Iaskedhimtoshowmethegrave，forthereisnofindingone\'swaywithoutaguideinthiscityofthedead，whichhasitsstreetslikeacityoftheliving。Thekeepercalledoveragardener，towhomhegavethenecessaryinstructions；thegardenerinterruptedhim，saying：\"Iknow，Iknow。——Itisnotdifficulttofindthatgrave，\"headded，turningtome。
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseithasverydifferentflowersfromtheothers。\"
\"Isityouwholookafterit？\"
\"Yes，sir；andIwishallrelationstookasmuchtroubleaboutthedeadastheyoungmanwhogavememyorders。\"
Afterseveralturnings，thegardenerstoppedandsaidtome：
\"Hereweare。\"
Isawbeforemeasquareofflowerswhichonewouldneverhavetakenforagrave，ifithadnotbeenforawhitemarbleslabbearinganame。
Themarbleslabstoodupright，anironrailingmarkedthelimitsofthegroundpurchased，andtheearthwascoveredwithwhitecamellias。\"Whatdoyousaytothat？\"saidthegardener。
\"Itisbeautiful。\"
\"Andwheneveracamelliafades，Ihaveorderstoreplaceit。\"
\"Whogaveyoutheorder？\"
\"Ayounggentleman，whocriedthefirsttimehecamehere；anoldpalofhers，Isuppose，fortheysayshewasagayone。Verypretty，too，Ibelieve。Didyouknowher，sir？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Liketheother？\"saidthegardener，withaknowingsmile。\"No，I
neverspoketoher。\"
\"Andyoucomehere，too！Itisverygoodofyou，forthosethatcometoseethepoorgirldon\'texactlycumberthecemetery。\"
\"Doesn\'tanybodycome？\"
\"Nobody，exceptthatyounggentlemanwhocameonce。\"
\"Onlyonce？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Henevercamebackagain？\"
\"No，buthewillwhenhegetshome。\"
\"Heisawaysomewhere？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyouknowwhereheis？\"
\"IbelievehehasgonetoseeMlle。Gautier\'ssister。\"
\"Whatdoeshewantthere？\"
\"Hehasgonetogetherauthoritytohavethecorpsedugupagainandputsomewhereelse。\"
\"Whywon\'theletitremainhere？\"
\"Youknow，sir，peoplehavequeernotionsaboutdeadfolk。Weseesomethingofthateveryday。Thegroundherewasonlyboughtforfiveyears，andthisyounggentlemanwantsaperpetualleaseandabiggerplotofground；itwillbebetterinthenewpart。\"
\"Whatdoyoucallthenewpart？\"
\"Thenewplotsofgroundthatareforsale，theretotheleft。Ifthecemeteryhadalwaysbeenkeptlikeitisnow，therewouldn\'tbethelikeofitintheworld；butthereisstillplentytodobeforeitwillbequiteallitshouldbe。Andthenpeoplearesoqueer！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imeanthattherearepeoplewhocarrytheirprideevenhere。
Now，thisDemoiselleGautier，itappearsshelivedabitfree，ifyou\'llexcusemysayingso。Poorlady，she\'sdeadnow；there\'snomoreofherleftthanofthemthatnoonehasawordtosayagainst。Wewaterthemeveryday。Well，whentherelativesofthefolkthatareburiedbesideherfoundoutthesortofpersonshewas，whatdoyouthinktheysaid？Thattheywouldtrytokeepheroutfromhere，andthatthereoughttobeapieceofgroundsomewhereapartforthesesortofwomen，likethereisforthepoor。Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？Igaveittothemstraight，Idid：well-to-dofolkwhocometoseetheirdeadfourtimesayear，andbringtheirflowersthemselves，andwhatflowers！andlooktwiceatthekeepofthemtheypretendtocryover，andwriteontheirtombstonesallaboutthetearstheyhaven\'tshed，andcomeandmakedifficultiesabouttheirneighbours。Youmaybelievemeornot，sir，Ineverknewtheyounglady；Idon\'tknowwhatshedid。Well，I\'mquiteinlovewiththepoorthing；Ilookafterherwell，andIletherhavehercamelliasatanhonestprice。SheisthedeadbodythatI
likethebest。Yousee，sir，weareobligedtolovethedead，forwearekeptsobusy，wehavehardlytimetoloveanythingelse。\"
Ilookedattheman，andsomeofmyreaderswillunderstand，withoutmyneedingtoexplainittothem，theemotionwhichI
feltonhearinghim。Heobservedit，nodoubt，forhewenton：
\"Theytellmetherewerepeoplewhoruinedthemselvesoverthatgirl，andloversthatworshippedher；well，whenIthinkthereisn\'toneofthemthatsomuchasbuysheraflowernow，that\'squeer，sir，andsad。And，afterall，sheisn\'tsobadlyoff，forshehashergravetoherself，andifthereisonlyonewhoremembersher，hemakesupfortheothers。Butwehaveotherpoorgirlshere，justlikeherandjustherage，andtheyarejustthrownintoapauper\'sgrave，anditbreaksmyheartwhenIheartheirpoorbodiesdropintotheearth。Andnotasoulthinksaboutthemanymore，oncetheyaredead！\'Tisn\'tamerrytrade，ours，especiallywhenwehavealittleheartleft。Whatdoyouexpect？Ican\'thelpit。Ihaveafine，strappinggirlmyself；
