ChapterI
Inmyopinion，itisimpossibletocreatecharactersuntilonehasspentalongtimeinstudyingmen，asitisimpossibletospeakalanguageuntilithasbeenseriouslyacquired。Notbeingoldenoughtoinvent，Icontentmyselfwithnarrating，andIbegthereadertoassurehimselfofthetruthofastoryinwhichallthecharacters，withtheexceptionoftheheroine，arestillalive。Eye-witnessesofthegreaterpartofthefactswhichI
havecollectedaretobefoundinParis，andImightcalluponthemtoconfirmmeifmytestimonyisnotenough。And，thankstoaparticularcircumstance，Ialonecanwritethesethings，forI
aloneamabletogivethefinaldetails，withoutwhichitwouldhavebeenimpossibletomakethestoryatonceinterestingandcomplete。
Thisishowthesedetailscametomyknowledge。Onthe12thofMarch，1847，IsawintheRueLafitteagreatyellowplacardannouncingasaleoffurnitureandcuriosities。Thesalewastotakeplaceonaccountofthedeathoftheowner。Theowner\'snamewasnotmentioned，butthesalewastobeheldat9，Rued\'Antin，onthe16th，from12to5。Theplacardfurtherannouncedthattheroomsandfurniturecouldbeseenonthe13thand14th。
Ihavealwaysbeenveryfondofcuriosities，andImadeupmymindnottomisstheoccasion，ifnotofbuyingsome，atalleventsofseeingthem。NextdayIcalledat9，Rued\'Antin。
Itwasearlyintheday，andyettherewerealreadyanumberofvisitors，bothmenandwomen，andthewomen，thoughtheyweredressedincashmereandvelvet，andhadtheircarriageswaitingforthematthedoor，gazedwithastonishmentandadmirationattheluxurywhichtheysawbeforethem。
Iwasnotlongindiscoveringthereasonofthisastonishmentandadmiration，for，havingbeguntoexaminethingsalittlecarefully，IdiscoveredwithoutdifficultythatIwasinthehouseofakeptwoman。Now，ifthereisonethingwhichwomeninsocietywouldliketosee（andthereweresocietywomenthere），itisthehomeofthosewomenwhosecarriagessplashtheirowncarriagesdaybyday，who，likethem，sidebysidewiththem，havetheirboxesattheOperaandattheItaliens，andwhoparadeinParistheopulentinsolenceoftheirbeauty，theirdiamonds，andtheirscandal。
Thisonewasdead，sothemostvirtuousofwomencouldenterevenherbedroom。Deathhadpurifiedtheairofthisabodeofsplendidfoulness，andifmoreexcusewereneeded，theyhadtheexcusethattheyhadmerelycometoasale，theyknewnotwhose。Theyhadreadtheplacards，theywishedtoseewhattheplacardshadannounced，andtomaketheirchoicebeforehand。Whatcouldbemorenatural？Yet，allthesame，inthemidstofallthesebeautifulthings，theycouldnothelplookingaboutforsometracesofthiscourtesan\'slife，ofwhichtheyhadheard，nodoubt，strangeenoughstories。
Unfortunatelythemysteryhadvanishedwiththegoddess，and，foralltheirendeavours，theydiscoveredonlywhatwasonsalesincetheowner\'sdecease，andnothingofwhathadbeenonsaleduringherlifetime。Fortherest，therewereplentyofthingsworthbuying。Thefurniturewassuperb；therewererosewoodandbuhlcabinetsandtables，SevresandChinesevases，Saxestatuettes，satin，velvet，lace；therewasnothinglacking。
Isaunteredthroughtherooms，followingtheinquisitiveladiesofdistinction。TheyenteredaroomwithPersianhangings，andI
wasjustgoingtoenterinturn，whentheycameoutagainalmostimmediately，smiling，andasifashamedoftheirowncuriosity。I
wasallthemoreeagertoseetheroom。Itwasthedressing-room，laidoutwithallthearticlesoftoilet，inwhichthedeadwoman\'sextravaganceseemedtobeseenatitsheight。
Onalargetableagainstthewall，atablethreefeetinwidthandsixinlength，glitteredallthetreasuresofAucocandOdiot。Itwasamagnificentcollection，andtherewasnotoneofthosethousandlittlethingssonecessarytothetoiletofawomanofthekindwhichwasnotingoldorsilver。Suchacollectioncouldonlyhavebeengottogetherlittlebylittle，andthesameloverhadcertainlynotbegunandendedit。
Notbeingshockedatthesightofakeptwoman\'sdressing-room，I
amusedmyselfwithexaminingeverydetail，andIdiscoveredthatthesemagnificentlychiselledobjectsboredifferentinitialsanddifferentcoronets。Ilookedatoneafteranother，eachrecallingaseparateshame，andIsaidthatGodhadbeenmercifultothepoorchild，innothavinglefthertopaytheordinarypenalty，butrathertodieinthemidstofherbeautyandluxury，beforethecomingofoldage，thecourtesan\'sfirstdeath。
Isthereanythingsadderintheworldthantheoldageofvice，especiallyinwoman？Shepreservesnodignity，sheinspiresnointerest。Theeverlastingrepentance，notoftheevilwaysfollowed，butoftheplansthathavemiscarried，themoneythathasbeenspentinvain，isassaddeningathingasonecanwellmeetwith。Iknewanagedwomanwhohadoncebeen\"gay，\"whoseonlylinkwiththepastwasadaughteralmostasbeautifulassheherselfhadbeen。Thispoorcreaturetowhomhermotherhadneversaid，\"Youaremychild，\"excepttobidhernourishheroldageassheherselfhadnourishedheryouth，wascalledLouise，and，beingobedienttohermother，sheabandonedherselfwithoutvolition，withoutpassion，withoutpleasure，asshewouldhaveworkedatanyotherprofessionthatmighthavebeentaughther。
Theconstantsightofdissipation，precociousdissipation，inadditiontoherconstantsicklystate，hadextinguishedinhermindalltheknowledgeofgoodandevilthatGodhadperhapsgivenher，butthatnoonehadeverthoughtofdeveloping。I
shallalwaysrememberher，asshepassedalongtheboulevardsalmosteverydayatthesamehour，accompaniedbyhermotherasassiduouslyasarealmothermighthaveaccompaniedherdaughter。
Iwasveryyoungthen，andreadytoacceptformyselftheeasymoralityoftheage。Iremember，however，thecontemptanddisgustwhichawokeinmeatthesightofthisscandalouschaperoning。Herface，too，wasinexpressiblyvirginalinitsexpressionofinnocenceandofmelancholysuffering。ShewaslikeafigureofResignation。
