\"Youhavenotknownhowtoformaparty，\"saidLordDudley；\"itwillbealongtimeyetbeforeyouhaveapolicy。YoutalkagreatdealinFranceaboutorganizinglabor，andyouhavenotyetorganizedproperty。Sothisiswhathappens：Anyduke——andeveninthetimeofLouisXVIII。andCharlesX。thereweresomeleftwhohadtwohundredthousandfrancsayear，amagnificentresidence，andasumptuoustrainofservants——well，suchadukecouldlivelikeagreatlord。ThelastofthesegreatgentlemeninFrancewasthePrincedeTalleyrand。——Thisdukeleavesfourchildren，twoofthemgirls。Grantingthathehasgreatluckinmarryingthemallwell，eachofthesedescendantswillhavebutsixtyoreightythousandfrancsayearnow；eachisthefatherormotherofchildren，andconsequentlyobligedtolivewiththestrictesteconomyinaflatonthegroundfloororfirstfloorofalargehouse。Whoknowsiftheymaynotevenbehuntingafortune？
Henceforththeeldestson’swife，aduchessinnameonly，hasnocarriage，nopeople，noopera-box，notimetoherself。Shehasnotherownroomsinthefamilymansion，norherfortune，norherprettytoys；
sheisburiedintrade；shebuyssocksforherdearlittlechildren，nursesthemherself，andkeepsaneyeonhergirls，whomshenolongersendstoschoolataconvent。Thusyournoblestdameshavebeenturnedintoworthybrood-hens。\"
\"Alas！itistrue，\"saidJosephBridau。\"InourdaywecannotshowthosebeautifulflowersofwomanhoodwhichgracedthegoldenagesoftheFrenchMonarchy。Thegreatlady’sfanisbroken。Awomanhasnothingnowtoblushfor；sheneednotslanderorwhisper，hideherfaceorrevealit。Afanisofnousenowbutforfanningherself。
Whenonceathingisnomorethanwhatitis，itistoousefultobeaformofluxury。\"
\"EverythinginFrancehasaidedandabettedthe’perfectlady，’\"saidDanield’Arthez。\"Thearistocracyhasacknowledgedherbyretreatingtotherecessesofitslandedestates，whereithashiddenitselftodie——emigratinginlandbeforethemarchofideas，asofoldtoforeignlandsbeforethatofthemasses。ThewomenwhocouldhavefoundedEuropean/salons/，couldhaveguidedopinionandturneditinsideoutlikeaglove，couldhaveruledtheworldbyrulingthemenofartorofintellectwhooughttohaveruledit，havecommittedtheblunderofabandoningtheirground；theywereashamedofhavingtofightagainstthecitizenclassdrunkwithpower，andrushingoutontothestageoftheworld，theretobecuttopiecesperhapsbythebarbarianswhoareatitsheels。Hence，wherethemiddleclassinsistonseeingprincesses，thesearereallyonlyladylikeyoungwomen。Inthesedaysprincescanfindnogreatladieswhomtheymaycompromise；theycannotevenconferhonoronawomantakenupatrandom。TheDucdeBourbonwasthelastprincetoavailhimselfofthisprivilege。\"
\"AndGodaloneknowshowdearlyhepaidforit，\"saidLordDudley。
\"Nowadaysprinceshavelady-likewives，obligedtosharetheiropera-
boxwithotherladies；royalfavorcouldnotraisethemhigherbyahair’sbreadth；theyglideunremarkablebetweenthewatersofthecitizenclassandthoseofthenobility——notaltogethernoblenoraltogether/bourgeoises/，\"saidtheMarquisedeRochegudeacridly。
\"ThepresshasfallenheirtotheWoman，\"exclaimedRastignac。\"Shenolongerhasthequalityofaspoken/feuilleton/——delightfulcalumniesgracedbyelegantlanguage。Weread/feuilletons/writteninadialectwhichchangeseverythreeyears，societypapersaboutasmirthfulasanundertaker’smute，andaslightastheleadoftheirtype。Frenchconversationiscarriedonfromoneendofthecountrytotheotherinarevolutionaryjargon，throughlongcolumnsoftypeprintedinoldmansionswhereapressgroansintheplacewhereformerlyelegantcompanyusedtomeet。\"
\"Theknellofthehighestsocietyistolling，\"saidaRussianPrince。
\"Doyouhearit？Andthefirststrokeisyourmodernword/lady/。\"
\"Youareright，Prince，\"saiddeMarsay。\"The’perfectlady，’issuingfromtheranksofthenobility，orsproutingfromthecitizenclass，andtheproductofeverysoil，evenoftheprovincesistheexpressionofthesetimes，alastremainingembodimentofgoodtaste，grace，wit，anddistinction，allcombined，butdwarfed。WeshallseenomoregreatladiesinFrance，buttherewillbe’ladies’foralongtime，electedbypublicopiniontoformanupperchamberofwomen，andwhowillbeamongthefairsexwhata’gentleman’isinEngland。\"
\"Andthattheycallprogress！\"exclaimedMademoiselledesTouches。\"I
shouldliketoknowwheretheprogresslies？\"
\"Why，inthis，\"saidMadamedeNucingen。\"Formerlyawomanmighthavethevoiceofafish-seller，thewalkofagrenadier，thefaceofanimpudentcourtesan，herhairtoohighonherforehead，alargefoot，athickhand——shewasagreatladyinspiteofitall；butinthesedays，evenifshewereaMontmorency——ifaMontmorencywouldeverbesuchacreature——shewouldnotbealady。\"
\"Butwhatdoyoumeanbya’perfectlady’？\"askedCountAdamLaginski。
\"Sheisamodernproduct，adeplorabletriumphoftheelectivesystemasappliedtothefairsex，\"saidtheMinister。\"Everyrevolutionhasawordofitsownwhichepitomizesanddepictsit。\"
\"Youareright，\"saidtheRussian，whohadcometomakealiteraryreputationinParis。\"Theexplanationofcertainwordsaddedfromtimetotimetoyourbeautifullanguagewouldmakeamagnificenthistory。
