Butitismyaunt，anoldmaid；and，also，mymotheriscrazyabouttheidea。IfIweretobackoutnow，shewoulddieofchagrin。Myauntwoulddisinheritme，andsheistheonewhohasthefamilyfortune。Then，too，thereismyfather—in—law，aregulardragoonforhisprinciples——severe，violent。Henevermakesajokeofseriousthings，andItellyouitwouldcostmedear，terriblydear。And，besides，Ihavegivenmyword。\"
\"Youmusttakebackyourword。\"
\"Youstillinsist？\"exclaimedGeorge，indespair。\"Butthen，supposethatitwerepossible，howcouldItakebackmysignaturewhichIputatthebottomofthedeed？Ihavepledgedmyselftopayintwomonthsfortheattorney’spracticeIhavepurchased!\"
\"Sir，\"saidthedoctor，\"allthesethings——\"
\"YouaregoingtotellmethatIwaslackinginprudence，thatI
shouldneverhavedisposedofmywife’sdowryuntilafterthehoneymoon!\"
\"Sir，\"saidthedoctor，again，\"alltheseconsiderationsareforeigntome。Iamaphysician，andnothingbutaphysician，andIcanonlytellyouthis：Ifyoumarrybeforethreeorfouryears，youwillbeacriminal。\"
Georgebrokeoutwithawildexclamation。\"Nosir，youarenotmerelyaphysician!Youarealsoaconfessor!Youarenotmerelyascientist；anditisnotenoughforyouthatyouobservemeasyouwouldsomelifelessthinginyourlaboratory，andsay，’Youhavethis；sciencesaysthat；nowgoalongwithyou。’Allmyexistencedependsuponyou。Itisyourdutytolistentome，becausewhenyouknoweverythingyouwillunderstandme，andyouwillfindsomewaytocuremewithinamonth。\"
\"But，\"protestedthedoctor，\"Iwearmyselfouttellingyouthatsuchmeansdonotexist。Ishallnotbecertainofyourcure，asmuchasanyonecanbecertain，inlessthanthreeorfouryears。\"
Georgewasalmostbesidehimself。\"Itellyouyoumustfindsomemeans!Listentome，sir——ifIdon’tgetmarriedIdon’tgetthedowry!AndwillyoutellmehowIcanpaythenotesIhavesigned？\"
\"Oh，\"saidthedoctor，dryly，\"ifthatisthequestion，itisverysimple——Iwillgiveyouaplantogetoutoftheaffair。
Youwillgoandgetacquaintedwithsomerichman；youwilldoeverythingyoucantogainhisconfidence；andwhenyouhavesucceeded，youwillplunderhim。\"
Georgeshookhishead。\"Iamnotinanymoodforjoking。\"
\"Iamnotjoking，\"repliedhisadviser。\"Robthatman，assassinatehimeven——thatwouldbenoworsecrimethanyouwouldcommitintakingayounggirlingoodhealthinordertogetaportionofherdowry，whenatthesametimeyouwouldhavetoexposehertothefrightfulconsequencesofthediseasewhichyouwouldgiveher。\"
\"Frightfulconsequences？\"echoedGeorge。
\"Consequencesofwhichdeathwouldnotbethemostfrightful。\"
\"But，sir，youweresayingtomejustnow——\"
\"JustnowIdidnottellyoueverything。Evenreduced，suppressedalittlebyourremedies，thediseaseremainsmysterious，menacing，andititssum，sufficientlygrave。Soitwouldbeaninfamytoexposeyourfianceeinordertoavoidaninconvenience，howevergreatthatmightbe。\"
ButGeorgewasstillnottobeconvinced。WasitcertainthatthismisfortunewouldbefallHenriette，evenwiththebestattention？
Saidtheother：\"Idonotwishtolietoyou。No，itisnotabsolutelycertain，itisprobable。AndthereisanothertruthwhichIwishtotellyounow：ourremediesarenotinfallible。
Inacertainnumberofcases——averysmallnumber，scarcelyfivepercent——theyhaveremainedwithouteffect。Youmightbeoneofthoseexceptions，yourwifemightbeone。Whatthen？\"
\"Iwillemployawordyouusedjustnow，yourself。Weshouldhavetoexpecttheworstcatastrophes。\"
Georgesatinastateofcompletedespair。
\"Tellmewhattodo，then，\"hesaid。
\"Icantellyouonlyonething：don’tmarry。Youhaveamostseriousblemish。Itisasifyouowedadebt。Perhapsnoonewillevercometoclaimit；ontheotherhand，perhapsapitilesscreditorwillcomeallatonce，presentingabrutaldemandforimmediatepayment。Comenow——youareabusinessman。Marriageisacontract；tomarrywithoutsayinganything——thatmeanstoenterintoabargainbymeansofpassivedissimulation。That’stheterm，isitnot？Itisdishonesty，anditoughttocomeunderthelaw。\"
George，beingalawyer，couldappreciatetheargument，andcouldthinkofnothingtosaytoit。
\"WhatshallIdo？\"heasked。
Theotheranswered，\"Gotoyourfather—in—lawandtellhimfranklythetruth。\"
\"But，\"criedtheyoungman，wildly，\"therewillbenoquestionthenofthreeorfouryears’delay。Hewillrefusehisconsentaltogether。\"
\"Ifthatisthecase，\"saidthedoctor，\"don’ttellhimanything。\"
\"ButIhavetogivehimareason，orIdon’tknowwhathewilldo。Heisthesortofmantogivehimselftotheworstviolence，andagainmyfianceewouldbelosttome。Listen，doctor。FromeverythingIhavesaidtoyou，youmayperhapsthinkIamamercenaryman。ItistruethatIwanttogetalongintheworld，thatisonlynatural。ButHenriettehassuchqualities；sheissomuchbetterthanI，thatIloveher，really，aspeopleloveinnovels。Mygreatestgrief——itisnottogiveupthepracticeI
havebought——although，indeed，itwouldbeabitterblowtome；