Onedaythegirl\'sfacewastransfigured。Inthemidstofallthedebauchesmappedoutbyhermother，itseemedtoherasifGodhadleftoverforheronehappiness。AndwhyindeedshouldGod，whohadmadeherwithoutstrength，haveleftherwithoutconsolation，underthesorrowfulburdenofherlife？Oneday，then，sherealizedthatshewastohaveachild，andallthatremainedtoherofchastityleapedforjoy。Thesoulhasstrangerefuges。Louiserantotellthegoodnewstohermother。Itisashamefulthingtospeakof，butwearenottellingtalesofpleasantsins；wearetellingoftruefacts，whichitwouldbebetter，nodoubt，topassoverinsilence，ifwedidnotbelievethatitisneedfulfromtimetotimetorevealthemartyrdomofthosewhoarecondemnedwithoutbearing，scornedwithoutjudging；
shamefulitis，butthismotheransweredthedaughterthattheyhadalreadyscarceenoughfortwo，andwouldcertainlynothaveenoughforthree；thatsuchchildrenareuseless，andalying-inissomuchtimelost。
Nextdayamidwife，ofwhomallwewillsayisthatshewasafriendofthemother，visitedLouise，whoremainedinbedforafewdays，andthengotuppalerandfeeblerthanbefore。
Threemonthsafterwardamantookpityonherandtriedtohealher，morallyandphysically；butthelastshockhadbeentooviolent，andLouisediedofit。Themotherstilllives；how？Godknows。
ThisstoryreturnedtomymindwhileIlookedatthesilvertoiletthings，andacertainspaceoftimemusthaveelapsedduringthesereflections，fornoonewasleftintheroombutmyselfandanattendant，who，standingnearthedoor，wascarefullywatchingmetoseethatIdidnotpocketanything。
Iwentuptotheman，towhomIwascausingsomuchanxiety。
\"Sir，\"Isaid，\"canyoutellmethenameofthepersonwhoformerlylivedhere？\"
\"MademoiselleMargueriteGautier。\"
Iknewherbynameandbysight。
\"What！\"Isaidtotheattendant；\"MargueriteGautierisdead？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Whendidshedie？\"
\"Threeweeksago，Ibelieve。\"
\"Andwhyaretheroomsonview？\"
\"Thecreditorsbelievethatitwillsenduptheprices。Peoplecanseebeforehandtheeffectofthethings；youseethatinducesthemtobuy。\"
\"Shewasindebt，then？\"
\"Toanyextent，sir。\"
\"Butthesalewillcoverit？\"
\"Andmoretoo。\"
\"Whowillgetwhatremainsover？\"
\"Herfamily。\"
\"Shehadafamily？\"
\"Itseemsso。\"
\"Thanks。\"
Theattendant，reassuredastomyintentions，touchedhishat，andIwentout。
\"Poorgirl！\"IsaidtomyselfasIreturnedhome；\"shemusthavehadasaddeath，for，inherworld，onehasfriendsonlywhenoneisperfectlywell。\"AndinspiteofmyselfIbegantofeelmelancholyoverthefateofMargueriteGautier。
Itwillseemabsurdtomanypeople，butIhaveanunboundedsympathyforwomenofthiskind，andIdonotthinkitnecessarytoapologizeforsuchsympathy。
Oneday，asIwasgoingtothePrefectureforapassport，Isawinoneoftheneighbouringstreetsapoorgirlwhowasbeingmarchedalongbytwopolicemen。Idonotknowwhatwasthematter。AllIknowisthatshewasweepingbitterlyasshekissedaninfantonlyafewmonthsold，fromwhomherarrestwastoseparateher。SincethatdayIhaveneverdaredtodespiseawomanatfirstsight。
Chapter2
Thesalewastotakeplaceonthe16th。Aday\'sintervalhadbeenleftbetweenthevisitingdaysandthesale，inordertogivetimefortakingdownthehangings，curtains，etc。Ihadjustreturnedfromabroad。ItwasnaturalthatIhadnotheardofMarguerite\'sdeathamongthepiecesofnewswhichone\'sfriendsalwaystellonreturningafteranabsence。Margueritewasaprettywoman；butthoughthelifeofsuchwomenmakessensationenough，theirdeathmakesverylittle。Theyaresunswhichsetastheyrose，unobserved。Theirdeath，whentheydieyoung，isheardofbyalltheirloversatthesamemoment，forinParisalmostalltheloversofawell-knownwomanarefriends。Afewrecollectionsareexchanged，andeverybody\'slifegoesonasiftheincidenthadneveroccurred，withoutsomuchasatear。
Nowadays，attwenty-five，tearshavebecomesorareathingthattheyarenottobesquanderedindiscriminately。Itisthemostthatcanbeexpectediftheparentswhopayforbeingweptoverareweptoverinreturnforthepricetheypay。
Asforme，thoughmyinitialsdidnotoccuronanyofMarguerite\'sbelongings，thatinstinctiveindulgence，thatnaturalpitythatIhavealreadyconfessed，setmethinkingoverherdeath，moreperhapsthanitwasworththinkingover。I
rememberedhavingoftenmetMargueriteintheBois，whereshewentregularlyeverydayinalittlebluecoupedrawnbytwomagnificentbays，andIhadnoticedinheradistinctionquiteapartfromotherwomenofherkind，adistinctionwhichwasenhancedbyareallyexceptionalbeauty。
Theseunfortunatecreatureswhenevertheygooutarealwaysaccompaniedbysomebodyorother。Asnomancarestomakehimselfconspicuousbybeingseenintheircompany，andastheyareafraidofsolitude，theytakewiththemeitherthosewhoarenotwellenoughofftohaveacarriage，oroneoranotherofthoseelegant，ancientladies，whoseeleganceisalittleinexplicable，andtowhomonecanalwaysgoforinformationinregardtothewomenwhomtheyaccompany。
InMarguerite\'scaseitwasquitedifferent。ShewasalwaysalonewhenshedroveintheChamps-Elysees，lyingbackinhercarriageasmuchaspossible，dressedinfursinwinter，andinsummerwearingverysimpledresses；andthoughsheoftenpassedpeoplewhomsheknew，hersmile，whenshechosetosmile，wasseenonlybythem，andaduchessmighthavesmiledinjustsuchamanner。
Shedidnotdrivetoandfroliketheothers，fromtheRond-PointtotheendoftheChamps-Elysees。ShedrovestraighttotheBois。
Thereshelefthercarriage，walkedforanhour，returnedtohercarriage，anddroverapidlyhome。
AllthesecircumstanceswhichIhadsooftenwitnessedcamebacktomymemory，andIregrettedherdeathasonemightregretthedestructionofabeautifulworkofart。
