\"Yes，\"saidthemother，hervoicebreaking，\"sheis，indeed，apoorlittledaughter!\"
Asilencefell；forwhatcouldwordsavailinsuchasituation？
Hearingthedooropen，MadameDupontstarted，forhernerveswerealla—quiverwiththestrainshehadbeenunder。Aservantcameinandspoketoher，andshesaidtoGeorge，\"Itisthedoctor。
Ifyouneedme，Ishallbeinthenextroom。\"
Hersonstoodtrembling，asifhewerewaitingtheapproachofanexecutioner。Theothercameintotheroomwithoutseeinghimandhestoodforaminute，claspingandunclaspinghishands，almostovercomewithemotion。Thenhesaid，\"Good—day，doctor。\"Asthemanstaredathim，surprisedandpuzzled，headded，\"Youdon’trecognizeme？\"
Thedoctorlookedagain，moreclosely。Georgewasexpectinghimtobreakoutinrage；butinsteadhisvoicefelllow。\"You!\"heexclaimed。\"Itisyou!\"
Atlast，inavoiceofdiscouragementthanofanger，hewenton，\"Yougotmarried，andyouhaveachild!AfterallthatItoldyou!Youareawretch!\"
\"Sir，\"criedGeorge，\"letmeexplaintoyou!\"
\"Notaword!\"exclaimedtheother。\"Therecanbenoexplanationforwhatyouhavedone。\"
Asilencefollowed。Theyoungmandidnotknowwhattosay。
Finally，stretchingouthisarms，hepleaded，\"Youwilltakecareofmylittledaughterallthesame，willyounot？\"
Theotherturnedawaywithdisgust。\"Imbecile!\"hesaid。
Georgedidnotheartheword。\"Iwasabletowaitonlysixmonths，\"hemurmured。
Thedoctoransweredinavoiceofcoldself—repression，\"Thatisenough，sir!Allthatdoesnotconcernme。Ihavedonewrongeventoletyouseemyindignation。Ishouldhaveleftyoutojudgeyourself。Ihavenothingtodoherebutwiththepresentandwiththefuture——withtheinfantandwiththenurse。\"
\"Sheisn’tindanger？\"criedGeorge。
\"Thenurseisindangerofbeingcontaminated。\"
ButGeorgehadnotbeenthinkingaboutthenurse。\"Imeanmychild，\"hesaid。
\"Justatpresentthesymptomsarenotdisturbing。\"
Georgewaited；afterawhilehebegan，\"Youweresayingaboutthenurse。WillyouconsentthatIcallmymother？SheknowsbetterthanI。\"
\"Asyouwish，\"wasthereply。
Theyoungmanstartedtothedoor，butcameback，interribledistress。\"Ihaveoneprayertoofferyousir；arrangeitsothatmywife——sothatnoonewillknow。IfmywifelearnedthatitisIwhoamthecause——!ItisforherthatIimploreyou!
She——sheisn’ttoblame。\"
Saidthedoctor：\"Iwilldoeverythinginmypowerthatshemaybekeptignorantofthetruenatureofthedisease。\"
\"Oh，howIthankyou!\"murmuredGeorge。\"HowIthankyou!\"
\"Donotthankme；itisforher，andnotforyou，thatIwillconsenttolie。\"
\"Andmymother？\"
\"Yourmotherknowsthetruth。\"
\"But——\"
\"Iprayyou，sir——wehaveenoughtotalkabout，andveryseriousmatters。\"
SoGeorgewenttothedoorandcalledhismother。Sheenteredandgreetedthedoctor，holdingherselferect，andstrivingtokeepthesignsofgriefandterrorfromherface。Shesignedtothedoctortotakeaseat，andthenseatedherselfbyalittletablenearhim。
\"MadameDupont，\"hebegan，\"Ihaveprescribedacourseoftreatmentforthechild。Ihopetobeabletoimproveitscondition，andtopreventanynewdevelopments。Butmydutyandyoursdoesnotstopthere；ifthereisstilltime，itisnecessarytoprotectthehealthofthenurse。\"
\"Telluswhatitisnecessarytodo，Doctor？\"saidshe。
\"Thewomanmuststopnursingthechild。\"
\"Youmeanwehavetochangethenurse？\"
\"Madame，thechildcannolongerbebroughtupatthebreast，eitherbythatnurseorbyanyothernurse。\"
\"Butwhy，sir？\"
\"Becausethechildwouldgiveherdiseasetothewomanwhogavehermilk。\"
\"But，Doctor，ifweputheronthebottle——ourlittleone——shewilldie!\"
AndsuddenlyGeorgeburstoutintosobs。\"Oh，mypoorlittledaughter!MyGod，myGod!\"
Saidthedoctor，\"Ifthefeedingiswellattendedto，withsterilizedmilk——\"
\"Thatcandoverywellforhealthyinfants，\"brokeinMadameDupont。\"Butattheageofthreemonthsonecannottakefromthebreastababylikeours，frailandill。Morethananyothersuchaninfanthasneedofanurse——isthatnottrue？\"
\"Yes，\"thedoctoradmitted，\"thatistrue。But——\"
\"Inthatcase，betweenthelifeofthechild，andthehealthofthenurse，youunderstandperfectlywellthatmychoiceismade。\"
