\"Come，don\'ttalknonsense，Suzanne，\"repliedduBousquier；\"IreallythinkIamstilldreaming。\"
\"Howmuchmorerealitydoyouwant？\"criedSuzanne，standingup。
DuBousquierrubbedhiscottonnight-captothetopofhisheadwitharotatorymotion，whichplainlyindicatedthetremendousfermentationofhisideas。
\"Heactuallybelievesit!\"thoughtSuzanne，\"andhe\'sflattered。
Heaven!howeasyitistogullmen!\"
\"Suzanne，whatthedevilmustIdo？Itissoextraordinary——I，whothought——Thefactisthat——No，no，itcan\'tbe——\"
\"What？youcan\'tmarryme？\"
\"Oh!asforthat，no；Ihaveengagements。\"
\"WithMademoiselleArmandeorMademoiselleCormon，whohavebothrefusedyou？Listentome，MonsieurduBousquier，myhonordoesn\'tneedgendarmestodragyoutothemayor\'soffice。Isha\'n\'tlackforhusbands，thankgoodness!andIdon\'twantamanwhocan\'tappreciatewhatI\'mworth。Butsomedayyou\'llrepentofthewayyouarebehaving；forItellyounowthatnothingonearth，neithergoldnorsilver，willinducemetoreturnthegoodthingthatbelongstoyou，ifyourefusetoacceptitto-day。\"
\"But，Suzanne，areyousure？\"
\"Oh，monsieur!\"criedthegrisette，wrappinghervirtueroundher，\"whatdoyoutakemefor？Idon\'tremindyouofthepromisesyoumademe，whichhaveruinedapooryounggirlwhoseonlyblamewastohaveasmuchambitionaslove。\"
DuBousquierwastornwithconflictingsentiments，joy，distrust，calculation。HehadlongdeterminedtomarryMademoiselleCormon；fortheCharter，onwhichhehadjustbeenruminating，offeredtohisambition，throughthehalfofherproperty，thepoliticalcareerofadeputy。Besides，hismarriagewiththeoldmaidwouldputhimsociallysohighinthetownthathewouldhavegreatinfluence。Consequently，thestormupraisedbythatmaliciousSuzannedrovehimintothewildestembarrassment。Withoutthissecretscheme，hewouldhavemarriedSuzannewithouthesitation。Inwhichcase，hecouldopenlyassumetheleadershipoftheliberalpartyinAlencon。Aftersuchamarriagehewould，ofcourse，renouncethebestsocietyandtakeupwiththebourgeoisclassoftradesmen，richmanufacturersandgraziers，whowouldcertainlycarryhimintriumphastheircandidate。
DuBousquieralreadyforesawtheLeftside。
Thissolemndeliberationhedidnotconceal；herubbedhishandsoverhishead，displacingthecapwhichcovereditsdisastrousbaldness。
Suzanne，meantime，likeallthosepersonswhosucceedbeyondtheirhopes，wassilentandamazed。Tohideherastonishment，sheassumedthemelancholyposeofaninjuredgirlatthemercyofherseducer；
inwardlyshewaslaughinglikeagrisetteatherclevertrick。
\"Mydearchild，\"saidduBousquieratlength，\"I\'mnottobetakeninwithsuchBOSH，notI!\"
