Chapter

  1 1 |            a separate shame, and I said that God had been merciful
  2 1 |          whom her mother had never said, "You are my child," except
  3 1 |          so much anxiety. "Sir," I said, "can you tell me the name
  4 1 |           and by sight. ~"What!" I said to the attendant; "Marguerite
  5 1 |          went out. ~"Poor girl!" I said to myself as I returned
  6 2 |          visit to Bagnees, she was said to be living with an old
  7 2 |         She consented. ~It must be said that Marguerite was just
  8 3 |            Ten francs." ~"Twelve," said a voice after a longish
  9 3 |     longish silence. ~"Fifteen," I said. ~Why? I did not know. Doubtless
 10 3 |         the auctioneer. ~"Thirty," said the first bidder in a tone
 11 3 |            volume, and, bowing, he said very gracefully, though
 12 3 |          should heal them. Thus he said to the Magdalen: "Much shall
 13 4 |            trembling voice that he said to me: ~"Sir, I beg you
 14 4 |           a kindness. Thereupon he said to me: ~"You bought something
 15 4 |             That is it indeed," he said, looking at the inscription
 16 4 |            the pages. "Well, sir," said he, lifting his head, and
 17 4 |           it over to you." ~"But," said M. Duval with some embarrassment, "
 18 4 |        hundred francs." ~"True," I said, embarrassed in my turn, "
 19 4 |          Gautier only by sight," I said; "her death made on me the
 20 4 |            acquaintance." ~"Good," said Armand, holding out his
 21 4 |          guessed my desire, for he said to me: ~"Have you read the
 22 4 |        reading it on paper, for he said to me as he took it: ~"Who
 23 4 |          indifferent to him, and I said: ~"Have you no parents,
 24 4 |            you." ~"It is true," he said, rising and walking to and
 25 4 |           you." ~"Pardon, pardon," said he; "sorrow sharpens the
 26 4 |        little of your friendship," said I, "and by telling me the
 27 4 |          away his head. ~"Come," I said, "courage." ~"Good-bye,"
 28 4 |          courage." ~"Good-bye," he said. ~And, making a desperate
 29 5 |     consequently his sorrow, and I said to myself that perhaps he
 30 5 |           the gardener stopped and said to me: "Here we are." ~I
 31 5 |          What do you say to that?" said the gardener. ~"It is beautiful." ~"
 32 5 |           Yes." ~"Like the other?" said the gardener, with a knowing
 33 5 |             what do you think they said? That they would try to
 34 5 |        want to see M. Duval, sir?" said the gardener, who was walking
 35 5 |         that?" ~"The first word he said to me when he came to the
 36 6 |        hand. "You are feverish," I said to him. "It is nothing,
 37 6 |          been away three weeks," I said. ~Armand passed his hand
 38 6 |           see." ~"I understand," I said to Armand, "and I am at
 39 6 |         these papers by heart," he said. "For three weeks I have
 40 6 |           to go out. ~"Thanks," he said, taking the letters. "Yes,"
 41 6 |         folded them up. "Come," he said, "I will answer tomorrow." ~
 42 6 |            uncovered the inspector said to the grave-digger: "Open
 43 6 |        imposing reality. ~"Quick," said the inspector. Thereupon
 44 6 |           it up and take it away," said the inspector. ~The grave-diggers
 45 6 |       presence still necessary?" I said, pointing to Armand. ~"No,"
 46 6 |          He looks ill." ~"Come," I said to Armand, taking him by
 47 6 |            by the arm. ~"What?" he said, looking at me as if he
 48 6 |       distinctly heard. ~"Well?" I said to the doctor when he had
 49 7 |           I first met Marguerite," said Armand to me, as if he were
 50 7 |         Then turning toward me, he said: ~"I must tell you the whole
 51 7 |            later on, my friend," I said to him; "you are not strong
 52 7 |          my ration of chicken," he said to me, smiling; "I have
 53 7 |            Marguerite Gautier," he said. ~"She seems much changed,
 54 7 |          did not recognise her," I said, with an emotion that you
 55 7 |            her immediately, for he said to me, mentioning her name: "
 56 7 |            do you do?' to her," he said, "and will be back in a
 57 7 |           love with her?" ~"No," I said, flushing, for I really
 58 7 |          with her; come." ~What he said troubled me. I feared to
 59 7 |           the soul. If any one had said to me, You shall have this
 60 7 |           accepted. If any one had said to me, you can be her lover
 61 7 |        mind about her. I therefore said to my friend that I insisted
 62 7 |           She is expecting us," he said. ~"Is she alone?" I asked. ~"
 63 7 |            That is not the way," I said. ~"We must go and get some
 64 7 |          gave me a little nod, and said, "And my sweets?" ~"Here
 65 7 |        across to her neighbour and said something in her ear, at