she\'sjusttwenty，andwhenagirlofthatagecomeshereIthinkofher，andIdon\'tcareifit\'sagreatladyoravagabond，I
can\'thelpfeelingitabit。ButIamtakingupyourtime，sir，withmytales，anditwasn\'ttohearthemyoucamehere。IwastoldtoshowyouMlle。Gautier\'sgrave；hereyouhaveit。IsthereanythingelseIcandoforyou？\"
\"DoyouknowM。ArmandDuval\'saddress？\"Iasked。
\"Yes；helivesatRuede——；atleast，that\'swhereIalwaysgotogetmymoneyfortheflowersyouseethere。\"
\"Thanks，mygoodman。\"
Igaveonemorelookatthegravecoveredwithflowers，halflongingtopenetratethedepthsoftheearthandseewhattheearthhadmadeofthefaircreaturethathadbeencasttoit；
thenIwalkedsadlyaway。
\"DoyouwanttoseeM。Duval，sir？\"saidthegardener，whowaswalkingbesideme。
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，Iamprettysureheisnotbackyet，orhewouldhavebeenherealready。\"
\"Youdon\'tthinkhehasforgottenMarguerite？\"
\"Iamnotonlysurehehasn\'t，butIwouldwagerthathewantstochangehergravesimplyinordertohaveonemorelookather。\"
\"Whydoyouthinkthat？\"
\"Thefirstwordhesaidtomewhenhecametothecemeterywas：
\'HowcanIseeheragain？\'Thatcan\'tbedoneunlessthereisachangeofgrave，andItoldhimallabouttheformalitiesthathavetobeattendedtoingettingitdone；for，yousee，ifyouwanttomoveabodyfromonegravetoanotheryoumusthaveitidentified，andonlythefamilycangiveleaveforitunderthedirectionofapoliceinspector。ThatiswhyM。DuvalhasgonetoseeMlle。Gautier\'ssister，andyoumaybesurehisfirstvisitwillbeforme。\"
Wehadcometothecemeterygate。Ithankedthegardeneragain，puttingafewcoinsintohishand，andmademywaytotheaddresshehadgivenme。
Armandhadnotyetreturned。Ileftwordforhim，begginghimtocomeandseemeassoonashearrived，ortosendmewordwhereI
couldfindhim。
Nextday，inthemorning，IreceivedaletterfromDuval，tellingmeofhisreturn，andaskingmetocallonhim，ashewassowornoutwithfatiguethatitwasimpossibleforhimtogoout。
Chapter6
IfoundArmandinbed。Onseeingmeheheldoutaburninghand。
\"Youarefeverish，\"Isaidtohim。\"Itisnothing，thefatigueofarapidjourney；thatisall。\"\"YouhavebeentoseeMarguerite\'ssister？\"\"Yes；whotoldyou？\"\"Iknewit。Didyougetwhatyouwanted？\"
\"Yes；butwhotoldyouofmyjourney，andofmyreasonfortakingit？\"
\"Thegardenerofthecemetery。\"
\"Youhaveseenthetomb？\"
Iscarcelydaredreply，forthetoneinwhichthewordswerespokenprovedtomethatthespeakerwasstillpossessedbytheemotionwhichIhadwitnessedbefore，andthateverytimehisthoughtsorspeechtravelledbacktothatmournfulsubjectemotionwouldstill，foralongtimetocome，provestrongerthanhiswill。Icontentedmyselfwithanodofthehead。
\"Hehaslookedafteritwell？\"continuedArmand。Twobigtearsrolleddownthecheeksofthesickman，andheturnedawayhisheadtohidethemfromme。Ipretendednottoseethem，andtriedtochangetheconversation。\"Youhavebeenawaythreeweeks，\"I
said。
Armandpassedhishandacrosshiseyesandreplied，\"Exactlythreeweeks。\"
\"Youhadalongjourney。\"
\"Oh，Iwasnottravellingallthetime。IwasillforafortnightorIshouldhavereturnedlongago；butIhadscarcelygottherewhenItookthisfever，andIwasobligedtokeepmyroom。\"
\"Andyoustartedtocomebackbeforeyouwerereallywell？\"
\"IfIhadremainedintheplaceforanotherweek，Ishouldhavediedthere。\"
\"Well，nowyouarebackagain，youmusttakecareofyourself；
yourfriendswillcomeandlookafteryou；myself，firstofall，ifyouwillallowme。\"
\"Ishallgetupinacoupleofhours。\"
\"Itwouldbeveryunwise。\"
\"Imust。\"
\"Whathaveyoutodoinsuchagreathurry？\"
\"Imustgototheinspectorofpolice。\"
\"Whydoyounotgetoneofyourfriendstoseeafterthematter？
Itislikelytomakeyouworsethanyouarenow。\"
\"Itismyonlychanceofgettingbetter。Imustseeher。EversinceIheardofherdeath，especiallysinceIsawhergrave，I
havenotbeenabletosleep。Icannotrealizethatthiswoman，soyoungandsobeautifulwhenIlefther，isreallydead。Imustconvincemyselfofit。ImustseewhatGodhasdonewithabeingthatIhavelovedsomuch，andperhapsthehorrorofthesightwillcuremeofmydespair。Willyouaccompanyme，ifitwon\'tbetroublingyoutoomuch？\"
\"Whatdidhersistersayaboutit？\"
\"Nothing。SheseemedgreatlysurprisedthatastrangerwantedtobuyaplotofgroundandgiveMargueriteanewgrave，andsheimmediatelysignedtheauthorizationthatIaskedherfor。\"
\"Believeme，itwouldbebettertowaituntilyouarequitewell。\"
