Chapter17
NextdayMargueritesentmeawayveryearly，sayingthatthedukewascomingatanearlyhour，andpromisingtowritetomethemomenthewent，andtomakeanappointmentfortheevening。InthecourseofthedayIreceivedthisnote：
\"IamgoingtoBougivalwiththeduke；beatPrudence\'sto-nightateight。\"
AttheappointedhourMargueritecametomeatMme。Duvernoy\'s。
\"Well，itisallsettled，\"shesaid，assheentered。\"Thehouseistaken？\"askedPrudence。\"Yes；heagreedatonce。\"
Ididnotknowtheduke，butIfeltashamedofdeceivinghim。
\"Butthatisnotall，\"continuedMarguerite。
\"Whatelseisthere？\"
\"IhavebeenseeingaboutaplaceforArmandtostay。\"
\"Inthesamehouse？\"askedPrudence，laughing。
\"No，atPointduJour，wherewehaddinner，thedukeandI。Whilehewasadmiringtheview，IaskedMme。Arnould（sheiscalledMme。Arnould，isn\'tshe？）iftherewereanysuitablerooms，andsheshowedmejusttheverything：salon，anteroom，andbed-room，atsixtyfrancsamonth；thewholeplacefurnishedinawaytodivertahypochondriac。Itookit。WasIright？\"Iflungmyarmsaroundherneckandkissedher。
\"Itwillbecharming，\"shecontinued。\"Youhavethekeyofthelittledoor，andIhavepromisedthedukethekeyofthefrontdoor，whichhewillnottake，becausehewillcomeduringthedaywhenhecomes。Ithink，betweenourselves，thatheisenchantedwithacapricewhichwillkeepmeoutofParisforatime，andsosilencetheobjectionsofhisfamily。However，hehasaskedmehowI，lovingParisasIdo，couldmakeupmymindtoburymyselfinthecountry。ItoldhimthatIwasill，andthatIwantedrest。Heseemedtohavesomedifficultyinbelievingme。Thepooroldmanisalwaysonthewatch。Wemusttakeeveryprecaution，mydearArmand，forhewillhavemewatchedwhileIamthere；anditisn\'tonlythequestionofhistakingahouseforme，buthehasmydebtstopay，andunluckilyIhaveplenty。Doesallthatsuityou？\"
\"Yes，\"Ianswered，tryingtoquietthescrupleswhichthiswayoflivingawokeinmefromtimetotime。
\"Wewentalloverthehouse，andweshallhaveeverythingperfect。Thedukeisgoingtolookaftereverysinglething。Ah，mydear，\"sheadded，kissingme，\"you\'reinluck；it\'samillionairewhomakesyourbedforyou。\"
\"Andwhenshallyoumoveintothehouse？\"inquiredPrudence。
\"Assoonaspossible。\"
\"Willyoutakeyourhorsesandcarriage？\"
\"Ishalltakethewholehouse，andyoucanlookaftermyplacewhileIamaway。\"
AweeklaterMargueritewassettledinhercountryhouse，andI
wasinstalledatPointduJour。
ThenbegananexistencewhichIshallhavesomedifficultyindescribingtoyou。AtfirstMargueritecouldnotbreakentirelywithherformerhabits，and，asthehousewasalwaysenfete，allthewomenwhomsheknewcametoseeher。ForawholemonththerewasnotadaywhenMargueritehadnoteightortenpeopletomeals。Prudence，onherside，broughtdownallthepeoplesheknew，anddidthehonoursofthehouseasifthehousebelongedtoher。
Theduke\'smoneypaidforallthat，asyoumayimagine；butfromtimetotimePrudencecametome，askingforanoteforathousandfrancs，professedlyonbehalfofMarguerite。YouknowI
hadwonsomemoneyatgambling；IthereforeimmediatelyhandedovertoPrudencewhatsheaskedforMarguerite，andfearinglestsheshouldrequiremorethanIpossessed，IborrowedatParisasumequaltothatwhichIhadalreadyborrowedandpaidback。I
wasthenoncemoreinpossessionofsometenthousandfrancs，withoutreckoningmyallowance。However，Marguerite\'spleasureinseeingherfriendswasalittlemoderatedwhenshesawtheexpensewhichthatpleasureentailed，andespeciallythenecessityshewassometimesinofaskingmeformoney。Theduke，whohadtakenthehouseinorderthatMargueritemightrestthere，nolongervisitedit，fearingtofindhimselfinthemidstofalargeandmerrycompany，bywhomhedidnotwishtobeseen。
Thiscameaboutthroughhishavingoncearrivedtodinetete-a-tetewithMarguerite，andhavingfallenuponapartyoffifteen，whowerestillatlunchatanhourwhenhewaspreparedtositdowntodinner。Hehadunsuspectinglyopenedthedining-roomdoor，andhadbeengreetedbyaburstoflaughter，andhadhadtoretireprecipitatelybeforetheimpertinentmirthofthewomenwhowereassembledthere。
Margueriterosefromtable，andjoinedthedukeinthenextroom，whereshetried，asfaraspossible，toinducehimtoforgettheincident，buttheoldman，woundedinhisdignity，boreheragrudgeforit，andcouldnotforgiveher。Hesaidtoher，somewhatcruelly，thathewastiredofpayingforthefolliesofawomanwhocouldnotevenhavehimtreatedwithrespectunderhisownroof，andhewentawayingreatindignation。
Sincethatdayhehadneverbeenheardof。
InvainMargueritedismissedherguests，changedherwayoflife；
thedukewasnottobeheardof。Iwasthegainerinso，farthatmymistressnowbelongedtomemorecompletely，andmydreamwasatlengthrealized。Margueritecouldnotbewithoutme。Notcaringwhattheresultmightbe，shepubliclyproclaimedourliaison，andIhadcometoliveentirelyatherhouse。Theservantsaddressedmeofficiallyastheirmaster。
