pierre & jean, by guy de maupassant

8/2/2019 Pierre & Jean, By Guy de Maupassant

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Title:PierreandJean

Author:GuydeMaupassant

Translator:ClaraBell

ReleaseDate:April12,2006[EBook#3804]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKPIERREANDJEAN***

ProducedbyDagny;JohnBickers;DavidWidger

PIERRE&JEAN

ByGuyDeMaupassant

TranslatedByClaraBell

ContentsCHAPTERICHAPTERIICHAPTERIIICHAPTERIVCHAPTERVCHAPTERVICHAPTERVIICHAPTERVIIICHAPTERIX



CHAPTERI"Tschah!"exclaimedoldRolandsuddenly,afterhehadremainedmotionlessforaquarterofanhour,hiseyesfixedonthewater,whilenowandagainheveryslightlyliftedhislinesunkinthesea.Mme.Roland,dozinginthesternbythesideofMme.Rosemilly,whohadbeeninvitedtojointhefishing-party,wokeup,andturningherheadtolookatherhusband,said:"Well,well!Gerome."Andtheoldfellowrepliedinafury:"Theydonotbiteatall.Ihavetakennothingsincenoon.Onlymenshouldevergofishing.Womenalwaysdelaythestarttillitistoolate."Histwosons,PierreandJean,whoeachheldalinetwistedroundhisforefinger,onetoportandonetostarboard,bothbegantolaugh,andJeanremarked:"Youarenotverypolitetoourguest,father."M.Rolandwasabashed,andapologized."Ibegyourpardon,Mme.Rosemilly,butthatisjustlikeme.IinviteladiesbecauseIliketobewiththem,andthen,assoonasIfeelthewaterbeneath

me,Ithinkofnothingbutthefish."Mme.Rolandwasnowquiteawake,andgazingwithasoftenedlookatthewidehorizonofcliffandsea."Youhavehadgoodsport,allthesame,"shemurmured.Butherhusbandshookhisheadindenial,thoughatthesametimeheglancedcomplacentlyatthebasketwherethefishcaughtbythethreemenwerestillbreathingspasmodically,withalowrustleofclammyscalesandstrugglingfins,anddull,ineffectualefforts,gaspinginthefatalair.OldRolandtookthebasketbetweenhiskneesandtilteditup,makingthesilverheapofcreaturesslidetotheedgethathemightseethoselyingatthebottom,andtheirdeath-throesbecamemoreconvulsive,whilethestrongsmelloftheirbodies,awholesomereekofbrine,cameupfromthefulldepthsofthecreel.Theold

fishermansniffediteagerly,aswesmellatroses,andexclaimed:"Cristi!Buttheyarefreshenough!"andhewenton:"Howmanydidyoupullout,doctor?"Hiseldestson,Pierre,amanofthirty,withblackwhiskerstrimmedsquarelikealawyer's,hismustacheandbeardshavedaway,replied:"Oh,notmany;threeorfour."Thefatherturnedtotheyounger."Andyou,Jean?"saidhe.Jean,atallfellow,muchyoungerthanhisbrother,fair,withafullbeard,smiledandmurmured:"MuchthesameasPierrefourorfive."Everytimetheytoldthesamefib,whichdelightedfatherRoland.Hehadhitched

hislineroundarow-lock,andfoldinghisarmsheannounced:"Iwillneveragaintrytofishafternoon.Afterteninthemorningitisallover.Thelazybruteswillnotbite;theyaretakingtheirsiestainthesun."Andhelookedroundattheseaonallsides,withthesatisfiedairofaproprietor.Hewasaretiredjewellerwhohadbeenledbyaninordinateloveofseafaringandfishingtoflyfromtheshopassoonashehadmadeenoughmoneytoliveinmodestcomfortontheinterestofhissavings.HeretiredtoleHavre,boughtaboat,andbecameanamateurskipper.Histwosons,PierreandJean,hadremained



atParistocontinuetheirstudies,andcamefortheholidaysfromtimetotimetosharetheirfather'samusements.Onleavingschool,Pierre,theelder,fiveyearsolderthanJean,hadfeltavocationtovariousprofessionsandhadtriedhalfadozeninsuccession,but,soondisgustedwitheachinturn,hestartedafreshwithnewhopes.Medicinehadbeenhislastfancy,andhehadsettoworkwithsomuchardourthathehadjustqualifiedafteranunusuallyshortcourseofstudy,byaspecialremissionoftimefromtheminister.Hewasenthusiastic,intelligent,fickle,butobstinate,fullofUtopiasandphilosophicalnotions.Jean,whowasasfairashisbrotherwasdark,asdeliberateashisbrotherwasvehement,asgentleashisbrotherwasunforgiving,hadquietlygonethroughhisstudiesforthelawandhadjusttakenhisdiplomaasalicentiate,atthetimewhenPierrehadtakenhisinmedicine.Sotheywerenowhavingalittlerestathome,andbothlookedforwardtosettlinginHavreiftheycouldfindasatisfactoryopening.Butavaguejealousy,oneofthosedormantjealousieswhichgrowupbetweenbrothersorsistersandslowlyripentilltheyburst,ontheoccasionofamarriageperhaps,orofsomegoodfortunehappeningtooneofthem,keptthemon

thealertinasortofbrotherlyandnon-aggressiveanimosity.Theywerefondofeachother,itistrue,buttheywatchedeachother.Pierre,fiveyearsoldwhenJeanwasborn,hadlookedwiththeeyesofalittlepettedanimalatthatotherlittleanimalwhichhadsuddenlycometolieinhisfather'sandmother'sarmsandtobelovedandfondledbythem.Jean,fromhisbirth,hadalwaysbeenapatternofsweetness,gentleness,andgoodtemper,andPierrehadbydegreesbeguntochafeatever-lastinglyhearingthepraisesofthisgreatlad,whosesweetnessinhiseyeswasindolence,whosegentlenesswasstupidity,andwhosekindlinesswasblindness.Hisparents,whosedreamfortheirsonswassomerespectableandundistinguishedcalling,blamedhimforsooftenchanginghismind,forhisfitsofenthusiasm,hisabortivebeginnings,andallhis

ineffectualimpulsestowardsgenerousideasandtheliberalprofessions.Sincehehadgrowntomanhoodtheynolongersaidinsomanywords:"LookatJeanandfollowhisexample,"buteverytimeheheardthemsay"JeandidthisJeandoesthat,"heunderstoodtheirmeaningandthehintthewordsconveyed.Theirmother,anorderlyperson,athriftyandrathersentimentalwomanofthemiddleclass,withthesoulofasoft-heartedbook-keeper,wasconstantlyquenchingthelittlerivalriesbetweenhertwobigsonstowhichthepettyeventsoftheirlifeconstantlygaverise.Anotherlittlecircumstance,too,justnowdisturbedherpeaceofmind,andshewasinfearofsomecomplications;forinthecourseofthewinter,whileherboyswerefinishingtheirstudies,eachinhisownline,shehadmadetheacquaintanceofaneighbour,Mme.

Rosemilly,thewidowofacaptainofamerchantmanwhohaddiedatseatwoyearsbefore.Theyoungwidowquiteyoung,onlythree-and-twentyawomanofstrongintellectwhoknewlifebyinstinctasthefreeanimalsdo,asthoughshehadseen,gonethrough,understood,andweightedeveryconceivablecontingency,andjudgedthemwithawholesome,strict,andbenevolentmind,hadfallenintothehabitofcallingtoworkorchatforanhourintheeveningwiththesefriendlyneighbours,whowouldgiveheracupoftea.FatherRoland,alwaysgoadedonbyhisseafaringcraze,wouldquestiontheirnew



friendaboutthedepartedcaptain;andshewouldtalkofhim,andhisvoyages,andhisold-worldtales,withouthesitation,likearesignedandreasonablewomanwholoveslifeandrespectsdeath.Thetwosonsontheirreturn,findingtheprettywidowquiteathomeinthehouse,forthwithbegantocourther,lessfromanywishtocharmherthanfromthedesiretocuteachotherout.Theirmother,beingpracticalandprudent,sincerelyhopedthatoneofthemmightwintheyoungwidow,forshewasrich;butthenshewouldhavelikedthattheothershouldnotbegrieved.Mme.Rosemillywasfair,withblueeyes,amassoflightwavinghair,flutteringattheleastbreathofwind,andanalert,daring,pugnaciouslittlewaywithher,whichdidnotintheleastanswertothesobermethodofhermind.ShealreadyseemedtolikeJeanbest,attracted,nodoubt,byanaffinityofnature.Thispreference,however,shebetrayedonlybyanalmostimperceptibledifferenceofvoiceandlookandalsobyoccasionallyaskinghisopinion.SheseemedtoguessthatJean'sviewswouldsupportherown,whilethoseofPierremustinevitablybedifferent.Whenshespokeofthedoctor'sideasonpolitics,art,philosophy,ormorals,shewouldsometimessay:"Yourcrotchets."Thenhewouldlookatherwiththecoldgleamofanaccuserdrawingupanindictmentagainstwomenallwomen,poorweakthings.NevertillhissonscamehomehadM.Rolandinvitedhertojoinhisfishingexpeditions,norhadheevertakenhiswife;forhelikedtoputoffbeforedaybreak,withhisally,CaptainBeausire,amastermarinerretired,whomhehad

firstmetonthequayathightidesandwithwhomhehadstruckupanintimacy,andtheoldsailorPapagris,knownasJeanBart,inwhosechargetheboatwasleft.Butoneeveningoftheweekbefore,Mme.Rosemilly,whohadbeendiningwiththem,remarked,"Itmustbegreatfuntogooutfishing."Thejeweller,flatteredbyherinterestandsuddenlyfiredwiththewishtosharehisfavouritesportwithher,andtomakeaconvertafterthemannerofpriests,exclaimed:"Wouldyouliketocome?""TobesureIshould.""NextTuesday?""Yes,nextTuesday.""Areyouthewomantobereadytostartatfiveinthemorning?"

Sheexclaimedinhorror:"No,indeed:thatistoomuch."Hewasdisappointedandchilled,suddenlydoubtinghertruevocation.However,hesaid:"Atwhathourcanyoubeready?""Wellatnine?""Notbefore?""No,notbefore.Eventhatisveryearly."Theoldfellowhesitated;hecertainlywouldcatchnothing,forwhenthesunhaswarmedtheseathefishbitenomore;butthetwobrothershadeagerlypressedthescheme,andorganizedandarrangedeverythingthereandthen.SoonthefollowingTuesdaythePearlhaddroppedanchorunderthewhiterocks

ofCapelaHeve;theyhadfishedtillmidday,thentheyhadsleptawhile,andthenfishedagainwithoutcatchinganything;andthenitwasthatfatherRoland,perceiving,ratherlate,thatallthatMme.Rosemillyreallyenjoyedandcaredforwasthesailonthesea,andseeingthathislineshungmotionless,hadutteredinaspiritofunreasonableannoyance,thatvehement"Tschah!"whichappliedasmuchtothepatheticwidowastothecreatureshecouldnotcatch.Nowhecontemplatedthespoilhisfishwiththejoyfulthrillofamiser;seeingashelookedupattheskythatthesunwasgettinglow:"Well,boys,"saidhe,"supposeweturnhomeward."



Theyoungmenhauledintheirlines,coiledthemup,cleanedthehooksandstuckthemintocorks,andsatwaiting.Rolandstooduptolookoutlikeacaptain."Nowind,"saidhe."Youwillhavetopull,young'uns."Andsuddenlyextendingonearmtothenorthward,heexclaimed:"HerecomesthepacketfromSouthampton."Awayoverthelevelsea,spreadoutlikeabluesheet,vastandsheenyandshotwithflameandgold,aninkycloudwasvisibleagainsttherosyskyinthequartertowhichhepointed,andbelowittheycouldmakeoutthehullofthesteamer,whichlookedtinyatsuchadistance.Andtosouthwardotherwreathsofsmoke,numbersofthem,couldbeseen,allconvergingtowardstheHavrepier,nowscarcelyvisibleasawhitestreakwiththelighthouse,upright,likeahorn,attheendofit.Rolandasked:"IsnottheNormandiedueto-day?"AndJeanreplied:"Yes,to-day.""Givememyglass.IfancyIseeheroutthere."Thefatherpulledoutthecoppertube,adjustedittohiseye,soughtthespeck,andthen,delightedtohaveseenit,exclaimed:"Yes,yes,theresheis.Iknowhertwofunnels.Wouldyouliketolook,Mme.Rosemilly?"ShetookthetelescopeanddirectedittowardstheAtlantichorizon,without

beingable,however,tofindthevessel,forshecoulddistinguishnothingnothingbutblue,withacolouredhaloroundit,acircularrainbowandthenallmannerofqueerthings,winkingeclipseswhichmadeherfeelsick.Shesaidasshereturnedtheglass:"Inevercouldseewiththatthing.Itusedtoputmyhusbandinquitearage;hewouldstandforhoursatthewindowswatchingtheshipspass."OldRoland,muchputout,retorted:"Thenitmustbesomedefectinyoureye,formyglassisaverygoodone."Thenheofferedittohiswife."Wouldyouliketolook?""No,thankyou.IknowbeforehandthatIcouldnotseethroughit."Mme.Roland,awomanofeight-and-fortybutwhodidnotlookit,seemedtobeenjoyingthisexcursionandthiswaningdaymorethananyoftheparty.

Herchestnuthairwasonlyjustbeginningtoshowstreaksofwhite.Shehadacalm,reasonableface,akindandhappywaywithherwhichitwasapleasuretosee.HersonPierrewaswonttosaythatsheknewthevalueofmoney,butthisdidnothinderherfromenjoyingthedelightsofdreaming.Shewasfondofreading,ofnovels,andpoetry,notfortheirvalueasworksofart,butforthesakeofthetendermelancholymoodtheywouldinduceinher.Alineofpoetry,oftenbutapoorone,oftenabadone,wouldtouchthelittlechord,assheexpressedit,andgiveherthesenseofsomemysteriousdesirealmostrealized.Andshedelightedinthesefaintemotionswhichbroughtalittlefluttertohersoul,otherwiseasstrictlykeptasaledger.SincesettlingatHavreshehadbecomeperceptiblystouter,andherfigure,whichhadbeenverysuppleandslight,hadgrownheavier.

Thisdayontheseahadbeendelightfultoher.Herhusband,withoutbeingbrutal,wasroughwithher,asamanwhoisthedespotofhisshopisapttoberough,withoutangerorhatred;tosuchmentogiveanorderistoswear.Hecontrolledhimselfinthepresenceofstrangers,butinprivateheletlooseandgavehimselfterriblevent,thoughhewashimselfafraidofeveryone.She,insheerhorroroftheturmoil,ofscenes,ofuselessexplanations,alwaysgavewayandneveraskedforanything;foraverylongtimeshehadnotventuredtoaskRolandtotakeheroutintheboat.Soshehadjoyfullyhailedthisopportunity,



andwaskeenlyenjoyingtherareandnewpleasure.Fromthemomentwhentheystartedshesurrenderedherselfcompletely,bodyandsoul,tothesoft,glidingmotionoverthewaves.Shewasnotthinking;hermindwasnotwanderingthrougheithermemoriesorhopes;itseemedtoherasthoughherheart,likeherbody,wasfloatingonsomethingsoftandliquidanddeliciouswhichrockedandlulledit.Whentheirfathergavethewordtoreturn,"Come,takeyourplacesattheoars!"shesmiledtoseehersons,hertwogreatboys,takeofftheirjacketsandrolluptheirshirt-sleevesontheirbarearms.Pierre,whowasnearesttothetwowomen,tookthestrokeoar,Jeantheother,andtheysatwaitingtilltheskippershouldsay:"Giveway!"Forheinsistedoneverythingbeingdoneaccordingtostrictrule.Simultaneously,asifbyasingleeffort,theydippedtheoars,andlyingback,pullingwithalltheirmight,beganastruggletodisplaytheirstrength.Theyhadcomeouteasily,undersail,butthebreezehaddiedaway,andthemasculineprideofthetwobrotherswassuddenlyarousedbytheprospectofmeasuringtheirpowers.Whentheywentoutalonewiththeirfathertheypliedtheoarswithoutanysteering,forRolandwouldbebusygettingthelinesready,whilehe

keptalookoutintheboat'scourse,guidingitbyasignoraword:"Easy,Jean,andyou,Pierre,putyourbackintoit."Orhewouldsay,"Now,then,numberone;come,numbertwoalittleelbowgrease."Thentheonewhohadbeendreamingpulledharder,theonewhohadgotexcitedeaseddown,andtheboat'sheadcameround.Butto-daytheymeanttodisplaytheirbiceps.Pierre'sarmswerehairy,somewhatleanbutsinewy;Jean'swereroundandwhiteandrosy,andtheknotofmusclesmovedundertheskin.AtfirstPierrehadtheadvantage.Withhisteethset,hisbrowknit,hislegsrigid,hishandsclinchedontheoar,hemadeitbendfromendtoendateverystroke,andthePearlwasveeringlandward.FatherRoland,sittinginthebows,soastoleavethesternseattothetwowomen,wastedhisbreathshouting,"Easy,numberone;pullharder,numbertwo!"Pierrepulledharderinhisfrenzy,

and"numbertwo"couldnotkeeptimewithhiswildstroke.Atlasttheskippercried:"Stopher!"Thetwooarswereliftedsimultaneously,andthenbyhisfather'sordersJeanpulledaloneforafewminutes.Butfromthatmomenthehaditallhisownway;hegreweagerandwarmedtohiswork,whilePierre,outofbreathandexhaustedbyhisfirstvigorousspurt,waslaxandpanting.FourtimesrunningfatherRolandmadethemstopwhiletheeldertookbreath,soastogettheboatintoherrightcourseagain.Thenthedoctor,humiliatedandfuming,hisforeheaddroppingwithsweat,hischeekswhite,stammeredout:"Icannotthinkwhathascomeoverme;Ihaveastitchinmyside.Istartedverywell,butithaspulledmeup."