\"Havenofear；Ishallbequitecomposed。Besides，IshouldsimplygooutofmymindifIwerenottocarryoutaresolutionwhichIhavesetmyselftocarryout。IsweartoyouthatIshallneverbemyselfagainuntilIhaveseenMarguerite。Itisperhapsthethirstofthefever，asleeplessnight\'sdream，amoment\'sdelirium；butthoughIweretobecomeaTrappist，likeM。deRance\'，afterhavingseen，Iwillsee。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"IsaidtoArmand，\"andIamatyourservice。HaveyouseenJulieDuprat？\"
\"Yes，IsawherthedayIreturned，forthefirsttime。\"
\"DidshegiveyouthepapersthatMargueritehadleftforyou？\"
Armanddrewarollofpapersfromunderhispillow，andimmediatelyputthemback。
\"Iknowallthatisinthesepapersbyheart，\"hesaid。\"ForthreeweeksIhavereadthemtentimesovereveryday。Youshallreadthem，too，butlateron，whenIamcalmer，andcanmakeyouunderstandalltheloveandtendernesshiddenawayinthisconfession。ForthemomentIwantyoutodomeaservice。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Yourcabisbelow？\"
\"Yes。
\"Well，willyoutakemypassportandaskifthereareanylettersformeattheposterestante？MyfatherandsistermusthavewrittentomeatParis，andIwentawayinsuchhastethatIdidnotgoandseebeforeleaving。Whenyoucomebackwewillgotogethertotheinspectorofpolice，andarrangeforto-morrow\'sceremony。\"
Armandhandedmehispassport，andIwenttoRueJeanJacquesRousseau。ThereweretwolettersaddressedtoDuval。Itookthemandreturned。WhenIre-enteredtheroomArmandwasdressedandreadytogoout。
\"Thanks，\"hesaid，takingtheletters。\"Yes，\"headded，afterglancingattheaddresses，\"theyarefrommyfatherandsister。
Theymusthavebeenquiteatalosstounderstandmysilence。\"
Heopenedtheletters，guessedatratherthanreadthem，foreachwasoffourpages；andamomentafterfoldedthemup。\"Come，\"hesaid，\"Iwillanswertomorrow。\"
Wewenttothepolicestation，andArmandhandedinthepermissionsignedbyMarguerite\'ssister。Hereceivedinreturnalettertothekeeperofthecemetery，anditwassettledthatthedisintermentwastotakeplacenextday，atteno\'clock，thatI
shouldcallforhimanhourbefore，andthatweshouldgotothecemeterytogether。
IconfessthatIwascurioustobepresent，andIdidnotsleepallnight。judgingfromthethoughtswhichfilledmybrain，itmusthavebeenalongnightforArmand。WhenIenteredhisroomatnineonthefollowingmorninghewasfrightfullypale，butseemedcalm。Hesmiledandheldouthishand。Hiscandleswereburnedout；andbeforeleavinghetookaveryheavyletteraddressedtohisfather，andnodoubtcontaininganaccountofthatnight\'simpressions。
HalfanhourlaterwewereatMontmartre。Thepoliceinspectorwastherealready。WewalkedslowlyinthedirectionofMarguerite\'sgrave。Theinspectorwentinfront；ArmandandI
followedafewstepsbehind。
FromtimetotimeIfeltmycompanion\'sarmtrembleconvulsively，asifheshiveredfromheadtofeet。Ilookedathim。Heunderstoodthelook，andsmiledatme；wehadnotexchangedawordsinceleavingthehouse。
Justbeforewereachedthegrave，Armandstoppedtowipehisface，whichwascoveredwithgreatdropsofsweat。Itookadvantageofthepausetodrawinalongbreath，forI，too，feltasifIhadaweightonmychest。
Whatistheoriginofthatmournfulpleasurewhichwefindinsightsofthiskind？Whenwereachedthegravethegardenerhadremovedalltheflower-pots，theironrailinghadbeentakenaway，andtwomenwereturningupthesoil。
Armandleanedagainstatreeandwatched。Allhislifeseemedtopassbeforehiseyes。Suddenlyoneofthetwopickaxesstruckagainstastone。AtthesoundArmandrecoiled，asatanelectricshock，andseizedmyhandwithsuchforceastogivemepain。
Oneofthegrave-diggerstookashovelandbeganemptyingouttheearth；then，whenonlythestonescoveringthecoffinwereleft，hethrewthemoutonebyone。
IscrutinizedArmand，foreverymomentIwasafraidlesttheemotionswhichhewasvisiblyrepressingshouldprovetoomuchforhim；buthestillwatched，hiseyesfixedandwideopen，liketheeyesofamadman，andaslighttremblingofthecheeksandlipsweretheonlysignsoftheviolentnervouscrisisunderwhichhewassuffering。
Asforme，allIcansayisthatIregrettedhavingcome。
Whenthecoffinwasuncoveredtheinspectorsaidtothegrave-digger：\"Openit。\"Theyobeyed，asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld。
Thecoffinwasofoak，andtheybegantounscrewthelid。Thehumidityoftheearthhadrustedthescrews，anditwasnotwithoutsomedifficultythatthecoffinwasopened。Apainfulodouraroseinspiteofthearomaticplantswithwhichitwascovered。
\"OmyGod，myGod！\"murmuredArmand，andturnedpalerthanbefore。
Eventhegrave-diggerdrewback。
Agreatwhiteshroudcoveredthecorpse，closelyoutliningsomeofitscontours。Thisshroudwasalmostcompletelyeatenawayatoneend，andleftoneofthefeetvisible。