PrudencehadstrictlysermonizedMargueriteinregardtohernewmanneroflife；butshehadrepliedthatshelovedme，thatshecouldnotlivewithoutme，andthat，happenwhatmight，shewouldnotsacrificethepleasureofhavingmeconstantlywithher，addingthatthosewhowerenotsatisfiedwiththisarrangementwerefreetostayaway。SomuchIhadheardonedaywhenPrudencehadsaidtoMargueritethatshehadsomethingveryimportanttotellher，andIhadlistenedatthedooroftheroomintowhichtheyhadshutthemselves。
Notlongafter，Prudencereturnedagain。Iwasattheotherendofthegardenwhenshearrived，andshedidnotseeme。Ihadnodoubt，fromthewayinwhichMargueritecametomeether，thatanothersimilarconversationwasgoingtotakeplace，andIwasanxioustohearwhatitwasabout。Thetwowomenshutthemselvesintoaboudoir，andIputmyselfwithinhearing。
\"Well？\"saidMarguerite。
\"Well，Ihaveseentheduke。\"
\"Whatdidhesay？\"
\"Thathewouldgladlyforgiveyouinregardtothescenewhichtookplace，butthathehaslearnedthatyouarepubliclylivingwithM。ArmandDuval，andthathewillneverforgivethat。\'LetMargueriteleavetheyoungman，\'hesaidtome，\'and，asinthepast，Iwillgiveherallthatsherequires；ifnot，letherasknothingmorefromme。\'\"
\"Andyoureplied？\"
\"ThatIwouldreporthisdecisiontoyou，andIpromisedhimthatIwouldbringyouintoamorereasonableframeofmind。Onlythink，mydearchild，ofthepositionthatyouarelosing，andthatArmandcannevergiveyou。Helovesyouwithallhissoul，buthehasnofortunecapableofsupplyingyourneeds，andhewillbeboundtoleaveyouoneday，whenitwillbetoolateandwhenthedukewillrefusetodoanymoreforyou。WouldyoulikemetospeaktoArmand？\"
Margueriteseemedtobethinking，forsheanswerednothing。MyheartbeatviolentlywhileIwaitedforherreply。
\"No，\"sheanswered，\"IwillnotleaveArmand，andIwillnotconcealthefactthatIamlivingwithhim。Itisfollynodoubt，butIlovehim。Whatwouldyouhavemedo？Andthen，nowthathehasgotaccustomedtobealwayswithme，hewouldsuffertoocruellyifhehadtoleavemesomuchasanhouraday。Besides，IhavenotsuchalongtimetolivethatIneedmakemyselfmiserableinordertopleaseanoldmanwhoseverysightmakesmefeelold。Lethimkeephismoney；Iwilldowithoutit。\"
\"Butwhatwillyoudo？\"
\"Idon\'tintheleastknow。\"
Prudencewasnodoubtgoingtomakesomereply，butIenteredsuddenlyandflungmyselfatMarguerite\'sfeet，coveringherhandswithtearsinmyjoyatbeingthusloved。
\"Mylifeisyours，Marguerite；youneedthismannolonger。AmI
nothere？ShallIeverleaveyou，andcanIeverrepayyouforthehappinessthatyougiveme？Nomorebarriers，myMarguerite；
welove；whatmattersalltherest？\"
\"Ohyes，Iloveyou，myArmand，\"shemurmured，puttinghertwoarmsaroundmyneck。\"IloveyouasIneverthoughtIshouldeverlove。Wewillbehappy；wewilllivequietly，andIwillsaygood-byeforevertothelifeforwhichInowblush。Youwon\'teverreproachmeforthepast？Tellme！\"
Tearschokedmyvoice。IcouldonlyreplybyclaspingMargueritetomyheart。
\"Well，\"saidshe，turningtoPrudence，andspeakinginabrokenvoice，\"youcanreportthisscenetotheduke，andyoucanaddthatwehavenolongerneedofhim。\"
Fromthatdayforththedukewasneverreferredto。MargueritewasnolongerthesamewomanthatIhadknown。SheavoidedeverythingthatmightrecalltomethelifewhichshehadbeenleadingwhenIfirstmether。Neverdidwifeorsistersurroundhusbandorbrotherwithsuchlovingcareasshehadforme。Hernaturewasmorbidlyopentoallimpressionsandaccessibletoallsentiments。Shehadbrokenequallywithherfriendsandwithherways，withherwordsandwithherextravagances。AnyonewhohadseenusleavingthehousetogoontheriverinthecharminglittleboatwhichIhadboughtwouldneverhavebelievedthatthewomandressedinwhite，wearingastrawhat，andcarryingonherarmalittlesilkpelissetoprotectheragainstthedampoftheriver，wasthatMargueriteGautierwho，onlyfourmonthsago，hadbeenthetalkofthetownfortheluxuryandscandalofherexistence。
Alas，wemadehastetobehappy，asifweknewthatwewerenottobehappylong。
FortwomonthswehadnotevenbeentoParis。Noonecametoseeus，exceptPrudenceandJulieDuprat，ofwhomIhavespokentoyou，andtowhomMargueritewasafterwardtogivethetouchingnarrativethatIhavethere。
Ipassedwholedaysatthefeetofmymistress。Weopenedthewindowsuponthegarden，and，aswewatchedthesummerripeninginitsflowersandundertheshadowofthetrees，webreathedtogetherthattruelifewhichneitherMargueritenorIhadeverknownbefore。
Herdelightinthesmallestthingswaslikethatofachild。
Thereweredayswhensheraninthegarden，likeachildoften，afterabutterflyoradragon-fly。Thiscourtesanwhohadcostmoremoneyinbouquetsthanwouldhavekeptawholefamilyincomfort，wouldsometimessitonthegrassforanhour，examiningthesimpleflowerwhosenameshebore。
ItwasatthistimethatshereadManonLescaut，overandoveragain。Ifoundherseveraltimesmakingnotesinthebook，andshealwaysdeclaredthatwhenawomanloves，shecannotdoasManondid。
Thedukewrotetohertwoorthreetimes。Sherecognisedthewritingandgavemetheletterswithoutreadingthem。Sometimesthetermsoftheselettersbroughttearstomyeyes。HehadimaginedthatbyclosinghispursetoMarguerite，hewouldbringherbacktohim；butwhenhehadperceivedtheuselessnessofthesemeans，hecouldholdoutnolonger；hewroteandaskedthathemightseeheragain，asbefore，nomatteronwhatconditions。
