmind,yoursoul--anddevoursthemall!
"Parisisthemostdeliciousofplacestovisit--theworstofplaces
tolivein.
"Understandwell,mymother,thatinseekingbywhatqualifiesIcanbestattractmyhusband--whoisthebestofmen,doubtless,butofParisianmennevertheless--Ihavecontinuallyreflectedonmeritswhichmaybeseenatonce,whichdonotrequiretimetobeappreciated.
"Finally,Idonotdenythatallthisismiserablecynicism,unworthyofyouandofmyself;foryouknowIamnotatheartabad
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littlewoman.Certainly,ifIcouldkeepMonsieurdeCamorsforayearortwoatanoldchateauinthemidstofasolitarywood,Ishouldlikeitmuch.Icouldthenseehimmorefrequently,Icouldthenbecomefamiliarwithhisaugustperson,andcoulddevelopmylittletalentsunderhischarmedeyes.Butthenthismightwearyhimandwouldbetooeasy.Lifeandhappiness,Iknow,arenotsoeasilymanaged.Allisdifficulty,peril,andconflict.
"Whatjoy,then,toconquer!AndIsweartoyou,mymother,thatIwillconquer!Iwillforcehimtoknowmeasyouknowme;toloveme,notashenowdoes,butasyoudo,formanygoodreasonsofwhichhedoesnotyetdream.
"Notthathebelievesmeabsolutelyafool;Ithinkhehasabandonedthatideaforatleasttwodayspast.
"Howhecamethustothink,mynextlettershallexplain.
"Yourown"MARIE."
CHAPTERXVI
THEREPTILESTRIVESTOCLIMB
"March.
"Youwillremember,mymother,thattheCounthasassecretaryamannamedVautrot.Thenameisabadone;butthemanhimselfisagoodenoughcreature,exceptthatIsomewhatdislikehiscatlikestyleoflookingatone.
"Well,MonsieurdeVautrotlivesinthehousewithus.Hecomes
earlyinthemorning,breakfastsatsomeneighboringcafe,passesthedayintheCount'sstudy,andoftenremainstodinewithus,ifhehasworktofinishintheevening.
"Heisaneducatedman,andknowsalittleofeverything;andhehasundertakenmanyoccupationsbeforeheacceptedthesubordinatethoughlucrativeposthenowoccupieswithmyhusband.Helovesliterature;butnotthatofhistimeandofhiscountry,perhapsbecausehehimselfhasfailedinthis.Heprefersforeignwritersandpoets,whomhequoteswithsometaste,thoughwithtoomuchdeclamation.
"Mostprobablyhisearlyeducationwasdefective;foronall
occasions,whenspeakingwithus,hesays,'Yes,MonsieurleComte!'or'Certainly,MadamelaComtesse!'asifhewereaservant.Yetwithal,hehasapeculiarpride,orperhapsIshouldsayinsufferablevanity.Buthisgreatfault,inmyeyes,isthescoffingtoneheadopts,whenthesubjectisreligionormorals.
"Twodaysago,whileweweredining,Vautrotallowedhimselftoindulgeinaratherviolenttiradeofthisdescription.Itwascertainlycontrarytoallgoodtaste.
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"'MydearVautrot,'myhusbandsaidquietlytohim,'tomethesepleasantriesofyoursareindifferent;butprayremember,thatwhileyouareastrong-mindedman,mywifeisaweak-mindedwoman;andstrength,youknow,shouldrespectweakness.'
"MonsieurVautrotfirstgrewwhite,thenred,andfinallygreen.Herose,bowedawkwardly,andimmediatelyafterwardleftthetable.SincethattimeIhaveremarkedhismannerhasbeenmorereserved.ThemomentIwasalonewithLouis,Isaid:
"'Youmaythinkmeindiscreet,butprayletmeaskyouaquestion.Howcanyouconfideallyouraffairsandallyoursecretstoamanwhoprofessestohavenoprinciples?'
"MonsieurdeCamorslaughed.
"'Oh,hetalksthusoutofbravado,'heanswered.'HethinkstomakehimselfmoreinterestinginyoureyesbytheseMephistophelianairs.Atbottomheisagoodfellow.'
"'But,'Ianswered,'hehasfaithinnothing.'
"'Notinmuch,Ibelieve.Yethehasneverdeceivedme.Heisanhonorableman.'
"Iopenedmyeyeswideatthis.
"'Well,'hesaid,withanamusedlook,'whatisthematter,MissMary?'
"'Whatisthishonoryouspeakof?'
"'Letmeaskyourdefinitionofit,MissMary,'hereplied.
"'MonDieu!'Icried,blushingdeeply,'Iknowbutlittleofit,butitseemstomethathonorseparatedfrommoralityisnogreatthing;andmoralitywithoutreligionisnothing.Theyallconstitutea
chain.Honorhangstothelastlink,likeaflower;butifthechainbebroken,honorfallswiththerest.'Helookedatmewithstrangeeyes,asifhewerenotonlyconfoundedbutdisquietedbymyphilosophy.Thenhegaveadeepsigh,andrisingsaid:
"'Veryneat,thatdefinition-veryneat.'
"Thatnight,attheopera,hepliedmewithbonbonsandorangeices.MadamedeCampvallonaccompaniedus;andatparting,IbeggedhertocallformenextdayonherwaytotheBois,forsheismyidol.Sheissolovelyandsodistinguished--andsheIknowsitwell.Ilovetobewithher.Onourreturnhome,Louisremainedsilent,contrarytohiscustom.Suddenlyhesaid,brusquely:
"'Marie,doyougowiththeMarquisetotheBoisto-morrow?'
"'Yes.'
"'Butyouseeheroften,itseemstome-morningandevening.Youarealwayswithher.'
"'Heavens!Idoittobeagreeabletoyou.IsnotMadamedeCampvallonagoodassociate?'
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"'Excellent;onlyingeneralIdonotadmirefemalefriendships.ButIdidwrongtospeaktoyouonthissubject.Youhavewitanddiscretionenoughtopreservetheproperlimits.'
"This,mymother,waswhathesaidtome.Iembraceyou.
Everyour"MARIE."
............................
"March.
"Ihope,myownmother,nottoboreyouthisyearwithacatalogueoffetesandfestivals,lampsandgirandoles;forLentiscoming.To-dayisAsh-Wednesday.Well,wedanceto-morroweveningatMadamed'Oilly's.Ihadhopednottogo,butIsawLouiswasdisappointed,andIfearedtooffendMadamed'Oilly,whohasactedamother'sparttomyhusband.Lenthereisonlyanemptyname.Isightomyself:'Willtheyneverstop!Greatheavens!willtheyneverceaseamusingthemselves?'
"Imustconfesstoyou,mydarlingmother,Iamusemyselftoomuch
tobehappy.IdependedonLentforsometimetomyself,andseehowtheyeffacethecalendar!
"ThisdearLent!Whatasweet,honest,piousinventionitis,notwithstanding.Howsensibleisourreligion!Howwellitunderstandshumanweaknessandfolly!Howfar-seeinginitsregulations!Howindulgentalso!fortolimitpleasureistopardonit.
"Ialsolovepleasure--thebeautifultoiletsthatmakeusresembleflowers,thelightedsalons,themusic,thegayvoicesandthedance.Yes,Iloveallthesethings;Iexperiencetheircharmingconfusion;Ipalpitate,Iinhaletheirintoxication.Butalways--
always!atParisinthewinter--atthespringsinsummer--everthiscrowd,everthiswhirl,thisintoxicationofpleasure!Allbecomelikesavages,likenegroes,and--dareIsayso?--bestial!AlasforLent!
"HEforesawit.HEtoldus,asthepriesttoldmethismorning:'Rememberyouhaveasoul:Rememberyouhaveduties!--ahusband--achild--amother--aGod!'
"Then,mymother,weshouldretirewithinourselves;shouldpassthetimeingravethoughtbetweenthechurchandourhomes;shouldconverseonsolemnandserioussubjects;andshoulddwellinthemoralworldtogainafootholdinheaven!Thisseasonisintended
asawholesomeintervaltopreventourrunningfrivolityintodissipation,andpleasureintoconvulsion;topreventourwinter'smaskfrombecomingourpermanentvisage.ThisisentirelytheopinionofMadameJaubert.
"WhoisthisMadameJaubert?youwillask.SheisalittleParisianangelwhommymotherwoulddearlylove!Imetheralmosteverywhere--butchieflyatSt.PhillipedeRoule--forseveralmonthswithoutbeingawarethatsheisourneighbor,thatherhoteladjoinsours.SuchisParis!
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"Sheisagracefulperson,withasoftandtender,butdecidedair.Wesatneareachotheratchurch;wegaveeachotherside-glances;wepushedourchairstoleteachotherpass;andinoursoftestvoiceswouldsay,'Excuseme,Madame!''Oh,Madame!'Myglovewouldfall,shewouldpickitup;Iwouldofferhertheholywater,andreceiveasweetsmile,with'DearMadame!'OnceataconcertattheTuileriesweobservedeachotheratadistance,andsmiledrecognition;whenanypartofthemusicpleasedusparticularlyweglancedsmilinglyateachother.JudgeofmysurprisenextmorningwhenIsawmyaffinityenterthelittleItalianhousenextours--andenterit,too,asifitwereherhome.OninquiryIfoundshewasMadameJaubert,thewifeofatall,fairyoungmanwhoisacivilengineer.
"Iwasseizedwithadesiretocalluponmyneighbor.IspokeofittoLouis,blushingslightly,forIrememberedhedidnotapproveofintimaciesbetweenwomen.Butaboveall,helovesme!
