Shedreamed，reflected，puzzled，wept，consumedbyfearsandsuspicions。Thenherjoyousyoungsoulreassuringitself，shebegantoplananadventure，toimagineanabnormalanddramaticsituation，foundedontherecollectionsofallthepoeticalromancesshehadread。Sherecalledallthemovingcatastrophes，orsadandtouchingstories；shejumbledthemtogether，andconcoctedastoryofherownwithwhichsheinterpretedthehalf-understoodmysterywhichenvelopedherlife。
Shewasnolongercastdown。Shedreamed，sheliftedveils，sheimaginedunlikelycomplications，athousandsingular，terriblethings，seductive，nevertheless，bytheirverystrangeness。Couldshebe，bychance，thenaturaldaughterofaprince？Hadherpoormother，betrayedanddeserted，madeMarquisebysomeking，perhapsKingVictorEmmanuel，beenobligedtotakeflightbeforetheangerofthefamily？Wasshenotratherachildabandonedbyitsrelations，whowerenobleandillustrious，thefruitofaclandestinelove，takeninbytheMarquise，whohadadoptedandbroughtherup？
Stillothersuppositionspassedthroughhermind。Sheacceptedorrejectedthemaccordingtothedictatesofherfancy。Shewasmovedtopityoverherowncase，happyatthebottomofherheart，andsadalso，takingasortofsatisfactioninbecomingasortofaheroineofabookwhomust:assumeanobleattitude，worthyofherself。
Shelaidoutthepartshemustplay，accordingtoeventsatwhichsheguessed。Shevaguelyoutlinedthisrole，likeoneofScribe\'sorofGeorgeSand\'s。Itshouldbeenduedwithdevotion，self-
abnegation，greatnessofsoul，tenderness；andfinewords。Herpliantnaturealmostrejoicedinthisnewattitude。Sheponderedalmosttilleveningwhatsheshoulddo，wonderinghowsheshouldmanagetowrestthetruthfromtheMarquise。
Andwhennightcame，favorabletotragicsituations，shehadthoughtoutasimpleandsubtiletricktoobtainwhatshewanted:itwas，brusquely，tosaythatServignyhadaskedforherhandinmarriage。
Atthisnews，MadameObardi，takenbysurprise，wouldcertainlyletawordescapeherlips，acrywhichwouldthrowlightintothemindofherdaughter。AndYvettehadaccomplishedherplan。
Sheexpectedanexplosionofastonishment，anexpansionoflove，aconfidencefullofgesturesandtears。But，insteadofthis，hermother，withoutappearingstupefiedorgrieved，hadonlyseemedbored；andfromtheconstrained，discontented，andworriedtoneinwhichshehadreplied，theyounggirl，inwhomtheresuddenlyawakedalltheastuteness，keenness，andsharpnessofawoman，understandingthatshemustnotinsist，thatthemysterywasofanothernature，thatitwouldbepainfultohertolearnit，andthatshemustpuzzleitoutallalone，hadgonebacktoherroom，herheartoppressed，hersoulindistress，possessednowwiththeapprehensionsofarealmisfortune，withoutknowingexactlyeitherwhenceorwhythisemotioncametoher。Soshewept，leaningatthewindow。
Sheweptlong，notdreamingofanythingnow，notseekingtodiscoveranythingmore，andlittlebylittle，wearinessovercomingher，sheclosedhereyes。Shedozedforafewminutes，withthatdeepsleepofpeoplewhoaretiredoutandhavenottheenergytoundressandgotobed，thatheavysleep，brokenbydreams，whentheheadnodsuponthebreast。
Shedidnotgotobeduntilthefirstbreakofday，whenthecoldofthemorning，chillingher，compelledhertoleavethewindow。
Thenextdayandthedayafter，shemaintainedareservedandmelancholyattitude。Herthoughtswerebusy；shewaslearningtospyout，toguessatconclusions，toreason。Alight，stillvague，seemedtoilluminemenandthingsaroundherinanewmanner；shebegantoentertainsuspicionsagainstall，againsteverythingthatshehadbelieved，againsthermother。Sheimaginedallsortsofthingsduringthesetwodays。Sheconsideredallthepossibilities，takingthemostextremeresolutionswiththesuddennessofherchangeableandunrestrainednature。Wednesdayshehituponaplan，anentirescheduleofconductandasystemofspying。SheroseThursdaymorningwiththeresolvetobeverysharpandarmedagainsteverybody。
Shedeterminedeventotakeforhermottothesetwowords:\"Myselfalone，\"andsheponderedformorethananhourhowsheshouldarrangethemtoproduceagoodeffectengravedabouthercrest，onherwritingpaper。
SavalandServignyarrivedatteno\'clock。Theyounggirlgaveherhandwithreserve，withoutembarrassment，andinatone，familiarthoughgrave，shesaid:
\"Goodmorning，Muscade，areyouwell？\"\"Goodmorning，Mam\'zelle，fairly，thanks，andyou？\"Hewaswatchingher。\"Whatcomedywillsheplayme，\"hesaidtohimself。
TheMarquisehavingtakenSaval\'sarm，hetookYvette\'s，andtheybegantostrollaboutthelawn，appearinganddisappearingeveryminute，behindtheclumpsoftrees。
Yvettewalkedwithathoughtfulair，lookingatthegravelofthepathway，appearinghardlytohearwhathercompanionsaidandscarcelyansweringhim。
Suddenlysheasked:\"Areyoutrulymyfriend，Muscade？\"
\"Why，ofcourse，Mam\'zelle。\"
\"Buttruly，truly，now？\"
\"Absolutelyyourfriend，Mam\'zelle，bodyandsoul。\"
\"Evenenoughofafriendnottolietomeonce，justonce？\"
\"Eventwice，ifnecessary。\"
\"Evenenoughtotellmetheabsolute，exacttruth？\"
\"Yes，Mam\'zelle。\"
\"Well，whatdoyouthink，waydowninyourheart，ofthePrinceofKravalow？\"
\"Ah，thedevil！\"
\"Youseethatyouarealreadypreparingtolie。\"
\"Notatall，butIamseekingthewords，theproperwords。GreatHeavens，PrinceKravalowisaRussian，whospeaksRussian，whowasborninRussia，whohasperhapshadapassporttocometoFrance，andaboutwhomthereisnothingfalsebuthisnameandtitle。\"
Shelookedhimintheeyes:\"Youmeanthatheis——？\"
\"Anadventurer，Mam\'zelle。\"
\"Thankyou，andChevalierValrealiisnobetter？\"\"Youhavehitit。\"
\"AndMonsieurdeBelvigne？\"
\"Withhimitisadifferentthing。Heisofprovincialsociety，honorableuptoacertainpoint，butonlyalittlescorchedfromhavinglivedtoorapidly。\"
\"Andyou？\"
\"Iamwhattheycallabutterfly，amanofgoodfamily，whohadintelligenceandwhohassquandereditinmakingphrases，whohadgoodhealthandwhohasinjureditbydissipation，whohadsomeworthperhapsandwhohasscattereditbydoingnothing。Thereislefttomeacertainknowledgeoflife，acompleteabsenceofprejudice，alargecontemptformankind，includingwomen，averydeepsentimentoftheuselessnessofmyactsandavasttoleranceforthemob。\"
\"Nevertheless，attimes，Icanbefrank，andIamevencapableofaffection，asyoucouldsee，ifyouwould。WiththesedefectsandqualitiesIplacemyselfatyourorders，Mam\'zelle，morallyandphysically，todowhatyoupleasewithme。\"
Shedidnotlaugh；shelistened，weighinghiswordsandhisintentions；thensheresumed:
\"WhatdoyouthinkoftheCountessdeLammy？\"
Hereplied，vivaciously:\"Youwillpermitmenottogivemyopinionaboutthewomen。\"
\"Aboutnoneofthem？\"
\"Aboutnoneofthem。\"\"Thenyoumusthaveabadopinionofthemall。
Come，think；won\'tyoumakeasingleexception？\"
Hesneeredwiththatinsolentairwhichhegenerallywore；andwiththatbrutalaudacitywhichheusedasaweapon，hesaid:\"Presentcompanyisalwaysexcepted。\"
Sheblushedalittle，butcalmlyasked:\"Well，whatdoyouthinkofme？\"
\"Youwantmetotell。Well，sobeit。Ithinkyouareayoungpersonofgoodsense，andpracticalness，orifyouprefer，ofgoodpracticalsense，whoknowsverywellhowtoarrangeherpastime，toamusepeople，tohideherviews，tolayhersnares，andwho，withouthurrying，awaitsevents。\"
\"Isthatall？\"sheasked。
\"That\'sall。\"
Thenshesaidwithaseriousearnestness:\"Ishallmakeyouchangethatopinion，Muscade。\"
Thenshejoinedhermother，whowasproceedingwithshortsteps，herheaddown，withthatmannerassumedintalkingverylow，whilewalking，ofveryintimateandverysweetthings。Assheadvancedshedrewshapesinthesand，lettersperhaps，withthepointofhersunshade，andshespoke，withoutlookingatSaval，long，softly，leaningonhisarm，pressedagainsthim。
Yvettesuddenlyfixedhereyesuponher，andasuspicion，ratherafeelingthanadoubt，passedthroughhermindasashadowofaclouddrivenbythewindpassesovertheground。
Thebellrangforbreakfast。Itwassilentandalmostgloomy。Therewasastormintheair。Greatsolidcloudsresteduponthehorizon，muteandheavy，butchargedwithatempest。Assoonastheyhadtakentheircoffeeontheterrace，theMarquiseasked:
\"Well，darling，areyougoingtotakeawalktodaywithyourfriendServigny？Itisagoodtimetoenjoythecoolnessunderthetrees。\"
Yvettegaveheraquickglance。
\"No，mamma，Iamnotgoingoutto-day。\"
TheMarquiseappearedannoyed，andinsisted。\"Oh，goandtakeastroll，mychild，itisexcellentforyou。\"
ThenYvettedistinctlysaid:\"No，mamma，Ishallstayinthehouseto-day，andyouknowverywellwhy，becauseItoldyoutheotherevening。\"
MadameObardigaveitnofurtherthought，preoccupiedwiththethoughtofremainingalonewithSaval。Sheblushedandwasannoyed，disturbedonherownaccount，notknowinghowshecouldfindafreehourortwo。Shestammered:
\"Itistrue。Iwasnotthinkingofit。Idon\'tknowwheremyheadis。\"
AndYvettetakingupsomeembroidery，whichshecalled\"thepublicsafety，\"andatwhichsheworkedfiveorsixtimesayear，ondulldays，seatedherselfonalowchairnearhermother，whilethetwoyoungmen，astridefolding-chairs，smokedtheircigars。
Thehourspassedinalanguidconversation。TheMarquisefidgety，castlongingglancesatSaval，seekingsomepretext，somemeans，ofgettingridofherdaughter。Shefinallyrealizedthatshewouldnotsucceed，andnotknowingwhatrusetoemploy，shesaidtoServigny:
\"Youknow，mydearDuke，thatIamgoingtokeepyouboththisevening。To-morrowweshallbreakfastattheFournaiserestaurant，atChaton。\"
Heunderstood，smiled，andbowed:\"Iamatyourorders，Marquise。\"
Thedayworeonslowlyandpainfullyunderthethreateningsofthestorm。Thehourfordinnergraduallyapproached。Theheavyskywasfilledwithslowandheavyclouds。Therewasnotabreathofairstirring。Theeveningmealwassilent，too。Anoppression，anembarrassment，asortofvaguefear，seemedtomakethetwomenandthetwowomenmute。
Whenthecoverswereremoved，theysatlongupontheterrace；onlyspeakingatlongintervals。Nightfell，asultrynight。Suddenlythehorizonwastornbyanimmenseflashoflightning，whichilluminedwithadazzlingandwanlightthefourfacesshroudedindarkness。
Thenafar-offsound，heavyandfeeble，liketherumblingofacarriageuponabridge，passedovertheearth；anditseemedthattheheatoftheatmosphereincreased，thattheairsuddenlybecamemoreoppressive，andthesilenceoftheeveningdeeper。
Yvetterose。\"Iamgoingtobed，\"shesaid，\"thestormmakesmeill。\"
AndsheofferedherbrowtotheMarquise，gaveherhandtothetwoyoungmen，andwithdrew。
Asherroomwasjustabovetheterrace，theleavesofagreatchestnut-treegrowingbeforethedoorsoongleamedwithagreenhue，andServignykepthiseyesfixedonthispalelightinthefoliage，inwhichattimeshethoughthesawashadowpass。Butsuddenlythelightwentout。MadameObardigaveagreatsigh。
\"Mydaughterhasgonetobed，\"shesaid。
Servignyrose，saying:\"Iamgoingtodoasmuch，Marquise，ifyouwillpermitme。\"Hekissedthehandsheheldouttohimanddisappearedinturn。
ShewasleftalonewithSaval，inthenight。Inamomentshewasclaspedinhisarms。Then，althoughhetriedtopreventher，shekneeledbeforehimmurmuring:\"Iwanttoseeyoubythelightningflashes。\"
ButYvette，hercandlesnuffedout，hadreturnedtoherbalcony，barefoot，glidinglikeashadow，andshelistened，consumedbyanunhappyandconfusedsuspicion。Shecouldnotsee，asshewasabovethem，ontheroofoftheterrace。
Sheheardnothingbutamurmurofvoices，andherheartbeatsofastthatshecouldactuallyhearitsthrobbing。Awindowclosedontheflooraboveher。Servigny，then，musthavejustgoneuptohisroom。
Hermotherwasalonewiththeotherman。
Asecondflashoflightning，clearingthesky；lightedupforasecondallthelandscapesheknewsowell，withastartlingandsinistergleam，andshesawthegreatriver，withthecolorofmeltedlead，asariverappearsindreamsinfantasticscenes。
Justthenavoicebelowherutteredthewords:\"Iloveyou！\"Andsheheardnothingmore。Astrangeshudderpassedoverherbody，andhersoulshiveredinfrightfuldistress。Aheavy，infinitesilence，whichseemedeternal，hungovertheworld。Shecouldnolongerbreathe，herbreastoppressedbysomethingunknownandhorrible。
Anotherflashoflightningilluminedspace，lightingupthehorizonforaninstant，thenanotheralmostimmediatelycame，followedbystillothers。Andthevoice，whichshehadalreadyheard，repeatedmoreloudly:\"Oh！howIloveyou！howIloveyou！\"AndYvetterecognizedthevoice；itwashermother\'s。
Alargedropofwarmrainfelluponherbrow，andaslightandalmostimperceptiblemotionranthroughtheleaves，thequiveringoftherainwhichwasnowbeginning。Thenanoisecamefromafar，aconfusedsound，likethatofthewindinthebranches:itwasthedelugedescendinginsheetsonearthandriverandtrees。Inafewminutesthewaterpouredabouther，coveringher，drenchingherlikeashower-bath。Shedidnotmove，thinkingonlyofwhatwashappeningontheterrace。
Sheheardthemgetupandgototheirrooms。Doorswereclosedwithinthehouse；andtheyounggirl，yieldingtoanirresistibledesiretolearnwhatwasgoingon，adesirewhichmaddenedandtorturedher，glideddownstairs，softlyopenedtheouterdoor，and，crossingthelawnunderthefuriousdownpour，ranandhidinaclumpoftrees，tolookatthewindows。
Onlyonewindowwaslighted，hermother\'s。Andsuddenlytwoshadowsappearedintheluminoussquare，twoshadows，sidebyside。Thendistracted，withoutreflection，withoutknowingwhatshewasdoing，shescreamedwithallhermight，inashrillvoice:\"Mamma！\"asapersonwouldcryouttowarnpeopleindangerofdeath。
Herdesperatecrywaslostinthenoiseoftherain，butthecoupleseparated，disturbed。Andoneoftheshadowsdisappeared，whiletheothertriedtodiscoversomething，peeringthroughthedarknessofthegarden。
Fearingtobesurprised，ortomeethermotheratthatmoment，Yvetterushedbacktothehouse，ranupstairs，drippingwet，andshutherselfinherroom，resolvedtoopenherdoortonoone。
Withouttaking，offherstreamingdress，whichclungtoherform，shefellonherknees，withclaspedhands，inherdistressimploringsomesuperhumanprotection，themysteriousaidofHeaven，theunknownsupportwhichapersonseeksinhoursoftearsanddespair。
Thegreatlightningflashesthrewforaninstanttheirlividreflectionsintoherroom，andshesawherselfinthemirrorofherwardrobe，withherwetanddisheveledhair，lookingsostrangethatshedidnotrecognizeherself。Sheremainedtheresolongthatthestormabatedwithoutherperceivingit。Therainceased，alightfilledthesky，stillobscuredwithclouds，andamild，balmy，deliciousfreshness，afreshnessofgrassandwetleaves，cameinthroughtheopenwindow。
Yvetterose，tookoffherwet，coldgarments，withoutthinkingwhatshewasdoing，andwenttobed。Shestaredwithfixedeyesatthedawningday。Thensheweptagain，andthenshebegantothink。