Jeanasked:"ShallIpullalonewithbothoarsforatime?""No,thanks,itwillgooff."Andtheirmother,somewhatvexed,said:"Why,Pierre,whatrhymeorreasonisthereingettingintosuchastate.Youarenotachild."Andheshruggedhisshouldersandsettooncemore.Mme.Rosemillypretendednottosee,nottounderstand,nottohear.Herfairheadwentbackwithanengaginglittlejerkeverytimetheboatmovedforward,makingthefinewaywardhairsflutterabouthertemples.ButfatherRolandpresentlycalledout:



"Look,thePrinceAlbertiscatchingusup!"Theyalllookedround.Longandlowinthewater,withhertworakingfunnelsandtwoyellowpaddle-boxesliketworoundcheeks,theSouthamptonpacketcameploughingonatfullsteam,crowdedwithpassengersunderopenparasols.Itshurrying,noisypaddle-wheelsbeatingupthewaterwhichfellagaininfoam,gaveitanappearanceofhasteasofacourierpressedfortime,andtheuprightstemcutthroughthewater,throwinguptwothintranslucentwaveswhichglidedoffalongthehull.WhenithadcomequitenearthePearl,fatherRolandliftedhishat,theladiesshooktheirhandkerchiefs,andhalfadozenparasolseagerlywavedonboardthesteamboatrespondedtothissaluteasshewentonherway,leavingbehindherafewbroadundulationsonthestillandglassysurfaceofthesea.Therewereothervessels,eachwithitssmokycap,cominginfromeverypartofthehorizontowardstheshortwhitejetty,whichswallowedthemup,oneafteranother,likeamouth.Andthefishingbarksandlightercraftwithbroadsailsandslendermasts,stealingacrosstheskyintowofinconspicuoustugs,werecomingin,fasterandslower,towardsthedevouringogre,whofromtimetotimeseemedtohavehadasurfeit,andspewedouttotheopenseaanotherfleetofsteamers,brigs,schooners,andthree-mastedvesselswiththeirtangledmassofrigging.Thehurryingsteamshipsflewofftotherightandleftoverthesmoothbosomoftheocean,whilesailingvessels,castoffbythepilot-tugswhichhadhauledthemout,laymotionless,dressingthemselvesfromthemain-masttothefore-topsincanvas,whiteorbrown,andruddyinthesettingsun.

Mme.Roland,withhereyeshalf-shut,murmured:"Goodheavens,howbeautifultheseais!"AndMme.Rosemillyrepliedwithalongsigh,which,however,hadnosadnessinit:"Yes,butitissometimesverycruel,allthesame."Rolandexclaimed:"Look,thereistheNormandiejustgoingin.Abigship,isn'tshe?"Thenhedescribedthecoastopposite,far,faraway,ontheothersideofthemouthoftheSeinethatmouthextendedovertwentykilometres,saidhe.HepointedoutVillerville,Trouville,Houlgate,Luc,Arromanches,thelittleriverofCaen,andtherocksofCalvadoswhichmakethecoastunsafeasfaras

Cherbourg.Thenheenlargedonthequestionofthesand-banksintheSeine,whichshiftateverytidesothateventhepilotsofQuilleboeufareatfaultiftheydonotsurveythechanneleveryday.HebidthemnoticehowthetownofHavredividedUpperfromLowerNormandy.InLowerNormandytheshoreslopeddowntotheseainpasture-lands,fields,andmeadows.ThecoastofUpperNormandy,onthecontrary,wassteep,ahighcliff,ravined,cleftandtowering,forminganimmensewhiterampartallthewaytoDunkirk,whileineachhollowavillageoraportlayhidden:Etretat,Fecamp,Saint-Valery,Treport,Dieppe,andtherest.Thetwowomendidnotlisten.Torpidwithcomfortandimpressedbythesightoftheoceancoveredwithvesselsrushingtoandfrolikewildbeastsabouttheir

den,theysatspeechless,somewhatawedbythesoothingandgorgeoussunset.Rolandalonetalkedonwithoutend;hewasoneofthosewhomnothingcandisturb.Women,whosenervesaremoresensitive,sometimesfeel,withoutknowingwhy,thatthesoundofuselessspeechisasirritatingasaninsult.PierreandJean,whohadcalmeddown,wererowingslowly,andthePearlwasmakingfortheharbour,atinythingamongthosehugevessels.Whentheycamealongsideofthequay,Papagris,whowaswaitingthere,gavehishandtotheladiestohelpthemout,andtheytookthewayintothetown.Alargecrowd,thecrowdwhichhauntsthepiereverydayathightidewasalso



driftinghomeward.Mme.RolandandMme.Rosemillyledtheway,followedbythethreemen.AstheywentuptheRuedeParistheystoppednowandtheninfrontofamilliner'sorajeweller'sshop,tolookatabonnetoranornament;thenaftermakingtheircommentstheywentonagain.InfrontofthePlacedelaBourseRolandpaused,ashedideveryday,togazeatthedocksfullofvesselstheBassinduCommerce,withotherdocksbeyond,wherethehugehullslaysidebyside,closelypackedinrows,fourorfivedeep.Andmastsinnumerable;alongseveralkilometresofquaystheendlessmasts,withtheiryards,poles,andrigging,gavethisgreatgapintheheartofthetownthelookofadeadforest.Abovethisleaflessforestthegullswerewheeling,andwatchingtopounce,likeafallingstone,onanyscrapsflungoverboard;asailorboy,fixingapulleytoacross-beam,lookedasifhehadgoneuptherebird's-nesting."Willyoudinewithuswithoutanysortofceremony,justthatwemayendthedaytogether?"saidMme.Rolandtoherfriend."TobesureIwill,withpleasure;Iacceptequallywithoutceremony.Itwouldbedismaltogohomeandbealonethisevening."Pierre,whohadheard,andwhowasbeginningtoberestlessundertheyoungwoman'sindifference,mutteredtohimself:"Well,thewidowistakingrootnow,itwouldseem."Forsomedayspasthehadspokenofheras"thewidow."Theword,harmlessinitself,irritatedJeanmerelybythetonegiventoit,whichtohimseemedspitefulandoffensive.Thethreemenspokenotanotherwordtilltheyreachedthethresholdoftheir

ownhouse.Itwasanarrowone,consistingofaground-floorandtwofloorsabove,intheRueBelle-Normande.Themaid,Josephine,agirlofnineteen,arusticservant-of-all-workatlowwages,giftedtoexcesswiththestartledanimalexpressionofapeasant,openedthedoor,wentupstairsathermaster'sheelstothedrawing-room,whichwasonthefirstfloor,andthensaid:"Agentlemancalledthreetimes."OldRoland,whoneverspoketoherwithoutshoutingandswearing,criedout:"Whodoyousaycalled,inthedevil'sname?"Sheneverwincedathermaster'sroaringvoice,andreplied:"Agentlemanfromthelawyer's.""Whatlawyer?""Why,M'sieu'Canuwhoelse?""Andwhatdidthisgentlemansay?"

"ThatM'sieu'Canuwillcallinhimselfinthecourseoftheevening."MaitreLecanuwasM.Roland'slawyer,andinawayhisfriend,managinghisbusinessforhim.Forhimtosendwordthathewouldcallintheevening,somethingurgentandimportantmustbeinthewind;andthefourRolandslookedateachother,disturbedbytheannouncementasfolksofsmallfortunearewonttobeatanyinterventionofalawyer,withitssuggestionsofcontracts,inheritance,lawsuitsallsortsofdesirableorformidablecontingencies.Thefather,afterafewmomentsofsilence,muttered:"Whatonearthcanitmean?"Mme.Rosemillybegantolaugh."Why,alegacy,ofcourse.Iamsureofit.Ibringgoodluck."Buttheydidnotexpectthedeathofanyonewhomightleavethemanything.Mme.Roland,whohadagoodmemoryforrelationships,begantothinkoverall

theirconnectionsonherhusband'ssideandonherown,totraceuppedigreesandtheramificationsofcousin-ship.Beforeeventakingoffherbonnetshesaid:"Isay,father"(shecalledherhusband"father"athome,andsometimes"MonsieurRoland"beforestrangers),"tellme,doyourememberwhoitwasthatJosephLebrumarriedforthesecondtime?""YesalittlegirlnamedDumenil,astationer'sdaughter.""Hadtheyanychildren?""Ishouldthinkso!fourorfiveatleast.""Notfromthatquarter,then."



Shewasquiteeageralreadyinhersearch;shecaughtatthehopeofsomeaddedeasedroppingfromthesky.ButPierre,whowasveryfondofhismother,whoknewhertobesomewhatvisionaryandfearedshemightbedisappointed,alittlegrieved,alittlesaddenedifthenewswerebadinsteadofgood,checkedher:"Donotgetexcited,mother;thereisnorichAmericanuncle.Formypart,IshouldsoonerfancythatitisaboutamarriageforJean."Everyonewassurprisedatthesuggestion,andJeanwasalittleruffledbyhisbrother'shavingspokenofitbeforeMme.Rosemilly."Andwhyformeratherthanforyou?Thehypothesisisverydisputable.Youaretheelder;you,therefore,wouldbethefirsttobethoughtof.Besides,Idonotwishtomarry."Pierresmiledsneeringly:"Areyouinlove,then?"Andtheother,muchputout,retorted:"Isitnecessarythatamanshouldbeinlovebecausehedoesnotcaretomarryyet?""Ah,thereyouare!That'yet'setsitright;youarewaiting.""GrantedthatIamwaiting,ifyouwillhaveitso."ButoldRoland,whohadbeenlisteningandcogitating,suddenlyhituponthemostprobablesolution."Blessme!whatfoolswearetoberackingourbrains.MaitreLecanuisourverygoodfriend;heknowsthatPierreislookingoutforamedicalpartnershipandJeanforalawyer'soffice,andhehasfoundsomethingtosuitoneofyou."

Thiswassoobviousandlikelythateveryoneacceptedit."Dinnerisready,"saidthemaid.Andtheyallhurriedofftotheirroomstowashtheirhandsbeforesittingdowntotable.Tenminuteslatertheywereatdinnerinthelittledining-roomontheground-floor.Atfirsttheyweresilent;butpresentlyRolandbeganagaininamazementatthislawyer'svisit."Forafterall,whydidhenotwrite?Whyshouldhehavesenthisclerkthreetimes?Whyishecominghimself?"Pierrethoughtitquitenatural."Animmediatedecisionisrequired,nodoubt;andperhapstherearecertainconfidentialconditionswhichitdoesnotdotoputintowriting."

Still,theywereallpuzzled,andallfouralittleannoyedathavinginvitedastranger,whowouldbeinthewayoftheirdiscussinganddecidingonwhatshouldbedone.Theyhadjustgoneupstairsagainwhenthelawyerwasannounced.Rolandflewtomeethim."Good-evening,mydearMaitre,"saidhe,givinghisvisitorthetitlewhichinFranceistheofficialprefixtothenameofeverylawyer.Mme.Rosemillyrose."Iamgoing,"shesaid."Iamverytired."Afaintattemptwasmadetodetainher;butshewouldnotconsent,andwenthomewithouteitherofthethreemenofferingtoescorther,astheyalwayshaddone.

Mme.Rolanddidthehonourseagerlytotheirvisitor."Acupofcoffee,monsieur?""No,thankyou.Ihavejusthaddinner.""Acupoftea,then?""Thankyou,Iwillacceptonelater.Firstwemustattendtobusiness."Thedeepsilencewhichsucceededthisremarkwasbrokenonlybytheregulartickingoftheclock,andbelowstairstheclatterofsaucepanswhichthegirlwascleaningtoostupideventolistenatthedoor.Thelawyerwenton:



"Didyou,inParis,knowacertainM.MarechalLeonMarechal?"M.andMme.Rolandbothexclaimedatonce:"Ishouldthinkso!""Hewasafriendofyours?"Rolandreplied:"Ourbestfriend,monsieur,butafanaticforParis;nevertobegotawayfromtheboulevard.Hewasaheadclerkintheexchequeroffice.IhaveneverseenhimsinceIleftthecapital,andlatterlywehadceasedwritingtoeachother.Whenpeoplearefarapartyouknow"Thelawyergravelyputin:"M.Marechalisdeceased."Bothmanandwiferespondedwiththelittlemovementofpainedsurprise,genuineorfalse,butalwaysready,withwhichsuchnewsisreceived.MaitreLecanuwenton:"MycolleagueinParishasjustcommunicatedtomethemainitemofhiswill,bywhichhemakesyoursonJeanMonsieurJeanRolandhissolelegatee."Theywerealltoomuchamazedtoutterasingleword.Mme.Rolandwasthefirsttocontrolheremotionandstammeredout:"Goodheavens!PoorLeonourpoorfriend!Dearme!Dearme!Dead!"Thetearsstartedtohereyes,awoman'ssilenttears,dropsofgrieffromherverysoul,whichtrickledownhercheeksandseemsoverysad,beingsoclear.ButRolandwasthinkinglessofthelossthanoftheprospectannounced.Still,

hedarednotatonceinquireintotheclausesofthewillandtheamountofthefortune,sotoworkroundtotheseinterestingfactsheasked:"Andwhatdidhedieof,poorMarechal?"MaitreLecanudidnotknowintheleast."AllIknowis,"saidhe,"thatdyingwithoutanydirectheirs,hehasleftthewholeofhisfortuneabouttwentythousandfrancsayear($3,840)inthreepercentstoyoursecondson,whomhehasknownfromhisbirthup,andjudgesworthyofthelegacy.IfM.Jeanshouldrefusethemoney,itistogotothefoundlinghospitals."OldRolandcouldnotconcealhisdelightandexclaimed:"Sacristi!Itisthethoughtofakindheart.AndifIhadhadnoheirIwouldnothaveforgottenhim;hewasatruefriend."Thelawyersmiled.

"Iwasveryglad,"hesaid,"toannouncetheeventtoyoumyself.Itisalwaysapleasuretobethebearerofgoodnews."Ithadnotstruckhimthatthisgoodnewswasthatofthedeathofafriend,ofRoland'sbestfriend;andtheoldmanhimselfhadsuddenlyforgottentheintimacyhehadbutjustspokenofwithsomuchconviction.OnlyMme.Rolandandhersonsstilllookedmournful.She,indeed,wasstillsheddingafewtears,wipinghereyeswithherhandkerchief,whichshethenpressedtoherlipstosmotherherdeepsobs.Thedoctormurmured:"Hewasagoodfellow,veryaffectionate.Heofteninvitedustodinewithhimmybrotherandme."Jean,withwide-open,glitteringeyes,laidhishandonhishandsomefairbeard,

afamiliargesturewithhim,anddrewhisfingersdownittothetipofthelasthairs,asiftopullitlongerandthinner.Twicehislipspartedtouttersomedecentremark,butafterlongmeditationhecouldonlysaythis:"Yes,hewascertainlyfondofme.HewouldalwaysembracemewhenIwenttoseehim."Buthisfather'sthoughtshadsetoffatagallopgallopingroundthisinheritancetocome;nay,alreadyinhand;thismoneylurkingbehindthedoor,



whichwouldwalkinquitesoon,to-morrow,atawordofconsent."Andthereisnopossibledifficultyintheway?"heasked."Nolawsuitnoonetodisputeit?"MaitreLecanuseemedquiteeasy."No;myPariscorrespondentstatesthateverythingisquiteclear.M.Jeanhasonlytosignhisacceptance.""Good.Thenthenthefortuneisquiteclear?""Perfectlyclear.""Allthenecessaryformalitieshavebeengonethrough?""All."Suddenlytheoldjewellerhadanimpulseofshameobscure,instinctive,andfleeting;shameofhiseagernesstobeinformed,andheadded:"YouunderstandthatIaskallthesequestionsimmediatelysoastosavemysonunpleasantconsequenceswhichhemightnotforesee.Sometimestherearedebts,embarrassingliabilities,whatnot!Andalegateefindshimselfinaninextricablethorn-bush.Afterall,IamnottheheirbutIthinkfirstofthelittle'un."TheywereaccustomedtospeakofJeanamongthemselvesasthe"littleone,"thoughhewasmuchbiggerthanPierre.SuddenlyMme.Rolandseemedtowakefromadream,torecallsomeremotefact,athingalmostforgottenthatshehadheardlongago,andofwhichshewasnotaltogethersure.Sheinquireddoubtingly:"WereyounotsayingthatourpoorfriendMarechalhadlefthisfortunetomylittleJean?"