ItwasimpossibletoseemorecharminbeautythaninthatofMarguerite。Excessivelytallandthin，shehadinthefullestdegreetheartofrepairingthisoversightofNaturebythemerearrangementofthethingsshewore。Hercashmerereachedtotheground，andshowedoneachsidethelargeflouncesofasilkdress，andtheheavymuffwhichsheheldpressedagainstherbosomwassurroundedbysuchcunninglyarrangedfoldsthattheeye，howeverexacting，couldfindnofaultwiththecontourofthelines。Herhead，amarvel，wastheobjectofthemostcoquettishcare。Itwassmall，andhermother，asMussetwouldsay，seemedtohavemadeitsoinordertomakeitwithcare。
Set，inanovalofindescribablegrace，twoblackeyes，surmountedbyeyebrowsofsopureacurvethatitseemedasifpainted；veiltheseeyeswithlovelylashes，which，whendrooped，casttheirshadowontherosyhueofthecheeks；traceadelicate，straightnose，thenostrilsalittleopen，inanardentaspirationtowardthelifeofthesenses；designaregularmouth，withlipspartedgraciouslyoverteethaswhiteasmilk；colourtheskinwiththedownofapeachthatnohandhastouched，andyouwillhavethegeneralaspectofthatcharmingcountenance。
Thehair，blackasjet，wavingnaturallyornot，waspartedontheforeheadintwolargefoldsanddrapedbackoverthehead，leavinginsightjustthetipoftheears，inwhichthereglitteredtwodiamonds，worthfourtofivethousandfrancseach。
HowitwasthatherardentlifehadleftonMarguerite\'sfacethevirginal，almostchildlikeexpression，whichcharacterizedit，isaproblemwhichwecanbutstate，withoutattemptingtosolveit。
Margueritehadamarvellousportraitofherself，byVidal，theonlymanwhosepencilcoulddoherjustice。Ihadthisportraitbymeforafewdaysafterherdeath，andthelikenesswassoastonishingthatithashelpedtorefreshmymemoryinregardtosomepointswhichImightnototherwisehaveremembered。
Someamongthedetailsofthischapterdidnotreachmeuntillater，butIwritethemheresoasnottobeobligedtoreturntothemwhenthestoryitselfhasbegun。
Margueritewasalwayspresentateveryfirstnight，andpassedeveryeveningeitheratthetheatreortheball。Whenevertherewasanewpieceshewascertaintobeseen，andsheinvariablyhadthreethingswithherontheledgeofherground-floorbox：
heropera-glass，abagofsweets，andabouquetofcamellias。
Fortwenty-fivedaysofthemonththecamelliaswerewhite，andforfivetheywerered；nooneeverknewthereasonofthischangeofcolour，whichImentionthoughIcannotexplainit；itwasnoticedbothbyherfriendsandbythehabitue\'softhetheatrestowhichshemostoftenwent。Shewasneverseenwithanyflowersbutcamellias。Attheflorist\'s，MadameBarjon\'s，shehadcometobecalled\"theLadyoftheCamellias，\"andthenamestucktoher。
LikeallthosewhomoveinacertainsetinParis，IknewthatMargueritehadlivedwithsomeofthemostfashionableyoungmeninsociety，thatshespokeofitopenly，andthattheythemselvesboastedofit；sothatallseemedequallypleasedwithoneanother。Nevertheless，foraboutthreeyears，afteravisittoBagnees，shewassaidtobelivingwithanoldduke，aforeigner，enormouslyrich，whohadtriedtoremoveherasfaraspossiblefromherformerlife，and，asitseemed，entirelytoherownsatisfaction。
ThisiswhatIwastoldonthesubject。Inthespringof1847
Margueritewassoillthatthedoctorsorderedhertotakethewaters，andshewenttoBagneres。Amongtheinvalidswasthedaughterofthisduke；shewasnotonlysufferingfromthesamecomplaint，butshewassolikeMargueriteinappearancethattheymighthavebeentakenforsisters；theyoungduchesswasinthelaststageofconsumption，andafewdaysafterMarguerite\'sarrivalshedied。Onemorning，theduke，whohadremainedatBagnerestobenearthesoilthathadburiedapartofhisheart，caughtsightofMargueriteataturnoftheroad。Heseemedtoseetheshadowofhischild，andgoinguptoher，hetookherhands，embracedandweptoverher，andwithoutevenaskingherwhoshewas，beggedhertolethimloveinherthelivingimageofhisdeadchild。Marguerite，aloneatBagnereswithhermaid，andnotbeinginanyfearofcompromisingherself，grantedtheduke\'srequest。Somepeoplewhoknewher，happeningtobeatBagneres，tookuponthemselvestoexplainMademoiselleGautier\'struepositiontotheduke。Itwasablowtotheoldman，fortheresemblancewithhisdaughterwasendedinonedirection，butitwastoolate。Shehadbecomeanecessitytohisheart，hisonlypretext，hisonlyexcuse，forliving。Hemadenoreproaches，hehadindeednorighttodoso，butheaskedherifshefeltherselfcapableofchanginghermodeoflife，offeringherinreturnforthesacrificeeverycompensationthatshecoulddesire。Sheconsented。
ItmustbesaidthatMargueritewasjustthenveryill。Thepastseemedtohersensitivenatureasifitwereoneofthemaincausesofherillness，andasortofsuperstitionledhertohopethatGodwouldrestoretoherbothhealthandbeautyinreturnforherrepentanceandconversion。Bytheendofthesummer，thewaters，sleep，thenaturalfatigueoflongwalks，hadindeedmoreorlessrestoredherhealth。ThedukeaccompaniedhertoParis，wherehecontinuedtoseeherashehaddoneatBagneres。
Thisliaison，whosemotiveandoriginwerequiteunknown，causedagreatsensation，fortheduke，alreadyknownforhisimmensefortune，nowbecameknownforhisprodigality。Allthiswassetdowntothedebaucheryofaricholdman，andeverythingwasbelievedexceptthetruth。Thefather\'ssentimentforMargueritehad，intruth，sopureacausethatanythingbutacommunionofheartswouldhaveseemedtohimakindofincest，andhehadneverspokentoherawordwhichhisdaughtermightnothaveheard。
Farbeitfrommetomakeoutourheroinetobeanythingbutwhatshewas。AslongassheremainedatBagneres，thepromiseshehadmadetothedukehadnotbeenhardtokeep，andshehadkeptit；