mygreatestgriefwouldbetoloseHenriette。Ifyoucouldonlyseeher，ifyouonlyknewher——thenyouwouldunderstand。Ihaveherpicturehere——\"
Theyoungfellowtookouthiscard—case。Andofferedaphotographtothedoctor，whogentlyrefusedit。Theotherblushedwithembarrassment。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid，\"Iamridiculous。Thathappenstome，sometimes。Only，putyourselfinmyplace——Iloveherso!\"
Hisvoicebroke。
\"Mydearboy，\"saidthedoctor，feelingly，\"thatisexactlywhyyououghtnottomarryher。\"
\"But，\"hecried，\"ifIbackoutwithoutsayinganythingtheywillguessthetruth，andIshallbedishonored。\"
\"Oneisnotdishonoredbecauseoneisill。\"
\"Butwithsuchadisease!Peoplearesostupid。Imyself，yesterday——Ishouldhavelaughedatanyonewhohadgotintosuchaplight；Ishouldhaveavoidedhim，Ishouldhavedespisedhim!\"
AndsuddenlyGeorgebrokedownagain。\"Oh!\"hecried，\"ifIweretheonlyonetosuffer；butshe——sheisinlovewithme。Iswearittoyou!Sheissogood；andshewillbesounhappy!\"
Thedoctoranswered，\"Shewouldbeunhappierlateron。\"
\"Itwillbeascandal!\"Georgeexclaimed。
\"Youwillavoidonefargreater，\"theotherreplied。
SuddenlyGeorgesethislipswithresolution。Herosefromhisseat。Hetookseveraltwenty—francpiecesfromhispocketandlaidthemquietlyuponthedoctor’sdesk——payingthefeeincash，sothathewouldnothavetogivehisnameandaddress。Hetookuphisgloves，hiscaneandhishat，androse。
\"Iwillthinkitover，\"hesaid。\"Ithankyou，Doctor。Iwillcomebacknextweekasyouhavetoldme。Thatis——probablyI
will。\"
Hewasabouttoleave。
Thedoctorrose，andhespokeinavoiceoffuriousanger。\"No，\"
hesaid，\"Ishan’tseeyounextweek，andyouwon’teventhinkitover。Youcamehereknowingwhatyouhad；youcametoaskadviceofme，withtheintentionofpayingnoheedtoit，unlessitconformedtoyourwishes。Asuperficialhonestyhasdrivenyoutotakethatchanceinordertosatisfyyourconscience。Youwantedtohavesomebodyuponwhomyoucouldputoff，byeandbye，theconsequencesofanactwhoseculpabilityyouunderstand!No，don’tprotest!Manyofthosewhocomeherethinkandactasyouthink，andasyouwishtoact；butthemarriagemadeagainstmywillhasgenerallybeenthesourceofsuchcalamitiesthatnowI
amalwaysafraidofnothavingbeenpersuasiveenough，anditevenseemstomethatIamalittletoblameforthesemisfortunes。Ishouldhavebeenabletopreventthem；theywouldnothavehappenedifthosewhoaretheauthorsofthemknewwhatIknowandhadseenwhatIhaveseen。Sweartome，sir，thatyouaregoingtobreakoffthatmarriage!\"
Georgewasgreatlyembarrassed，andunwillingtoreply。\"I
cannotsweartoyouatall，Doctor；IcanonlytellyouagainthatIwillthinkitover。\"
\"ThatWHATover？\"
\"Whatyouhavetoldme。\"
\"WhatIhavetoldyouistrue!Youcannotbringanynewobjections；andIhaveansweredthosewhichyouhavepresentedtome；therefore，yourmindoughttobemadeup。\"
Gropingforareply，Georgehesitated。Hecouldnotdenythathehadmadeinquiryaboutthesemattersbeforehehadcometothedoctor。Buthesaidthathewasnotalallcertainthathehadthisdisease。Thedoctordeclaredit，andperhapsitwastrue，butthemostlearnedphysiciansweresometimesdeceived。
Herememberedsomethinghehadreadinoneofthemedicalbooks。
\"Dr。Ricordmaintainsthatafteracertainperiodthediseaseisnolongercontagious。Hehasprovenhiscontentionsbyexamples。
Todayyouproducenewexamplestoshowthatheiswrong!Now，I
wanttodowhat’sright，butsurelyIhavetherighttothinkitover。AndwhenIthinkitover，Irealizethatalltheevilswithwhichyouthreatenmeareonlyprobableevils。Inspiteofyourdesiretoterrifyme，youhavebeenforcedtoadmitthatpossiblymymarriagewouldnothaveanytroublesomeconsequenceformywife。\"
Thedoctorfounddifficultyinrestraininghimself。Buthesaid，\"Goon。Iwillansweryouafterwards。\"
AndGeorgeblunderedaheadinhisdesperation。\"Yourremediesarepowerful，youtellme；andforthecalamitiesofwhichyouspeaktobefallme，Iwouldhavetobeamongtherareexceptions——alsomywifewouldhavetobeamongthenumberofthoserareexceptions。Ifamathematicianweretoapplythelawofchancetothesefacts，theresultofhisoperationwouldshowbutslightchanceofacatastrophe，ascomparedwiththeabsolutecertaintyofaseriesofmisfortunes，sufferings，troubles，tears，andperhapstragicaccidentswhichthebreakingofmyengagementwouldcause。SoIsaythatthemathematician——whois，evenmorethanyou，amanofscience，amanofamoreinfalliblescience——themathematicianwouldconcludethatwisdomwasnotwithyoudoctors，butwithme。\"
\"Youbelieveit，sir!\"exclaimedtheother。\"Butyoudeceiveyourself。\"Andhecontinued，drivinghomehispointwithafingerwhichseemedtoGeorgetopiercehisverysoul。\"Twentycasesidenticalwithyourownhavebeenpatientlyobserved，fromthebeginningtotheend。Nineteentimesthewomanwasinfectedbyherhusband；youhearme，sir，nineteentimesoutoftwenty!
