Fromthetenoroftheseremarksitwastobeinferredthattheprincesshadthedepthofaprecipice，thegraceofaqueen，thecorruptionofdiplomatists，themysteryofafirstinitiation，andthedangerousqualitiesofasiren。Thetwoclevermenoftheworld，incapableofforeseeingthedenouementoftheirjoke，succeededinpresentingDianed’UxellesasaconsummatespecimenoftheParisianwoman，thecleverestofcoquettes，themostenchantingmistressintheworld。Rightorwrong，thewomanwhomtheythustreatedsolightlywassacredtod’Arthez；hisdesiretomeetherneedednospur；heconsentedtodosoatthefirstword，whichwasallthetwofriendswantedofhim。
Madamed’Espardwenttoseetheprincessassoonasshehadreceivedthisanswer。
\"Mydear，doyoufeelyourselfinfullbeautyandcoquetry？\"shesaid。
\"Ifso，comeanddinewithmeafewdayshence，andI’llserveupd’Arthez。Ourmanofgeniusisbynature，itseems，asavage；hefearswomen，andhasneverloved！Makeyourplansonthat。Heisallintellect，andsosimplethathe’llmisleadyouintofeelingnodistrust。Buthispenetration，whichiswhollyretrospective，actslater，andfrustratescalculation。Youmayhoodwinkhimto-day，butto-morrownothingcandupehim。\"
\"Ah！\"criedtheprincess，\"ifIwereonlythirtyyearsoldwhatamusementImighthavewithhim！TheoneenjoymentIhavelackeduptothepresentisamanofintellecttofool。Ihavehadonlypartners，neveradversaries。Lovewasameregameinsteadofbeingabattle。\"
\"Dearprincess，admitthatIamverygenerous；for，afterall，youknow！——charitybeginsathome。\"
Thetwowomenlookedateachother，laughing，andclaspedhandsinafriendlyway。Assuredlytheybothkneweachother’ssecrets，andthiswasnotthefirstmannorthefirstservicethatonehadgiventotheother；forsincereandlastingfriendshipsbetweenwomenoftheworldneedtobecementedbyafewlittlecrimes。Whentwofriendsareliabletokilleachotherreciprocally，andseeapoisoneddaggerineachother’shand，theypresentatouchingspectacleofharmony，whichisnevertroubled，unless，bychance，oneofthemiscarelessenoughtodropherweapon。
So，eightdayslater，alittledinnersuchasaregiventointimatesbyverbalinvitationonly，duringwhichthedoorsareclosedtoallothervisitors，tookplaceatMadamed’Espard’shouse。Fivepersonswereinvited，——EmileBlondetandMadamedeMontcornet，Danield’Arthez，Rastignac，andthePrincessedeCadignan。Countingthemistressofthehouse，therewereasmanymenaswomen。
Chanceneverexerteditselftomakewiserpreparationsthanthosewhichopenedthewaytoameetingbetweend’ArthezandMadamedeCadignan。Theprincessisstillconsideredoneofthechiefauthoritiesondress，which，towomen，isthefirstofarts。Onthisoccasionsheworeagownofbluevelvetwithflowingwhitesleeves，andatulleguimpe，slightlyfrilledandedgedwithblue，coveringtheshoulders，andrisingnearlytothethroat，asweseeinseveralofRaffaele’sportraits。Hermaidhaddressedherhairwithwhiteheather，adroitlyplacedamongitsblondcascades，whichwereoneofthegreatbeautiestowhichsheowedhercelebrity。
CertainlyDianedidnotlooktobemorethantwenty-fiveyearsold。
Fouryearsofsolitudeandreposehadrestoredthefreshnessofhercomplexion。Besides，therearemomentswhenthedesiretopleasegivesanincreaseofbeautytowomen。Thewillisnotwithoutinfluenceonthevariationsoftheface。Ifviolentemotionshavethepowertoyellowthewhitetonesofpersonsofbiliousandmelancholytemperament，andtogreenlymphaticfaces，shallwenotgranttodesire，hope，andjoy，thefacultyofclearingtheskin，givingbrilliancytotheeye，andbrighteningtheglowofbeautywithalightasjocundasthatofalovelymorning？Thecelebratedfaintnessoftheprincesshadtakenonaripenesswhichnowmadeherseemmoreaugust。
Atthismomentofherlife，impressedbyhermanyvicissitudesandbyseriousreflections，hernoble，dreamybrowharmonizeddelightfullywiththeslow，majesticglanceofherblueeyes。Itwasimpossiblefortheablestphysiognomisttoimaginecalculationorself-willbeneaththatunspeakabledelicacyoffeature。Therewerefacesofwomenwhichdeceiveknowledge，andmisleadobservationbytheircalmnessanddelicacy；itisnecessarytoexaminesuchfaceswhenpassionsspeak，andthatisdifficult，oraftertheyhavespoken，whichisnolongerofanyuse，forthenthewomanisoldandhasceasedtodissimulate。
Theprincessisoneofthoseimpenetrablewomen；shecanmakeherselfwhatshepleasestobe：playful，childlike，distractinglyinnocent；orreflective，serious，andprofoundenoughtoexciteanxiety。ShecametoMadamed’Espard’sdinnerwiththeintentionofbeingagentle，simplewoman，towhomlifewasknownonlythroughitsdeceptions：awomanfullofsoul，andcalumniated，butresigned，——inshort，awoundedangel。
Shearrivedearly，soastoposeonasofanearthefirebesideMadamed’Espard，asshewishedtobefirstseen：thatis，inoneofthoseattitudesinwhichscienceisconcealedbeneathanexquisitenaturalness；astudiedattitude，puttinginreliefthebeautifulserpentineoutlinewhich，startingfromthefoot，risesgracefullytothehip，andcontinueswithadorablecurvestotheshoulder，presenting，infact，aprofileofthewholebody。Withasubtletywhichfewwomenwouldhavedreamedof，Diane，tothegreatamazementofthemarquise，hadbroughthersonwithher。Afteramoment’sreflection，Madamed’Espardpressedtheprincess’shand，withalookofintelligencethatseemedtosay：——
