PREFACE
Myendeavorhasbeentotellasimplestory，preservingascloselyaspossiblethespiritandfeelingoftheoriginal。I
havetried，asitwere，totaketheplaytopieces，andbuildanoveloutofthesamematerial。IhavenotfeltatlibertytoembellishM。Brieux’sideas，andIhaveusedhisdialoguewordforwordwhereverpossible。UnlessIhavemis—readtheauthor，hissolepurposeinwritingLESAVARIESwastoplaceanumberofmostimportantfactsbeforethemindsofthepublic，andtodrivethemhomebymeansofintenseemotion。IfIhavebeenabletoassisthim，thisbitofliterarycarpenteringwillbeworthwhile。IhavetothankM。Brieuxforhiskindpermissiontomaketheattempt，andforthecordialspiritwhichhehasmanifested。
UptonSinclairPRESSCOMMENTSONTHEPLAY
DAMAGEDGOODSwasfirstpresentedinAmericaataFridaymatineeonMarch14th，1913，intheFultonTheater，NewYork，beforemembersoftheSociologicalFund。ImmediatelyitwasacclaimedbypublicpressandpulpitasthegreatestcontributionevermadebytheStagetothecauseofhumanity。Mr。RichardBennett，theproducer，whohadthecouragetopresenttheplay，withtheaidofhisco—workers，inthefaceofmostsavagecriticismfromtheignorant，wasoverwhelmedwithrequestsforarepetitionoftheperformance。
BeforedecidingwhetherofnottopresentDAMAGEDGOODSbeforethegeneralpublic，itwasarrangedthatthehighestofficialsintheUnitedStatesshouldpassjudgmentuponthemannerinwhichtheplayteachesitsvitallesson。AspecialguestperformanceformembersoftheCabinet，membersofbothhousesofCongress，membersoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt，representativesoftheDiplomaticcorpsandothersprominentinnationallifewasgiveninWashington，D。C。
AlthoughtheperformancewasgivenonaSundayafternoon（April6，1913），theNationalTheaterwascrowdedtotheverydoorswiththemostdistinguishedaudienceeverassembledinAmerica，includingexclusivelytheforemostmenandwomenoftheCapital。
ThemostnotedclergymenofWashingtonwereamongthespectators。
TheresultofthisremarkableperformancewasatremendousendorsementoftheplayandofthemannerinwhichMr。Bennettandhisco—workerswerepresentingit。
ThisreceptionresultedinthecontinuanceoftheNewYorkperformancesuntilmid—summerandisresponsibleforthedecisiononthepartofMr。BennetttooffertheplayineverycityinAmericawherecitizensfeelthattheultimatewelfareofthecommunityisdependentuponahigherstandardofmoralityandclearerunderstandingofthelawsofhealth。
TheWASHINGTONPOST，commentingontheWashingtonperformance，said：
Theplaywaspresentedwithalltheimpressivenessofasermon；
withallthevigoranddynamicforceofagreatdrama；withalltheearnestnessandpowerofavitaltruth。
Inmanyrespectsthepresentationofthisdramatizationofagreatsocialevilassumedtheaspectsofareligiousservice。
Dr。DonaldC。Macleod，pastoroftheFirstPresbyterianChurch，mountedtherostrumusuallyoccupiedbytheleaderoftheorchestra，andannouncedthatthenatureoftheperformance，thesacrednessoftheplay，andthecharacteroftheaudiencegavetotheplaythesignificanceofatremendoussermoninbehalfofmankind，andthatassuchitwaseminentlyfittingthatadivineblessingbeinvoked。Dr。EarleWilfley，pastoroftheVermontAvenueChristianChurch，askedallpersonsintheaudiencetobowtheirheadsinaprayerfortheproperreceptionofthemessagetobepresentedfromthestage。Dr。MacLeodthenreadtheBernardShawprefacetotheplay，andaskedthattherebenoapplauseduringtheperformance，asuggestionwhichwasrigidlyfollowed，thusaddinggreatlytotheeffectivenessandtheseriousnessofthedramaticportrayal。
Theimpressionmadeupontheaudiencebytheremarkableplayisreflectedinsuchcommentsasthefollowingexpressionsvoicedaftertheperformance：
RABBISIMON，OFTHEWASHINGTONHEBREWCONGREGATION——IfIcouldpreachfrommypulpitasermononetenthaspowerful，asconvincing，asfar—reaching，andashelpfulasthisperformanceofDAMAGEDGOODSmustbe，IwouldconsiderthatIhadachievedthetriumphofmylife。
COMMISSIONERCUNOH。RUDOLPH——IwasdeeplyimpressedbywhatI
saw，andIthinkthatthedramashouldberepeatedineverycity，amatineeonedayforfatherandsonandthenextdayformotheranddaughter。
REV。EARLEWILFLEY——IamconfirmedintheopinionthatwemusttakeupourcudgelsinacrusadeagainstthemodernproblemsbroughttotheforebyDAMAGEDGOODS。Thereportthatthesediseasesareincreasingisenoughtomakeusgetbusyonacampaignagainstthem。
SURGEONGENERALBLUE——Itwasamoststrikingandtellinglesson。
Foryearswehavebeenfightingtheseconditioninthenavy。Itishightimethatciviliansawakenedtothedangerssurroundingthemandcrusadedagainsttheminapropermanner。
MRS。ARCHIBALDHOPKINS——Theplaywasapowerfulpresentationofaveryimportantquestionandwashandledinamostadmirablemanner。Thedramaisafineenteringwedgeforthiscrusadeandisboundtodoconsiderablegoodinconveyinginformationofaveryseriousnature。
MINISTERPEZET，OFPERU——Therecanbenodoubtbutthattheperformancewillhavegreatupliftingpower，andaccomplishthegoodforwhichitwascreated。Fortunately，wedonothavethepruderyinSouthAmericathatyouofthenorthpossess，andhaveopenmindstoconsidertheseseriousquestions。
JUSTICEDANIELTHEWWRIGHT——IfeelquitesurethatDAMAGEDGOODS
willhaveconsiderableeffectineducatingthepeopleofthenatureofthedangerthatsurroundsthem。
SENATORKERN，OFINDIANA——Therecanbenodenialofthefactthatitistimetolookattheseriousproblemspresentedintheplaywithanopenmind。
BrieuxhasbeenhailedbyBernardShawas\"incomparablythegreatestwriterFrancehasproducedsinceMoliere，\"andperhapsnowritereverwieldedhispenmoreearnestlyintheserviceoftherace。ToquotefromanarticlebyEdwinE。SlossonintheINDEPENDENT：
Brieuxisnotonewhobelievesthatsocialevilsaretobecuredbylawsandyetmorelaws。Hebelievesthatmostofthetroubleiscausedbyignoranceandurgeseducation，publicenlightenmentandfrankerrecognitionofexistingconditions。Allthismaybeneeded，butstillwemaywelldoubtitseffectivenessasaremedy。ThedrunkenHelotargumentisnotastrongone，andthosewholeadaviciouslifeknowmoreaboutitsrisksthananyteacherorpreachercouldtellthem。Brieuxalsourgestherequirementofhealthcertificatesformarriage，suchasmanyclergymennowinsistuponandwhichdoubtlesswillbemadecompulsorybeforelonginmanyofourStates。
Brieuxpaintsinblackcolorsyetisnofanatic；infact，hewillbecriticisedbymanyasbeingtootolerantofhumanweakness。
TheconditionsofsocietyandthemoralstandardsofFrancearesodifferentfromthoseofAmericathathispointofviewandhisproposalsforreformwillnotmeetwithgeneralacceptance，butitisencouragingtofindadramatistwhorealizestheimportanceofbeingearnestandwhouseshisartindefenseofvirtueinsteadofitsdestruction。