Youbelievethatthediseaseiswithoutdanger，andyoutaketoyourselftherighttoexposeyourwifetowhatyoucallthechanceofyourbeingoneofthoseexceptions，forwhomourremediesarewithouteffect。Verywell；itisnecessarythatyoushouldknowthediseasewhichyourwife，withoutbeingconsulted，willrunachanceofcontracting。Takethatbook，sir；itistheworkofmyteacher。Readityourself。Here，Ihavemarkedthepassage。\"
Heheldouttheopenbook；butGeorgecouldnotliftahandtotakeit。
\"Youdonotwishtoreadit？\"theothercontinued。\"Listentome。\"Andinavoicetremblingwithpassion，heread：\"’Ihavewatchedthespectacleofanunfortunateyoungwoman，turnedintoaveritablemonsterbymeansofasyphiliticinfection。Herface，orratherletmesaywhatwasleftofherface，wasnothingbutaflatsurfaceseamedwithscars。’\"
Georgecoveredhisface，exclaiming，\"Enough，sir!Havemercy!\"
Buttheothercried，\"No，no!Iwillgototheveryend。Ihaveadutytoperform，andIwillnotbestoppedbythesensibilityofyournerves。\"
Hewentonreading：\"’Oftheupperlipnotatracewasleft；theridgeoftheuppergumsappearedperfectlybare。’\"Butthenattheyoungman’sprotests，hisresolutionfailedhim。\"Come，\"hesaid，\"Iwillstop。Iamsorryforyou——youwhoacceptforanotherperson，forthewomanyousayyoulove，thechanceofadiseasewhichyoucannotevenenduretoheardescribed。Now，fromwhomdidthatwomangetsyphilis？ItisnotIwhoamspeaking，itisthebook。’Fromamiserablescoundrelwhowasnotafraidtoenterintomatrimonywhenhehadasecondaryeruption。’Allthatwasestablishedlateron——’andwho，moreover，hadthoughtitbestnottolethiswifebetreatedforfearofawakeninghersuspicions!’\"
Thedoctorclosedthebookwithabang。\"Whatthatmanhasdone，sir，iswhatyouwanttodo。\"
Georgewasedgingtowardthedoor；hecouldnolongerlookthedoctorintheeye。\"IshoulddeserveallthoseepithetsandstillmorebrutalonesifIshouldmarry，knowingthatmymarriagewouldcausesuchhorrors。ButthatIdonotbelieve。
Youandyourteachers——youarespecialists，andconsequentlyyouaredriventoattributeeverythingtothediseaseyoumakethesubjectofyourstudies。Atragiccase，anexceptionalcase，holdsakindoffascinationforyou；youthinkitcanneverbetalkedaboutenough。\"
\"Ihaveheardthatargumentbefore，\"saidthedoctor，withaneffortatpatience。
\"Letmegoon，Ibegyou，\"pleadedGeorge。\"Youhavetoldmethatoutofeverysevenmenthereisonesyphilitic。YouhavetoldmethatthereareonehundredthousandinParis，comingandgoing，alert，andapparentlywell。\"
\"Itistrue，\"saidthedoctor，\"thatthereareonehundredthousandwhoareactuallyatthismomentnotvisiblyundertheinfluenceofthedisease。Butmanythousandshavepassedintoourhospitals，victimsofthemostfrightfulravagesthatourpoorbodiescansupport。These——youdonotseethem，andtheydonotcountforyou。Butagain，ifitconcernednoonebutyourself，youmightbeabletoarguethus。WhatIdeclaretoyou，whatIaffirmwithalltheviolenceofmyconviction，isthatyouhavenottherighttoexposeahumancreaturetosuchchances——rare，asIknow，butterrible，asIknowstillbetter。
Whathaveyoutoanswertothat？\"
\"Nothing，\"stammeredGeorge，broughttohiskneesatlast。\"Youarerightaboutthat。Idon’tknowwhattothink。\"
\"Andinforbiddingyoumarriage，\"continuedthedoctor，\"isitthesameasifIforbadeitforever？IsitthesameasifItoldyouthatyoucouldneverbecured？Onthecontrary，Iholdouttoyoueveryhope；butIdemandofyouadelayofthreeorfouryears，becauseitwilltakemethattimetofindoutifyouareamongthenumberofthoseunfortunateoneswhomIpitywithallmyheart，forwhomthediseaseiswithoutmercy；becauseduringthattimeyouwillbedangeroustoyourwifeandtoyourchildren。ThechildrenIhavenotyetmentionedtoyou。\"
Herethedoctor’svoicetrembledslightly。Hespokewithmovingeloquence。\"Come，sir，youareanhonestman；youaretooyoungforsuchthingsnottomoveyou；youarenotinsensibletoduty。
ItisimpossiblethatIshan’tbeabletofindawaytoyourheart，thatIshan’tbeabletomakeyouobeyme。MyemotioninspeakingtoyouprovesthatIappreciateyoursuffering，thatI
sufferwithyou。ItisinthenameofmysinceritythatI
imploreyou。Youhaveadmittedit——thatyouhavenottherighttoexposeyourwifetosuchmiseries。Butitisnotonlyyourwifethatyoustrike；youmayattackinheryourownchildren。I
excludeyouforamomentfrommythought——youandher。ItisinthenameoftheseinnocentsthatIimploreyou；itisthefuture，itistheracethatIdefend。Listentome，listentome!OutofthetwentyhouseholdsofwhichIspoke，onlyfifteenhadchildren；thesefifteenhadtwenty—eight。Doyouknowhowmanyoutofthesetwenty—eightsurvived？Three，sir!Threeoutoftwenty—eight!Syphilisisaboveeverythingamurdererofchildren。HerodreignsinFrance，andoveralltheearth，andbeginseachyearhismassacreoftheinnocents；andifitbenotblasphemyagainstthesacrednessoflife，Isaythatthemosthappyarethosewhohavedisappeared。Visitourchildren’shospitals!Weknowtoowellthechildofsyphiliticparents；thetypeisclassical；thedoctorscanpickitoutanywhere。Thoselittleoldcreatureswhohavetheappearanceofhavingalreadylived，andwhohavekeptthestigmataofalloutinfirmities，ofallourdecay。Theyarethevictimsoffatherswhohavemarried，beingignorantofwhatyouknow——thingswhichIshouldliketogoandcryoutinthepublicplaces。\"