SuchwasthecurtremarkwhichendedduBousquier\'smeditation。Heplumedhimselfonbelongingtotheclassofcynicalphilosopherswhocouldneverbe\"takenin\"bywomen，——puttingthem，oneandall，untothesamecategory，asSUSPICIOUS。Thesestrong-mindedpersonsareusuallyweakmenwhohaveaspecialcatechisminthematterofwomenkind。Tothemthewholesex，fromqueensofFrancetomilliners，areessentiallydepraved，licentious，intriguing，notalittlerascally，fundamentallydeceitful，andincapableofthoughtaboutanythingbuttrifles。Tothem，womenareevil-doingqueens，whomustbeallowedtodanceandsingandlaughastheyplease；theyseenothingsacredorsaintlyinthem，noranythinggrand；tothemthereisnopoetryinthesenses，onlygrosssensuality。Wheresuchjurisprudenceprevails，ifawomanisnotperpetuallytyrannizedover，shereducesthemantotheconditionofaslave。UnderthisaspectduBousquierwasagaintheantithesisofthechevalier。Whenhemadehisfinalremark，heflunghisnight-captothefootofthebed，asPopeGregorydidthetaperwhenhefulminatedanexcommunication；SuzannethenlearnedforthefirsttimethatduBousquierworeatoupetcoveringhisbaldspot。
\"Pleasetoremember，MonsieurduBousquier，\"sherepliedmajestically，\"thatincomingheretotellyouofthismatterIhavedonemyduty；
rememberthatIhaveofferedyoumyhand，andaskedforyours；butrememberalsothatIbehavedwiththedignityofawomanwhorespectsherself。Ihavenotabasedmyselftoweeplikeasillyfool；Ihavenotinsisted；Ihavenottormentedyou。Younowknowmysituation。YoumustseethatIcannotstayinAlencon:mymotherwouldbeatme，andMadameLardotridesahobbyofprinciples；she\'llturnmeoff。Poorwork-girlthatIam，mustIgotothehospital？mustIbegmybread？
No!I\'dratherthrowmyselfintotheBrillanteortheSarthe。Butisn\'titbetterthatIshouldgotoParis？Mymothercouldfindanexcusetosendmethere，——anunclewhowantsme，oradyingaunt，oraladywhosendsforme。ButImusthavesomemoneyforthejourneyandfor——youknowwhat。\"
ThisextraordinarypieceofnewswasfarmorestartlingtoduBousquierthantotheChevalierdeValois。Suzanne\'sfictionintroducedsuchconfusionintotheideasoftheoldbachelorthathewasliterallyincapableofsoberreflection。Withoutthisagitationandwithouthisinwarddelight(forvanityisaswindlerwhichneverfailsofitsdupe)，hewouldcertainlyhavereflectedthat，supposingitweretrue，agirllikeSuzanne，whoseheartwasnotyetspoiled，wouldhavediedathousanddeathsbeforebeginningadiscussionofthiskindandaskingformoney。
\"WillyoureallygotoParis，then？\"hesaid。
AflashofgayetylightedSuzanne\'sgrayeyesassheheardthesewords；buttheself-satisfiedduBousquiersawnothing。
\"Yes，monsieur，\"shesaid。
DuBousquierthenbeganbitterlamentations:hehadthelastpaymentstomakeonhishouse；thepainter，themason，theupholsterersmustbepaid。Suzannelethimrunon；shewaslisteningforthefigures。DuBousquierofferedherthreehundredfrancs。Suzannemadewhatiscalledonthestageafalseexit；thatis，shemarchedtowardthedoor。
\"Stop，stop!whereareyougoing？\"saidduBousquier，uneasily。\"Thisiswhatcomesofabachelor\'slife!\"thoughthe。\"ThedeviltakemeifIeverdidanythingmorethanrumplehercollar，and，loandbehold!