Othercommentsfollow，showingthegreatinterestmanifestedintheplayandthebeliefinthehighestseriousnessofitspurpose：
Thereisnouncleannessinfacts。Theuncleannessisintheglamour，inthesecretimagination。Itisinhints，half—truths，andsuggestionsthethreattolifelies。
Thisplayputsthehorribletruthinsolivingaway，withsuchclean，artisticforce，thatthemindisimpressedasitcouldpossiblybeimpressedinnoothermanner。
Bestofall，itisthephysicianwhodominatestheaction。Thereisnosentimentalizing。Thereisnoweakandmorbidhandlingofthetheme。Thedoctorappearsinhisidealfunction，asthemodernhigh—priestoftruth。Aroundhimwrithethevictimsofignoranceandthecriminalsofconventionalcruelty。Kind，stern，high—minded，clear—headed，yethuman—hearted，hetowersoverall，asthemaster。
Thisisasitshouldbe。Themantosaythewordtosavetheworldofignorantwretches，cursedbythecloudsanddarknessamistakenmodestyhasthrownaroundalife—and—deathinstinct，isthephysician。
Theonlyquestionisthis：Isthisplaydecent？MyansweristhatitisthedecentestplaythathasbeeninNewYorkforayear。Itissodecentthatitisreligious。
——HEARST’SMAGAZINE。
Theplayis，aboveall，apowerfulpleaforthetearingawayoftheveilofmysterythathassouniversallyshroudedthissubjectofthepenaltyofsexualimmorality。Itisapleaforlightonthishiddendanger，thatfathersandmothers，youngmenandyoungwomen，mayknowtheterriblepricethatmustbepaid，notonlybythegenerationthatviolatesthelaw，butbythegenerationstocome。Itisaseriousquestionjusthowtheeducationofmenandwomen，especiallyyoungmenandyoungwomen，inthevitalmattersofsexrelationshipshouldbecarriedon。Onethingissure，however。Theworstpossiblewayistheonewhichhassooftenbeenfollowedinthepast——nottocarryitonatallbuttoignoreit。
——THEOUTLOOK。
It（DAMAGEDGOODS）is，ofcourse，amasterpieceof\"thesisdrama，\"——anargument，dogmatic，insistent，inescapable，cumulative，betweenscienceandcommonsense，ononeside，andlove，ofvarioustypes，ontheother。ItiswhatMr。BernardShawhascalleda\"dramaofdiscussion\"；ithasthesplendidmovementofthebestShawplays，unrelieved——andundiluted——byShavianparadox，wit，andirony。WeimaginethatmanyaudiencesattheFultonTheaterwereastonishedattheplay’sshowingofsheerstrengthasacteddrama。Possiblyitmightnotinterestthegeneralpublic；probablyitwouldbeinadvisabletopresentittothem。Butnothinkingperson，withthemostcasualinterestincurrentsocialevils，couldlistentotheversionofRichardBennett，WiltonLackaye，andtheirassociates，withoutbeinggrippedbythepowerofBrieux’smessage。
——THEDIAL。
Itisawonderthattheworldhasbeensolongingettingholdofthisplay，whichisoneofFrance’smostvaluablecontributionstothedrama。Itshistoryisinteresting。Brieuxwroteitovertenyearsago。AntoineproduceditathistheaterandParisimmediatelycensoredit，butsoonthoughtbetterofitandremovedtheban。Duringthesummerof1910itwasplayedinBrusselsbeforecrowdedhouses，forthenthecitywasthrongedwithvisitorstotheexposition。FinallyNewYorkgotitlastspringandeugenicenthusiastsanddoctorseverywherehavewelcomedit。
——THEINDEPENDENT。
AlettertoMr。BennettfromDr。Hills，PastorofPlymouthChurch，Brooklyn。
23MonroeStreetBklyn。August1，1913。
Mr。RichardBennett，NewYorkCity，N。Y。
MyDearMr。Bennett：
Duringthepasttwenty—oneyearssinceIenteredpubliclife，I
haveexperiencedmanyexcitinghoursundertheinfluenceofreformer，oratorandactor，but，inthismoodofretrospection，I
donotknowthatIhaveeverpassedthroughamorethrilling，terrible，andyethopefulexperiencethanlastevening，whileI
listenedtoyourinterpretationofEugeneBrieux’\"DAMAGED
GOODS。\"
Ihavebeenfollowingyourworkwitheverdeepeninginterest。Itisnottoomuchtosaythatyouhavechangedthethinkingofthepeopleofourcountryastothesocialevil。Atlast，thankGod，thisconspiracyofsilenceisended。Noyoungmanwhosees\"DamagedGoods\"willeverbethesameagain。IfIwantedtobuildaroundaninnocentboybuttressesoffireandgranite，andlendhimtriplearmouragainsttemptationandtheassaultsofevil，Iwouldputhimforoneeveningunderyourinfluence。Thatwhichtheteacher，thepreacherandtheparenthavefailedtoaccomplishithasbeengiventoyoutoachieve。Youhavedoneaworkforwhichyourgenerationowesyouanimmeasurabledebtofgratitude。
IshallbedelightedtohaveyouusemyStudyofSocialDiseasesandHeredityinconnectionwithyourgreatreform。
Withallgoodwishes，Iam，mydearMr。Bennett，Faithfullyyours，NewellDwightHillisCHAPTERI
Itwasfouro’clockinthemorningwhenGeorgeDupontclosedthedoorandcamedownthestepstothestreet。Thefirstfaintstreaksofdawnwereinthesky，andhenoticedthiswithannoyance，becauseheknewthathishairwasindisarrayandhiswhileaspectdisorderly；yethedarednottakeacab，becausehefearedtoattractattentionathome。Whenhereachedthesidewalk，heglancedabouthimtomakesurethatnoonehadseenhimleavethehouse，thenstarteddownthestreet，hiseyesuponthesidewalkbeforehim。
Georgehadthefeelingofthemorningafter。Therearefewmeninthisworldofabundantsinwhowillnotknowwhatthephrasemeans。Thefumesofthenighthadevaporated；hewasquitesobernow，quitefreefromexcitement。Hesawwhathehaddone，anditseemedtohimsomethingblackanddisgusting。
Neverhadawalkseemedlongerthanthefewblockswhichhehadtotraversetoreachhishome。Hemustgettherebeforethemaidwasup，beforethebaker’sboycalledwiththerolls；otherwise，whatexplanationcouldhegive？——hewhohadalwaysbeensuchamoralman，whohadbeenpointedoutbymothersasanexampletotheirsons。
Georgethoughtofhisownmother，andwhatshewouldthinkifshecouldknowabouthisnight’sadventure。Hethoughtagainandagain，withapangofanguish，ofHenriette。Coulditbepossiblethatamanwhowasengaged，whosemarriagecontracthadactuallybeensigned，whowassoontopossesstheloveofabeautifulandnoblegirl——thatsuchamancouldhavebeenweakenoughandbaseenoughtolethimselfbetrappedintosuchalowaction？
Hewentbackoverthewholeseriesofevents，shudderingatthem，tryingtorealizehowtheyhadhappened，tryingtoexcusehimselfforthem。Hehadnotintendedsuchaculmination；hehadnevermeanttodosuchathinginhislife。Hehadnotthoughtofanyharmwhenhehadacceptedtheinvitationtothesupperpartywithhisoldcompanionsfromthelawschool。Ofcourse，hehadknownthatseveralofthesechumsled\"fast\"lives——but，then，surelyafellowcouldgotoafriend’sroomsforalarkwithoutharm!