BetweenherwordsthedoctorheardthesobbingofGeorge，whoseheadwasburiedinhisarms。\"Madame，\"hesaid，\"yourloveforthatbabyhasjustcausedyoutouttersomethingferocious!Itisnotforyoutochoose。Itisnotforyoutochoose。Iforbidthenursing。Thehealthofthatwomandoesnotbelongtoyou。\"
\"No，\"criedthegrandmother，wildly，\"nordoesthehealthofoutchildbelongtoyou!Ifthereisahopeofsavingit，thathopeisingivingitmorecarethananyotherchild；andyouwouldwishthatIputituponamodeofnourishmentwhichthedoctorscondemn，evenforvigorousinfants!YouexpectthatIwillletmyselfbetakeninlikethat？Iansweryou：sheshallhavethemilkwhichsheneeds，mypoorlittleone!Iftherewasasinglethingthatonecoulddotosaveher——Ishouldbeacriminaltoneglectit!\"AndMadameDupontbrokeout，withfuriousscorn，\"Thenurse!Thenurse!Weshallknowhowtodoourduty——weshalltakecareofher，repayher。Butourchildbeforeall!Nosir，no!EverythingthatcanbedonetosaveourbabyIshalldo，letitcostwhatitwill。Todowhatyousay——youdon’trealizeit——itwouldbeasifIshouldkillthechild!\"Intheendtheagonizedwomanburstintotears。\"Oh，mypoorlittleangel!Mylittlesavior!\"
Georgehadneverceasedsobbingwhilehismotherspoke；attheselastwordshissobsbecameloudcries。Hestruckthefloorwithhisfoot，hetorehishair，asifheweresufferingfromviolentphysicalpain。\"Oh，oh，oh!\"hecried。\"Mylittlechild!Mylittlechild!\"Andthen，inahorrifiedwhispertohimself，\"I
amawretch!Acriminal!\"
\"Madame，\"saidthedoctor，\"youmustcalmyourself；youmustbothcalmyourselves。Youwillnothelpoutthesituationbylamentations。Youmustlearntotakeitwithcalmness。\"
MadameDupontsetherlipstogether，andwithapainfuleffortrecoveredherself—control。\"Youareright，sir，\"shesaid，inalowvoice。\"Iaskyourpardon；butifyouonlyknewwhatthatchildmeanstome!Ilostoneatthatage。Iamanoldwoman，I
amawidow——Ihadhardlyhopedtolivelongenoughtobeagrandmother。But，asyousay——wemustbecalm。\"Sheturnedtotheyoungman，\"Calmyourself，myson。Itisapoorwaytoshowourloveforthechild，toabandonourselvestotears。Letustalk，Doctor，andseriously——coldly。ButIdeclaretoyouthatnothingwilleverinducemetoputthechildonthebottle，whenIknowthatitmightkillher。ThatisallIcansay。\"
Thedoctorreplied：\"Thisisn’tthefirsttimethatIfindmyselfinthepresentsituation。Madame，Ideclaretoyouthatalways——ALWAYS，youunderstand——personswhohaverejectedmyadvicehavehadreasontorepentitcruelly。\"
\"TheonlythingofwhichIshouldrepent——\"begantheother。
\"Yousimplydonotknow，\"interruptedthedoctor，\"whatsuchanurseiscapableof。Youcannotimaginewhatbitterness——
legitimatebitterness，youunderstand——joinedtotherapacity，thecupidity，themischief—makingimpulse——mightinspirethesepeopletodo。ForthemtheBOURGEOISisalwayssomewhatofanenemy；andwhentheyfindthemselvesinpositiontoavengetheirinferiority，theyareferocious。\"
\"Butwhatcouldthewomando？\"
\"Whatcouldshedo？Shecouldbringlegalproceedingsagainstyou。\"
\"Butsheismuchtoostupidtohavethatidea。\"
\"Otherswillputitintohermind。\"
\"Sheistoopoortopaythepreliminaryexpenses。\"
\"Anddoyouproposethentoprofitbyherignoranceandstupidity？Besides，shecouldobtainjudicialassistance。\"
\"Why，surely，\"exclaimedMadameDupont，\"suchathingwasneverheardof!Doyoumeanthat？\"
\"Iknowadozenprosecutionsofthatsort；andalwayswhentherehasbeencertainty，theparentshavelosttheircase。\"
\"Butsurely，Doctor，youmustbemistaken!Notinacaselikeours——notwhenitisaquestionofsavingthelifeofapoorlittleinnocent!\"
\"Oftentimesexactlysuchfactshavebeenpresented。\"
HereGeorgebrokein。\"Icangiveyouthedatesofthedecisions。\"Herosefromhischair，gladofanopportunitytobeuseful。\"Ihavethebooks，\"hesaid，andtookonefromthecaseandbroughtittothedoctor。
\"Allofthatisnouse——\"interposedthemother。
ButthedoctorsaidtoGeorge，\"Youwillbeabletoconvinceyourself。Theparentshavebeenforcedonceortwicetopaythenursearegularincome，andatothertimestheyhavehadtopayheranindemnity，ofwhichthefigurehasvariedbetweenthreeandeightthousandfrancs。\"
MadameDupontwasreadywithareplytothis。\"Neverfear，sir!