Thedoctorpaused，andtheninasolemnvoicecontinued：\"Ihavetoldyouall，withoutexaggeration。Thinkitover。Considertheprosandcons；sumupthepossiblemisfortunesandthecertainmiseries。Butdisregardyourself，andconsiderthatthereareinonesideofthescalesthemisfortunesofothers，andintheotheryourown。Takecarethatyouarejust。\"
Georgewasatlastovercome。\"Verywell，\"hesaid，\"Igiveway。
Iwon’tgetmarried。Iwillinventsomeexcuse；Iwillgetadelayofsixmonths。Morethanthat，Icannotdo。\"
Thedoctorexclaimed，\"Ineedthreeyears——Ineedfouryears!\"
\"No，Doctor!\"persistedGeorge。\"Youcancuremeinlesstimethanthat。\"
Theotheranswered，\"No!No!No!\"
Georgecaughthimbythehand，imploringly。\"Yes!Scienceinallpowerful!\"
\"ScienceisnotGod，\"wasthereply。\"Therearenolongeranymiracles。\"
\"Ifonlyyouwantedtodoit!\"criedtheyoungman，hysterically。
\"Youarealearnedman；seek，invent，findsomething!Trysomenewplanwithme；givemedoublethedose，tentimesthedoes；
makemesuffer。Igivemyselfuptoyou；Iwillendureeverything——Iswearit!Thereoughttobesomewaytocuremewithinsixmonths。Listentome!ItellyouIcan’tanswerformyselfwiththatdelay。Come；itisinthenameofmywife，inthenameofmychildren，thatIimploreyou。Dosomethingforthem!\"
Thedoctorhadreachedthelimitofhispatience。\"Enough，sir!\"
hecried。\"Enough!\"
Butnothingcouldstopthewretchedman。\"Onmyknees!\"hecried。\"Iputmyselfonmykneesbeforeyou!Oh!Ifonlyyouwoulddoit!Iwouldblessyou；Iwouldadoreyou，asoneadoresagod!Allmygratitude，allmylife——halfmyfortune!
Formercy’ssake，Doctor，dosomething；inventsomething；makesomediscovery——havepity!\"
Thedoctoransweredgravely，\"Doyouwishmetodomoreforyouthanfortheothers？\"
Georgeanswered，unblushingly，’answered，unblushingly，\"Yes!\"
Hewasbesidehimselfwithterroranddistress。
Theother’sreplywasdeliveredinasolemntone。\"Understand，sir，foreveryoneofoutpatientswedoallthatwecan，whetheritbethegreatestpersonage，orthelastcomertoouthospitalclinic。Wehavenosecretsinreserveforthosewhoaremorefortunate，orlessfortunatethantheothers，andwhoareinahurrytobecured。\"
Georgegazedathimforamomentinbewildermentanddespair，andthensuddenlybowedhishead。\"Good—by，Doctor，\"heanswered。
\"Aurevoir，sir，\"theothercorrected——withwhatprovedtobepropheticunderstanding。ForGeorgewasdestinedtoseehimagain——eventhoughhehadmadeuphismindtothecontrary!
CHAPTERIII
GeorgeDuponthadthemostimportantdecisionofhislifetomake；buttherewasneververymuchdoubtwhathisdecisionwouldbe。Onetheonehandwasthedefinitecertaintythatifhetookthedoctor’sadvice，hewouldwreckhisbusinessprospects，andperhapsalsolosethewomanheloved。Ontheotherhandwerevagueanduncertainpossibilitieswhichitwasdifficultforhimtomakerealtohimself。Itwasallverywelltowaitawhiletobecuredofthedreaddisease；buttowaitthreeorfouryears——
thatwassimplypreposterous!
Hedecidedtoconsultanotherphysician。Hewouldfindonethistimewhowouldnotbesoparticular，whowouldbewillingtotakesometroubletocurehimquickly。Hebegantonoticetheadvertisementswhichwerescatteredoverthepagesofthenewspapersheread。TherewereapparentlyplentyofdoctorsinPariswhocouldcurehim，whowerewillingtoguaranteetocurehim。Aftermuchhesitation，hepickedoutonewhoseadvertisementsoundedthemostconvincing。
Theofficewaslocatedinacheapquarter。Itwasadingyplace，notencumberedwithworksofart，butwithafewbookscoveredwithdust。Thedoctorhimselfwasstoutandgreasy，andherubbedhishandswithanticipationatthesightofsoprosperous—lookingapatient。Buthewasevidentlyamanofexperience，forheknewexactlywhatwasthematterwithGeorge，almostwithouttheformalityofanexamination。Yes，hecouldcurehim，quickly，hesaid。Therehadrecentlybeengreatdiscoveriesmade——newmethodswhichhadnotreachedthebulkoftheprofession。Helaughedattheideaofthreeorfouryears。
Thatwasthewaywiththosespecialists!Whenonegotfortyfrancsforaconsultation，naturally，onewasgladtodragoutthecase。Thereweretricksinthemedicaltrade，asinallothers。Adoctorhadtolive；whenhehadabigname，hehadtoliveexpensively。
Thenewphysicianwroteouttwoprescriptions，andpattedGeorgeontheshoulderashewentaway。Therewasnoneedforhimtoworry；hewouldsurelybewellinthreemonths。Ifhewouldputoffhismarriageforsixmonths，hewouldbedoingeverythingwithinreason。Andmeantime，therewasnoneedforhimtoworryhimself——thingswouldcomeoutallright。SoGeorgewentaway，feelingasifamountainhadbeenliftedfromhisshoulders。
HewenttoseeHenriettethatsameevening，togetthemattersettled。\"Henriette，\"hesaid，\"Ihavetotellyousomethingveryimportant——somethingratherpainful。Ihopeyouwon’tletitdisturbyoutoomuch。\"
Shewasgazingathiminalarm。\"Whatisit？\"
\"Why，\"hesaid，blushinginspiteofhimself，andregrettingthathehadbegunthemattersoprecipitately，\"forsometimeI’venotbeenfeelingquitewell。I’vebeenhavingaslightcough。Haveyounoticedit？\"
\"Whyno!\"exclaimedHenriette，anxiously。
\"Well，todayIwenttoseeadoctor，andhesaysthatthereisapossibility——youunderstanditisnothingveryserious——butitmightbe——Imightpossiblyhavelungtrouble。\"
\"George!\"criedthegirlinhorror。
Heputhishanduponhers。\"Don’tbefrightened，\"hesaid。\"Itwillbeallright，onlyIhavetotakecareofmyself。\"Howverydearofher，hethought——tobesomuchworried!