 66 7 |        position. ~"Marguerite," he said, "you must not be surprised
 67 7 |              If that were true," I said, "I should not have begged
 68 7 |        What a way you behaved!" he said, as he sat down. "They will
 69 7 |          gone?" ~"She laughed, and said she had never seen any one
 70 7 |           does it matter to me?" I said, affecting to speak in a
 71 7 |           absurdity to wipe out; I said to myself that if I spent
 72 7 |            seat. ~"Are you going?" said Ernest. ~"Yes." ~"Why?" ~
 73 7 |           was empty. ~"Go, go," he said, "and good luck, or rather
 74 7 |        door of the Cafe' Anglais," said Marguerite. "We will walk
 75 8 |          is at your neighbours," I said to Prudence. ~"Oh, no; she
 76 8 |         must be dreadfully bored," said Gaston. ~"We spend most
 77 8 |              Ah, poor Marguerite!" said Gaston, sitting down to
 78 8 |           so gay lately." ~"Hush," said Prudence, listening. Gaston
 79 8 |           Come, now, you must go," said Mme. Duvernoy. ~"Ah, that
 80 8 |         your idea of hospitality," said Gaston, laughing; "we won'
 81 8 |                I know Marguerite," said Gaston; I can very well
 82 8 |      calling you for ten minutes," said Marguerite from her window,
 83 8 |         thus forgotten. ~"I knew," said Gaston, "that she would
 84 8 |        gratitude to Mme. Duvernoy, said: ~"Come in, and welcome." ~ ~
 85 9 |     Good-evening, my dear Gaston," said Marguerite to my companion. "
 86 9 |           as that goes, madame," I said, bowing, and succeeding
 87 9 |           de…." ~"Ah, I remember," said Marguerite, with a smile. "
 88 9 |          wouldn't have done that," said she, turning toward M. de
 89 9 |          piano when we came in," I said, in order to change the
 90 9 |    acquaintance and go on?" ~"Oh," said she, flinging herself on
 91 9 |          show me that preference?" said M. de N., with a smile which
 92 9 |            doubtless intruders," I said, "and now that we, or rather
 93 9 |           be going to my club," he said. Marguerite did not answer.
 94 9 |     fireplace and going up to her, said: "Adieu, madame." ~Marguerite
 95 9 |         nerves!" ~"My dear child," said Prudence, "you really treat
 96 9 |         covetous eyes. ~"My dear," said Marguerite, sitting down
 97 9 |           then, turning to us, she said: ~"What will you take? I
 98 9 |       could eat a little chicken," said Prudence. "Suppose we have
 99 9 |         let's go and have supper," said Gaston. ~"No, we will have
100 9 |            went out. ~"That's it," said Marguerite, jumping like
101 9 |         heart into my eyes. ~"So," said she all at once, "it was
102 9 |             after which Marguerite said: ~"Now, let me try." ~She
103 9 |          Isn't it incredible," she said, exactly like a child, "
104 9 |       slight cough. ~"Come, come," said Prudence, who had taken
105 9 |           those beastly things," I said to Marguerite, imploringly. ~"
106 9 |           how proper you are!" she said, smiling and giving me her
107 9 |           one moment." ~"Apropos," said Prudence to me, "you have
108 9 |           supper was ready. ~"Ah," said Prudence, catching sight
109 9 |          hanging side by side, and said: ~"That is the Comte de
110 9 |          yet she had cried when he said good-bye to her." ~Just
111 10|        sofa. ~"Ah! it is you," she said, with a smile. ~I must have
112 10|       killing yourself, madame," I said to her in a moved voice. "
113 10|       glass. ~"How pale I am!" she said, as she fastened her dress
114 10|         what a child you are!" she said, sitting down by my side
115 10|             Listen, Marguerite," I said, unable to contain myself
116 10|           And that is . . . ?" she said, with the smile of a young
117 10|             We are talking sense," said Marguerite; "leave us alone;
118 10|          good! Talk, my children," said Prudence, going out and
119 10|          the tone in which she had said these words. ~"Well, it
120 10|            mean what you say?" she said. ~"Seriously." ~"But why
121 10|       sooner?" ~"When could I have said it?" ~"The day after you
122 10|            out my hand, "Goodbye," said I. ~"I knew you would be
123 10|           you would be cross," she said; "men are frantic to know
124 10|               Love me a little," I said, my heart beating so that
125 10|            how much I love you!" I said in a low voice. "Really
126 10|           on." ~"Why?" ~"Because," said Marguerite, releasing herself
127 10|          shall I see you again?" I said, clasping her in my arms. ~"
128 10|           stopped for a moment and said to me in a low voice: ~"
129 10|              Where is Nanine?" she said, seeing Gaston and Prudence
130 10|            shook hands with me and said good-bye. Prudence remained