but，oncebackinParis，itseemedtoher，accustomedtoalifeofdissipation，ofballs，oforgies，asifthesolitude，onlyinterruptedbytheduke\'sstatedvisits，wouldkillherwithboredom，andthehotbreathofheroldlifecamebackacrossherheadandheart。
WemustaddthatMargueritehadreturnedmorebeautifulthanshehadeverbeen；shewasbuttwenty，andhermalady，sleepingbutnotsubdued，continuedtogiveherthosefeverishdesireswhicharealmostalwaystheresultofdiseasesofthechest。
Itwasagreatgrieftothedukewhenhisfriends，alwaysonthelookoutforsomescandalonthepartofthewomanwithwhom，itseemedtothem，hewascompromisinghimself，cametotellhim，indeedtoprovetohim，thatattimeswhenshewassureofnotseeinghimshereceivedothervisits，andthatthesevisitswereoftenprolongedtillthefollowingday。Onbeingquestioned，Margueriteadmittedeverythingtotheduke，andadvisedhim，withoutarriere-pensee，toconcernhimselfwithhernolonger，forshefeltincapableofcarryingoutwhatshehadundertaken，andshedidnotwishtogoonacceptingbenefitsfromamanwhomshewasdeceiving。Thedukedidnotreturnforaweek；itwasallhecoulddo，andontheeighthdayhecametobegMargueritetolethimstillvisither，promisingthathewouldtakeherasshewas，solongashemightseeher，andswearingthathewouldneverutterareproachagainsther，notthoughheweretodieofit。
This，then，wasthestateofthingsthreemonthsafterMarguerite\'sreturn；thatistosay，inNovemberorDecember，1842。
Chapter3
Atoneo\'clockonthe16thIwenttotheRued\'Antin。Thevoiceoftheauctioneercouldbeheardfromtheouterdoor。Theroomswerecrowdedwithpeople。Therewereallthecelebritiesofthemostelegantimpropriety，furtivelyexaminedbycertaingreatladieswhohadagainseizedtheopportunityofthesaleinordertobeabletosee，closeathand，womenwhomtheymightneverhaveanotheroccasionofmeeting，andwhomtheyenviedperhapsinsecretfortheireasypleasures。TheDuchessofF。elbowedMlle。
A。，oneofthemostmelancholyexamplesofourmoderncourtesan；
theMarquisdeT。hesitatedoverapieceoffurniturethepriceofwhichwasbeingrunhighbyMme。D。，themostelegantandfamousadulteressofourtime；theDukeofY。，whoinMadridissupposedtoberuininghimselfinParis，andinParistoberuininghimselfinMadrid，andwho，asamatteroffact，neverevenreachesthelimitofhisincome，talkedwithMme。M。，oneofourwittieststory-tellers，whofromtimetotimewriteswhatshesaysandsignswhatshewrites，whileatthesametimeheexchangedconfidentialglanceswithMme。deN。，afairornamentoftheChamps-Elysees，almostalwaysdressedinpinkorblue，anddrivingtwobigblackhorseswhichTonyhadsoldherfor10，000
francs，andforwhichshehadpaid，afterherfashion；finally，Mlle。R。，whomakesbyhermeretalenttwicewhatthewomenoftheworldmakebytheirdotandthreetimesasmuchastheothersmakebytheiramours，hadcome，inspiteofthecold，tomakesomepurchases，andwasnottheleastlookedatamongthecrowd。
Wemightcitetheinitialsofmanymoreofthosewhofoundthemselves，notwithoutsomemutualsurprise，sidebysideinoneroom。Butwefeartowearythereader。Wewillonlyaddthateveryonewasinthehighestspirits，andthatmanyofthosepresenthadknownthedeadwoman，andseemedquiteobliviousofthefact。Therewasasoundofloudlaughter；theauctioneersshoutedatthetopoftheirvoices；thedealerswhohadfilledthebenchesinfrontoftheauctiontabletriedinvaintoobtainsilence，inordertotransacttheirbusinessinpeace。Neverwasthereanoisieroramorevariedgathering。
Islippedquietlyintothemidstofthistumult，sadtothinkofwhenonerememberedthatthepoorcreaturewhosegoodswerebeingsoldtopayherdebtshaddiedinthenextroom。Havingcomerathertoexaminethantobuy，Iwatchedthefacesoftheauctioneers，noticinghowtheybeamedwithdelightwheneveranythingreachedapricebeyondtheirexpectations。Honestcreatures，whohadspeculateduponthiswoman\'sprostitution，whohadgainedtheirhundredpercentoutofher，whohadplaguedwiththeirwritsthelastmomentsofherlife，andwhocamenowafterherdeathtogatherinatoncethefruitsoftheirdishonourablecalculationsandtheinterestontheirshamefulcredit，HowwiseweretheancientsinhavingonlyoneGodfortradersandrobbers！
Dresses，cashmeres，jewels，weresoldwithincrediblerapidity。
TherewasnothingthatIcaredfor，andIstillwaited。AllatonceIheard：\"Avolume，beautifullybound，gilt-edged，entitledManonLescaut。Thereissomethingwrittenonthefirstpage。Tenfrancs。\"
\"Twelve，\"saidavoiceafteralongishsilence。
\"Fifteen，\"Isaid。
Why？Ididnotknow。Doubtlessforthesomethingwritten。
\"Fifteen，\"repeatedtheauctioneer。
\"Thirty，\"saidthefirstbidderinatonewhichseemedtodefyfurthercompetition。
Ithadnowbecomeastruggle。\"Thirty-five，\"Icriedinthesametone。
\"Forty。\"
\"Fifty。\"
\"Sixty。\"
\"Ahundred。\"
IfIhadwishedtomakeasensationIshouldcertainlyhavesucceeded，foraprofoundsilencehadensued，andpeoplegazedatmeasiftoseewhatsortofapersonitwas，whoseemedtobesodeterminedtopossessthevolume。
TheaccentwhichIhadgiventomylastwordseemedtoconvincemyadversary；hepreferredtoabandonaconflictwhichcouldonlyhaveresultedinmakingmepaytentimesitspriceforthevolume，and，bowing，hesaidverygracefully，thoughindeedalittlelate：
\"Igiveway，sir。\"
Nothingmorebeingoffered，thebookwasassignedtome。
AsIwasafraidofsomenewfitofobstinacy，whichmyamourpropremighthavesustainedsomewhatbetterthanmypurse，I
wrotedownmyname，hadthebookputononeside，andwentout。I
musthavegivenconsiderablefoodforreflectiontothewitnessesofthisscene，whowouldnodoubtaskthemselveswhatmypurposecouldhavebeeninpayingahundredfrancsforabookwhichI
couldhavehadanywhereforten，or，attheoutside，fifteen。
Anhourafter，Isentformypurchase。Onthefirstpagewaswritteninink，inaneleganthand，aninscriptiononthepartofthegiver。Itconsistedofthesewords：