\"George，yououghttogoawaytothecountry!\"shecried。\"Youhavebeenworkingtoohard。Ialwaystoldyouthatifyoushutyourselfupsomuch——\"
\"Iamgoingtotakecareofmyself，\"hesaid。\"Irealizethatitisnecessary。Ishallbeallright——thedoctorassuredmetherewasnodoubtofit，soyouarenottodistressyourself。Butmeantime，hereisthetrouble：Idon’tthinkitwouldberightformetomarryuntilIamperfectlywell。\"
Henriettegaveanexclamationofdismay。
\"Iamsureweshouldputitoff，\"hewenton，\"itwouldbeonlyfairtoyou。\"
\"But，George!\"sheprotested。\"Surelyitcan’tbethatserious!\"
\"Weoughttowait，\"hesaid。\"Yououghtnottotakethechanceofbeingmarriedtoaconsumptive。\"
Theotherprotestedinconsternation。Hedidnotlooklikeaconsumptive；shedidnotbelievethatheWASaconsumptive。Shewaswillingtotakeherchances。Shelovedhim，andshewasnotafraid。ButGeorgeinsisted——hewassurethatheoughtnottomarryforsixmonths。
\"Didthedoctoradvisethat？\"askedHenriette。
\"No，\"hereplied，\"butImadeupmymindaftertalkingtohimthatImustdothefairandhonorablething。Ibegyoutoforgiveme，andtobelievethatIknowbest。\"
Georgestoodfirmlybythisposition，andsointheendshehadtogiveway。Itdidnotseemquitemodestinhertocontinuepersisting。
Georgevolunteeredtowritealettertoherfather；andhehopedthiswouldsettlethematterwithoutfurtherdiscussion。Butinthishewasdisappointed。TherehadtobealongcorrespondencewithlongargumentsandprotestationsfromHenriette’sfatherandfromhisownmother。Itseemedsuchasingularwhim。Everybodypersistedindiagnosinghissymptoms，inquestioninghimaboutwhatthedoctorhadsaid，whothedoctorwas，howhehadcometoconsulthim——allofwhich，ofcourse，wasveryembarrassingtoGeorge，whocouldnotseewhytheyhadtomakesuchafuss。Hetooktocultivatingaconsumptivelook，aswellashecouldimagineit；hetooktocoughingashewentaboutthehouse——anditwasallhecoulddotokeepfromlaughing，ashesawthelookofdismayonhispoormother’sface。Afterall，however，hetoldhimselfthathewasnotdeceivingher，forthediseasehehadwasquiteasseriousastuberculosis。
Itwasverypainfulandverytrying。Buttherewasnothingthatcouldbedoneaboutit；themarriagehadbeenputoffforsixmonths，andinthemeantimeheandHenriettehadtocontroltheirimpatienceandmakethebestoftheirsituation。Sixmonthswasalongtime；butwhatifithadbeenthreeorfouryears，astheotherdoctorhaddemanded？Thatwouldhavebeenaveritablesentenceofdeath。
George，aswehaveseen，wasconscientious，andregularandcarefulinhishabits。Hetookthemedicinewhichthenewdoctorprescribedforhim；anddaybydayhewatched，andtohisgreatreliefsawthetroublesomesymptomsgraduallydisappearing。Hebegantotakeheart，andtolookforwardtolifewithhisformerbuoyancy。Hehadhadabadscare，butnoweverythingwasgoingtobeallright。
Threeorfourmonthspassed，andthedoctortoldhimhewascured。Hereallywascured，sofarashecouldsee。Hewassorry，now，thathehadaskedforsolongadelayfromHenriette；
butthenewdatefortheweddinghadbeenannounced，anditwouldbeawkwardtochangeitagain。Georgetoldhimselfthathewasbeing\"extracareful，\"andhewasrepaidfortheinconveniencebythefeelingofvirtuederivedfromthedelay。Hewasrelievedthathedidnothavetocoughanymore，ortoinventanymoretalesofhisinterviewswiththeimaginarylung—specialist。
Sometimeshehadguiltyfeelingsbecauseofallthelyinghehadhadtodo；buthetoldhimselfthatitwasforHenriette’ssake。
Shelovedhimasmuchashelovedher。Shewouldhavesufferedneedlessagonieshadsheknownthetruth；shewouldneverhavegotoverit——soitwouldhavebeenacrimetotellher。
Hereallylovedherdevotedly，thoroughly。Fromthebeginninghehadthoughtasmuchofhermentalsufferingsashehadofanyphysicalharmthatthedreaddiseasemightdotohim。Howcouldhepossiblypersuadehimselftogiveherup，whenheknewthattheseparationwouldbreakherheartandruinherwholelife？
No；obviously，insuchadilemma，itwashisdutytousehisownbestjudgment，andgethimselfcuredasquicklyaspossible。
Afterthathewouldbetruetoher，hewouldtakenomorechancesofaloathsomedisease。
Thesecrethewashidingmadehimfeelhumble——madehimunusuallygentleinhisattitudetowardsthegirl。Hewasaperfectlover，andshewasravishedwithhappiness。Shethoughtthatallhissufferingswerebecauseofhisloveforher，andthedelaywhichhehadimposedoutofhisexcessofconscientiousness。Soshelovedhimmoreandmore，andneverwasthereahappierbridethanHenrietteLoches，whenatlastthegreatdayarrived。
TheywenttotheRiveriafortheirhoneymoon，andthenreturnedtoliveinthehomewhichhadbelongedtoGeorge’sfather。Theinvestmentinthenotary’spracticehadprovenagoodone，andsolifeheldouteverypromisefortheyoungcouple。Theyweredivinelyhappy。