shemakesTHATagroundtoputherhandinone\'spocket!\"
\"I\'mgoing，monsieur，\"repliedSuzanne，\"toMadameGranson，thetreasureroftheMaternitySociety，who，tomyknowledge，hassavedmanyapoorgirlinmyconditionfromsuicide。\"
\"MadameGranson!\"
\"Yes，\"saidSuzanne，\"arelationofMademoiselleCormon，thepresidentoftheMaternitySociety。Savingyourpresence，theladiesofthetownhavecreatedaninstitutiontoprotectpoorcreaturesfromdestroyingtheirinfants，likethathandsomeFaustineofArgentanwhowasexecutedforitthreeyearsago。\"
\"Here，Suzanne，\"saidduBousquier，givingherakey，\"openthatsecretary，andtakeoutthebagyou\'llfindthere:there\'saboutsixhundredfrancsinit；itisallIpossess。\"
\"Oldcheat!\"thoughtSuzanne，doingashetoldher，\"I\'lltellaboutyourfalsetoupet。\"
ShecomparedduBousquierwiththatcharmingchevalier，whohadgivenhernothing，itistrue，butwhohadcomprehendedher，advisedher，andcarriedallgrisettesinhisheart。
\"Ifyoudeceiveme，Suzanne，\"criedduBousquier，ashesawherwithherhandinthedrawer，\"you——\"
\"Monsieur，\"shesaid，interruptinghimwithineffableimpertinence，\"wouldn\'tyouhavegivenmemoneyifIhadaskedforit？\"
Recalledtoasenseofgallantry，duBousquierhadaremembranceofpasthappinessandgruntedhisassent。Suzannetookthebaganddeparted，afterallowingtheoldbachelortokissher，whichhedidwithanairthatseemedtosay，\"Itisarightwhichcostsmedear；
butitisbetterthanbeingharriedbyalawyerinthecourtofassizesastheseducerofagirlaccusedofinfanticide。\"
Suzannehidthesackinasortofgamebagmadeofosierwhichshehadonherarm，allthewhilecursingduBousquierforhisstinginess；foronethousandfrancswasthesumshewanted。Oncetemptedofthedeviltodesirethatsum，agirlwillgofarwhenshehassetfootonthepathoftrickery。AsshemadeherwayalongtherueduBercail，itcameintoherheadthattheMaternitySociety，presidedoverbyMademoiselleCormon，mightbeinducedtocompletethesumatwhichshehadreckonedherjourneytoParis，whichtoagrisetteofAlenconseemedconsiderable。Besides，shehatedduBousquier。ThelatterhadevidentlyfearedarevelationofhissupposedmisconducttoMadameGranson；andSuzanne，attheriskofnotgettingapennyfromthesociety，waspossessedwiththedesire，onleavingAlencon，ofentanglingtheoldbachelorintheinextricablemeshesofaprovincialslander。Inallgrisettesthereissomethingofthemalevolentmischiefofamonkey。Accordingly，SuzannenowwenttoseeMadameGranson，composingherfacetoanexpressionofthedeepestdejection。
CHAPTERIII
ATHANASE
MadameGranson，widowofalieutenant-colonelofartillerykilledatJena，possessed，asherwholemeansoflivelihood，ameagrepensionofninehundredfrancsayear，andthreehundredfrancsfrompropertyofherown，plusasonwhosesupportandeducationhadeatenupallhersavings。Sheoccupied，intherueduBercail，oneofthosemelancholyground-floorapartmentswhichatravellerpassingalongtheprincipalstreetofalittleprovincialtowncanlookthroughataglance。Thestreetdooropenedatthetopofthreesteepsteps；apassageledtoaninteriorcourtyard，attheendofwhichwasthestaircasecoveredbyawoodengallery。Ononesideofthepassagewasthedining-roomandthekitchen；ontheotherside，asalonputtomanyuses，andthewidow\'sbedchamber。
AthanaseGranson，ayoungmantwenty-threeyearsofage，whosleptinanatticroomabovethesecondfloorofthehouse，addedsixhundredfrancstotheincomeofhispoormother，bythesalaryofalittleplacewhichtheinfluenceofhisrelation，MademoiselleCormon，hadobtainedforhiminthemayor\'soffice，wherehewasplacedinchargeofthearchives。