ManontoMarguerite。
Humility。
ItwassignedArmandDuval。
WhatwasthemeaningofthewordHumility？WasManontorecogniseinMarguerite，intheopinionofM。ArmandDuval，hersuperiorinviceorinaffection？Thesecondinterpretationseemedthemoreprobable，forthefirstwouldhavebeenanimpertinentpieceofplainspeakingwhichMarguerite，whateverheropinionofherself，wouldneverhaveaccepted。
Iwentoutagain，andthoughtnomoreofthebookuntilatnight，whenIwasgoingtobed。
ManonLescautisatouchingstory。Iknoweverydetailofit，andyetwheneverIcomeacrossthevolumethesamesympathyalwaysdrawsmetoit；Iopenit，andforthehundredthtimeIliveoveragainwiththeheroineoftheAbbePrevost。NowthisheroineissotruetolifethatIfeelasifIhadknownher；andthusthesortofcomparisonbetweenherandMargueritegavemeanunusualinclinationtoreadit，andmyindulgencepassedintopity，almostintoakindofloveforthepoorgirltowhomIowedthevolume。Manondiedinthedesert，itistrue，butinthearmsofthemanwholovedherwiththewholeenergyofhissoul；who，whenshewasdead，dugagraveforher，andwatereditwithhistears，andburiedhisheartinit；whileMarguerite，asinnerlikeManon，andperhapsconvertedlikeher，haddiedinasumptuousbed（itseemed，afterwhatIhadseen，thebedofherpast），butinthatdesertoftheheart，amorebarren，avaster，amorepitilessdesertthanthatinwhichManonhadfoundherlastresting-place。
Marguerite，infact，asIhadfoundfromsomefriendswhoknewofthelastcircumstancesofherlife，hadnotasinglerealfriendbyherbedsideduringthetwomonthsofherlongandpainfulagony。
ThenfromManonandMargueritemymindwanderedtothosewhomI
knew，andwhomIsawsingingalongthewaywhichledtojustsuchanotherdeath。Poorsouls！ifitisnotrighttolovethem，isitnotwelltopitythem？Youpitytheblindmanwhohasneverseenthedaylight，thedeafwhohasneverheardtheharmoniesofnature，thedumbwhohasneverfoundavoiceforhissoul，and，underafalsecloakofshame，youwillnotpitythisblindnessofheart，thisdeafnessofsoul，thisdumbnessofconscience，whichsetsthepoorafflictedcreaturebesideherselfandmakesher，inspiteofherself，incapableofseeingwhatisgood，ofbearingtheLord，andofspeakingthepurelanguageofloveandfaith。
HugohaswrittenMarionDelorme，MussethaswrittenBernerette，AlexandreDumashaswrittenFernande，thethinkersandpoetsofalltimehavebroughttothecourtesantheofferingoftheirpity，andattimesagreatmanhasrehabilitatedthemwithhisloveandevenwithhisname。IfIinsistonthispoint，itisbecausemanyamongthosewhohavebeguntoreadmewillbereadytothrowdownabookinwhichtheywillfeartofindanapologyforviceandprostitution；andtheauthor\'sagewilldosomething，nodoubt，toincreasethisfear。Letmeundeceivethosewhothinkthus，andletthemgoonreading，ifnothingbutsuchafearhindersthem。
Iamquitesimplyconvincedofacertainprinciple，whichis：Forthewomanwhoseeducationhasnottaughtherwhatisright，Godalmostalwaysopenstwowayswhichleadthitherthewaysofsorrowandoflove。Theyarehard；thosewhowalkinthemwalkwithbleedingfeetandtornhands，buttheyalsoleavethetrappingsofviceuponthethornsofthewayside，andreachthejourney\'sendinanakednesswhichisnotshamefulinthesightoftheLord。
Thosewhomeettheseboldtravellersoughttosuccourthem，andtotellallthattheyhavemetthem，forinsodoingtheypointouttheway。Itisnotaquestionofsettingattheoutsetoflifetwosign-posts，onebearingtheinscription\"TheRightWay，\"
theothertheinscription\"TheWrongWay，\"andofsayingtothosewhocomethere，\"Choose。\"Onemustneeds，likeChrist，pointoutthewayswhichleadfromthesecondroadtothefirst，tothosewhohavebeeneasilyledastray；anditisneedfulthatthebeginningofthesewaysshouldnotbetoopainfulnorappeartooimpenetrable。
HereisChristianitywithitsmarvellousparableoftheProdigalSontoteachusindulgenceandpardon。Jesuswasfullofloveforsoulswoundedbythepassionsofmen；helovedtobinduptheirwoundsandtofindinthoseverywoundsthebalmwhichshouldhealthem。ThushesaidtotheMagdalen：\"Muchshallbeforgiventheebecausethouhastlovedmuch，\"asublimityofpardonwhichcanonlyhavecalledforthasublimefaith。
WhydowemakeourselvesmorestrictthanChrist？Why，holdingobstinatelytotheopinionsoftheworld，whichhardensitselfinorderthatitmaybethoughtstrong，dowereject，asitrejects，soulsbleedingatwoundsbywhich，likeasickman\'sbadblood，theeviloftheirpastmaybehealed，ifonlyafriendlyhandisstretchedouttolavethemandsetthemintheconvalescenceoftheheart？
ItistomyowngenerationthatIspeak，tothoseforwhomthetheoriesofM。deVoltairehappilyexistnolonger，tothosewho，likemyself，realizethathumanity，fortheselastfifteenyears，hasbeeninoneofitsmostaudaciousmomentsofexpansion。Thescienceofgoodandevilisacquiredforever；faithisrefashioned，respectforsacredthingshasreturnedtous，andiftheworldhasnotallatoncebecomegood，ithasatleastbecomebetter。Theeffortsofeveryintelligentmantendinthesamedirection，andeverystrongwillisharnessedtothesameprinciple：Begood，beyoung，betrue！Evilisnothingbutvanity，letushavetheprideofgood，andaboveallletusneverdespair。Donotletusdespisethewomanwhoisneithermother，sister，maid，norwife。Donotletuslimitesteemtothefamilynorindulgencetoegoism。Since\"thereismorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerthatrepenteththanoverninetyandninejustpersonsthatneednorepentance，\"letusgivejoytoheaven。Heavenwillrenderitbacktouswithusury。Letusleaveonourwaythealmsofpardonforthosewhomearthlydesireshavedrivenastray，whomadivinehopeshallperhapssave，and，asoldwomensaywhentheyofferyou。somehomelyremedyoftheirown，ifitdoesnogooditwilldonoharm。