/Organize/，forinstance，isthewordoftheEmpire，andsumsupNapoleoncompletely。\"
\"Butallthatdoesnotexplainwhatismeantbyalady！\"theyoungPoleexclaimed，withsomeimpatience。
\"Well，Iwilltellyou，\"saidEmileBlondettoCountAdam。\"OnefinemorningyougoforasaunterinParis。Itispasttwo，butfivehasnotyetstruck。Youseeawomancomingtowardsyou；yourfirstglanceatherisliketheprefacetoagoodbook，itleadsyoutoexpectaworldofeleganceandrefinement。Likeabotanistoverhillanddaleinhispursuitofplants，amongthevulgaritiesofParislifeyouhaveatlastfoundarareflower。Thiswomanisattendedbytwoverydistinguished-lookingmen，ofwhomone，atanyrate，wearsanorder；
orelseaservantoutofliveryfollowsheratadistanceoftenyards。Shedisplaysnogaudycolors，noopen-workedstockings，noover-elaboratewaist-buckle，noembroideredfrillstoherdrawersfussingroundherankles。Youwillseethatsheisshodwithprunellashoes，withsandalscrossedoverextremelyfinecottonstockings，orplaingraysilkstockings；orperhapsshewearsbootsofthemostexquisitesimplicity。Younoticethathergownismadeofaneatandinexpensivematerial，butmadeinawaythatsurprisesmorethanonewomanofthemiddleclass；itisalmostalwaysalongpelisse，withbowstofastenit，andneatlyboundwithfinecordoranimperceptiblebraid。TheUnknownhasawayofherowninwrappingherselfinhershawlormantilla；sheknowshowtodrawitroundherfromherhipstoherneck，outliningacarapace，asitwere，whichwouldmakeanordinarywomanlooklikeaturtle，butwhichinhersetsoffthemostbeautifulformswhileconcealingthem。Howdoesshedoit？Thissecretshekeeps，thoughunguardedbyanypatent。
\"Asshewalksshegivesherselfalittleconcentricandharmonioustwist，whichmakeshersuppleordangerousslendernesswritheunderthestuff，asasnakedoesunderthegreengauzeoftremblinggrass。
Isittoanangeloradevilthatsheowesthegracefulundulationwhichplaysunderherlongblacksilkcape，stirsitslacefrill，shedsanairybalm，andwhatIshouldliketocallthebreezeofaParisienne？Youmayrecognizeoverherarms，roundherwaist，aboutherthroat，ascienceofdraperyrecallingtheantiqueMnemosyne。
\"Oh！howthoroughlysheunderstandsthe/cut/ofhergait——forgivetheexpression。Studythewaysheputsherfootforwardmouldingherskirtwithsuchadecentprecisenessthatthepasser-byisfilledwithadmiration，mingledwithdesire，butsubduedbydeeprespect。WhenanEnglishwomanattemptsthisstep，shelookslikeagrenadiermarchingforwardtoattackaredoubt。ThewomenofParishaveageniusforwalking。Themunicipalityreallyowedthemasphaltfootwalks。
\"OurUnknownjostlesnoone。Ifshewantstopass，shewaitswithproudhumilitytillsomeonemakesway。Thedistinctionpeculiartoawell-bredwomanbetraysitself，especiallyinthewaysheholdshershawlorcloakcrossedoverherbosom。Evenasshewalksshehasalittleairofserenedignity，likeRaphael’sMadonnasintheirframes。
Heraspect，atoncequietanddisdainful，makesthemostinsolentdandystepasideforher。
\"Herbonnet，remarkableforitssimplicity，istrimmedwithcrispribbons；theremaybeflowersinit，butthecleverestofsuchwomenwearonlybows。Feathersdemandacarriage；flowersaretooshowy。
Beneathityouseethefreshunwornfaceofawomanwho，withoutconceit，issureofherself；wholooksatnothing，andseeseverything；whosevanity，satiatedbybeingconstantlygratified，stampsherfacewithanindifferencewhichpiquesyourcuriosity。Sheknowsthatsheislookedat，sheknowsthateverybody，evenwomen，turnroundtoseeheragain。AndshethreadsherwaythroughParislikeagossamer，spotlessandpure。
\"Thisdelightfulspeciesaffectsthehottestlatitudes，thecleanestlongitudesofParis；youwillmeetherbetweenthe10thand110thArcadeoftheRuedeRivoli；alongthelineoftheBoulevardsfromtheequatorofthePassagedesPanoramas，wheretheproductsofIndiaflourish，wherethewarmestcreationsofindustryaredisplayed，totheCapeoftheMadeleine；intheleastmuddydistrictsofthecitizenquarters，betweenNo。30andNo。130oftheRueduFaubourgSaint-
Honore。Duringthewinter，shehauntstheterraceoftheFeuillants，butnottheasphaltpavementthatliesparallel。Accordingtotheweather，shemaybeseenflyingintheAvenueoftheChamps-Elysees，whichisboundedontheeastbythePlaceLouisXV。，onthewestbytheAvenuedeMarigny，tothesouthbytheroad，tothenorthbythegardensoftheFaubourgSaint-Honore。NeveristhisprettyvarietyofwomantobeseeninthehyperboreanregionsoftheRueSaint-Denis，neverintheKamtschatkaofmiry，narrow，commercialstreets，neveranywhereinbadweather。TheseflowersofParis，bloomingonlyinOrientalweather，perfumethehighways；andafterfiveo’clockfolduplikemorning-gloryflowers。Thewomenyouwillseelater，lookingalittlelikethem，arewould-beladies；whilethefairUnknown，yourBeatriceofaday，isa’perfectlady。’
\"Itisnotveryeasyforaforeigner，mydearCount，torecognizethedifferencesbywhichtheobserver/emeritus/distinguishesthem——womenaresuchconsummateactresses；buttheyareglaringintheeyesofParisians：hooksillfastened，stringsshowingloopsofrusty-whitetapethroughagapingslitintheback，rubbedshoe-leather，ironedbonnet-strings，anover-fullskirt，anover-tightwaist。Youwillseeacertaineffortintheintentionaldroopoftheeyelid。Thereissomethingconventionalintheattitude。