FromtheseindicationsitiseasytoimagineMadameGransoninhercoldsalonwithitsyellowcurtainsandUtrechtvelvetfurniture，alsoyellow，asshestraightenedtheroundstrawmatswhichwereplacedbeforeeachchair，thatvisitorsmightnotsoilthered-tiledfloorwhiletheysatthere；afterwhichshereturnedtohercushionedarmchairandlittlework-tableplacedbeneaththeportraitofthelieutenant-colonelofartillerybetweentwowindows，——apointfromwhichhereyecouldraketherueduBercailandseeallcomers。Shewasagoodwoman，dressedwithbourgeoissimplicityinkeepingwithherwanfacefurrowedbygrief。Therigoroushumblenessofpovertymadeitselffeltinalltheaccessoriesofthishousehold，theveryairofwhichwaschargedwiththesternanduprightmoralsoftheprovinces。Atthismomentthesonandmotherweretogetherinthedining-room，wheretheywerebreakfastingwithacupofcoffee，withbreadandbutterandradishes。TomakethepleasurewhichSuzanne\'svisitwastogivetoMadameGransonintelligible，wemustexplaincertainsecretinterestsofthemotherandson。
AthanaseGransonwasathinandpaleyoungman，ofmediumheight，withahollowfaceinwhichhistwoblackeyes，sparklingwiththoughts，gavetheeffectofbitsofcoal。Theratherirregularlinesofhisface，thecurveofhislips，aprominentchin，thefinemodellingofhisforehead，hismelancholycountenance，causedbyasenseofhispovertywarringwiththepowersthathefeltwithinhim，wereallindicationsofrepressedandimprisonedtalent。InanyotherplacethanthetownofAlenconthemereaspectofhispersonwouldhavewonhimtheassistanceofsuperiormen，orofwomenwhoareabletorecognizegeniusinobscurity。Ifhiswasnotgenius，itwasatanyratetheformandaspectofit；ifhehadnottheactualforceofagreatheart，theglowofsuchaheartwasinhisglance。Althoughhewascapableofexpressingthehighestfeeling，acasingoftimiditydestroyedallthegracesofhisyouth，justastheiceofpovertykepthimfromdaringtoputforthallhispowers。Provinciallife，withoutanopening，withoutappreciation，withoutencouragement，describedacircleabouthiminwhichlanguishedanddiedthepowerofthought，——apowerwhichasyethadscarcelyreacheditsdawn。Moreover，Athanasepossessedthatsavagepridewhichpovertyintensifiesinnobleminds，exaltingthemintheirstrugglewithmenandthings；althoughattheirstartinlifeitisanobstacletotheiradvancement。Geniusproceedsintwoways:eitherittakesitsopportunity——likeNapoleon，likeMoliere——themomentthatitseesit，oritwaitstobesoughtwhenithaspatientlyrevealeditself。YoungGransonbelongedtothatclassofmenoftalentwhodistrustthemselvesandareeasilydiscouraged。Hissoulwascontemplative。Helivedmorebythoughtthanbyaction。
PerhapshemighthaveseemeddeficientorincompletetothosewhocannotconceiveofgeniuswithoutthesparkleofFrenchpassion；buthewaspowerfulintheworldofmind，andhewasliabletoreach，throughaseriesofemotionsimperceptibletocommonsouls，thosesuddendeterminationswhichmakefoolssayofaman，\"Heismad。\"
ThecontemptwhichtheworldpoursoutonpovertywasdeathtoAthanase；theenervatingheatofsolitude，withoutabreathorcurrentofair，relaxedthebowwhicheverstrovetotightenitself；hissoulgrewwearyinthispainfuleffortwithoutresults。AthanasewasamanwhomighthavetakenhisplaceamongthegloriesofFrance；but，eagleashewas，coopedinacagewithouthispropernourishment，hewasabouttodieofhungeraftercontemplatingwithanardenteyethefieldsofairandthemountainheightswheregeniussoars。Hisworkinthecitylibraryescapedattention，andheburiedinhissoulhisthoughtsoffame，fearingthattheymightinjurehim；butdeeperthanalllayburiedwithinhimthesecretofhisheart，——apassionwhichhollowedhischeeksandyellowedhisbrow。Helovedhisdistantcousin，thisveryMademoiselleCormonwhomtheChevalierdeValoisandduBousquier，hishiddenrivals，werestalking。Thislovehadhaditsoriginincalculation。MademoiselleCormonwasthoughttobeoneoftherichestpersonsinthetown:thepoorladhadthereforebeenledtoloveherbydesiresformaterialhappiness，bythehope，longindulged，ofgildingwithcomforthismother\'slastyears，byeagerlongingfortheeaseoflifesoneedfultomenwholivebythought；