"Yes,madame."Andshewentonsimply:"Iammuchpleasedtohearit;itprovesthathewasattachedtous."Rolandhadrisen."Andwouldyouwish,mydearsir,thatmysonshouldatoncesignhisacceptance?""Nono,M.Roland.To-morrow,atmyofficeto-morrow,attwoo'clock,ifthatsuitsyou.""Yes,tobesureyes,indeed.Ishouldthinkso."ThenMme.Roland,whohadalsorisenandwhowassmilingafterhertears,wentuptothelawyer,andlayingherhandonthebackofhischairwhileshelookedathimwiththepatheticeyesofagratefulmother,shesaid:"Andnowforthatcupoftea,MonsieurLecanu?"

"NowIwillacceptitwithpleasure,madame."Themaid,onbeingsummoned,broughtinfirstsomedrybiscuitsindeeptinboxes,thosecrisp,insipidEnglishcakeswhichseemtohavebeenmadeforaparrot'sbeak,andsolderedintometalcasesforavoyageroundtheworld.Nextshefetchedsomelittlegraylinendoilies,foldedsquare,thosetea-napkinswhichinthriftyfamiliesnevergetwashed.Athirdtimeshecameinwiththesugar-basinandcups;thenshedepartedtoheatthewater.Theysatwaiting.Noonecouldtalk;theyhadtoomuchtothinkaboutandnothingtosay.Mme.Rolandaloneattemptedafewcommonplaceremarks.Shegaveanaccountofthefishingexcursion,andsangthepraisesofthePearlandofMme.Rosemilly."Charming,charming!"thelawyersaidagainandagain.Roland,leaningagainstthemarblemantel-shelfasifitwerewinterandthefireburning,withhishandsinhispocketsandhislipspuckeredforawhistle,

couldnotkeepstill,torturedbytheinvincibledesiretogiveventtohisdelight.Thetwobrothers,intwoarm-chairsthatmatched,oneoneachsideofthecentre-table,staredinfrontofthem,insimilarattitudesfullofdissimilarexpressions.Atlasttheteaappeared.Thelawyertookacup,sugaredit,anddrankit,afterhavingcrumbledintoitalittlecakewhichwastoohardtocrunch.Thenherose,shookhands,anddeparted."Thenitisunderstood,"repeatedRoland."To-morrow,atyourplace,attwo?"



"Quiteso.To-morrow,attwo."Jeanhadnotspokenaword.Whentheirguesthadgone,silencefellagaintillfatherRolandclappedhistwohandsonhisyoungerson'sshoulders,crying:"Well,youdevilishluckydog!Youdon'tembraceme!"ThenJeansmiled.Heembracedhisfather,saying:"Ithadnotstruckmeasindispensable."Theoldmanwasbesidehimselfwithglee.Hewalkedabouttheroom,strummedonthefurniturewithhisclumsynails,turnedaboutonhisheels,andkeptsaying:

"Whatluck!Whatluck!Now,thatisreallywhatIcallluck!"Pierreasked:"ThenyouusedtoknowthisMarechalwell?"Andhisfatherreplied:"Ibelieve!Why,heusedtospendeveryeveningatourhouse.Surelyyourememberheusedtofetchyoufromschoolonhalf-holidays,andoftentookyoubackagainafterdinner.Why,theverydaywhenJeanwasbornitwashewhowentforthedoctor.Hehadbeenbreakfastingwithuswhenyourmotherwastakenill.Ofcourseweknewatoncewhatitmeant,andhesetoffpost-haste.Inhishurry

hetookmyhatinsteadofhisown.Irememberthatbecausewehadagoodlaughoveritafterward.Itisverylikelythathemayhavethoughtofthatwhenhewasdying,andashehadnoheirhemayhavesaidtohimself:'Irememberhelpingtobringthatyoungsterintotheworld,soIwillleavehimmysavings.'"Mme.Roland,sunkinadeepchair,seemedlostinreminiscencesoncemore.Shemurmured,asthoughshewerethinkingaloud:"Ah,hewasagoodfriend,verydevoted,veryfaithful,araresoulinthesedays."Jeangotup."Ishallgooutforalittlewalk,"hesaid.Hisfatherwassurprisedandtriedtokeephim;theyhadmuchtotalkabout,planstobemade,decisionstobeformed.Buttheyoungmaninsisted,declaring

thathehadanengagement.Besides,therewouldbetimeenoughforsettlingeverythingbeforehecameintopossessionofhisinheritance.Sohewentaway,forhewishedtobealonetoreflect.Pierre,onhispart,saidthathetoowasgoingout,andafterafewminutesfollowedhisbrother.Assoonashewasalonewithhiswife,fatherRolandtookherinhisarms,kissedheradozentimesoneachcheek,and,replyingtoareproachshehadoftenbroughtagainsthim,said:"Yousee,mydearest,thatitwouldhavebeennogoodtostayanylongerinParisandworkforthechildrentillIdropped,insteadofcomingheretorecruitmyhealth,sincefortunedropsonusfromtheskies."Shewasquiteserious."ItdropsfromtheskiesonJean,"shesaid."ButPierre?""Pierre?Butheisadoctor;hewillmakeplentyofmoney;besides,hisbrother

willsurelydosomethingforhim.""No,hewouldnottakeit.Besides,thislegacyisforJean,onlyforJean.Pierrewillfindhimselfatagreatdisadvantage."Theoldfellowseemedperplexed:"Well,then,wewillleavehimrathermoreinourwill.""No;thatagainwouldnotbequitejust.""Dratitall!"heexclaimed."Whatdoyouwantmetodointhematter?Youalwayshitonawholeheapofdisagreeableideas.Youmustspoilallmypleasures.Well,Iamgoingtobed.Good-night.Allthesame,Icallitgoodluck,jollygoodluck!"



Andhewentoff,delightedinspiteofeverything,andwithoutawordofregretforthefriendsogenerousinhisdeath.Mme.Rolandsatthinkingagaininfrontofthelampwhichwasburningout.

CHAPTERIIAssoonashegotout,PierremadehiswaytotheRuedeParis,thehigh-streetofHavre,brightlylightedup,livelyandnoisy.Therathersharpairoftheseacoastkissedhisface,andhewalkedslowly,hisstickunderhisarmandhishandsbehindhisback.Hewasillatease,oppressed,outofheart,asoneisafterhearingunpleasanttidings.Hewasnotdistressedbyanydefinitethought,andhewouldhavebeenpuzzledtoaccount,onthespurofthemoment,forthisdejectionofspiritandheavinessoflimb.Hewashurtsomewhere,withoutknowingwhere;somewherewithinhimtherewasapin-pointofpainoneofthosealmostimperceptiblewoundswhichwecannotlayafingeron,butwhichincommodeus,tireus,depressus,irritateusaslightandoccultpang,asitwereasmallseedofdistress.Whenhereachedthesquareinfrontofthetheatre,hewasattractedbythelightsintheCafeTortoni,andslowlybenthisstepstothedazzlingfacade;

butjustashewasgoinginhereflectedthathewouldmeetfriendsthereandacquaintancespeoplehewouldbeobligedtotalkto;andfiercerepugnancesurgedupinhimforthiscommonplacegood-fellowshipovercoffeecupsandliqueurglasses.So,retracinghissteps,hewentbacktothehigh-streetleadingtotheharbour."WhereshallIgo?"heaskedhimself,tryingtothinkofaspothelikedwhichwouldagreewithhisframeofmind.Hecouldnotthinkofone,forbeingalonemadehimfeelfractious,yethecouldnotbeartomeetanyone.AshecameoutontheGrandQuayhehesitatedoncemore;thenheturnedtowardsthepier;hehadchosensolitude.Goingclosebyabenchonthebreakwaterhesatdown,tiredalreadyofwalkingandoutofhumourwithhisstrollbeforehehadtakenit.Hesaidtohimself:"Whatisthematterwithmethisevening?"Andhebeganto

searchinhismemoryforwhatvexationhadcrossedhim,aswequestionasickmantodiscoverthecauseofhisfever.Hismindwasatonceirritableandsober;hegotexcited,thenhereasoned,approvingorblaminghisimpulses;butintimeprimitivenatureatlastprovedthestronger;thesensitivemanalwayshadtheupperhandovertheintellectualman.Sohetriedtodiscoverwhathadinducedthisirasciblemood,thiscravingtobemovingwithoutwantinganything,thisdesiretomeetsomeoneforthesakeofdifferingfromhim,andatthesametimethisaversionforthepeoplehemightseeandthethingstheymightsaytohim.Andthenheputthequestiontohimself,"CanitbeJean'sinheritance?"Yes,itwascertainlypossible.Whenthelawyerhadannouncedthenewshehadfelthisheartbeatalittlefaster.For,indeed,oneisnotalwaysmasterof

one'sself;therearesuddenandpertinaciousemotionsagainstwhichamanstrugglesinvain.Hefellintomeditationonthephysiologicalproblemoftheimpressionproducedontheinstinctiveelementinman,andgivingrisetoacurrentofpainfulorpleasurablesensationsdiametricallyopposedtothosewhichthethinkingmandesires,aimsat,andregardsasrightandwholesome,whenhehasrisensuperiortohimselfbythecultivationofhisintellect.Hetriedtopicturetohimselftheframeofmindofasonwhohadinheritedavastfortune,andwho,thankstothatwealth,maynowknowmanylong-wished-fordelights,whichtheavariceof



hisfatherhadprohibitedafather,nevertheless,belovedandregretted.Hegotupandwalkedontotheendofthepier.Hefeltbetter,andgladtohaveunderstood,tohavedetectedhimself,tohaveunmaskedtheotherwhichlurksinus."ThenIwasjealousofJean,"thoughthe."Thatisreallyvilelymean.AndIamsureofitnow,forthefirstideawhichcameintomyheadwasthathewouldmarryMme.Rosemilly.AndyetIamnotinlovemyselfwiththatpriggishlittlegoose,whoisjustthewomantodisgustamanwithgoodsenseandgoodconduct.Soitisthemostgratuitousjealousy,theveryessenceofjealousy,whichismerelybecauseitis!Imustkeepaneyeonthat!"Bythistimehewasinfrontoftheflag-staff,whencethedepthofwaterintheharbourissignalled,andhestruckamatchtoreadthelistofvesselssignalledintheroadsteadandcominginwiththenexthightide.ShipswereduefromBrazil,fromLaPlata,fromChiliandJapan,twoDanishbrigs,aNorwegianschooner,andaTurkishsteamshipwhichstartledPierreasmuchasifithadreadaSwisssteamship;andinawhimsicalvisionhepicturedagreatvesselcrowdedwithmeninturbansclimbingtheshroudsinloosetrousers."Howabsurd!"thoughthe."ButtheTurksareamaritimepeople,too."Afewstepsfurtheronhestoppedagain,lookingoutattheroads.Ontheright,aboveSainte-Adresse,thetwoelectriclightsofCapelaHeve,likemonstrous

twinCyclops,shottheirlongandpowerfulbeamsacrossthesea.Startingfromtwoneighbouringcentres,thetwoparallelshaftsoflight,likethecolossaltailsoftwocomets,fellinastraightandendlessslopefromthetopoftheclifftotheuttermosthorizon.Then,onthetwopiers,twomorelights,thechildrenofthesegiants,markedtheentrancetotheharbour;andfarawayontheothersideoftheSeineotherswereinsight,manyothers,steadyorwinking,flashingorrevolving,openingandshuttinglikeeyestheeyesoftheportsyellow,red,andgreen,watchingthenight-wrappedseacoveredwithships;thelivingeyesofthehospitableshoresaying,merelybythemechanicalandregularmovementoftheireye-lids:"Iamhere.IamTrouville;IamHonfleur;IamtheAndemerRiver."Andhighabovealltherest,sohighthatfromthisdistanceitmightbetakenforaplanet,theairylighthouseofEtouvilleshowed

thewaytoRouenacrossthesandbanksatthemouthofthegreatriver.Outonthedeepwater,thelimitlesswater,darkerthanthesky,starsseemedtohavefallenhereandthere.Theytwinkledinthenighthaze,small,closetoshoreorfarawaywhite,red,andgreen,too.Mostofthemweremotionless;some,however,seemedtobescuddingonward.Thesewerethelightsoftheshipsatanchorormovingaboutinsearchofmoorings.Justatthismomentthemoonrosebehindthetown;andit,too,lookedlikesomehuge,divinepharoslightedupintheheavenstoguidethecountlessfleetofstarsinthesky.Pierremurmured,almostspeakingaloud:"Lookatthat!Andweletourbilerisefortwopence!"

Onasudden,closetohim,inthewide,darkditchbetweenthetwopiers,ashadowstoleup,alargeshadowoffantasticshape.Leaningoverthegraniteparapet,hesawthatafishing-boathadglidedin,withoutthesoundofavoiceorthesplashofaripple,ortheplungeofanoar,softlyborneinbyitsbroad,tawnysailspreadtothebreezefromtheopensea.Hethoughttohimself:"Ifonecouldbutliveonboardthatboat,whatpeaceitwouldbeperhaps!"Andthenagainafewstepsbeyond,hesawamansittingattheveryendofthebreakwater.Adreamer,alover,asageahappyoradesperateman?Whowasit?Hewent



forward,curioustoseethefaceofthislonelyindividual,andherecognisedhisbrother."What,isityou,Jean?""Pierre!You!Whathasbroughtyouhere?""Icameouttogetsomefreshair.Andyou?"Jeanbegantolaugh."Itoocameoutforfreshair."AndPierresatdownbyhisbrother'sside."Lovelyisn'tit?""Oh,yes,lovely."HeunderstoodfromthetoneofvoicethatJeanhadnotlookedatanything.Hewenton:"Formypart,wheneverIcomehereIamseizedwithawilddesiretobeoffwithallthoseboats,tothenorthorthesouth.Onlytothinkthatallthoselittlesparksouttherehavejustcomefromtheuttermostendsoftheearth,fromthelandsofgreatflowersandbeautifuloliveorcoppercolouredgirls,thelandsofhumming-birds,ofelephants,ofroaminglions,ofnegrokings,fromallthelandswhicharelikefairy-talestouswhonolongerbelieveintheWhiteCatortheSleepingBeauty.Itwouldbeawfullyjollytobeabletotreatone'sselftoanexcursionoutthere;but,then,itwouldcostagreatdealofmoney,noend"

Hebrokeoffabruptly,rememberingthathisbrotherhadthatmoneynow;and

releasedfromcare,releasedfromlabouringforhisdailybread,free,unfettered,happy,andlight-hearted,hemightgowhitherhelisted,tofindthefair-hairedSwedesorthebrowndamselsofHavana.Andthenoneofthoseinvoluntaryflasheswhichwerecommonwithhim,sosuddenandswiftthathecouldneitheranticipatethem,norstopthem,norqualifythem,communicated,asitseemedtohim,fromsomesecond,independent,andviolentsoul,shotthroughhisbrain."Bah!Heistoogreatasimpleton;hewillmarrythatlittleRosemilly."Hewasstandingupnow."Iwillleaveyoutodreamofthefuture.Iwanttobemoving."Hegraspedhisbrother'shandandaddedinaheavytone:

"Well,mydearoldboy,youarearichman.IamverygladtohavecomeuponyouthiseveningtotellyouhowpleasedIamaboutit,howtrulyIcongratulateyou,andhowmuchIcareforyou."Jean,tenderandsoft-hearted,wasdeeplytouched."Thankyou,mygoodbrotherthankyou!"hestammered.AndPierreturnedawaywithhisslowstep,hisstickunderhisarm,andhishandsbehindhisback.Backinthetownagain,heoncemorewonderedwhatheshoulddo,beingdisappointedofhiswalkanddeprivedofthecompanyoftheseabyhisbrother'spresence.Hehadaninspiration."Iwillgoandtakeaglassofliqueurwithold

Marowsko,"andhewentofftowardsthequarterofthetownknownasIngouville.HehadknownoldMarowsko-lepereMarowsko,hecalledhiminthehospitalsinParis.HewasaPole,anoldrefugee,itwassaid,whohadgonethroughterriblethingsoutthere,andwhohadcometoplyhiscallingasachemistanddruggistinFranceafterpassingafreshexamination.Nothingwasknownofhisearlylife,andallsortsoflegendshadbeencurrentamongtheindoorandoutdoorpatientsandafterwardamonghisneighbours.Thisreputationasaterribleconspirator,anihilist,aregicide,apatriotreadyforanythingandeverything,whohadescapeddeathbyamiracle,hadbewitchedPierreRoland's



livelyandboldimagination;hehadmadefriendswiththeoldPole,without,however,havingeverextractedfromhimanyrevelationastohisformercareer.ItwasowingtotheyoungdoctorthatthisworthyhadcometosettleatHavre,countingonthelargecustomwhichtherisingpractitionerwouldsecurehim.Meanwhilehelivedverypoorlyinhislittleshop,sellingmedicinestothesmalltradesmenandworkmeninhispartofthetown.Pierreoftenwenttoseehimandchatwithhimforanhourafterdinner,forhelikedMarowsko'scalmlookandrarespeech,andattributedgreatdepthtohislongspellsofsilence.Asimplegas-burnerwasalightoverthecountercrowdedwithphials.Thoseinthewindowwerenotlighted,frommotivesofeconomy.Behindthecounter,sittingonachairwithhislegsstretchedoutandcrossed,anoldman,quitebald,withalargebeakofanosewhich,asaprolongationofhishairlessforehead,gavehimamelancholylikenesstoaparrot,wassleepingsoundly,hischinrestingonhisbreast.Hewokeatthesoundoftheshop-bell,andrecognisingthedoctor,cameforwardtomeethim,holdingoutbothhands.Hisblackfrock-coat,streakedwithstainsofacidsandsirups,wasmuchtoowideforhisleanlittleperson,andlookedlikeashabbyoldcassock;andthemanspokewithastrongPolishaccentwhichgavethechildlikecharactertohisthinvoice,thelispingnoteandintonationsofayoungthinglearningtospeak.