"Notwithstandingheslightlyshruggedhisshoulders--'Permitmeatleast,MissMary,tomakesomeinquiriesaboutthesepeople.'
"Afewdaysafterwardhehadmadethem,forhesaid:'MissMary,youmayvisitMadameJaubert;sheisaperfectlyproperperson.'
"Ifirstflewtomyhusband'sneck,andthencewenttocalluponMadameJaubert.
"'ItisI,Madame!'
"'Oh,Madame,permitme!'
"Andweembracedeachotherandweregoodfriendsimmediately.
"Herhusbandisacivilengineer,asIhavesaid.Hewasonceoccupiedwithgreatinventionsandwithgreatindustrialworks;butthatwasonlyforashorttime.Havinginheritedalargeestate,he
abandonedhisstudiesanddidnothing--atleastnothingbutmischief.Whenhemarriedtoincreasehisfortune,hisprettylittlewifehadasadsurprise.Hewasneverseenathome;alwaysattheclub--alwaysbehindthescenesattheopera--alwaysgoingtothedevil!Hegambled,hehadmistressesandshamefulaffairs.Butworsethanall,hedrank--hecametohiswifedrunk.Oneincident,whichmypenalmostrefusestowrite,willgiveyouanidea.Thinkofit!Heconceivedtheideaofsleepinginhisboots!There,mymother,istheprettyfellowmysweetlittlefriendtransformed,littlebylittle,intoadecentman,amanofmerit,andanexcellenthusband!
"Andshediditallbygentleness,firmness,andsagacity.Nowis
notthisencouraging?--for,Godknows,mytaskislessdifficult.
"Theirhouseholdcharmsme;foritprovesthatonemaybuildforone'sself,eveninthemidstofthisParis,alittlenestsuchasonedreamsof.ThesedearneighborsareinhabitantsofParis--notitsprey.Theyhavetheirfireside;theyownit,anditbelongstothem.Parisisattheirdoor--somuchthebetter.Theyhaveeverarelishforrefinedamusement;'theydrinkatthefountain,'butdonotdrownthemselvesinit.Theirhabitsarethesame,passingtheireveningsinconversation,reading,ormusic;stirringthefire
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andlisteningtothewindandrainwithout,asiftheywereinaforest.
"Lifeslipsgentlythroughtheirfingers,threadbythread,asinourdearoldcountryevenings.
"Mymother,theyarehappy!
"Here,then,ismydream--hereismyplan.
"Myhusbandhasnovices,asMonsieurJauberthad.HehasonlythehabitsofallthebrilliantmenofhisParis-world.Itisnecessary,myownmother,graduallytoreformhim;tosuggestinsensiblytohimthenewideathatonemaypassoneeveningathomeincompanywithabelovedandlovingwife,withoutdyingsuddenlyofconsumption.
"Therestwillfollow.
"Whatisthisrest?Itisthetasteforaquietlife,fortheserioussweetnessofthedomestichearth--thefamilytaste--theideaofseclusion--therecoveredsoul!
"Isitnotso,mygoodangel?Thentrustme.Iammorethanever
fullofardor,courage,andconfidence.Forhelovesmewithallhisheart,withmorelevity,perhaps,thanIdeserve;butstill--helovesme!
"Helovesme;hespoilsme;heheapspresentsuponme.Thereisnopleasurehedoesnotofferme,except,beitunderstood,thepleasureofpassingoneeveningathometogether.
"Buthelovesme!Thatisthegreatpoint--helovesme!
"Now,dearestmother,letmewhisperonefinalword-awordthatmakesmelaughandcryatthesametime.ItseemstomethatforsometimepastIhavehadtwohearts--alargeoneofmyown,and--
another--smaller!
"Oh,mymother!Iseeyouintears.Butitisagreatmysterythis.Itisadreamofheaven;butperhapsonlyadream,whichIhavenotyettoldeventomyhusband--onlytomyadorablemother!Donotweep,foritisnotyetquitecertain.
"YournaughtyMissMARY."
InreplytothisletterMadamedeCamorsreceivedonethreemorningsafter,announcingtoherthedeathofhergrandfather.TheComtede
Teclehaddiedofapoplexy,ofwhichhisstateofhealthhadlonggivenwarning.MadamedeTecleforesawthatthefirstimpulseofherdaughterwouldbetojoinhertosharehersadbereavement.Sheadvisedherstronglyagainstundertakingthefatigueofthejourney,andpromisedtovisitherinParis,assoonassheconvenientlycould.ThemourninginthefamilyheightenedintheheartoftheCountesstheuneasyfeelingandvaguesadnessherlastlettershadindicated.
Shewasmuchlesshappythanshetoldhermother;forthefirstenthusiasmandfirstillusionsofmarriagecouldnotlongdeceivea
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spiritsoquickandacuteashers.
Ayounggirlwhomarriesiseasilydeceivedbytheshowofanaffectionofwhichsheistheobject.Itisrarethatshedoesnotadoreherhusbandandbelievesheisadoredbyhim,simplybecausehehasmarriedher.
Theyoungheartopensspontaneouslyanddiffusesitsdelicateperfumeofloveanditssongsoftenderness;andenvelopedinthisheavenlycloudallseemslovearoundit.But,littlebylittle,itfreesitself;and,toooften,recognizesthatthisdeliciousharmonyandintoxicatingatmospherewhichcharmeditcameonlyfromitself.
ThuswasitwiththeCountess;sofarasthepencanrendertheshadowsofafemininesoul.Suchweretheimpressionswhich,daybyday,penetratedtheverysoulofourpoor"MissMary."
Itwasnothingmorethanthis;butthiswaseverythingtoher!
Theideaofbeingbetrayedbyherhusband--andthat,too,withcruelpremeditation--neverhadarisentotorturehersoul.But,beyondthosedelicateattentionstoherwhichsheneverexaggeratedinherletterstohermother,shefeltherselfdisdainedandslighted.MarriagehadnotchangedCamors'shabits:hedinedathome,insteadofathisclub,that
wasall.Shebelievedherselfloved,however,butwithalightnessthatwasalmostoffensive.Yet,thoughshewassometimessadandnearlyintears,shedidnotdespair;thisvaliantlittleheartattacheditselfwithintrepidconfidencetoallthehappychancesthefuturemighthaveinstoreforit.
M.deCamorscontinuedveryindifferent--asonemayreadilycomprehend--totheagitationwhichtormentedthisyoungheart,butwhichneveroccurredtohimforamoment.Forhimself,strangeasitmayappear,hewashappyenough.Thismarriagehadbeenapainfulsteptotake;but,onceconfirmedinhissin,hebecamereconciledtoit.Buthisconscience,searedasitwas,hadsomelivingfibresinit;andhewouldnothavefailedinthedutyhethoughtheowedtohiswife.These
sentimentswerecomposedofasortofindifference,blendedwithpity.Hewasvaguelysorryforthischild,whoseexistencewasabsorbedanddestroyedbetweenthoseoftwobeingsofnaturesuperiortoherown;andhehopedshewouldalwaysremainignorantofthefatetowhichshewascondemned.Heresolvednevertoneglectanythingthatmightextenuateitsrigor;buthebelonged,nevertheless,morethaneversolelytothepassionwhichwasthesupremecrimeofhislife.ForhisintriguewithMadamedeCampvallon,continuallyexcitedbymysteryanddanger--andconductedwithprofoundaddressbyawomanwhosecunningwasequaltoherbeauty--continuedasstrong,afteryearsofenjoyment,asatfirst.
ThegraciouscourtesyofM.deCamors,onwhichhepiquedhimself,asregardedhiswife,haditslimits;astheyoungCountessperceived
wheneversheattemptedtoabuseit.Thus,onseveraloccasionsshedeclinedreceivingguestsonthegroundofindisposition,hopingherhusbandwouldnotabandonhertohersolitude.Shewasinerror.
TheCountgaveherinreality,underthesecircumstances,atete-a-teteofafewminutesafterdinner;butnearnineo'clockhewouldleaveherwithperfecttranquillity.Perhapsanhourlatershewouldreceivealittlepacketofbonbons,oraprettybasketofchoicefruit,thatwouldpermithertopasstheeveningasshemight.Theselittlegiftsshesometimesdividedwithherneighbor,MadameJaubert;sometimeswith
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M.deVautrot,secretarytoherhusband.
ThisM.deVautrot,forwhomshehadatfirstconceivedanaversion,wasgraduallygettingintohergoodgraces.Intheabsenceofherhusbandshealwaysfoundhimathand;andreferredtohimformanylittledetails,suchasaddresses,invitations,theselectionofbooksandthepurchaseoffurniture.Fromthiscameacertainfamiliarity;shebegantocallhimVautrot,or"MygoodVautrot,"whilehezealouslyperformedallherlittlecommissions.Hemanifestedforheragreatdealofrespectfulattention,andevenrefrainedfromindulginginthescepticalsneerswhichheknewdispleasedher.Happytowitnessthisreformandtotestifyhergratitude,sheinvitedhimtoremainontwoorthreeeveningswhenhecametotakehisleave,andtalkedwithhimofbooksandthetheatres.
Whenhermourningkeptherathome,M.deCamorspassedthetwofirsteveningswithheruntilteno'clock.Butthiseffortfatiguedhim,andthepooryoungwoman,whohadalreadyerectedanedificeforthefutureonthisfrailbasis,hadthemortificationofobservingthatonthethirdeveninghehadresumedhisbachelorhabits.
Thiswasagreatblowtoher,andhersadnessbecamegreaterthanithadbeenuptothattime;somuchsoinfact,thatsolitudewasalmostunbearable.ShehadhardlybeenlongenoughinParistoformintimacies.