\"Astothe/bourgeoise/，thecitizenwomankind，shecannotpossiblybemistakenforthespellcastoveryoubytheUnknown。Sheisbustling，andgoesoutinallweathers，trotsabout，comes，goes，gazes，doesnotknowwhethershewillorwillnotgointoashop。Wheretheladyknowsjustwhatshewantsandwhatsheisdoing，thetownswomanisundecided，tucksupherskirtstocrossagutter，draggingachildbythehand，whichcompelshertolookoutforthevehicles；sheisamotherinpublic，andtalkstoherdaughter；shecarriesmoneyinherbag，andhasopen-workstockingsonherfeet；inwinter，shewearsaboaoverherfurcloak；insummer，ashawlandascarf；sheisaccomplishedintheredundanciesofdress。
\"YouwillmeetthefairUnknownagainattheItaliens，attheOpera，ataball。Shewillthenappearundersuchadifferentaspectthatyouwouldthinkthemtwobeingsdevoidofanyanalogy。Thewomanhasemergedfromthosemysteriousgarmentslikeabutterflyfromitssilkycocoon。Sheservesup，likesomeraredainty，toyourlavishedeyes，theformswhichherbodicescarcelyrevealedinthemorning。Atthetheatreshenevermountshigherthanthesecondtier，exceptingattheItaliens。Youcantherewatchatyourleisurethestudieddeliberatenessofhermovements。Theenchantingdeceiverplaysoffallthelittlepoliticalartificesofhersexsonaturallyastoexcludeallideaofartorpremeditation。Ifshehasaroyallybeautifulhand，themostperspicaciousbeholderwillbelievethatitisabsolutelynecessarythatsheshouldtwist，orrefix，orpushasidetheringletorcurlsheplayswith。Ifshehassomedignityofprofile，youwillbepersuadedthatsheisgivingironyorgracetowhatshesaystoherneighbor，sittinginsuchapositionastoproducethemagicaleffectofthe’lostprofile，’sodeartogreatpainters，bywhichthecheekcatchesthehighlight，thenoseisshowninclearoutline，thenostrilsaretransparentlyrosy，theforeheadsquarelymodeled，theeyehasitsspangleoffire，butfixedonspace，andthewhiteroundnessofthechinisaccentuatedbyalineoflight。Ifshehasaprettyfoot，shewillthrowherselfonasofawiththecoquettishgraceofacatinthesunshine，herfeetoutstretchedwithoutyourfeelingthatherattitudeisanythingbutthemostcharmingmodelevergiventoasculptorbylassitude。
\"Onlytheperfectladyisquiteathereaseinfulldress；nothinginconveniencesher。Youwillneverseeher，likethewomanofthecitizenclass，pullinguparefractoryshoulder-strap，orpushingdownarebelliouswhalebone，orlookingwhetherhertuckerisdoingitsofficeoffaithfulguardiantotwotreasuresofdazzlingwhiteness，orglancinginthemirrorstoseeifherhead-dressiskeepingitsplace。
Hertoiletisalwaysinharmonywithhercharacter；shehadhadtimetostudyherself，tolearnwhatbecomesher，forshehaslongknownwhatdoesnotsuither。Youwillnotfindherasyougoout；shevanishesbeforetheendoftheplay。Ifbychancesheistobeseen，calmandstately，onthestairs，sheisexperiencingsomeviolentemotion；shehastobestowaglance，toreceiveapromise。Perhapsshegoesdownsoslowlyonpurposetogratifythevanityofaslavewhomshesometimesobeys。Ifyourmeetingtakesplaceataballoraneveningparty，youwillgatherthehoney，naturaloraffectedofherinsinuatingvoice；heremptywordswillenchantyou，andshewillknowhowtogivethemthevalueofthoughtbyherinimitablebearing。\"
\"Tobesuchawoman，isitnotnecessarytobeveryclever？\"askedthePolishCount。
\"Itisnecessarytohavegreattaste，\"repliedthePrincessedeCadignan。
\"AndinFrancetasteismorethancleverness，\"saidtheRussian。
\"Thiswoman’sclevernessisthetriumphofapurelyplasticart，\"
Blondetwenton。\"Youwillnotknowwhatshesaid，butyouwillbefascinated。Shewilltossherhead，orgentlyshrugherwhiteshoulders；shewillgildaninsignificantspeechwithacharmingpoutandsmile；orthrowaVoltaireanepigramintoan’Indeed！’an’Ah！’a’Whatthen！’Ajerkofherheadwillbehermostpertinentformofquestioning；shewillgivemeaningtothemovementbywhichshetwirlsavinaigrettehangingtoherfingerbyaring。Shegetsanartificialgrandeuroutofsuperlativetrivialities；shesimplydropsherhandimpressively，lettingitfalloverthearmofherchairasdewdropshangonthecupofaflower，andallissaid——shehaspronouncedjudgmentbeyondappeal，totheapprehensionofthemostobtuse。Sheknowshowtolistentoyou；shegivesyoutheopportunityofshining，and——Iaskyourmodesty——thosemomentsarerare？\"
ThecandidsimplicityoftheyoungPole，towhomBlondetspoke，madeallthepartyshoutwithlaughter。
\"Now，youwillnottalkforhalf-an-hourwitha/bourgeoise/withoutheralludingtoherhusbandinonewayoranother，\"Blondetwentonwithunperturbedgravity；\"whereas，evenifyouknowthatyourladyismarried，shewillhavethedelicacytoconcealherhusbandsoeffectuallythatitwillneedtheenterpriseofChristopherColumbustodiscoverhim。Oftenyouwillfailintheattemptsingle-handed。Ifyouhavehadnoopportunityofinquiring，towardstheendoftheeveningyoudetecthergazingfixedlyatamiddle-agedmanwearingadecoration，whobowsandgoesout。Shehasorderedhercarriage，andgoes。