\"Iunderstandyou！Bymakingd’Arthezacceptallthedifficultiesatonceyouwillnothavetoconquerthemlater。\"
Rastignacbroughtd’Arthez。Theprincessmadenoneofthosecomplimentstothecelebratedauthorwithwhichvulgarpersonsoverwhelmedhim；butshetreatedhimwithakindnessfullofgracefulrespect，which，withher，wastheutmostextentofherconcessions。
HermannerwasdoubtlessthesamewiththeKingofFranceandtheroyalprinces。Sheseemedhappytoseethisgreatman，andgladthatshehadsoughthim。Personsoftaste，liketheprincess，areespeciallydistinguishedfortheirmanneroflistening，foranaffabilitywithoutsuperciliousness，whichistopolitenesswhatpracticeistovirtue。Whenthecelebratedmanspoke，shetookanattentiveattitude，athousandtimesmoreflatteringthanthebest-
seasonedcompliments。Themutualpresentationwasmadequietly，withoutemphasis，andinperfectlygoodtaste，bythemarquise。
Atdinnerd’Arthezwasplacedbesidetheprincess，who，farfromimitatingtheeccentricitiesofdietwhichmanyaffectedwomendisplay，ateherdinnerwithaverygoodappetite，makingitapointofhonortoseemanaturalwoman，withoutstrangewaysorfancies。
Betweentwocoursesshetookadvantageoftheconversationbecominggeneraltosaytod’Arthez，inasortofaside：——
\"ThesecretofthepleasureItakeinfindingmyselfbesideyou，isthedesireIfeeltolearnsomethingofanunfortunatefriendofyours，monsieur。Hediedforanothercausegreaterthanours；butI
wasunderthegreatestobligationstohim，althoughunabletoacknowledgeorthankhimforthem。Iknowthatyouwereoneofhisbestfriends。Yourmutualfriendship，pureandunalterable，isaclaimuponme。Youwillnot，Iamsure，thinkitextraordinary，thatIhavewishedtoknowallyoucouldtellmeofamansodeartoyou。ThoughI
amattachedtotheexiledfamily，andbound，ofcourse，toholdmonarchicalopinions，Iamnotamongthosewhothinkitisimpossibletobebothrepublicanandnobleinheart。Monarchyandtherepublicaretwoformsofgovernmentwhichdonotstiflenoblesentiments。\"
\"MichelChrestienwasanangel，madame，\"repliedDaniel，inavoiceofemotion。\"Idon’tknowamongtheheroesofantiquityagreaterthanhe。Becarefulnottothinkhimoneofthosenarrow-mindedrepublicanswhowouldliketorestoretheConventionandtheamenitiesoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety。No，MicheldreamedoftheSwissfederationappliedtoallEurope。Letusown，betweenourselves，thatAFTERthegloriousgovernmentofonemanonly，which，asIthink，isparticularlysuitedtoournation，Michel’ssystemwouldleadtothesuppressionofwarinthisoldworld，anditsreconstructiononbasesotherthanthoseofconquest，whichformerlyfeudalizedit。Fromthispointofviewtherepublicanscamenearesttohisidea。ThatiswhyhelentthemhisarminJuly，andwaskilledatSaint-Merri。Thoughcompletelyapartinopinion，heandIwerecloselyboundtogetherasfriends。\"
\"Thatisnoblepraiseforbothnatures，\"saidMadamedeCadignan，timidly。
\"Duringthelastfouryearsofhislife，\"continuedDaniel，\"hemadetomealoneaconfidenceofhisloveforyou，andthisconfidenceknittedcloserthaneverthealreadystrongtiesofbrotherlyaffection。Healone，madame，canhavelovedyouasyououghttobeloved。ManyatimeIhavebeenpeltedwithrainasweaccompaniedyourcarriageatthepaceofthehorses，tokeepataparalleldistance，andseeyou——admireyou。\"
\"Ah！monsieur，\"saidtheprincess，\"howcanIrepaysuchfeelings！\"
\"WhyisMichelnothere！\"exclaimedDaniel，inmelancholyaccents。
\"Perhapshewouldnothavelovedmelong，\"saidtheprincess，shakingherheadsadly。\"Republicansaremoreabsoluteintheirideasthanweabsolutists，whosefaultisindulgence。Nodoubtheimaginedmeperfect，andsocietywouldhavecruellyundeceivedhim。Wearepursued，wewomen，byasmanycalumniesasyouauthorsarecompelledtoendureinyourliterarylife；butwe，alas！cannotdefendourselveseitherbyourworksorbyourfame。Theworldwillnotbelieveustobewhatweare，butwhatitthinksustobe。Itwouldsoonhavehiddenfromhiseyestherealbutunknownwomanthatisinme，behindthefalseportraitoftheimaginarywomanwhichtheworldconsiderstrue。
Hewouldhavecometothinkmeunworthyofthenoblefeelingshehadforme，andincapableofcomprehendinghim。\"
Heretheprincessshookherhead，swayingthebeautifulblondcurls，fullofheather，withatouchinggesture。Thisplaintiveexpressionofgrievousdoubtsandhiddensorrowsisindescribable。Danielunderstoodthemall；andhelookedattheprincesswithkeenemotion。
\"Andyet，thenightonwhichIlastsawhim，aftertherevolutionofJuly，IwasonthepointofgivingwaytothedesireIfelttotakehishandandpressitbeforealltheworld，undertheperistyleoftheopera-house。Butthethoughtcametomethatsuchaproofofgratitudemightbemisinterpreted；likesomanyotherlittlethingsdonefromnoblemotiveswhicharecalledto-daythefolliesofMadamedeMaufrigneuse——thingswhichIcanneverexplain，fornonebutmysonandGodhaveunderstoodme。\"
Thesewords，breathedintotheearofthelistener，intonesinaudibletotheotherguests，andwithaccentsworthyofthecleverestactress，werecalculatedtoreachtheheart；andtheydidreachthatofd’Arthez。Therewasnoquestionofhimselfinthematter；thiswomanwasseekingtorehabilitateherselfinfavorofthedead。Shehadbeencalumniated；andsheevidentlywantedtoknowifanythinghadtarnishedherintheeyesofhimwhohadlovedher；hadhediedwithallhisillusions？