Pierresatdown,andMarowskoaskedhim:"Whatnews,deardoctor?""None.Everythingasusual,everywhere."

"Youdonotlookverygaythisevening.""Iamnotoftengay.""Come,come,youmustshakethatoff.Willyoutryaglassofliqueur?""Yes,Idonotmind.""ThenIwillgiveyousomethingnewtotry.ForthesetwomonthsIhavebeentryingtoextractsomethingfromcurrants,ofwhichonlyasiruphasbeenmadehithertowell,andIhavedoneit.Ihaveinventedaverygoodliqueurverygoodindeed;verygood."Andquitedelighted,hewenttoacupboard,openedit,andpickedoutabottlewhichhebroughtforth.Hemovedanddideverythinginjerkygestures,alwaysincomplete;heneverquitestretchedouthisarm,norquiteputouthislegs;normadeanybroadanddefinitemovements.Hisideasseemedtobelikehisactions;hesuggestedthem,promisedthem,sketchedthem,hintedatthem,but

neverfullyutteredthem.And,indeed,hisgreatendinlifeseemedtobetheconcoctionofsirupsandliqueurs."Agoodsiruporagoodliqueurisenoughtomakeafortune,"hewouldoftensay.Hehadcompoundedhundredsofthesesweetmixtureswithouteversucceedinginfloatingoneofthem.PierredeclaredthatMarowskoalwaysremindedhimofMarat.Twolittleglasseswerefetchedoutofthebackshopandplacedonthemixing-board.Thenthetwomenscrutinizedthecolourofthefluidbyholdingituptothegas."Afineruby,"Pierredeclared.

"Isn'tit?"Marowsko'soldparrot-facebeamedwithsatisfaction.Thedoctortasted,smackedhislips,meditated,tastedagain,meditatedagain,andspoke:"Verygoodcapital;andquitenewinflavour.Itisafind,mydearfellow.""Ah,really?Well,Iamveryglad."ThenMarowskotookcounselastobaptizingthenewliqueur.Hewantedtocallit"Extractofcurrants,"orelse"FineGroseille"or"Groselia,"oragain"Groseline."Pierredidnotapproveofeitherofthesenames.Thentheoldmanhadanidea:



"Whatyousaidjustnowwouldbeverygood,verygood:'FineRuby.'"Butthedoctordisputedthemeritofthisname,thoughithadoriginatedwithhim.Herecommendedsimply"Groseillette,"whichMarowskothoughtadmirable.Thentheyweresilent,andsatforsomeminuteswithoutawordunderthesolitarygas-lamp.AtlastPierrebegan,almostinspiteofhimself:"Aqueerthinghashappenedathomethisevening.Afriendofmyfather's,whoislatelydead,haslefthisfortunetomybrother."Thedruggistdidnotatfirstseemtounderstand,butafterthinkingitoverhehopedthatthedoctorhadhalftheinheritance.Whenthematterwasclearlyexplainedtohimheappearedsurprisedandvexed;andtoexpresshisdissatisfactionatfindingthathisyoungfriendhadbeensacrificed,hesaidseveraltimesover:"Itwillnotlookwell."Pierre,whowasrelapsingintonervousirritation,wantedtoknowwhatMarowskomeantbythisphrase.Whywoulditnotlookwell?Whatwastheretolookbadlyinthefactthathisbrotherhadcomeintothemoneyofafriendofthefamily?Butthecautiousoldmanwouldnotexplainfurther."Insuchacasethemoneyisleftequallytothetwobrothers,andItellyou,itwillnotlookwell."Andthedoctor,outofallpatience,wentaway,returnedtohisfather'shouse,andwenttobed.ForsometimeafterwardheheardJeanmovingsoftlyabouttheadjoiningroom,andthen,afterdrinkingtwoglassesofwater,hefellasleep.

CHAPTERIIIThedoctorawokenextmorningfirmlyresolvedtomakehisfortune.Severaltimesalreadyhehadcometothesamedeterminationwithoutfollowingupthereality.Attheoutsetofallhistrialsofsomenewcareerthehopesofrapidlyacquiredricheskeptuphiseffortsandconfidence,tillthefirstobstacle,thefirstcheck,threwhimintoafreshpath.Snuginbedbetweenthewarmsheets,helaymeditating.Howmanymedicalmenhadbecomewealthyinquiteashorttime!All

thatwasneededwasalittleknowledgeoftheworld;forinthecourseofhisstudieshehadlearnedtoestimatethemostfamousphysicians,andhejudgedthemalltobeasses.Hewascertainlyasgoodasthey,ifnotbetter.IfbyanymeanshecouldsecureapracticeamongthewealthandfashionofHavre,hecouldeasilymakeahundredthousandfrancsayear.Andhecalculatedwithgreatexactitudewhathiscertainprofitsmustbe.Hewouldgooutinthemorningtovisithispatients;attheverymoderateaverageoftenaday,attwentyfrancseach,thatwouldmountuptoseventy-twothousandfrancsayearatleast,orevenseventy-fivethousand;fortenpatientswascertainlybelowthemark.Intheafternoonhewouldbeathometo,say,anothertenpatients,attenfrancseachthirty-sixthousandfrancs.Here,then,inroundnumberswasanincomeof

twentythousandfrancs.Oldpatients,orfriendswhomhewouldchargeonlytenfrancsforavisit,orseeathomeforfive,wouldperhapsmakeaslightreductiononthissumtotal,butconsultationswithotherphysiciansandvariousincidentalfeeswouldmakeupforthat.NothingcouldbeeasierthantoachievethisbyskilfuladvertisingremarksintheFigarototheeffectthatthescientificfacultyofParishadtheireyeonhim,andwereinterestedinthecureseffectedbythemodestyoungpractitionerofHavre!Andhewouldbericherthanhisbrother,richerandmorefamous;andsatisfiedwithhimself,forhewouldowehisfortunesolelytohisown



exertions;andliberaltohisoldparents,whowouldbejustlyproudofhisfame.Hewouldnotmarry,wouldnotburdenhislifewithawifewhowouldbeinhisway,buthewouldchoosehismistressfromthemostbeautifulofhispatients.Hefeltsosureofsuccessthathesprangoutofbedasthoughtograspitonthespot,andhedressedtogoandsearchthroughthetownforroomstosuithim.Then,ashewanderedaboutthestreets,hereflectedhowslightarethecauseswhichdetermineouractions.Anytimethesethreeweekshemightandoughttohavecometothisdecision,which,beyondadoubt,thenewsofhisbrother'sinheritancehadabruptlygivenriseto.Hestoppedbeforeeverydoorwhereaplacardproclaimedthat"fineapartments"or"handsomerooms"weretobelet;announcementswithoutanadjectiveheturnedfromwithscorn.Thenheinspectedthemwithaloftyair,measuringtheheightoftherooms,sketchingtheplaninhisnote-book,withthepassages,thearrangementoftheexits,explainingthathewasamedicalmanandhadmanyvisitors.Hemusthaveabroadandwell-keptstair-case;norcouldhebeanyhigherupthanthefirstfloor.Afterhavingwrittendownsevenoreightaddressesandscribbledtwohundrednotes,hegothometobreakfastaquarterofanhourtoolate.Inthehallheheardtheclatterofplates.Thentheyhadbegunwithouthim!Why?Theywereneverwonttobesopunctual.Hewasnettledandputout,forhewassomewhatthin-skinned.AshewentinRolandsaidtohim:

"Come,Pierre,makehaste,deviltakeyou!Youknowwehavetobeatthelawyer'sattwoo'clock.Thisisnotthedaytobedawdling."Pierresatdownwithoutreplying,afterkissinghismotherandshakinghandswithhisfatherandbrother;andhehelpedhimselffromthedeepdishinthemiddleofthetabletothecutletwhichhadbeenkeptforhim.Itwascoldanddry,probablytheleasttemptingofthemall.Hethoughtthattheymighthaveleftitonthehotplatetillhecamein,andnotlosetheirheadssocompletelyastohaveforgottentheirotherson,theireldest.Theconversation,whichhisentrancehadinterrupted,wastakenupagainatthepointwhereithadceased."Inyourplace,"Mme.RolandwassayingtoJean,"IwilltellyouwhatIshoulddoatonce.Ishouldsettleinhandsomeroomssoastoattractattention;I

shouldrideonhorsebackandselectoneortwointerestingcasestodefendandmakeamarkincourt.Iwouldbeasortofamateurlawyer,andveryselect.ThankGodyouareoutofalldangerofwant,andifyoupursueaprofession,itis,afterall,onlythatyoumaynotlosethebenefitofyourstudies,andbecauseamanoughtnevertositidle."OldRoland,whowaspeelingapear,exclaimed:"Christi!InyourplaceIshouldbuyaniceyacht,acutteronthebuildofourpilot-boats.IwouldsailasfarasSenegalinsuchaboatasthat."Pierre,inhisturn,spokehisviews.Afterall,saidhe,itwasnothiswealthwhichmadethemoralworth,theintellectualworthofaman.Toamanofinferiorminditwasonlyameansofdegradation,whileinthehandsofastrongmanitwasapowerfullever.They,tobesure,wererare.IfJeanwereareally

superiorman,nowthathecouldneverwanthemightproveit.Butthenhemustworkahundredtimesharderthanhewouldhavedoneinothercircumstances.Hisbusinessnowmustbenottoarguefororagainstthewidowandtheorphan,andpockethisfeesforeverycasehegained,buttobecomeareallyeminentlegalauthority,aluminaryofthelaw.Andheaddedinconclusion:"IfIwererichwouldn'tIdissectnoendofbodies!"FatherRolandshruggedhisshoulders."Thatisallveryfine,"hesaid."Butthewisestwayoflifeistotakeiteasy.Wearenotbeastsofburden,butmen.Ifyouarebornpooryoumustwork;well,somuchtheworse;andyoudowork.Butwhereyouhavedividends!Youmust



beaflatifyougrindyourselftodeath."Pierrerepliedhaughtily:"Ournotionsdiffer.Formypart,Irespectnothingonearthbutlearningandintellect;everythingelseisbeneathcontempt."Mme.Rolandalwaystriedtodeadentheconstantshocksbetweenfatherandson;sheturnedtheconversation,andbegantalkingofamurdercommittedtheweekbeforeatBolbecNointot.Theirmindswereimmediatelyfullofthecircumstancesunderwhichthecrimehadbeencommitted,andabsorbedbytheinterestinghorror,theattractivemysteryofcrime,which,howevercommonplace,shameful,anddisgusting,exercisesastrangeanduniversalfascinationoverthecuriosityofmankind.Nowandagain,however,oldRolandlookedathiswatch."Come,"saidhe,"itistimetobegoing."Pierresneered."Itisnotyetoneo'clock,"hesaid."Itreallywashardlyworthwhiletocondemnmetoeatacoldcutlet.""Areyoucomingtothelawyer's?"hismotherasked."I?No.Whatfor?"hereplieddryly."Mypresenceisquiteunnecessary."Jeansatsilent,asthoughhehadnoconcerninthematter.WhentheywerediscussingthemurderatBolbeche,asalegalauthority,hadputforwardsomeopinionsandutteredsomereflectionsoncrimeandcriminals.Nowhespokeno

more;butthesparkleinhiseye,thebrightcolourinhischeeks,theveryglossofhisbeardseemedtoproclaimhishappiness.Whenthefamilyhadgone,Pierre,aloneoncemore,resumedhisinvestigationsintheapartmentstolet.Aftertwoorthreehoursspentingoingupanddownstairs,heatlastfound,intheBoulevardFrancois,aprettysetofrooms;aspaciousentresolwithtwodoorsontwodifferentstreets,twodrawing-rooms,aglasscorridor,wherehispatientswhiletheywaited,mightwalkamongflowers,andadelightfuldining-roomwithabow-windowlookingoutoverthesea.Whenitcametotakingit,thetermsthreethousandfrancspulledhimup;thefirstquartermustbepaidinadvance,andhehadnothing,notapennytocallhisown.Thelittlefortunehisfatherhadsavedbroughthiminabouteightthousand

francsayear,andPierrehadoftenblamedhimselfforhavingplacedhisparentsindifficultiesbyhislongdelayindecidingonaprofession,byforfeitinghisattemptsandbeginningfreshcoursesofstudy.Sohewentaway,promisingtosendhisanswerwithintwodays,anditoccurredtohimtoaskJeantolendhimtheamountofthisquarter'srent,orevenofahalf-year,fifteenhundredfrancs,assoonasJeanshouldhavecomeintopossession."Itwillbealoanforafewmonthsatmost,"hethought."Ishallrepayhim,verylikelybeforetheendoftheyear.Itisasimplematter,andhewillbegladtodosomuchforme."Asitwasnotyetfouro'clock,andhehadnothingtodo,absolutelynothing,he

wenttositinthepublicgardens;andheremainedalongtimeonabench,withoutanideainhisbrain,hiseyesfixedontheground,crushedbywearinessamountingtodistress.Andyetthiswashowhehadbeenlivingallthesedayssincehisreturnhome,withoutsufferingsoacutelyfromthevacuityofhisexistenceandfrominaction.Howhadhespenthistimefromrisinginthemorningtillbed-time?Hehadloafedonthepierathightide,loafedinthestreets,loafedinthecafes,loafedatMarowsko's,loafedeverywhere.Andonasuddenthislife,which



hehadenduredtillnow,hadbecomeodious,intolerable.Ifhehadhadanypocket-money,hewouldhavetakenacarriageforalongdriveinthecountry,alongbythefarm-ditchesshadedbybeechandelmtrees;buthehadtothinktwiceofthecostofaglassofbeerorapostage-stamp,andsuchanindulgencewasoutofhisken.Itsuddenlystruckhimhowharditwasforamanofpastthirtytobereducedtoaskhismother,withablushforatwenty-francpieceeverynowandthen;andhemuttered,ashescoredthegravelwiththeferuleofhisstick:"Christi,ifIonlyhadmoney!"Andagainthethoughtofhisbrother'slegacycameintohisheadlikethestingofawasp;buthedroveitoutindignantly,notchoosingtoallowhimselftoslipdownthatdescenttojealousy.Somechildrenwereplayingaboutinthedustypaths.Theywerefairlittlethingswithlonghair,andtheyweremakinglittlemoundsofsandwiththegreatestgravityandcarefulattention,tocrushthematoncebystampingonthem.ItwasoneofthosegloomydayswithPierrewhenwepryintoeverycornerofoursoulsandshakeouteverycrease."Allourendeavoursarelikethelaboursofthosebabies,"thoughthe.Andthenhewonderedwhetherthewisestthinginlifewerenottobegettwoorthreeoftheselittlecreaturesandwatchthemgrowupwithcomplacentcuriosity.Alongingformarriagebreathedonhissoul.Amanisnotsolostwhenheisnotalone.Atanyrate,hehassomeonestirringathissideinhoursoftroubleor

ofuncertainty;anditissomethingonlytobeabletospeakonequaltermstoawomanwhenoneissuffering.Thenhebeganthinkingofwomen.Heknewverylittleofthem,neverhavinghadanybutverytransientconnectionsasamedicalstudent,brokenoffassoonasthemonth'sallowancewasspent,andrenewedorreplacedbyanotherthefollowingmonth.Andyettheremustbesomeverykind,gentle,andcomfortingcreaturesamongthem.Hadnothismotherbeenthegoodsenseandsavinggraceofhisownhome?Howgladhewouldbetoknowawoman,atruewoman!HestartedupwithasuddendeterminationtogoandcallonMme.Rosemilly.Buthepromptlysatdownagain.Hedidnotlikethatwoman.Whynot?Shehadtoomuchvulgarandsordidcommonsense;besides,didshenotseemtopreferJean?