\"Youarenottherose，butyouhavebeenwiththerose，andyougotobedunderthegoldencanopyofadeliciousdream，whichwilllastperhapsafterSleep，withhisheavyfinger，hasopenedtheivorygatesofthetempleofdreams。
\"Thelady，whensheisathome，seesnoonebeforefour；sheisshrewdenoughalwaystokeepyouwaiting。Inherhouseyouwillfindeverythingingoodtaste；herluxuryisforhourlyuse，anddulyrenewed；youwillseenothingunderglassshades，noragsofwrappingshangingabout，andlookinglikeapantry。Youwillfindthestaircasewarmed。Flowersonallsideswillcharmyoursight——flowers，theonlygiftsheaccepts，andthoseonlyfromcertainpeople，fornosegayslivebutaday；theygivepleasure，andmustbereplaced；tohertheyare，asintheEast，asymbolandapromise。Thecostlytoysoffashionlieabout，butnotsoastosuggestamuseumoracuriosityshop。Youwillfindhersittingbythefireinalowchair，fromwhichshewillnotrisetogreetyou。Hertalkwillnotnowbewhatitwasattheball；thereshewasourcreditor；inherownhomesheowesyouthepleasureofherwit。Thesearetheshadesofwhichtheladyisamarvelousmistress。Whatshelikesinyouisamantoswellhercircle，anobjectforthecaresandattentionswhichsuchwomenarenowhappytobestow。Therefore，toattractyoutoherdrawing-room，shewillbebewitchinglycharming。Thisespeciallyiswhereyoufeelhowisolatedwomenarenowadays，andwhytheywantalittleworldoftheirown，towhichtheymayseemaconstellation。Conversationisimpossiblewithoutgeneralities。\"
\"Yes，\"saiddeMarsay，\"youhavetrulyhitthefaultofourage。Theepigram——avolumeinaword——nolongerstrikes，asitdidintheeighteenthcentury，atpersonsoratthings，butatsqualidevents，anditdiesinaday。\"
\"Hence，\"saidBlondet，\"theintelligenceofthelady，ifshehasany，consistsincastingdoubtsoneverything。Hereliesthegreatdifferencebetweentwowomen；thetownswomaniscertainlyvirtuous；
theladydoesnotknowyetwhethersheis，orwhethershealwayswillbe；shehesitatesandstruggleswheretheotherrefusespoint-blankandfallsfulllength。Thishesitancyineverythingisoneofthelastgraceslefttoherbyourhorribletimes。Sherarelygoestochurch，butshewilltalktoyouofreligion；andifyouhavethegoodtastetoaffectFree-thought，shewilltrytoconvertyou，foryouwillhaveopenedthewayforthestereotypedphrases，thehead-shakingandgesturesunderstoodbyallthesewomen：’Forshame！Ithoughtyouhadtoomuchsensetoattackreligion。Societyistottering，andyoudepriveitofitssupport。Why，religionatthismomentmeansyouandme；itisproperty，andthefutureofourchildren！Ah！letusnotbeselfish！Individualismisthediseaseoftheage，andreligionistheonlyremedy；itunitesfamilieswhichyourlawsputasunder，’andsoforth。Thensheplungesintosomeneo-ChristianspeechsprinkledwithpoliticalnotionswhichisneitherCatholicnorProtestant——butmoral？
Oh！deucedmoral！——inwhichyoumayrecognizeafagendofeverymaterialwovenbymoderndoctrines，atloggerheadstogether。\"
ThewomencouldnothelplaughingattheairsbywhichBlondetillustratedhissatire。
\"Thisexplanation，dearCountAdam，\"saidBlondet，turningtothePole，\"willhaveprovedtoyouthatthe’perfectlady’representstheintellectualnolessthanthepoliticalmuddle，justassheissurroundedbytheshowyandnotverylastingproductsofanindustrywhichisalwaysaimingatdestroyingitsworkinordertoreplaceitbysomethingelse。Whenyouleaveheryousaytoyourself：Shecertainlyhassuperiorideas！Andyoubelieveitallthemorebecauseshewillhavesoundedyourheartwithadelicatetouch，andhaveaskedyouyoursecrets；sheaffectsignorance，tolearneverything；therearesomethingssheneverknows，notevenwhensheknowsthem。Youalonewillbeuneasy，youwillknownothingofthestateofherheart。
Thegreatladiesofoldflauntedtheirlove-affairs，withnewspapersandadvertisements；inthesedaystheladyhasherlittlepassionneatlyruledlikeasheetofmusicwithitscrotchetsandquaversandminims，itsrests，itspauses，itssharpstosignthekey。Amereweakwomen，sheisanxiousnottocompromiseherlove，orherhusband，orthefutureofherchildren。Name，position，andfortunearenolongerflagssorespectedastoprotectallkindsofmerchandiseonboard。
Thewholearistocracynolongeradvancesinabodytoscreenthelady。
Shehasnot，likethegreatladyofthepast，thedemeanorofloftyantagonism；shecancrushnothingunderfoot，itisshewhowouldbecrushed。ThussheisaptatJesuitical/mezzotermine/，sheisacreatureofequivocalcompromises，ofguardedproprieties，ofanonymouspassionssteeredbetweentworeef-boundshores。SheisasmuchafraidofherservantsasanEnglishwomanwholivesindreadofatrialinthedivorce-court。Thiswoman——sofreeataball，soattractiveoutwalking——isaslaveathome；sheisneverindependentbutinperfectprivacy，ortheoretically。Shemustpreserveherselfinherpositionasalady。Thisishertask。
\"Forinourdayawomanrepudiatedbyherhusband，reducedtoameagreallowance，withnocarriage，noluxury，noopera-box，noneofthedivineaccessoriesofthetoilet，isnolongerawife，amaid，oratownswoman；sheisadrift，andbecomesachattel。TheCarmeliteswillnotreceiveamarriedwoman；itwouldbebigamy。Wouldherloverstillhaveanythingtosaytoher？Thatisthequestion。Thusyourperfectladymayperhapsgiveoccasiontocalumny，nevertoslander。\"