\"Michel，\"repliedd’Arthez，\"wasoneofthosemenwholoveabsolutely，andwho，iftheychooseill，cansufferwithoutrenouncingthewomantheyhaveonceelected。\"
\"WasIlovedthus？\"shesaid，withanairofexaltedbeatitude。
\"Yes，madame。\"
\"Imadehishappiness？\"
\"Forfouryears。\"
\"Awomanneverhearsofsuchathingwithoutasentimentofproudsatisfaction，\"shesaid，turninghersweetandnoblefacetod’Arthezwithamovementfullofmodestconfusion。
Oneofthemostskilfulmanoeuvresoftheseactressesistoveiltheirmannerwhenwordsaretooexpressive，andspeakwiththeireyeswhenlanguageisrestrained。Thesecleverdiscords，slippedintothemusicoftheirlove，beitfalseortrue，produceirresistibleattractions。
\"Isitnot，\"shesaid，loweringhervoiceandhereyes，afterfeelingwellassuredtheyhadproducedhereffect，——\"isitnotfulfillingone’sdestinytohaverenderedagreatmanhappy？\"
\"Didhenotwritethattoyou？\"
\"Yes；butIwantedtobesure，quitesure；for，believeme，monsieur，inputtingmesohighhewasnotmistaken。\"
Womenknowhowtogiveapeculiarsacrednesstotheirwords；theycommunicatesomethingvibranttothem，whichextendsthemeaningoftheirideas，andgivesthemdepth；thoughlatertheirfascinatedlistenermaynotrememberpreciselywhattheysaid，theirendhasbeencompletelyattained，——whichistheobjectofalleloquence。TheprincessmightatthatmomenthavebeenwearingthediademofFrance，andherbrowcouldnothaveseemedmoreimposingthanitwasbeneaththatcrownofgoldenhair，braidedlikeacoronet，andadornedwithheather。Shewassimpleandcalm；nothingbetrayedasenseofanynecessitytoappearso，noranydesiretoseemgrandorloving。
D’Arthez，thesolitarytoiler，towhomthewaysoftheworldwereunknown，whomstudyhadwrappedinitsprotectingveils，wasthedupeofhertonesandwords。Hewasunderthespellofthoseexquisitemanners；headmiredthatperfectbeauty，ripenedbymisfortune，placidinretirement；headoredtheunionofsorareamindandsonobleasoul；andhelongedtobecome，himself，theheirofMichelChrestien。
Thebeginningofthispassionwas，asinthecaseofalmostalldeepthinkers，anidea。Lookingattheprincess，studyingtheshapeofherhead，thearrangementofthosesweetfeatures，herfigure，herhand，sofinelymodelled，closerthanwhenheaccompaniedhisfriendintheirwildrushthroughthestreets，hewasstruckbythesurprisingphenomenonofthemoralsecond-sightwhichamanexaltedbyloveinvariablyfindswithinhim。WithwhatlucidityhadMichelChrestienreadintothatsoul，thatheart，illuminedbythefiresoflove！Thustheprincessacquired，ind’Arthez’seyes，anothercharm；ahaloofpoesysurroundedher。
Asthedinnerproceeded，Danielcalledtomindthevariousconfidencesofhisfriend，hisdespair，hishopes，thenoblepoemsofatruesentimentsungtohisearalone，inhonorofthiswoman。Itisrarethatamanpasseswithoutremorsefromthepositionofconfidanttothatofrival，andd’Arthezwasfreetodosowithoutdishonor。Hehadsuddenly，inamoment，perceivedtheenormousdifferencesexistingbetweenawell-bredwoman，thatflowerofthegreatworld，andcommonwomen，thoughofthelatterhedidnotknowbeyondonespecimen。Hewasthuscapturedonthemostaccessibleandsensitivesidesofhissoulandofhisgenius。Impelledbyhissimplicity，andbytheimpetuosityofhisideas，tolayimmediateclaimtothiswoman，hefoundhimselfrestrainedbysociety，alsobythebarrierwhichthemannersand，letussaytheword，themajestyoftheprincessplacedbetweenthem。Theconversation，whichremaineduponthetopicofMichelChrestienuntilthedessert，wasanexcellentpretextforbothtospeakinalowvoice：love，sympathy，comprehension！shecouldposeasamalignedandmisunderstoodwoman；hecouldsliphisfeetintotheshoesofthedeadrepublican。Perhapshiscandidminddetecteditselfinregrettinghisdeadfriendless。Theprincess，atthemomentwhenthedessertappeareduponthetable，andtheguestswereseparatedbyabrillianthedgeoffruitsandsweetmeats，thoughtbesttoputanendtothisflowofconfidencesbyacharminglittlespeech，inwhichshedelicatelyexpressedtheideathatDanielandMichelweretwinsouls。
Afterthisd’Arthezthrewhimselfintothegeneralconversationwiththegayetyofachild，andaself-conceitedairthatwasworthyofaschoolboy。Whentheyleftthedining-room，theprincesstookd’Arthez’sarm，inthesimplestmanner，toreturntoMadamed’Espard’slittlesalon。Astheycrossedthegrandsalonshewalkedslowly，andwhensufficientlyseparatedfromthemarquise，whowasonBlondet’sarm，shestopped。
\"Idonotwishtobeinaccessibletothefriendofthatpoorman，\"shesaidtod’Arthez；\"andthoughIhavemadeitaruletoreceivenovisitors，youwillalwaysbewelcomeinmyhouse。Donotthinkthisafavor。Afavorisonlyforstrangers，andtomymindyouandIseemoldfriends；IseeinyouthebrotherofMichel。\"
D’Arthezcouldonlypressherarm，unabletomakeotherreply。
Aftercoffeewasserved，DianedeCadignanwrappedherself，withcoquettishmotions，inalargeshawl，androse。BlondetandRastignacweretoomuchmenoftheworld，andtoopolitetomaketheleastremonstrance，ortrytodetainher；butMadamed’Espardcompelledherfriendtositdownagain，whisperinginherear：——
\"Waittilltheservantshavehadtheirdinner；thecarriageisnotreadyyet。\"