MadameJaubertcametoherfriendasoftenasshecould;butintheintervalstheCountessadoptedthehabitofretainingVautrot,orevenofsendingforhim.Camorshimself,threefourthsofthetime,wouldbringhiminbeforegoingoutintheevening.
"IbringyouVautrot,mydear,"hewouldsay,"andShakespeare.Youcanreadhimtogether."
Vautrotreadwell;andthoughhisheavydeclamatorystylefrequentlyannoyedtheCountess,shethusmanagedtokillmanyalongevening,whilewaitingtheexpectedvisitofMadamedeTecle.ButVautrot,wheneverhelookedather,woresuchasympatheticairandseemedsomortifiedwhenshedidnotinvitehimtostay,that,evenwhenweariedofhim,she
frequentlydidso.
AbouttheendofthemonthofApril,M.VautrotwasalonewiththeCountessdeCamorsaboutteno'clockintheevening.TheywerereadingGoethe'sFaust,whichshehadneverbeforeheard.Thisreadingseemedtointeresttheyoungwomanmorethanusual,andwithhereyesfixedonthereader,shelistenedtoitwithraptattention.Shewasnotalonefascinatedbythework,but--asisfrequentlythecase-shetracedherownthoughtsandherownhistoryinthefictionofthepoet.
Weallknowwithwhatstrangeclairvoyanceamindpossessedwithafixedideadiscoversresemblancesandallusionsinaccidentaldescription.MadamedeCamorsperceivedwithoutdoubtsomeremoteconnectionbetween
herhusbandandFaust--betweenherselfandMarguerite;forshecouldnothelpshowingthatshewasstrangelyagitated.Shecouldnotrestraintheviolenceofheremotion,whenMargueriteinprisoncriesout,inheragonyandmadness:
Marguerite.
Whohasgivenyou,headsman,thispoweroverme?Youcometomewhileitisyetmidnight.Bemercifulandletmelive.
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Isnotto-morrowmorningsoonenough?
Iamyetsoyoung--soyoung!andamtodiealready!Iwasfair,too;thatwasmyundoing.Mytruelovewasnear,nowheisfaraway.
Tornliesmygarland;scatteredtheflowers.Don'ttakeholdofmesoroughly!spareme!spareme.WhathaveIdonetoyou?Letmenotimploreyouinvain!Ineversawyoubeforeinallmylife;youknow.
Faust.
CanIendurethismisery?
Marguerite.
Iamnowentirelyinthypower.Onlyletmegivesucktothechild.Ipresseditthiswholenighttomyheart.Theytookitawaytovexme,andnowsayIkilledit,andIshallneverbehappyagain.Theysingsongsuponme!Itiswickedofthepeople.Anoldtaleendsso--whobidsthemapplyit?
Faust.
Aloverliesatthyfeet,tounloosethebondsofwickedness.
Whatablendingofconfusedsentiments,ofpowerfulsympathies,ofvagueapprehensions,suddenlyseizedonthebreastoftheyoungCountess!Onecanhardlyimaginetheirforce--totheveryvergeofdistractingher.Sheturnedonherfauteuilandclosedherbeautifuleyes,asiftokeepbackthetearswhichrolledunderthefringeofthelonglashes.
AtthismomentVautrotceasedtoread,droppedhisbook,sighedprofoundly,andstaredamoment.
ThenhekneltatthefeetoftheComtessedeCamors!Hetookherhand;hesaid,withatragicsigh,"Poorangel!"
Itwillbedifficulttounderstandthisincidentandtheunfortunatelygraveresultsthatfollowedit,withouthavingthemoralandphysicalportraitofitsprincipalactor.
M.HippolyteVautrotwasahandsomemanandknewitperfectly.Heevenflatteredhimselfonacertainresemblancetohispatron,theComtedeCamors.Partlyfromnatureandpartlyfromcontinualimitation,thisideahadsomefoundation;forheresembledtheCountasmuchasavulgarmancanresembleoneofthehighestpolish.
Hewasthesonofasmallconfectionerintheprovinces;hadreceivedfromhisfatheranhonestlyacquiredfortune,andhaddissipateditinthevariedenterprisesofhisadventurouslife.Theinfluenceofhiscollege,however,obtainedforhimaplaceintheSeminary.HeleftittocometoParisandstudylaw;placedhimselfwithanattorney;attemptedliteraturewithoutsuccess;gambledontheBourseandlostthere.
Hehadsuccessivelyknockedwithfeverishhandatallthedoorsof
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Fortune,andnonehadopenedtohim,because,thoughhisambitionwasgreat,hiscapacitywaslimited.Subordinatepositions,forwhichalonehewasfit,hedidnotwant.Hewouldhavemadeagoodtutor:hesighedtobeapoet.Hewouldhavebeenarespectablecureinthecountry:hepinedtobeabishop.Fittedforanexcellentsecretary,heaspiredtobeaminister.Infine,hewishedtobeagreatman,andconsequentlywasafailureasalittleone.
Buthemadehimselfahypocrite;andthathefoundmucheasier.HesupportedhimselfontheonehandbythephilosophicsocietytobemetatMadamed'Oilly's;ontheother,bytheorthodoxreunionsofMadamedelaRoche-Jugan.
BytheseinfluenceshecontrivedtosecurethesecretaryshiptotheComtedeCamors,who,inhisgeneralcontemptofthehumanspecies,judgedVautrottobeasgoodasanyother.Now,familiaritywithM.deCamorswas,morally,fearfullyprejudicialtothesecretary.Ithad,itistrue,theeffectofstrippingoffhisdevoutmask,whichheseldomputonbeforehispatron;butitterriblyincreasedinvenomthedepravitywhichdisappointmentandwoundedpridehadsecretedinhisulceratedheart.
OfcoursenoonewillimaginethatM.deCamorshadthebadtastetoundertakedeliberatelythedemoralizationofhissecretary;butcontact,intimacy,andexamplesufficedfullytodothis.Asecretaryisalways
moreorlessaconfidant.Hedivinesthatwhichisnotrevealedtohim;andVautrotcouldnotbelongindiscoveringthathispatron'ssuccessdidnotarise,morally,fromtoomuchprinciple--inpolitics,fromexcessofconviction--inbusiness,fromamaniaforscruples!TheintellectualsuperiorityofCamors,refinedandinsolentasitwas,aidedtoblindVautrot,showinghimevilwhichwasnotonlyprosperous,butwasalsoradiantingraceandprestige.Forthesereasonshemostprofoundlyadmiredhismaster--admired,imitated,andexecratedhim!
Camorsprofessedforhimandforhissolemnairsanuttercontempt,whichhedidnotalwaystakethetroubletoconceal;andVautrottrembledwhensomeburningsarcasmfellfromsuchaheightontheoldwoundofhisvanity--thatwoundwhichwaseversorewithinhim.Whathehatedmostin
Camorswashiseasyandinsolenttriumph--hisrapidandunmeritedfortune--allthoseenjoymentswhichlifeyieldedhimwithoutpain,withouttoil,withoutconscience--peacefullytasted!Butwhathehatedaboveall,wasthatthismanhadthusobtainedthesethingswhilehehadvainlystrivenforthem.
Assuredly,inthisVautrotwasnotanexception.Thesameexamplepresentedtoahealthiermindwouldnothavebeenmuchmoresalutary,forwemusttellthosewho,likeM.deCamors,trampleunderfootallprinciplesofright,andneverthelessimaginethattheirsecretaries,theirservants,theirwivesandtheirchildren,mayremainvirtuous--wemusttellthesethatwhiletheywrongotherstheydeceivethemselves!AndthiswasthecasewithHippolyteVautrot.
Hewasaboutfortyyearsofage--aperiodoflifewhenmenoftenbecomeveryvicious,evenwhentheyhavebeenpassablyvirtuousuptothattime.Heaffectedanaustereandpuritanicalair;wasthegreatmanofthecafehefrequented;andtherepassedjudgmentonhiscontemporariesandpronouncedthemallinferior.Hewasdifficulttoplease--inpointofvirtuedemandingheroism;intalent,genius;inart,perfection.
HispoliticalopinionswerethoseofErostratus,withthisdifference--alwaysinfavoroftheancient--thatVautrot,aftersettingfiretothe
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temple,wouldhaverobbeditalso.Inshort,hewasafool,butaviciousfoolaswell.
IfM.deCamors,atthemomentofleavinghisluxuriousstudythatevening,hadhadthebadtastetoturnandapplyhiseyetothekeyhole,hewouldhaveseensomethinggreatlytoastonishevenhim.
Hewouldhaveseenthis"honorableman"approachabeautifulItaliancabinetinlaidwithivory,turnoverthepapersinthedrawers,andfinallyopeninthemostnaturalmanneraverycomplicatedlock,thekeyofwhichtheCountatthatmomenthadinhispocket.
ItwasafterthissearchthatM.VautrotrepairedwithhisvolumeofFausttotheboudoiroftheyoungCountess,atwhosefeetwehavealreadylefthimtoolong.
CHAPTERXVII
LIGHTNINGFROMACLEARSKY
MadamedeCamorshadclosedhereyestoconcealhertears.Sheopened
themattheinstantVautrotseizedherhandandcalledher"Poorangel!"
Seeingthemanonhisknees,shecouldnotcomprehendit,andonlyexclaimed,simply:
"Areyoumad,Vautrot?"
"Yes,Iammad!"Vautrotthrewhishairbackwitharomanticgesturecommontohim,and,ashebelieved,tothepoets-"Yes,Iammadwithloveandwithpity,forIseeyoursufferings,pureandnoblevictim!"