butthismostinnocentpointofdeparturedegradedhispassioninhisowneyes。Moreover，hefearedtheridiculetheworldwouldcastupontheloveofayoungmanoftwenty-threeforanoldmaidofforty。
Andyethispassionwasreal；whatevermayseemfalseaboutsuchaloveelsewhere，itcanberealizedasafactintheprovinces，where，mannersandmoralsbeingwithoutchangeorchanceormovementormystery，marriagebecomesanecessityoflife。Nofamilywillacceptayoungmanofdissolutehabits。Howevernaturaltheliaisonofayoungman，likeAthanase，withahandsomegirl，likeSuzanne，forinstance，mightseeminacapital，italarmsprovincialparents，anddestroysthehopesofmarriageofapooryoungmanwhenpossiblythefortuneofarichonemightcausesuchanunfortunateantecedenttobeoverlooked。Betweenthedepravityofcertainliaisonsandasincerelove，amanofhonorandnofortunewillnothesitate:heprefersthemisfortunesofvirtuetotheevilsofvice。Butintheprovinceswomenwithwhomayoungmancallfallinlovearerare。Arichyounggirlhecannotobtaininaregionwherealliscalculation；apooryounggirlheispreventedfromloving；itwouldbe，asprovincialssay，marryinghungerandthirst。Suchmonkishsolitudeis，however，dangeroustoyouth。
Thesereflectionsexplainwhyprovinciallifeissofirmlybasedonmarriage。Thuswefindthatardentandvigorousgenius，forcedtorelyontheindependenceofitsownpoverty，quitsthesecoldregionswherethoughtispersecutedbybrutalindifference，wherenowomaniswillingtobeasisterofcharitytoamanoftalent，ofart，ofscience。
WhowillreallyunderstandAthanaseGranson\'sloveforMademoiselleCormon？Certainlyneitherrichmen——thosesultansofsocietywhofilltheirharems——normiddle-classmen，whofollowthewell-beatenhigh-
roadofprejudices；norwomenwho，notchoosingtounderstandthepassionsofartists，imposetheyokeoftheirvirtuesuponmenofgenius，imaginingthatthetwosexesaregovernedbythesamelaws。
Here，perhaps，weshouldappealtothoseyoungmenwhosufferfromtherepressionoftheirfirstdesiresatthemomentwhenalltheirforcesaredeveloping；toartistssickoftheirowngeniussmotheringunderthepressureofpoverty；tomenoftalent，persecutedandwithoutinfluence，oftenwithoutfriendsatthestart，whohaveendedbytriumphingoverthatdoubleanguish，equallyagonizing，ofsoulandbody。SuchmenwillwellunderstandthelancinatingpainsofthecancerwhichwasnowconsumingAthanase；theyhavegonethroughthoselongandbitterdeliberationsmadeinpresenceofsomegrandiosepurposetheyhadnotthemeanstocarryout；theyhaveenduredthosesecretmiscarriagesinwhichthefructifyingseedofgeniusfallsonaridsoil。Suchmenknowthatthegrandeurofdesiresisinproportiontotheheightandbreadthoftheimagination。Thehighertheyspring，thelowertheyfall；andhowcanitbethattiesandbondsshouldnotbebrokenbysuchafall？Theirpiercingeyehasseen——asdidAthanase——thebrilliantfuturewhichawaitedthem，andfromwhichtheyfanciedthatonlyathingauzepartedthem；butthatgauzethroughwhichtheireyescouldseeischangedbySocietyintoawallofiron。Impelledbyavocation，byasentimentofart，theyendeavoragainandagaintolivebysentimentswhichsocietyasincessantlymaterializes。Alas!
theprovincescalculateandarrangemarriagewiththeoneviewofmaterialcomfort，andapoorartistormanofscienceisforbiddentodoubleitspurposeandmakeitthesaviourofhisgeniusbysecuringtohimthemeansofsubsistence!