Herememberedthegirlwhohadsatbyhissideatthetable。Shehadcomewithafriendwhowasamarriedwoman，andsohehadassumedthatshewasallright。Georgerememberedhowembarrassedhehadbeenwhenfirsthehadnoticedherglancesathim。Butthenthewinehadbeguntogotohishead——hewasoneofthoseunfortunatewretcheswhocannotdrinkwineatall。Hehadofferedtotakethegirlhomeinacab，andonthewayhehadlosthishead。
Oh!Whatawretchedthingitwas。Hecouldhardlybelievethatitwashewhohadspokenthosefrenziedwords；andyethemusthavespokenthem，becauseherememberedthem。Herememberedthatithadtakenalongtimetopersuadeher。Hehadhadtopromiseheraringliketheonehermarriedfriendwore。Beforetheyenteredherhomeshehadmadehimtakeoffhisshoes，sothattheportermightnothearthem。ThishadstruckGeorgeparticularly，because，evenflushedwithexcitementashewas，hehadnotforgottenthewarningshisfatherhadgivenhimastothedangersofcontactwithstrangewomen。Hehadthoughttohimself，\"Thisgirlmustbesafe。Itisprobablythefirsttimeshehaseverdonesuchathing。\"
ButnowGeorgecouldgetbutlittleconsolationoutofthatidea。
Hewassufferingintensely——theemotiondescribedbythepoetinthebitterwordsabout\"Time’smovingfingerhavingwrit。\"Hismind，seekingsomeexplanation，somejustification，wentbacktotheeventsbeforethatnight。Withasuddenpangofyearning，hethoughtofLizette。Shewasadecentgirl，andhadkepthimdecent，andhewaslonelywithouther。Hehadbeensoafraidofbeingfoundoutthathehadgivenherupwhenhebecameengaged；
butnowforawhilehefeltthathewouldhavetobreakhisresolution，andpayhisregularSundayvisittothelittleflatintheworking—classportionofParis。
ItwaswhileGeorgewasfittinghimselfforthesamecareerashisfather——thatofnotary——thathehadmadetheacquaintanceoftheyoungworkinggirl。Itmaynotbeeasytobelieve，butLizettehadreallybeenadecentgirl。Shehadafamilytotakecareof，andwasinneed。Therewasagrandmotherinpoorhealth，afathernotmuchbetter，andthreelittlebrothers；soLizettedidnotverylongresistGeorgeDupont，andhefeltquitevirtuousingivinghersufficientmoneytotakecareoftheseunfortunatepeople。Amongpeopleofhisclassitwasconsideredpropertotakesuchthingsifonepaidforthem。
Allthefamilyofthisworkinggirlweregratefultohim。Theyadoredhim，andtheycalledhimUncleRaoul（forofcoursehehadnotbeensofoolishastogivethemhistruename）。
SinceGeorgewaspayingforLizette，hefelthehadthetighttocontrolherlife。Hegaveherfairwarningconcerninghisattitude。Ifshedeceivedhimhewouldleaveherimmediately。
Hetoldthistoherrelativesalso，andsohehadthemallwatchingher。Shewasnevertrustedoutalone。EverySundayGeorgewenttospendthedaywithhislittle\"family，\"sothathiscomingbecamealmostamatteroftradition。Heinterestedherinchurchaffairs——massandvesperswereherregularoccasionsforexcursions。Georgerentedtwoseats，andthegrandmotherwentwithhertotheservices。Thesimplepeoplewereproudtoseetheirnameengraveduponthebrassplateofthepew。
ThereasonforalltheseprecautionswasGeorge’sterrorofdisease。Hehadbeenwarnedbyhisfatherastothedangerswhichyoungmenencounterintheiramours。AndtheselessonshadsunkdeepintoGeorge’sheart；hehadmadeuphismindthatwhateverhisfriendsmightdo，he，forone，wouldprotecthimself。
Thatdidnotmean，ofcourse，thatheintendedtoliveavirtuouslife；suchwasthecustomamongyoungmenofhisclass，nothaditprobablyeveroccurredtohisfatherthatitwaspossibleforayoungmantodosuchathing。TheFrenchhaveaphrase，\"l’hommemoyensensuel\"——theaveragesensualman。AndGeorgewassuchaman。Hehadnonobleidealisms，noparticularreverenceforwomen。Thebasisofhisattitudewasapurelyselfishone；
hewantedtoenjoyhimself，andatthesametimetokeepoutoftrouble。
Hedidnotfindanyhappinessintherenunciationwhichheimposeduponhimself；hehadnoreligiousideasaboutit。Onthecontrary，hesufferedkeenly，andwasbitterbecausehehadnoshareintheamusementsofhisfriends。Hestucktohisworkandforcedhimselftokeepregularhours，preparingforhislawexaminations。Butallthetimehewaslongingforadventures。
And，ofcourse，thiscouldnotgoonforever，forthemotiveoffearaloneisnotsufficienttosubduethesexualurgeinafull—
bloodedyoungman。
TheaffairwithLizettemighthavecontinuedmuchlongerhaditnotbeenforthefactthathisfatherdied。Hediedquitesuddenly，whileGeorgewasawayonatrip。Thesoncamebacktoconsolehisbroken—heartedmother，andinthetwoweektheyspentinthecountrytogetherthemotherbroachedaplantohim。Thelastwishofthedyingmanhadbeenthathissonshouldbefixedinlife。Inthemidstofhisintensesufferinghehadbeenabletothinkaboutthematter，andhadnamedthegirlwhomhewishedGeorgetomarry。Naturally，Georgewaitedwithsomeinteresttolearnwhothismightbe。Hewassurprisedwhenhismothertoldhimthatitwashiscousin，HenrietteLoches。
Hecouldnotkeephisemotionfromrevealingitselfinhisface。
\"Itdoesn’tpleaseyou？\"askedhismother，withatonedisappointment。
\"Whyno，mother，\"heanswered。\"It’snotthat。Itjustsurprisesme。\"
\"Butwhy？\"askedthemother。\"Henrietteisalovelygirlandagoodgirl。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidGeorge；\"butthensheismycousin，and——\"
Heblushedalittlewithembarrassment。\"Ihadneverthoughtofherinthatway。\"
MadameDupontlaidherhanduponherson’s。\"Yes，George，\"shesaidtenderly。\"Iknow。Youaresuchagoodboy。\"
Now，ofcourse，Georgedidnotfeelthathewasquitesuchagoodboy；buthismotherwasadeeplyreligiouswoman，whohadnoideaofthetruthaboutthemajorityofmen。Shewouldneverhavegotovertheshockifhehadtoldherabouthimself，andsohehadtopretendtobejustwhatshethoughthim。
\"Tellme，\"shecontinued，afterapause，\"haveyouneverfelttheleastbitinlove？\"