TheCountessonlystaredinblankastonishment.
"Reposeyourselfwithconfidence,"hecontinued,"onaheartthatwillbedevotedtoyouuntildeath--aheartintowhichyourtearsnowpenetratetoitsmostsacreddepths!"
TheCountessdidnotwishhertearstopenetratetosuchadistance,soshedriedthem.
Amanonhiskneesbeforeawomanheadoresmustappeartohereithersublimeorridiculous.Unfortunately,theattitudeofVautrot,atoncetheatricalandawkward,didnotseemsublimetotheCountess.Toherlivelyimaginationitwasirresistiblyludicrous.Abrightgleamofamusementilluminedhercharmingcountenance;shebitherliptoconcealit,butitshoneoutofhereyesnevertheless.
Amannevershouldkneelunlesssureofrisingaconqueror.Otherwise,likeVautrot,heexposeshimselftobelaughedat.
"Rise,mygoodVautrot,"theCountesssaid,gravely."Thisbookhasevidentlybewilderedyou.Goandtakesomerestandwewillforgetthis;onlyyoumustneverforgetyourselfagaininthismanner."
Vautrotrose.Hewaslivid.
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"MadamelaComtesse,"hesaid,bitterly,"theloveofagreatheartnevercanbeanoffence.Mineatleastwouldhavebeensincere;minewouldhavebeenfaithful:minewouldnothavebeenaninfamoussnare!"
Theemphasisofthesewordsdisplayedsoevidentanintention,thecountenanceoftheyoungwomanchangedimmediately.Shemoveduneasilyonherfauteuil.
"Whatdoyoumean,MonsieurVautrot?"
"Nothing,Madame,whichyoudonotknow,Ithink,"hereplied,meaningly.
Sherose.
"Youshallexplainyourmeaningimmediatelytome,Monsieur!"sheexclaimed;"orlater,tomyhusband."
"Butyoursadness,yourtears,"criedthesecretary,inatoneofadmirablesincerity--"thesemademesureyouwerenotignorantofit!"
"Ofwhat?Youhesitate!Speak,man!"
"Iamnotawretch!Iloveyouandpityyou!--thatisall;"andVautrotsigheddeeply.
"Andwhydoyoupityme?"Shespokehaughtily;andthoughVautrothadneversuspectedthisimperiousnessofmanneroroflanguage,hereflectedhurriedlyonthepointatwhichhehadarrived.Moresurethaneverofsuccess,afteramomenthetookfromhispocketafoldedletter.ItwasonewithwhichhehadprovidedhimselftoconfirmthesuspicionsoftheCountess,nowawakenedforthefirsttime.
Inprofoundsilenceheunfoldedandhandedittoher.Shehesitatedamoment,thenseizedit.Asingleglancerecognizedthewriting,forshehadoftenexchangednoteswiththeMarquisedeCampvallon.
Wordsofthemostburningpassionterminatedthus:
"--AlwaysalittlejealousofMary;halfvexedathavinggivenhertoyou.For--sheisprettyand--butI!Iambeautiful,amInot,mybeloved?--and,aboveall,Iadoreyou!"
AtthefirstwordtheCountessbecamefearfullypale.Finishing,sheutteredadeepgroan;thensherereadtheletterandreturnedittoVautrot,asifunconsciousofwhatshewasdoing.
Forafewsecondssheremainedmotionless--petrified--hereyesfixedonvacancy.Aworldseemedrollingdownandcrushingherheart.
Suddenlysheturned,passedwithrapidstepsintoherboudoir;and
Vautrotheardthesoundofopeningandshuttingdrawers.Amomentaftershereappearedwithbonnetandcloak,andcrossedtheboudoirwiththesamestrongandrapidstep.
Vautrot,greatlyterrified,rushedtostopher.
"Madame!"hecried,throwinghimselfbeforeher.
Shewavedhimasidewithanimperiousgestureofherhand;hetrembledandobeyed,andshelefttheboudoir.Amomentlatershewasinthe
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AvenuedesChampsElysees,goingtowardParis.
Itwasnownearmidnight;cold,dampAprilweather,withtherainfallingingreatdrops.Thefewpedestriansstillonthebroadpavementturnedtofollowwiththeireyesthismajesticyoungwoman,whosegaitseemedhastenedbysomeerrandoflifeordeath.
ButinParisnothingissurprising,forpeoplewitnessallmannerofthingsthere.ThereforethestrangeappearanceofMadamedeCamorsdidnotexciteanyextraordinaryattention.Afewmensmiledandnodded;othersthrewafewwordsofrailleryather--bothwereunheededalike.ShetraversedthePlacedelaConcordewiththesameconvulsivehaste,andpassedtowardthebridge.Arrivingonit,thesoundoftheswollenSeinerushingunderthearchesandagainstthepillars,caughtherear;shestopped,leanedagainsttheparapet,andgazedintotheangrywater;thenbowingherheadsheutteredadeepsigh,andresumedherrapidwalk.
IntheRueVanneaushestoppedbeforeabrilliantlylightedmansion,isolatedfromtheadjoininghousesbyagardenwall.ItwasthedwellingoftheMarquisedeCampvallon:Arrivedthere,theunfortunatechildknewnotwhattodo,norevenwhyshehadcome.Shehadsomevaguedesignofassuringherselfpalpablyofhermisfortune;totouchitwithherfinger;orperhapstofindsomereason,somepretexttodoubtit.
Shedroppeddownonastonebenchagainstthegardenwall,andhidherfaceinbothherhands,vainlystrivingtothink.Itwaspastmidnight.Thestreetsweredeserted:ashowerofrainwasfallingoverParis,andshewaschilledtonumbness.
Asergent-de-villepassed,envelopedinhiscape.Heturnedandstaredattheyoungwoman;thentookherroughlybythearm.
"Whatareyoudoinghere?"hesaid,brutally.
Shelookedupathimwithwonderingeyes.
"Idonotknowmyself,"sheanswered.
Themanlookedmorecloselyather,discoveredthroughallherconfusionanamelessrefinementandthesubtleperfumeofpurity.Hetookpityonher.
"But,Madame,youcannotstayhere,"herejoinedinasoftervoice.
"No?"
"Youmusthavesomegreatsorrow?"
"Verygreat."
"Whatisyourname?"
"TheComtessedeCamors,"shesaid,simply.
Themanlookedbewildered.
"Willyoutellmewhereyoulive,Madame?"
Shegavetheaddresswithperfectsimplicityandperfectindifference.Sheseemedtobethinkingnothingofwhatshewassaying.Themantooka
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fewsteps,thenstoppedandlistenedtothesoundofwheelsapproaching.Thecarriagewasempty.Hestoppedit,openedthedoor,andrequestedtheCountesstogetin.Shedidsoquietly,andheplacedhimselfbesidethedriver.
TheComtedeCamorshadjustreachedhishouseandheardwithsurprise,fromthelipsofhiswife'smaid,thedetailsoftheCountess'smysteriousdisappearance,whenthebellrangviolently.
Herushedoutandmethiswifeonthestairs.Shehadsomewhatrecoveredhercalmnessontheroad,andasheinterrogatedherwithasearchingglance,shemadeaghastlyefforttosmile.
"Iwasslightlyillandwentoutalittle,"shesaid."Idonotknowthestreetsandlostmyway."
Notwithstandingtheimprobabilityoftheexplanation,hedidnothesitate.Hemurmuredafewsoftwordsofreproachandplacedherinthehandsofhermaid,whoremovedherwetgarments.
Duringthattimehecalledthesergent-de-ville,whoremainedinthevestibule,andcloselyinterrogatedhim.OnlearninginwhatstreetandwhatprecisespothehadfoundtheCountess,herhusbandknewatonceandfullythewholetruth.
Hewentdirectlytohiswife.Shehadretiredandwastremblingineverylimb.Oneofherhandswasrestingoutsidethecoverlet.Herushedtotakeit,butshewithdrewitgently,withsadandresolutedignity.
Thesimplegesturetoldhimtheywereseparatedforever.
Byatacitagreement,arrangedbyherandastacitlyacceptedbyhim,MadamedeCamorsbecamevirtuallyawidow.
Heremainedforsomesecondsimmovable,hisexpressionlostintheshadowofthebed-hangings;thenwalkedslowlyacrossthechamber.Theideaoflyingtodefendhimselfneveroccurredtohim.
Hislineofconductwasalreadyarranged--calmly,methodically.Buttwobluecircleshadsunkaroundhiseyes,andhisfaceworeawaxenpallor.Hishands,joinedbehindhisback,wereclenched;andtheringheworesparkledwiththeirtremulousmovement.Atintervalsheseemedtoceasebreathing,ashelistenedtothechatteringteethofhisyoungwife.
Afterhalfanhourheapproachedthebed.
"Marie!"hesaidinalowvoice.Sheturneduponhimhereyesgleamingwithfever.
"Marie,Iamignorantofwhatyouknow,andIshallnotask,"he
continued."Ihavebeenverycriminaltowardyou,butperhapslesssothanyouthink.Terriblecircumstancesboundmewithironbands.Fateruledme!ButIseeknopalliation.Judgemeasseverelyasyouwish;butIbegofyoutocalmyourself--preserveyourself!Youspoketomethismorningofyourpresentiments--ofyourmaternalhopes.Attachyourselftothosethoughts,andyouwillalwaysbemistressofyourlife.Asformyself,Ishallbewhateveryouwill--astrangerorafriend.ButnowIfeelthatmypresencemakesyouill.Iwouldleaveyouforthepresent,butnotalone.DoyouwishMadameJauberttocometoyoutonight?"