Sosaying，themarquisemadeasigntothefootman，whowastakingawaythecoffee-tray。MadamedeMontcornetperceivedthattheprincessandMadamed’Espardhadawordtosaytoeachother，andshedrewaroundherd’Arthez，Rastignac，andBlondet，amusingthemwithoneofthosecleverparadoxicalattackswhichParisianwomenunderstandsothoroughly。
\"Well，\"saidthemarquisetoDiane，\"whatdoyouthinkofhim？\"
\"Heisanadorablechild，justoutofswaddling-clothes！Thistime，likeallothertimes，itwillonlybeatriumphwithoutastruggle。\"
\"Well，itisdisappointing，\"saidMadamed’Espard。\"Butwemightevadeit。\"
\"How？\"
\"Letmebeyourrival。\"
\"Justasyouplease，\"repliedtheprincess。\"I’vedecidedonmycourse。Geniusisaconditionofthebrain；Idon’tknowwhattheheartgetsoutofit；we’lltalkaboutthatlater。\"
Hearingthelastfewwords，whichwerewhollyincomprehensibletoher，Madamed’Espardreturnedtothegeneralconversation，showingneitheroffenceatthatindifferent\"Asyouplease，\"norcuriosityastotheoutcomeoftheinterview。Theprincessstayedanhourlonger，seatedonthesofanearthefire，inthecareless，nonchalantattitudeofGuerin’sDido，listeningwiththeattentionofanabsorbedmind，andlookingatDanielnowandthen，withoutdisguisingheradmiration，whichneverwent，however，beyondduelimits。Sheslippedawaywhenthecarriagewasannounced，withapressureofthehandtothemarquise，andaninclinationoftheheadtoMadamedeMontcornet。
Theeveningconcludedwithoutanyallusiontotheprincess。Theotherguestsprofitedbythesortofexaltationwhichd’Arthezhadreached，forheputforththetreasuresofhismind。InBlondetandRastignachecertainlyhadtwoacolytesofthefirstqualitytobringforththedelicacyofhiswitandthebreadthofhisintellect。Asforthetwowomen，theyhadlongbeencountedamongthecleverestinsociety。Thiseveningwaslikeahaltintheoasisofadesert，——arareenjoyment，andwellappreciatedbythesefourpersons，habituallyvictimizedtotheendlesscautionentailedbytheworldofsalonsandpolitics。
Therearebeingswhohavetheprivilegeofpassingamongmenlikebeneficentstars，whoselightilluminesthemind，whileitsrayssendaglowtotheheart。D’Arthezwasoneofthosebeings。Awriterwhorisestohislevel，accustomshimselftofreethought，andforgetsthatinsocietyallthingscannotbesaid；itisimpossibleforsuchamantoobservetherestraintofpersonswholiveintheworldperpetually；butashiseccentricitiesofthoughtborethemarkoforiginality，noonefeltinclinedtocomplain。Thiszest，thispiquancy，rareinmeretalent，thisyouthfulnessandsimplicityofsoulwhichmaded’Arthezsonoblyoriginal，gaveadelightfulcharmtothisevening。HeleftthehousewithRastignac，who，astheydrovehome，askedhimhowhelikedtheprincess。
\"Micheldidwelltoloveher，\"repliedd’Arthez；\"sheis，indeed，anextraordinarywoman。\"
\"Veryextraordinary，\"repliedRastignac，dryly。\"BythetoneofyourvoiceIshouldjudgeyouwereinlovewithheralready。Youwillbeinherhousewithinthreedays；andIamtoooldadenizenofParisnottoknowwhatwillbetheupshotofthat。Well，mydearDaniel，Idoentreatyounottoallowyourselftobedrawnintoanyconfusionofinterests，sotospeak。Lovetheprincessifyoufeelanyloveforherinyourheart，butkeepaneyeonyourfortune。Shehasnevertakenoraskedapennyfromanymanonearth，sheisfartoomuchofad’UxellesandaCadignanforthat；but，tomyknowledge，shehasnotonlyspentherownfortune，whichwasveryconsiderable，butshehasmadeotherswastemillions。How？why？bywhatmeans？Nooneknows；shedoesn’tknowherself。Imyselfsawherswallowup，somethirteenyearsago，theentirefortuneofacharmingyoungfellow，andthatofanoldnotary，intwentymonths。\"
\"Thirteenyearsago！\"exclaimedd’Arthez，——\"why，howoldisshenow？\"
\"Didn’tyousee，atdinner，\"repliedRastignac，laughing，\"herson，theDucdeMaufrigneuse。Thatyoungmanisnineteenyearsold；
nineteenandseventeenmake——\"
\"Thirty-six！\"criedtheamazedauthor。\"Igavehertwenty。\"
\"She’llacceptthem，\"saidRastignac；\"butdon’tbeuneasy，shewillalwaysbetwentytoyou。Youareabouttoenterthemostfantasticofworlds。Good-night，hereyouareathome，\"saidthebaron，astheyenteredtheruedeBellefond，whered’Arthezlivedinaprettylittlehouseofhisown。\"WeshallmeetatMademoiselledesTouches’sinthecourseoftheweek。\"
CHAPTERIII
THEPRINCESSGOESTOWORK
D’ArthezallowedlovetoenterhisheartafterthemannerofmyUncleToby，withoutmakingtheslightestresistance；heproceededbyadorationwithoutcriticism，andbyexclusiveadmiration。Theprincess，thatnoblecreature，oneofthemostremarkablecreationsofourmonstrousParis，whereallthingsarepossible，goodaswellasevil，became——whatevervulgaritythecourseoftimemayhavegiventotheexpression——theangelofhisdreams。Tofullyunderstandthesuddentransformationofthisillustriousauthor，itisnecessarytorealizethesimplicitythatconstantworkandsolitudeleaveintheheart；allthatlove——reducedtoamereneed，andnowrepugnant，besideanignoblewoman——excitesofregretandlongingsfordivinersentimentsinthehigherregionsofthesoul。D’Arthezwas，indeed，thechild，theboythatMadamedeCadignanhadrecognized。AnilluminationsomethinglikehisownhadtakenplaceinthebeautifulDiane。