Ifthereshouldbeasuit，weshouldhaveagoodlawyer。Weshallbeabletopayandchoosethebest——andhewoulddemand，withoutdoubt，whichofthetwo，thenurseorthechild，hasgiventhediseasetotheother。\"
Thedoctorwasstaringatherinhorror。\"Doyounotperceivethatwouldbeamonstrousthingtodo？\"
\"Oh，Iwouldnothavetosayit，\"wasthereply。\"Thelawyerwouldseetoit——isnotthathisprofession？Mypointisthis：
byonemeansoranotherhewouldmakeuswinourcase。\"
\"Andthescandalthatwouldresult，\"repliedtheother。\"Haveyouthoughtofthat？\"
HereGeorge，whohadbeenlookingoverhislaw—books，brokein。
\"Doctor，permitmetogiveyoualittleinformation。Incasesofthissort，thenamesareneverprinted。\"
\"Yes，buttheyarespokenatthehearings。\"
\"That’strue。\"
\"Andareyoucertainthattherewillnotbeanynewspapertoprintthejudgment？\"
\"Whatwon’ttheystoopto，\"exclaimedMadameDupont——\"thosefilthyjournals!\"
\"Ah，\"saidtheother，\"andseewhatascandal？Whatashameitwouldbetoyou!\"
\"Thedoctorisright，mother，\"exclaimedtheyoungman。
ButMadameDupontwasnotyetconvinced。\"Wewillpreventthewomanfromtakinganysteps；wewillgiveherwhatshedemandsfromus。\"
\"Butthen，\"saidtheother，\"youwillgiveyourselvesuptotheriskofblackmail。Iknowafamilywhichhasbeenthusheldupforovertwelveyears。\"
\"Ifyouwillpermitme，Doctor，\"saidGeorge，timidly，\"shecouldbemadetosignareceipt。\"
\"Forpaymentinfull？\"askedthedoctor，scornfully。
\"Evenso。\"
\"Andthen，\"addedhismother，\"shewouldbemorethandelightedtogobacktohercountrywithafullpurse。Shewouldbeabletobuyalittlehouseandabitofground——inthatcountryonedoesn’tneedsomuchinordertolive。\"
Atthismomenttherewasatapuponthedoor，andthenurseentered。Shewasacountrywoman，robust，rosy—cheeked，fairlyburstingwithhealth。Whenshespokeonegottheimpressionthathervoicewasmorethanshecouldcontain。Itdidnotbelonginadrawing—room，butundertheopenskyofhercountryhome。
\"Sir，\"shesaid，addressingthedoctor，\"thebabyisawake。\"
\"Iwillgoandseeher，\"wasthereply；andthentoMadameDupont，\"Wewilltakeupthisconversationlateron。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidthemother。\"Willyouhaveneedofthenurse？\"
\"No，Madame，\"thedoctoranswered。
\"Nurse，\"saidthemother，\"sitdownandrest。Waitaminute，I
wishtospeaktoyou。\"Asthedoctorwentout，shetookhersontoonesideandwhisperedtohim，\"Iknowthewaytoarrangeeverything。Ifweletherknowwhatisthematter，andifsheaccepts，thedoctorwillhavenothingmoretosay。Isn’tthatso？\"
\"Obviously，\"repliedtheson。
\"Iamgoingtopromisethatwewillgivehertwothousandfrancswhenshegoesaway，ifshewillconsenttocontinuenursingthechild。\"
\"Twothousandfrancs？\"saidtheother。\"Isthatenough？\"
\"Iwillsee，\"wasthereply。\"Ifshehesitates，Iwillgofurther。Letmeattendtoit。\"
Georgenoddedhisassent，andMadameDupontreturnedtothenurse。\"Youknow，\"shesaid，\"thatourchildisalittlesick？\"
Theotherlookedatherinsurprise。\"Whyno，ma’am!\"
\"Yes，\"saidthegrandmother。
\"But，ma’am，Ihavetakenthebestofcareofher；Ihavealwayskeptherproper。\"
\"Iamnotsayinganythingtothecontrary，\"saidMadameDupont，\"butthechildissick，thedoctorshavesaidit。\"
Thenursewasnottobepersuaded；shethoughttheyweregettingreadytoscoldher。\"Humph，\"shesaid，\"that’safinething——thedoctors!Iftheycouldn’talwaysfindsomethingwrongyou’dsaytheydidn’tknowtheirbusiness。\"
\"Butourdoctorisagreatdoctor；andyouhaveseenyourselfthatourchildhassomelittlepimples。\"
\"Ah，ma’am，\"saidthenurse，\"that’stheheat——it’snothingbuttheheatofthebloodbreakingout。Youdon’tneedtobotheryourself；Itellyouit’sonlythechild’sblood。It’snotmyfault；Isweartoyouthatshehadnotlackedanything，andthatIhavealwayskeptherproper。\"
\"Iamnotreproachingyou——\"
\"Whatistheretoreproachmefor？Oh，whatbadluck!She’stiny——thelittleone——she’sabitfeeble；butLordsaveus，she’sacitychild!Andshe’sgettingalongallright，Itellyou。\"
\"No，\"persistedMadameDupont，\"Itellyou——shehasgotacoldinherhead，andshehasaneruptionatthebackofthethroat。\"
\"Well，\"criedthenurse，angrily，\"ifshehas，it’sbecausethedoctorscratchedherwiththatspoonheputintohermouthwrongendfirst!Acoldinthehead？Yes，that’strue；butifshehascaughtcold，Ican’tsaywhen，Idon’tknowanythingaboutit——
nothing，nothingatall。Ihavealwayskeptherwellcovered；
she’salwayshadasmuchasthreecoversonher。Thetruthis，itwaswhenyoucame，thetimebeforelast；youwereallthetimeinsistinguponopeningthewindowsinthehouse!\"
\"ButoncemoreItellyou，\"criedMadameDupont，\"wearenotputtinganyblameonyou。\"