DoubtlessitmustseemaboldthingtoattempttodeducethesegrandresultsoutofthemeagresubjectthatIdealwith；butI
amoneofthosewhobelievethatallisinlittle。Thechildissmall，andheincludestheman；thebrainisnarrow，anditharboursthought；theeyeisbutapoint，anditcoversleagues。
Chapter4
Twodaysafter，thesalewasended。Ithadproduced3。50，000
francs。Thecreditorsdividedamongthemtwothirds，andthefamily，asisterandagrand-nephew，receivedtheremainder。
Thesisteropenedhereyesverywidewhenthelawyerwrotetoherthatshehadinherited50，000francs。Thegirlhadnotseenhersisterforsixorsevenyears，anddidnotknowwhathadbecomeofherfromthemomentwhenshehaddisappearedfromhome。ShecameuptoParisinhaste，andgreatwastheastonishmentofthosewhohadknownMargueritewhentheysawasheronlyheirafine，fatcountrygirl，whountilthenhadneverlefthervillage。Shehadmadethefortuneatasinglestroke，withoutevenknowingthesourceofthatfortune。Shewentback，Iheardafterward，tohercountryside，greatlysaddenedbyhersister\'sdeath，butwithasadnesswhichwassomewhatlightenedbytheinvestmentatfourandahalfpercentwhichshehadbeenabletomake。
Allthesecircumstances，oftenrepeatedinParis，themothercityofscandal，hadbeguntobeforgotten，andIwasevenlittlebylittleforgettingthepartIhadtakeninthem，whenanewincidentbroughttomyknowledgethewholeofMarguerite\'slife，andacquaintedmewithsuchpatheticdetailsthatIwastakenwiththeideaofwritingdownthestorywhichInowwrite。
Therooms，nowemptiedofalltheirfurniture，hadbeentoletforthreeorfourdayswhenonemorningtherewasaringatmydoor。
Myservant，or，rather，myporter，whoactedasmyservant，wenttothedoorandbroughtmeacard，sayingthatthepersonwhohadgivenittohimwishedtoseeme。
Iglancedatthecardandtherereadthesetwowords：ArmandDuval。
ItriedtothinkwhereIhadseenthename，andrememberedthefirstleafofthecopyofManonLescaut。WhatcouldthepersonwhohadgiventhebooktoMargueritewantofme？Igaveorderstoaskhiminatonce。
Isawayoungman，blond，tall，pale，dressedinatravellingsuitwhichlookedasifhehadnotchangeditforsomedays，andhadnoteventakenthetroubletobrushitonarrivingatParis，foritwascoveredwithdust。
M。Duvalwasdeeplyagitated；hemadenoattempttoconcealhisagitation，anditwaswithtearsinhiseyesandatremblingvoicethathesaidtome：
\"Sir，Ibegyoutoexcusemyvisitandmycostume；butyoungpeoplearenotveryceremoniouswithoneanother，andIwassoanxioustoseeyouto-daythatIhavenotevengonetothehoteltowhichIhavesentmyluggage，andhaverushedstraighthere，fearingthat，afterall，Imightmissyou，earlyasitis。\"
IbeggedM。Duvaltositdownbythefire；hedidso，and，takinghishandkerchieffromhispocket，hidhisfaceinitforamoment。
\"Youmustbeatalosstounderstand，\"hewenton，sighingsadly，\"forwhatpurposeanunknownvisitor，atsuchanhour，insuchacostume，andintears，canhavecometoseeyou。Ihavesimplycometoaskofyouagreatservice。\"
\"Speakon，sir，Iamentirelyatyourdisposal。\"
\"YouwerepresentatthesaleofMargueriteGautier？\"
Atthiswordtheemotion，whichhehadgotthebetterofforaninstant，wastoomuchforhim，andhewasobligedtocoverhiseyeswithhishand。
\"Imustseemtoyouveryabsurd，\"headded，\"butpardonme，andbelievethatIshallneverforgetthepatiencewithwhichyouhavelistenedtome。\"
\"Sir，\"Ianswered，\"iftheservicewhichIcanrenderyouisabletolessenyourtroublealittle，tellmeatoncewhatIcandoforyou，andyouwillfindmeonlytoohappytoobligeyou。\"
M。Duval\'ssorrowwassympathetic，aridinspiteofmyselfIfeltthedesireofdoinghimakindness。Thereuponhesaidtome：
\"YouboughtsomethingatMarguerite\'ssale？\"
\"Yes，abook。\"
\"ManonLescaut？\"
\"Precisely。\"
\"Haveyouthebookstill？\"
\"Itisinmybedroom。\"
Onhearingthis，ArmandDuvalseemedtoberelievedofagreatweight，andthankedmeasifIhadalreadyrenderedhimaservicemerelybykeepingthebook。
Igotupandwentintomyroomtofetchthebook，whichIhandedtohim。
\"Thatisitindeed，\"hesaid，lookingattheinscriptiononthefirstpageandturningovertheleaves；\"thatisitindeed，\"andtwobigtearsfellonthepages。\"Well，sir，\"saidhe，liftinghishead，andnolongertryingtohidefrommethathehadweptandwaseventhenonthepointofweeping，\"doyouvaluethisbookverygreatly？\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecauseIhavecometoaskyoutogiveituptome。\"
\"Pardonmycuriosity，butwasityou，then，whogaveittoMargueriteGautier？\"
\"Itwas！\"
\"Thebookisyours，sir；takeitback。Iamhappytobeabletohanditovertoyou。\"
\"But，\"saidM。Duvalwithsomeembarrassment，\"theleastIcandoistogiveyouinreturnthepricewhichyoupaidforit。\"
\"Allowmetoofferittoyou。Thepriceofasinglevolumeinasaleofthatkindisamerenothing，andIdonotrememberhowmuchIgaveforit。\"
\"Yougaveonehundredfrancs。\"
\"True，\"Isaid，embarrassedinmyturn，\"howdoyouknow？\"
\"Itisquitesimple。IhopedtoreachParisintimeforthesale，andIonlymanagedtogetherethismorning。Iwasabsolutelyresolvedtohavesomethingwhichhadbelongedtoher，andI
hastenedtotheauctioneerandaskedhimtoallowmetoseethelistofthethingssoldandofthebuyers\'names。Isawthatthisvolumehadbeenboughtbyyou，andIdecidedtoaskyoutogiveituptome，thoughthepriceyouhadsetuponitmademefearthatyoumightyourselfhavesomesouvenirinconnectionwiththepossessionofthebook。\"
Ashespoke，itwasevidentthathewasafraidIhadknownMargueriteashehadknownher。Ihastenedtoreassurehim。
\"IknewMlle。Gautieronlybysight，\"Isaid；\"herdeathmadeonmetheimpressionthatthedeathofaprettywomanmustalwaysmakeonayoungmanwhohadlikedseeingher。Iwishedtobuysomethingathersale，andIbidhigherandhigherforthisbookoutofmereobstinacyandtoannoysomeoneelse，whowasequallykeentoobtainit，andwhoseemedtodefymetothecontest。I