Atlastshehadmetthatsuperiormanwhomallwomendesireandseek，ifonlytomakeaplaythingofhim，——thatpowerwhichtheyconsenttoobey，ifonlyforthepleasureofsubduingit；atlastshehadfoundthegrandeursoftheintellectunitedwiththesimplicityofaheartallnewtolove；andshesaw，withuntoldhappiness，thatthesemeritswerecontainedinaformthatpleasedher。Shethoughtd’Arthezhandsome，andperhapshewas。Thoughhehadreachedtheageofgravity（forhewasnowthirty-eight），hestillpreservedaflowerofyouth，duetothesoberandasceticlifewhichhehadled。Likeallmenofsedentaryhabits，andstatesmen，hehadacquiredacertainlyreasonableembonpoint。Whenveryyoung，heboresomeresemblancetoBonaparte；andthelikenessstillcontinued，asmuchasamanwithblackeyesandthick，darkhaircouldresembleasovereignwithblueeyesandscanty，chestnuthair。Butwhateverthereoncewasofardentandnobleambitioninthegreatauthor’seyeshadbeensomewhatquenchedbysuccesses。Thethoughtswithwhichthatbrowonceteemedhadflowered；thelinesofthehollowfacewerefillingout。Easenowspreaditsgoldentintswhere，inyouth，povertyhadlaidtheyellowtonesoftheclassoftemperamentwhoseforcesbandtogethertosupportacrushingandlong-continuedstruggle。Ifyouobservecarefullythenoblefacesofancientphilosophers，youwillalwaysfindthosedeviationsfromthetypeofaperfecthumanfacewhichshowthecharacteristictowhicheachcountenanceowesitsoriginality，chastenedbythehabitofmeditation，andbythecalmnessnecessaryforintellectuallabor。Themostirregularfeatures，likethoseofSocrates，forinstance，become，afteratime，expressiveofanalmostdivineserenity。
Tothenoblesimplicitywhichcharacterizedhishead，d’Arthezaddedanaiveexpression，thenaturalnessofachild，andatouchingkindliness。Hedidnothavethatpolitenesstingedwithinsinceritywithwhich，insociety，thebest-bredpersonsandthemostamiableassumequalitiesinwhichtheyareoftenlacking，leavingthosetheyhavethusdupedwoundedanddistressed。Hemight，indeed，failtoobservecertainrulesofsociallife，owingtohisisolatedmodeofliving；buthenevershockedthesensibilities，andthereforethisperfumeofsavagerymadethepeculiaraffabilityofamanofgreattalentthemoreagreeable；suchmenknowhowtoleavetheirsuperiorityintheirstudies，andcomedowntothesociallevel，lendingtheirbacks，likeHenryIV。，tothechildren’sleap-frog，andtheirmindstofools。
Ifd’Arthezdidnotbracehimselfagainstthespellwhichtheprincesshadcastabouthim，neitherdidsheherselfarguethematterinherownmind，onreturninghome。Itwassettledforher。Shelovedwithallherknowledgeandallherignorance。Ifshequestionedherselfatall，itwastoaskwhethershedeservedsogreatahappiness，andwhatshehaddonethatHeavenshouldsendhersuchanangel。Shewantedtobeworthyofthatlove，toperpetuateit，tomakeitherownforever，andtogentlyendhercareeroffrivolityintheparadiseshenowforesaw。Asforcoquetting，quibbling，resisting，sheneveroncethoughtofit。Shewasthinkingofsomethingverydifferent！——ofthegrandeurofmenofgenius，andthecertaintywhichherheartdivinedthattheywouldneversubjectthewomantheychosetoordinarylaws。
Herebeginsoneofthoseunseencomedies，playedinthesecretregionsoftheconsciousnessbetweentwobeingsofwhomonewillbethedupeoftheother，thoughitkeepsonthissideofwickedness；oneofthosedarkandcomicdramastowhichthatofTartuffeismerechild’splay，——dramasthatdonotenterthescenicdomain，althoughtheyarenatural，conceivable，andevenjustifiablebynecessity；dramaswhichmaybecharacterizedasnotvice，onlytheothersideofit。
Theprincessbeganbysendingford’Arthez’sbooks，ofwhichshehadnever，asyet，readasingleword，althoughshehadmanagedtomaintainatwentyminutes’eulogismanddiscussionofthemwithoutablunder。Shenowreadthemall。Thenshewantedtocomparethesebookswiththebestthatcontemporaryliteraturehadproduced。Bythetimed’Arthezcametoseehershewashavinganindigestionofmind。
Expectingthisvisit，shehaddailymadeatoiletofwhatmaybecalledthesuperiororder；thatis，atoiletwhichexpressesanidea，andmakesitacceptedbytheeyewithouttheowneroftheeyeknowingwhyorwherefore。Shepresentedanharmoniouscombinationofshadesofgray，asortofsemi-mourning，fullofgracefulrenunciation，——thegarmentsofawomanwhoholdstolifeonlythroughafewnaturalties，——herchild，forinstance，——butwhoiswearyoflife。Thosegarmentsborewitnesstoanelegantdisgust，notreaching，however，asfarassuicide；no，shewouldliveoutherdaysintheseearthlygalleys。
Shereceivedd’Arthezasawomanwhoexpectedhim，andasifhehadalreadybeentoseeherahundredtimes；shedidhimthehonortotreathimlikeanoldacquaintance，andsheputhimathiseasebypointingtoaseatonasofa，whileshefinishedanoteshewasthenwriting。Theconversationbeganinacommonplacemanner：theweather，theministry，deMarsay’sillness，thehopesofthelegitimists。
D’Arthezwasanabsolutist；theprincesscouldnotbeignorantoftheopinionsofamanwhosatintheChamberamongthefifteenortwentypersonswhorepresentedthelegitimistparty；shefoundmeanstotellhimhowshehadfooleddeMarsaytothetopofhisbent，then，byaneasytransitiontotheroyalfamilyandto\"Madame，\"andthedevotionofthePrincedeCadignantotheirservice，shedrewd’Arthez’sattentiontotheprince：——