Ireadtheseurgentandrepeatedletters，andtoretheminpieces，withouttellingMargueritewhattheycontainedandwithoutadvisinghertoseetheoldmanagain，thoughIwashalfinclinedto，somuchdidIpityhim，butIwasafraidlest，ifI
soadvisedhersheshouldthinkthatIwishedtheduke，notmerelytocomeandseeheragain，buttotakeovertheexpensesofthehouse；Ifeared，aboveall，thatshemightthinkmecapableofshirkingtheresponsibilitiesofeveryconsequencetowhichherloveformemightleadher。
Itthuscameaboutthattheduke，receivingnoreply，ceasedtowrite，andthatMargueriteandIcontinuedtolivetogetherwithoutgivingathoughttothefuture。
Chapter18
Itwouldbedifficulttogiveyouallthedetailsofournewlife。Itwasmadeupofaseriesoflittlechildishevents，charmingforusbutinsignificanttoanyoneelse。Youknowwhatitistobeinlovewithawoman，youknowhowitcutsshortthedays，andwithwhatlovinglistlessnessonedriftsintothemorrow。Youknowthatforgetfulnessofeverythingwhichcomesofaviolentconfident，reciprocatedlove。Everybeingwhoisnotthebelovedoneseemsauselessbeingincreation。Oneregretshavingcastscrapsofone\'shearttootherwomen，andonecannotbelieveinthepossibilityofeverpressinganotherhandthanthatwhichoneholdsbetweenone\'shands。Themindadmitsneitherworknorremembrance；nothing，inshort，whichcandistractitfromtheonethoughtinwhichitisceaselesslyabsorbed。Everydayonediscoversinone\'smistressanewcharmandunknowndelights。Existenceitselfisbuttheunceasingaccomplishmentofanunchangingdesire；thesoulisbutthevestalchargedtofeedthesacredfireoflove。
Weoftenwentatnight-timetositinthelittlewoodabovethehouse；therewelistenedtothecheerfulharmoniesofevening，bothofusthinkingofthecominghourswhichshouldleaveustooneanothertillthedawnofday。Atothertimeswedidnotgetupallday；wedidnotevenletthesunlightenterourroom。
Thecurtainswerehermeticallyclosed，andforamomenttheexternalworlddidnotexistforus。Naninealonehadtherighttoopenourdoor，butonlytobringinourmealsandeventhesewetookwithoutgettingup，interruptingthemwithlaughterandgaiety。Tothatsucceededabriefsleep，for，disappearingintothedepthsofourlove，wewereliketwodiverswhoonlycometothesurfacetotakebreath。
Nevertheless，Isurprisedmomentsofsadness，eventears，inMarguerite；Iaskedherthecauseofhertrouble，andsheanswered：
\"Ourloveisnotlikeotherloves，myArmand。YoulovemeasifI
hadneverbelongedtoanother，andItremblelestlateron，repentingofyourlove，andaccusingmeofmypast，youshouldletmefallbackintothatlifefromwhichyouhavetakenme。I
thinkthatnowthatIhavetastedofanotherlife，IshoulddieifIwentbacktotheoldone。Tellmethatyouwillneverleaveme！\"
\"Iswearit！\"
Atthesewordsshelookedatmeasiftoreadinmyeyeswhethermyoathwassincere；thenflungherselfintomyarms，and，hidingherheadinmybosom，saidtome：\"Youdon\'tknowhowmuchIloveyou！\"
Oneevening，seatedonthebalconyoutsidethewindow，welookedatthemoonwhichseemedtorisewithdifficultyoutofitsbedofclouds，andwelistenedtothewindviolentlyrustlingthetrees；weheldeachother\'shands，andforawholequarterofanhourwehadnotspoken，whenMargueritesaidtome：
\"Winterisathand。Wouldyoulikeforustogoabroad？\"
\"Where？\"
\"ToItaly。\"
\"Youaretiredofhere？\"
\"Iamafraidofthewinter；IamparticularlyafraidofyourreturntoParis。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Formanyreasons。\"
Andshewentonabruptly，withoutgivingmeherreasonsforfears：
\"Willyougoabroad？IwillsellallthatIhave；wewillgoandlivethere，andtherewillbenothingleftofwhatIwas；noonewillknowwhoIam。Willyou？\"
\"Byallmeans，ifyoulike，Marguerite，letustravel，\"Isaid。
\"Butwhereisthenecessityofsellingthingswhichyouwillbegladofwhenwereturn？Ihavenotalargeenoughfortunetoacceptsuchasacrifice；butIhaveenoughforustobeabletotravelsplendidlyforfiveorsixmonths，ifthatwillamuseyoutheleastintheworld。\"
\"Afterall，no，\"shesaid，leavingthewindowandgoingtositdownonthesofaattheotherendoftheroom。\"Whyshouldwespendmoneyabroad？Icostyouenoughalready，here。\"
\"Youreproachme，Marguerite；itisn\'tgenerous。\"
\"Forgiveme，myfriend，\"shesaid，givingmeherhand。\"Thisthunderweathergetsonmynerves；IdonotsaywhatIintendtosay。\"
Andafterembracingmeshefellintoalongreverie。
Scenesofthiskindoftentookplace，andthoughIcouldnotdiscovertheircause，IcouldnotfailtoseeinMargueritesignsofdisquietudeinregardtothefuture。Shecouldnotdoubtmylove，whichincreaseddaybyday，andyetIoftenfoundhersad，withoutbeingabletogetanyexplanationofthereason，exceptsomephysicalcause。Fearingthatsomonotonousalifewasbeginningtowearyher，IproposedreturningtoParis；butshealwaysrefused，assuringmethatshecouldnotbesohappyanywhereasinthecountry。
Prudencenowcamebutrarely；butsheoftenwroteletterswhichI