\"Whyno——Idon’tthinkso，\"Georgestammered，becomingconsciousofasuddenriseoftemperatureinhischeeks。
\"Because，\"saidhismother，\"itisreallytimethatyouweresettledinlife。Yourfathersaidthatweshouldhaveseentoitbefore，andnowitismydutytoseetoit。Itisnotgoodforyoutolivealonesolong。\"
\"But，mother，IhaveYOU，\"saidGeorgegenerously。
\"SomedaytheLordmaytakemeaway，\"wasthereply。\"Iamgettingold。And，George，dear——\"Heresuddenlyhervoicebegantotremblewithfeeling——\"IwouldliketoseemybabygrandchildrenbeforeIgo。Youcannotimaginewhatitwouldmeantome。\"
MadameDupontsawhowmuchthissubjectdistressedherson，soshewentontothemoreworldlyaspectsofthematter。
Henriette’sfatherwaswell—to—do，andhewouldgiveheragooddowry。Shewasacharmingandaccomplishedgirl。Everybodywouldconsiderhimmostfortunateifthematchcouldbearranged。
Also，therewasanelderlyaunttowhomMadameDuponthadspoken，andwhowasmuchtakenwiththeidea。Sheownedagreatdealofpropertyandwouldsurelyhelptheyoungcouple。
Georgedidnotseejusthowhecouldobjecttothisproposition，evenifhehadwantedto。Whatreasoncouldhegiveforsuchacourse？Hecouldnotexplainthathealreadyhadafamily——withstepchildren，sotospeak，whoadoredhim。Andwhatcouldhesaytohismother’sobsession，towhichshecamebackagainandagain——herlongingtoseehergrandchildrenbeforeshedied？
MadameDupontwaitedonlylongenoughforGeorgetostammeroutafewprotestations，andtheninthenextbreathtotakethemback；
afterwhichsheproceededtogoaheadwiththematch。Thefamilylawyersconferredtogether，andthetermsofthesettlementwereworkedoutandagreedupon。IthappenedthatimmediatelyafterwardsGeorgelearnedofanopportunitytopurchasethepracticeofanotary，whowasreadytoretirefrombusinessintwomonths’time。Henriette’sfatherconsentedtoadvanceaportionofherdowryforthispurpose。
ThusGeorgewassafelystarteduponthesamecareerashisfather，andthiswastohimasourceofsatisfactionwhichhedidnotattempttodeny，eithertohimselfoftoanyoneelse。
Georgewasacautiousyoungman，whocameofafrugalandsavingstock。Hehadalwaysbeentaughtthatitwashisprimarydutytomakecertainofareasonableamountofcomfort。Fromhisearliestdays，hehadbeentaughttoregardmaterialsuccessasthegreatestgoalinlife，andhewouldneverhavedreamedofengaginghimselftoagirlwithoutmoney。Butwhenhehadthegoodfortunetomeetonewhopossesseddesirablepersonalqualitiesinadditiontomoney，hewasnotintheleastbarredfromappreciatingthosequalities。Theywere，sotospeak，thesaucewhichwentwiththemeat，anditseemedtohimthatinthiscasethesaucewasoftheverybest。
George——abigfellowoftwenty—six，withlarge，roundeyesandagood—naturedcountenance——wasfullblooded，wellfed，withaheartylaughwhichspokeofunimpairedcontentment，asouluntroubledinitsdeeps。Heseemedtohimselftheluckiestfellowinthewholeroundworld；hecouldnotthinkwhathehaddonetodeservethegoodfortuneofpossessingsuchagirlasHenriette。Hewasordinarilyofasomewhatsentimentalturn——
easilyinfluencedbywomenandsensitivetotheircharms。
Moreover，hisrelationshipwithLizettehadsoftenedhim。Hehadlearnedtolovetheyoungworkinggirl，andnowHenriette，itseemed，wastoreapthebenefitofhisexperiencewithher。
Infact，hefoundhimselfalwayswithmemoriesofLizetteinhisrelationshipswiththegirlwhowastobehiswife。Whentheengagementwasannounced，andheclaimedhisfirstkissfromhisbride—to—be，asheplacedaringuponherfinger，herememberedthefirsttimehehadkissedLizette，andadoubleblushsuffusedhisroundcountenance。WhenhewalkedarmandarmwithHenrietteinthegardenherememberedhowhehadwalkedjustsowiththeothergirl，andhewasinterestedtocomparethewordsofthetwo。HerememberedwhatagoodtimehadhadwhenhehadtakenLizetteandherlittlefamilyforapicnicupononeoftheexcursionsteamerswhichrundowntheRiverSeine。ImmediatelyhedecidedthathewouldliketotakeHenrietteonsuchapicnic，andhepersuadedanauntofHenriette’stogowithherasachaperon。Georgetookhisbride—to—betothesamelittleinnwherehehadlunchbefore。
Thushewasalwayshauntedbymemories，someofwhichmadehimcheerfulandsomeofwhichmadehimmildlysad。Hesoongotusedtotheidea，anddidnotfinditawkward，exceptwhenhehadtosuppresstheimpulsetotellHenriettesomethingwhichLizettehadsaid，orsomefunnyincidentwhichhadhappenedinthehomeofthelittlefamily。Sometimeshefoundhimselfthinkingthatitwasashametohavetosuppresstheseimpulses。Theremustbesomethingwrong，hethought，withasocialsystemwhichmadeitnecessaryforhimtohideathingwhichwassoobviousandsosensible。Herehewas，amantwenty—sixyearsofage；hecouldnothaveaffordedtomarryearlier，notcouldhe，ashethought，havebeenexpectedtoleadacontinentlife。AndhehadreallylovedLizette；shewasreallyagoodgirl。Yet，ifHenriettehadgotanyideaofit，shewouldhavebeenhorrifiedandindignant——
shemightevenhavebrokenofftheengagement。
Andthen，too，therewasHenriette’sfather，apersonageofgreatdignityandimportance。M。LocheswasadeputyoftheFrenchParliament，fromadistrictintheprovinces。Hewasamanofuprightlife，andamanwhomadeagreatdealofthatuprightlife——keepingitonapedestalwhereeveryonemightobserveit。
ItwasimpossibletoimagineM。Lochesinanundignifiedorcompromisingsituation——suchastheyoungermanfoundhimselffacinginthematterofLizette。
ThemorehethoughtaboutitthemorenervousandanxiousGeorgebecame。Thenitwasdecideditwouldbenecessaryforhimtobreakwiththegirl，andbe\"good\"untilthetimeofhismarriage。Dearlittlesoft—eyedLizette——hedidnotdaretofaceherpersonally；hecouldneverbeartosaygood—by，hefelt。