\"Itisallsohorriblytrue，\"saidthePrincessedeCadignan。
\"Andso，\"saidBlondet，\"our’perfectlady’livesbetweenEnglishhypocrisyandthedelightfulfranknessoftheeighteenthcentury——abastardsystem，symptomaticofanageinwhichnothingthatgrowsupisatalllikethethingthathasvanished，inwhichtransitionleadsnowhere，everythingisamatterofdegree；allthegreatfiguresshrinkintothebackground，anddistinctionispurelypersonal。Iamfullyconvincedthatitisimpossibleforawoman，evenifshewerebornclosetoathrone，toacquirebeforetheageoffive-and-twentytheencyclopaedicknowledgeoftrifles，thepracticeofmanoeuvring，theimportantsmallthings，themusicaltonesandharmonyofcoloring，theangelicbedevilmentsandinnocentcunning，thespeechandthesilence，theseriousnessandthebanter，thewitandtheobtuseness，thediplomacyandtheignorancewhichmakeuptheperfectlady。\"
\"Andwhere，inaccordancewiththesketchyouhavedrawn，\"saidMademoiselledesTouchestoEmileBlondet，\"wouldyouclassthefemaleauthor？Issheaperfectlady，awoman/commeilfaut/？\"
\"Whenshehasnogenius，sheisawoman/commeiln’enfautpas/，\"
Blondetreplied，emphasizingthewordswithastolenglance，whichmightmakethemseempraisefranklyaddressedtoCamilleMaupin。\"Thisepigramisnotmine，butNapoleon’s，\"headded。
\"YouneednotoweNapoleonanygrudgeonthatscore，\"saidCanalis，withanemphatictoneandgesture。\"Itwasoneofhisweaknessestobejealousofliterarygenius——forhehadhismeanpoints。Whowilleverexplain，depict，orunderstandNapoleon？Amanrepresentedwithhisarmsfolded，andwhodideverything，whowasthegreatestforceeverknown，themostconcentrated，themostmordant，themostacidofallforces；asingulargeniuswhocarriedarmedcivilizationineverydirectionwithoutfixingitanywhere；amanwhocoulddoeverythingbecausehewilledeverything；aprodigiousphenomenonofwill，conqueringanillnessbyabattle，andyetdoomedtodieofdiseaseinbedafterlivinginthemidstofballandbullets；amanwithacodeandaswordinhisbrain，wordanddeed；aclear-sightedspiritthatforesaweverythingbuthisownfall；acapriciouspoliticianwhoriskedmenbyhandfulsoutofeconomy，andwhosparedthreeheads——
thoseofTalleyrand，ofPozzodeBorgo，andofMetternich，diplomatistswhosedeathwouldhavesavedtheFrenchEmpire，andwhoseemedtohimofgreaterweightthanthousandsofsoldiers；amantowhomnature，asarareprivilege，hadgivenaheartinaframeofbronze；mirthfulandkindatmidnightamidwomen，andnextmorningmanipulatingEuropeasayounggirlmightamuseherselfbysplashingwaterinherbath！Hypocriticalandgenerous；lovingtawdrinessandsimplicity；devoidoftaste，butprotectingthearts；andinspiteoftheseantitheses，reallygreatineverythingbyinstinctorbytemperament；Caesaratfive-and-twenty，Cromwellatthirty；andthen，likemygrocerburiedinPereLachaise，agoodhusbandandagoodfather。Inshort，heimprovisedpublicworks，empires，kings，codes，verses，aromance——andallwithmorerangethanprecision。DidhenotaimatmakingallEuropeFrance？Andaftermakingusweighontheearthinsuchawayastochangethelawsofgravitation，heleftuspoorerthanonthedaywhenhefirstlaidhandsonus；whilehe，whohadtakenanempirebyhisname，losthisnameonthefrontierofhisempireinaseaofbloodandsoldiers。Amanallthoughtandallaction，whocomprehendedDesaixandFouche。\"
\"Alldespotismandalljusticeattherightmoments。Thetrueking！\"
saiddeMarsay。
\"Ah！vatapleashreitistodichestvileyoutalk，\"saidBarondeNucingen。
\"Butdoyousupposethatthetreatwearegivingyouisacommonone？\"
askedJosephBridau。\"Ifyouhadtopayforthecharmsofconversationasyoudoforthoseofdancingorofmusic，yourfortunewouldbeinadequate！Thereisnosecondperformanceofthesameflashofwit。\"
\"Andarewereallysomuchdeterioratedasthesegentlementhink？\"
saidthePrincessedeCadignan，addressingthewomenwithasmileatoncescepticalandironical。\"Because，inthesedays，underaregimewhichmakeseverythingsmall，youprefersmalldishes，smallrooms，smallpictures，smallarticles，smallnewspapers，smallbooks，doesthatprovethatwomentoohavegrownsmaller？Whyshouldthehumanheartchangebecauseyouchangeyourcoat？Inallagesthepassionsremainthesame。Iknowcasesofbeautifuldevotion，ofsublimesufferings，whichlackthepublicity——theglory，ifyouchoose——whichformerlygavelustretotheerrorsofsomewomen。ButthoughonemaynothavesavedaKingofFrance，oneisnotthelessanAgnesSorel。
DoyoubelievethatourdearMarquised’EspardisnotthepeerofMadameDoublet，orMadameduDeffant，inwhoseroomssomuchevilwasspokenanddone？IsnotTaglioniamatchforCamargo？orMalibrantheequalofSaint-Huberti？Arenotourpoetssuperiortothoseoftheeighteenthcentury？Ifatthismoment，throughthefaultoftheGrocerswhogovernus，wehavenotastyleofourown，hadnottheEmpireitsdistinguishingstampastheageofLouisXV。had，andwasnotitssplendorfabulous？Havethescienceslostanything？\"