neveraskedtosee，though，everytimetheycame，theyseemedtopreoccupyMargueritedeeply。Ididnotknowwhattothink。
OnedayMargueritewasinherroom。Ientered。Shewaswriting。
\"Towhomareyouwriting？\"Iasked。\"ToPrudence。DoyouwanttoseewhatIamwriting？\"
Ihadahorrorofanythingthatmightlooklikesuspicion，andI
answeredthatIhadnodesiretoknowwhatshewaswriting；andyetIwascertainthatletterwouldhaveexplainedtomethecauseofhersadness。
Nextdaytheweatherwassplendid。\'MargueriteproposedtometotaketheboatandgoasfarastheislandofCroissy。Sheseemedverycheerful；whenwegotbackitwasfiveo\'clock。
\"Mme。Duvernoyhasbeenhere，\"saidNanine，asshesawusenter。
\"Shehasgoneagain？\"askedMarguerite。
\"Yes，madame，inthecarriage；shesaiditwasarranged。\"
\"Quiteright，\"saidMargueritesharply。\"Servethedinner。\"
TwodaysafterwardtherecamealetterfromPrudence，andforafortnightMargueriteseemedtohavegotridofhermysteriousgloom，forwhichsheconstantlyaskedmyforgiveness，nowthatitnolongerexisted。Still，thecarriagedidnotreturn。
\"HowisitthatPrudencedoesnotsendyoubackyourcarriage？\"I
askedoneday。
\"Oneofthehorsesisill，andtherearesomerepairstobedone。
Itisbettertohavethatdonewhilewearehere，anddon\'tneedacarriage，thantowaittillwegetbacktoParis。\"
Prudencecametwodaysafterward，andconfirmedwhatMargueritehadsaid。Thetwowomenwentforawalkinthegarden，andwhenI
joinedthemtheychangedtheconversation。Thatnight，asshewasgoing，PrudencecomplainedofthecoldandaskedMargueritetolendherashawl。
Soamonthpassed，andallthetimeMargueritewasmorejoyousandmoreaffectionatethansheeverhadbeen。Nevertheless，thecarriagedidnotreturn，theshawlhadnotbeensentback，andI
begantobeanxiousinspiteofmyself，andasIknewinwhichdrawerMargueriteputPrudence\'sletters，Itookadvantageofamomentwhenshewasattheotherendofthegarden，wenttothedrawer，andtriedtoopenit；invain，foritwaslocked。WhenI
openedthedrawerinwhichthetrinketsanddiamondswereusuallykept，theseopenedwithoutresistance，butthejewelcaseshaddisappeared，alongwiththeircontentsnodoubt。
Asharpfearpenetratedmyheart。ImightindeedaskMargueriteforthetruthinregardtothesedisappearances，butitwascertainthatshewouldnotconfessit。
\"MygoodMarguerite，\"Isaidtoher，\"IamgoingtoaskyourpermissiontogotoParis。Theydonotknowmyaddress，andI
expecttherearelettersfrommyfatherwaitingforme。Ihavenodoubtheisconcerned；Ioughttoanswerhim。\"
\"Go，myfriend，\"shesaid；\"butbebackearly。\"IwentstraighttoPrudence。
\"Come，\"saidI，withoutbeatingaboutthebush，\"tellmefrankly，whereareMarguerite\'shorses？\"
\"Sold。\"
\"Theshawl？\"
\"Sold。\"
\"Thediamonds？\"
\"Pawned。\"
\"Andwhohassoldandpawnedthem？\"
\"Whydidyounottellme？\"
\"BecauseMargueritemademepromisenotto。\"
\"Andwhydidyounotaskmeformoney？\"
\"Becauseshewouldn\'tletme。\"
\"Andwherehasthismoneygone？\"
\"Inpayments。\"
\"Isshemuchindebt？\"
\"Thirtythousandfrancs，orthereabouts。Ah，mydearfellow，didn\'tItellyou？Youwouldn\'tbelieveme；nowyouareconvinced。Theupholstererwhomthedukehadagreedtosettlewithwasshownoutofthehousewhenhepresentedhimself，andthedukewrotenextdaytosaythathewouldanswerfornothinginregardtoMlle。Gautier。Thismanwantedhismoney；hewasgivenpartpaymentoutofthefewthousandfrancsthatIgotfromyou；thensomekindsoulswarnedhimthathisdebtorhadbeenabandonedbythedukeandwaslivingwithapennilessyoungman；
theothercreditorsweretoldthesame；theyaskedfortheirmoney，andseizedsomeofthegoods。Margueritewantedtoselleverything，butitwastoolate，andbesidesIshouldhaveopposedit。Butitwasnecessarytopay，andinordernottoaskyouformoney，shesoldherhorsesandhershawls，andpawnedherjewels。Wouldyouliketoseethereceiptsandthepawntickets？\"
AndPrudenceopenedthedrawerandshowedmethepapers。
\"Ah，youthink，\"shecontinued，withtheinsistenceofawomanwhocansay，Iwasrightafterall，\"ah，youthinkitisenoughtobeinlove，andtogointothecountryandleadadreamy，pastorallife。No，myfriend，no。Bythesideofthatideallife，thereisamateriallife，andthepurestresolutionsareheldtoearthbythreadswhichseemslightenough，butwhichareofiron，noteasilytobebroken。IfMargueritehasnotbeenunfaithfultoyoutwentytimes，itisbecauseshehasanexceptionalnature。Itisnotmyfaultfornotadvisingherto，forIcouldn\'tbeartoseethepoorgirlstrippingherselfofeverything。Shewouldn\'t；
sherepliedthatshelovedyou，andshewouldn\'tbeunfaithfultoyouforanythingintheworld。Allthatisverypretty，verypoetical，butonecan\'tpayone\'screditorsinthatcoin，andnowshecan\'tfreeherselffromdebt，unlessshecanraisethirtythousandfrancs。\"
\"Allright，Iwillprovidethatamount。\"
\"Youwillborrowit？\"
\"Goodheavens！Why，yes！\"