Afterawhile，thebridecommunicatedtoherhusbandthetidingsthatshewasexpectingachild。ThenitseemedtoGeorgethatthecupofhisearthlyblisswasfull。Hisailmenthadslippedfarintothebackgroundofhisthoughts，likeanevildreamwhichhehadforgotten。Heputawaythemedicinesinthebottomofhistrunkanddismissedthewholematterfromhismind。Henriettewaswell——averypictureofhealth，aseveryoneagreed。Thedoctorhadneverseenamorepromisingyoungmother，hedeclared，andMadameDupont，theelder，bloomedwithfreshlifeandjoyassheattendedherdaughter—in—law。
Henriettewentforthesummertoherfather’splaceintheprovinces，whichsheandGeorgehadvisitedbeforetheirmarriage。Theydroveoutonedaytothefarmwheretheyhadstopped。Thefarmer’swifehadaweek—oldbaby，thesightofwhichmadeHenriette’sheartleapwithdelight。HewassuchaveryhealthybabythatGeorgeconceivedtheideathatthiswouldbethewomantonursehisownchild，incaseHenrietteherselfshouldnotbeabletodoit。
Theycamebacktothecity，andtherethebabywasborn。AsGeorgepacedthefloor，waitingforthenews，thememoryofhisevildreamscamebacktohim。Herememberedallthedreadfulmonstrositiesofwhichhehadread——infantsthatwerebornofsyphiliticparents。Hisheartstoodstillwhenthenursecameintotheroomtotellhimthetidings。
Butitwasallright；ofcourseitwasallright!Hehadbeenafool，hetoldhimself，ashestoodinthedarkenedroomandgazedatthewonderfullittlemiteoflifewhichwasthefruitofhislove。Itwasaperfectchild，thedoctorsaid——alittlesmall，tobesure，butthatwasadefectwhichwouldsoonberemedied。
Georgekneeledbythebedsideandkissedthehandofhiswife，andwentoutoftheroomfeelingasifhehadescapedfromatomb。
Allwentwell，andafteracoupleofweeksHenriettewasaboutthehouseagain，laughingalldayandsingingwithjoy。Butthebabydidnotgainquiteasrapidlyasthedoctorhadhoped，anditwasdecidedthatthecountryairwouldbebetterforher。SoGeorgeandhismotherpaidavisittothefarminthecountry，andarrangedthatthecountrywomanshouldputherownchildtonurseelsewhereandshouldbecomethefoster—motheroflittleGervaise。
Georgepaidagoodpricefortheservice，farmorethanwouldhavebeennecessary，forthesimplecountrywomanwasdelightedwiththeideaoftakingcareofthegrandchildofthedeputyofherdistrict。Georgecamehomeandtoldhiswifeaboutthisandhadamerrytimeashepicturedthewomanboastingaboutittothetravelerswhostoppedatherdoor。\"Yes，ma’am，agreatpieceofluckI’vegot，ma’am。I’vegotthedaughterofthedaughterofourdeputy——atyourservicema’am。My!Butsheisasfatasoutlittlecalf——andsoclever!Sheunderstandseverything。Agreatpieceofluckforme，ma’am。She’sthedaughterofthedaughterofourdeputy!\"Henriettewasvastlyentertained，discoveringinherhusbandanewtalent，thatofanactor。
AsforGeorge’smother，shewashardlytobepersuadedfromstayinginthecountrywiththechild。Shewenttwiceaweek，tomakesurethatallwentwell。Henrietteandshelivedwiththechild’spicturebeforethem；theyspenttheirtimesewingoncapsandunderwear——allcoveredwithlacesandfrillsandpinkandblueribbons。Everyday，whenGeorgecamehomefromhiswork，hefoundsomenewarticlecompleted，andwasravishedbythescentofsomenewkindofsachetpowder。Whataluckymanhewas!
YouwouldthinkhemusthavebeenthehappiestmaninthewholecityofParis。ButGeorge，alas，hadtopaythepenaltyforhisearlysins。Therewas，forinstance，thedeceptionhehadpracticeduponhisfriend，awaybackintheearlydays。Nowhehadfriendsofhisown，andhecouldnotkeepthesefriendsfromvisitinghim；andsohewasunquietwiththefearthatsomeoneofthemmightplayuponhimthesameviletrick。Eveninthemidstofhisradianthappiness，whenheknewthatHenriettewashanginguponhiseveryword，tremblingwithdelightwhensheheardhislatchkeyinthedoor——stillhecouldnotdriveawaythehorriblethoughtthatperhapsallthismightbedeception。
Therewashisfriend，Gustave，forexample。HehadbeenafriendofHenriette’sbeforehermarriage；hehadevenbeeninlovewithheratonetime。Andnowhecamesometimestothehouse——onceortwicewhenGeorgewasaway!Whatdidthatmean？Georgewondered。Hebroodedoveritallday，butdarednotdropanyhinttoHenriette。Buthetooktosettinglittletrapstocatchher；forinstance，hewouldcallheruponthetelephone，disguisinghisvoice。\"Hello!Hello!Isthatyou，MadameDupont？\"Andwhensheanswered，\"ItisI，sir，\"allunsuspecting，hewouldinquire，\"IsGeorgethere？\"
\"No，sir，\"shereplied。\"Whoisthisspeaking？\"
Heanswered，\"ItisI，Gustave。Howareyouthismorning？\"Hewantedtoseewhatshewouldanswer。Wouldsheperhapssay，\"Verywell，Gustave。Howareyou？\"——inatonewhichwouldbetraytoogreatintimacy!
ButHenriettewasasharpyoungperson。ThetonedidnotsoundlikeGustave’s。Sheaskedinbewilderment，\"What？\"andthenagain，\"What？\"
So，atlast，George，afraidthathistrickmightbesuspected，hadtoburstoutlaughing，andturnitintoajoke。Butwhenhecamehomeandteasedhiswifeaboutit，thelaughwasnotallonhisside。Henriettehadguessedtherealmeaningofhisjoke!
Shedidnotreallymind——shetookhisjealousyasasignoflove，andwaspleasedwithit。Itisnotuntilathirdpartycomeuponthescenethatjealousybeginstobeannoying。
SoshehadamerrytimeteasingGeorge。\"Youareagreatfellow!