Withoutconfessingittohimselftoobluntly,thispreferencehadagreatdealtodowithhislowopinionofthewidow'sintellect;for,thoughhelovedhisbrother,hecouldnothelpthinkinghimsomewhatmediocreandbelievinghimselfthesuperior.However,hewasnotgoingtosittheretillnightfall;andashehaddoneonthepreviousevening,heanxiouslyaskedhimself:"WhatamIgoingtodo?"Atthismomenthefeltinhissoultheneedofameltingmood,ofbeingembracedandcomforted.Comfortedforwhat?Hecouldnothaveputitintowords;buthewasinoneofthesehoursofweaknessandexhaustionwhenawoman'spresence,awoman'skiss,thetouchofahand,therustleofapetticoat,asoftlookoutofblackorblueeyes,seemtheonethingneedful,thereandthen,toourheart.

Andthememoryflasheduponhimofalittlebarmaidatabeer-house,whomhehadwalkedhomewithoneevening,andseenagainfromtimetotime.Sooncemoreherose,togoanddrinkabockwiththegirl.Whatshouldhesaytoher?Whatwouldshesaytohim?Nothing,probably.Butwhatdidthatmatter?Hewouldholdherhandforafewseconds.Sheseemedtohaveafancyforhim.Why,then,didhenotgotoseeheroftener?Hefoundherdozingonachairinthebeer-shop,whichwasalmostdeserted.Threemenweredrinkingandsmokingwiththeirelbowsontheoaktables;thebook-keeperinherdeskwasreadinganovel,whilethemaster,inhis



shirt-sleeves,laysoundasleeponabench.Assoonasshesawhimthegirlroseeagerly,andcomingtomeethim,said:"Good-day,monsieurhowareyou?""Prettywell;andyou?""Ioh,verywell.Howscarceyoumakeyourself!""Yes.Ihaveverylittletimetomyself.Iamadoctor,youknow.""Indeed!Younevertoldme.IfIhadknownthatIwasoutofsortslastweekandIwouldhavesentforyou.Whatwillyoutake?""Abock.Andyou?""Iwillhaveabock,too,sinceyouarewillingtotreatme."Shehadaddressedhimwiththefamiliartu,andcontinuedtouseit,asiftheofferofadrinkhadtacitlyconveyedpermission.Then,sittingdownoppositeeachother,theytalkedforawhile.Everynowandthenshetookhishandwiththelightfamiliarityofgirlswhosekissesareforsale,andlookingathimwithinvitingeyesshesaid:"Whydon'tyoucomehereoftener?Ilikeyouverymuch,sweetheart."Hewasalreadydisgustedwithher;hesawhowstupidshewas,andcommon,smackingoflowlife.Awoman,hetoldhimself,shouldappeartousindreams,orsuchagloryasmaypoetizehervulgarity.Nextsheaskedhim:"Youwentbytheothermorningwithahandsomefairman,wearingabigbeard.Isheyourbrother?""Yes,heismybrother."

"Awfullygood-looking.""Doyouthinkso?""Yes,indeed;andhelookslikeamanwhoenjoyslife,too."Whatstrangecravingimpelledhimonasuddentotellthistavern-wenchaboutJean'slegacy?Whyshouldthisthing,whichhekeptatarm'slengthwhenhewasalone,whichhedrovefromhimforfearofthetormentitbroughtuponhissoul,risetohislipsatthismoment?Andwhydidheallowittooverflowthemasifheneededoncemoretoemptyouthishearttosomeone,gorgedasitwaswithbitterness?Hecrossedhislegsandsaid:"Hehaswonderfulluck,thatbrotherofmine.Hehadjustcomeintoalegacyoftwentythousandfrancsayear."

Sheopenedthosecovetousblueeyesofhersverywide."Oh!andwholefthimthat?Hisgrandmotherorhisaunt?""No.Anoldfriendofmyparents'.""Onlyafriend!Impossible!Andyoudidheleaveyounothing?""No.Iknewhimveryslightly."Shesatthinkingsomeminutes;then,withanoddsmileonherlips,shesaid:"Well,heisaluckydog,thatbrotherofyours,tohavefriendsofthispattern.Myword!andnowonderheissounlikeyou."Helongedtoslapher,withoutknowingwhy;andheaskedwithpinchedlips:"Andwhatdoyoumeanbysayingthat?"Shehadputonastolid,innocentface."Oh,nothing.Imeanhehasbetterluckthanyou."

Hetossedafrancpieceonthetableandwentout.Nowhekeptrepeatingthephrase:"Nowonderheissounlikeyou."Whathadherthoughtbeen,whathadbeenhermeaningunderthosewords?Therewascertainlysomemalice,somespite,somethingshamefulinit.Yes,thathussymusthavefancied,nodoubt,thatJeanwasMarechal'sson.Theagitationwhichcameoverhimatthenotionofthissuspicioncastathismotherwassoviolentthathestoodstill,lookingabouthimforsomeplacewherehemightsitdown.Infrontofhimwasanothercafe.Hewentin,tookachair,andasthewaitercameup,"Abock,"hesaid.



Hefelthisheartbeating,hisskinwasgooseflesh.AndthentherecollectionflasheduponhimofwhatMarowskohadsaidtheeveningbefore."Itwillnotlookwell."Hadhehadthesamethought,thesamesuspicionasthisbaggage?Hanginghisheadovertheglass,hewatchedthewhitefrothasthebubblesroseandburst,askinghimself:"Isitpossiblethatsuchathingshouldbebelieved?"Butthereasonswhichmightgiverisetothishorribledoubtinothermen'smindsnowstruckhim,oneafteranother,asplain,obvious,andexasperating.Thatachildlessoldbachelorshouldleavehisfortunetoafriend'stwosonswasthemostsimpleandnaturalthingintheworld;butthatheshouldleavethewholeofittoonealoneofcoursepeoplewouldwonder,andwhisper,andendbysmiling.Howwasitthathehadnotforeseenthis,thathisfatherhadnotfeltit?Howwasitthathismotherhadnotguessedit?No;theyhadbeentoodelightedatthisunhoped-forwealthfortheideatocomenearthem.Andbesides,howshouldtheseworthysoulshaveeverdreamedofanythingsoignominious?Butthepublictheirneighbours,theshopkeepers,theirowntradesmen,allwhoknewthemwouldnottheyrepeattheabominablething,laughatit,enjoyit,makegameofhisfatheranddespisehismother?Andthebarmaid'sremarkthatJeanwasfairandhedark,thattheywerenotintheleastalikeinface,manner,figure,orintelligence,wouldnowstrikeeveryeyeandeverymind.WhenanyonespokeofRoland'sson,thequestionwouldbe:

"Which,therealorthefalse?"Herose,firmlyresolvedtowarnJean,andputhimonhisguardagainstthefrightfuldangerwhichthreatenedtheirmother'shonour.ButwhatcouldJeando?Thesimplestthingnodoubt,wouldbetorefusetheinheritance,whichwouldthengotothepoor,andtotellallfriendsoracquaintanceswhohadheardofthebequestthatthewillcontainedclausesandconditionsimpossibletosubscribeto,whichwouldhavemadeJeannotinheritorbutmerelyatrustee.Ashemadehiswayhomehewasthinkingthathemustseehisbrotheralone,soasnottospeakofsuchamatterinthepresenceofhisparents.Onreachingthedoorheheardagreatnoiseofvoicesandlaughterinthedrawing-room,andwhen

hewentinhefoundCaptainBeausireandMme.Rosemilly,whomhisfatherhadbroughthomeandengagedtodinewiththeminhonourofthegoodnews.Vermouthandabsinthehadbeenservedtowhettheirappetites,andeveryonehadbeenatonceputintogoodspirits.CaptainBeausire,afunnylittlemanwhohadbecomequiteroundbydintofbeingrolledaboutatsea,andwhoseideasalsoseemedtohavebeenwornround,likethepebblesofabeach,whilehelaughedwithhisthroatfullofr's,lookeduponlifeasacapitalthing,inwhicheverythingthatmightturnupwasgoodtotake.HeclinkedhisglassagainstfatherRoland's,whileJeanwasofferingtwofreshlyfilledglassestotheladies.Mme.Rosemillyrefused,tillCaptainBeausire,whohadknownherhusband,cried:"Come,come,madame,bisrepetitaplacent,aswesayinthelingo,whichisas

muchastosaytwoglassesofvermouthneverhurtanyone.Lookatme;sinceIhaveleftthesea,inthiswayIgivemyselfanartificialrollortwoeverydaybeforedinner;Iaddalittlepitchingaftermycoffee,andthatkeepsthingslivelyfortherestoftheevening.Ineverrisetoahurricane,mindyou,never,never.Iamtoomuchafraidofdamage."Roland,whosenauticalmaniawashumouredbytheoldmariner,laughedheartily,hisfaceflushedalreadyandhiseyewateryfromtheabsinthe.Hehadaburlyshop-keepingstomachnothingbutstomachinwhichtherestofhisbodyseemedtohavegotstowedaway;theflabbypaunchofmenwhospendtheirlivessitting,



andwhohaveneitherthighs,norchest,norarms,norneck;theseatoftheirchairshavingaccumulatedalltheirsubstanceinonespot.Beausire,onthecontrary,thoughshortandstout,wasastightasaneggandashardasacannon-ball.Mme.RolandhadnotemptiedherglassandwasgazingathersonJeanwithsparklingeyes;happinesshadbroughtacolourtohercheeks.Inhim,too,thefulnessofjoyhadnowblazedout.Itwasasettledthing,signedandsealed;hehadtwentythousandfrancsayear.Inthesoundofhislaugh,inthefullervoicewithwhichhespoke,inhiswayoflookingattheothers,hismorepositivemanners,hisgreaterconfidence,theassurancegivenbymoneywasatonceperceptible.Dinnerwasannounced,andastheoldmanwasabouttoofferhisarmtoMme.Rosemilly,hiswifeexclaimed:"No,no,father.EverythingisforJeanto-day."Unwontedluxurygracedthetable.InfrontofJean,whosatinhisfather'splace,anenormousbouquetofflowersabouquetforareallygreatoccasionstooduplikeacupoladressedwithflags,andwasflankedbyfourhighdishes,onecontainingapyramidofsplendidpeaches;thesecond,amonumentalcakegorgedwithwhippedcreamandcoveredwithpinnaclesofsugaracathedralinconfectionery;thethird,slicesofpine-applefloatinginclearsirup;andthefourthunheard-oflavishnessblackgrapesbroughtfromthewarmersouth."Thedevil!"exclaimedPierreashesatdown."WearecelebratingtheaccessionofJeantherich."Afterthesoup,Madeirawaspassedround,andalreadyeveryonewastalkingat

once.BeausirewasgivingthehistoryofadinnerhehadeatenatSanDomingoatthetableofanegrogeneral.OldRolandwaslistening,andatthesametimetryingtogetin,betweenthesentences,hisaccountofanotherdinner,givenbyafriendofhisatMendon,afterwhicheveryguestwasillforafortnight.Mme.Rosemilly,Jean,andhismotherwereplanninganexcursiontobreakfastatSaintJouin,fromwhichtheypromisedthemselvesthegreatestpleasure;andPierrewasonlysorrythathehadnotdinedaloneinsomepot-housebythesea,soastoescapeallthisnoiseandlaughterandgleewhichfrettedhim.Hewaswondering

howhecouldnowsettoworktoconfidehisfearstohisbrother,andinducehimtorenouncethefortunehehadalreadyacceptedandofwhichhewasenjoyingtheintoxicatingforetaste.Itwouldbehardonhim,nodoubt;butitmustbedone;hecouldnothesitate;theirmother'sreputationwasatstake.Theappearanceofanenormousshade-fishthrewRolandbackonfishingstories.BeausiretoldsomewonderfultalesofadventureontheGaboon,atSainte-Marie,inMadagascar,andaboveall,offthecoastsofChinaandJapan,wherethefishareasqueer-lookingasthenatives.Andhedescribedtheappearanceofthesefishestheirgogglegoldeyes,theirblueorredbellies,theirfantasticfinslikefans,theireccentriccrescent-shapedtailswithsuchdrollgesticulationthattheyalllaughedtilltheycriedastheylistened.

Pierrealoneseemedincredulous,mutteringtohimself:"Trueenough,theNormansaretheGasconsofthenorth!"Afterthefishcameavol-au-vent,thenaroastfowl,asalad,FrenchbeanswithaPithivierslark-pie.Mme.Rosemilly'smaidhelpedtowaitonthem,andthefunrosewiththenumberofglassesofwinetheydrank.Whenthecorkofthefirstchampagne-bottlewasdrawnwithapop,fatherRoland,highlyexcited,imitatedthenoisewithhistongueandthendeclared:"Ilikethatnoisebetterthana



pistol-shot."Pierre,moreandmorefractiouseverymoment,retortedwithasneer:"Andyetitisperhapsagreaterdangerforyou."Roland,whowasonthepointofdrinking,sethisfullglassdownonthetableagain,andasked:"Why?"Hehadforsometimebeencomplainingofhishealth,ofheaviness,giddiness,frequentandunaccountablediscomfort.Thedoctorreplied:"Becausethebulletmightverypossiblymissyou,whiletheglassofwineisdeadcertaintohityouinthestomach.""Andwhatthen?""Thenitscorchesyourinside,upsetsyournervoussystem,makesthecirculationsluggish,andleadsthewaytotheapoplecticfitwhichalwaysthreatensamanofyourbuild."Thejeweller'sincipientintoxicationhadvanishedlikesmokebeforethewind.Helookedathissonwithfixed,uneasyeyes,tryingtodiscoverwhetherhewasmakinggameofhim.ButBeausireexclaimed:"Oh,theseconfoundeddoctors!Theyallsingthesametuneeatnothing,drinknothing,nevermakeloveorenjoyyourself;itallplaysthedevilwithyourprecioushealth.Well,allIcansayis,Ihavedoneallthesethings,sir,ineveryquarteroftheglobe,whereverandasoftenasIhavehadthechance,andIamnonetheworse."

Pierreansweredwithsomeasperity:"Inthefirstplace,captain,youareastrongermanthanmyfather;andinthenext,allfreeliverstalkasyoudotillthedaywhenwhentheycomebacknomoretosaytothecautiousdoctor:'Youwereright.'WhenIseemyfatherdoingwhatisworstandmostdangerousforhim,itisbutnaturalthatIshouldwarnhim.IshouldbeabadsonifIdidotherwise."Mme.Roland,muchdistressed,nowputinherword:"Come,Pierre,whatailsyou?Foronceitcannothurthim.Thinkofwhatanoccasionitisforhim,forallofus.Youwillspoilhispleasureandmakeusallunhappy.Itistoobadofyouto

dosuchathing."Hemuttered,asheshruggedhisshoulders."Hecandoashepleases.Ihavewarnedhim."ButfatherRolanddidnotdrink.Hesatlookingathisglassfulloftheclearandluminousliquorwhileitslightsoul,itsintoxicatingsoul,flewoffintinybubblesmountingfromitsdepthsinhurriedsuccessiontodieonthesurface.Helookedatitwiththesuspiciouseyeofafoxsmellingatadeadhenandsuspectingatrap.Heaskeddoubtfully:"Doyouthinkitwillreallydomemuchharm?"Pierrehadapangofremorseandblamedhimselfforlettinghisill-humourpunishtherest."No,"saidhe."Justforonceyoumaydrinkit;butdonottaketoomuch,orget

intothehabitofit."ThenoldRolandraisedhisglass,butstillhecouldnotmakeuphismindtoputittohislips.Hecontemplateditregretfully,withlongingandwithfear;thenhesmeltit,tastedit,drankitinsips,swallowingthemslowly,hisheartfullofterrors,ofweaknessandgreediness;andthen,whenhehaddrainedthelastdrop,ofregret.Pierre'seyesuddenlymetthatofMme.Rosemilly;itrestedonhimclearand



blue,far-seeingandhard.Andheread,heknew,theprecisethoughtwhichlurkedinthatlook,theindignantthoughtofthissimpleandright-mindedlittlewoman;forthelooksaid:"Youarejealousthatiswhatyouare.Shameful!"Hebenthisheadandwentonwithhisdinner.Hewasnothungryandfoundnothingnice.Alongingtobeoffharassedhim,acravingtobeawayfromthesepeople,tohearnomoreoftheirtalking,jests,andlaughter.FatherRolandmeanwhile,towhoseheadthefumesofthewinewererisingoncemore,hadalreadyforgottenhisson'sadviceandwaseyeingachampagne-bottlewithatenderleerasitstood,stillnearlyfull,bythesideofhisplate.Hedarednottouchitforfearofbeinglecturedagain,andhewaswonderingbywhatdeviceortrickhecouldpossesshimselfofitwithoutexcitingPierre'sremark.Aruseoccurredtohim,thesimplestpossible.Hetookupthebottlewithanairofindifference,andholdingitbytheneck,stretchedhisarmacrossthetabletofillthedoctor'sglass,whichwasempty;thenhefilledupalltheotherglasses,andwhenhecametohisownhebegantalkingveryloud,sothatifhepouredanythingintoittheymighthaveswornitwasdoneinadvertently.Andinfactnoonetookanynotice.Pierre,withoutobservingit,wasdrinkingagooddeal.Nervousandfretted,heeveryminuteraisedtohislipsthetallcrystalfunnelwherethebubblesweredancingintheliving,translucentfluid.Heletthewineslipveryslowlyoverhistongue,thathemightfeelthelittlesugarystingofthefixedairasitevaporated.