\"Afinethingthatwillbetodo；youwillfalloutwithyourfather，crippleyourresources，andonedoesn\'tfindthirtythousandfrancsfromonedaytoanother。Believeme，mydearArmand，Iknowwomenbetterthanyoudo；donotcommitthisfolly；youwillbesorryforitoneday。Bereasonable。Idon\'tadviseyoutoleaveMarguerite，butlivewithherasyoudidatthebeginning。Letherfindthemeanstogetoutofthisdifficulty。Thedukewillcomebackinalittlewhile。TheComtedeN。，ifshewouldtakehim，hetoldmeyesterdayeven，wouldpayallherdebts，andgiveherfourorfivethousandfrancsamonth。Hehastwohundredthousandayear。Itwouldbeapositionforher，whileyouwillcertainlybeobligedtoleaveher。Don\'twaittillyouareruined，especiallyastheComtedeN。isafool，andnothingwouldpreventyourstillbeingMarguerite\'slover。Shewouldcryalittleatthebeginning，butshewouldcometoaccustomherselftoit，andyouwouldthankmeonedayforwhatyouhaddone。ImaginethatMargueriteismarried，anddeceivethehusband；thatisall。Ihavealreadytoldyouallthisonce，onlyatthattimeitwasmerelyadvice，andnowitisalmostanecessity。\"
WhatPrudencesaidwascruellytrue。
\"Thisishowitis，\"shewenton，puttingawaythepapersshehadjustshownme；\"womenlikeMargueritealwaysforeseethatsomeonewilllovethem，neverthattheywilllove；otherwisetheywouldputasidemoney，andatthirtytheycouldaffordtheluxuryofhavingaloverfornothing。IfIhadonlyknownoncewhatI
knownow！Inshort，saynothingtoMarguerite，andbringherbacktoParis。Youhavelivedwithheraloneforfourorfivemonths；
thatisquiteenough。Shutyoureyesnow；thatisallthatanyoneasksofyou。AttheendofafortnightshewilltaketheComtedeN。，andshewillsaveupduringthewinter，andnextsummeryouwillbeginoveragain。Thatishowthingsaredone，mydearfellow！\"
AndPrudenceappearedtobeenchantedwithheradvice，whichI
refusedindignantly。
Notonlymyloveandmydignitywouldnotletmeactthus，butI
wascertainthat，feelingasshedidnow，Margueritewoulddieratherthanacceptanotherlover。
\"Enoughjoking，\"IsaidtoPrudence；\"tellmeexactlyhowmuchMargueriteisinneedof。\"
\"Ihavetoldyou：thirtythousandfrancs。\"
\"Andwhendoessherequirethissum？\"
\"Beforetheendoftwomonths。\"
\"Sheshallhaveit。\"
Prudenceshruggedhershoulders。
\"Iwillgiveittoyou，\"Icontinued，\"butyoumustsweartomethatyouwillnottellMargueritethatIhavegivenittoyou。\"
\"Don\'tbeafraid。\"
\"Andifshesendsyouanythingelsetosellorpawn，letmeknow。\"
\"Thereisnodanger。Shehasnothingleft。\"
Iwentstraighttomyownhousetoseeiftherewereanylettersfrommyfather。Therewerefour。
Chapter19
Inhisfirstthreelettersmyfatherinquiredthecauseofmysilence；inthelastheallowedmetoseethathehadheardofmychangeoflife，andinformedmethathewasabouttocomeandseeme。
Ihavealwayshadagreatrespectandasincereaffectionformyfather。IrepliedthatIhadbeentravellingforashorttime，andbeggedhimtoletmeknowbeforehandwhatdayhewouldarrive，sothatIcouldbetheretomeethim。
Igavemyservantmyaddressinthecountry，tellinghimtobringmethefirstletterthatcamewiththepostmarkofC。，thenI
returnedtoBougival。
Margueritewaswaitingformeatthegardengate。Shelookedatmeanxiously。Throwingherarmsroundmyneck，shesaidtome：
\"HaveyouseenPrudence？\"
\"No。\"
\"YouwerealongtimeinParis。\"
\"IfoundlettersfrommyfathertowhichIhadtoreply。\"
AfewminutesafterwardNanineentered，alloutofbreath。
Margueriteroseandtalkedwithherinwhispers。WhenNaninehadgoneoutMargueritesatdownbymeagainandsaid，takingmyhand：
\"Whydidyoudeceiveme？YouwenttoseePrudence。\"
\"Whotoldyou？\"
\"Nanine。\"
\"Andhowdidsheknow？\"
\"Shefollowedyou。\"
\"Youtoldhertofollowme？\"
\"Yes。IthoughtthatyoumusthavehadaverystrongmotiveforgoingtoParis，afternotleavingmeforfourmonths。Iwasafraidthatsomethingmighthappentoyou，orthatyouwereperhapsgoingtoseeanotherwoman。\"
\"Child！\"
\"NowIamrelieved。Iknowwhatyouhavedone，butIdon\'tyetknowwhatyouhavebeentold。\"
IshowedMargueritemyfather\'sletters。
\"ThatisnotwhatIamaskingyouabout。WhatIwanttoknowiswhyyouwenttoseePrudence。\"
\"Toseeher。\"
\"That\'salie，myfriend。\"
\"Well，Iwenttoaskherifthehorsewasanybetter，andifshewantedyourshawlandyourjewelsanylonger。\"
Margueriteblushed，butdidnotanswer。
\"And，\"Icontinued，\"Ilearnedwhatyouhaddonewithyourhorses，shawls，andjewels。\"
\"Andyouarevexed？\"
\"Iamvexedthatitneveroccurredtoyoutoaskmeforwhatyouwereinwantof。\"
\"Inaliaisonlikeours，ifthewomanhasanysenseofdignityatall，sheoughttomakeeverypossiblesacrificeratherthanaskherloverformoneyandsogiveavenalcharactertoherlove。
Youloveme，Iamsure，butyoudonotknowonhowslightathreaddependstheloveonehasforawomanlikeme。Whoknows？
Perhapssomedaywhenyouwereboredorworriedyouwouldfancyyousawacarefullyconcertedplaninourliaison。Prudenceisachatterbox。WhatneedhadIofthehorses？Itwasaneconomytosellthem。Idon\'tusethemandIdon\'tspendanythingontheirkeep；ifyouloveme，Iasknothingmore，andyouwilllovemejustasmuchwithouthorses，orshawls，ordiamonds。\"
AllthatwassaidsonaturallythatthetearscametomyeyesasIlistened。