Movedbysuchideas，AthanaseGransonfirstthoughtofmarriagewithMademoiselleCormonasameansofobtainingalivelihoodwhichwouldbepermanent。Thencehecouldrisetofame，andmakehismotherhappy，knowingatthesametimethathewascapableoffaithfullylovinghiswife。Butsoonhisownwillcreated，althoughhedidnotknowit，agenuinepassion。Hebegantostudytheoldmaid，and，bydintofthecharmwhichhabitgives，heendedbyseeingonlyherbeautiesandignoringherdefects。
Inayoungmanoftwenty-threethesensescountformuchinlove；
theirfireproducesasortofprismbetweenhiseyesandthewoman。
FromthispointofviewtheclaspwithwhichBeaumarchis\'CherubinseizesMarcelineisastrokeofgenius。ButwhenwereflectthatintheutterisolationtowhichpovertycondemnedpoorAthanase，MademoiselleCormonwastheonlyfigurepresentedtohisgaze，thatsheattractedhiseyeincessantly，thatallthelighthehadwasconcentratedonher，surelyhislovemaybeconsiderednatural。
Thissentiment，socarefullyhidden，increasedfromdaytoday。
Desires，sufferings，hopes，andmeditationsswelledinquietnessandsilencethelakewideningeverintheyoungman\'sbreast，ashourbyhouraddeditsdropofwatertothevolume。Andthewiderthisinwardcircle，drawnbytheimagination，aidedbythesenses，grew，themoreimposingMademoiselleCormonappearedtoAthanase，andthemorehisowntimidityincreased。
Themotherhaddivinedthetruth。Likeallprovincialmothers，shecalculatedcandidlyinherownmindtheadvantagesofthematch。ShetoldherselfthatMademoiselleCormonwouldbeveryluckytosecureahusbandinayoungmanoftwenty-three，fulloftalent，whowouldalwaysbeanhonortohisfamilyandtheneighborhood；atthesametimetheobstacleswhichherson\'swantoffortuneandMademoiselleCormon\'sagepresentedtothemarriageseemedtoheralmostinsurmountable；shecouldthinkofnothingbutpatienceasbeingabletovanquishthem。LikeduBousquier，liketheChevalierdeValois，shehadapolicyofherown；shewasonthewatchforcircumstances，awaitingthepropitiousmomentforamovewiththeshrewdnessofmaternalinstinct。MadameGransonhadnofearsatallastothechevalier，butshedidsupposethatduBousquier，althoughrefused，retainedcertainhopes。Asanableandunderhandenemytothelatter，shedidhimmuchsecretharmintheinterestsofherson；fromwhom，bythebye，shecarefullyconcealedallsuchproceedings。
AfterthisexplanationitiseasytounderstandtheimportancewhichSuzanne\'slie，confidedtoMadameGranson，wasabouttoacquire。Whataweaponputintothehandsofthischaritablelady，thetreasureroftheMaternitySociety!HowshewouldgentlyanddemurelyspreadthenewswhilecollectingassistanceforthechasteSuzanne!