\"Iamquiteofyouropinion，madame；thewomenofthisagearetrulygreat，\"repliedtheComtedeVandenesse。\"Whenposterityshallhavefollowedus，willnotMadameRecamierappearinproportionsasfineasthoseofthemostbeautifulwomenofthepast？Wehavemadesomuchhistorythathistorianswillbelacking。TheageofLouisXIV。hadbutoneMadamedeSevigne；wehaveathousandnowinPariswhocertainlywritebetterthanshedid，andwhodonotpublishtheirletters。
WhethertheFrenchwomanbecalled’perfectlady，’orgreatlady，shewillalwaysbe/the/womanamongwomen。
\"EmileBlondethasgivenusapictureofthefascinationsofawomanoftheday；but，atneed，thiscreaturewhobridlesorshowsoff，whochirpsouttheideasofMr。ThisandMr。That，wouldbeheroic。Anditmustbesaid，yourfaults，mesdames，areallthemorepoetical，becausetheymustalwaysandunderallcircumstancesbesurroundedbygreaterperils。Ihaveseenmuchoftheworld，Ihavestudieditperhapstoolate；butincaseswheretheillegalityofyourfeelingsmightbeexcused，IhavealwaysobservedtheeffectsofIknownotwhatchance——whichyoumaycallProvidence——inevitablyoverwhelmingsuchasweconsiderlightwomen。\"
\"Ihope，\"saidMadamedeVandenesse，\"thatwecanbegreatinotherways————\"
\"Oh，lettheComtedeVandenessepreachtous！\"exclaimedMadamedeSerizy。
\"Withallthemorereasonbecausehehaspreachedagreatdealbyexample，\"saidtheBaronnedeNucingen。
\"Onmyhonor！\"saidGeneraldeMontriveau，\"inallthedramas——awordyouareveryfondof，\"hesaid，lookingatBlondet——\"inwhichthefingerofGodhasbeenvisible，themostfrightfulIeverknewwasverynearbeingbymyact————\"
\"Well，tellusallaboutit！\"criedLadyBarimore；\"Ilovetoshudder！\"
\"Itisthetasteofavirtuouswoman，\"replieddeMarsay，lookingatLordDudley’slovelydaughter。
\"Duringthecampaignof1812，\"GeneraldeMontriveaubegan，\"Iwastheinvoluntarycauseofaterribledisasterwhichmaybeofusetoyou，DoctorBianchon，\"turningtome，\"since，whiledevotingyourselftothehumanbody，youconcernyourselfagooddealwiththemind；itmaytendtosolvesomeoftheproblemsofthewill。
\"Iwasgoingthroughmysecondcampaign；Ienjoyeddanger，andlaughedateverything，liketheyoungandfoolishlieutenantofartillerythatIwas。WhenwereachedtheBeresina，thearmyhad，asyouknow，lostalldiscipline，andhadforgottenmilitaryobedience。Itwasamedleyofmenofallnations，instinctivelymakingtheirwayfromnorthtosouth。Thesoldierswoulddriveageneralinragsandbare-footawayfromtheirfireifhebroughtneitherwoodnorvictuals。Afterthepassageofthisfamousriverdisorderdidnotdiminish。Ihadcomequietlyandalone，withoutfood，outofthemarshesofZembin，andwaswanderinginsearchofahousewhereImightbetakenin。FindingnoneordrivenawayfromthoseIcameacross，happilytowardseveningI
perceivedawretchedlittlePolishfarm，ofwhichnothingcangiveyouanyideaunlessyouhaveseenthewoodenhousesofLowerNormandy，orthepoorestfarm-buildingsoflaBeauce。Thesedwellingsconsistofasingleroom，withoneenddividedoffbyawoodenpartition，thesmallerdivisionservingasastore-roomforforage。
\"InthedarknessoftwilightIcouldjustseeafaintsmokerisingabovethishouse。HopingtofindtheresomecomradesmorecompassionatethanthoseIhadhithertoaddressed，Iboldlywalkedasfarasthefarm。Ongoingin，Ifoundthetablelaid。Severalofficers，andwiththemawoman——acommonsightenough——wereeatingpotatoes，somehorsefleshbroiledoverthecharcoal，andsomefrozenbeetroots。IrecognizedamongthecompanytwoorthreeartillerycaptainsoftheregimentinwhichIhadfirstserved。Iwaswelcomedwithashoutofacclamation，whichwouldhaveamazedmegreatlyontheothersideoftheBeresina；butatthismomentthecoldwaslessintense；myfellow-officerswereresting，theywerewarm，theyhadfood，andtheroom，strewnwithtrussesofstraw，gavethepromiseofadelightfulnight。Wedidnotaskforsomuchinthosedays。Mycomradescouldbephilanthropists/gratis/——oneofthecommonestwaysofbeingphilanthropic。Isatdowntoeatononeofthebundlesofstraw。
\"Attheendofthetable，bythesideofthedooropeningintothesmallerroomfullofstrawandhay，satmyoldcolonel，oneofthemostextraordinarymenIeversawamongallthemixedcollectionofmenithasbeenmylottomeet。HewasanItalian。Now，wheneverhumannatureistrulyfineinthelandsoftheSouth，itisreallysublime。
IdonotknowwhetheryouhaveeverobservedtheextremefairnessofItalianswhentheyarefair。Itisexquisite，especiallyunderanartificiallight。WhenIreadthefantasticalportraitofColonelOudetsketchedbyCharlesNodier，Ifoundmyownsensationsineveryoneofhiselegantphrases。Italian，then，asweremostoftheofficersofhisregiment，whichhad，infact，beenborrowedbytheEmperorfromEugene’sarmy，mycolonelwasatallman，atleasteightornineinchesabovethestandard，andwasadmirablyproportioned——alittlestoutperhaps，butprodigiouslypowerful，active，andclean-
limbedasagreyhound。Hisblackhairinabundantcurlsshoweduphiscomplexion，aswhiteasawoman’s；hehadsmallhands，ashapelyfoot，apleasantmouth，andanaquilinenosedelicatelyformed，ofwhichthetipusedtobecomenaturallypinchedandwhitewheneverhewasangry，ashappenedoften。HisirascibilitywassofarbeyondbeliefthatI