\"But，mygoodMarguerite，\"Ireplied，pressingherhandslovingly，\"youknewthatonedayIshoulddiscoverthesacrificeyouhadmade，andthatthemomentIdiscovereditIshouldallowitnolonger。\"
\"Butwhy？\"
\"Because，mydearchild，Icannotallowyouraffectionformetodepriveyouofevenatrinket。Itooshouldnotlikeyoutobeable，inamomentwhenyouwereboredorworried，tothinkthatifyouwerelivingwithsomebodyelsethosemomentswouldnotexist；andtorepent，ifonlyforaminute，oflivingwithme。Inafewdaysyourhorses，yourdiamonds，andyourshawlsshallbereturnedtoyou。Theyareasnecessarytoyouasairistolife，anditmaybeabsurd，butIlikeyoubettershowythansimple。\"
\"Thenyounolongerloveme。\"
\"Foolishcreature！\"
\"Ifyoulovedme，youwouldletmeloveyoumyownway；onthecontrary，youpersistinonlyseeinginmeawomantowhomluxuryisindispensable，andwhomyouthinkyouarealwaysobligedtopay。Youareashamedtoaccepttheproofofmylove。Inspiteofyourself，youthinkofleavingmesomeday，andyouwanttoputyourdisinterestednessbeyondriskofsuspicion。Youareright，myfriend，butIhadbetterhopes。\"
AndMargueritemadeamotiontorise；Iheldher，andsaidtoher：
\"Iwantyoutobehappyandtohavenothingtoreproachmefor，thatisall。\"
\"Andwearegoingtobeseparated！\"
\"Why，Marguerite，whocanseparateus？\"Icried。
\"You，whowillnotletmetakeyouonyourownlevel，butinsistontakingmeonmine；you，whowishmetokeeptheluxuryinthemidstofwhichIhavelived，andsokeepthemoraldistancewhichseparatesus；you，whodonotbelievethatmyaffectionissufficientlydisinterestedtosharewithmewhatyouhave，thoughwecouldlivehappilyenoughonittogether，andwouldratherruinyourself，becauseyouarestillboundbyafoolishprejudice。DoyoureallythinkthatIcouldcompareacarriageanddiamondswithyourlove？Doyouthinkthatmyrealhappinessliesinthetriflesthatmeansomuchwhenonehasnothingtolove，butwhichbecometriflingindeedwhenonehas？Youwillpaymydebts，realizeyourestate，andthenkeepme？Howlongwillthatlast？Twoorthreemonths，andthenitwillbetoolatetolivethelifeIpropose，forthenyouwillhavetotakeeverythingfromme，andthatiswhatamanofhonourcannotdo；
whilenowyouhaveeightortenthousandfrancsayear，onwhichweshouldbeabletolive。IwillselltherestofwhatIdonotwant，andwiththisaloneIwillmaketwothousandfrancsayear。
Wewilltakeanicelittleflatinwhichwecanbothlive。Inthesummerwewillgointothecountry，nottoahouselikethis，buttoahousejustbigenoughfortwopeople。Youareindependent，I
amfree，weareyoung；inheaven\'sname，Armand，donotdrivemebackintothelifeIhadtoleadonce！\"
Icouldnotanswer。Tearsofgratitudeandlovefilledmyeyes，andIflungmyselfintoMarguerite\'sarms。
\"Iwanted，\"shecontinued，\"toarrangeeverythingwithouttellingyou，payallmydebts，andtakeanewflat。InOctoberweshouldhavebeenbackinParis，andallwouldhavecomeout；butsincePrudencehastoldyouall，youwillhavetoagreebeforehand，insteadofagreeingafterward。Doyoulovemeenoughforthat？\"
Itwasimpossibletoresistsuchdevotion。Ikissedherhandsardently，andsaid：
\"Iwilldowhateveryouwish。\"
Itwasagreedthatweshoulddoasshehadplanned。Thereupon，shewentwildwithdelight；danced，sang，amusedherselfwithcallinguppicturesofhernewflatinallitssimplicity，andbegantoconsultmeastoitspositionandarrangement。Isawhowhappyandproudshewasofthisresolution，whichseemedasifitwouldbringusintocloserandcloserrelationship，andI
resolvedtodomyownshare。InaninstantIdecidedthewholecourseofmylife。Iputmyaffairsinorder，andmadeovertoMargueritetheincomewhichhadcometomefrommymother，andwhichseemedlittleenoughinreturnforthesacrificewhichI
wasaccepting。Thereremainedthefivethousandfrancsayearfrommyfather；and，whateverhappened，Ihadalwaysenoughtoliveon。IdidnottellMargueritewhatIhaddone，certainasI
wasthatshewouldrefusethegift。ThisincomecamefromamortgageofsixtythousandfrancsonahousethatIhadneverevenseen。AllthatIknewwasthateverythreemonthsmyfather\'ssolicitor，anoldfriendofthefamily，handedovertomesevenhundredandfiftyfrancsinreturnformyreceipt。
ThedaywhenMargueriteandIcametoParistolookforaflat，I
wenttothissolicitorandaskedhimwhathadtobedoneinordertomakeoverthisincometoanotherperson。ThegoodmanimaginedIwasruined，andquestionedmeastothecauseofmydecision。
AsIknewthatIshouldbeobliged，soonerorlater，tosayinwhosefavourImadethistransfer，Ithoughtitbesttotellhimthetruthatonce。Hemadenoneoftheobjectionsthathispositionasfriendandsolicitorauthorizedhimtomake，andassuredmethathewouldarrangethewholeaffairinthebestwaypossible。Naturally，Ibeggedhimtoemploythegreatestdiscretioninregardtomyfather，andonleavinghimIrejoinedMarguerite，whowaswaitingformeatJulieDuprat\'s，whereshehadgoneinpreferencetogoingtolistentothemoralizingsofPrudence。
Webegantolookoutforflats。AllthosethatwesawseemedtoMargueritetoodear，andtometoosimple。However，wefinallyfound，inoneofthequietestpartsofParis，alittlehouse，isolatedfromthemainpartofthebuilding。Behindthislittlehousewasacharminggarden，surroundedbywallshighenoughtoscreenusfromourneighbours，andlowenoughnottoshutoffourownview。Itwasbetterthanourexpectations。