131 10|          remained behind. ~"Well," said Gaston, when we were in
132 11|       close the window for me?" he said. "I am beginning to feel
133 11|          been talking too much," I said to him. "Would you rather
134 11|          knew, and perhaps she had said to herself that for a love
135 11|        days' caprice for me, and I said to myself that since we
136 11|            dreams of the future; I said to myself that she should
137 11|         smoked, talked, but what I said, whom I met, I had utterly
138 11|            struck half past ten, I said to myself that it was time
139 11|         ring, I went up to her and said, "Good-evening." ~"Ah, it
140 11|                Ah, it is you," she said, in a tone that by no means
141 11|        door. ~"Has Prudence come?" said Marguerite. ~"No, madame." ~"
142 11|          where I was. ~"Come," she said. ~She took off her hat and
143 11|           beginning of summer, and said to me as she fingered her
144 11|            Who is coming now?" she said, with an impatient movement. ~
145 11|        have to go." She got up and said to me, "Wait here." ~She
146 11|          are you this evening?" he said. ~"Not well," replied Marguerite
147 11|          after. ~"Now understand," said Marguerite, "you are always
148 11|            come, madame, be calm," said Nanine; "your nerves are
149 11|           do you no good, madame," said Nanine. ~"So much the better.
150 11|          have supper with me," she said to me; "meanwhile, take
151 11|     entered. ~"Ah, you here?"' she said, "where is Marguerite?" ~"
152 11|        name is, isn't it?" ~"Yes," said I, not without smiling,
153 11|            her nails. ~"Well," she said, seeing Prudence, "have
154 11|               This "Poor man!" was said in a tone impossible to
155 11|            It was quite time," she said. "My dear Prudence, are
156 11|           me to get into bed?" she said with a smile, as she moved
157 11|          and got into bed. ~"Now," said she, "come and sit down
158 11|           bad temper tonight?" she said, taking my hand. ~"I am
159 11|           You swear it?" ~"Yes," I said in a whisper. ~Nanine entered,
160 11|       haven't had any punch made," said Nanine; "claret is better
161 11|        ardently upon her. ~"Good," said she; "put it all on the
162 12|           the curtains, Marguerite said to me: "Forgive me if I
163 12|         you again?" ~"Listen," she said; "take the little gilt key
164 12|        more I reflected the more I said to myself that Marguerite
165 12|            she did not feel, and I said to myself also that women
166 12|           entr'acte she turned and said two words: the count left
167 12|          her. ~"Good-evening," she said as I entered, holding out
168 12|      secret." ~"Yes, my children," said she; "have no fear. I shall
169 12|         matter with you to-night?" said Marguerite, rising and coming
170 12|         you? Ask Prudence." ~"Ah," said she, "it is amazing!" ~"
171 13|          almost as quickly as we," said Prudence. ~"Yes," I answered
172 13|           counsels. ~"Come, come," said she, "put these foolish
173 13|        reflected. All that she had said buzzed in my head, and I
174 13|          the shortness of life," I said to myself, "by the rapidity
175 13|           us: ~"Come at once," she said; "they are laying the table,
176 13|           Are we still sulky?" she said to me. ~"No, it is all over,"
177 13|           have the trouble of it," said Marguerite, with a smile
178 13|           her. "You forgive me?" I said. ~"You see I do," she answered; "
179 13|         let us reason it out," she said, taking both my hands and
180 13|           and before leaving her I said: "Till to-night!" She kissed
181 13|         more warmly than ever, but said nothing. ~During the day
182 13|             To Mlle. Gautier's," I said. ~"She has not come in." ~"
183 14|           know what I suffered. ~I said to myself, under the weight
184 14|           a love like mine. Then I said to myself that I should
185 14|        Joseph returned. ~"Well?" I said to him. ~"Sir," said he, "
186 14|             I said to him. ~"Sir," said he, "madame was not up,
187 14|      letter back, but every time I said to myself: "Perhaps she
188 14|           my letter; I should have said absolutely nothing, and
189 14|               And I at the Opera," said he; "I expected to see you
190 14|     retract my letter of to-day, I said to myself as I went to bed;
191 14|        unwell, when she might have said to me quite crudely, with
192 14|          had been. ~That is what I said to myself all night long,
193 14|            You are fortunate," she said, "in being able to get away
194 14|           she say about it?" ~"She said: 'My dear Prudence, your
195 14|         put herself out for me," I said with a forced smile. ~"She