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"Yes!"shemurmured,faintly.
"Ishallgoforher;butitisnotnecessarytotellyouthatthereareconfidencesonemustreserveevenfromone'sdearestfriends."
"Exceptamother?"Shemurmuredthequestionwithasupplicatingagonyverypainfultosee.
Hegrewstillpaler.Afteraninstant,"Exceptamother!"hesaid."Beitso!"
Sheturnedherfaceandburieditinthepillow.
"Yourmotherarrivesto-morrow,doesshenot?"Shemadeanaffirmativemotionofherhead."Youcanmakeyourarrangementswithher.Ishallaccepteverything."
"Thankyou,"shereplied,feebly.
HelefttheroomandwenttofindMadameJaubert,whomheawakened,andbrieflytoldherthathiswifehadbeenseizedwithaseverenervousattack--theeffectofachill.Theamiablelittlewomanranhastilytoherfriendandspentthenightwithher.
ButshewasnotthedupeoftheexplanationCamorshadgivenher.Womenquicklyunderstandoneanotherintheirgrief.Neverthelesssheaskednoconfidencesandreceivednone;buthertendernesstoherfriendredoubled.Duringthesilenceofthatterriblenight,theonlyserviceshecouldrenderherwastomakeherweep.
NordidthoselaggardhourspasslessbitterlyforM.deCamors.Hetriedtotakenorest,butwalkedupanddownhisapartmentuntildaylightinasortoffrenzy.Thedistressofthispoorchildwoundedhimtotheheart.Thesouvenirsofthepastrosebeforehimandpassedinsadprocession.Thenthemorrowwouldshowhimthecrusheddaughterwithhermother--andsuchamother!Mortallystrickeninallherbest
illusions,inallherdearestbeliefs,inallconnectedwiththehappinessoflife!
Hefoundthathestillhadinhisheartlivelyfeelingsofpity;stillsomeremorseinhisconscience.
Thisweaknessirritatedhim,andhedenouncedittohimself.Whohadbetrayedhim?Thisquestionagitatedhimtoanequaldegree;butfromthefirstinstanthehadnotbeendeceivedinthismatter.
Thesuddengriefandhalf-crazedconvictionofhiswife,herdespairingattitudeandhersilence,couldonlybeexplainedbystrongassuranceandcertainrevelation.Afterturningthematteroverandoverinhisown
mind,hearrivedattheconclusionthatnothingcouldhavethrownsuchclearlightintohislifesavethelettersofMadamedeCampvallon.
HeneverwrotetheMarquise,butcouldnotpreventherwritingtohim;fortoher,astoallwomen,lovewithoutletterswasincomplete.
ButthefaultoftheCount--inexcusableinamanofhistact--wasinpreservingtheseletters.Noone,however,isperfect,andhewasanartist.Hedelightedinthesethe'chefs-d'oeuvre'ofpassionateeloquence,wasproudofinspiringthem,andcouldnotmakeuphismindto
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burnordestroythem.Heexaminedatoncethesecretdrawerwherehehadconcealedthemand,bycertainsigns,discoveredthelockhadbeentamperedwith.Neverthelessnoletterwasmissing;thearrangementofthemalonehadbeendisturbed.
HissuspicionsatoncerevertedtoVautrot,whosescrupleshesuspectedwereslight;andinthemorningtheywereconfirmedbeyonddoubtbyaletterfromthesecretary.InfactVautrot,afterpassingonhispartamostwretchednight,didnotfeelhisnervesequalinthemorningtomeetingthereceptiontheCountpossiblyhadinwaitingforhim.Hisletterwasskilfullypennedtoputsuspiciontosleepifithadnotbeenfullyroused,andiftheCountesshadnotbetrayedhim.
ItannouncedhisacceptanceofalucrativesituationsuddenlyofferedhiminacommercialhouseinLondon.Hewasobligedtodecideatonce,andtosailthatsamemorningforfearoflosinganopportunitywhichcouldnotoccuragain.Itconcludedwithexpressionsoftheliveliestgratitudeandregret.
Camorscouldnotreachhissecretarytostranglehim;soheresolvedtopayhim.Henotonlysenthimallarrearsofsalary,butalargesuminadditionasatestimonialofhissympathyandgoodwishes.
This,however,wasasimpleprecaution;fortheCountapprehendednothing
morefromthevenomousreptilesofarbeneathhim,afterhehadonceshakenitoff.Seeinghimdeprivedoftheonlyweaponhecoulduseagainsthim,hefeltsafe.Besides,hehadlosttheonlyinteresthecoulddesiretosubserve,forheknewM.VautrothaddonehimthecomplimentofcourtinghisWife.
Andhereallyesteemedhimalittlelesslow,afterdiscoveringthisgentlemanlytaste!
CHAPTERXVIII
ONEGLEAMOFHOPE
ItrequiredonthepartofM.deCamors,thismorning,anexertionofallhiscouragetoperformhisdutyasagentlemaningoingtoreceiveMadamedeTecleatthestation.Butcouragehadbeenforsometimepasthissoleremainingvirtue;andthisatleasthesoughtnevertolose.Hereceived,then,mostgracefullyhismother-in-law,robedinhermourningattire.Shewassurprisedatnotseeingherdaughterwithhim.Heinformedherthatshehadbeenalittleindisposedsincetheprecedingevening.Notwithstandingtheprecautionshetookinhislanguageandbyhissmile,hecouldnotpreventMadamedeTeclefromfeelingalivelyalarm.
Hedidnotpretend,however,entirelytoreassureher.Underhisreservedandmeasuredreplies,shefeltthepresentimentofsomedisaster.Afterfirstpressinghimwithmanyquestions,shekeptsilentduringtherestofthedrive.
TheyoungCountess,tosparehermotherthefirstshock,hadquittedherbed;andthepoorchildhadevenputalittlerougeonherpalecheeks.M.deCamorshimselfopenedforMadamedeTeclethedoorofherdaughter'schamber,andthenwithdrew.
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Theyoungwomanraisedherselfwithdifficultyfromhercouch,andhermothertookherinherarms.
Allthatpassedbetweenthematfirstwasasilentinterchangeofmutualcaresses.Thenthemotherseatedherselfnearherdaughter,drewherheadonherbosom,andlookedintothedepthsofhereyes.
"Whatisthematter?"shesaid,sadly.
"Oh,nothing--nothinghopeless!onlyyoumustloveyourlittleMarymorethanever.Willyounot?"
"Yes;butwhy?"
"Imustnotworryyou;andImustnotwrongmyselfeither--youknowwhy!"
"Yes;butIimploreyou,mydarling,totellme."
"Verywell;Iwilltellyoueverything;but,mother,youmustbebraveasIam."
Sheburiedherheadlowerstillonhermother'sbreast,andrecountedtoher,inalowvoice,withoutlookinguponce,theterriblerevelation
whichhadbeenmadetoher,andwhichherhusband'savowalhadconfirmed.
MadamedeTecledidnotonceinterruptherduringthiscruelrecital.Sheonlyimprintedakissonherhairfromtimetotime.TheyoungCountess,whodidnotdaretoraisehereyestoher,asifshewereashamedofanother'scrime,mighthaveimaginedthatshehadexaggeratedthegravityofhermisfortune,sincehermotherhadreceivedtheconfidencewithsomuchcalmness.ButthecalmnessofMadamedeTecleatthisterriblemomentwasthatofthemartyrs;forallthatcouldhavebeensufferedbytheChristiansundertheclawsofthetiger,orontherackofthetorturer,thismotherwassufferingatthehandsofherbest-beloveddaughter.Herbeautifulpaleface--herlargeeyesupturnedtoheaven,likethosethatartistsgivetothepurevictimskneelinginthe
Romancircus--seemedtoaskGodwhetherHereallyhadanyconsolationforsuchtorture.
Whenshehadheardall,shesummonedstrengthtosmileatherdaughter,whoatlastlookeduptoherwithanexpressionoftimiduncertainty--embracinghermoretightlystill.
"Well,mydarling,"saidshe,atlast,"itisagreataffliction,itistrue.Youareright,notwithstanding;thereisnothingtodespairof."
"Doyoureallybelieveso?"
"Certainly.Thereissomeinconceivablemysteryunderallthis;butbe
assuredthattheevilisnotsoterribleasitappears."
"Mypoormother!buthehasacknowledgedit?"
"Iambetterpleasedthathehasacknowledgedit.Thatproveshehasyetsomepride,andthatsomegoodisleftinhissoul.Then,too,hefeelsverymuchafflicted--hesuffersasmuchaswe.Thinkofthat.Letusthinkofthefuture,mydarling."
Theyclaspedeachother'shands,andsmiledateachothertorestrainthe
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tearswhichfilledtheeyesofboth.Afterafewminutes--"Iwishmuch,mychild,"saidMadamedeTecle,"toreposeforhalfanhour;andthenalsoIwishtoarrangemytoilet."
"Iwillconductyoutoyourchamber.Oh,Icanwalk!Ifeelagreatdealbetter."
MadamedeCamorstookhermother'sarmandconductedherasfarasthedoorofthechamberpreparedforher.Onthethresholdshelefther.
"Besensible,"saidMadamedeTecle,turningandgivingheranothersmile.
"Andyoualso,"saidtheyoungwoman,whosevoicefailedher.
MadamedeTecle,assoonasthedoorwasclosed,raisedherclaspedhandstowardheaven;then,fallingonherkneesbeforethebed,sheburiedherheadinit,andweptdespairingly.