WhileIwenttogivenoticeatmyownflat，Margueritewenttoseeabusinessagent，who，shetoldme，hadalreadydoneforoneofherfriendsexactlywhatshewantedhimtodoforher。ShecameontotheRuedeProvenceinastateofgreatdelight。Themanhadpromisedtopayallherdebts，togiveherareceiptfortheamount，andtohandovertohertwentythousandfrancs，inreturnforthewholeofherfurniture。Youhaveseenbytheamounttakenatthesalethatthishonestmanwouldhavegainedthirtythousandfrancsoutofhisclient。
WewentbackjoyouslytoBougival，talkingoverourprojectsforthefuture，which，thankstoourheedlessness，andespeciallytoourlove，wesawintherosiestlight。
Aweeklater，aswewerehavinglunch，Naninecametotellusthatmyservantwasaskingforme。\"Lethimcomein，\"Isaid。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"yourfatherhasarrivedinParis，andbegsyoutoreturnatoncetoyourrooms，whereheiswaitingforyou。\"
Thispieceofnewswasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，yet，asweheardit，MargueriteandIlookedatoneanother。Weforesawtrouble。Beforeshehadspokenaword，Irepliedtoherthought，and，takingherhand，Isaid，\"Fearnothing。\"
\"Comebackassoonaspossible，\"whisperedMarguerite，embracingme；\"Iwillwaitforyouatthewindow。\"
IsentonJosephtotellmyfatherthatIwasonmyway。TwohourslaterIwasattheRuedeProvence。
Chapter20
Myfatherwasseatedinmyroominhisdressing-gown；hewaswriting，andIsawatonce，bythewayinwhichheraisedhiseyestomewhenIcamein，thattherewasgoingtobeaseriousdiscussion。Iwentuptohim，allthesame，asifIhadseennothinginhisface，embracedhim，andsaid：
\"Whendidyoucome，father？\"
\"Lastnight。\"
\"Didyoucomestraighthere，asusual？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Iamverysorrynottohavebeenheretoreceiveyou。\"
Iexpectedthatthesermonwhichmyfather\'scoldfacethreatenedwouldbeginatonce；buthesaidnothing，sealedtheletterwhichhehadjustwritten，andgaveittoJosephtopost。
Whenwewerealone，myfatherrose，andleaningagainstthemantel-piece，saidtome：
\"MydearArmand，wehaveseriousmatterstodiscuss。\"
\"Iamlistening，father。\"
\"Youpromisemetobefrank？\"
\"AmInotaccustomedtobeso？\"
\"IsitnottruethatyouarelivingwithawomancalledMargueriteGautier？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyouknowwhatthiswomanwas？\"
\"Akeptwoman。\"
\"Anditisforherthatyouhaveforgottentocomeandseeyoursisterandmethisyear？\"
\"Yes，father，Iadmitit。\"
\"Youareverymuchinlovewiththiswoman？\"
\"Youseeit，father，sinceshehasmademefailindutytowardyou，forwhichIhumblyaskyourforgivenessto-day。\"
Myfather，nodoubt，wasnotexpectingsuchcategoricalanswers，forheseemedtoreflectamoment，andthensaidtome：
\"Youhave，ofcourse，realizedthatyoucannotalwayslivelikethat？\"
\"Ifearso，father，butIhavenotrealizedit。\"
\"Butyoumustrealize，\"continuedmyfather，inadryertone，\"thatI，atallevents，shouldnotpermitit。\"
\"IhavesaidtomyselfthataslongasIdidnothingcontrarytotherespectwhichIowetothetraditionalprobityofthefamilyIcouldliveasIamliving，andthishasreassuredmesomewhatinregardtothefearsIhavehad。\"
Passionsareformidableenemiestosentiment。Iwaspreparedforeverystruggle，evenwithmyfather，inorderthatImightkeepMarguerite。
\"Then，themomentiscomewhenyoumustliveotherwise。\"
\"Why，father？\"
\"Becauseyouaredoingthingswhichoutragetherespectthatyouimagineyouhaveforyourfamily。\"
\"Idon\'tfollowyourmeaning。\"
\"Iwillexplainittoyou。Haveamistressifyouwill；payherasamanofhonourisboundtopaythewomanwhomhekeeps，byallmeans；butthatyoushouldcometoforgetthemostsacredthingsforher，thatyoushouldletthereportofyourscandalouslifereachmyquietcountryside，andsetablotonthehonourablenamethatIhavegivenyou，itcannot，itshallnotbe。\"
\"Permitmetotellyou，father，thatthosewhohavegivenyouinformationaboutmehavebeenill-informed。IamtheloverofMlle。Gautier；Ilivewithher；itisthemostnaturalthingintheworld。IdonotgiveMlle。Gautierthenameyouhavegivenme；Ispendonheraccountwhatmymeansallowmetospend；I
havenodebts；and，inshort，Iamnotinapositionwhichauthorizesafathertosaytohissonwhatyouhavejustsaidtome。\"
\"Afatherisalwaysauthorizedtorescuehissonoutofevilpaths。Youhavenotdoneanyharmyet，butyouwilldoit。\"
\"Father！\"
\"Sir，Iknowmoreoflifethanyoudo。Therearenoentirelypuresentimentsexceptinperfectlychastewomen。EveryManoncanhaveherownDesGrieux，andtimesarechanged。Itwouldbeuselessfortheworldtogrowolderifitdidnotcorrectitsways。Youwillleaveyourmistress。\"
\"Iamverysorrytodisobeyyou，father，butitisimpossible。\"
\"Iwillcompelyoutodoso。\"
\"Unfortunately，father，therenolongerexistsaSainteMargueritetowhichcourtesanscanbesent，and，eveniftherewere，IwouldfollowMlle。Gautierifyousucceededinhavinghersentthere。Whatwouldyouhave？Perhapsaminthewrong，butI