willtellyounothingaboutit；youwillhavetheopportunityofjudgingofit。Noonecouldbecalminhispresence。Ialone，perhaps，wasnotafraidofhim；hehadindeedtakensuchasingularfancytomethathethoughteverythingIdidright。Whenhewasinaragehisbrowwasknitandthemusclesofthemiddleofhisforeheadsetinadelta，or，tobemoreexplicit，inRedgauntlet’shorseshoe。Thismarkwas，perhaps，evenmoreterrifyingthanthemagneticflashesofhisblueeyes。Hiswholeframequivered，andhisstrength，greatasitwasinhisnormalstate，becamealmostunbounded。
\"Hespokewithastronggutturalroll。Hisvoice，atleastaspowerfulasthatofCharlesNordier’sOudet，threwanincrediblefulnessoftoneintothesyllableortheconsonantinwhichthisburrwassounded。Thoughthisfaultypronunciationwasattimesagrace，whencommandinghismen，orwhenhewasexcited，youcannotimagine，unlessyouhadheardit，whatforcewasexpressedbythisaccent，whichatParisissocommon。WhentheColonelwasquiescent，hisblueeyeswereangelicallysweet，andhissmoothbrowhadamostcharmingexpression。
Onparade，orwiththearmyofItaly，notamancouldcomparewithhim。Indeed，d’Orsayhimself，thehandsomed’Orsay，waseclipsedbyourcolonelontheoccasionofthelastreviewheldbyNapoleonbeforetheinvasionofRussia。
\"Everythingwasincontrastsinthisexceptionalman。Passionlivesoncontrast。Henceyouneednotaskwhetherheexertedoverwomentheirresistibleinfluencestowhichournatureyields\"——andthegenerallookedatthePrincessedeCadignan——\"asvitreousmatterismouldedunderthepipeoftheglass-blower；still，byasingularfatality——anobservermightperhapsexplainthephenomenon——theColonelwasnotalady-killer，orwasindifferenttosuchsuccesses。
\"Togiveyouanideaofhisviolence，IwilltellyouinafewwordswhatIoncesawhimdoinaparoxysmoffury。Weweredraggingourgunsupaverynarrowroad，borderedbyasomewhathighslopeononeside，andbythicketsontheother。Whenwewerehalf-wayupwemetanotherregimentofartillery，itscolonelmarchingatthehead。Thiscolonelwantedtomakethecaptainwhowasattheheadofourforemostbatterybackdownagain。Thecaptain，ofcourse，refused；butthecoloneloftheotherregimentsignedtohisforemostbatterytoadvance，andinspiteofthecarethedrivertooktokeepamongthescrub，thewheelofthefirstgunstruckourcaptain’srightlegandbrokeit，throwinghimoveronthenearsideofhishorse。Allthiswastheworkofamoment。OurColonel，whowasbutalittlewayoff，guessedthattherewasaquarrel；hegallopedup，ridingamongthegunsattheriskoffallingwithhishorse’sfourfeetintheair，andreachedthespot，facetofacewiththeothercolonel，attheverymomentwhenthecaptainfell，callingout’Help！’No，ourItaliancolonelwasnolongerhuman！Foamlikethefrothofchampagnerosetohislips；heroaredinarticulatelylikealion。Incapableofutteringaword，orevenacry，hemadeaterrificsignaltohisantagonist，pointingtothewoodanddrawinghissword。Thetwocolonelswentaside。IntwosecondswesawourColonel’sopponentstretchedontheground，hisskullsplitintwo。Thesoldiersofhisregimentbacked——
yes，byheaven，andprettyquicklytoo。
\"Thecaptain，whohadbeensonearlycrushed，andwholayyelpinginthepuddlewheretheguncarriagehadthrownhim，hadanItalianwife，abeautifulSicilianofMessina，whowasnotindifferenttoourColonel。Thiscircumstancehadaggravatedhisrage。Hewaspledgedtoprotectthehusband，boundtodefendhimashewouldhavedefendedthewomanherself。
\"Now，inthehovelbeyondZembin，whereIwassowellreceived，thiscaptainwassittingoppositetome，andhiswifewasattheotherendofthetable，facingtheColonel。ThisSicilianwasalittlewomannamedRosina，verydark，butwithallthefireoftheSouthernsuninherblackalmond-shapedeyes。Atthismomentshewasdeplorablythin；
herfacewascoveredwithdust，likefruitexposedtothedroughtofahighroad。Scarcelyclothedinrags，exhaustedbymarches，herhairindisorder，andclingingtogetherunderapieceofashawltiedcloseoverherhead，stillshehadthegracesofawoman；hermovementswereengaging，hersmallrosemouthandwhiteteeth，theoutlineofherfeaturesandfigure，charmswhichmisery，cold，andneglecthadnotaltogetherdefaced，stillsuggestedlovetoanymanwhocouldthinkofawoman。Rosinahadoneofthoseframeswhicharefragileinappearance，butwiryandfullofspring。Herhusband，agentlemanofPiedmont，hadafaceexpressiveofironicalsimplicity，ifitisallowabletoallythetwowords。Braveandwellinformed，heseemedtoknownothingoftheconnectionswhichhadsubsistedbetweenhiswifeandtheColonelforthreeyearspast。IascribedthisunconcerntoItalianmanners，ortosomedomesticsecret；yettherewasintheman’scountenanceonefeaturewhichalwaysfilledmewithinvoluntarydistrust。Hisunderlip，whichwasthinandveryrestless，turneddownatthecornersinsteadofturningup，andthis，asIthought，betrayedastreakofcrueltyinacharacterwhichseemedsophlegmaticandindolent。
\"AsyoumaysupposetheconversationwasnotverysparklingwhenI
wentin。Mywearycomradesateinsilence；ofcourse，theyaskedmesomequestions，andwerelatedourmisadventures，mingledwithreflectionsonthecampaign，thegenerals，theirmistakes，theRussians，andthecold。Aminuteaftermyarrivalthecolonel，havingfinishedhismeagremeal，wipedhismoustache，bidusgood-night，shotablacklookattheItalianwoman，saying，’Rosina？’andthen，withoutwaitingforareply，wentintothelittlebarnfullofhay，tobed。