\"Thereisthistobesaidforhim：helovedhismasters，andwasfaithfultothem。Hispubliccharacterconsolesmeforthesufferingshisprivatelifehasinflicteduponme——Haveyouneverremarked，\"shewenton，cleverlyleavingtheprinceaside，\"youwhoobservesomuch，thatmenhavetwonatures：oneoftheirhomes，theirwives，theirprivatelives，——thisistheirtrueself；herenomask，nodissimulation；theydonotgivethemselvesthetroubletodisguiseafeeling；theyarewhattheyARE，anditisoftenhorrible！Theothermanisforothers，fortheworld，forsalons；thecourt，thesovereign，thepublicoftenseethemgrand，andnoble，andgenerous，embroideredwithvirtues，adornedwithfinelanguage，fullofadmirablequalities。Whatahorriblejestitis！——andtheworldissurprised，sometimes，atthecausticsmileofcertainwomen，attheirairofsuperioritytotheirhusbands，andtheirindifference——\"
Sheletherhandfallalongthearmofherchair，withoutendinghersentence，butthegestureadmirablycompletedthespeech。Shesawd’Arthezwatchingherflexiblefigure，gracefullybendinginthedepthsofhereasy-chair，notingthefoldsofhergown，andtheprettylittlerufflewhichsportedonherbreast，——oneofthoseaudacitiesofthetoiletthataresuitedonlytoslenderwaists，——andsheresumedthethreadofherthoughtsasifshewerespeakingtoherself：——
\"ButIwillsaynomore。Youwritershaveendedbymakingridiculousallwomenwhothinktheyaremisunderstood，orill-mated，andwhotrytomakethemselvesdramaticallyinteresting，——attemptswhichseemtome，Imustsay，intolerablyvulgar。Therearebuttwothingsforwomeninthatplighttodo，——yield，andallisover；resist，andamusethemselves；ineithercasetheyshouldkeepsilence。ItistruethatI
neitheryieldedwholly，norresistedwholly；but，perhaps，thatwasonlythemorereasonwhyIshouldbesilent。Whatfollyforwomentocomplain！Iftheyhavenotprovedthestronger，theyhavefailedinsense，intact，incapacity，andtheydeservetheirfate。AretheynotqueensinFrance？Theycanplaywithyouastheylike，whentheylike，andasmuchastheylike。\"Hereshedancedhervinaigrettewithanairymovementoffeminineimpertinenceandmockinggayety。\"Ihaveoftenheardmiserablelittlespecimensofmysexregrettingthattheywerewomen，wishingtheyweremen；Ihavealwaysregardedthemwithpity。IfIhadtochoose，Ishouldstillelecttobeawoman。Afinepleasure，indeed，tooweone’striumphtoforce，andtoallthosepowerswhichyougiveyourselvesbythelawsyoumake！Buttoseeyouatourfeet，sayinganddoingfoolishthings，——ah！itisanintoxicatingpleasuretofeelwithinoursoulsthatweaknesstriumphs！
Butwhenwetriumph，weoughttokeepsilence，underpainoflosingourempire。Beaten，awoman’sprideshouldgagher。Theslave’ssilencealarmsthemaster。\"
Thischatterwasutteredinavoicesosoftlysarcastic，sodainty，andwithsuchcoquettishmotionsofthehead，thatd’Arthez，towhomthisstyleofwomanwastotallyunknown，satbeforeherexactlylikeapartridgecharmedbyasetter。
\"Ientreatyou，madame，\"hesaid，atlast，\"totellmehowitwaspossiblethatamancouldmakeyousuffer？Beassuredthatwhere，asyousay，otherwomenarecommonandvulgar，youcanonlyseemdistinguished；yourmannerofsayingthingswouldmakeacook-bookinteresting。\"
\"Yougofastinfriendship，\"shesaid，inagravevoicewhichmaded’Arthezextremelyuneasy。
Theconversationchanged；thehourwaslate，andthepoormanofgeniuswentawaycontriteforhavingseemedcurious，andforwoundingthesensitiveheartofthatrarewomanwhohadsostrangelysuffered。
Asforher，shehadpassedherlifeinamusingherselfwithmen，andwasanotherDonJuaninfemaleattire，withthisdifference：shewouldcertainlynothaveinvitedtheCommandertosupper，andwouldhavegotthebetterofanystatue。
ItisimpossibletocontinuethistalewithoutsayingawordaboutthePrincedeCadignan，betterknownunderthenameoftheDucdeMaufrigneuse，otherwisethespiceoftheprincess’sconfidenceswouldbelost，andstrangerswouldnotunderstandtheParisiancomedyshewasabouttoplayforhermanofgenius。
TheDucdeMaufrigneuse，likeatruesonoftheoldPrincedeCadignan，isatall，leanman，ofelegantshape，verygraceful，asayerofwittythings，colonelbythegraceofGod，andagoodsoldierbyaccident；braveasaPole，whichmeanswithoutsenseordiscernment，andhidingtheemptinessofhismindunderthejargonofgoodsociety。Aftertheageofthirty-sixhewasforcedtobeasabsolutelyindifferenttothefairsexashismasterCharlesX。，punished，likethatmaster，forhavingpleasedittoowell。ForeighteenyearstheidolofthefaubourgSaint-Germain，hehad，likeotherheirsofgreatfamiliesledadissipatedlife，spentsolelyonpleasure。Hisfather，ruinedbytherevolution，hadsomewhatrecoveredhispositiononthereturnoftheBourbons，asgovernorofaroyaldomain，withsalaryandperquisites；butthisuncertainfortunetheoldprincespent，asitcame，inkeepingupthetraditionsofagreatseigneurbeforetherevolution；sothatwhenthelawofindemnitywaspassed，thesumshereceivedwereallswallowedupintheluxuryhedisplayedinhisvasthotel。