ThelibraryofM.deCamorswascontiguoustothischamber.Hehadbeenwalkingwithlongstridesupanddownthiscorridor,expectingeverymomenttoseeMadamedeTecleenter.Asthetimepassed,hesathimselfdownandtriedtoread,buthisthoughtswandered.Hiseareagerlycaught,againsthiswill,theslightestsoundsinthehouse.Ifafoot
seemedapproachinghim,herosesuddenlyandtriedtocomposehiscountenance.Whenthedooroftheneighboringchamberwasopened,hisagonywasredoubled.Hedistinguishedthewhisperingofthetwovoices;then,aninstantafter,thedullfallofMadamedeTecleuponthecarpet;thenherdespairingsobs.M.deCamorsthrewfromhimviolentlythebookwhichhewasforcinghimselftoread,and,placinghiselbowsonthebureauwhichwasbeforehim,held,foralongtime,hispalebrowtightenedinhiscontractedhands.Whenthesoundofsobsabatedlittlebylittle,andthenceased,hebreathedfreer.Aboutmiddayhereceivedthisnote:
"Ifyouwillpermitmetotakemydaughtertothecountryforafewdays,Ishallbegratefultoyou.
"ELISEDETECLE."
Hereturnedimmediatelythissimplereply:
"YoucandonothingofwhichIdonotapproveto-dayandalways.CAMORS."
MadamedeTecle,infact,havingconsultedtheinclinationandthestrengthofherdaughter,haddeterminedtoremoveherwithoutdelay,ifpossible,fromtheimpressionsofthespotwhereshehadsufferedsoseverelyfromthepresenceofherhusband,andfromtheunfortunate
embarrassmentoftheirsituation.Shedesiredalsotomeditateinsolitude,inordertodecidewhatcoursetotakeundersuchunexampledcircumstances.Finally,shehadnotthecouragetoseeM.deCamorsagain--ifsheevercouldseehimagain--untilsometimehadelapsed.ItwasnotwithoutanxietythatsheawaitedthereplyoftheCounttotherequestshehadaddressedhim.
Inthemidstofthetroubledconfusionofherideas,shebelievedhimcapableofalmostanything;andshefearedeverythingfromhim.TheCount'snotereassuredher.Shehastenedtoreadittoherdaughter;
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andbothofthem,liketwopoorlostcreatureswhoclingtothesmallesttwig,remarkedwithpleasurethetoneofrespectfulabandonmentwithwhichhehadreposedtheirdestiniesintheirownhands.HespenthiswholedayatthesessionoftheCorpsLegislatif;andwhenhereturned,theyhaddeparted.
MadamedeCamorswokeupthenextmorninginthechamberwherehergirlhoodhadpassed.Thebirdsofspringweresingingunderherwindowsintheoldancestralgardens.Assherecognizedthesefriendlyvoices,sofamiliartoherinfancy,herheartmelted;butseveralhours'sleephadrestoredtoherhernaturalcourage.Shebanishedthethoughtswhichhadweakenedher,rose,andwenttosurprisehermotheratherfirstwaking.Soonafter,bothofthemwerewalkingtogetherontheterraceoflime-trees.ItwasneartheendofApril;theyoung,scentedverdurespreaditselfoutbeneaththesunbeams;buzzingfliesalreadyswarmedinthehalf-openedroses,inthebluepyramidsoflilacs,andintheclustersofpinkclover.Afterafewturnsmadeinsilenceinthemidstofthisfreshandenchantingscene,theyoungCountess,seeinghermotherabsorbedinreverie,tookherhand.
"Mother,"shesaid,"donotbesad.Hereweareasformerly--bothofusinourlittlenook.Weshallbehappy."
Themotherlookedather,tookherheadandkissedherferventlyonthe
forehead.
"Youareanangel!"shesaid.
Itmustbeconfessedthattheiruncle,DesRameures,notwithstandingthetenderaffectionheshowedthem,wasratherintheway.HeneverhadlikedCamors;hehadacceptedhimasanephewashehadacceptedhimforadeputy--withmoreofresignationthanenthusiasm.Hisantipathywasonlytoowelljustifiedbytheevent;butitwasnecessarytokeephiminignoranceofit.Hewasanexcellentman;butroughandblunt.TheconductofCamors,ifhehadbutsuspectedit,wouldsurelyhaveurgedhimtosomeirreparablequarrel.ThereforeMadamedeTecleandherdaughter,inhispresence,werecompelledtomakeonlyhalfutterances,
andmaintaingreatreserve--asmuchasifhehadbeenastranger.ThispainfulrestraintwouldhavebecomeinsupportablehadnottheyoungCountess'shealth,daybyday,assumedalessdoubtfulcharacter,andfurnishedthemwithexcusesfortheirpreoccupation,theirdisquiet,andtheirretiredlife.
MadamedeTecle,whoreproachedherselfwiththemisfortunesofherdaughter,asherownwork,andwhocondemnedherselfwithanunspeakablebitterness,didnotceasetosearch,inthemidstofthoseruinsofthepastandofthepresent,somereparation,somerefugeforthefuture.Thefirstideawhichpresenteditselftoherimaginationhadbeentoseparateabsolutely,andatanycost,theCountessfromherhusband.UnderthefirstshockoffrightwhichtheduplicityofCamorshad
inflicteduponher,shecouldnotdwellwithouthorroronthethoughtofreplacingherchildatthesideofsuchaman.Butthisseparation-supposingtheycouldobtainit,throughtheconsentofM.deCamors,ortheauthorityofthelaw--wouldgivetothepublicasecretscandal,andmightentailredoubledcatastrophes.Wereitnotfortheseconsequencesshewould,atleast,havedugbetweenMadamedeCamorsandherhusbandaneternalabyss.MadamedeTecledidnotdesirethis.ByforceofreflectionshehadfinallyseenthroughthecharacterofM.deCamorsinoneday--notprobablymorefavorably,butmoretruly.MadamedeTecle,althoughastrangertoallwickedness,knewtheworldandknewlife,and
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herpenetratingintelligencedivinedyetmorethansheknewcertainly.ShethenverynearlyunderstoodwhatspeciesofmoralmonsterM.deCamorswas.Suchassheunderstoodhim,shehopedsomethingfromhimstill.However,theconditionoftheCountessofferedhersomeconsolationinthefuture,whichsheoughtnottoriskdeprivingherselfof;andGodmightpermitthatthispledgeofthisunfortunateunionmightsomedayreunitetheseveredties.
MadamedeTecle,incommunicatingherreflections,herhopes,andherfearstoherdaughter,added:"Mypoorchild,Ihavealmostlosttherighttogiveyoucounsel;butItellyou,wereitmyselfIshouldactthus."
"Verywell,mother,Ishalldoso,"repliedtheyoungwoman.
"Reflectwellonitfirst,forthesituationwhichyouareabouttoacceptwillhavemuchbitternessinit;butwehaveonlyachoiceofevils."
Atthecloseofthisconversation,andeightdaysaftertheirarrivalinthecountry,MadamedeTeclewroteM.deCamorsaletter,whichshereadtoherdaughter,whoapprovedit.
"Iunderstoodyoutosay,thatyouwouldrestoretoyourwifeher
libertyifshewishedtoresumeit.Sheneitherwishes,norcouldsheacceptit.Herfirstdutyistothechildwhichwillbearyourname.Itdoesnotdependonhertokeepthisnamestainless.Shepraysyou,then,toreserveforheraplaceinyourhouse.Youneednotfearanytroubleoranyreproachfromher.SheandIknowhowtosufferinsilence.Nevertheless,Isupplicateyoutobetruetoher--tospareher.Willyouleaveheryetafewdaysinpeace,thenrecall,orcomeforher?"
ThislettertouchedM.deCamorsdeeply.Impassiveashewas,itcaneasilybeimaginedthatafterthedepartureofhiswifehehadnotenjoyedperfecteaseofmind.Uncertaintyistheworstofallevils,becauseeverythingmaybeapprehended.Deprivedentirelyofallnewsfor
eightdays,therewasnopossiblecatastrophehedidnotfancyfloatingoverhishead.HehadthehaughtycouragetoconcealfromMadamedeCampvallontheeventthathadoccurredinhishouse,andtoleaveherundisturbedwhilehehimselfwassleeplessformanynights.Itwasbysucheffortsofenergyandofindomitablepridethatthisstrangemanpreservedwithinhisownconsciousnessaproudself-esteem.TheletterofMadamedeTeclecametohimlikeadeliverance.Hesentthefollowingbriefreply:
"Iacceptyourdecisionwithgratitudeandrespect.Theresolutionofyourdaughterisgenerous.Ihaveyetenoughofgenerosityleftmyselftocomprehendthis.Iamforever,whetheryouwishitornot,herfriendandyours.
"CAMORS."
Aweeklater,havingtakentheprecautionofannouncinghisintention,hearrivedoneeveningatMadamedeTecle's.
Hisyoungwifekeptherchamber.Theyhadtakencaretohavenowitnesses,buttheirmeetingwaslesspainfulandlessembarrassingthantheyapprehended.
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MadamedeTecleandherdaughterfoundinhiscourteousreplyagleamofnoblenesswhichinspiredthemwithashadowofconfidence.Aboveall,theywereproud,andmoreaversetonoisyscenesthanwomenusuallyare.Theyreceivedhimcoldly,then,butcalmly.Onhispart,hedisplayedtowardtheminhislooksandlanguageasubduedseriousnessandsadness,whichdidnotlackeitherdignityorgrace.