Iwasnearlyfainting，andatthemomentofwritingtheselinesI
seethewholesceneoveragaininallitsimposingreality。
\"Quick，\"saidtheinspector。Thereupononeofthemenputouthishand，begantounsewtheshroud，andtakingholdofitbyoneendsuddenlylaidbarethefaceofMarguerite。
Itwasterribletosee，itishorribletorelate。Theeyeswerenothingbuttwoholes，thelipshaddisappeared，vanished，andthewhiteteethweretightlyset。Theblackhair，longanddry，waspressedtightlyabouttheforehead，andhalfveiledthegreenhollowsofthecheeks；andyetIrecognisedinthisfacethejoyouswhiteandrosefacethatIhadseensooften。
Armand，unabletoturnawayhiseyes，hadputthehandkerchieftohismouthandbitit。
Formypart，itwasasifacircleofirontightenedaboutmyhead，aveilcoveredmyeyes，arumblingfilledmyears，andallIcoulddowastounstopasmellingbottlewhichIhappenedtohavewithme，andtodrawinlongbreathsofit。
ThroughthisbewildermentIheardtheinspectorsaytoDuval，\"Doyouidentify？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedtheyoungmaninadullvoice。
\"Thenfastenitupandtakeitaway，\"saidtheinspector。
Thegrave-diggersputbacktheshroudoverthefaceofthecorpse，fastenedupthecoffin，tookholdofeachendofit，andbegantocarryittowardtheplacewheretheyhadbeentoldtotakeit。
Armanddidnotmove。Hiseyeswerefixedupontheemptygrave；hewasaswhiteasthecorpsewhichwehadjustseen。Helookedasifhehadbeenturnedtostone。
Isawwhatwascomingassoonasthepaincausedbythespectacleshouldhaveabatedandthusceasedtosustainhim。Iwentuptotheinspector。\"Isthisgentleman\'spresencestillnecessary？\"I
said，pointingtoArmand。
\"No，\"hereplied，\"andIshouldadviseyoutotakehimaway。Helooksill。\"
\"Come，\"IsaidtoArmand，takinghimbythearm。
\"What？\"hesaid，lookingatmeasifhedidnotrecogniseme。
\"Itisallover，\"Iadded。\"Youmustcome，myfriend；youarequitewhite；youarecold。Theseemotionswillbetoomuchforyou。\"
\"Youareright。Letusgo，\"heansweredmechanically，butwithoutmovingastep。
Itookhimbythearmandledhimalong。Helethimselfbeguidedlikeachild，onlyfromtimetotimemurmuring，\"Didyouseehereyes？\"andheturnedasifthevisionhadrecalledher。
Nevertheless，hisstepsbecamemoreirregular；heseemedtowalkbyaseriesofjerks；histeethchattered；hishandswerecold；aviolentagitationranthroughhisbody。Ispoketohim；hedidnotanswer。Hewasjustabletolethimselfbeledalong。Acabwaswaitingatthegate。Itwasonlyjustintime。Scarcelyhadheseatedhimself，whentheshiveringbecamemoreviolent，andhehadanactualattackofnerves，inthemidstofwhichhisfearoffrighteningmemadehimpressmyhandandwhisper：\"Itisnothing，nothing。Iwanttoweep。\"
Hischestlaboured，hiseyeswereinjectedwithblood，butnotearscame。ImadehimsmellthesaltswhichIhadwithme，andwhenwereachedhishouseonlytheshiveringremained。
WiththehelpofhisservantIputhimtobed，litabigfireinhisroom，andhurriedofftomydoctor，towhomItoldallthathadhappened。Hehastenedwithme。
Armandwasflushedanddelirious；hestammeredoutdisconnectedwords，inwhichonlythenameofMargueritecouldbedistinctlyheard。
\"Well？\"Isaidtothedoctorwhenhehadexaminedthepatient。
\"Well，hehasneithermorenorlessthanbrainfever，andveryluckyitisforhim，forIfirmlybelieve（Godforgiveme！）thathewouldhavegoneoutofhismind。Fortunately，thephysicalmaladywillkillthementalone，andinamonth\'stimehewillbefreefromtheoneandperhapsfromtheother。\"
Chapter7
IllnesseslikeArmand\'shaveonefortunatethingaboutthem：theyeitherkilloutrightorareverysoonovercome。AfortnightaftertheeventswhichIhavejustrelatedArmandwasconvalescent，andwehadalreadybecomegreatfriends。DuringthewholecourseofhisillnessIhadhardlylefthisside。
Springwasprofuseinitsflowers，itsleaves，itsbirds，itssongs；andmyfriend\'swindowopenedgailyuponhisgarden，fromwhicharevivingbreathofhealthseemedtocometohim。Thedoctorhadallowedhimtogetup，andweoftensattalkingattheopenwindow，atthehourwhenthesunisatitsheight，fromtwelvetotwo。IwascarefulnottorefertoMarguerite，fearinglestthenameshouldawakensadrecollectionshiddenundertheapparentcalmoftheinvalid；butArmand，onthecontrary，seemedtodelightinspeakingofher，notasformerly，withtearsinhiseyes，butwithasweetsmilewhichreassuredmeastothestateofhismind。