TheoldprincediedsomelittletimebeforetherevolutionofJulyagedeighty-seven。Hehadruinedhiswife，andhadlongbeenonbadtermswiththeDucdeNavarreins，whohadmarriedhisdaughterforafirstwife，andtowhomheveryreluctantlyrenderedhisaccounts。TheDucdeMaufrigneuse，earlyinlife，hadhadrelationswiththeDuchessed’Uxelles。Abouttheyear1814，whenMonsieurdeMaufrigneusewasforty-sixyearsofage，theduchess，pityinghispoverty，andseeingthathestoodverywellatcourt，gavehimherdaughterDiane，theninherseventeenthyear，andpossessing，inherownright，somefiftyorsixtythousandfrancsayear，notcountingherfutureexpectations。Mademoiselled’Uxellesthusbecameaduchess，and，ashermotherverywellknew，sheenjoyedtheutmostliberty。Theduke，afterobtainingtheunexpectedhappinessofanheir，lefthiswifeentirelytoherowndevices，andwentofftoamusehimselfinthevariousgarrisonsofFrance，returningoccasionallytoParis，wherehemadedebtswhichhisfatherpaid。Heprofessedthemostentireconjugalindulgence，alwaysgivingtheduchessaweek’swarningofhisreturn；hewasadoredbyhisregiment，belovedbytheDauphin，anadroitcourtier，somewhatofagambler，andtotallydevoidofaffectation。Havingsucceededtohisfather’sofficeasgovernorofoneoftheroyaldomains，hemanagedtopleasethetwokings，LouisXVIII。andCharlesX。，whichproveshemadethemostofhisnonentity；
andeventheliberalslikedhim；buthisconductandlifewerecoveredwiththefinestvarnish；language，noblemanners，anddeportmentwerebroughtbyhimtoastateofperfection。But，astheoldprincesaid，itwasimpossibleforhimtocontinuethetraditionsoftheCadignans，whowereallwellknowntohaveruinedtheirwives，fortheduchesswasrunningthroughherpropertyonherownaccount。
TheseparticularsweresowellunderstoodinthecourtcirclesandinthefaubourgSaint-Germain，thatduringthelastfiveyearsoftheRestorationtheywereconsideredancienthistory，andanyonewhomentionedthemwouldhavebeenlaughedat。Womenneverspokeofthecharmingdukewithoutpraisinghim；hewasexcellent，theysaid，tohiswife；couldamanbebetter？Hehadlefthertheentiredisposalofherownproperty，andhadalwaysdefendedheroneveryoccasion。Itistruethat，whetherfrompride，kindliness，orchivalry，MonsieurdeMaufrigneusehadsavedtheduchessundervariouscircumstanceswhichmighthaveruinedotherwomen，inspiteofDiane’ssurroundings，andtheinfluenceofhermotherandthatoftheDucdeNavarreins，herfather-in-law，andherhusband’saunt。
Forseveralensuingdaystheprincessrevealedherselftod’Arthezasremarkableforherknowledgeofliterature。Shediscussedwithperfectfearlessnessthemostdifficultquestions，thankstoherdailyandnightlyreading，pursuedwithanintrepidityworthyofthehighestpraise。D’Arthez，amazed，andincapableofsuspectingthatDianed’Uxellesmerelyrepeatedatnightthatwhichshereadinthemorning（assomewritersdo），regardedherasamostsuperiorwoman。Theseconversations，however，ledawayfromDiane’sobject，andshetriedtogetbacktotheregionofconfidencesfromwhichd’Arthezhadprudentlyretiredafterhercoquettishrebuff；butitwasnotaseasyassheexpectedtobringbackamanofhisnaturewhohadoncebeenstartledaway。
However，afteramonthofliterarycampaigningandthefinestplatonicdiscourses，d’Arthezgrewbolder，andarrivedeverydayatthreeo’clock。Heretiredatsix，andreturnedatnine，toremainuntilmidnight，oroneinthemorning，withtheregularityofanardentandimpatientlover。Theprincesswasalwaysdressedwithmoreorlessstudiedeleganceatthehourwhend’Arthezpresentedhimself。Thismutualfidelity，thecaretheyeachtookoftheirappearance，infact，allaboutthemexpressedsentimentsthatneitherdaredavow，fortheprincessdiscernedveryplainlythatthegreatchildwithwhomshehadtodoshrankfromthecombatasmuchasshedesiredit。Neverthelessd’Arthezputintohismutedeclarationsarespectfulawewhichwasinfinitelypleasingtoher。Bothfelt，everyday，allthemoreunitedbecausenothingacknowledgedordefinitecheckedthecourseoftheirideas，asoccursbetweenloverswhenthereareformaldemandsononeside，andsincereorcoquettishrefusalsontheother。
Likeallmenyoungerthantheiractualage，d’Arthezwasapreytothoseagitatingirresolutionswhicharecausedbytheforceofdesiresandtheterrorofdispleasing，——asituationwhichayoungwomandoesnotcomprehendwhenshesharesit，butwhichtheprincesshadtoooftendeliberatelyproducednottoenjoyitspleasures。Infact，Dianeenjoyedthesedelightfuljuvenilitiesallthemorekeenlybecausesheknewthatshecouldputanendtothematanymoment。Shewaslikeagreatartistdelightinginthevague，undecidedlinesofhissketch，knowingwellthatinamomentofinspirationhecancompletethemasterpiecestillwaitingtocometobirth。Manyatime，seeingd’Arthezonthepointofadvancing，sheenjoyedstoppinghimshort，withanimposingairandmanner。Shedrovebackthehiddenstormsofthatstillyoungheart，raisedthemagain，andstilledthemwithalook，holdingoutherhandtobekissed，orsayingsometriflinginsignificantwordsinatendervoice。
Thesemanoeuvres，plannedincoldblood，butenchantinglyexecuted，carvedherimagedeeperanddeeperonthesoulofthatgreatwriterandthinkerwhomsherevelledinmakingchildlike，confiding，simple，andalmostsillybesideher。Andyetshehadmomentsofrepulsionagainstherownact，momentsinwhichshecouldnothelpadmiringthegrandeurofsuchsimplicity。Thisgameofchoicestcoquetryattachedher，insensibly，toherslave。Atlast，however，DianegrewimpatientwithanEpictetusoflove；andwhenshethoughtshehadtrainedhimtotheutmostcredulity，shesettoworktotieathickerbandagestilloverhiseyes。