ThemeaningoftheColonel’sutterancewasself-evident。Theyoungwiferepliedbyanindescribablegesture，expressingalltheannoyanceshecouldnotfeelatseeingherthralldomthusflauntedwithouthumandecency，andtheoffencetoherdignityasawoman，andtoherhusband。Buttherewas，too，intherigidsettingofherfeaturesandthetightknittingofherbrowsasortofpresentiment；perhapssheforesawherfate。Rosinaremainedquietlyinherplace。
\"Aminutelater，andapparentlywhentheColonelwassnuginhiscouchofstraworhay，herepeated，’Rosina？’
\"Thetoneofthissecondcallwasevenmorebrutallyquestioningthanthefirst。TheColonel’sstrongburr，andthelengthwhichtheItalianlanguageallowstobegiventovowelsandthefinalsyllable，concentratedalltheman’sdespotism，impatience，andstrengthofwill。Rosinaturnedpale，butsherose，passedbehindus，andwenttotheColonel。
\"Allthepartysatinuttersilence；I，unluckily，afterlookingatthemall，begantolaugh，andthentheyalllaughedtoo。——’/Turidi？/
——youlaugh？’saidthehusband。
\"’Onmyhonor，oldcomrade，’saidI，becomingseriousagain，’I
confessthatIwaswrong；Iaskyourpardonathousandtimes，andifyouarenotsatisfiedbymyapologiesIamreadytogiveyousatisfaction。’
\"’Oh！itisnotyouwhoarewrong，itisI！’herepliedcoldly。
\"Thereuponwealllaydownintheroom，andbeforelongallweresoundasleep。
\"Nextmorningeachone，withoutrousinghisneighbororseekingcompanionship，setoutagainonhisway，withthatselfishnesswhichmadeourroutoneofthemosthorribledramasofself-seeking，melancholy，andhorrorwhicheverwasenactedunderheaven。
Nevertheless，ataboutsevenoreighthundredpacesfromourshelterwe，mostofus，metagainandwalkedontogether，likegeeseledinflocksbyachild’swilfultyranny。Thesamenecessityurgedusall。
\"Havingreachedaknollwherewecouldstillseethefarmhousewherewehadspentthenight，weheardsoundsresemblingtheroaroflionsinthedesert，thebellowingofbulls——no，itwasanoisewhichcanbecomparedtonoknowncry。Andyet，minglingwiththishorribleandominousroar，wecouldhearawoman’sfeeblescream。Wealllookedround，seizedbyIknownotwhatimpulseofterror；wenolongersawthehouse，butahugebonfire。Thefarmhousehadbeenbarricaded，andwasinflames。Swirlsofsmokeborneonthewindbroughtushoarsecriesandanindescribablepungentsmell。Afewyardsbehind，thecaptainwasquietlyapproachingtojoinourcaravan；wegazedathiminsilence，fornoonedaredquestionhim；buthe，understandingourcuriosity，pointedtohisbreastwiththeforefingerofhisrighthand，and，wavingtheleftinthedirectionofthefire，hesaid，’/Son’io/。’
\"Weallwalkedonwithoutsayingawordtohim。\"
\"Thereisnothingmoreterriblethantherevoltofasheep，\"saiddeMarsay。
\"Itwouldbefrightfultoletusleavewiththishorriblepictureinourmemory，\"saidMadamedeMontcornet。\"Ishalldreamofit————\"
\"AndwhatwasthepunishmentofMonsieurdeMarsay’s’First’？\"saidLordDudley，smiling。
\"WhentheEnglishareinjest，theirfoilshavethebuttonson，\"saidBlondet。
\"MonsieurBianchoncantellus，forhesawherdying，\"replieddeMarsay，turningtome。
\"Yes，\"saidI；\"andherendwasoneofthemostbeautifulIeversaw。
TheDukeandIhadspentthenightbythedyingwoman’spillow；
pulmonaryconsumption，inthelaststage，leftnohope；shehadtakenthesacramentthedaybefore。TheDukehadfallenasleep。TheDuchess，wakingataboutfourinthemorning，signedtomeinthemosttouchingway，withafriendlysmile，tobidmeleavehimtorest，andshemeanwhilewasabouttodie。Shehadbecomeincrediblythin，butherfacehadpreserveditsreallysublimeoutlineandfeatures。Herpallormadeherskinlooklikeporcelainwithalightwithin。Herbrighteyesandcolorcontrastedwiththislanguidlyelegantcomplexion，andhercountenancewasfullofexpressivecalm。SheseemedtopitytheDuke，andthefeelinghaditsorigininaloftytendernesswhich，asdeathapproached，seemedtoknownobounds。Thesilencewasabsolute。Theroom，softlylightedbyalamp，lookedlikeeverysickroomatthehourofdeath。
\"Atthismomenttheclockstruck。TheDukeawoke，andwasindespairathavingfallenasleep。Ididnotseethegestureofimpatiencebywhichhemanifestedtheregrethefeltathavinglostsightofhiswifeforafewofthelastminutesvouchsafedtohim；butitisquitecertainthatanyonebutthedyingwomanmighthavemisunderstoodit。
Abusystatesman，alwaysthinkingoftheinterestsofFrance，theDukehadathousandoddwaysonthesurface，suchasoftenleadtoamanofgeniusbeingmistakenforamadman，andofwhichtheexplanationliesintheexquisitenessandexactingneedsoftheirintellect。Hecametoseathimselfinanarmchairbyhiswife’sside，andlookedfixedlyather。Thedyingwomanputherhandoutalittleway，tookherhusband’sandclaspeditfeebly；andinalowbutagitatedvoiceshesaid，’Mypoordear，whoislefttounderstandyounow？’Thenshedied，lookingathim。\"
\"Thestoriesthedoctortellsus，\"saidtheComtedeVandenesse，\"alwaysleaveadeepimpression。\"
\"Butasweetone，\"saidMademoiselledesTouches，rising。
PARIS，June1839-42。