Graduallyapleasantwarmthglowedinhisframe.Startingfromthestomachasacentre,itspreadtohischest,tookpossessionofhislimbs,anddiffuseditselfthroughouthisflesh,likeawarmandcomfortingtide,bringingpleasurewithit.Hefeltbetternow,lessimpatient,lessannoyed,andhisdeterminationtospeaktohisbrotherthatveryeveningfadedaway;notthathethoughtforamomentofgivingitup,butsimplynottodisturbthehappymoodinwhichhefoundhimself.Beausirepresentlyrosetoproposeatoast.Havingbowedtothecompany,hebegan:"Mostgraciousladiesandgentlemen,wehavemettodohonourtoahappyeventwhichhasbefallenoneofourfriends.ItusedtobesaidthatFortunewasblind,butIbelievethatsheisonlyshort-sightedortricksy,andthatshehas

latelyboughtagoodpairofglasseswhichenabledhertodiscoverinthetownofHavrethesonofourworthyfriendRoland,skipperofthePearl."Everyonecriedbravoandclappedtheirhands,andtheelderRolandrosetoreply.Afterclearinghisthroat,foritfeltthickandhistonguewasheavy,hestammeredout:"Thankyou,captain,thankyouformyselfandmyson.Ishallneverforgetyourbehaviouronthisoccasion.Here'sgoodlucktoyou!"Hiseyesandnosewerefulloftears,andhesatdown,findingnothingmoretosay.Jean,whowaslaughing,spokeinhisturn:"ItisI,"saidhe,"whooughttothankmyfriendshere,myexcellentfriends,"

andheglancedatMme.Rosemilly,"whohavegivenmesuchatouchingevidenceoftheiraffection.ButitisnotbywordsthatIcanprovemygratitude.Iwillproveitto-morrow,everyhourofmylife,always,forourfriendshipisnotoneofthosewhichfadeaway."Hismother,deeplymoved,murmured:"Wellsaid,myboy."ButBeausirecriedout:"Come,Mme.Rosemilly,speakonbehalfofthefairsex."Sheraisedherglass,andinaprettyvoice,slightlytouchedwithsadness,she



said:"IwillpledgeyoutothememoryofM.Marechal."Therewasafewmoments'lull,apausefordecentmeditation,asafterprayer.Beausire,whoalwayshadaflowofcompliment,remarked:"Onlyawomaneverthinksoftheserefinements."ThenturningtoFatherRoland:"AndwhowasthisMarechal,afterall?Youmusthavebeenveryintimatewithhim."Theoldman,emotionalwithdrink,begantowhimper,andinabrokenvoicehesaid:"Likeabrother,youknow.SuchafriendasonedoesnotmaketwicewewerealwaystogetherhedinedwithuseveryeveningandwouldtreatustotheplayIneedsaynomorenomorenomore.Atruefriendarealtruefriendwasn'the,Louise?"Hiswifemerelyanswered:"Yes;hewasafaithfulfriend."Pierrelookedathisfatherandthenathismother,then,asthesubjectchangedhedranksomemorewine.Hescarcelyrememberedtheremainderoftheevening.Theyhadcoffee,thenliqueurs,andtheylaughedandjokedagreatdeal.Ataboutmidnighthewenttobed,hismindconfusedandhisheadheavy;andhesleptlikeabrutetillninenextmorning.

CHAPTERIVTheseslumbers,lappedinChampagneandChartreuse,hadsoothedandcalmedhim,nodoubt,forheawokeinaverybenevolentframeofmind.Whilehewasdressingheappraised,weighed,andsummeduptheagitationsofthepastday,tryingtobringoutquiteclearlyandfullytheirrealandoccultcauses,thosepersonaltohimselfaswellasthosefromoutside.Itwas,infact,possiblethatthegirlatthebeer-shophadhadanevilsuspicionasuspicionworthyofsuchahussyonhearingthatonlyoneoftheRolandbrothershadbeenmadeheirtoastranger;buthavenotsuchnaturesasshealwayssimilarnotions,withoutashadowoffoundation,abouteveryhonestwoman?Dotheynot,whenevertheyspeak,vilify,calumniate,andabuseallwhomtheybelievetobeblameless?Wheneverawomanwhoisaboveimputationis

mentionedintheirpresence,theyareasangryasiftheywerebeinginsulted,andexclaim:"Ah,yes,Iknowyourmarriedwomen;aprettysorttheyare!Why,theyhavemoreloversthanwehave,onlytheyconcealitbecausetheyaresuchhypocrites.Oh,yes,aprettysort,indeed!"Underanyothercircumstanceshewouldcertainlynothaveunderstood,nothaveimaginedthepossibilityofsuchaninsinuationagainsthispoormother,whowassokind,sosimple,soexcellent.Buthisspiritseethedwiththeleavenofjealousythatwasfermentingwithinhim.Hisownexcitedmind,onthescent,asitwere,inspiteofhimself,forallthatcoulddamagehisbrother,hadevenperhapsattributedtothetavernbarmaidanodiousintentionofwhichshewasinnocent.Itwaspossiblethathisimaginationhad,unaided,inventedthisdreadfuldoubthisimagination,whichhenevercontrolled,whichconstantly

evadedhiswillandwentoff,unfettered,audacious,adventurous,andstealthy,intotheinfiniteworldofideas,bringingbacknowandthensomewhichwereshamelessandrepulsive,andwhichitburiedinhim,inthedepthsofhissoul,initsmostfathomlessrecesses,likesomethingstolen.Hisheart,mostcertainly,hisownhearthadsecretsfromhim;andhadnotthatwoundedheartdiscernedinthisatrociousdoubtameansofdeprivinghisbrotheroftheinheritanceofwhichhewasjealous?Hesuspectedhimselfnow,cross-examiningallthemysteriesofhismindasbigotssearchtheirconsciences.Mme.Rosemilly,thoughherintelligencewaslimited,hadcertainlyawoman'sinstinct,scent,andsubtleintuitions.Andthisnotionhadneverenteredher



head,sinceshehad,withperfectsimplicity,drunktotheblessedmemoryofthedeceasedMarechal.Shewasnotthewomantohavedonethisifshehadhadthefaintestsuspicion.Nowhedoubtednolonger;hisinvoluntarydispleasureathisbrother'swindfalloffortuneandhisreligiousaffectionforhismotherhadmagnifiedhisscruplesverypiousandrespectablescruples,butexaggerated.Asheputthisconclusionintowordsinhisownmindhefelthappy,asatthedoingofagoodaction;andheresolvedtobenicetoeveryone,beginningwithhisfather,whosemanias,andsillystatements,andvulgaropinions,andtooconspicuousmediocritywereaconstantirritationtohim.Hecameinnotlateforbreakfast,andamusedallthefamilybyhisfunandgoodhumour.Hismother,quitedelighted,saidtohim:"MylittlePierre,youhavenonotionhowhumorousandcleveryoucanbewhenyouchoose."Andhetalked,puttingthingsinawittyway,andmakingthemlaughbyingenioushitsattheirfriends.Beausirewashisbutt,andMme.Rosemillyalittle,butinaveryjudiciousway,nottoospiteful.Andhethoughtashelookedathisbrother:"Standupforher,youmuff.Youmaybeasrichasyouplease,IcanalwayseclipseyouwhenItakethetrouble."

Astheydranktheircoffeehesaidtohisfather:"AreyougoingoutinthePearlto-day?""No,myboy.""MayIhaveherwithJeanBart?""Tobesure,aslongasyoulike."Heboughtagoodcigaratthefirsttobacconist'sandwentdowntothequaywithalightstep.Heglancedupatthesky,whichwasclearandluminous,ofapaleblue,freshlysweptbythesea-breeze.Papagris,theboatman,commonlycalledJeanBart,wasdozinginthebottomoftheboat,whichhewasrequiredtohaveinreadinesseverydayatnoonwhentheyhadnotbeenoutfishinginthemorning.

"YouandItogether,mate,"criedPierre.Hewentdowntheironladderofthequayandleapedintothevessel."Whichwayisthewind?"heasked."Dueeaststill,M'sieuPierre.Afinebreezeoutatsea.""Well,then,oldman,offwego!"Theyhoistedtheforesailandweighedanchor;andtheboat,feelingherselffree,glidedslowlydowntowardsthejettyonthestillwateroftheharbour.Thebreathofwindthatcamedownthestreetscaughtthetopofthesailsolightlyastobeimperceptible,andthePearlseemedendowedwithlifethelifeofavesseldrivenonbyamysteriouslatentpower.Pierretookthetiller,and,holdinghiscigarbetweenhisteeth,hestretchedhislegsonthebunk,andwith

hiseyeshalf-shutintheblindingsunshine,hewatchedthegreattarredtimbersofthebreakwaterastheyglidedpast.Whentheyreachedtheopensea,roundthenoseofthenorthpierwhichhadshelteredthem,thefresherbreezepuffedinthedoctor'sfaceandonhishands,likeasomewhaticycaress,filledhischest,whichrosewithalongsightodrinkitin,andswellingthetawnysail,tiltedthePearlonherbeamandmadehermorelively.JeanBarthastilyhauledupthejib,andthetriangleofcanvas,fullofwind,lookedlikeawing;then,withtwostridestothestern,



heletoutthespinnaker,whichwasclose-reefedagainsthismast.Then,alongthehulloftheboat,whichsuddenlyheeledoverandwasrunningattopspeed,therewasasoft,crispsoundofwaterhissingandrushingpast.Theprowrippedupthesealiketheshareofaploughgonemad,andtheyieldingwateritturnedupcurledoverandfellwhitewithfoam,astheploughedsoil,heavyandbrown,rollsandfallsinaridge.Ateachwavetheymetandtherewasashort,choppingseathePearlshiveredfromthepointofthebowsprittotherudder,whichtrembledunderPierre'shand;whenthewindblewharderingusts,theswellrosetothegunwaleasifitwouldoverflowintotheboat.AcoalbrigfromLiverpoolwaslyingatanchor,waitingforthetide;theymadeasweeproundhersternandwenttolookateachofthevesselsintheroadsoneafteranother;thentheyputfurtherouttolookattheunfoldinglineofcoast.ForthreehoursPierre,easy,calm,andhappy,wanderedtoandfrooverthedancingwaters,guidingthethingofwoodandcanvas,whichcameandwentathiswill,underthepressureofhishand,asifitwereaswiftanddocilewingedcreature.Hewaslostinday-dreams,thedreamsonehasonhorsebackoronthedeckofaboat;thinkingofhisfuture,whichshouldbebrilliant,andthejoysoflivingintelligently.Onthemorrowhewouldaskhisbrothertolendhimfifteenhundredfrancsforthreemonths,thathemightsettleatonceintheprettyroomsontheBoulevardFrancois.Suddenlythesailorsaid:"Thefogiscomingup,M'sieuPierre.Wemustgoin."

Helookedupandsawtothenorthwardagrayshade,filmybutdense,blottingouttheskyandcoveringthesea;itwassweepingdownonthemlikeacloudfallenfromabove.Hetackedforlandandmadeforthepier,scuddingbeforethewindandfollowedbytheflyingfog,whichgaineduponthem.WhenitreachedthePearl,wrappingherinitsintangibledensity,acoldshudderranoverPierre'slimbs,andasmellofsmokeandmould,thepeculiarsmellofasea-fog,madehimclosehismouththathemightnottastethecold,wetvapour.Bythetimetheboatwasatherusualmooringsintheharbourthewholetownwasburiedinthisfinemist,whichdidnotfallbutyetwettedeverythinglikerain,andglidedandrolledalongtheroofsandstreetsliketheflowofariver.Pierre,with

hishandsandfeetfrozen,madehastehomeandthrewhimselfonhisbedtotakeanaptilldinner-time.Whenhemadehisappearanceinthedining-roomhismotherwassayingtoJean:"Theglasscorridorwillbelovely.Wewillfillitwithflowers.Youwillsee.Iwillundertaketocareforthemandrenewthem.Whenyougiveapartytheeffectwillbequitefairy-like.""Whatintheworldareyoutalkingabout?"thedoctorasked."OfadelightfulapartmentIhavejusttakenforyourbrother.Itisquiteafind;anentresollookingoutontwostreets.Therearetwodrawing-rooms,aglasspassage,andalittlecirculardining-room,perfectlycharmingforabachelor'squarters."Pierreturnedpale.Hisangerseemedtopressonhisheart."Whereisit?"heasked.

"BoulevardFrancois."Therewasnopossibilityfordoubt.Hetookhisseatinsuchastateofexasperationthathelongedtoexclaim:"Thisisreallytoomuch!Istherenothingforanyonebuthim?"Hismother,beaming,wentontalking:"Andonlyfancy,Igotitfortwothousandeighthundredfrancsayear.Theyaskedthreethousand,butIgotareductionoftwohundredfrancsontakingforthree,six,ornineyears.Yourbrotherwillbe



delightfullyhousedthere.Aneleganthomeisenoughtomakethefortuneofalawyer.Itattractsclients,charmsthem,holdsthemfast,commandsrespect,andshowsthemthatamanwholivesinsuchgoodstyleexpectsagoodpriceforhiswords."Shewassilentforafewsecondsandthenwenton:"Wemustlookoutforsomethingsuitableforyou;muchlesspretentious,sinceyouhavenothing,butniceandprettyallthesame.Iassureyouitwillbetoyouradvantage."Pierrerepliedcontemptuously:"Forme!Oh,Ishallmakemywaybyhardworkandlearning."Buthismotherinsisted:"Yes,butIassureyouthattobewelllodgedwillbeofusetoyounevertheless."Abouthalf-waythroughthemealhesuddenlyasked:"HowdidyoufirstcometoknowthismanMarechal?"OldRolandlookedupandrackedhismemory:"Waitabit;Iscarcelyrecollect.Itissuchanoldstorynow.Ah,yes,Iremember.Itwasyourmotherwhomadetheacquaintancewithhimintheshop,wasitnot,Louise?Hefirstcametoordersomething,andthenhecalledfrequently.Weknewhimasacustomerbeforeweknewhimasafriend."Pierre,whowaseatingbeans,stickinghisforkintothemonebyoneasifhewerespittingthem,wenton:

"Andwhenwasitthatyoumadehisacquaintance?"AgainRolandsatthinking,buthecouldremembernomoreandappealedtohiswife'sbettermemory."Inwhatyearwasit,Louise?Yousurelyhavenotforgotten,youwhoremembereverything.Letmeseeitwasinininfifty-fiveorfifty-six?Trytoremember.YououghttoknowbetterthanI."Shedidinfactthinkitoverforsomeminutes,andthenrepliedinasteadyvoiceandwithcalmdecision:"Itwasinfifty-eight,oldman.Pierrewasthreeyearsold.IamquitesurethatIamnotmistaken,foritwasinthatyearthatthechildhadscarletfever,andMarechal,whomweknewthenbutverylittle,wasofthegreatestservicetous."Rolandexclaimed:

"Tobesureverytrue;hewasreallyinvaluable.Whenyourmotherwashalf-deadwithfatigueandIhadtoattendtotheshop,hewouldgotothechemist'stofetchyourmedicine.Hereallyhadthekindestheart!Andwhenyouwerewellagain,youcannotthinkhowgladhewasandhowhepettedyou.Itwasfromthattimethatwebecamesuchgreatfriends."AndthisthoughtrushedintoPierre'ssoul,asabruptandviolentasacannon-ballrendingandpiercingit:"Sinceheknewmefirst,sincehewassodevotedtome,sincehewassofondofmeandpettedmesomuch,sinceIIwasthecauseofhisgreatintimacywithmyparents,whydidheleaveallhismoneytomybrotherandnothingtome?"Heaskednomorequestionsandremainedgloomy;absent-mindedratherthanthoughtful,feelinginhissoulanewanxietyasyetundefined,thesecretgermofanewpain.