Ihadnoticedthateversincehislastvisittothecemetery，andthesightwhichhadbroughtonsoviolentacrisis，sorrowseemedtohavebeenovercomebysickness，andMarguerite\'sdeathnolongerappearedtohimunderitsformeraspect。Akindofconsolationhadsprungfromthecertaintyofwhichhewasnowfullypersuaded，andinordertobanishthesombrepicturewhichoftenpresenteditselftohim，hereturneduponthehappyrecollectionsofhisliaisonwithMarguerite，andseemedresolvedtothinkofnothingelse。
Thebodywastoomuchweakenedbytheattackoffever，andevenbytheprocessofitscure，topermithimanyviolentemotions，andtheuniversaljoyofspringwhichwrappedhimroundcarriedhisthoughtsinstinctivelytoimagesofjoy。Hehadalwaysobstinatelyrefusedtotellhisfamilyofthedangerwhichhehadbeenin，andwhenhewaswellagainhisfatherdidnotevenknowthathehadbeenill。
Oneeveningwehadsatatthewindowlaterthanusual；theweatherhadbeensuperb，andthesunsanktosleepinatwilightdazzlingwithgoldandazure。ThoughwewereinParis，theverdurewhichsurroundedusseemedtoshutusofffromtheworld，andourconversationwasonlynowandagaindisturbedbythesoundofapassingvehicle。
\"Itwasaboutthistimeoftheyear，ontheeveningofadaylikethis，thatIfirstmetMarguerite，\"saidArmandtome，asifhewerelisteningtohisownthoughtsratherthantowhatIwassaying。Ididnotanswer。Thenturningtowardme，hesaid：
\"Imusttellyouthewholestory；youwillmakeabookoutofit；
noonewillbelieveit，butitwillperhapsbeinterestingtodo。\"
\"Youwilltellmeallaboutitlateron，myfriend，\"Isaidtohim；\"youarenotstrongenoughyet。\"
\"Itisawarmevening，Ihaveeatenmyrationofchicken，\"hesaidtome，smiling；\"Ihavenofever，wehavenothingtodo，I
willtellittoyounow。\"
\"Sinceyoureallywishit，Iwilllisten。\"
Thisiswhathetoldme，andIhavescarcelychangedawordofthetouchingstory。
Yes（Armandwenton，lettinghisheadsinkbackonthechair），yes，itwasjustsuchaneveningasthis。Ihadspentthedayinthecountrywithoneofmyfriends，GastonR——。WereturnedtoParisintheevening，andnotknowingwhattodowewenttotheVarietes。Wewentoutduringoneoftheentr\'actes，andatallwomanpassedusinthecorridor，towhommyfriendbowed。
\"Whomareyoubowingto？\"Iasked。
\"MargueriteGautier，\"hesaid。
\"Sheseemsmuchchanged，forIdidnotrecogniseher，\"Isaid，withanemotionthatyouwillsoonunderstand。
\"Shehasbeenill；thepoorgirlwon\'tlastlong。\"
Irememberthewordsasiftheyhadbeenspokentomeyesterday。
Imusttellyou，myfriend，thatfortwoyearsthesightofthisgirlhadmadeastrangeimpressiononmewheneverIcameacrossher。Withoutknowingwhy，Iturnedpaleandmyheartbeatviolently。Ihaveafriendwhostudiestheoccultsciences，andhewouldcallwhatIexperienced\"theaffinityoffluids\"；asforme，IonlyknowthatIwasfatedtofallinlovewithMarguerite，andthatIforesawit。
Itiscertainlythefactthatshemadeaverydefiniteimpressionuponme，thatmanyofmyfriendshadnoticeditandthattheyhadbeenmuchamusedwhentheysawwhoitwasthatmadethisimpressionuponme。
ThefirsttimeIeversawherwasinthePlacedelaBourse，outsideSusse\'s；anopencarriagewasstationedthere，andawomandressedinwhitegotdownfromit。Amurmurofadmirationgreetedherassheenteredtheshop。Asforme，Iwasrivettedtothespotfromthemomentshewentintillthemomentwhenshecameoutagain。Icouldseeherthroughtheshopwindowsselectingwhatshehadcometobuy。Imighthavegonein，butI
darednot。Ididnotknowwhoshewas，andIwasafraidlestsheshouldguesswhyIhadcomeinandbeoffended。Nevertheless，I
didnotthinkIshouldeverseeheragain。
Shewaselegantlydressed；sheworeamuslindresswithmanyflounces，anIndianshawlembroideredatthecornerswithgoldandsilkflowers，astrawhat，asinglebracelet，andaheavygoldchain，suchaswasjustthenbeginningtobethefashion。
Shereturnedtohercarriageanddroveaway。Oneoftheshopmenstoodatthedoorlookingafterhiselegantcustomer\'scarriage。
Iwentuptohimandaskedhimwhatwasthelady\'sname。
\"MademoiselleMargueriteGautier，\"hereplied。Idarednotaskhimforheraddress，andwentonmyway。
Therecollectionofthisvision，foritwasreallyavision，wouldnotleavemymindlikesomanyvisionsIhadseen，andI
lookedeverywhereforthisroyallybeautifulwomaninwhite。
AfewdayslatertherewasagreatperformanceattheOperaComique。ThefirstpersonIsawinoneoftheboxeswasMargueriteGautier。
TheyoungmanwhomIwaswithrecognisedherimmediately，forhesaidtome，mentioninghername：\"Lookatthatprettygirl。\"
AtthatmomentMargueriteturnedheropera-glassinourdirectionand，seeingmyfriend，smiledandbeckonedtohimtocometoher。
\"Iwillgoandsay\'Howdoyoudo？\'toher，\"hesaid，\"andwillbebackinamoment。\"
\"Icouldnothelpsaying\"Happyman！\"
\"Why？\"
\"Togoandseethatwoman。\"
\"Areyouinlovewithher？\"
\"No，\"Isaid，flushing，forIreallydidnotknowwhattosay；