\"Yes，\"criedthewoman，morevehemently。\"Iknowwhatthatkindoftalkmeans。It’snouse——whenyou’reapoorcountrywoman。\"
\"Whatareyouimaginingnow？\"demandedtheother。
\"Oh，that’sallright。It’snousewhenyou’reapoorcountrywoman。\"
\"Irepeattoyouoncemore，\"criedMadameDupont，withdifficultycontrollingherimpatience，\"wehavenothingwhatevertoblameyoufor。\"
Butthenursebegantoweep。\"IfIhadknownthatanythinglikethiswascomingtome——\"
\"Wehavenothingtoblameyoufor，\"declaredtheother。\"Weonlywishtowarnyouthatyoumightpossiblycatchthediseaseofthechild。\"
Thewomanpouted。\"Acoldinthehead!\"sheexclaimed。\"Well，ifIcatchit，itwon’tbethefirsttime。Iknowhowtoblowmynose。\"
\"Butyoumightalsogetthepimples。\"
Atthisthenurseburstintolaughtersoloudthatthebric—a—bracrattled。\"Oh，oh，oh!Dearlady，letmetellyou，weain’tcityfolks，weain’t；wedon’thavesuchsoftskins。
Whatsortoftalkisthat？Pimples——whatdifferencewouldthatmaketopoorfolkslikeus？Wedon’thaveawhitecomplexionliketheladiesofParis。Weareoutalldayinthefields，inthesunandtherain，insteadofrubbingcoldcreamonourmuzzles!Nooffense，ma’am——butIsayifyou’relookingforanexcusetogetridofme，youmustgetabetteronethanthat。\"
\"Excuse!\"exclaimedtheother。\"Whatintheworlddoyoumean？\"
\"Oh，Iknow!\"saidthenurse，noddingherhead。
\"Butspeak!\"
\"It’snouse，whenyou’reonlyapoorcountrywoman。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou!IsweartoyouthatIdon’tunderstandyou!\"
\"Well，\"sneeredtheother，\"Iunderstand。\"
\"Butthen——explainyourself。\"
\"No，Idon’twanttosayit。\"
\"Butyoumust；Iwishit。\"
\"Well——\"
\"Goahead。\"
\"I’monlyapoorcountrywoman，butIamnomorestupidthantheothers，forallthat。Iknowperfectlywellwhatyourtricksmean。Mr。Georgeherehasbeengrumblingbecauseyoupromisedmethirtyfrancsmoreamonth，ifIcametoParis。\"Andthen，turningupontheother，shewenton——\"But，sir，isn’titonlynatural？Don’tIhavetoputmyownchildawaysomewhereselse？
Andthen，canmyhusbandliveonhisappetite？We’renothingbutpoorcountrypeople，weare。\"
\"Youaremakingamistake，nurse，\"brokeinGeorge。\"Itisnothingatallofthatsort；motherisquiteright。Iamsofarfromwantingtoreproachyou，that，onthecontrary，Ithinkshehadnotpromisedenough，andIwanttomakeyou，formypart，anotherpromise。Whenyougoaway，whenbabyisoldenoughtobeweaned，bywayofthankingyou，wewishtogiveyou——\"
MadameDupontbrokein，hurriedly，\"Wewishtogiveyou，——overandaboveyourwages，youunderstand——wewishtogiveyoufivehundredfrancs，andperhapsathousand，ifthelittleoneisaltogetheringoodhealth。Youunderstand？\"
Thenursestaredather，stupefied。\"Youwillgivemefivehundredfrancs——formyself？\"Shesoughttocomprehendthewords。
\"Butthatwasnotagreed，youdon’thavetodothatatall。\"
\"No，\"admittedMadameDupont。
\"Butthen，\"whisperedthenurse，halftoherself，\"that’snotnatural。\"
\"Yes，\"theotherhurriedon，\"itisbecausethebabywillhaveneedofextracare。Youwillhavetotakemoretrouble；youwillhavetogiveitmedicines；yourtaskwillbealittlemoredelicate，alittlemoredifficult。\"
\"Oh，yes；thenit’ssothatIwillbesuretotakecareofher？
Iunderstand。\"
\"Thenit’sagreed？\"exclaimedMadameDupont，withrelief。
\"Yesma’am，\"saidthenurse。
\"Andyouwon’tcomelaterontomakereproachestous？Weunderstandoneanotherclearly？Wehavewarnedyouthatthechildissickandthatyoucouldcatchthedisease。Becauseofthat，becauseofthespecialneedofcarewhichshehas，wepromiseyoufivehundredfrancsattheendofthenursing。
That’sallright，isit？
\"But，mylady，\"criedthenurse，allhercupidityawakened，\"youspokejustnowofathousandfrancs。\"
\"Verywell，then，athousandfrancs。\"
Georgepassedbehindthenurseandgothismotherbythearm，drawinghertooneside。\"Itwouldbeamistake，\"hewhispered，\"ifwedidnotmakehersignanagreementtoallthat。\"
Hismotherturnedtothenurse。\"Inorderthattheremaybenomisunderstandingaboutthesum——youseehowitis，IhadforgottenalreadythatIhadspokenofathousandfrancs——wewilldrawupalittlepaper，andyou，onyourpart，willwriteoneforus。\"
\"Verygood，ma’am，\"saidthenurse，delightedwiththeideaofsoimportantatransaction。\"Why，it’sjustasyoudowhenyourentahouse!\"
\"Herecomesthedoctor，\"saidtheother。\"Come，nurse，itisagreed？\"
\"Yes，ma’am，\"wastheanswer。Butallthesame，asshewentoutshehesitatedandlookedsharplyfirstatthedoctor，andthenatGeorgeandhismother。Shesuspectedthatsomethingwaswrong，andshemeanttofindoutifshecould。
ThedoctorseatedhimselfinGeorge’sofficechair，asiftowriteaprescription。\"Thechild’sconditionremainsthesame，\"