Instead，hewenttothefather，whoasamancouldbeexpectedtounderstandthesituation。Georgewasembarrassedandnotalittlenervousaboutit；foralthoughhehadnevermisrepresentedhisattitudetothefamily，onecouldneverfeelentirelyfreefromthepossibilityofblackmailinsuchcases。However，Lizette’sfatherbehaveddecently，andwasdulygratefulforthemoderatesumofmoneywhichGeorgehandedhiminparting。HepromisedtobreakthenewsgentlytoLizette，andGeorgewentawaywithhismindmadeupthathewouldneverseeheragain。
Thisresolutionhekept，andheconsideredhimselfveryvirtuousindoingit。Butthetruthwasthathehadgrownusedtointimacywithawoman，andwasrestlesswithoutit。Andthat，hetoldhimself，waswhyheyieldedtotheshamefultemptationthenightofthatfatalsupperparty。
Hepaidforthemisadventureliberallyinremorse。Hefeltthathehadbeenawretch，thathehaddisgracedhimselfforever，thathehadprovedhimselfunworthyofthepuregirlhewastomarry。
SokeenwashisfeelingthatitwasseveraldaysbeforehecouldbringhimselftoseeHenrietteagain；andwhenhewent，itwaswithamindfilledwithabrand—newsetofresolutions。Itwasthelasttimethathewouldeverfallintoerror。Hewouldbeanewmanfromthenon。HethankedGodthattherewasnochanceofhissinbeingknown，thathemighthaveanopportunitytoprovehisnewdetermination。
SointensewerehisfeelingsthathecouldnothelpbetrayingapartofthemtoHenriette。Theysatinthegardenonesoftsummerevening，withHenriette’smotheroccupiedwithhercrochetingatadecorousdistance。George，inreverentandhumblemood，begantodropvaguehintsthathewasreallyunworthyofhisbride—to—be。Hesaidthathehadnotalwaysbeenasgoodasheshouldhavebeen；hesaidthatherpurityandsweetnesshadawakenedinhimnewideals；sothathefelthisoldlifehadbeenfullofblunders。Henriette，ofcourse，hadbutthevaguestofideasastowhattheblundersofatenderandgenerousyoungmanlikeGeorgemightbe。Sosheonlylovedhimthemoreforhishumility，andwasflatteredtohavesuchafineeffectuponhim，toawakeninhimsuchmoodsofexaltation。Whenhetoldherthatallmenwerebad，andthatnomanwasworthyofsuchabeautifullove，shewasquiteravished，andwipedawaytearsfromhereyes。
Itwouldhavebeenashametospoilsuchaheavenlymoodbytellingtherealtruth。Instead，Georgecontentedhimselfwithtellingofthenewresolutionshehadformed。Afterall，theywerethethingswhichreallymattered；forHenriettewasgoingtolivewithhisfuture，notwithhispast。
ItseemedtoGeorgeamostwonderfulthing，thisinnocenceofayounggirl，whichenabledhertomovethroughaworldofwickednesswithunpollutedmind。Itwasatouchingthing；andalso，asaprudentyoungmancouldnothelprealizing，amostconvenientthing。Herealizedtheimportanceofpreservingit，andthoughtthatifheeverhadadaughter，hewouldprotectherasrigidlyasHenriettehadbeenprotected。Hemadehastetoshyofffromthesubjectofhis\"badness\"andtoturntheconversationwithwhatseemedacleverjest。
\"IfIamgoingtobesogood，\"hesaid，\"don’tforgetthatyouwillhavetobegoodalso!\"
\"Iwilltry，\"saidHenriette，whowasstillserious。
\"Youwillhavetotryhard，\"hepersisted。\"Youwillfindthatyouhaveaveryjealoushusband。\"
\"WillI？\"saidHenriette，beamingwithhappiness——forwhenawomanisverymuchinloveshedoesn’tintheleastobjecttotheman’sbeingjealous。
\"Yes，indeed，\"smiledGeorge。\"I’llalwaysbewatchingyou。\"
\"Watchingme？\"echoedthegirlwithasurprisedlook。
Andimmediatelyhefeltashamedofhimselfforhisjest。TherecouldbenoneedtowatchHenriette，anditwasbadtasteeventojokeaboutitatsuchatime。Thatwasoneoftheideaswhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromhisworldofevil。
Thetruthwas，however，thatGeorgewouldalwaysbeasuspicioushusband；nothingcouldeverchangethatfact，fortherewassomethinginhisownconsciencewhichhecouldnotgetout，andwhichwouldmakeitimpossibleforhimtobeateaseasamarriedman。ItwasthememoryofsomethingwhichhadhappenedearlierinhislifebeforehemetLizette。Therehadbeenoneearlierexperience，withthewifeofhisdearestfriend。Shehadbeenmuchyoungerthanherhusband，andhadbetrayedaninterestinGeorge，whohadyieldedtothetemptation。Forseveralyearstheintriguecontinued，andGeorgeconsidereditagoodsolutionofayoungman’sproblem。Therehadbeennodangerofcontamination，forheknewthathisfriendwasamanofpureandrigidmorals，ajealousmanwhowatchedhiswife，anddidnotpermithertocontractthosenewrelationswhicharealwaysdangerous。AsforGeorge，hehelpedinthisworthywork，keepingthewomaninterrorofsomedisease。Hetoldherthatalmostallmenwereinfected，forhehopedbythismeanstokeepherfromdeceivinghim。
Iamawarethatthismayseemadreadfulstory。AsIdonotwantanyonetothinktooillofGeorgeDupont，Iought，perhaps，topointoutthatpeoplefeeldifferentlyaboutthesemattersinFrance。Injudgingtheunfortunateyoungman，wemustjudgehimbythecustomsofhisowncountry，andnotbyours。InFrance，theyareaccustomedtowhatiscalledtheMARIAGEDECONVENANCE。
Theyounggirlisnotpermittedtogoaboutandmakeherownfriendsanddecidewhichoneofthemsheprefersforherhusband；
onthecontrary，sheisstrictlyguarded，hertrainingoftenisofareligiousnature，andhermarriageisamatterofbusiness，tobeconsideredanddecidedbyherparentsandthoseoftheyoungman。Now，whateverwemaythinkright，itishumanlycertainthatwheremarriagesaremadeinthatway，theneedofmenandwomenforsympathyandforpassionateinterestwilloftenleadtotheformingofirregularrelationshipsaftermarriage。
ItisnotpossibletopresentstatisticsastothenumberofsuchirregularrelationshipsinParisiansociety；butinthebookswhichhereadandintheplayswhichhesaw，Georgefoundeverythingtoencouragehimtothinkthatitwasaromanticanddelightfulthingtokeepupasecretintriguewiththewifeofhisbestfriend。