\"butIshouldverymuchliketoknowher。\"
\"Comewithme。Iwillintroduceyou。\"
\"Askherifyoumay。\"
\"Really，thereisnoneedtobeparticularwithher；come。\"
Whathesaidtroubledme。IfearedtodiscoverthatMargueritewasnotworthyofthesentimentwhichIfeltforher。
InabookofAlphonseKarrentitlesAmRauchen，thereisamanwhooneeveningfollowsaveryelegantwoman，withwhomhehadfalleninlovewithatfirstsightonaccountofherbeauty。Onlytokissherhandhefeltthathehadthestrengthtoundertakeanything，thewilltoconqueranything，thecouragetoachieveanything。Hescarcelydaresglanceatthetrimanklewhichsheshowsassheholdsherdressoutofthemud。Whileheisdreamingofallthathewoulddotopossessthiswoman，shestopsatthecornerofthestreetandasksifhewillcomehomewithher。Heturnshishead，crossesthestreet，andgoessadlybacktohisownhouse。
Irecalledthestory，and，havinglongedtosufferforthiswoman，IwasafraidthatshewouldacceptmetoopromptlyandgivemeatoncewhatIfainwouldhavepurchasedbylongwaitingorsomegreatsacrifice。Wemenarebuiltlikethat，anditisveryfortunatethattheimaginationlendssomuchpoetrytothesenses，andthatthedesiresofthebodymakethussuchconcessiontothedreamsofthesoul。Ifanyonehadsaidtome，Youshallhavethiswomanto-nightandbekilledtomorrow，I
wouldhaveaccepted。Ifanyonehadsaidtome，youcanbeherloverfortenpounds，Iwouldhaverefused。Iwouldhavecriedlikeachildwhoseesthecastlehehasbeendreamingaboutvanishawayasheawakensfromsleep。
Allthesame，Iwishedtoknowher；itwasmyonlymeansofmakingupmymindabouther。IthereforesaidtomyfriendthatI
insistedonhavingherpermissiontobeintroducedtoher，andI
wanderedtoandfrointhecorridors，sayingtomyselfthatinamoment\'stimeshewasgoingtoseeme，andthatIshouldnotknowwhichwaytolook。Itried（sublimechildishnessoflove！）tostringtogetherthewordsIshouldsaytoher。
Amomentaftermyfriendreturned。\"Sheisexpectingus，\"hesaid。
\"Isshealone？\"Iasked。
\"Withanotherwoman。\"
\"Therearenomen？\"
\"No。\"
\"Come，then。\"
Myfriendwenttowardthedoorofthetheatre。
\"Thatisnottheway，\"Isaid。
\"Wemustgoandgetsomesweets。Sheaskedmeforsome。\"
Wewentintoaconfectioner\'sinthepassagedel\'Opera。Iwouldhaveboughtthewholeshop，andIwaslookingabouttoseewhatsweetstochoose，whenmyfriendaskedforapoundofraisinsglaces。
\"Doyouknowifshelikesthem？\"
\"Sheeatsnootherkindofsweets；everybodyknowsit。
\"Ah，\"hewentonwhenwehadlefttheshop，\"doyouknowwhatkindofwomanitisthatIamgoingtointroduceyouto？Don\'timagineitisaduchess。Itissimplyakeptwoman，verymuchkept，mydearfellow；don\'tbeshy，sayanythingthatcomesintoyourhead。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"Istammered，andIfollowedhim，sayingtomyselfthatIshouldsooncuremyselfofmypassion。
WhenIenteredtheboxMargueritewasinfitsoflaughter。I
wouldratherthatshehadbeensad。Myfriendintroducedme；
Margueritegavemealittlenod，andsaid，\"Andmysweets？\"
\"Heretheyare。\"
Shelookedatmeasshetookthem。Idroppedmyeyesandblushed。
Sheleanedacrosstoherneighbourandsaidsomethinginherear，atwhichbothlaughed。EvidentlyIwasthecauseoftheirmirth，andmyembarrassmentincreased。AtthattimeIhadasmistressaveryaffectionateandsentimentallittleperson，whosesentimentandwhosemelancholylettersamusedmegreatly。IrealizedthepainImusthavegivenherbywhatInowexperienced，andforfiveminutesIlovedherasnowomanwaseverloved。
Margueriteateherraisinsglaceswithouttakinganymorenoticeofme。Thefriendwhohadintroducedmedidnotwishtoletmeremaininsoridiculousaposition。
\"Marguerite，\"hesaid，\"youmustnotbesurprisedifM。Duvalsaysnothing：youoverwhelmhimtosuchadegreethathecannotfindawordtosay。\"
\"Ishouldsay，onthecontrary，thathehasonlycomewithyoubecauseitwouldhaveboredyoutocomeherebyyourself。\"
\"Ifthatweretrue，\"Isaid，\"IshouldnothavebeggedErnesttoaskyourpermissiontointroduceme。\"
\"Perhapsthatwasonlyinordertoputoffthefatalmoment。\"
HoweverlittleonemayhaveknownwomenlikeMarguerite，onecannotbutknowthedelighttheytakeinpretendingtobewittyandinteasingthepeoplewhomtheymeetforthefirsttime。Itisnodoubtareturnforthehumiliationswhichtheyoftenhavetosubmittoonthepartofthosewhomtheyseeeveryday。
Toanswerthemproperly，onerequiresacertainknack，andIhadnothadtheopportunityofacquiringit；besides，theideathatI
hadformedofMargueriteaccentuatedtheeffectsofhermockery。
Nothingthatdamefromherwasindifferenttome。Irosetomyfeet，sayinginanalteredvoice，whichIcouldnotentirelycontrol：