hesaid；\"nothingdisturbing。\"
\"Doctor，\"saidMadameDupont，gravely，\"fromnowon，youwillbeabletodevoteyourattentiontothebabyandthenursewithoutanyscruple。Duringyourabsencewehavearrangedmattersnicely。Thenursehasbeeninformedaboutthesituation，andshedoesnotmind。Shehasagreedtoacceptanindemnity，andtheamounthasbeenstated。\"
Butthedoctordidnottakethesetidingsastheotherhadhopedhemight。Hereplied：\"Themaladywhichthenursewillalmostinevitablycontractinfeedingthechildistoograveinitsconsequences。Suchconsequencesmightgoasfarascompletehelplessness，evenasfarasdeath。SoIsaythattheindemnity，whateveritmightbe，wouldnotpaythedamage。\"
\"But，\"exclaimedtheother，\"sheacceptsit!Sheismistressofherself，andshehastheright——\"
\"Iamnotatallcertainthatshehastherighttosellherownhealth。AndIamcertainthatshehasnottherighttosellthehealthofherhusbandandherchildren。Ifshebecomesinfected，itisnearlycertainthatshewillcommunicatethediseasetothem；thehealthandthelifeofthechildrenshemighthavelateronwouldbegreatlycompromised。Suchthingsshecannotpossiblysell。Come，madame，youmustseethatabargainofthissortisn’tpossible。Iftheevilhasnotbeendone，youmustdoeverythingtoavoidit。\"
\"Sir，\"protestedthemother，wildly，\"youdonotdefendourinterests!\"
\"Madame，\"wasthereply，\"Idefendthosewhoareweakest。\"
\"Ifwehadcalledinourownphysician，whoknowsus，\"sheprotested，\"hewouldhavetakensideswithus。\"
Thedoctorrose，withaseverelookonhisface。\"Idoubtit，\"
hesaid，\"butthereisstilltimetocallhim。\"
Georgebrokeinwithacryofdistress。\"Sir，Iimploreyou!\"
Andthemotherinturncried。\"Don’tabandonus，sir!Yououghttomakeallowances!Ifyouknewwhatthatchildistome!I
tellyouitseemstomeasifIhadwaitedforhercominginordertodie。Havepityuponus!Havepityuponher!Youspeakoftheweakest——itisnotshewhoistheweakest？Youhaveseenher，youhaveseenthatpoorlittlebaby，soemaciated!Youhaveseenwhataheapofsufferingsheisalready；andcannotthatinspireinyouanysympathy？Iprayyou，sir——Iprayyou!\"
\"Ipityher，\"saidthedoctor，\"Iwouldliketosaveher——andI
willdoeverythingforher。Butdonotaskmetosacrificetoafeebleinfant，withanuncertainandprobablyunhappylife，thehealthofasoundandrobustwoman。Itisuselessforustocontinuesuchadiscussionasthat。\"
WhereuponMadameDupontleapedupinsuddenfrenzy。\"VeryWell!\"
sheexclaimed。\"Iwillnotfollowyourcounsels，Iwillnotlistentoyou!\"
Saidthedoctorinasolemnvoice：\"Thereisalreadysomeoneherewhoregretsthathedidnotlistentome。\"
\"Yes，\"moanedGeorge，\"tomymisfortune，tothemisfortuneofallofus。\"
ButMadameDupontwasquitebesideherself。\"Verywell!\"shecried。\"Ifitisafault，ifitisacrime，ifIshallhavetosufferremorseforitinthislife，andallthepunishmentsinthelifetocome——Iacceptitallformyselfalone!Myselfalone，Itakethatresponsibility!Itisfrightfullyheavy，butIacceptit。IamprofoundlyaChristiansir；Ibelieveineternaldamnation；buttosavemylittlechildIconsenttolosemysoulforever。Yes，mymindismadeup——Iwilldoeverythingtosavethatlife!LetGodjudgeme；andifhecondemnsme，somuchtheworseforme!\"
Thedoctoranswered：\"ThatresponsibilityisonewhichIcannotletyoutake，foritwillbenecessarythatIshouldacceptmypart，andIrefuseit。\"
\"Whatwillyoudo？\"
\"Ishallwarnthenurse。Ishallinformherexactly，completely——somethingwhichyouhavenotdone，Ifeelsure。\"
\"What？\"criedMadameDupont，wildly。\"You，adoctor，calledintoafamilywhichgivesyouitsentireconfidence，whichhandsovertoyouitsmostterriblesecrets，itsmosthorriblemiseries——youwouldbetraythem？\"
\"Itisnotabetrayal，\"repliedtheman，sternly。\"Itissomethingwhichthelawcommands；andevenifthelawweresilent，Iwouldnotpermitafamilyofworthypeopletogoastraysofarastocommitacrime。EitherIgiveupthecase，oryouhavethenursingofthechildstopped。\"
\"Youthreaten!Youthreaten!\"criedthewoman，almostfrantic。
\"Youabusethepowerwhichyourknowledgegivesyou!Youknowthatitisyouwhoseattentionweneedbythatlittlecradle；youknowthatwebelieveinyou，andyouthreatentoabandonus!
Yourabandonmentmeansthedeathofthechild，perhaps!AndifI
listentoyou，ifwestopthenursingofthechild——thatalsomeansherdeath!\"
Sheflungupherhandslikeamadcreature。\"Andyetthereisnoothermeans!Ah，myGod!Whydoyounotletitbepossibleformetosacrificemyself？Iwouldwishnothingmorethantobeabletodoit——ifonlyyoumighttakemyoldbody，myoldflesh，myoldbones——ifonlyImightserveforsomething!HowquicklywouldIconsentthatitshouldinfectme——thisatrociousmalady!