Itshouldalso，perhaps，bepointedoutthatweareheretellingthetruth，andthewhiletruth，aboutGeorgeDupont；andthatitisnotcustomarytotellthisaboutmen，eitherinreallifeorinnovels。Thereisagreatdealofconcealmentintheworldaboutmattersofsex；andinsuchmattersthetruth—tellingmanisapttosufferinreputationincomparisonwiththetruth—
concealingone。
NorhadGeorgereallybeenaltogethercallousaboutthething。
Ithadhappenedthathisbestfriendhaddiedinhisarms；andthishadsoaffectedtheguiltypairthattheyhadfelttheirrelationshipwasnolongerpossible。Shehadwithdrawntonursehergriefalone，andGeorgehadbeensodeeplyaffectedthathehadavoidedaffairsandentanglementswithwomenuntilhismeetingwithLizette。
Allthiswasnowinthefardistantpast，butithadmadeadeeperimpressionuponGeorgethanheperhapsrealized，anditwasnowworkinginhismindandmarringhishappiness。Herewasagirlwholovedhimwithanobleandunselfishandwhole—heartedlove——andyethewouldneverbeabletotrustherasshedeserved，butwouldalwayshavesuspicionslurkinginthebackofhismind。Hewouldbeunabletohavehisfriendsintimateinhishome，becauseofthememoryofwhathehadoncedonetoafriend。
Itwasasubtlekindofpunishment。ButsoitisthatNatureoftenfindswaysofpunishingus，withoutourevenbeingawareofit。
Thatwasallforthefuture，however。Atpresent，Georgewashappy。Heputhisblacksinbehindhim，feelingthathehadobtainedabsolutionbyhisconfessiontoHenriette。Daybyday，asherealizedhisgoodfortune，hisroundfacebeamedwithmoreandyetmorejoy。
HewentforalittletriptoHenriette’shomeinthecountry。Itwasasimplevillage，andtheytookwalksinthecountry，andstoppedtorefreshthemselvesatafarmhouseoccupiedbyoneofM。Loches’tenants。Herewasarosyandbuxompeasantwoman，withanursingchildinherarms。Shewasdestinedacoupleofyearslatertobethefoster—motherofHenriette’slittlegirlandtoplayanimportantpartinherlife。Butthepairhadnoideaofthatatpresent。Theysimplysawaproudandhappymother，andHenrietteplayedwiththebaby，givingventtochildishdelight。ThensuddenlyshelookedupandsawthatGeorgewaswatchingher，andasshereadhisthoughtsabeautifulblushsuffusedhercheeks。
AsforGeorge，heturnedawayandwentoutundertheblueskyinakindofecstasy。Lifeseemedverywonderfultohimjustthen；
hehadfounditssupremehappiness，whichwaslove。HewasreallygettingquitemadaboutHenriette，hetoldhimself。Hecouldhardlybelievethatthedaywascomingwhenhewouldbeabletoclaspherinhisarms。
ButintheblueskyofGeorge’shappinesstherewasonelittlecloudofstorm。Asoftenhappenswithstorm—clouds，itwassosmallthatatfirsthepaidnoattentiontoitatall。
Henoteduponhisbodyonedayatinyulcer。Atfirsthetreateditwithsalvepurchasedfromanapothecary。Thenafteraweekortwo，whenthishadnoeffect，hebegantofeeluncomfortable。Herememberedsuddenlyhehadheardaboutthesymptomsofanunmentionable，dreadfuldisease，andavagueterrortookpossessionofhim。
Fordayshetriedtoputittooneside。Theideawasnonsense，itwasabsurdinconnectionwithawomansorespectable!Butthethoughtwouldnotbeputaway，andfinallyhewenttoaschoolfriend，whowasamanoftheworld，andgothimtotalkonthesubject。Ofcourse，Georgehadtobecareful，sothathisfriendshouldnotsuspectthathehadanyspecialpurposeinmind。
Thefriendwaswillingtotalk。Itwasaviledisease，hesaid；
butonewasfoolishtobotheraboutit，becauseitwassorare。
Therewereotherdiseaseswhichfellowsgot，whichnearlyeveryfellowhad，andtowhichnoneofthempaidanyattention。ButoneseldommetanyonewhohadtheredplaguethatGeorgedreaded。
\"Andyet，\"headded，\"accordingtothebooks，itisn’tsouncommon。Isupposethetruthisthatpeoplehideit。Achapnaturallywouldn’ttell，whenheknewitwoulddamnhimforlife。\"
Georgehadasicksensationinsideofhim。\"Isitasbadasthat？\"heasked。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidtheother，\"Shouldyouwanttohaveanythingtodowithapersonwhohadit？Shouldyoubewillingtoroomwithhimortravelwithhim？Youwouldn’tevenwanttoshakehandswithhim!\"
\"No，Isupposenot，\"saidGeorge，feebly。
\"Iremember，\"continuedtheother，\"anoldfellowwhousedtoliveoutinthecountrynearme。Hewasnotsoveryold，either，buthelookedit。Hehadtobepushedaroundinawheel—chair。
Peoplesaidhehadlocomotorataxia，butthatreallymeantsyphilis。Weboysusedtopokeallkindsoffunathimbecauseonewindydayhishatandhiswigwereblownofftogether，andwediscoveredthathewasasbaldasanegg。Weusedtomakejokesabouthisautomobile，aswecalledit。Ithadalittlehandleinfront，insteadofasteering—wheel，andamanbehindtopush，insteadofanengine。\"
\"Howhorrible!\"remarkedGeorgewithgenuinefeeling。
\"Irememberthepoordevilhadaparalysissoonafter，\"continuedthefriend，quitecarelessly。\"Hecouldnotsteeranymore，andalsohelosthisvoice。Whenyoumethimhewouldlookatyouasithethoughthewastalking，butallhecouldsaywas’Ga—ga—ga’。\"
Georgewentawayfromthisconversationinacoldsweat。Hetoldhimselfoverandoveragainthathewasafool，butstillhecouldnotgetthehellishideaoutofhismind。Hefoundhimselfbroodingoveritalldayandlyingawakeatnight，hauntedbyimagesofhimselfinawheel—chair，andwithoutanyhaironhishead。Herealizedthatthesensiblethingwouldbeforhimtogotoadoctorandmakecertainabouthiscondition；buthecouldnotbringhimselftofacetheordeal——hewasashamedtoadmittoadoctorthathehadlaidhimselfopentosuchataint。
Hebegantolosetheradiantexpressionfromhisroundandrosyface。Hehadlessappetite，andhismoodsofdepressionbecamesofrequentthathecouldnothidethenevenfromHenriette。Sheaskedhimonceortwiceiftherewerenotsomethingthematterwithhim，andhelaughed——aforcedandhurriedlaugh——andtoldherthathehadsatuptoolatethenightbefore，worryingoverthematterofhisexaminations。Oh，whatacruelthingitwasthatamanwhostoodintheverygatewayofsuchagardenofdelightshouldbetormentedandmademiserablebythisloathsomeidea!