TheconversationhavingdweltforsometimeonthehealthoftheCountess,turnedoncurrentnews,onlocalincidents,andtook,littlebylittle,aneasyandordinarytone.M.deCamors,underthepretextofslightfatigue,retiredashehadentered--salutingboththeladies,butwithoutattemptingtotaketheirhands.Thuswasinaugurated,betweenMadamedeCamorsandherhusband,thenew,singularrelationwhichshouldhereafterbetheonlytieintheircommonlife.
Theworldmighteasilybesilenced,becauseM.deCamorsneverhadbeenverydemonstrativeinpublictowardhiswife,andhiscourteousbutreservedmannertowardherdidnotvaryfromhishabitualdemeanor.HeremainedtwodaysatReuilly.
MadamedeTeclevainlywaitedforthesetwodaysforaslightexplanation,whichshedidnotwishtodemand,butwhichshehopedfor.
WhatweretheterriblecircumstanceswhichhadoverruledthewillofM.
deCamors,tothepointofmakinghimforgetthemostsacredsentiments?Whenherthoughtsplungedintothisdreadmystery,theyneverapproachedthetruth.M.deCamorsmighthavecommittedthisbaseactionunderthemenaceofsomegreatdangertosavethefortune,thehonor,probablythelifeofMadamedeCampvallon.This,thoughapoorexcuseinthemother'seyes,stillwasanextenuation.Probablyalsohehadinhisheart,whilemarryingherdaughter,theresolutiontobreakoffthisfatalliaison,whichhehadagainresumedagainsthiswill,asoftenhappens.OnallthesepainfulpointsshedweltafterthedepartureofM.deCamors,asshehadprevioustohisarrival;confinedtoherownconjectures,whenshesuggestedtoherdaughterthemostconsolatoryappearances.ItwasagreeduponthatMadamedeCamorsshouldremaininthecountryuntilherhealthwasreestablished:onlyherhusbandexpressedthedesirethatshe
shouldresideordinarilyonhisestateatReuilly,thechateauonwhichhadrecentlybeenrestoredwiththegreatesttaste.
MadamedeTeclefelttheproprietyofthisarrangement.SheherselfabandonedtheoldhabitationoftheComtedeTecle,toinstallherselfnearherdaughterinthemodestchateauwhichbelongedtothematernalancestorsofM.deCamors,andwhichwehavealreadydescribedinanotherplace,withitssolemnavenue,itsbalustradesofgranite,itslabyrinthsofhornbeamsandtheblackfishpond,shadedwithpoplars.
Bothdweltthereinthemidstoftheirsweetestandmostpleasantsouvenirs;forthislittlechateau,solongdeserted--theneglectedwoodswhichsurroundeditthemelancholypieceofwater--thesolitarynymphall
thishadbeentheirparticulardomain,thefavoriteframeworkoftheirreveries,thelegendoftheirinfancy,thepoetryoftheiryouth.Itwasdoubtlessagreatgrieftorevisitagain,withtearfuleyesandwoundedheartsandheadsbowedbythestormsoflife,thefamiliarpathswheretheyonceknewhappinessandpeace.But,nevertheless,allthesedearconfidantsofpastjoys,ofblastedhopes,ofvanisheddreams--iftheyaremournfulwitnessestheyarealsofriends.Welovethem;andtheyseemtoloveus.Thusthesetwopoorwomen,strayingamidthesewoods,thesewaters,thesesolitudes,bearingwiththemtheirincurablewounds,fanciedtheyheardvoiceswhichpitiedthemandbreathedahealing
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sympathy.ThemostcrueltrialreservedtoMadamedeCamorsinthelifewhichshehadthecourageandjudgmenttoadopt,wasassuredlythedutyofagainseeingtheMarquisedeCampvallon,andpreservingwithhersuchrelationsasmightblindtheeyesoftheGeneralandoftheworld.
Sheresignedherselfeventothis;butshedesiredtodeferaslongaspossiblethepainofsuchameeting.Herhealthsuppliedherwithanaturalexcusefornotgoing,duringthatsummer,toCampvallon,andalsoforkeepingherselfconfinedtoherownroomthedaytheMarquisevisitedReuilly,accompaniedbytheGeneral.
MadamedeTeclereceivedherwithherusualkindness.MadamedeCampvallon,whomM.deCamorshadalreadywarned,didnottroubleherselfmuch;forthebestwomen,liketheworst,excelincomedy,andeverythingpassedoffwithouttheGeneralhavingconceivedtheshadowofasuspicion.
Thefineseasonhadpassed.M.deCamorshadvisitedthecountryseveraltimes,strengtheningateveryinterviewthenewtoneofhisrelationswithhiswife.HeremainedatReuilly,aswashiscustom,duringthemonthofAugust;andunderthepretextofthehealthoftheCountess,didnotmultiplyhisvisitsthatyeartoCampvallon.OnhisreturntoParis,heresumedhisoldhabits,andalsohiscarelessegotism,forherecoveredlittlebylittlefromtheblowhehadreceived.Hebeganto
forgethissufferingsandthoseofhiswife;andeventofelicitatehimselfsecretlyontheturnthatchancehadgiventohersituation.Hehadobtainedtheadvantageandhadnolongeranyannoyance.Hiswifehadbeenenlightened,andhenolongerdeceivedher--whichwasacomfortablethingforhim.Asforher,shewouldsoonbeamother,shewouldhaveaplaything,aconsolation;andhedesignedredoublinghisattentionsandregardstoher.
Shewouldbehappy,ornearlyso;asmuchsoastwothirdsofthewomenintheworld.
Everythingwasforthebest.Hegaveanewthereinstohiscarandlaunchedhimselfafreshonhisbrilliantcareer-proudofhisroyal
mistress,andforeseeinginthedistance,tocrownhislife,thetriumphsofambitionandpower.Pleadingvariousdoubtfulengagements,hewenttoReuillyonlyonceduringtheautumn;buthewrotefrequently,andMadamedeTeclesenthiminreturnbriefaccountsofhiswife'shealth.
OnemorningtowardthecloseofNovember,hereceivedadespatchwhichmadehimunderstand,intelegraphicstyle,thathispresencewasimmediatelyrequiredatReuilly,ifhewishedtobepresentatthebirthofhisson.
WheneversocialdutiesorcourtesywererequiredofM.deCamors,heneverhesitated.Seeinghehadnotamomenttospareifhewishedtocatchthetrainwhichleftthatmorning,hejumpedintoacabanddrove
tothestation.Hisservantwouldjoinhimthenextmorning.
ThestationatReuillywasseveralmilesdistantfromthehouse.Intheconfusionnoarrangementhadbeenmadetoreceivehimonhisarrival,andhewasobligedtocontenthimselfwithmakingtheintermediatejourneyinaheavycountry-wagon.Thebadconditionoftheroadswasanewobstacle,anditwasthreeo'clockinthemorningwhentheCount,impatientandtravel-worn,jumpedoutofthelittlecartbeforetherailingsofhisavenue.Hestrodetowardthehouseunderthedarkandsilentdomeofthetuftedelms.Hewasinthemiddleofthe
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avenuewhenasharpcryrenttheair.Hisheartboundedinhisbreast:hesuddenlystoppedandlistenedattentively.Thecryechoedthroughthestillnessofthenight.Onewouldhavedeemeditthedespairingshriekofahumanbeingundertheknifeofamurderer.
Thesedoloroussoundsgraduallyceasing,hecontinuedhiswalkwithgreaterhaste,andonlyheardthehollowandmuffledsoundofhisownbeatingheart.Atthemomenthesawthelightsofthechateau,anotheragonizedcry,moreshrillandalarmingthanthefirst,arose.
ThistimeCamorsstopped.Notwithstandingthatthenaturalexplanationoftheseagonizedcriespresenteditselftohismind,hewastroubled.
Itisnotunusualthatmenlikehim,accustomedtoapurelyartificiallife,feelastrangesurprisewhenoneofthesimplestlawsofnaturepresentsitselfallatoncebeforethemwithaviolenceasimperiousandirresistibleasadivinelaw.Camorssoonreachedthehouse,andreceivingsomeinformationfromtheservants,notifiedMadamedeTecleofhisarrival.MadamedeTecleimmediatelydescendedfromherdaughter'sroom.Onseeingherconvulsedfeaturesandstreamingeyes,"Areyoualarmed?"Camorsasked,quickly.
"Alarmed?No,"shereplied;"butshesuffersmuch,anditisverylong."
"CanIseeher?"
Therewasamoment'ssilence.
MadamedeTecle,whoseforeheadwascontracted,loweredhereyes,thenraisedthem."Ifyouinsistonit,"shesaid.
"Iinsistonnothing!Ifyoubelievemypresencewoulddoherharm--"ThevoiceofCamorswasnotassteadyasusual.
"Iamafraid,"repliedMadamedeTecle,"thatitwouldagitatehergreatly;andifyouwillhaveconfidenceinme,Ishallbemuchobligedtoyou."
"Butatleast,"saidCamors,"shemightprobablybegladtoknowthatIhavecome,andthatIamhere--thatIhavenotabandonedher."
"Ishalltellher."
"Itiswell."HesalutedMadamedeTeclewithaslightmovementofhishead,andturnedawayimmediately.
Heenteredthegardenatthebackofthehouse,andwalkedabstractedlyfromalleytoalley.WeknowthatgenerallytheroleofmeninthesituationinwhichM.deCamorsatthismomentwasplacedisnotveryeasyorveryglorious;butthecommonannoyanceofthispositionwas
particularlyaggravatedtohimbypainfulreflections.Notonlywashisassistancenotneeded,butitwasrepelled;notonlywashefarfromasupportonthecontrary,hewasbutanadditionaldangerandsorrow.Inthisthoughtwasabitternesswhichhekeenlyfelt.Hisnativegenerosity,hishumanity,shudderedasheheardtheterriblecriesandaccentsofdistresswhichsucceededeachotherwithoutintermission.Hepassedsomeheavyhoursinthedampgardenthiscoldnight,andthechillymorningwhichsucceededit.MadamedeTeclecamefrequentlytogivehimthenews.Neareighto'clockhesawherapproachhimwithagraveandtranquilair.