HowIwouldoffermyselftoit——withwhatjoys，withwhatdelights——howeverdisgusting，howeverfrightfulitmightbe，howevermuchtobedreaded!Yes，Iwouldtakeitwithoutfear，withoutregret，ifmypooroldemptybreastsmightstillgivetothechildthemilkwhichwouldpreserveitslife!\"
Shestopped；andGeorgesprangsuddenlyfromhisseat，andfledtoherandflunghimselfdownuponhiskneesbeforeher，minglinghissobsandtearswithhers。
Thedoctorroseandmovedabouttheroom，unableanylongertocontrolhisdistress。\"Oh，thepoorpeople!\"hemurmuredtohimself。\"Thepoor，poorpeople!\"
Thestormpassed，andMadameDupont，whowasawomanofstrongcharacter，gotherselftogether。Facingthedoctoragain，shesaid，\"Come，sir，telluswhatwehavetodo。\"
\"Youmuststopthenursing，andkeepthewomanhereasadrynurse，inorderthatshemaynotgoawaytocarrythediseaseelsewhere。Donotexaggeratetoyourselfthedangerwhichwillresulttothechild。Iam，intruth，extremelymovedbyyoursuffering，andIwilldoeverything——Iswearittoyou——thatyourbabymayrecoverasquicklyaspossibleitsperfecthealth。I
hopetosucceed，andthatsoon。AndnowImustleaveyouuntiltomorrow。\"
\"Thankyou，Doctor，thankyou，\"saidMadameDupont，faintly。
Theyoungmanroseandaccompaniedthedoctortothedoor。Hecouldnotbringhimselftospeak，butstoodhanginghisheaduntiltheotherwasgone。Thenhecametohismother。Hesoughttoembraceher，butsherepelledhim——withoutviolence，butfirmly。
Hersonsteppedbackandputhishandsoverhisface。\"Forgiveme!\"hesaid，inabrokenvoice。\"Arewenotunhappyenough，withouthatingeachother？\"
Hismotheranswered：\"Godhaspunishedyouforyourdebauchbystrikingatyourchild。\"
But，grief—strickenastheyoungmanwas，hecouldnotbelievethat。\"Impossible!\"hesaid。\"ThereisnotevenamansufficientlywickedorunjusttocommittheactwhichyouattributetoyourGod!\"
\"Yes，\"saidhismother，sadly，\"youbelieveinnothing。\"
\"IbelieveinnosuchGodasthat，\"heanswered。
Asilencefollowed。Whenitwasbroken，itwasbytheentranceofthenurse。Shehadopenedthedooroftheroomandhadbeenstandingthereforsomemoments，unheeded。Finallyshesteppedforward。\"Madame，\"shesaid，\"Ihavethoughtitover；Iwouldrathergobacktomyhomeatonce，andhaveonlythefivehundredfrancs。\"
MadameDupontstaredatherinconsternation。\"Whatisthatyouaresaying？Youwanttoreturntoyourhome？\"
\"Yes，ma’am，\"wastheanswer。
\"But，\"criedGeorge，\"onlytenminutesagoyouwerenotthinkingofit。\"
\"Whathashappenedsincethen？\"demandedMadameDupont。
\"Ihavethoughtitover。\"
\"Thoughtitover？\"
\"Well，Iamgettinglonesomeformylittleoneandformyhusband。\"
\"Inthelasttenminutes？\"exclaimedGeorge。
\"Theremustbesomethingelse，\"hismotheradded。\"Evidentlytheremustbesomethingelse。\"
\"No!\"insistedthenurse。
\"ButIsayyes!\"
\"Well，I’mafraidtheairofParismightnotbegoodforme。\"
\"Youhadbetterwaitandtryit。\"
\"Iwouldrathergobackatoncetomyhome。\"
\"Come，now，\"criedMadameDupont，\"telluswhy？\"
\"Ihavetoldyou。Ihavethoughtitover。\"
\"Thoughtwhatover？\"
\"Well，Ihavethought。\"
\"Oh，\"criedthemother，\"whatastupidreply!’Ihavethoughtitover!Ihavethoughtitover!’ThoughtWHATover，Iwanttoknow!\"
\"Well，everything。\"
\"Don’tyouknowhowtotelluswhat？\"
\"Itellyou，everything。\"
\"Why，\"exclaimedMadameDupont，\"youareanimbecile!\"
Georgesteppedbetweenhismotherandthenurse。\"Letmetalktoher，\"hesaid。
Thewomancamebacktoheroldformula：\"Iknowthatwe’reonlypoorcountrypeople。\"
\"Listentome，nurse，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Onlyalittlewhileagoyouwereafraidthatwewouldsendyouaway。Youweresatisfiedwiththewageswhichmymotherhadfixed。Inadditiontothosewageswehadpromisedyouagoodsumwhenyoureturnedtoyourhome。Nowyoutellusthatyouwanttogoaway。Yousee？Allatonce。Theremustbesomereason；letusunderstandit。Theremustcertainlybeareason。Hasanybodydoneanythingtoyou？\"
\"No，sir，\"saidthewoman，droppinghereyes。
\"Well，then？\"
\"Ihavethoughtitover。\"
Georgeburstout，\"Don’tgoonrepeatingalwaysthesamething——
’Ihavethoughtitover!’That’snottellingusanything。\"
Controllinghimself，headded，gently，\"Come，tellmewhyyouwanttogoaway？\"
Therewasasilence。\"Well？\"hedemanded。
\"Itellyou，Ihavethought——\"
Georgeexclaimedindespair，\"It’sasifoneweretalkingtoablockofwood!\"
Hismothertookuptheconversationagain。\"Youmustrealize，youhavenottherighttogoaway。\"
Thewomananswered，\"IWANTtogo。\"
\"ButIwillnotletyouleaveus。\"
\"No，\"interruptedGeorgeangrily，\"lethergo；wecannotfastenherhere。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"criedtheexasperatedmother，\"sinceyouwanttogo，go!ButIhavecertainlytherighttosaytoyouthatyouareasstupidastheanimalsonyourfarm!\"
\"Idon’tsaythatIamnot，\"answeredthewoman。
\"Iwillnotpayyouthemonthwhichhasjustbegun，andyouwillpayyourrailroadfareforyourself。\"
Theotherdrewbackwithalookofanger。\"Oho!\"shecried。
\"We’llseeaboutthat!\"
\"Yes，we’llseeaboutit!\"criedGeorge。\"Andyouwillgetoutofhereatonce。Takeyourselfoff——Iwillhavenomoretodowithyou。Goodevening。\"