196 15|           Shall I go to the door?" said Joseph. ~"Go," I said, asking
197 15|              said Joseph. ~"Go," I said, asking myself who it could
198 15|            was Marguerite. ~"Sir," said Joseph coming back to me, "
199 15|          hands, and, deeply moved, said to her, "Pardon." ~She kissed
200 15|            me on the forehead, and said: ~"This is the third time
201 15|        didn't want me to come; she said that I might be in the way." ~"
202 15|            have had a woman here," said Prudence, "and it would
203 15|           thing which she had just said, and to leave Marguerite
204 15|      useless." ~"You are right," I said, letting my head sink on
205 15|          you imagine. I might have said to you, 'I want twenty thousand
206 15|       smile of infinite sweetness, said: ~"Here it is. I have brought
207 15|           you know what he wants?" said Marguerite. ~"He wants you
208 15|       shall have supper." ~"Come," said Marguerite, "there is room
209 15|         Joseph entered. ~"Sir," he said, with the air of a man who
210 16|       starry sky the words she had said to me the day before, and
211 16|          pretty house!" Marguerite said to me, as she followed the
212 16|        Well, I will arrange that," said Marguerite, freeing my hand,
213 16|            you be happy here?" she said to me. ~"Am I sure of coming
214 16|           nothing." ~"That means," said Prudence, "that when I have
215 17|            it is all settled," she said, as she entered. "The house
216 17|          could not forgive her. He said to her, somewhat cruelly,
217 17|          one day when Prudence had said to Marguerite that she had
218 17|           within hearing. ~"Well?" said Marguerite. ~"Well, I have
219 17|           leave the young man,' he said to me, 'and, as in the past,
220 17|   Marguerite to my heart. ~"Well," said she, turning to Prudence,
221 18|       hiding her head in my bosom, said to me: "You don't know how
222 18|            spoken, when Marguerite said to me: ~"Winter is at hand.
223 18|      Marguerite, let us travel," I said. "But where is the necessity
224 18|                After all, no," she said, leaving the window and
225 18|        Forgive me, my friend," she said, giving me her hand. "This
226 18|           Duvernoy has been here," said Nanine, as she saw us enter. "
227 18|       madame, in the carriage; she said it was arranged." ~"Quite
228 18|         arranged." ~"Quite right," said Marguerite sharply. "Serve
229 18|      confirmed what Marguerite had said. The two women went for
230 18|             My good Marguerite," I said to her, "I am going to ask
231 18|                Go, my friend," she said; "but be back early." I
232 18|     straight to Prudence. ~"Come," said I, without beating about
233 18|         necessity." ~What Prudence said was cruelly true. ~"This
234 18|         lover. ~"Enough joking," I said to Prudence; "tell me exactly
235 19|            arms round my neck, she said to me: "Have you seen Prudence?" ~"
236 19|           sat down by me again and said, taking my hand: ~"Why did
237 19|           diamonds." ~All that was said so naturally that the tears
238 19|           to rise; I held her, and said to her: ~"I want you to
239 19|            her hands ardently, and said: ~"I will do whatever you
240 19|           me. "Let him come in," I said. ~"Sir," said he, "your
241 19|          come in," I said. ~"Sir," said he, "your father has arrived
242 19|            and, taking her hand, I said, "Fear nothing." ~"Come
243 20|            face, embraced him, and said: ~"When did you come, father?" ~"
244 20|        would begin at once; but he said nothing, sealed the letter
245 20|          against the mantel-piece, said to me: ~"My dear Armand,
246 20|         reflect a moment, and then said to me: ~"You have, of course,
247 20|           not permit it." ~"I have said to myself that as long as
248 20|         his son what you have just said to me." ~"A father is always
249 20| Nevertheless, the tone in which he said these last words was so
250 20|         dared not answer. ~"Well?" said he in a trembling voice. ~"
251 20|            can promise nothing," I said at last; "what you ask of
252 20|              Pardon me, father," I said, "but I shall not come." ~"
253 20|      answer. ~"Very well, sir," he said, "I know what remains to
254 20|            the Hotel de Paris," he said to my servant. And thereupon
255 20|             Promise me, father," I said, "that you will do nothing
256 21|           last you have come," she said, throwing her arms round
257 21|           I was afraid of it," she said. "When Joseph came to tell
258 21|            You frightened me," she said. "And your father?" ~"I
259 21|            other day?" ~"Because," said Marguerite, and it seemed
260 21|            twice over everything I said to her to obtain an answer.