Thedisturbingsymptomstillcontinued，andsoatlastGeorgepurchasedamedicalbook，dealingwiththesubjectofthedisease。Then，indeed，heopenedupachamberofhorrors；hemadeuphismindanabidingplaceofghastlyimages。Inthebooktherewerepicturesofthingssoawfulthatheturnedwhite，andtrembledlikealeaf，andhadtoclosethevolumeandhideitinthebottomofhistrunk。Buthecouldnotbanishthepicturesfromhismind。Worstofall，hecouldnotforgetthedescriptionofthefirstsymptomofthedisease，whichseemedtocorrespondexactlywithhisown。Soatlasthemadeuphismindhemustascertaindefinitelythetruthabouthiscondition。
Hebegantothinkoverplansforseeingadoctor。Hehadheardsomewhereastoryaboutayoungfellowwhohadfallenintothehandsofaquack，andbeenruinedforever。Sohedecidedthathewouldconsultonlythebestauthority。
Hegotthenamesofthebest—knownworksonthesubjectfromabookstore，andfoundthattheauthorofoneofthesebookswaspracticinginParisasaspecialist。Twoorthreedayselapsedbeforehewasabletogetupthecouragetocallonthisdoctor。
Andoh，theshameandhorrorofsittinginhiswaiting—roomwiththeotherpeople，noneofwhomdaredtolookeachotherintheeyes!Theymustallbeafflicted，Georgethought，andheglancedatthemfurtively，lookingforthevarioussymptomsofwhichhehadread。Orwerethere，perhaps，somelikehimself——merelyvictimsofafoolisherror，comingtohavethehagofdreadpulledfromofftheirbacks？
Andthensuddenly，whilehewasspeculating，therestoodthedoctor，signalingtohim。Histurnhadcome!
CHAPTERII
Thedoctorwasamanaboutfortyyearsofage，robust，witheveryappearanceofastrongcharacter。Inthebuttonholeofthefrockcoatheworewasaredrosette，thedecorationofsomeorder。
ConfusedandnervousasGeorgewas，hegotavagueimpressionofthephysician’srichlyfurnishedoffice，withitsbronzes，marblesandtapestries。
Thedoctorsignaledtotheyoungmantobeseatedinthechairbeforehisdesk。Georgecomplied，andthen，ashewipedawaytheperspirationfromhisforehead，stammeredoutafewwords，explaininghiserrand。Ofcourse，hesaid，itcouldnotbetrue，butitwasaman’sdutynottotakeanychancesinsuchamatter。
\"Ihavenotbeenamanoflooselife，\"headded；\"Ihavenottakensomanychancesasothermen。\"
Thedoctorcuthimshortwiththebriefremarkthatonechancewasallthatwasnecessary。Insteadofdiscussingsuchquestions，hewouldmakeanexamination。\"Wedonotsaypositivelyinthesecasesuntilwehavemadeabloodtest。Thatistheonewaytoavoidthepossibilityofmistake。\"
AdropofbloodwassqueezedoutofGeorge’sfingerontoalittleglassplate。Thedoctorretiredtoanadjoiningroom，andthevictimsataloneintheoffice，derivingnoenjoymentfromtheworksofartwhichsurroundedhim，butfeelinglikeaprisonerwhositsinthedockwithhislifeatstakewhilethejurydeliberates。
Thedoctorreturned，calmandimpassive，andseatedhimselfinhisoffice—chair。
\"Well，doctor？\"askedGeorge。Hewastremblingwithterror。
\"Well，\"wasthereply，\"thereisnodoubtwhatever。\"
Georgewipedhisforehead。Hecouldnotcreditthewords。\"Nodoubtwhatever？Inwhatsense？\"
\"Inthebadsense，\"saidtheother。
Hebegantowriteaprescription，withoutseemingtonoticehowGeorgeturnedpagewithterror。\"Come，\"hesaid，afterasilence，\"youmusthaveknownthetruthprettywell。\"
\"No，no，sir!\"exclaimedGeorge。
\"Well，\"saidtheother，\"youhavesyphilis。\"
Georgewasutterlystunned。\"MyGod!\"heexclaimed。
Thedoctor，havingfinishedhisprescription，lookedupandobservedhiscondition。\"Don’ttroubleyourself，sir。Outofeverysevenmenyoumeetuponthestreet，insociety，oratthetheater，thereisatleastonewhohasbeeninyourcondition。
Oneoutofseven——fifteenpercent!\"
Georgewasstaringbeforehim。Hespokelow，asiftohimself。
\"IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。\"
\"AndIknowalso，\"saidthedoctor，withasmile。\"Thereisyourprescription。Youaregoingtotakeittothedrugstoreandhaveitputup。\"
Georgetooktheprescription，mechanically，butwhispered，\"No，sir。\"
\"Yes，sir，youaregoingtodoaseverybodyelsedoes。\"
\"No，becausemysituationisnotthatofeverybodyelse。IknowwhatIamgoingtodo。\"
Saidthedoctor：\"Fivetimesoutoften，inthechairwhereyouaresitting，peopletalklikethat，perfectlysincerely。Eachonebelieveshimselfmoreunhappythanalltheothers；butafterthinkingitover，andlisteningtome，theyunderstandthatthisdiseaseisacompanionwithwhomonecanlive。Justasineveryhousehold，onegetsalongatthecostofmutualconcessions，that’sall。Come，sir，Itellyouagain，thereisnothingaboutitthatisnotperfectlyordinary，perfectlynatural，perfectlycommon；itisanaccidentwhichcanhappentoanyone。Itisagreatmistakethatpeoplespeakifthisasthe’FrenchDisease，’
forthereisnonewhichismoreuniversal。Underthepictureofthisdisease，addressingmyselftothosewhofollowtheoldestprofessionintheworld，Iwouldwritethefamousphrase：’Hereisyourmaster。Itis，itwas，oritmustbe。’\"
Georgewasputtingtheprescriptionintotheoutsidepocketofhiscoat，stupidly，asifhedidnotknowwhathewasdoing。
\"But，sir，\"heexclaimed，\"Ishouldhavebeenspared!\"
\"Why？\"inquiredtheother。\"Becauseyouareamanofposition，becauseyouarerich？Lookaroundyou，sir。Seetheseworksofartinmyroom。Doyouimaginethatsuchthingshavebeenpresentedtomebychimney—sweeps？\"
\"But，Doctor，\"criedGeorge，withamoan，\"Ihaveneverbeenalibertine。Therewasneveranyone，youunderstandme，neveranyonecouldhavebeenmorecarefulinhispleasures。IfIweretotellyouthatinallmylifeIhaveonlyhadtwomistresses，whatwouldyouanswertothat？\"
\"Iwouldanswer，thatasingleonewouldhavebeensufficienttobringyoutome。\"
\"No，sir!\"criedGeorge。\"Itcouldnothavebeeneitherofthosewomen。\"Hewentontotellthedoctorabouthisfirstmistress，andthenaboutLizette。FinallyhetoldaboutHenriette，howmuchheadoredher。Hecouldreallyusesuchaword——helovedhermosttenderly。Shewassogood——andhehadthoughthimselfsolucky!
Ashewenton，hecouldhardlykeepfromgoingtopieces。\"Ihadeverything，\"heexclaimed，\"everythingamanneeded!Allwhoknewmeenviedme。AndthenIhadtoletthosefellowsdragmeofftothatmiserablesupper—party!AndnowhereIam!Myfutureisruined，mywholeexistencepoisoned!Whatistobecomeofme？Everybodywillavoidme——Ishallbeapariah，aleper!\"
Hepaused，andtheninsuddenwildgriefexclaimed，\"Come，now!