\"No，George，\"protestedhismother，\"don’tlosecontrolofyourself。\"Andthen，withagreateffortatcalmness，\"Thatcannotbeserious，nurse!Answerme。\"
\"Iwouldrathergooffrightawaytomyhome，andonlyhavemyfivehundredfrancs。\"
\"WHAT？\"criedGeorge，inconsternation。
\"What’sthatyouaretellingme？\"exclaimedMadameDupont。
\"Fivehundredfrancs？\"repeatedherson。
\"Whatfivehundredfrancs？\"echoedthemother。
\"Thefivehundredfrancsyoupromisedme，\"saidthenurse。
\"Wehavepromisedyoufivehundredfrancs？WE？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whenthechildshouldbeweaned，andifweshouldbesatisfiedwithyou!Thatwasourpromise。\"
\"No。YousaidyouwouldgivethemtomewhenIwasleaving。NowIamleaving，andIwantthem。\"
MadameDupontdrewherselfup，haughtily。\"Inthefirstplace，\"
shesaid，\"kindlyobligemebyspeakingtomeinanothertone；doyouunderstand？\"
Thewomananswered，\"Youhavenothingtodobutgivememymoney，andIwillsaynothingmore。\"
Georgewentalmostbesidehimselfwithrageatthis。\"Oh，it’slikethat？\"heshouted。\"Verywell；I’llshowyou!\"Andhesprangtothedoorandopenedit。
Butthenurseneverbudged。\"Givememyfivehundredfrancs!\"
shesaid。
Georgeseizedherbythearmandshovedhertowardthedoor。
\"Youclearoutofhere，doyouunderstandme？Andasquicklyasyoucan!\"
Thewomanshookherarmloose，andsneeredintohisface。\"Comenow，you——youcantalktomealittlemorepolitely，eh？\"
\"Willyougo？\"shoutedGeorge，completelybesidehimself。\"Willyougo，ormustIgooutandlookforapoliceman？\"
\"Apoliceman!\"demandedthewoman。\"Forwhat？\"
\"Toputyououtside!Youarebehavingyourselflikeathief。\"
\"Athief？I？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imeanthatyouaredemandingmoneywhichdoesn’tbelongtoyou。\"
\"Morethanthat，\"brokeinMadameDupont，\"youaredestroyingthatpoorlittlebaby!Youareawickedwoman!\"
\"Iwillputyououtmyself!\"shoutedGeorge，andseizedherbythearmagain。
\"Oh，it’slikethat，isit？\"retortedthenurse。\"ThenyoureallywantmetotellyouwhyIamgoingaway？\"
\"Yes，tellme!\"criedhe。
Hismotheradded，\"Yes，yes!\"
ShewouldhavespokendifferentlyhadshechancedtolookbehindherandseenHenriette，whoatthatmomentappearedinthedoorway。Shehadbeenabouttogoout，whenherattentionhadbeencaughtbytheloudvoices。Shestoodnow，amazed，claspingherhandstogether，whilethenurse，shakingherfistfirstatMadameDupontandthenatherson，criedloudly，\"Verywell!I’mgoingawaybecauseIdon’twanttocatchafilthydiseasehere!\"
\"HUSH!\"criedMadameDupont，andsprangtowardher，herhandsclenchedasifshewouldchokeher。
\"Besilent!\"criedGeorge，wildwithterror。
Butthewomanrushedonwithoutdroppinghervoice，\"Oh，youneednotbetroublingyourselvesforfearanyoneshouldoverhear!Alltheworldknowsit!Yourotherservantswerelisteningwithmeatyourdoor!Theyheardeverywordyourdoctorsaid!\"
\"Shutup!\"screamedGeorge。
Hermotherseizedthewomanfiercelybythearm。\"Holdyourtongue!\"shehissed。
Butagaintheothershookherselfloose。Shewaspowerful，andnowherragewasnottobecontrolled。Shewavedherhandsintheair，shouting，\"Letmebe，letmebe!Iknowallaboutyourbrat——thatyouwillneverbeabletoraiseit——thatit’srottenbecauseit’sfatherhasafilthydiseasehegotfromawomanofthestreet!\"
Shegotnofarther。ShewasinterruptedbyafrenziedshriekfromHenriette。Thethreeturned，horrified，justintimetoseeherfallforwarduponthefloor，convulsed。
\"MyGod!\"criedGeorge。Hesprangtowardher，andtriedtolifther，butsheshrankfromhim，repellinghimwithagestureofdisgust，ofhatred，ofthemostprofoundterror。\"Don’ttouchme!\"shescreamed，likeamaniac。\"Don’ttouchme!\"
CHAPTERV
ItwasinvainthatMadameDupontsoughttocontrolherdaughter—
in—law。Henriettewasbesideherself，frantic，shecouldnotbebroughttolistentoanyone。Sherushedintotheotherroom，andwhentheolderwomanfollowedher，shriekedouttobeleftalone。Afterwards，shefledtoherownroomandbarredherselfin，andGeorgeandhismotherwaiteddistractedlyforhoursuntilsheshouldgivesomesign。
Wouldshekillherself，perhaps？MadameDuponthoveredonguardaboutthedoorofthenurseryforfearthatthemotherinherfitofinsanitymightattemptsomeharmtoherchild。
Thenursehadslunkawayabashedwhenshesawtheconsequencesofheroutburst。Bythetimeshehadgotherbelongingspacked，shehadrecoveredherassurance。Shewantedherfivehundred；alsoshewantedherwagesandherrailroadfarehome。Shewantedthematonce，andshewouldnotleaveuntilshegotthem。Georgeandhismother，inthemidstofalltheiranguishofmind，hadtogothroughadisgustingscenewiththiscoarseandangrywoman。
Theyhadnosuchsumofmoneyinthehouse，andthenurserefusedtoacceptacheck。Sheknewnothingaboutacheck。Itwassomuchpaper，andmightbesometrickthattheywereplayingonher。Shekeptrepeatingheroldformula，\"Iamnothingbutapoorcountrywoman。\"Norwouldshebecontentedwiththepromisethatshewouldreceivethemoneythenextday。Sheseemedtobeafraidthatifsheleftthehouseshewouldbesurrenderingherclaim。SoatlastthedistractedGeorgetosallyforthandobtainthecashfromsometradesmenintheneighborhood。