Hewentoutearly,wanderingaboutthestreetsoncemore.Theywereshroudedinthefogwhichmadethenightheavy,opaque,andnauseous.Itwaslikeapestilentialclouddroppedontheearth.Itcouldbeseenswirlingpastthegas-lights,whichitseemedtoputoutatintervals.Thepavementwasasslipperyasonafrostynightafterrain,andallsortsofevilsmellsseemedtocomeupfromthebowelsofthehousesthestenchofcellars,drains,sewers,squalidkitchenstominglewiththehorriblesavourofthiswanderingfog.Pierre,withhisshouldersupandhishandsinhispockets,notcaringtoremain



outofdoorsinthecold,turnedintoMarowsko's.Thedruggistwasasleepasusualunderthegas-light,whichkeptwatch.OnrecognisingPierreforwhomhehadtheaffectionofafaithfuldog,heshookoffhisdrowsiness,wentfortwoglasses,andbroughtouttheGroseillette."Well,"saidthedoctor,"howistheliqueurgettingon?"ThePoleexplainedthatfourofthechiefcafesinthetownhadagreedtohaveitonsale,andthattwopapers,theNorthcoastPharosandtheHavreSemaphore,wouldadvertiseit,inreturnforcertainchemicalpreparationstobesuppliedtotheeditors.AfteralongsilenceMarowskoaskedwhetherJeanhadcomedefinitelyintopossessionofhisfortune;andthenheputtwoorthreeotherquestionsvaguelyreferringtothesamesubject.HisjealousdevotiontoPierrerebelledagainstthispreference.AndPierrefeltasthoughhecouldhearhimthinking;heguessedandunderstood,readinhisavertedeyesandinthehesitancyofhistone,thewordswhichrosetohislipsbutwerenotspokenwhichthedruggistwastootimidortooprudentandcautioustoutter.Atthismoment,hefeltsure,theoldmanwasthinking:"Yououghtnottohavesufferedhimtoacceptthisinheritancewhichwillmakepeoplespeakillofyourmother."Perhaps,indeed,MarowskobelievedthatJeanwasMarechal'sson.Ofcoursehebelievedit!Howcouldhehelpbelievingitwhenthethingmustseemsopossible,soprobable,self-evident?Why,hehimself,Pierre,hersonhadnothebeenforthesethreedayspastfightingwithallthesubtletyathiscommandto

cheathisreason,fightingagainstthishideoussuspicion?Andsuddenlytheneedtobealone,toreflect,todiscussthematterwithhimselftofaceboldly,withoutscrupleorweakness,thispossiblebutmonstrousthingcameuponhimanew,andsoimperativethatherosewithoutevendrinkinghisglassofGroseillette,shookhandswiththeastoundeddruggist,andplungedoutintothefoggystreetsagain.Heaskedhimself:"WhatmadethisMarechalleaveallhisfortunetoJean?"Itwasnotjealousynowwhichmadehimdwellonthisquestion,nottherathermeanbutnaturalenvywhichheknewlurkedwithinhim,andwithwhichhehadbeenstrugglingthesethreedays,butthedreadofanoverpoweringhorror;thedreadthathehimselfshouldbelievethatJean,hisbrother,wasthatman'sson.

No.Hedidnotbelieveit,hecouldnotevenaskhimselfthequestionwhichwasacrime!Meanwhilehemustgetridofthisfaintsuspicion,improbableasitwas,utterlyandforever.Hecravedforlight,forcertaintyhemustwinabsolutesecurityinhisheart,forhelovednooneintheworldbuthismother.Andashewanderedalonethroughthedarknesshewouldrackhismemoryandhisreasonwithaminutesearchthatshouldbringouttheblazingtruth.Thentherewouldbeanendtothematter;hewouldnotthinkofitagainnever.Hewouldgoandsleep.Hearguedthus:"Letmesee:firsttoexaminethefacts;thenIwillrecallallIknowabouthim,hisbehaviourtomybrotherandtome.Iwillseekoutthecauseswhichmighthavegivenrisetothepreference.HeknewJeanfromhisbirth?Yes,buthehadknownmefirst.Ifhehadlovedmymothersilently,

unselfishly,hewouldsurelyhavechosenme,sinceitwasthroughme,throughmyscarletfever,thathebecamesointimatewithmyparents.Logically,then,heoughttohavepreferredme,tohavehadakeeneraffectionformeunlessitwerethathefeltaninstinctiveattractionandpredilectionformybrotherashewatchedhimgrowup."Then,withdesperatetensionofbrainandofallthepowersofhisintellect,hestrovetoreconstitutefrommemorytheimageofthisMarechal,toseehim,toknowhim,topenetratethemanwhomhehadseenpassbyhim,indifferenttohis



heartduringallthoseyearsinParis.Butheperceivedthattheslightexertionofwalkingsomewhatdisturbedhisideas,dislocatedtheircontinuity,weakenedtheirprecision,cloudedhisrecollection.Toenablehimtolookatthepastandatunknowneventswithsokeenaneyethatnothingshouldescapeit,hemustbemotionlessinavastandemptyspace.Andhemadeuphismindtogoandsitonthejettyashehaddonethatothernight.Asheapproachedtheharbourheheard,outatsea,alugubriousandsinisterwaillikethebellowingofabull,butmorelong-drawnandsteady.Itwastheroarofafog-horn,thecryofashiplostinthefog.Ashiverranthroughhim,chillinghisheart;sodeeplydidthiscryofdistressthrillhissoulandnervesthathefeltasifhehadutteredithimself.Anotherandasimilarvoiceansweredwithsuchanothermoan,butfartheraway;then,closeby,thefog-hornonthepiergaveoutafearfulsoundinanswer.Pierremadeforthejettywithlongsteps,thinkingnomoreofanything,contenttowalkonintothisominousandbellowingdarkness.Whenhehadseatedhimselfattheendofthebreakwaterheclosedhiseyes,thathemightnotseethetwoelectriclights,nowblurredbythefog,whichmaketheharbouraccessibleatnight,andtheredglareofthelightonthesouthpier,whichwas,however,scarcelyvisible.Turninghalf-round,herestedhiselbowsonthegraniteandhidhisfaceinhishands.Thoughhedidnotpronouncethewordswithhislips,hismindkeptrepeating:

"MarechalMarechal,"asiftoraiseandchallengetheshade.Andontheblackbackgroundofhisclosedeyelids,hesuddenlysawhimashehadknownhim:amanofaboutsixty,withawhitebeardcutinapointandverythickeyebrows,alsowhite.Hewasneithertallnorshort,hismannerwaspleasant,hiseyesgrayandsoft,hismovementsgentle,hiswholeappearancethatofagoodfellow,simpleandkindly.HecalledPierreandJean"mydearchildren,"andhadneverseemedtoprefereither,askingthembothtogethertodinewithhim.AndthenPierre,withthepertinacityofadogseekingalostscent,triedtorecallthewords,gestures,tones,looks,ofthismanwhohadvanishedfromtheworld.BydegreeshesawhimquiteclearlyinhisroomsintheRueTronchet,wherehereceivedhis

brotherandhimselfatdinner.Hewaswaitedonbytwomaids,botholdwomenwhohadbeeninthehabitaveryoldone,nodoubtofsaying"MonsieurPierre"and"MonsieurJean."Marechalwouldholdoutbothhands,therighthandtooneoftheyoungmen,thelefttotheother,astheyhappenedtocomein."Howareyou,mychildren?"hewouldsay."Haveyouanynewsofyourparents?Asforme,theyneverwritetome."Thetalkwasquietandintimate,ofcommonplacematters.Therewasnothingremarkableintheman'smind,butmuchthatwaswinning,charming,andgracious.Hehadcertainlybeenagoodfriendtothem,oneofthosegoodfriendsofwhomwethinkthelessbecausewefeelsureofthem.

Now,reminiscencescamereadilytoPierre'smind.Havingseenhimanxiousfromtimetotime,andsuspectinghisstudent'simpecuniousness,Marechalhadofhisownaccordofferedandlenthimmoney,afewhundredfrancsperhaps,forgottenbyboth,andneverrepaid.Thenthismanmustalwayshavebeenfondofhim,alwayshavetakenaninterestinhim,sincehethoughtofhisneeds.WellthenwellthenwhyleavehiswholefortunetoJean?No,hehadnevershownmoremarkedaffectionfortheyoungerthanfortheelder,hadneverbeenmoreinterestedinonethanintheother,orseemedtocaremoretenderlyforthisoneorthatone.WellthenwellthenhemusthavehadsomestrongsecretreasonforleavingeverythingtoJeaneverythingandnothingtoPierre.



Themorehethought,themoreherecalledthepastfewyears,themoreextraordinary,themoreincrediblewasitthatheshouldhavemadesuchadifferencebetweenthem.Andanagonizingpangofunspeakableanguishpiercinghisbosommadehisheartbeatlikeaflutteringrag.Itsspringsseemedbroken,andthebloodrushedthroughinaflood,unchecked,tossingitwithwildsurges.

Theninanundertone,asamanspeaksinanightmare,hemuttered:"Imustknow.MyGod!Imustknow."Helookedfurtherbacknow,toanearliertime,whenhisparentshadlivedinParis.Butthefacesescapedhim,andthisconfusedhisrecollections.HestruggledabovealltoseeMarechal,withlight,orbrown,orblackhair.Buthecouldnot;thelaterimage,hisfaceasanoldman,blottedoutallothers.However,herememberedthathehadbeenslighter,andhadasofthand,andthatheoftenbroughtflowers.Veryoftenforhisfatherwouldconstantlysay:"What,anotherbouquet!Butthisismadness,mydearfellow;youwillruinyourselfinroses."AndMarechalwouldsay:"Nomatter;Ilikeit."Andsuddenlyhismother'svoiceandaccent,hismother'sasshesmiledandsaid:"Thankyou,mykindfriend,"flashedonhisbrain,soclearlythathecouldhavebelievedheheardher.Shemusthavespokenthosewordsveryoftenthatthey

shouldremainthusgravenonherson'smemory.SoMarechalbroughtflowers;he,thegentleman,therichman,thecustomer,tothehumbleshop-keeper,thejeweller'swife.Hadhelovedher?Whyshouldhehavemadefriendswiththesetradespeopleifhehadnotbeeninlovewiththewife?Hewasamanofeducationandfairlyrefinedtastes.HowmanyatimehadhediscussedpoetsandpoetrywithPierre.Hedidnotappreciatethesewritersfromanartisticpointofview,butwithsympatheticandresponsivefeeling.Thedoctorhadoftensmiledathisemotionswhichhadstruckhimasrathersilly,nowheplainlysawthatthissentimentalsoulcouldnever,neverhavebeenthefriendofhisfather,whowassomatter-of-fact,sonarrow,soheavy,towhomtheword"Poetry"meantidiocy.ThisMarechalthen,beingyoung,free,rich,readyforanyformoftenderness,

wentbychanceintotheshoponeday,havingperhapsobserveditsprettymistress.Hehadboughtsomething,hadcomeagain,hadchatted,moreintimatelyeachtime,payingbyfrequentpurchasesfortherightofaseatinthefamily,ofsmilingattheyoungwifeandshakinghandswiththehusband.AndwhatnextwhatnextgoodGodwhatnext?Hehadlovedandpettedthefirstchild,thejeweller'schild,tillthesecondwasborn;then,tilldeath,hehadremainedimpenetrable;andwhenhisgravewasclosed,hisfleshdust,hisnameerasedfromthelistoftheliving,whenhehimselfwasquietandforevergone,havingnothingtoschemefor,todreadortohide,hehadgivenhiswholefortunetothesecondchild!Why?Themanhadallhiswits;hemusthaveunderstoodandforeseenthathemight,

thathealmostinfalliblymust,givegroundsforthesuppositionthatthechildwashis.Hewascastingobloquyonawoman.HowcouldhehavedonethisifJeanwerenothisson?Andsuddenlyaclearandfearfulrecollectionshotthroughhisbrain.MarechalwasfairfairlikeJean.HenowrememberedalittleminiatureportraithehadseenformerlyinParis,onthedrawing-roomchimney-shelf,andwhichhadsincedisappeared.Wherewasit?Lost,orhiddenaway?Oh,ifhecouldbuthaveitinhishandforoneminute!Hismotherkeptitperhapsintheunconfesseddrawerwherelove-tokensweretreasured.Hismiseryinthisthoughtwassointensethatheutteredagroan,oneofthose



briefmoanswrungfromthebreastbyatoointolerablepang.Andimmediately,asifithadheardhim,asifithadunderstoodandansweredhim,thefog-hornonthepierbellowedoutclosetohim.Itsvoice,likethatofafiendishmonster,moreresonantthanthunderasavageandappallingroarcontrivedtodrowntheclamourofthewindandwavesspreadthroughthedarkness,acrossthesea,whichwasinvisibleunderitsshroudoffog.Andagain,throughthemist,farandnear,responsivecrieswentuptothenight.Theywereterrifying,thesecallsgivenforthbythegreatblindsteam-ships.Thenallwassilentoncemore.Pierrehadopenedhiseyesandwaslookingabouthim,startledtofindhimselfhere,rousedfromhisnightmare."Iammad,"thoughthe,"Isuspectmymother."Andasurgeofloveandemotion,ofrepentance,andprayer,andgrief,welledupinhisheart.Hismother!Knowingherasheknewher,howcouldheeverhavesuspectedher?Wasnotthesoul,wasnotthelifeofthissimple-minded,chaste,andloyalwomanclearerthanwater?Couldanyonewhohadseenandknownhereverthinkofherbutasabovesuspicion?Andhe,herson,haddoubtedher!Oh,ifhecouldbuthavetakenherinhisarmsatthatmoment,howhewouldhavekissedandcaressedher,andgoneonhiskneestocravepardon.Wouldshehavedeceivedhisfathershe?Hisfather!Averyworthyman,nodoubt,uprightandhonestinbusiness,butwithamindwhichhadnevergonebeyondthehorizonofhisshop.Howwasitthat

thiswoman,whomusthavebeenveryprettyasheknew,anditcouldstillbeseengifted,too,withadelicate,tenderemotionalsoul,couldhaveacceptedamansounlikeherselfasasuitorandahusband?Whyinquire?Shehadmarried,asyoungFrenchgirlsdomarry,theyouthwithalittlefortuneproposedtoherbytheirrelations.TheyhadsettledatonceintheirshopintheRueMontmartre;andtheyoungwife,rulingoverthedesk,inspiredbythefeelingofanewhome,andthesubtleandsacredsenseofinterestsincommonwhichfillstheplaceoflove,andevenofregard,bythedomestichearthofmostofthecommercialhousesofParis,hadsettowork,withallhersuperiorandactiveintelligence,tomakethefortunetheyhopedfor.Andsoherlifehadflowedon,

uniform,peacefulandrespectable,butloveless.Loveless?wasitpossiblethenthatawomanshouldnotlove?Thatayoungandprettywoman,livinginParis,readingbooks,applaudingactressesfordyingofpassiononthestage,couldlivefromyouthtooldagewithoutoncefeelingherhearttouched?Hewouldnotbelieveitofanyoneelse;whyshouldshebedifferentfromallothers,thoughshewashismother?Shehadbeenyoung,withallthepoeticweaknesseswhichagitatetheheartofayoungcreature.Shutup,imprisonedintheshop,bythesideofavulgarhusbandwhoalwaystalkedoftrade,shehaddreamedofmoonlightnights,ofvoyages,ofkissesexchangedintheshadesofevening.Andthen,onedayamanhadcomein,asloversdoinbooks,andhadtalkedastheytalk.Shehadlovedhim.Whynot?Shewashismother.Whatthen?Mustamanbeblind

andstupidtothepointofrejectingevidencebecauseitconcernshismother?Butdidshegiveherselftohim?Whyyes,sincethismanhadhadnootherlove,sincehehadremainedfaithfultoherwhenshewasfarawayandgrowingold.Whyyes,sincehehadleftallhisfortunetohissontheirson!AndPierrestartedtohisfeet,quiveringwithsuchragethathelongedtokillsomeone.Withhisarmoutstretched,hishandwideopen,hewantedtohit,tobruise,tosmash,tostrangle!Whom?Everyone;hisfather,hisbrother,thedeadman,hismother!Hehurriedoffhomeward.Whatwashegoingtodo?



Ashepassedaturretclosetothesignalmastthestridenthowlofthefog-hornwentoffinhisveryface.Hewassostartledthathenearlyfellandshrankbackasfarasthegraniteparapet.Hesatdownhalf-stunnedbythesuddenshock.Thesteamerwhichwasthefirsttoreplyseemedtobequitenearandwasalreadyattheentrance,thetidehavingrisen.Pierreturnedroundandcoulddiscernitsredeyedimthroughthefog.Then,inthebroadlightoftheelectriclanterns,ahugeblackshadowcreptupbetweenthepiers.Behindhimthevoiceofthelook-outman,thehoarsevoiceofanoldretiredsea-captain,shouted:"Whatship?"Andoutofthefogthevoiceofthepilotstandingondecknotlesshoarsereplied:"TheSantaLucia.""Wherefrom?""Italy.""Whatport?""Naples."AndbeforePierre'sbewilderedeyesrose,ashefancied,thefierypennonofVesuvius,while,atthefootofthevolcano,fire-fliesdancedintheorange-grovesofSorrentoorCastellamare.Howoftenhadhedreamedofthesefamiliarnamesasifheknewthescenery.Oh,ifhemightbutgoaway,nowatonce,nevermindwhither,andnevercomeback,neverwrite,neverletanyoneknowwhathadbecomeofhim!Butno,hemustgohomehometohisfather'shouse,andgotobed.