\"Ifthatiswhatyouthinkofme，madame，Ihaveonlytoaskyourpardonformyindiscretion，andtotakeleaveofyouwiththeassurancethatitshallnotoccuragain。\"
ThereuponIbowedandquittedthebox。IhadscarcelyclosedthedoorwhenIheardathirdpealoflaughter。Itwouldnothavebeenwellforanybodywhohadelbowedmeatthatmoment。
Ireturnedtomyseat。Thesignalforraisingthecurtainwasgiven。Ernestcamebacktohisplacebesideme。
\"Whatawayyoubehaved！\"hesaid，ashesatdown。\"Theywillthinkyouaremad。\"
\"WhatdidMargueritesayafterIhadgone？\"
\"Shelaughed，andsaidshehadneverseenanyonesofunny。Butdon\'tlookuponitasalostchance；onlydonotdothesewomenthehonouroftakingthemseriously。Theydonotknowwhatpolitenessandceremonyare。Itisasifyouweretoofferperfumestodogs——theywouldthinkitsmelledbad，andgoandrollinthegutter。\"
\"Afterall，whatdoesitmattertome？\"Isaid，affectingtospeakinanonchalantway。\"Ishallneverseethiswomanagain，andifIlikedherbeforemeetingher，itisquitedifferentnowthatIknowher。\"
\"Bah！Idon\'tdespairofseeingyouonedayatthebackofherbox，andofbearingthatyouareruiningyourselfforher。
However，youareright，shehasn\'tbeenwellbroughtup；butshewouldbeacharmingmistresstohave。\"
Happily，thecurtainroseandmyfriendwassilent。Icouldnotpossiblytellyouwhattheywereacting。AllthatIrememberisthatfromtimetotimeIraisedmyeyestotheboxIhadquittedsoabruptly，andthatthefacesoffreshvisitorssucceededoneanotherallthetime。
IwasfarfromhavinggivenupthinkingaboutMarguerite。Anotherfeelinghadtakenpossessionofme。ItseemedtomethatIhadherinsultandmyabsurditytowipeout；IsaidtomyselfthatifIspenteverypennyIhad，IwouldwinherandwinmyrighttotheplaceIhadabandonedsoquickly。
BeforetheperformancewasoverMargueriteandherfriendleftthebox。Irosefrommyseat。
\"Areyougoing？\"saidErnest。
\"Yes。\"
\"Why？\"
Atthatmomenthesawthattheboxwasempty。
\"Go，go，\"hesaid，\"andgoodluck，orratherbetterluck。\"
Iwentout。
Iheardtherustleofdresses，thesoundofvoices，onthestaircase。Istoodaside，and，withoutbeingseen，sawthetwowomenpassme，accompaniedbytwoyoungmen。Attheentrancetothetheatretheyweremetbyafootman。
\"TellthecoachmantowaitatthedooroftheCafe\'Anglais，\"
saidMarguerite。\"Wewillwalkthere。\"
AfewminutesafterwardIsawMargueritefromthestreetatawindowofoneofthelargeroomsoftherestaurant，pullingthecamelliasofherbouquettopieces，onebyone。Oneofthetwomenwasleaningoverhershoulderandwhisperinginherear。I
tookupmypositionattheMaison-d\'or，inoneofthefirst-floorrooms，anddidnotlosesightofthewindowforaninstant。AtoneinthemorningMargueritegotintohercarriagewithherthreefriends。Itookacabandfollowedthem。ThecarriagestoppedatNo。9，Rued\'Antin。Margueritegotoutandwentinalone。Itwasnodoubtamerechance，butthechancefilledmewithdelight。
Fromthattimeforward，IoftenmetMargueriteatthetheatreorintheChamps-Elysees。Alwaystherewasthesamegaietyinher，thesameemotioninme。
Atlastafortnightpassedwithoutmymeetingher。ImetGastonandaskedafterher。
\"Poorgirl，sheisveryill，\"heanswered。
\"Whatisthematter？\"
\"Sheisconsumptive，andthesortoflifesheleadsisn\'texactlythethingtocureher。Shehastakentoherbed；sheisdying。\"
Theheartisastrangething；Iwasalmostgladathearingit。
EverydayIwenttoaskafterher，withoutleavingmynameormycard。IheardshewasconvalescentandhadgonetoBagneres。
Timewentby，theimpression，ifnotthememory，fadedgraduallyfrommymind。Itravelled；loveaffairs，habits，work，tooktheplaceofotherthoughts，andwhenIrecalledthisadventureI
lookeduponitasoneofthosepassionswhichonehaswhenoneisveryyoung，andlaughsatsoonafterward。
Fortherest，itwasnocredittometohavegotthebetterofthisrecollection，forIhadcompletelylostsightofMarguerite，and，asItoldyou，whenshepassedmeinthecorridoroftheVarietes，Ididnotrecogniseher。Shewasveiled，itistrue；
but，veiledthoughshemighthavebeentwoyearsearlier，I
shouldnothaveneededtoseeherinordertorecogniseher：I
shouldhaveknownherintuitively。Allthesame，myheartbegantobeatwhenIknewthatitwasshe；andthetwoyearsthathadpassedsinceIsawher，andwhathadseemedtobetheresultsofthatseparation，vanishedinsmokeatthemeretouchofherdress。
Chapter8
However（continuedArmandafterapause），whileIknewmyselftobestillinlovewithher，Ifeltmoresureofmyself，andpartofmydesiretospeaktoMargueriteagainwasawishtomakeherseethatIwasstrongerthanshe。
Howmanywaysdoesthehearttake，howmanyreasonsdoesitinventforitself，inordertoarriveatwhatitwants！