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"Monsieur,"shesaid,"itisaboy."
"Ithankyou.Howisshe?"
"Well.Ishallrequestyoutogoandseehershortly."
Halfanhourlatershereappearedonthethresholdofthevestibule,andcalled:
"MonsieurdeCamors!"andwhenheapproachedher,sheadded,withanemotionwhichmadeherlipstremble:
"Shehasbeenuneasyforsometimepast.Sheisafraidthatyouhavekepttermswithherinordertotakethechild.Ifeveryouhavesuchathought--notnow,Monsieur.Haveyou?"
"Youaresevere,Madame,"herepliedinahoarsevoice.
Shebreathedasigh.
"Come!"shesaid,andledthewayupstairs.Sheopenedthedoorofthechamberandpermittedhimtoenteritalone.
Hisfirstglancecaughttheeyesofhisyoungwifefixeduponhim.Shewashalfsittingupinbed,supportedbypillows,andwhiterthanthecurtainswhoseshadowenvelopedher.Sheheldclaspedtoherbreasthersleepinginfant,whichwasalreadycovered,likeitsmother,withlaceandpinkribbons.Fromthedepthsofthisnestshefixedonherhusbandherlargeeyes,sparklingwithakindofsavagelight--anexpressioninwhichthesentimentoftriumphwasblendedwithoneofprofoundterror.Hestoppedwithinafewfeetofthebed,andsalutedherwithhismostwinningsmile.
"Ihavepitiedyouverymuch,Marie,"hesaid.
"Ithankyou!"shereplied,inavoiceasfeebleasasigh.
Shecontinuedtoregardhimwiththesamesuppliantandaffrightedair.
"Areyoualittlehappiernow?"hecontinued.
Theglitteringeyeoftheyoungwomanwasfastenedonthecalmfaceofherinfant.ThenturningtowardCamors:
"Youwillnottakehimfromme?"
"Never!"hereplied.
Ashepronouncedthesewordshiseyesweresuddenlydimmed,andhewas
astonishedhimselftofeelateartricklingdownhischeek.Heexperiencedasingularfeeling,hebentover,seizedthefoldsofthesheet,raisedthemtohislips,roseimmediatelyandlefttheroom.
Inthisterriblestruggle,toooftenvictoriousagainstnatureandtruth,themanwasforoncevanquished.Butitwouldbeidletoimaginethatacharacterofthistemperamentandofthisobduracycouldtransformitself,orcouldbemateriallymodifiedunderthestrokeofafewtransitoryemotions,orofafewnervousshocks.M.deCamorsralliedquicklyfromhisweakness,ifevenhedidnotrepentit.Hespenteight
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daysatReuilly,remarkinginthecountenanceofMadamedeTecleandinhermannertowardhim,moreeasethanformerly.
OnhisreturntoParis,withthoughtfulcarehemadesomechangesintheinteriorarrangementofhismansion.ThiswastopreparefortheCountessandherson,whoweretojoinhimafewweekslater,largerandmorecomfortableapartments,inwhichtheyweretobeinstalled.
CHAPTERXIX
THEREPTILETURNSTOSTING
WhenMadamedeCamorscametoParisandenteredthehomeofherhusband,shethereexperiencedthepainfulimpressionsofthepast,andthesombrepreoccupationsofthefuture;butshebroughtwithher,althoughinafragileform,apowerfulconsolation.
Assailedbygrief,andevermenacedbynewemotionshewasobligedtorenouncethenursingofherchild;but,nevertheless,sheneverlefthim,forshewasjealousevenofhisnurse.Sheatleastwishedtobelovedbyhim.Shelovedhimwithaninfinitepassion.Shelovedhimbecause
hewasherownsonandofherblood.Hewasthepriceofhermisfortune--ofherpain.Shelovedhimbecausehewasheronlyhopeofhumanhappinesshereafter.Shelovedhimbecauseshefoundhimasbeautifulastheday.Anditwastruehewasso;forheresembledhisfather--andshelovedhimalsoonthataccount.Shetriedtoconcentrateherheartandallherthoughtsonthisdearcreature,andatfirstshethoughtshehadsucceeded.Shewassurprisedatherself,atherowntranquillity,whenshesawMadamedeCampvallon;forherlivelyimaginationhadexhausted,inadvance,allthesadnesswhichhernewexistencecouldcontain;butwhenshehadlostthekindoftorporintowhichexcessivesufferinghadplungedher--whenhermaternalsensationswerealittlequietedbycustom,herwoman'sheartrecovereditselfinthemother's.Shecouldnotpreventherselffromrenewingherpassionateinterestinhergraceful
thoughterriblehusband.
MadamedeTeclewenttopasstwomonthswithherdaughterinParis,andthenreturnedtothecountry.
MadamedeCamorswrotetoher,inthebeginningofthefollowingspring,aletterwhichgaveheranexactideaofthesentimentsoftheyoungwomanatthetime,andoftheturnherdomesticlifehadtaken.AfteralongandtouchingdetailofthehealthandbeautyofhersonRobert,sheadded:
"Hisfatherisalwaystomewhatyouhaveseenhim.Hesparesmeeverythinghecanspareme,butevidentlythefatalityhehasobeyed
continuesunderthesameform.Notwithstanding,Idonotdespairofthefuture,mybelovedmother.SinceIsawthattearinhiseye,confidencehasenteredmypoorheart.Beassured,myadoredmother,thathewilllovemeoneday,ifitisonlythroughourchild,whomhebeginsquietlytolovewithouthimselfperceivingit.Atfirst,asyouremember,thisinfantwasnomoretohimthanIwas.Whenhesurprisedhimonmyknee,hewouldgivehimacoldkiss,say,'Good-morning,Monsieur,'andwithdraw.Itisjustonemonth--Ihaveforgottenthedate--itwas,'Good-morning,myson--howprettyyouare!'Youseetheprogress;anddoyouknow,finally,whatpassed
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yesterday?IenteredRobert'sroomnoiselessly;thedoorwasopen--whatdidIbehold,mymother!MonsieurdeCamors,withhisheadrestingonthepillowofthecradle,andlaughingatthislittlecreature,whosmiledbackathim!Iassureyou,heblushedandexcusedhimself:'Thedoorwasopen,'hesaid,'andIcamein.'Iassuredhimthathehaddonenothingwrong.
"MonsieurdeCamorsisveryoddsometimes.Heoccasionallypassesthelimitswhichwereagreeduponasnecessary.Heisnotonlypolite,buttakesgreattrouble.Alas!oncethesecourtesieswouldhavefallenuponmyheartlikerosesfromheaven--nowtheyannoymealittle.Lastevening,forexample,Isatdown,asismycustom,atmypianoafterdinner,hereadingajournalatthechimney-corner--hisusualhourforgoingoutpassed.Beholdme,muchsurprised.Ithrewafurtiveglance,betweentwobarsofmusic,athim:hewasnotreading,hewasnotsleeping--hewasdreaming.'IsthereanythingnewintheJournal?'--'No,no;nothingatall.'Anothertwoorthreebarsofmusic,andIenteredmyson'sroom.Hewasinbedandasleep.Idevouredhimwithkissesandreturned--MonsieurdeCamorswasstillthere.Andnow,surpriseaftersurprise:'Haveyouheardfromyourmother?Whatdoesshesay?HaveyouseenMadameJaubert?Haveyoureadthisreview?'Justlikeonewhosoughttoopenaconversation.OnceIwouldwillinglyhavepaidwithmybloodforoneoftheseevenings,andnowheoffers
themtome,whenIknownotwhattodowiththem.NotwithstandingIremembertheadviceofmymother,Idonotwishtodiscouragethesesymptoms.Iadoptafestivemanner.Ilightfourextrawaxlights.Itrytobeamiablewithoutbeingcoquettish;forcoquetryherewouldbeshameful--woulditnot,mydearmother?Finally,wechattedtogether;hesangtwoairstothepiano;Iplayedtwoothers;hepaintedthedesignofalittleRussiancostumeforRoberttowearnextyear;thentalkedpoliticstome.Thisenchantedme.HeexplainedtomehissituationintheChamber.Midnightarrived;Ibecameremarkablysilent;herose:'MayIpressyourhandinfriendship?'--'MonDieu!yes.'--'Good-night,Marie.'--'Goodnight.'Yes,mymother,Ireadyourthoughts.Thereisdangerhere!butyouhaveshownittome;andIbelievealso,Ishould
haveperceiveditbymyself.Donotfear,then.Ishallbehappyathisgoodinclinations,andshallencouragethemtothebestofmypower;butIshallnotbeinhastetoperceiveareturn,onhispart,towardvirtueandmyself.Iseehereinsocietyarrangementswhichrevoltme.InthemidstofmymisfortuneIremainpureandproud;butIshouldfallintothedeepestcontemptofmyselfifIshouldeverpermitmyselftobeaplaythingforMonsieurdeCamors.Amansofallendoesnotraisehimselfinaday.Ifeverhereallyreturnstome,itwillbenecessaryformetohavemuchproof.Ineverhaveceasedtolovehim,andprobablyhedoubtsit:buthewilllearnthatifthissadlovecanbreakmyheartitcanneverabaseit;anditisunnecessarytotellmymotherthatIshallliveanddiecourageouslyinmy