repeat，then，thatthebookisyours，andoncemoreIbegyoutoacceptit；donottreatmeasifIwereanauctioneer，andletitbethepledgebetweenusofalongerandmoreintimateacquaintance。\"
\"Good，\"saidArmand，holdingouthishandandpressingmine；\"I
accept，andIshallbegratefultoyouallmylife。\"
IwasveryanxioustoquestionArmandonthesubjectofMarguerite，fortheinscriptioninthebook，theyoungman\'shurriedjourney，hisdesiretopossessthevolume，piquedmycuriosity；butIfearedifIquestionedmyvisitorthatImightseemtohaverefusedhismoneyonlyinordertohavetherighttopryintohisaffairs。
Itwasasifheguessedmydesire，forhesaidtome：
\"Haveyoureadthevolume？\"
\"Allthrough。\"
\"WhatdidyouthinkofthetwolinesthatIwroteinit？\"
\"Irealizedatoncethatthewomantowhomyouhadgiventhevolumemusthavebeenquiteoutsidetheordinarycategory，forI
couldnottakethosetwolinesasamereemptycompliment。\"
\"Youwereright。Thatwomanwasanangel。See，readthisletter。\"
Andhehandedtomeapaperwhichseemedtohavebeenmanytimesreread。
Iopenedit，andthisiswhatitcontained：
\"MYDEARARMAND：——Ihavereceivedyourletter。Youarestillgood，andIthankGodforit。Yes，myfriend，Iamill，andwithoneofthosediseasesthatneverrelent；buttheinterestyoustilltakeinmemakesmysufferingless。Ishallnotlivelongenough，Iexpect，tohavethehappinessofpressingthehandwhichhaswrittenthekindletterIhavejustreceived；thewordsofitwouldbeenoughtocureme，ifanythingcouldcureme。I
shallnotseeyou，forIamquiteneardeath，andyouarehundredsofleaguesaway。Mypoorfriend！yourMargueriteofoldtimesissadlychanged。Itisbetterperhapsforyounottoseeheragainthantoseeherassheis。YouaskifIforgiveyou；
oh，withallmyheart，friend，forthewayyouhurtmewasonlyawayofprovingtheloveyouhadforme。Ihavebeeninbedforamonth，andIthinksomuchofyouresteemthatIwriteeverydaythejournalofmylife，fromthemomentwelefteachothertothemomentwhenIshallbeabletowritenolonger。Iftheinterestyoutakeinmeisreal，Armand，whenyoucomebackgoandseeJulieDuprat。Shewillgiveyoumyjournal。Youwillfindinitthereasonandtheexcuseforwhathaspassedbetweenus。Julieisverygoodtome；weoftentalkofyoutogether。Shewastherewhenyourlettercame，andwebothcriedoverit。
\"Ifyouhadnotsentmeanyword，IhadtoldhertogiveyouthosepaperswhenyoureturnedtoFrance。Donotthankmeforit。
Thisdailylookingbackontheonlyhappymomentsofmylifedoesmeanimmenseamountofgood，andifyouwillfindinreadingitsomeexcuseforthepast。I，formypart，findacontinualsolaceinit。Ishouldliketoleaveyousomethingwhichwouldalwaysremindyouofme，buteverythingherehasbeenseized，andIhavenothingofmyown。
\"Doyouunderstand，myfriend？Iamdying，andfrommybedIcanhearamanwalkingtoandfrointhedrawing-room；mycreditorshaveputhimtheretoseethatnothingistakenaway，andthatnothingremainstomeincaseIdonotdie。Ihopetheywillwaittilltheendbeforetheybegintosell。
\"Oh，menhavenopity！orrather，Iamwrong，itisGodwhoisjustandinflexible！
\"Andnow，dearlove，youwillcometomysale，andyouwillbuysomething，forifIputasidetheleastthingforyou，theymightaccuseyouofembezzlingseizedgoods。
\"ItisasadlifethatIamleaving！
\"ItwouldbegoodofGodtoletmeseeyouagainbeforeIdie。
Accordingtoallprobability，good-bye，myfriend。PardonmeifI
donotwritealongerletter，butthosewhosaytheyaregoingtocuremewearmeoutwithbloodletting，andmyhandrefusestowriteanymore。
\"MARGUERITEGAUTIER。\"
Thelasttwowordswerescarcelylegible。IreturnedthelettertoArmand，whohad，nodoubt，readitoveragaininhismindwhileIwasreadingitonpaper，forhesaidtomeashetookit：
\"Whowouldthinkthatakeptwomancouldhavewrittenthat？\"And，overcomebyrecollections，hegazedforsometimeatthewritingoftheletter，whichhefinallycarriedtohislips。
\"AndwhenIthink，\"hewenton，\"thatshediedbeforeIcouldseeher，andthatIshallneverseeheragain，whenIthinkthatshedidformewhatnosisterwouldeverhavedone，Icannotforgivemyselfforhavinglefthertodielikethat。Dead！Deadandthinkingofme，writingandrepeatingmyname，poordearMarguerite！\"
AndArmand，givingfreeoutlettohisthoughtsandhistears，heldouthishandtome，andcontinued：
\"Peoplewouldthinkitchildishenoughiftheysawmelamentlikethisoveradeadwomansuchasshe；noonewilleverknowwhatI
madethatwomansuffer，howcruelIhavebeentoher！howgood，howresignedshewas！IthoughtitwasIwhohadtoforgiveher，andto-dayIfeelunworthyoftheforgivenesswhichshegrantsme。Oh，Iwouldgivetenyearsofmylifetoweepatherfeetforanhour！\"
Itisalwaysdifficulttoconsoleasorrowthatisunknowntoone，andneverthelessIfeltsolivelyasympathyfortheyoungman，hemademesofranklytheconfidantofhisdistress，thatI
believedawordfrommewouldnotbeindifferenttohim，andI
said：
\"Haveyounoparents，nofriends？Hope。Goandseethem；theywillconsoleyou。Asforme，Icanonlypityyou。\"
\"Itistrue，\"hesaid，risingandwalkingtoandfrointheroom，\"Iamwearyingyou。Pardonme，Ididnotreflecthowlittlemysorrowmustmeantoyou，andthatIamintrudinguponyousomethingwhichcannotandoughtnottointerestyouatall。\"
\"Youmistakemymeaning。Iamentirelyatyourservice；onlyI
regretmyinabilitytocalmyourdistress。Ifmysocietyandthatofmyfriendscangiveyouanydistraction，if，inshort，youhaveneedofme，nomatterinwhatway，Ihopeyouwillrealizehowmuchpleasureitwillgivemetodoanythingforyou。\"
\"Pardon，pardon，\"saidhe；\"sorrowsharpensthesensations。Letmestayhereforafewminuteslonger，longenoughtodrymyeyes，sothattheidlersinthestreetmaynotlookuponitasacuriositytoseeabigfellowlikemecrying。Youhavemademeveryhappybygivingmethisbook。IdonotknowhowIcaneverexpressmygratitudetoyou。\"