canonlybehappyaslongasIamtheloverofthiswoman。\"
\"Come，Armand，openyoureyes。Recognisethatitisyourfatherwhospeakstoyou，yourfatherwhohasalwayslovedyou，andwhoonlydesiresyourhappiness。Isithonourableforyoutolivelikehusbandandwifewithawomanwhomeverybodyhashad？\"
\"Whatdoesitmatter，father，ifnoonewillanymore？Whatdoesitmatter，ifthiswomanlovesme，ifherwholelifeischangedthroughthelovewhichshehasformeandthelovewhichIhaveforher？Whatdoesitmatter，ifshehasbecomeadifferentwoman？\"
\"Doyouthink，then，sir，thatthemissionofamanofhonouristogoaboutconvertinglostwomen？DoyouthinkthatGodhasgivensuchagrotesqueaimtolife，andthattheheartshouldhaveanyroomforenthusiasmofthatkind？Whatwillbetheendofthismarvellouscure，andwhatwillyouthinkofwhatyouaresayingto-daybythetimeyouareforty？Youwilllaughatthisloveofyours，ifyoucanstilllaugh，andifithasnotlefttooseriousatraceinyourpast。Whatwouldyoubenowifyourfatherhadhadyourideasandhadgivenuphislifetoeveryimpulseofthiskind，insteadofrootinghimselffirmlyinconvictionsofhonourandsteadfastness？Thinkitover，Armand，anddonottalkanymoresuchabsurdities。Come，leavethiswoman；yourfatherentreatsyou。\"
Ianswerednothing。
\"Armand，\"continuedmyfather，\"inthenameofyoursaintedmother，abandonthislife，whichyouwillforgetmoreeasilythanyouthink。Youaretiedtoitbyanimpossibletheory。Youaretwenty-four；thinkofthefuture。Youcannotalwayslovethiswoman，whoalsocannotalwaysloveyou。Youbothexaggerateyourlove。Youputanendtoyourwholecareer。Onestepfurther，andyouwillnolongerbeabletoleavethepathyouhavechosen，andyouwillsufferallyourlifeforwhatyouhavedoneinyouryouth。LeaveParis。Comeandstayforamonthortwowithyoursisterandme。Restinourquietfamilyaffectionwillsoonhealyouofthisfever，foritisnothingelse。Meanwhile，yourmistresswillconsoleherself；shewilltakeanotherlover；andwhenyouseewhatitisforwhichyouhaveallbutbrokenwithyourfather，andallbutlosthislove，youwilltellmethatI
havedonewelltocomeandseekyouout，andyouwillthankmeforit。Come，youwillgowithme，Armand，willyounot？\"Ifeltthatmyfatherwouldberightifithadbeenanyotherwoman，butIwasconvincedthathewaswrongwithregardtoMarguerite。
Nevertheless，thetoneinwhichhesaidtheselastwordswassokind，soappealing，thatIdarednotanswer。
\"Well？\"saidheinatremblingvoice。
\"Well，father，Icanpromisenothing，\"Isaidatlast；\"whatyouaskofmeisbeyondmypower。Believeme，\"Icontinued，seeinghimmakeanimpatientmovement，\"youexaggeratetheeffectsofthisliaison。Margueriteisadifferentkindofawomanfromwhatyouthink。Thislove，farfromleadingmeastray，iscapable，onthecontrary，ofsettingmeintherightdirection。Lovealwaysmakesamanbetter，nomatterwhatwomaninspiresit。IfyouknewMarguerite，youwouldunderstandthatIaminnodanger。Sheisasnobleasthenoblestofwomen。Thereisasmuchdisinterestednessinherasthereiscupidityinothers。\"
\"Allofwhichdoesnotpreventherfromacceptingthewholeofyourfortune，forthesixtythousandfrancswhichcometoyoufromyourmother，andwhichyouaregivingher，are，understandmewell，yourwholefortune。\"
Myfatherhadprobablykeptthisperorationandthisthreatforthelaststroke。Iwasfirmerbeforethesethreatsthanbeforehisentreaties。
\"WhotoldyouthatIwashandingthissumtoher？\"Iasked。
\"Mysolicitor。Couldanhonestmancarryoutsuchaprocedurewithoutwarningme？Well，itistopreventyoufromruiningyourselfforaprostitutethatIamnowinParis。Yourmother，whenshedied，leftyouenoughtoliveonrespectably，andnottosquanderonyourmistresses。\"
\"Isweartoyou，father，thatMargueriteknewnothingofthistransfer。\"
\"Why，then，doyoumakeit？\"
\"BecauseMarguerite，thewomanyoucalumniate，andwhomyouwishmetoabandon，issacrificingallthatshepossessesinordertolivewithme。\"
\"Andyouacceptthissacrifice？Whatsortofamanareyou，sir，toallowMlle。Gautiertosacrificeanythingforyou？Come，enoughofthis。Youwillleavethiswoman。JustnowIbeggedyou；
nowIcommandyou。Iwillhavenosuchscandalousdoingsinmyfamily。Packupyourthingsandgetreadytocomewithme。\"
\"Pardonme，father，\"Isaid，\"butIshallnotcome。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"BecauseIamatanagewhennooneanylongerobeysacommand。\"
Myfatherturnedpaleatmyanswer。
\"Verywell，sir，\"hesaid，\"Iknowwhatremainstobedone。\"
HerangandJosephappeared。
\"HavemythingstakentotheHoteldeParis，\"hesaidtomyservant。Andthereuponhewenttohisroomandfinisheddressing。
Whenhereturned，Iwentuptohim。
\"Promiseme，father，\"Isaid，\"thatyouwilldonothingtogiveMargueritepain？\"
Myfatherstopped，lookedatmedisdainfully，andcontentedhimselfwithsaying，\"Ibelieveyouaremad。\"Afterthishewentout，shuttingthedoorviolentlyafterhim。
Iwentdownstairs，tookacab，andreturnedtoBougival。
Margueritewaswaitingformeatthewindow。