YouhavenoideahowwellIunderstandyou——andafteronlyayearofmarriage!\"
\"Youknowme？\"saidthehusband，curiously。（Itisalwayssofascinatingwhenanybodythinkssheknowusbetterthanweknowourselves!）\"Tellme，whatdoyouthinkaboutme？\"
\"Youarerestless，\"saidHenriette。\"Youaresuspicious。Youpassyourtimeputtingfliesinyourmilk，andinventingwiseschemestogetthemout。\"
\"Oh，youthinkthat，doyou？\"saidGeorge，pleasedtobetalkedabout。
\"Iamnotannoyed，\"sheanswered。\"Youhavealwaysbeenthatway——andIknowthatit’sbecauseatbottomyouaretimidanddisposedtosuffer。Andthen，too，perhapsyouhavereasonsfornothavingconfidenceinawife’sintimatefriends——lady—killerthatyouare!\"
Georgefoundthisratherembarrassing；buthedarednotshowit，sohelaughedgayly。\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，\"hesaid——
\"uponmywordIdon’t。ButitisatrickIwouldnotadviseeverybodytotry。\"
Therewereotherembarrassingmoments，causedbyGeorge’shavingthingstoconceal。Therewas，forinstance，thematterofthesixmonths’delayinthemarriage——aboutwhichHenriettewouldneverstoptalking。Shebegrudgedthetime，becauseshehadgottheideathatlittleGervaisewassixmonthsyoungerthansheotherwisewouldhavebeen。\"Thatshowsyourtimidityagain，\"shewouldsay。\"Theideaofyourhavingimaginedyourselfaconsumptive!\"
PoorGeorgehadtodefendhimself。\"Ididn’ttellyouhalfthetruth，becauseIwasafraidofupsettingyou。ItseemedIhadthebeginningofchronicbronchitis。IfeltitquitekeenlywheneverItookabreath，adeepbreath——look，likethis。Yes——I
felt——hereandthere，oneachsideofthechest，aheaviness——adifficulty——\"
\"Theideaoftakingsixmonthstocureyouofathinglikethat!\"
exclaimedHenriette。\"Andmakingourbabysixmonthsyoungerthansheoughttobe!\"
\"But，\"laughedGeorge，\"thatmeansthatweshallhavehersomuchthelonger!Shewillgetmarriedsixmonthslater!\"
\"Oh，dearme，\"respondedtheother，\"letusnottalkaboutsuchthings!Iamalreadyworried，thinkingshewillgetmarriedsomeday。\"
\"Formypart，\"saidGeorge，\"IseemyselfmountingwithheronmyarmthestaircaseoftheMadeleine。\"
\"WhytheMadeleine？\"exclaimedhiswife。\"Suchaverymagnificentchurch!\"
\"Idon’tknow——Iseeherunderherwhiteveil，andmyselfalldressedup，andwithanorder。\"
\"Withanorder!\"laughedHenriette。\"Whatdoyouexpecttodotowinanorder？\"
\"Idon’tknowthat——butIseemyselfwithit。Explainitasyouwill，Iseemyselfwithanorder。Iseeitall，exactlyasifI
werethere——theSwissguardwithhiswhitestockingsandthehalbard，andthelittlemilliner’sassistantsandthescullionlinedupstaring。\"
\"Itisfaroff——allthat，\"saidHenriette。\"Idon’tliketotalkofit。Ipreferherasababy。Iwanthertogrowup——butthenIchangemymindandthinkIdon’t。Iknowyourmotherdoesn’t。
Doyouknow，Idon’tbelievesheeverthinksaboutanythingbutherlittleGervaise。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，\"saidthefather。\"Thechildcancertainlyboastofhavingagrandmotherwholovesher。\"
\"Also，Iadoreyourmother，\"declaredHenriette。\"Shemakesmeforgetmymisfortuneinnothavingmyownmother。Sheissogood!\"
\"Wearealllikethatinourfamily，\"putinGeorge。
\"Really，\"laughedthewife。\"Well，anyhow——thelasttimethatwewentdowninthecountrywithher——youhadgoneout，Idon’tknowwhereyouhadgone——\"
\"Toseethesixteenth—centurychest，\"suggestedtheother。
\"Oh，yes，\"laughedHenriette；\"yourfamouschest!\"（Youmustexcusethislittlefamilychatteroftheirs——theyweresomuchinlovewitheachother!）
\"Don’tlet’stalkaboutthat，\"objectedGeorge。\"Youweresaying——？\"
\"Youwerenotthere。Thenursewasoutatmass，Ithink——\"
\"Oratthewinemerchant’s!Goon，goon。\"
\"Well，Iwasinthelittleroom，andmotherdearthoughtshewasallalonewithGervaise。Iwaslistening；shewastalkingtothebaby——allsortsofnonsense，prettylittlewords——stupid，ifyoulike，buttender。Iwantedtolaugh，andatthesametimeI
wantedtoweep。\"
\"Perhapsshecalledher’mydearlittleSavior’？\"
\"Exactly!Didyouhearher？\"
\"No——butthatiswhatsheusedtocallmewhenIwaslittle。\"
\"Itwasthatdayshesworethatthelittleonehadrecognizedher，andlaughed!\"
\"Oh，yes!\"
\"Andthenanothertime，whenIwentintoherroom——mother’sroom——shedidn’thearmebecausethedoorwasopen，butIsawher。Shewasinecstasybeforethelittlebootswhichthebabyworeatbaptism——youknow？\"
\"Yes，yes。\"
\"Listen，then。Shehadtakenthemandshewasembracingthem!\"
\"Andwhatdidyousaythen？\"
\"Nothing；Istoleoutverysoftly，andIsentacrossthethresholdagreatkisstothedeargrandmother!\"
Henriettesatforamomentinthought。\"Itdidn’ttakeherverylong，\"sheremarked，\"todaywhenshegottheletterfromthenurse。Iimagineshecaughttheeight—fifty—ninetrain!\"
\"Anyyet，\"laughedGeorge，\"itwasreallynothingatall。\"
\"Ohno，\"saidhiswife。\"Yetafterall，perhapsshewasright——
andperhapsIoughttohavegonewithher。\"