AtthepresentmomentAthanase，leaningpensivelyonhiselbowatthebreakfasttable，wastwirlinghisspooninhisemptycupandcontemplatingwithapreoccupiedeyethepoorroomwithitsredbrickfloor，itsstrawchairs，itspaintedwoodenbuffet，itspinkandwhitecurtainschequeredlikeabackgammonboard，whichcommunicatedwiththekitchenthroughaglassdoor。Ashisbackwastothechimneywhichhismotherfaced，andasthechimneywasoppositetothedoor，hispallidface，stronglylightedfromthewindow，framedinbeautifulblackhair，theeyesgleamingwithdespairandfierywithmorningthoughts，wasthefirstobjectwhichmettheeyesoftheincomingSuzanne。Thegrisette，whobelongedtoaclasswhichcertainlyhastheinstinctofmiseryandthesufferingsoftheheart，suddenlyfeltthatelectricspark，dartingfromHeavenknowswhere，whichcanneverbeexplained，whichsomestrongmindsdeny，butthesympatheticstrokeofwhichhasbeenfeltbymanymenandmanywomen。Itisatoncealightwhichlightensthedarknessofthefuture，apresentimentofthesacredjoysofasharedlove，thecertaintyofmutualcomprehension。
Aboveall，itislikethetouchofafirmandablehandonthekeyboardofthesenses。Theeyesarefascinatedbyanirresistibleattraction；theheartisstirred；themelodiesofhappinessechointhesoulandintheears；avoicecriesout，\"Itishe!\"Oftenreflectioncastsadoucheofcoldwateronthisboilingemotion，andallisover。
Inamoment，asrapidastheflashofthelightning，Suzannereceivedthebroadsideofthisemotioninherheart。Theflameofarealloveburneduptheevilweedsfosteredbyalibertineanddissipatedlife。
Shesawhowmuchshewaslosingofdecencyandvaluebyaccusingherselffalsely。Whathadseemedtoherajokethenightbeforebecametohereyesaseriouschargeagainstherself。Sherecoiledatherownsuccess。Buttheimpossibilityofanyresult；thepovertyoftheyoungman；avaguehopeofenrichingherself，ofgoingtoParis，andreturningwithfullhandstosay，\"Iloveyou!herearethemeansofhappiness!\"ormerefate，ifyouwillhaveitso，driedupthenextmomentthisbeneficentdew。
Theambitiousgrisetteaskedwithatimidairforamoment\'sinterviewwithMadameGranson，whotookheratonceintoherbedchamber。WhenSuzannecameoutshelookedagainatAthanase；hewasstillinthesameposition，andthetearscameintohereyes。AsforMadameGranson，shewasradiantwithjoy。Atlastshehadaweapon，andaterribleone，againstduBousquier；shecouldnowdealhimamortalblow。ShehadofcoursepromisedthepoorseducedgirlthesupportofallcharitableladiesandthatofthemembersoftheMaternitySocietyinparticular；sheforesawadozenvisitswhichwouldoccupyherwholeday，andbrewupafrightfulstormontheheadoftheguiltyduBousquier。TheChevalierdeValois，whileforeseeingtheturntheaffairwouldtake，hadreallynoideaofthescandalwhichwouldresultfromhisownaction。
\"Mydearchild，\"saidMadameGransontoherson，\"wearetodine，youknow，withMademoiselleCormon；dotakealittlepainswithyourappearance。Youarewrongtoneglectyourdressasyoudo。PutonthathandsomefrilledshirtandyourgreencoatofElbeufcloth。Ihavemyreasons，\"sheaddedslyly。\"Besides，MademoiselleCormonisgoingtoPrebaudet，andmanypersonswilldoubtlesscalltobidhergood-bye。
Whenayoungmanismarriageableheoughttotakeeverymeanstomakehimselfagreeable。Ifgirlswouldonlytellthetruth，heavens!mydearboy，you\'dbeastonishedatwhatmakesthemfallinlove。Oftenitsufficesforamantoridepastthemattheheadofacompanyofartillery，orshowhimselfataballintightclothes。Sometimesamereturnofthehead，amelancholyattitude，makesthemsupposeaman\'swholelife；they\'llinventaromancetomatchthehero——whoisoftenamerebrute，butthemarriageismade。WatchtheChevalierdeValois:studyhim；copyhismanners；seewithwhateasehepresentshimself；heneverputsonastiffair，asyoudo。Talkalittlemore；
onewouldreallythinkyoudidn\'tknowanything，——you，whoknowHebrewbyheart。\"
Athanaselistenedtohismotherwithasurprisedbutsubmissiveair；
thenherose，tookhiscap，andwentofftothemayor\'soffice，sayingtohimself，\"Canmymothersuspectmysecret？\"
HepassedthroughtherueduVal-Noble，whereMademoiselleCormonlived，——alittlepleasurewhichhegavehimselfeverymorning，thinking，asusual，avarietyoffancifulthings: