TranslatedbyClaraBellToSofka\"Haveyouobserved，mademoiselle，thatthepaintersandsculptorsoftheMiddleAges，whentheyplacedtwofiguresinadoration，oneoneachsideofafairSaint，neverfailedtogivethemafamilylikeness？Whenyouhereseeyournameamongthosethataredeartome，andunderwhoseauspicesIplacemyworks，rememberthattouchingharmony，andyouwillseeinthisnotsomuchanactofhomageasanexpressionofthebrotherlyaffectionofyourdevotedservant，\"DEBALZAC。\"
Forsoulstowhomeffusivenessiseasythereisadelicioushourthatfallswhenitisnotyetnight，butisnolongerday；thetwilightgleamthrowssoftenedlightsortricksyreflectionsoneveryobject，andfavorsadreamymoodwhichvaguelywedsitselftotheplayoflightandshade。Thesilencewhichgenerallyprevailsatthattimemakesitparticularlydeartoartists，whogrowcontemplative，standafewpacesbackfromthepicturesonwhichtheycannolongerwork，andpassjudgementonthem，raptbythesubjectwhosemostreconditemeaningthenflashesontheinnereyeofgenius。Hewhohasneverstoodpensivebyafriend’ssideinsuchanhourofpoeticdreamingcanhardlyunderstanditsinexpressiblesoothingness。Favoredbytheclear—obscure，thematerialskillemployedbyarttoproduceillusionentirelydisappears。Iftheworkisapicture，thefiguresrepresentedseemtospeakandwalk；theshadeisshadow，thelightisday；
thefleshlives，eyesmove，bloodflowsintheirveins，andstuffshaveachangingsheen。Imaginationhelpstherealismofeverydetail，andonlyseesthebeautiesofthework。Atthathourillusionreignsdespotically；perhapsitwakesatnightfall！
Isnotillusionasortofnighttothemind，whichwepeoplewithdreams？Illusionthenunfoldsitswings，itbearsthesoulalofttotheworldoffancies，aworldfullofvoluptuousimaginings，wheretheartistforgetstherealworld，yesterdayandthemorrow，thefuture——everythingdowntoitsmiseries，thegoodandtheevilalike。
Atthismagichourayoungpainter，amanoftalent，whosawinartnothingbutArtitself，wasperchedonastep—ladderwhichhelpedhimtoworkatalargehighpainting，nownearlyfinished。
Criticisinghimself，honestlyadmiringhimself，floatingonthecurrentofhisthoughts，hethenlosthimselfinoneofthosemeditativemoodswhichravishandelevatethesoul，sootheit，andcomfortit。Hisreveriehadnodoubtlastedalongtime。
Nightfell。Whetherhemeanttocomedownfromhisperch，orwhetherhemadesomeill—judgedmovement，believinghimselftobeonthefloor——theeventdidnotallowofhisrememberingexactlythecauseofhisaccident——hefell，hisheadstruckafootstool，helostconsciousnessandlaymotionlessduringaspaceoftimeofwhichheknewnotthelength。
Asweetvoicerousedhimfromthestunnedconditionintowhichhehadsunk。Whenheopenedhiseyestheflashofabrightlightmadehimclosethemagainimmediately；butthroughthemistthatveiledhissensesheheardthewhisperingoftwowomen，andfelttwoyoung，twotimidhandsonwhichhisheadwasresting。Hesoonrecoveredconsciousness，andbythelightofanold—fashionedArgandlamphecouldmakeoutthemostcharminggirl’sfacehehadeverseen，oneofthoseheadswhichareoftensupposedtobeafreakofthebrush，butwhichtohimsuddenlyrealizedthetheoriesoftheidealbeautywhicheveryartistcreatesforhimselfandwhencehisartproceeds。Thefeaturesoftheunknownbelonged，sotosay，totherefinedanddelicatetypeofPrudhon’sschool，buthadalsothepoeticsentimentwhichGirodetgavetotheinventionsofhisphantasy。Thefreshnessofthetemples，theregulararchoftheeyebrows，thepurityofoutline，thevirginalinnocencesoplainlystampedoneveryfeatureofhercountenance，madethegirlaperfectcreature。Herfigurewasslightandgraceful，andfrailinform。Herdress，thoughsimpleandneat，revealedneitherwealthnorpenury。
Asherecoveredhissenses，thepaintergaveexpressiontohisadmirationbyalookofsurprise，andstammeredsomeconfusedthanks。Hefoundahandkerchiefpressedtohisforehead，andabovethesmellpeculiartoastudio，herecognizedthestrongodorofether，appliednodoubttorevivehimfromhisfaintingfit。Finallyhesawanoldwoman，lookinglikeamarquiseoftheoldschool，whoheldthelampandwasadvisingtheyounggirl。
\"Monsieur，\"saidtheyoungerwomaninreplytooneofthequestionsputbythepainterduringthefewminuteswhenhewasstillundertheinfluenceofthevaguenessthattheshockhadproducedinhisideas，\"mymotherandIheardthenoiseofyourfallonthefloor，andwefanciedweheardagroan。Thesilencefollowingonthecrashalarmedus，andwehurriedup。Findingthekeyinthelatch，wehappilytookthelibertyofentering，andwefoundyoulyingmotionlessontheground。Mymotherwenttofetchwhatwasneededtobatheyourheadandreviveyou。Youhavecutyourforehead——there。Doyoufeelit？\"
\"Yes，Idonow，\"hereplied。
\"Oh，itwillbenothing，\"saidtheoldmother。\"Happilyyourheadrestedagainstthislay—figure。\"
\"Ifeelinfinitelybetter，\"repliedthepainter。\"Ineednothingfurtherbutahackneycabtotakemehome。Theporter’swifewillgoforone。\"
Hetriedtorepeathisthankstothetwostrangers；butateachsentencetheelderladyinterruptedhim，saying，\"Tomorrow，monsieur，praybecarefultoputonleeches，ortobebled，anddrinkafewcupsofsomethinghealing。Afallmaybedangerous。\"
Theyounggirlstolealookatthepainterandatthepicturesinthestudio。Herexpressionandherglancesrevealedperfectpropriety；hercuriosityseemedratherabsenceofmind，andhereyesseemedtospeaktheinterestwhichwomenfeel，withthemostengagingspontaneity，ineverythingwhichcausesussuffering。
Thetwostrangersseemedtoforgetthepainter’sworksinthepainter’smishap。Whenhehadreassuredthemastohisconditiontheyleft，lookingathimwithananxietythatwasequallyfreefrominsistenceandfromfamiliarity，withoutaskinganyindiscreetquestions，ortryingtoincitehimtoanywishtovisitthem。Theirproceedingsallborethehall—markofnaturalrefinementandgoodtaste。Theirnobleandsimplemannersatfirstmadenogreatimpressiononthepainter，butsubsequently，asherecalledallthedetailsoftheincident，hewasgreatlystruckbythem。
Whentheyreachedthefloorbeneaththatoccupiedbythepainter’sstudio，theoldladygentlyobserved，\"Adelaide，youleftthedooropen。\"
\"Thatwastocometomyassistance，\"saidthepainter，withagratefulsmile。
\"Youcamedownjustnow，mother，\"repliedtheyounggirl，withablush。
\"Wouldyoulikeustoaccompanyyouallthewaydownstairs？\"
askedthemother。\"Thestairsaredark。\"
\"No，thankyou，indeed，madame；Iammuchbetter。\"
\"Holdtightlybytherail。\"
Thetwowomenremainedonthelandingtolighttheyoungman，listeningtothesoundofhissteps。
Inordertosetforthclearlyalltheexcitingandunexpectedinterestthisscenemighthavefortheyoungpainter，itmustbetoldthathehadonlyafewdayssinceestablishedhisstudiointheatticsofthishouse，situatedinthedarkestand，therefore，themostmuddypartoftheRuedeSuresnes，almostoppositetheChurchoftheMadeleine，andquiteclosetohisroomsintheRuedesChamps—Elysees。Thefamehistalenthadwonhimhavingmadehimoneoftheartistsmostdeartohiscountry，hewasbeginningtofeelfreefromwant，andtousehisownexpression，wasenjoyinghislastprivations。Insteadofgoingtohisworkinoneofthestudiosnearthecitygates，wherethemoderaterentshadhithertobeeninproportiontohishumbleearnings，hehadgratifiedawishthatwasneweverymorning，bysparinghimselfalongwalk，andthelossofmuchtime，nowmorevaluablethanever。
NomanintheworldwouldhaveinspiredfeelingsofgreaterinterestthanHippolyteSchinnerifhewouldeverhaveconsentedtomakeacquaintance；buthedidnotlightlyentrusttoothersthesecretsofhislife。Hewastheidolofanecessitousmother，whohadbroughthimupatthecostoftheseverestprivations。
MademoiselleSchinner，thedaughterofanAlsatianfarmer，hadneverbeenmarried。Hertendersoulhadbeencruellycrushed，longago，byarichman，whodidnotpridehimselfonanygreatdelicacyinhisloveaffairs。Thedaywhen，asayounggirl，inalltheradianceofherbeautyandallthetriumphofherlife，shesuffered，atthecostofherheartandhersweetillusions，thedisenchantmentwhichfallsonussoslowlyandyetsoquickly——forwetrytopostponeaslongaspossibleourbeliefinevil，anditseemstocometoosoon——thatdaywasawholeageofreflection，anditwasalsoadayofreligiousthoughtandresignation。Sherefusedthealmsofthemanwhohadbetrayedher，renouncedtheworld，andmadeagloryofhershame。Shegaveherselfupentirelytohermotherlylove，seekinginitallherjoysinexchangeforthesocialpleasurestowhichshebidfarewell。Shelivedbywork，savingupatreasureforherson。
And，inafteryears，aday，anhourrepaidheramplyforthelongandwearysacrificesofherindigence。
AtthelastexhibitionhersonhadreceivedtheCrossoftheLegionofHonor。Thenewspapers，unanimousinhailinganunknowngenius，stillrangwithsincerepraises。ArtiststhemselvesacknowledgedSchinnerasamaster，anddealerscoveredhiscanvaseswithgoldpieces。Atfive—and—twentyHippolyteSchinner，towhomhismotherhadtransmittedherwoman’ssoul，understoodmoreclearlythaneverhispositionintheworld。Anxioustorestoretohismotherthepleasuresofwhichsocietyhadsolongrobbedher，helivedforher，hopingbytheaidoffameandfortunetoseeheronedayhappy，rich，respected，andsurroundedbymenofmark。Schinnerhadthereforechosenhisfriendsamongthemosthonorableanddistinguishedmen。Fastidiousintheselectionofhisintimates，hedesiredtoraisestillfurtherapositionwhichhistalenthadplacedhigh。Theworktowhichhehaddevotedhimselffromboyhood，bycompellinghimtodwellinsolitude——themotherofgreatthoughts——hadlefthimthebeautifulbeliefswhichgracetheearlydaysoflife。Hisadolescentsoulwasnotclosedtoanyofthethousandbashfulemotionsbywhichayoungmanisabeingapart，whoseheartaboundsinjoys，inpoetry，invirginalhopes，puerileintheeyesofmenoftheworld，butdeepbecausetheyaresingle—
hearted。
Hewasendowedwiththegentleandpolitemannerswhichspeaktothesoul，andfascinateeventhosewhodonotunderstandthem。Hewaswellmade。Hisvoice，comingfromhisheart，stirredthatofotherstonoblesentiments，andborewitnesstohistruemodestybyacertainingenuousnessoftone。Thosewhosawhimfeltdrawntohimbythatattractionofthemoralnaturewhichmenofsciencearehappilyunabletoanalyze；theywoulddetectinitsomephenomenonofgalvanism，orthecurrentofIknownotwhatfluid，andexpressoursentimentsinaformulaofratiosofoxygenandelectricity。
Thesedetailswillperhapsexplaintostrong—mindedpersonsandtomenoffashionwhy，intheabsenceoftheporterwhomhehadsenttotheendoftheRuedelaMadeleinetocallhimacoach，HippolyteSchinnerdidnotasktheman’swifeanyquestionsconcerningthetwowomenwhosekindnessofhearthadshownitselfinhisbehalf。ButthoughherepliedYesorNototheinquiries，naturalunderthecircumstances，whichthegoodwomanmadeastohisaccident，andthefriendlyinterventionofthetenantsoccupyingthefourthfloor，hecouldnothinderherfromfollowingtheinstinctofherkind；shementionedthetwostrangers，speakingofthemaspromptedbytheinterestsofherpolicyandthesubterraneanopinionsoftheporter’slodge。
\"Ah，\"saidshe，\"theywere，nodoubt，MademoiselleLeseigneurandhermother，whohavelivedherethesefouryears。Wedonotknowexactlywhattheseladiesdo；inthemorning，onlytillthehourofnoon，anoldwomanwhoishalfdeaf，andwhoneverspeaksanymorethanawall，comesintohelpthem；intheevening，twoorthreeoldgentlemen，withloopsofribbon，likeyou，monsieur，cometoseethem，andoftenstayverylate。Oneofthemcomesinacarriagewithservants，andissaidtohavesixtythousandfrancsayear。However，theyareveryquiettenants，asyouare，monsieur；andeconomical！theyliveonnothing，andassoonasaletterisbroughttheypayforit。Itisaqueerthing，monsieur，themother’snameisnotthesameasthedaughter’s。Ah，butwhentheygoforawalkintheTuileries，mademoiselleisverysmart，andshenevergoesoutbutsheisfollowedbyalotofyoungmen；
butsheshutsthedoorintheirface，andsheisquiteright。Theproprietorwouldneverallow————\"
Thecoachhavingcome，Hippolyteheardnomore，andwenthome。
Hismother，towhomherelatedhisadventure，dressedhiswoundafresh，andwouldnotallowhimtogotothestudionextday。
Aftertakingadvice，varioustreatmentswereprescribed，andHippolyteremainedathomethreedays。Duringthisretirementhisidlefancyrecalledvividly，bitbybit，thedetailsofthescenethathadensuedonhisfaintingfit。Theyounggirl’sprofilewasclearlyprojectedagainstthedarknessofhisinwardvision；hesawoncemorethemother’sfadedfeatures，orhefeltthetouchofAdelaide’shands。Herememberedsomegesturewhichatfirsthadnotgreatlystruckhim，butwhoseexquisitegracewasthrownintoreliefbymemory；thenanattitude，orthetonesofamelodiousvoice，enhancedbythedistanceofremembrance，suddenlyrosebeforehim，asobjectsplungingtothebottomofdeepwaterscomebacktothesurface。
So，onthedaywhenhecouldresumework，hewentearlytohisstudio；butthevisitheundoubtedlyhadarighttopaytohisneighborswasthetruecauseofhishaste；hehadalreadyforgottenthepictureshehadbegun。Atthemomentwhenapassionthrowsoffitsswaddlingclothes，inexplicablepleasuresarefelt，knowntothosewhohaveloved。Sosomereaderswillunderstandwhythepaintermountedthestairstothefourthfloorbutslowly，andwillbeinthesecretofthethrobsthatfollowedeachothersorapidlyinhisheartatthemomentwhenhesawthehumblebrowndooroftheroomsinhabitedbyMademoiselleLeseigneur。Thisgirl，whosenamewasnotthesameashermother’s，hadarousedtheyoungpainter’sdeepestsympathies；hechosetofancysomesimilaritybetweenhimselfandherastotheirposition，andattributedtohermisfortunesofbirthakintohisown。AllthetimeheworkedHippolytegavehimselfverywillinglytothoughtsoflove，andmadeagreatdealofnoisetocompelthetwoladiestothinkofhim，ashewasthinkingofthem。Hestayedlateatthestudioanddinedthere；then，ataboutseveno’clock，hewentdowntocallonhisneighbors。
Nopainterofmannershasventuredtoinitiateus——perhapsoutofmodesty——intothereallycuriousprivacyofcertainParisianexistences，intothesecretofthedwellingswhenceemergesuchfreshandeleganttoilets，suchbrilliantwomen，whorichonthesurface，allowthesignsofverydoubtfulcomforttopeepoutineverypartoftheirhome。If，here，thepictureistooboldlydrawn，ifyoufindittediousinplaces，donotblamethedescription，whichis，indeed，partandparcelofmystory；fortheappearanceoftheroomsinhabitedbyhistwoneighborshadagreatinfluenceonthefeelingsandhopesofHippolyteSchinner。
Thehousebelongedtooneofthoseproprietorsinwhomthereisaforegoneandprofoundhorrorofrepairsanddecoration，oneofthemenwhoregardtheirpositionasParishouse—ownersasabusiness。Inthevastchainofmoralspecies，thesepeopleholdamiddleplacebetweenthemiserandtheusurer。Optimistsintheirowninterests，theyareallfaithfultotheAustrianstatusquo。
Ifyouspeakofmovingacupboardoradoor，ofopeningthemostindispensableair—hole，theireyesflash，theirbilerises，theyrearlikeafrightenedhorse。Whenthewindblowsdownafewchimney—potstheyarequiteill，anddeprivethemselvesofaneveningattheGymnaseorthePorte—Saint—MartinTheatre，\"onaccountofrepairs。\"Hippolyte，whohadseentheperformancegratisofacomicalscenewithMonsieurMolineuxasconcerningcertaindecorativerepairsinhisstudio，wasnotsurprisedtoseethedarkgreasypaint，theoilystains，spots，andotherdisagreeableaccessoriesthatvariedthewoodwork。Andthesestigmataofpovertyarenotaltogetherdevoidofpoetryinanartist’seyes。
MademoiselleLeseigneurherselfopenedthedoor。Onrecognizingtheyoungartistshebowed，andatthesametime，withParisianadroitness，andwiththepresenceofmindthatpridecanlend，sheturnedroundtoshutthedoorinaglasspartitionthroughwhichHippolytemighthavecaughtsightofsomelinenhungbylinesoverpatentironingstoves，anoldcamp—bed，somewood—
embers，charcoal，irons，afilter，thehouseholdcrockery，andalltheutensilsfamiliartoasmallhousehold。Muslincurtains，fairlywhite，carefullyscreenedthislumber—room——acapharnaum，astheFrenchcallsuchadomesticlaboratory，——whichwaslightedbywindowslookingoutonaneighboringyard。
Hippolyte，withthequickeyeofanartist，sawtheuses，thefurniture，thegeneraleffectandconditionofthisfirstroom，thuscutinhalf。Themorehonorablehalf，whichservedbothasante—roomanddining—room，washungwithanoldsalmon—rose—
coloredpaper，withaflockborder，themanufactureofReveillon，nodoubt；theholesandspotshadbeencarefullytouchedoverwithwafers。PrintsrepresentingthebattlesofAlexander，byLebrun，inframeswiththegildingrubbedoffweresymmetricallyarrangedonthewalls。Inthemiddlestoodamassivemahoganytable，old—fashionedinshape，andwornattheedges。Asmallstove，whosethinstraightpipewasscarcelyvisible，stoodinfrontofthechimney—place，butthehearthwasoccupiedbyacupboard。Byastrangecontrastthechairsshowedsomeremainsofformersplendor；theywereofcarvedmahogany，buttheredmoroccoseats，thegiltnailsandreededbacks，showedasmanyscarsasanoldsergeantoftheImperialGuard。
Thisroomdiddutyasamuseumofcertainobjects，suchasareneverseenbutinthiskindofamphibioushousehold；namelessobjectswiththestampatonceofluxuryandpenury。AmongothercuriositiesHippolytenoticedasplendidlyfinishedtelescope，hangingoverthesmalldiscoloredglassthatdecoratedthechimney。Toharmonizewiththisstrangecollectionoffurniture，therewas，betweenthechimneyandthepartition，awretchedsideboardofpaintedwood，pretendingtobemahogany，ofallwoodsthemostimpossibletoimitate。Buttheslipperyredquarries，theshabbylittlerugsinfrontofthechairs，andallthefurniture，shonewiththehardrubbingcleanlinesswhichlendsatreacherouslustretooldthingsbymakingtheirdefects，theirage，andtheirlongservicestillmoreconspicuous。Anindescribableodorpervadedtheroom，amingledsmelloftheexhalationsfromthelumberroom，andthevaporsofthedining—
room，withthosefromthestairs，thoughthewindowwaspartlyopen。Theairfromthestreetflutteredthedustycurtains，whichwerecarefullydrawnsoastohidethewindowbay，whereformertenantshadtestifiedtotheirpresencebyvariousornamentaladditions——asortofdomesticfresco。
Adelaidehastenedtoopenthedooroftheinnerroom，wheresheannouncedthepainterwithevidentpleasure。Hippolyte，who，ofyore，hadseenthesamesignsofpovertyinhismother’shome，notedthemwiththesingularvividnessofimpressionwhichcharacterizestheearliestacquisitionsofmemory，andenteredintothedetailsofthisexistencebetterthananyoneelsewouldhavedone。Asherecognizedthefactsofhislifeasachild，thekindyoungfellowfeltneitherscornfordisguisedmisfortunenorprideintheluxuryhehadlatelyconqueredforhismother。
\"Well，monsieur，Ihopeyounolongerfeeltheeffectsofyourfall，\"saidtheoldlady，risingfromanantiquearmchairthatstoodbythechimney，andofferinghimaseat。
\"No，madame。Ihavecometothankyouforthekindcareyougaveme，andaboveallmademoiselle，whoheardmefall。\"
Asheutteredthisspeech，stampedwiththeexquisitestupiditygiventothemindbythefirstdisturbingsymptomsoftruelove，Hippolytelookedattheyounggirl。AdelaidewaslightingtheArgandlamp，nodoubtthatshemightgetridofatallowcandlefixedinalargecopperflatcandlestick，andgracedwithaheavyflutingofgreasefromitsguttering。Sheansweredwithaslightbow，carriedtheflatcandlestickintotheante—room，cameback，andafterplacingthelamponthechimneyshelf，seatedherselfbyhermother，alittlebehindthepainter，soastobeabletolookathimatherease，whileapparentlymuchinterestedintheburningofthelamp；theflame，checkedbythedampinadingychimney，sputteredasitstruggledwithacharredandbadly—
trimmedwick。Hippolyte，seeingthelargemirrorthatdecoratedthechimney—piece，immediatelyfixedhiseyesonittoadmireAdelaide。Thusthegirl’slittlestratagemonlyservedtoembarrassthemboth。
WhiletalkingwithMadameLeseigneur，forHippolytecalledherso，onthechanceofbeingright，heexaminedtheroom，butunobtrusivelyandbystealth。
TheEgyptianfiguresontheironfire—dogswerescarcelyvisible，thehearthwassoheapedwithcinders；twobrandstriedtomeetinfrontofashamlogoffire—brick，ascarefullyburiedasamiser’streasurecouldeverbe。AnoldAubussoncarpet，verymuchfaded，verymuchmended，andaswornasapensioner’scoat，didnotcoverthewholeofthetiledfloor，andthecoldstrucktohisfeet。Thewallswerehungwithareddishpaper，imitatingfiguredsilkwithayellowpattern。Inthemiddleofthewalloppositethewindowsthepaintersawacrack，andtheoutlinemarkedonthepaperofdouble—doors，shuttingoffarecesswhereMadameLeseigneursleptnodoubt，afactilldisguisedbyasofainfrontofthedoor。Facingthechimney，aboveamahoganychestofdrawersofhandsomeandtastefuldesign，wastheportraitofanofficerofrank，whichthedimlightdidnotallowhimtoseewell；butfromwhathecouldmakeouthethoughtthatthefearfuldaubmusthavebeenpaintedinChina。Thewindow—curtainsofredsilkwereasmuchfadedasthefurniture，inredandyellowworstedwork，[as]ifthisroom\"contrivedadoubledebttopay。\"
Onthemarbletopofthechestofdrawerswasacostlymalachitetray，withadozencoffeecupsmagnificentlypaintedandmade，nodoubt，atSevres。OnthechimneyshelfstoodtheomnipresentEmpireclock：awarriordrivingthefourhorsesofachariot，whosewheelborethenumbersofthehoursonitsspokes。Thetapersinthetallcandlestickswereyellowwithsmoke，andateachcorneroftheshelfstoodaporcelainvasecrownedwithartificialflowersfullofdustandstuckintomoss。
InthemiddleoftheroomHippolyteremarkedacard—tablereadyforplay，withnewpacksofcards。Foranobservertherewassomethingheartrendinginthesightofthismiserypainteduplikeanoldwomanwhowantstofalsifyherface。Atsuchasighteverymanofsensemustatoncehavestatedtohimselfthisobviousdilemma——eitherthesetwowomenarehonestyitself，ortheylivebyintrigueandgambling。ButonlookingatAdelaide，amansopure—mindedasSchinnercouldnotbutbelieveinherperfectinnocence，andascribetheincoherenceofthefurnituretohonorablecauses。
\"Mydear，\"saidtheoldladytotheyoungone，\"Iamcold；makealittlefire，andgivememyshawl。\"
Adelaidewentintoaroomnextthedrawing—room，whereshenodoubtslept，andreturnedbringinghermotheracashmereshawl，whichwhennewmusthavebeenverycostly；thepatternwasIndian；butitwasold，fadedandfullofdarns，andmatchedthefurniture。MadameLeseigneurwrappedherselfinitveryartistically，andwiththereadinessofanoldwomanwhowishestomakeherwordsseemtruth。Theyounggirlranlightlyofftothelumber—roomandreappearedwithabundleofsmallwood，whichshegallantlythrewonthefiretoreviveit。
Itwouldberatherdifficulttoreproducetheconversationwhichfollowedamongthesethreepersons。Hippolyte，guidedbythetactwhichisalmostalwaystheoutcomeofmisfortunesufferedinearlyyouth，darednotallowhimselftomaketheleastremarkastohisneighbors’situation，ashesawallabouthimthesignsofill—disguisedpoverty。Thesimplestquestionwouldhavebeenanindiscretion，andcouldonlybeventuredonbyoldfriendship。
Thepainterwasneverthelessabsorbedinthethoughtofthisconcealedpenury，itpainedhisgeneroussoul；butknowinghowoffensiveeverykindofpitymaybe，eventhefriendliest，thedisparitybetweenhisthoughtsandhiswordsmadehimfeeluncomfortable。
Thetwoladiesatfirsttalkedofpainting，forwomeneasilyguessthesecretembarrassmentofafirstcall；theythemselvesfeelitperhaps，andthenatureoftheirmindsuppliesthemwithathousanddevicestoputanendtoit。Byquestioningtheyoungmanastothematerialexerciseofhisart，andastohisstudies，Adelaideandhermotheremboldenedhimtotalk。Theindefinablenothingsoftheirchat，animatedbykindfeeling，naturallyledHippolytetoflashforthremarksorreflectionswhichshowedthecharacterofhishabitsandofhismind。Troublehadprematurelyfadedtheoldlady’sface，formerlyhandsome，nodoubt；nothingwasleftbutthemoreprominentfeatures，theoutline，inaword，theskeletonofacountenanceofwhichthewholeeffectindicatedgreatshrewdnesswithmuchgraceintheplayoftheeyes，inwhichcouldbediscernedtheexpressionpeculiartowomenoftheoldCourt；anexpressionthatcannotbedefinedinwords。Thosefineandmobilefeaturesmightquiteaswellindicatebadfeelings，andsuggestastutenessandwomanlyartificecarriedtoahighpitchofwickedness，asrevealtherefineddelicacyofabeautifulsoul。
Indeed，thefaceofawomanhasthiselementofmysterytopuzzletheordinaryobserver，thatthedifferencebetweenfranknessandduplicity，thegeniusforintrigueandthegeniusoftheheart，isthereinscrutable。Amangiftedwiththepenetratingeyecanreadtheintangibleshadeofdifferenceproducedbyamoreorlesscurvedline，amoreorlessdeepdimple，amoreorlessprominentfeature。Theappreciationoftheseindicationsliesentirelyinthedomainofintuition；thisalonecanleadtothediscoveryofwhateveryoneisinterestedinconcealing。Theoldlady’sfacewasliketheroomsheinhabited；itseemedasdifficulttodetectwhetherthissqualorcoveredviceorthehighestvirtue，astodecidewhetherAdelaide’smotherwasanoldcoquetteaccustomedtoweigh，tocalculate，toselleverything，oralovingwoman，fullofnoblefeelingandamiablequalities。
ButatSchinner’sagethefirstimpulseoftheheartistobelieveingoodness。Andindeed，ashestudiedAdelaide’snobleandalmosthaughtybrow，ashelookedintohereyesfullofsoulandthought，hebreathed，sotospeak，thesweetandmodestfragranceofvirtue。Inthecourseoftheconversationheseizedanopportunityofdiscussingportraitsingeneral，togivehimselfapretextforexaminingthefrightfulpastel，ofwhichthecolorhadflown，andthechalkinmanyplacesfallenaway。
\"Youareattachedtothatpictureforthesakeofthelikeness，nodoubt，mesdames，forthedrawingisdreadful？\"hesaid，lookingatAdelaide。
\"ItwasdoneatCalcutta，ingreathaste，\"repliedthemotherinanagitatedvoice。
Shegazedattheformlesssketchwiththedeepabsorptionwhichmemoriesofhappinessproducewhentheyarerousedandfallontheheartlikeabeneficentdewtowhoserefreshingtouchwelovetoyieldourselvesup；butintheexpressionoftheoldlady’sfacethereweretracestooofperennialregret。Atleast，itwasthusthatthepainterchosetointerpretherattitudeandcountenance，andhepresentlysatdownagainbyherside。
\"Madame，\"hesaid，\"inaveryshorttimethecolorsofthatpastelwillhavedisappeared。Theportraitwillonlysurviveinyourmemory。Whereyouwillstillseethefacethatisdeartoyou，otherswillseenothingatall。Willyouallowmetoreproducethelikenessoncanvas？Itwillbemorepermanentlyrecordedthenthanonthatsheetofpaper。Grantme，Ibeg，asaneighborlyfavor，thepleasureofdoingyouthisservice。Therearetimeswhenanartistisgladofarespitefromhisgreaterundertakingsbydoingworkoflessloftypretensions，soitwillbearecreationformetopaintthathead。\"
Theoldladyflushedassheheardthepainter’swords，andAdelaideshotoneofthoseglancesofdeepfeelingwhichseemtoflashfromthesoul。Hippolytewantedtofeelsometielinkinghimwithhistwoneighbors，toconquerarighttomingleintheirlife。Hisoffer，appealingasitdidtotheliveliestaffectionsoftheheart，wastheonlyonehecouldpossiblymake；itgratifiedhisprideasanartist，andcouldnothurtthefeelingsoftheladies。MadameLeseigneuraccepted，withouteagernessorreluctance，butwiththeself—possessionofanoblesoul，fullyawareofthecharacterofbondsformedbysuchanobligation，while，atthesametime，theyareitshighestgloryasaproofofesteem。
\"Ifancy，\"saidthepainter，\"thattheuniformisthatofanavalofficer。\"
Yes，\"shesaid，\"thatofacaptainincommandofavessel。
MonsieurdeRouville——myhusband——diedatBataviainconsequenceofawoundreceivedinafightwithanEnglishshiptheyfellinwithofftheAsiaticcoast。Hecommandedafrigateoffifty—sixgunsandtheRevengecarriedninety—six。Thestrugglewasveryunequal，buthedefendedhisshipsobravelythatheheldouttillnightfallandgotaway。WhenIcamebacktoFranceBonapartewasnotyetinpower，andIwasrefusedapension。WhenIappliedagainforit，quitelately，IwassternlyinformedthatiftheBarondeRouvillehademigratedIshouldnothavelosthim；thatbythistimehewouldhavebeenarear—admiral；finally，hisExcellencyquotedIknownotwhatdegreeofforfeiture。Itookthisstep，towhichIwasurgedbymyfriends，onlyforthesakeofmypoorAdelaide。Ihavealwayshatedtheideaofholdingoutmyhandasabeggarinthenameofagriefwhichdeprivesawomanofvoiceandstrength。Idonotlikethismoneyvaluationforbloodirreparablyspilt————\"
\"Dearmother，thissubjectalwaysdoesyouharm。\"
InresponsetothisremarkfromAdelaide，theBaronneLeseigneurbowed，andwassilent。
\"Monsieur，\"saidtheyounggirltoHippolyte，\"Ihadsupposedthatapainter’sworkwasgenerallyfairlyquiet？\"
AtthisquestionSchinnercolored，rememberingthenoisehehadmade。Adelaidesaidnomore，andsparedhimafalsehoodbyrisingatthesoundofacarriagestoppingatthedoor。Shewentintoherownroom，andreturnedcarryingapairoftallgiltcandlestickswithpartlyburntwaxcandles，whichshequicklylighted，andwithoutwaitingforthebelltoring，sheopenedthedooroftheouterroom，whereshesetthelampdown。ThesoundofakissgivenandreceivedfoundanechoinHippolyte’sheart。Theyoungman’simpatiencetoseethemanwhotreatedAdelaidewithsomuchfamiliaritywasnotimmediatelygratified；thenewcomershadaconversation，whichhethoughtverylong，inanundertone，withtheyounggirl。
AtlastMademoiselledeRouvillereturned，followedbytwomen，whosecostume，countenance，andappearancearealongstory。
Thefirst，amanofaboutsixty，woreoneofthecoatsinvented，Ibelieve，forLouisXVIII。，thenonthethrone，inwhichthemostdifficultproblemofthesartorialarthadbeensolvedbyatailorwhooughttobeimmortal。Thatartistcertainlyunderstoodtheartofcompromise，whichwasthemovinggeniusofthatperiodofshiftingpolitics。Isitnotararemerittobeabletotakethemeasureofthetime？Thiscoat，whichtheyoungmenofthepresentdaymayconceivetobefabulous，wasneithercivilnormilitary，andmightpassforcivilormilitarybyturns。Fleurs—
de—liswereembroideredonthelapelsofthebackskirts。Thegiltbuttonsalsoborefleurs—de—lis；ontheshouldersapairofstrapscriedoutforuselessepaulettes；thesemilitaryappendagesweretherelikeapetitionwithoutarecommendation。
Thisoldgentleman’scoatwasofdarkbluecloth，andthebuttonholehadblossomedintomanycoloredribbons。He，nodoubt，alwayscarriedhishatinhishand——athreecorneredcockedhat，withagoldcord——forthesnowywingsofhispowderedhairshowednotatraceofitspressure。Hemighthavebeentakenfornotmorethanfiftyyearsofage，andseemedtoenjoyrobusthealth。
Whilewearingthefrankandloyalexpressionoftheoldemigres，hiscountenancealsohintedattheeasyhabitsofalibertine，atthelightandrecklesspassionsoftheMusketeersformerlysofamousintheannalsofgallantry。Hisgestures，hisattitude，andhismannerproclaimedthathehadnointentionofcorrectinghimselfofhisroyalism，ofhisreligion，orofhisloveaffairs。
Areallyfantasticfigurecameinbehindthisspecimenof\"LouisXIV。’slightinfantry\"——anicknamegivenbytheBonapartiststothesevenerablesurvivorsoftheMonarchy。Todoitjusticeitoughttobemadetheprincipalobjectinthepicture，anditisbutanaccessory。Imaginealean，dryman，dressedliketheformer，butseemingtobeonlyhisreflection，orhisshadow，ifyouwill。Thecoat，newonthefirst，onthesecondwasold；thepowderinhishairlookedlesswhite，thegoldofthefleurs—de—
lislessbright，theshoulderstrapsmorehopelessanddog’seared；hisintellectseemedmorefeeble，hislifenearerthefataltermthanintheformer。Inshort，herealizedRivarol’switticismonChampcenetz，\"Heisthemoonlightofme。\"Hewassimplyhisdouble，apalerandpoorerdouble，fortherewasbetweenthemallthedifferencethatliesbetweenthefirstandlastimpressionsofalithograph。
Thisspeechlessoldmanwasamysterytothepainter，andalwaysremainedamystery。TheChevalier，forhewasaChevalier，didnotspeak，nobodyspoketohim。Washeafriend，apoorrelation，amanwhofollowedattheoldgallant’sheelsasaladycompaniondoesatanoldlady’s？Didhefillaplacemidwaybetweenadog，aparrot，andafriend？Hadhesavedhispatron’sfortune，oronlyhislife？WashetheTrimtoanotherCaptainToby？
Elsewhere，asattheBaronnedeRouville’s，healwayspiquedcuriositywithoutsatisfyingit。Who，aftertheRestoration，couldremembertheattachmentwhich，beforetheRevolution，hadboundthismantohisfriend’swife，deadnowthesetwentyyear？