\"Bygivingmealittleofyourfriendship，\"saidI，\"andbytellingmethecauseofyoursuffering。Onefeelsbetterwhiletellingwhatonesuffers。\"
\"Youareright。Butto-dayIhavetoomuchneedoftears；Icannotverywelltalk。OnedayIwilltellyouthewholestory，andyouwillseeifIhavereasonforregrettingthepoorgirl。Andnow，\"headded，rubbinghiseyesforthelasttime，andlookingathimselfintheglass，\"saythatyoudonotthinkmetooabsolutelyidiotic，andallowmetocomebackandseeyouanothertime。\"
Hecastonmeagentleandamiablelook。Iwasnearembracinghim。Asforhim，hiseyesagainbegantofillwithtears；hesawthatIperceiveditandturnedawayhishead。
\"Come，\"Isaid，\"courage。\"
\"Good-bye，\"hesaid。
And，makingadesperateefforttorestrainhistears，herushedratherthanwentoutoftheroom。
Iliftedthecurtainofmywindow，andsawhimgetintothecabrioletwhichawaitedhimatthedoor；butscarcelywasheseatedbeforeheburstintotearsandhidhisfaceinhispocket-handkerchief。
Chapter5
AgoodwhileelapsedbeforeIheardanythingmoreofArmand，but，ontheotherhand，IwasconstantlyhearingofMarguerite。
Idonotknowifyouhavenoticed，ifoncethenameofanybodywhomightinthenaturalcourseofthingshavealwaysremainedunknown，oratalleventsindifferenttoyou，shouldhementionedbeforeyou，immediatelydetailsbegintogroupthemselvesaboutthename，andyoufindallyourfriendstalkingtoyouaboutsomethingwhichtheyhavenevermentionedtoyoubefore。Youdiscoverthatthispersonwasalmosttouchingyouandhaspassedclosetoyoumanytimesinyourlifewithoutyournoticingit；
youfindcoincidencesintheeventswhicharetoldyou，arealaffinitywithcertaineventsofyourownexistence。IwasnotabsolutelyatthatpointinregardtoMarguerite，forIhadseenandmether，Iknewherbysightandbyreputation；nevertheless，sincethemomentofthesale，hernamecametomyearssofrequently，and，owingtothecircumstancethatIhavementionedinthelastchapter，thatnamewasassociatedwithsoprofoundasorrow，thatmycuriosityincreasedinproportionwithmyastonishment。TheconsequencewasthatwheneverImetfriendstowhomIhadneverbreathedthenameofMarguerite，Ialwaysbeganbysaying：
\"DidyoueverknowacertainMargueriteGautier？\"
\"TheLadyoftheCamellias？\"
\"Exactly。\"
\"Oh，verywell！\"
Thewordwassometimesaccompaniedbyasmilewhichcouldleavenodoubtastoitsmeaning。
\"Well，whatsortofagirlwasshe？\"
\"Agoodsortofgirl。\"
\"Isthatall？\"
\"Oh，yes；moreintelligenceandperhapsalittlemoreheartthanmost。\"
\"Doyouknowanythingparticularabouther？\"
\"SheruinedBarondeG。\"
\"Nomorethanthat？\"
\"ShewasthemistressoftheoldDukeof……\"
\"Wasshereallyhismistress？\"
\"Sotheysay；atallevents，hegaveheragreatdealofmoney。\"
Thegeneraloutlineswerealwaysthesame。NeverthelessIwasanxioustofindoutsomethingabouttherelationsbetweenMargueriteandArmand。Meetingonedayamanwhowasconstantlyaboutwithknownwomen，Iaskedhim：\"DidyouknowMargueriteGautier？\"
Theanswerwastheusual：\"Verywell。\"
\"Whatsortofagirlwasshe？\"
\"Afine，goodgirl。Iwasverysorrytohearofherdeath。\"
\"HadshenotalovercalledArmandDuval？\"
\"Tallandblond？\"
\"Yes。
\"Itisquitetrue。\"
\"WhowasthisArmand？\"
\"Afellowwhosquanderedonherthelittlemoneyhehad，andthenhadtoleaveher。Theysayhewasquitewildaboutit。\"
\"Andshe？\"
\"Theyalwayssayshewasverymuchinlovewithhim，butasgirlslikethatareinlove。Itisnogoodtoaskthemforwhattheycannotgive。\"
\"WhathasbecomeofArmand？\"
\"Idon\'tknow。Weknewhimverylittle。HewaswithMargueriteforfiveorsixmonthsinthecountry。Whenshecameback，hehadgone。\"
\"Andyouhaveneverseenhimsince？\"
\"Never。\"
I，too，hadnotseenArmandagain。Iwasbeginningtoaskmyselfif，whenhehadcometoseeme，therecentnewsofMarguerite\'sdeathhadnotexaggeratedhisformerlove，andconsequentlyhissorrow，andIsaidtomyselfthatperhapshehadalreadyforgottenthedeadwoman，andalongwithherhispromisetocomeandseemeagain。Thissuppositionwouldhaveseemedprobableenoughinmostinstances，butinArmand\'sdespairtherehadbeenanaccentofrealsincerity，and，goingfromoneextremetoanother，Iimaginedthatdistresshadbroughtonanillness，andthatmynotseeinghimwasexplainedbythefactthathewasill，perhapsdead。
Iwasinterestedintheyoungmaninspiteofmyself。Perhapstherewassomeselfishnessinthisinterest；perhapsIguessedatsomepatheticlovestoryunderallthissorrow；perhapsmydesiretoknowallaboutithadmuchtodowiththeanxietywhichArmand\'ssilencecausedme。SinceM。Duvaldidnotreturntoseeme，Idecidedtogoandseehim。Apretextwasnotdifficulttofind；unluckilyIdidnotknowhisaddress，andnooneamongthosewhomIquestionedcouldgiveittome。
IwenttotheRued\'Antin；perhapsMarguerite\'sporterwouldknowwhereArmandlived。Therewasanewporter；heknewaslittleaboutitasI。IthenaskedinwhatcemeteryMlle。Gautierhadbeenburied。ItwastheMontmartreCemetery。ItwasnowthemonthofApril；theweatherwasfine，thegraveswerenotlikelytolookassadanddesolateastheydoinwinter；inshort，itwaswarmenoughforthelivingtothinkalittleofthedead，andpaythemavisit。Iwenttothecemetery，sayingtomyself：\"OneglanceatMarguerite\'sgrave，andIshallknowifArmand\'ssorrowstillexists，andperhapsImayfindoutwhathasbecomeofhim。\"
Ienteredthekeeper\'slodge，andaskedhimifonthe22ndofFebruaryawomannamedMargueriteGautierhadnotbeenburiedintheMontmartreCemetery。Heturnedoverthepagesofabigbookinwhichthosewhoenterthislastresting-placeareinscribedandnumbered，andrepliedthatonthe22ndofFebruary，at12
o\'clock，awomanofthatnamehadbeenburied。