Thewomantookherdeparture。Theymadehersignareceiptinfullforallclaimsandtheystrovetopersuadethemselvesthatthismadethemsafe；butintheirheartstheyhadnorealconvictionofsafety。Whatwasthewoman’ssignature，orherpledgedword，againstthecupidityofherhusbandandrelatives。
Alwaysshewouldhavethedreadfulsecrettoholdoverthem，andsotheywouldliveundertheshadowofpossibleblackmail。
LaterinthedayHenriettesentforhermother—in—law。Shewaswhite，hereyeswereswollenwithweeping，andshespokeinavoicechokedwithsobs。Shewishedtoreturnatoncetoherfather’shome，andtotakelittleGervaisewithher。MadameDupontcriedoutinhorroratthisproposition，andarguedandpleadedandwept——butalltonopurpose。Thegirlwasimmovable。
Shewouldnotstayunderherhusband’sroof，andshewouldtakeherchildwithher。Itwasherright，andnoonecouldrefuseher。
Theinfanthadbeencryingforhours，butthatmadenodifference。Henrietteinsistedthatacabshouldbecalledatonce。
SoshewentbacktothehomeofMonsieurLochesandtoldhimthehideousstory。Neverbeforeinherlifehadshediscussedsuchsubjectswithanyone，butnowinheragitationshetoldherfatherall。AsGeorgehaddeclaredtothedoctor，MonsieurLocheswasapersonofviolenttemper；atthisrevelation，atthesightofhisdaughter’sagony，hewasalmostbesidehimself。Hisfaceturnedpurple，theveinsstoodoutonhisforehead；atremblingseizedhim。HedeclaredthathewouldkillGeorge——
therewasnothingelsetodo。Suchascoundrelshouldnotbepermittedtolive。
TheeffortwhichHenriettehadtomaketorestrainhimhadacalmingeffectuponherself。Bitterandindignantasshewas，shedidnotwantGeorgetobekilled。Sheclungtoherfather，beseechinghimtopromiseherthathewouldnotdosuchathing；
andallthatdayandeveningshewatchedhim，unwillingtolethimoutofhersight。
Therewasamatterwhichclaimedherimmediateattention，andwhichhelpedtowithdrawthemfromthecontemplationoftheirownsufferings。Theinfantmustbefedandcaredfor——theunhappyvictimofotherpeople’ssins，whoselifewasnowimperiled。A
drynursemustbefoundatonce，anursecompetenttotakeeveryprecautionandgivethechildeverychance。Thisnursemustbeinformedofthenatureofthetrouble——anothermatterwhichrequiredagreatdealofanxiousthought。
ThateveningcameMadameDupont，tormentedbyanxietyaboutthechild’swelfare，andbeseechingpermissiontohelptakecareofit。Itwasimpossibletorefusesucharequest。Henriettecouldnotenduretoseeher，butthepoorgrandmotherwouldcomeandsitforhoursinthenursery，watchingthechildandthenurse，insilentagony。
Thiscontinuedfordays，whilepoorGeorgewanderedaboutathome，sufferingsuchtormentofmindascanhardlybeimagined。
Truly，inthesedayshepaidforhissins；hepaidathousand—
foldinagonizedandimpotentregret。Helookedbackuponthecourseofhislife，andtracedonebyonetheactswhichhadledhimandthosehelovedintothisnightmareoftorment。Hewouldhavebeenwillingtogivehislifeifhecouldhaveundonethoseacts。Butavengingnatureofferedhimnosucheasydeliveranceasthat。WeshudderaswereadthegrimwordsoftheJehovahoftheancientHebrews；andyetnotallthelearningofmoderntimeshasavailedtodeliverusfromthecrueldecree，thatthesinsofthefathersshallbevisiteduponthechildren。
Georgewrotenotestohiswife，imploringherforgiveness。Hepouredoutallhisagonyandshametoher，begginghertoseehimjustonce，togivehimachancetopleadhisdefense。Itwasnotmuchofadefense，tobesure；itwasonlythathehaddonenoworsethantheothersdid——onlythathewasawretchedvictimofignorance。Buthelovedher，hehadproventhathelovedher，andhepleadedthatforthesakeoftheirchildshewouldforgivehim。
Whenallthisavailednothing，hewenttoseethedoctor，whoseadvicehehadsoshamefullyneglected。Hebesoughtthismantointercedeforhim——whichthedoctor，ofcourse，refusedtodo。
Itwasanextra—medicalmatter，hesaid，andGeorgewasabsurdtoexpecthimtomeddleinit。
But，asamatteroffact，thedoctorhadalreadybeeninterceding——hehadgonefartherinpleadingGeorge’scausethanhewaswillingtohaveGeorgeknow。ForMonsieurLocheshadpaidhimavisit——hispurposebeingtoaskthedoctortocontinueattendanceupontheinfant，andalsotogiveHenrietteacertificatewhichshecoulduseinhersuitforadivorcefromherhusband。
Soinevitablytherehadbeenadiscussionofthewholequestionbetweenthetwomen。Thedoctorhadgrantedthefirstrequest，butrefusedthesecond。Inthefirstplace，hesaid，therewasaruleofprofessionalsecrecywhichwouldpreventhim。Andwhenthefather—in—lawrequestedtoknowiftheruleofprofessionalsecrecycompelledhimtoprotectacriminalagainsthonestpeople，thedoctoransweredthatevenifhisethicspermittedit，hewouldstillrefusetherequest。\"Iwouldreproachmyselfforever，\"hesaid，\"ifIhadaidedyoutoobtainsuchadivorce。\"
\"Then，\"criedtheoldman，vehemently，\"becauseyouprofesssuchandsuchtheories，becausetheexerciseofyourprofessionmakesyoutheconstantwitnessofsuchmiseries——thereforeitisnecessarythatmydaughtershouldcontinuetobearthatman’snameallherlife!\"
Thedoctoranswered，gently，\"Sir，Iunderstandandrespectyourgrief。Butbelieveme，youarenotinastateofmindtodecideaboutthesemattersnow。\"
\"Youaremistaken，\"declaredtheother，controllinghimselfwithaneffort。\"Ihavebeenthinkingaboutnothingelsefordays。I
havediscusseditwithmydaughter，andsheagreeswithme。