WoulditnotbebetterthatIshouldtakemyselfoutoftheway？
Atleast，Ishouldnotsufferanymore。Youseethattherecouldnotbeanyonemoreunhappythanmyself——notanyone，Itellyou，sir，notanyone!\"Completelyovercome，hebegantoweepinhishandkerchief。
Thedoctorgotup，andwenttohim。\"Youmustbeaman，\"hesaid，\"andnotcrylikeachild。\"
\"Butsir，\"criedtheyoungman，withtearsrunningdownhischeeks，\"ifIhadledawildlife，ifIhadpassedmytimeindissipationwithchorusgirls，thenIcouldunderstandit。ThenIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。\"
Thedoctorexclaimedwithemphasis，\"No，no!Youwouldnotsayit。However，itisofnomatter——goon。\"
\"ItellyouthatIwouldsayit。Iamhonest，andIwouldsaythatIhaddeservedit。Butno，Ihaveworked，Ihavebeenaregulargrind。Andnow，whenIthinkoftheshamethatisinstoreforme，thedisgustingthings，thefrightfulcatastrophestowhichIamcondemned——\"
\"Whatisallthisyouaretellingme？\"askedthedoctor，laughing。
\"Oh，Iknow，Iknow!\"criedtheother，andrepeatedwhathisfriendhadtoldhimaboutthemaninawheel—chair。\"AndtheyusedtocallmehandsomeRaoul!Thatwasmyname——handsomeRaoul!\"
\"Now，mydearsir，\"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，\"wipeyoureyesonelasttime，blowyournose，putyourhandkerchiefintoyourpocket，andhearmedry—eyed。\"
Georgeobeyedmechanically。\"ButIgiveyoufairwarning，\"hesaid，\"youarewastingyourtime。\"
\"Itellyou——\"begantheother。
\"Iknowexactlywhatyouaregoingtotellme!\"criedGeorge。
\"Well，inthatcase，thereisnothingmoreforyoutodohere——
runalong。\"
\"SinceIamhere，\"saidthepatientsubmissively，\"Iwillhearyou。\"
\"Verywell，then。Itellyouthatifyouhavethewillandtheperseverance，noneofthethingsyoufearwillhappentoyou。\"
\"Ofcourse，itisyourdutytotellmethat。\"
\"IwilltellyouthatthereareonehundredthousandlikeyouinParis，alert，andseeminglywell。Come，takewhatyouwerejustsaying——wheel—chairs。Onedoesn’tseesomanyofthem。\"
\"No，that’strue，\"saidGeorge。
\"Andbesides，\"addedthedoctor，\"agoodmanypeoplewhorideinthemarenotthereforthecauseyouthink。Thereisnomorereasonwhyyoushouldbethevictimofacatastrophethananyoftheonehundredthousand。Thediseaseisserious，nothingmore。\"
\"Youadmitthatitisaseriousdisease？\"arguedGeorge。
\"Yes。\"
\"Oneofthemostserious？\"
\"Yes，butyouhavethegoodfortune——\"
\"TheGOODfortune？\"
\"Relatively，ifyouplease。Youhavethegoodfortunetobeinfectedwithoneofthediseasesoverwhichwehavethemostcertaincontrol。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"exclaimedGeorge，\"buttheremediesareworsethanthedisease。\"
\"Youdeceiveyourself，\"repliedtheother。
\"YouaretryingtomakemebelievethatIcanbecured？\"
\"Youcanbe。\"
\"AndthatIamnotcondemned？\"
\"Iswearittoyou。\"
\"Youarenotdeceivingyourself，youarenotdeceivingme？Why，Iwastold——\"
Thedoctorlaughed，contemptuously。\"Youweretold，youweretold!I’llwagerthatyouknowthelawsoftheChineseconcerningparty—walls。\"
\"Yes，naturally，\"saidGeorge。\"ButIdon’tseewhattheyhavetodowithit。\"
\"Insteadofteachingyousuchthings，\"wasthereply，\"itwouldhavebeenagreatdealbettertohavetaughtyouaboutthenatureandcauseofdiseasesofthissort。Thenyouwouldhaveknownhowtoavoidthecontagion。Suchknowledgeshouldbespreadabroad，foritisthemostimportantknowledgeintheworld。Itshouldbefoundineverynewspaper。\"
ThisremarkgaveGeorgesomethingofashock，forhisfatherhadownedalittlepaperintheprovinces，andhehadasuddenvisionofthewaysubscriberswouldhavefallenoff，ifhehadprintedevensomuchasthenameofthisviledisease。
\"Andyet，\"pursuedthedoctor，\"youpublishromancesaboutadultery!\"
\"Yes，\"saidGeorge，\"that’swhatthereaderswant。\"
\"Theydon’twantthetruthaboutvenerealdiseases，\"exclaimedtheother。\"Iftheyknewthefulltruth，theywouldnolongerthinkthatadulterywasromanticandinteresting。\"
Hewentontogivehisadviceastothemeansofavoidingsuchdiseases。Therewasreallybutonerule。Itwas：Tolovebutonewoman，totakeherasavirgin，andtolovehersomuchthatshewouldneverdeceiveyou。\"Takethatfromme，\"addedthedoctor，\"andteachittoyourson，whenyouhaveone。\"
George’sattentionwascaughtbythislastsentence。
\"YoumeanthatIshallbeabletohavechildren？\"hecried。
\"Certainly，\"wasthereply。
\"Healthychildren？\"
\"Irepeatittoyou；ifyoutakecareofyourselfproperlyforalongtime，conscientiously，youhavelittletofear。\"
\"That’scertain？\"
\"Ninety—ninetimesoutofahundred。\"
Georgefeltasifhehadsuddenlyemergedfromadungeon。\"Why，then，\"heexclaimed，\"Ishallbeabletomarry!\"
\"Youwillbeabletomarry，\"wasthereply。
\"Youarenotdeceivingme？Youwouldnotgivemethathope，youwouldnotexposeme？HowsoonwillIbeabletomarry？\"
\"Inthreeorfouryears，\"saidthedoctor。
\"What!\"criedGeorgeinconsternation。\"Inthreeorfouryears？
Notbefore？\"
\"Notbefore。\"
\"Howisthat？AmIgoingtobesickallthattime？Why，youtoldmejustnow——\"
Saidthedoctor：\"Thediseasewillnolongerbedangeroustoyou，yourself——butyouwillbedangeroustoothers。\"
\"But，\"theyoungmancried，indespair，\"Iamtobemarriedamonthfromnow。\"
\"Thatisimpossible。\"
\"ButIcannotdoanydifferently。Thecontractisready!Thebannshavebeenpublished!Ihavegivenmyword!\"
\"Well，youareagreatone!\"thedoctorlaughed。\"Justnowyouwerelookingforyourrevolver!Nowyouwanttobemarriedwithinthemonth。\"
\"But，Doctor，itisnecessary!\"
\"ButIforbidit。\"
\"AssoonasIknewthatthediseaseisnotwhatIimagined，andthatIcouldbecured，naturallyIdidn’twanttocommitsuicide。
AndassoonasImakeupmymindnottocommitsuicide，Ihavetotakeupmyregularlife。Ihavetokeepmyengagements；Ihavetogetmarried。\"
\"No，\"saidthedoctor。
\"Yes，yes!\"persistedGeorge，withblindobstinacy。\"Why，Doctor，ifIdidn’tmarryitwouldbeadisaster。Youaretalkingaboutsomethingyoudon’tunderstand。I，formypart——itisnotthatIamanxioustobemarried。AsItoldyou，Ihadalmostasecondfamily。Lizette’slittlebrothersadoredme。