Hermother！Alover！Whatashame！Shehadreadsomanybooksinwhichwomen，evenmothers，hadoversteppedtheboundsofpropriety，toregaintheirhonoratthepagesoftheclimax，thatshewasnotastonishedbeyondmeasureatfindingherselfenvelopedinadramasimilartoallthoseofherreading。Theviolenceofherfirstgrief，thecruelshockofsurprise，hadalreadywornoffalittle，intheconfusedremembranceofanalogoussituations。Hermindhadrambledamongsuchtragicadventures，paintedbythenovel-writers，thatthehorriblediscoveryseemed，littlebylittle，likethenaturalcontinuationofsomeserialstory，beguntheeveningbefore。
Shesaidtoherself:\"Iwillsavemymother。\"Andalmostreassuredbythisheroicresolution，shefeltherselfstrengthened，readyatonceforthedevotionandthestruggle。Shereflectedonthemeanswhichmustbeemployed。Asingleoneseemedgood，whichwasquiteinkeepingwithherromanticnature。AndsherehearsedtheinterviewwhichsheshouldhavewiththeMarquise，asanactorrehearsesthescenewhichheisgoingtoplay。
Thesunhadrisen。Theservantswerestirringaboutthehouse。Thechambermaidcamewiththechocolate。Yvetteputthetrayonthetableandsaid:
\"YouwillsaytomymotherthatIamnotwell，thatIamgoingtostayinbeduntilthosegentlemenleave，thatIcouldnotsleeplastnight，andthatIdonotwanttobedisturbedbecauseIamgoingtotrytorest。\"
Theservant，surprised，lookedatthewetdress，whichhadfallenlikearagonthecarpet。
\"SoMademoisellehasbeenout？\"shesaid。
\"Yes，Iwentoutforawalkintheraintorefreshmyself。\"
Themaidpickeduptheskirts，stockings，andwetshoes；thenshewentawaycarryingonherarm，withfastidiousprecautions，thesegarments，soakedastheclothesofadrownedperson。AndYvettewaited，wellknowingthathermotherwouldcometoher。
TheMarquiseentered，havingjumpedfromherbedatthefirstwordsofthechambermaid，forasuspicionhadpossessedher，heartsincethatcry:\"Mamma！\"heardinthedark。
\"Whatisthematter？\"shesaid。
Yvettelookedatherandstammered:\"I——I——\"Thenoverpoweredbyasuddenandterribleemotion，shebegantochoke。
TheMarquise，astonished，againasked:\"Whatintheworldisthematterwithyou？\"
Then，forgettingallherplansandpreparedphrases，theyounggirlhidherfaceinbothhandsandstammered:
\"Oh！mamma！Oh！mamma！\"
MadameObardistoodbythebed，toomuchaffectedthoroughlytounderstand，butguessingalmosteverything，withthatsubtileinstinctwhenceshederivedherstrength。AsYvettecouldnotspeak，chokedwithtears，hermother，wornoutfinallyandfeelingsomefearfulexplanationcoming，brusquelyasked:
\"Come，willyoutellmewhatthematteris？\"
Yvettecouldhardlyutterthewords:\"Oh！lastnight——Isaw——yourwindow。\"
TheMarquise，verypale；said:\"Well？whatofit？\"
Herdaughterrepeated，stillsobbing:\"Oh！mamma！Oh！mamma！\"
MadameObardi，whosefearandembarrassmentturnedtoanger，shruggedhershouldersandturnedtogo。\"Ireallybelievethatyouarecrazy。Whenthisends，youwillletmeknow。\"
Buttheyounggirl，suddenlytookherhandsfromherface，whichwasstreamingwithtears。
\"No，listen，Imustspeaktoyou，listen。Youmustpromiseme——wemustbothgo，away，veryfaroff，intothecountry，andwemustlivelikethecountrypeople；andnoonemustknowwhathasbecomeofus。
Sayyouwill，mamma；Ibegyou，Iimploreyou；willyou？\"
TheMarquise，confused，stoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Shehadinherveinstheirasciblebloodofthecommonpeople。Thenasenseofshame，amother\'smodesty，mingledwithavaguesentimentoffearandtheexasperationofapassionatewomanwhoseloveisthreatened，andsheshuddered，readytoaskforpardon，ortoyieldtosomeviolence。
\"Idon\'tunderstandyou，\"shesaid。