\"Howcharmingyouare，mypoorHenriette!Youbelieveeverythingyouaretold。I，formypart，divinedrightawaythetruth。Thenursewassimplyplayingagameonus；shewantedaraise。Willyoubet？Come，I’llbetyousomething。Whatwouldyouliketobet？Youdon’twantto？Come，I’llbetyoualovelynecklace——
youknow，withabigpearl。\"
\"No，\"saidHenriette，whohadsuddenlylosthermoodofgayety。
\"Ishouldbetoomuchafraidofwinning。\"
\"Stop!\"laughedherhusband。\"Don’tyoubelieveIloveherasmuchasyouloveher——mylittleduck？Doyouknowhowoldsheis？ImeanherEXACTage？\"
Henriettesatknittingherbrows，tryingtofigure。
\"Ah!\"heexploded。\"Youseeyoudon’tknow!Sheisninety—onedaysandeighthours!Ha，ha!Imaginewhenshewillbeabletowalkallalone。Thenwewilltakeherbackwithus；wemustwaitatleastsixmonths。\"Then，toolate，poorGeorgerealizedthathehadspokenthefatalphraseagain。
\"Ifonlyyouhadn’tputoffourmarriage，shewouldbeabletowalknow，\"saidHenriette。
Herosesuddenly。\"Come，\"hesaid，\"didn’tyousayyouhadtodressandpaysomecalls？\"
Henriettelaughed，buttookthehint。
\"Runalong，littlewife，\"hesaid。\"Ihavealotofworktodointhemeantime。Youwon’tbedown—stairsbeforeIshallhavemynoseburiedinmypapers。Bye—bye。\"
\"Bye—bye，\"saidHenriette。Buttheypausedtoexchangeadozenorsokissesbeforeshewentawaytodress。
ThenGeorgelightedacigaretteandstretchedhimselfoutinthebigarmchair。Heseemedrestless；heseemedtobedisturbedaboutsomething。Coulditbethathehadnotbeensomuchateaseashehadpretendedtobe，sincetheletterhadcomefromthebaby’snurse？MadameDuponthadgonebytheearliesttrainthatmorning。Shehadpromisedtotelegraphatonce——butshehadnotdoneso，andnowitwaslateafternoon。
Georgegotupandwanderedabout。Helookedathimselfintheglassforamoment；thenhewentbacktothechairandpulledupanothertoputhisgeetupon。Hepuffedawayathiscigaretteuntilhewascalmer。Butthensuddenlyheheardtherustleofadressbehindhim，andglancedabout，andstartedupwithanexclamation，\"Mother!\"
MadameDupontstoodinthedoorway。Shedidnotspeak。HerveilwasthrownbackandGeorgenotedinstantlythelookofagitationuponhercountenance。
\"What’sthematter？\"hecried。\"Wedidn’tgetanytelegramfromyou；wewerenotexpectingyoutilltomorrow。\"
Stillhismotherdidnotspeak。
\"Henriettewasjustgoingout，\"heexclaimednervously；\"Ihadbettercallher。\"
\"No!\"saidhismotherquickly。Hervoicewaslowandtrembling。
\"IdidnotwantHenriettetobeherewhenIarrived。\"
\"Butwhat’sthematter？\"criedGeorge。
Againtherewasasilencebeforethereplycame。Hereadsomethingterribleinthemother’smanner，andhefoundhimselftremblingviolently。
\"Ihavebroughtbackthechildandthenurse，\"saidMadameDupont。
\"What!Isthelittleonesick？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"What’sthematterwithher？\"
\"Nothingdangerous——forthemoment，atleast。\"
\"Wemustsendandgetthedoctor!\"criedGeorge。
\"Ihavejustcomefromthedoctor’s，\"wasthereply。\"Hesaiditwasnecessarytotakeoutchildfromthenurseandbringheruponthebottle。\"
Againtherewasapause。Georgecouldhardlybringhimselftoaskthenextquestion。Tryashewould，hecouldnotkeephisvoicefromweakening。\"Well，now，whatishertrouble？\"
Themotherdidnotanswer。Shestoodstaringbeforeher。Atlastshesaid，faintly，\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"Youdidn’task？\"
\"Iasked。ButitwasnottoourowndoctorthatIwent。\"
\"Ah!\"whisperedGeorge。Fornearlyaminuteneitheroneofthemspoke。\"Why？\"heinquiredatlast。
\"Because——he——thenurse’sdoctor——hadfrightenedmeso——\"
\"Truly？\"
\"Yes。Itisadisease——\"againshestopped。
Georgecried，inavoiceofagony，\"andthen？\"
\"ThenIaskedhimifthematterwassogravethatIcouldnotbesatisfiedwithourordinarydoctor。\"
\"Andwhatdidheanswer？\"
\"Hesaidthatifwehadthemeansitwouldreallybebettertoconsultaspecialist。\"
Georgelookedathismotheragain。Hewasabletodoit，becauseshewasnotlookingathim。Heclenchedhishandsandgothimselftogether。\"And——wheredidhesendyou？\"
Hismotherfumbledinherhandbaganddrewoutavisitingcard。
\"Here，\"shesaid。
AndGeorgelookedatthecard。Itwasallhecoulddotokeephimselffromtottering。Itwasthecardofthedoctorwhomhehadfirstconsultedabouthistrouble!Thespecialistinvenerealdiseases!
CHAPTERIV
ItwasallGeorgecoulddotocontrolhisvoice。\"You——youwenttoseehim？\"hestammered。
\"Yes，\"saidhismother。\"Youknowhim？\"
\"No，no，\"heanswered。\"Or——thatis——Ihavemethim，Ithink。I
don’tknow。\"Andthentohimself，\"MyGod!\"
Therewasasilence。\"Heiscomingtotalktoyou，\"saidthemother，atlast。
Georgewashardlyabletospeak。\"Thenheisverymuchdisturbed？\"
\"No，buthewantstotalktoyou。\"
\"Tome？\"
\"Yes。Whenthedoctorsawthenurse，hesaid，’Madame，itisimpossibleformetocontinuetoattendthischildunlessIhavehadthisverydayaconversationwitthefather。’SoIsaid’Verywell，’andhesaidhewouldcomeatonce。\"
Georgeturnedaway，andputhishandstohisforehead。\"Mypoorlittledaughter!\"hewhisperedtohimself。