261 21|            s letter, from which, I said, we might augur well. At
262 21|         you going already?" ~"No," said I, holding her hands; "but
263 21|           You will come back?" she said, looking at me with haggard
264 21|               All these words were said in such a strained voice,
265 21|            delirious. ~"Listen," I said. "You are ill. I can not
266 21|              Till this evening!" I said to Marguerite, as I left
267 21|          at her toilet. ~"Ah!" she said, anxiously; "is Marguerite
268 21|           me pleasure, Armand," he said; "they make me hope that
269 21|            are watching the time," said my father, "and you are
270 22|       about something important. I said to myself when I was alone;
271 22|            but I saw Prudence; she said nothing to make me suppose
272 22|         coming to-day?" when I had said that Marguerite was ill.
273 22|    detained by chance? Why had she said nothing to Nanine, or why
274 22|              One o'clock struck. I said to myself that I would wait
275 22|            home, but he might have said "No," and I preferred to
276 22|          This letter is for me," I said to the porter, as I showed
277 23|      reached C. without his having said anything to me except to
278 23|     remembered what Marguerite had said about her in her letter,
279 23|            I am disturbing you," I said to Prudence. ~"Not in the
280 23|            see her." ~"But why?" I said, drawing my breath with
281 23|            tell you the truth if I said I think no more about her;
282 23|         imagine the way in which I said that; the sweat broke out
283 23|           what did she say?" ~"She said, 'He is sure to come here,'
284 23|       seeing her take every word I said to her as if it were serious. ~"
285 23|    plunging into dissipation. So I said to myself, as I lay awake
286 23|          showing her off, as if he said to everybody: "This woman
287 24|      others, when, turning back, I said to her: ~"I must speak to
288 24|            you." ~"To-morrow," she said. ~"No, now." ~"What have
289 24|          room. ~"You have lost," I said. ~"Yes. ~"All that you had
290 24|          time I met her what I had said to the other woman. I loved
291 24|           a really moved voice she said to me that since my return,
292 24|             That Mlle. Gautier," I said to Prudence, "should turn
293 24|       never permit." ~"My friend," said Prudence, "you are under
294 24|            I am here, Armand," she said; "you wished to see me and
295 24|             What is the matter?" I said to her in a low voice. ~
296 24|   recovering herself a little, she said to me: ~"You have been very
297 24|          to ask: pardon for what I said yesterday to Mlle. Olympe,
298 24|            that I did not suffer," said I, "on that night when,
299 24|               You shall not go," I said, putting myself in front
300 24|           her head doubtfully, and said: ~"Am I not your slave,
301 24|             Tell my coachman," she said, "to go back with the carriage." ~
302 24|           had left Bougival, and I said to Marguerite: ~"Shall we
303 24|       leave Paris?" ~"No, no!" she said, almost with affright; "
304 24|          can not receive you," she said in an embarrassed way. ~"
305 24|         thing I was going to do? I said to myself that the woman
306 24|            same words that she had said to me in the night, and
307 24|           England at six o'clock," said the porter. ~There was nothing
308 25|            approached me. ~Then he said to me: ~"So, madame, it
309 25|            more serious reality. I said to myself all that your
310 25|            you. ~"Tell me, sir," I said to your father, wiping away
311 25|            love your son?" ~"Yes," said M. Duval. ~"With a disinterested
312 25|            me. Who would ever have said that I, Marguerite Gautier,
313 26|            more because of what it said than by the material help
314 26|            of his friends, who, he said, was very anxious to make
315 26|          of the law leaves me. ~He said, indeed, before going, that
316 26|     foolish things that the actors said. I was half dead when they
317 26|           her to see a priest. She said "Yes," and he went himself
318 26|     chemise covered with lace, and said in a feeble voice: ~"I shall
319 26|         Come in boldly, father," I said to him. ~He stayed a very
320 26|            and when he came out he said to me: ~"She lived a sinner,
321 26|            strange words have been said, but was now a sort of holy
322 26|             Since then she has not said a word or made a movement.
323 26|            or three times also she said your name; then all was
324 27|            27 ~"You have read it?" said Armand, when I had finished