Icouldnotremaininthecorridor，andIreturnedtomyplaceinthestalls，lookinghastilyaroundtoseewhatboxshewasin。
Shewasinaground-floorbox，quitealone。Shehadchanged，asI
havetoldyou，andnolongerworeanindifferentsmileonherlips。Shehadsuffered；shewasstillsuffering。ThoughitwasApril，shewasstillwearingawintercostume，allwrappedupinfurs。
Igazedathersofixedlythatmyeyesattractedhers。Shelookedatmeforafewseconds，putupheropera-glasstoseemebetter，andseemedtothinksherecognisedme，withoutbeingquitesurewhoIwas，forwhensheputdownherglasses，asmile，thatcharming，femininesalutation，flittedacrossherlips，asiftoanswerthebowwhichsheseemedtoexpect；butIdidnotrespond，soastohaveanadvantageoverher，asifIhadforgotten，whilesheremembered。Supposingherselfmistaken，，shelookedaway。
Thecurtainwentup。IhaveoftenseenMargueriteatthetheatre。
Ineversawherpaytheslightestattentiontowhatwasbeingacted。Asforme，theperformanceinterestedmeequallylittle，andIpaidnoattentiontoanythingbuther，thoughdoingmyutmosttokeepherfromnoticingit。
PresentlyIsawherglancingacrossatthepersonwhowasintheoppositebox；onlooking，IsawawomanwithwhomIwasquitefamiliar。Shehadoncebeenakeptwoman，andhadtriedtogoonthestage，hadfailed，and，relyingonheracquaintancewithfashionablepeopleinParis，hadgoneintobusinessandtakenamilliner\'sshop。IsawinherameansofmeetingwithMarguerite，andprofitedbyamomentinwhichshelookedmywaytowavemyhandtoher。AsIexpected，shebeckonedtometocometoherbox。
PrudenceDuvernoy（thatwasthemilliner\'sauspiciousname）wasoneofthosefatwomenoffortywithwhomonerequiresverylittlediplomacytomakethemunderstandwhatonewantstoknow，especiallywhenwhatonewantstoknowisassimpleaswhatIhadtoaskofher。
ItookadvantageofamomentwhenshewassmilingacrossatMargueritetoaskher，\"Whomareyoulookingat？\"
\"MargueriteGautier。\"
\"Youknowher？\"
\"Yes，Iamhermilliner，andsheisaneighbourofmine。\"
\"DoyouliveintheRued\'Antin？\"
\"No。7。Thewindowofherdressing-roomlooksontothewindowofmine。\"
\"Theysaysheisacharminggirl。\"
\"Don\'tyouknowher？\"
\"No，butIshouldliketo。\"
\"ShallIaskhertocomeovertoourbox？\"
\"No，Iwouldratherforyoutointroducemetoher。\"
\"Atherownhouse？\"
\"Yes。
\"Thatismoredifficult。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becausesheisundertheprotectionofajealousoldduke。\"
\"\'Protection\'ischarming。\"
\"Yes，protection，\"repliedPrudence。\"Pooroldman，hewouldbegreatlyembarrassedtoofferheranythingelse。\"
PrudencethentoldmehowMargueritehadmadetheacquaintanceofthedukeatBagneres。
\"That，then，\"Icontinued，\"iswhysheisalonehere？\"
\"Precisely。\"
\"Butwhowillseeherhome？\"
\"Hewill。\"
\"Hewillcomeforher？\"
\"Inamoment。\"
\"Andyou，whoisseeingyouhome？\"
\"Noone。\"
\"MayIoffermyself？\"
\"Butyouarewithafriend，areyounot？\"
\"Mayweoffer，then？\"
\"Whoisyourfriend？\"
\"Acharmingfellow，veryamusing。Hewillbedelightedtomakeyouracquaintance。\"
\"Well，allright；wewillgoafterthispieceisover，forIknowthelastpiece。\"
\"Withpleasure；Iwillgoandtellmyfriend。\"
\"Go，then。Ah，\"addedPrudence，asIwasgoing，\"thereisthedukejustcomingintoMarguerite\'sbox。\"
Ilookedathim。Amanofaboutseventyhadsatdownbehindher，andwasgivingherabagofsweets，intowhichshedippedatonce，smiling。ThenshehelditouttowardPrudence，withagesturewhichseemedtosay，\"Willyouhavesome？\"
\"No，\"signalledPrudence。
Margueritedrewbackthebag，and，turning，begantotalkwiththeduke。
Itmaysoundchildishtotellyouallthesedetails，buteverythingrelatingtoMargueriteissofreshinmymemorythatI
cannothelprecallingthemnow。
IwentbacktoGastonandtoldhimofthearrangementIhadmadeforhimandforme。Heagreed，andweleftourstallstogoroundtoMme。Duvernoy\'sbox。WehadscarcelyopenedthedoorleadingintothestallswhenwehadtostandasidetoallowMargueriteandtheduketopass。Iwouldhavegiventenyearsofmylifetohavebeenintheoldman\'splace。
Whentheywereonthestreethehandedherintoaphaeton，whichhedrovehimself，andtheywerewhirledawaybytwosuperbhorses。
WereturnedtoPrudence\'sbox，andwhentheplaywasoverwetookacabanddroveto7，Rued\'Antin。Atthedoor，Prudenceaskedustocomeupandseehershowrooms，whichwehadneverseen，andofwhichsheseemedveryproud。YoucanimaginehoweagerlyI
accepted。ItseemedtomeasifIwascomingnearerandnearertoMarguerite。Isoonturnedtheconversationinherdirection。
\"Theolddukeisatyourneighbours，\"IsaidtoPrudence。