CHAPTERIV
THECONFESSIONOFAPRETTYWOMAN
OneeveningDanielfoundtheprincessthoughtful，oneelbowrestingonalittletable，herbeautifulblondheadbathedinlightfromthelamp。Shewastoyingwithaletterwhichlayonthetable-cloth。Whend’Arthezhadseenthepaperdistinctly，shefoldeditup，andstuckitinherbelt。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedd’Arthez；\"youseemdistressed。\"
\"IhavereceivedaletterfromMonsieurdeCadignan，\"shereplied。
\"Howevergreatthewrongshehasdoneme，Icannothelpthinkingofhisexile——withoutfamily，withoutson——fromhisnativeland。\"
Thesewords，saidinasoulfulvoice，betrayedangelicsensibility。
D’Arthezwasdeeplymoved。Thecuriosityoftheloverbecame，sotospeak，apsychologicalandliterarycuriosity。Hewantedtoknowtheheightthatwomanhadattained，andwhatweretheinjuriesshethusforgave；helongedtoknowhowthesewomenoftheworld，taxedwithfrivolity，cold-heartedness，andegotism，couldbesuchangels。
Rememberinghowtheprincesshadalreadyrepulsedhimwhenhefirsttriedtoreadthatcelestialheart，hisvoice，andhehimself，trembledashetookthetransparent，slenderhandofthebeautifulDianewithitscurvingfinger-tips，andsaid，——
\"Arewenowsuchfriendsthatyouwilltellmewhatyouhavesuffered？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，breathingforththesyllablelikethemostmellifluousnotethatTulou’sflutehadeversighed。
Thenshefellintoarevery，andhereyeswereveiled。Danielremainedinastateofanxiousexpectation，impressedwiththesolemnityoftheoccasion。Hispoeticimaginationmadehimsee，asitwere，cloudsslowlydispersinganddisclosingtohimthesanctuarywherethewoundedlambwaskneelingatthedivinefeet。
\"Well？\"hesaid，inasoft，stillvoice。
Dianelookedatthetenderpetitioner；thensheloweredhereyesslowly，droppingtheirlidswithamovementofnoblemodesty。Nonebutamonsterwouldhavebeencapableofimagininghypocrisyinthegracefulundulationoftheneckwithwhichtheprincessagainliftedhercharminghead，tolookoncemoreintotheeagereyesofthatgreatman。
\"CanI？oughtI？\"shemurmured，withagestureofhesitation，gazingatd’Arthezwithasublimeexpressionofdreamytenderness。\"Menhavesolittlefaithinthingsofthiskind；theythinkthemselvessolittleboundtobediscreet！\"
\"Ah！ifyoudistrustme，whyamIhere？\"criedd’Arthez。
\"Oh，friend！\"shesaid，givingtotheexclamationthegraceofaninvoluntaryavowal，\"whenawomanattachesherselfforlife，thinkyoushecalculates？Itisnotquestionofrefusal（howcouldIrefuseyouanything？），buttheideaofwhatyoumaythinkofmeifIspeak。I
wouldwillinglyconfidetoyouthestrangepositioninwhichIamatmyage；butwhatwouldyouthinkofawomanwhocouldrevealthesecretwoundsofhermarriedlife？Turennekepthiswordtorobbers；
doInotowetomytorturersthehonorofaTurenne？\"
\"Haveyoupassedyourwordtosaynothing？\"
\"MonsieurdeCadignandidnotthinkitnecessarytobindmetosecrecy——Youareaskingmorethanmysoul！Tyrant！youwantmetoburymyhonoritselfinyourbreast，\"shesaid，castingupond’Arthezalook，bywhichshegavemorevaluetohercomingconfidencethantoherpersonalself。
\"Youmustthinkmeaveryordinaryman，ifyoufearanyevil，nomatterwhat，fromme，\"hesaid，withill-concealedbitterness。
\"Forgiveme，friend，\"shereplied，takinghishandinherscaressingly，andlettingherfingerswandergentlyoverit。\"Iknowyourworth。Youhaverelatedtomeyourwholelife；itisnoble，itisbeautiful，itissublime，andworthyofyourname；perhaps，inreturn，Ioweyoumine。ButIfeartolowermyselfinyoureyesbyrelatingsecretswhicharenotwhollymine。Howcanyoubelieve——you，amanofsolitudeandpoesy——thehorrorsofsociallife？Ah！youlittlethinkwhenyouinventyourdramasthattheyarefarsurpassedbythosethatareplayedinfamiliesapparentlyunited。Youarewhollyignorantofcertaingildedsorrows。\"
\"Iknowall！\"hecried。
\"No，youknownothing。\"
D’ArthezfeltlikeamanlostontheAlpsofadarknight，whosees，atthefirstgleamofdawn，aprecipiceathisfeet。Helookedattheprincesswithabewilderedair，andfeltacoldchillrunningdownhisback。Dianethoughtforamomentthathermanofgeniuswasaweakling，butaflashfromhiseyesreassuredher。
\"Youhavebecometomealmostmyjudge，\"shesaid，withadesperateair。\"Imustspeaknow，invirtueoftherightthatallcalumniatedbeingshavetoshowtheirinnocence。Ihavebeen，Iamstill（ifapoorrecluseforcedbytheworldtorenouncetheworldisstillremembered）accusedofsuchlightconduct，andsomanyevilthings，thatitmaybeallowedmetofindinonestrongheartahavenfromwhichIcannotbedriven。HithertoIhavealwaysconsideredself-
justificationaninsulttoinnocence；andthatiswhyIhavedisdainedtodefendmyself。Besides，towhomcouldIappeal？SuchcruelthingscanbeconfidedtononebutGodortoonewhoseemstousverynearHim——apriest，oranotherself。Well！Idoknowthis，ifmysecretsarenotassafethere，\"shesaid，layingherhandond’Arthez’sheart，\"astheyarehere\"（pressingtheupperendofherbuskbeneathherfingers），\"thenyouarenotthegrandd’ArthezIthinkyou——Ishallhavebeendeceived。\"
Atearmoistenedd’Arthez’seyes，andDianedrankitinwithasidelook，which，however，gavenomotioneithertothepupilsorthelidsofhereyes。Itwasquickandneat，liketheactionofacatpouncingonamouse。