Hewouldnot.Comewhatmighthewouldnotgoin;hewouldstaytheretilldaybreak.Helikedtheroarofthefog-horns.Hepulledhimselftogetherandbegantowalkupanddownlikeanofficeronwatch.Anothervesselwascominginbehindtheother,hugeandmysterious.AnEnglishIndia-man,homewardbound.Hesawseveralmorecomein,oneafteranother,outoftheimpenetrablevapour.Then,asthedampbecamequiteintolerable,Pierresetouttowardsthetown.Hewassocoldthathewentintoasailors'taverntodrinkaglassofgrog,andwhenthehotandpungentliquorhadscorchedhismouthandthroathefeltahoperevivewithinhim.Perhapshewasmistaken.Heknewhisownvagabondunreasonsowell!Nodoubthewasmistaken.Hehadpileduptheevidenceasachargeisdrawnupagainstan

innocentperson,whomitisalwayssoeasytoconvictwhenwewishtothinkhimguilty.Whenheshouldhaveslepthewouldthinkdifferently.Thenhewentinandtobed,andbysheerforceofwillheatlastdroppedasleep.

CHAPTERVButthedoctor'sframelayscarcelymorethananhourortwointhetorporoftroubledslumbers.Whenheawokeinthedarknessofhiswarm,closedroomhewas

aware,evenbeforethoughtwasawakeinhim,ofthepainfuloppression,thesicknessofheartwhichthesorrowwehavesleptonleavesbehindit.Itisasthoughthedisasterofwhichtheshockmerelyjarredusatfirst,had,duringsleep,stolenintoourveryflesh,bruisingandexhaustingitlikeafever.Memoryreturnedtohimlikeablow,andhesatupinbed.Thenslowly,onebyone,heagainwentthroughalltheargumentswhichhadwrunghisheartonthejettywhilethefog-hornswerebellowing.Themorehethoughtthelesshedoubted.Hefelthimselfdraggedalongbyhislogictotheinevitablecertainty,asbyaclutching,stranglinghand.



Hewasthirstyandhot,hisheartbeatwildly.Hegotuptoopenhiswindowandbreathethefreshair,andashestoodtherealowsoundfellonhisearthroughthewall.Jeanwassleepingpeacefully,andgentlysnoring.Hecouldsleep!Hehadnopresentiment,nosuspicions!Amanwhohadknowntheirmotherhadlefthimallhisfortune;hetookthemoneyandthoughtitquitefairandnatural!Hewassleeping,richandcontented,notknowingthathisbrotherwasgaspingwithanguishanddistress.Andrageboiledupinhimagainstthisheedlessandhappysleeper.Onlyyesterdayhewouldhaveknockedathisdoor,havegonein,andsittingbythebed,wouldhavesaidtoJean,scaredbythesuddenwaking:"Jeanyoumustnotkeepthislegacywhichbyto-morrowmayhavebroughtsuspicionanddishonouronourmother."Butto-dayhecouldsaynothing;hecouldnottellJeanthathedidnotbelievehimtobetheirfather'sson.Nowhemustguard,mustburytheshamehehaddiscovered,hidefromeveryeyethestainwhichhehaddetectedandwhichnoonemustperceive,notevenhisbrotherespeciallynothisbrother.Henolongerthoughtaboutthevainrespectofpublicopinion.Hewouldhavebeengladthatalltheworldshouldaccusehismotherifonlyhe,healone,knewhertobeinnocent!Howcouldhebeartolivewithhereveryday,believingashelookedatherthathisbrotherwasthechildofastranger'slove?

Andhowcalmandsereneshewas,nevertheless,howsureofherselfshealwaysseemed!Wasitpossiblethatsuchawomanasshe,pureofsoulanduprightinheart,shouldfall,draggedastraybypassion,andyetnothingeverappearafterwardofherremorseandthestingsofatroubledconscience?Ah,butremorsemusthavetorturedher,longagointheearlierdays,andthenhavefadedout,aseverythingfades.Shehadsurelybewailedhersin,andthen,littlebylittle,hadalmostforgottenit.Havenotallwomen,all,thisfaultofprodigiousforgetfulnesswhichenablesthem,afterafewyears,hardlytorecognisethemantowhosekissestheyhavegiventheirlips?Thekissstrikeslikeathunderbolt,thelovepassesawaylikeastorm,andthenlife,likethesky,iscalmoncemore,andbeginsagainasitwasbefore.Doweeverrememberacloud?

Pierrecouldnolongerenduretostayintheroom!Thishouse,hisfather'shouse,crushedhim.Hefelttheroofweighonhishead,andthewallssuffocatehim.Andashewasverythirstyhelightedhiscandletogotodrinkaglassoffreshwaterfromthefilterinthekitchen.Hewentdownthetwoflightsofstairs;then,ashewascomingupagainwiththewater-bottlefilled,hesatdown,inhisnight-shirt,onastepofthestairswheretherewasadraught,anddrank,withoutatumbler,inlongpullslikearunnerwhoisoutofbreath.Whenheceasedtomovethesilenceofthehousetouchedhisfeelings;then,onebyone,hecoulddistinguishthefaintestsounds.Firsttherewasthetickingoftheclockinthedining-roomwhichseemedtogrowloudereverysecond.Thenheheardanothersnore,anoldman'ssnore,

short,laboured,andhard,hisfatherbeyonddoubt;andhewrithedattheidea,asifithadbutthismomentsprunguponhim,thatthesetwomen,sleepingunderthesameroomfatherandsonwerenothingtoeachother!Notatie,nottheveryslightest,boundthemtogether,andtheydidnotknowit!Theyspoketoeachotheraffectionately,theyembracedeachother,theyrejoicedandlamentedtogetheroverthesamethings,justasifthesamebloodflowedintheirveins.Andtwomenbornatoppositeendsoftheearthcouldnotbemorealientoeachotherthanthisfatherandson.Theybelievedtheylovedeachother,becausealiehadgrownupbetweenthem.Thispaternallove,thisfiliallove,werethe



outcomeofaliealiewhichcouldnotbeunmasked,andwhichnoonewouldeverknowbuthe,thetrueson.Butyet,butyetifheweremistaken?Howcouldhemakesure?Oh,ifonlysomelikeness,howeverslight,couldbetracedbetweenhisfatherandJean,oneofthosemysteriousresemblanceswhichrunfromanancestortothegreat-great-grandson,showingthatthewholeracearetheoffspringofthesameembrace.Tohim,amedicalman,solittlewouldsufficetoenablehimtodiscernthisthecurveofanostril,thespacebetweentheeyes,thecharacteroftheteethorhair;naylessagesture,atrick,ahabit,aninheritedtaste,anymarkortokenwhichapractisedeyemightrecogniseascharacteristic.Hethoughtlong,butcouldremembernothing;no,nothing.Buthehadlookedcarelessly,observedbadly,havingnoreasonforspyingsuchimperceptibleindications.Hegotuptogobacktohisroomandmountedthestairswithaslowstep,stilllostinthought.Ashepassedthedoorofhisbrother'sroomhestoodstockstill,hishandputouttoopenit.AnimperativeneedhadjustcomeoverhimtoseeJeanatonce,tolookathimathisleisure,tosurprisehiminhissleep,whilethecalmcountenanceandrelaxedfeatureswereatrestandallthegrimaceoflifeputoff.Thushemightcatchthedormantsecretofhisphysiognomy,andifanyappreciablelikenessexisteditwouldnotescapehim.ButsupposingJeanweretowake,whatcouldhesay?Howcouldheexplainthis

intrusion?Hestoodstill,hisfingersclinchedonthedoor-handle,tryingtodeviseareason,anexcuse.Thenherememberedthataweekagohehadlenthisbrotheraphialoflaudanumtorelieveafitoftoothache.Hemighthimselfhavebeeninpainthisnightandhavecometofindthedrug.Sohewentinwithastealthystep,likearobber.Jean,hismouthopen,wassunkindeep,animalslumbers.Hisbeardandfairhairmadeagoldenpatchonthewhitelinen;hedidnotwake,butheceasedsnoring.Pierre,leaningoverhim,gazedathimwithhungryeagerness.No,thisyoungsterwasnotintheleastlikeRoland;andforthesecondtimetherecollectionofthelittleportraitofMarechal,whichhadvanished,recurredtohismind.He

mustfindit!Whenheshouldseeitperhapsheshouldceasetodoubt!Hisbrotherstirred,consciousnodoubtofapresence,ordisturbedbythelightofthetaperonhiseyelids.Thedoctorretiredontip-toetothedoorwhichhenoiselesslyclosed;thenhewentbacktohisroom,butnottobedagain.Daywaslongincoming.Thehoursstruckoneafteranotheronthedining-roomclock,anditstonewasadeepandsolemnone,asthoughthelittlepieceofclockworkhadswallowedacathedral-bell.Thesoundrosethroughtheemptystaircase,penetratingthroughwallsanddoors,anddyingawayintheroomswhereitfellonthetorpidearsofthesleepinghousehold.Pierrehadtakentowalkingtoandfrobetweenhisbedandthewindow.Whatwashegoingtodo?Hewastoomuchupsettospendthisdayathome.Hewantedstilltobealone,atanyratetillthenextday,toreflect,tocomposehimself,tostrengthen

himselfforthecommonevery-daylifewhichhemusttakeupagain.Well,hewouldgoovertoTrouvilletoseetheswarmingcrowdonthesands.Thatwouldamusehim,changetheairofhisthoughts,andgivehimtimetoinurehimselftothehorriblethinghehaddiscovered.Assoonasmorningdawnedhemadehistoiletanddressed.Thefoghadvanishedanditwasfine,veryfine.AstheboatforTrouvilledidnotstarttillnine,itstruckthedoctorthathemustgreethismotherbeforestarting.Hewaitedtillthehouratwhichshewasaccustomedtogetup,andthenwent



downstairs.Hisheartbeatsoviolentlyashetouchedherdoorthathepausedforbreath.Hishandasitlayonthelockwaslimpandtremulous,almostincapableoftheslighteffortofturningthehandletoopenit.Heknocked.Hismother'svoiceinquired:"Whoisthere?""IPierre.""Whatdoyouwant?""Onlytosaygood-morning,becauseIamgoingtospendthedayatTrouvillewithsomefriends.""ButIamstillinbed.""Verywell,donotdisturbyourself.Ishallseeyouthisevening,whenIcomein."Hehopedtogetoffwithoutseeingher,withoutpressingonhercheekthefalsekisswhichitmadehisheartsicktothinkof.Butshereplied:"No.Waitamoment.Iwillletyouin.WaittillIgetintobedagain."Heheardherbarefeetonthefloorandthesoundoftheboltdrawnback.Thenshecalledout:"Comein."Hewentin.Shewassittingupinbed,while,byherside,Roland,withasilkhandkerchiefbywayofnight-capandhisfacetothewall,stilllaysleeping.Nothingeverwokehimbutashakinghardenoughtopullhisarmoff.Onthedays

whenhewentfishingitwasJosephine,rungupbyPapagrisatthehourfixed,whorousedhermasterfromhisstubbornslumbers.Pierre,ashewenttowardshismother,lookedatherwithasuddensenseofneverhavingseenherbefore.Sheheldupherface,hekissedeachcheek,andthensatdowninalowchair."Itwaslasteveningthatyoudecidedonthisexcursion?"sheasked."Yes,lastevening.""Willyoureturntodinner?""Idonotknow.Atanyratedonotwaitforme."Helookedatherwithstupefiedcuriosity.Thiswomanwashismother!Allthosefeatures,seendailyfromchildhood,fromthetimewhenhiseyecouldfirstdistinguishthings,thatsmile,thatvoicesowellknown,sofamiliarabruptlystruckhimasnew,differentfromwhattheyhadalwaysbeentohimhitherto.He

understoodnowthat,lovingher,hehadneverlookedather.Allthesameitwasveryreallyshe,andhekneweverylittledetailofherface;still,itwasthefirsttimeheclearlyidentifiedthemall.Hisanxiousattention,scrutinizingherfacewhichheloved,recalledadifference,aphysiognomyhehadneverbeforediscerned.Herosetogo;then,suddenlyyieldingtotheinvinciblelongingtoknowwhichhadbeengnawingathimsinceyesterday,hesaid:"Bytheway,IfancyIrememberthatyouusedtohave,inParis,alittleportraitofMarechal,inthedrawing-room."Shehesitatedforasecondortwo,oratleasthefanciedshehesitated;thenshesaid:"Tobesure."

"Whathasbecomeoftheportrait?"Shemighthaverepliedmorereadily:"Thatportraitstay;Idon'texactlyknowperhapsitisinmydesk.""Itwouldbekindofyoutofindit.""Yes,Iwilllookforit.Whatdoyouwantitfor?""Oh,itisnotformyself.IthoughtitwouldbeanaturalthingtogiveittoJean,andthathewouldbepleasedtohaveit.""Yes,youareright;thatisagoodidea.Iwilllookforit,assoonasIamup."Andhewentout.



Itwasabluedaywithoutabreathofwind.Thefolksinthestreetsseemedingoodspirits,themerchantsgoingtobusiness,theclerksgoingtotheiroffice,thegirlsgoingtotheirshop.Somesangastheywent,exhilaratedbythebrightweather.ThepassengerswerealreadygoingonboardtheTrouvilleboat;Pierretookaseataftonawoodenbench.Heaskedhimself:"Nowwassheuneasyatmyaskingfortheportraitoronlysurprised?Hasshemislaidit,orhasshehiddenit?Doessheknowwhereitis,ordoesshenot?Ifshehadhiddenitwhy?"Andhismind,stillfollowingupthesamelineofthoughtfromonedeductiontoanother,cametothisconclusion:Thatportraitofafriend,ofalover,hadremainedinthedrawing-roominaconspicuousplace,tillonedaywhenthewifeandmotherperceived,firstofallandbeforeanyoneelse,thatitborealikenesstoherson.Withoutdoubtshehadforalongtimebeenonthewatchforthisresemblance;then,havingdetectedit,havingnoticeditsbeginnings,andunderstandingthatanyonemight,anyday,observeittoo,shehadoneeveningremovedtheperilouslittlepictureandhadhiddenit,notdaringtodestroyit.Pierrerecollectedquiteclearlynowthatitwaslong,longbeforetheyleft

Paristhattheminiaturehadvanished.Ithaddisappeared,hethought,aboutthetimethatJean'sbeardwasbeginningtogrow,whichhadmadehimsuddenlyandwonderfullylikethefairyoungmanwhosmiledfromthepicture-frame.Themotionoftheboatasitputoffdisturbedanddissipatedhismeditations.Hestoodupandlookedatthesea.Thelittlesteamer,onceoutsidethepiers,turnedtotheleft,andpuffingandsnortingandquivering,madeforadistantpointvisiblethroughthemorninghaze.Theredsailofaheavyfishing-bark,lyingmotionlessonthelevelwaters,lookedlikealargerockstandingupoutofthesea.AndtheSeine,rollingdownfromRouen,seemedawideinletdividingtwoneighbouringlands.TheyreachedtheharbourofTrouvilleinlessthananhour,andasitwasthetimeofdaywhentheworldwasbathing,Pierrewentto

theshore.Fromadistanceitlookedlikeagardenfullofgaudyflowers.Allalongthestretchofyellowsand,fromthepierasfarastheRochesNoires,sun-shadesofeveryhue,hatsofeveryshape,dressesofeverycolour,ingroupsoutsidethebathinghuts,inlongrowsbythemarginofthewaves,orscatteredhereandthere,reallylookedlikeimmensebouquetsonavastmeadow.AndtheBabelofsoundsvoicesnearandfarringingthininthelightatmosphere,shoutsandcriesofchildrenbeingbathed,clearlaughterofwomenallmadeapleasant,continuousdin,minglingwiththeunheedingbreeze,andbreathedwiththeairitself.Pierrewalkedamongallthisthrong,morelost,moreremotefromthem,moreisolated,moredrownedinhistorturingthoughts,thanifhehadbeenflung

overboardfromthedeckofashipahundredmilesfromshore.Hepassedbythemandheardafewsentenceswithoutlistening;andhesaw,withoutlooking,howthemenspoketothewomen,andthewomensmiledatthemen.Then,suddenly,asifhehadawoke,heperceivedthemall;andhatredofthemallsurgedupinhissoul,fortheyseemedhappyandcontent.Now,ashewent,hestudiedthegroups,wanderingroundthemfullofafreshsetofideas.Allthesemany-hueddresseswhichcoveredthesandslikenosegays,theseprettystuffs,thoseshowyparasols,thefictitiousgraceoftightenedwaists,alltheingeniousdevicesoffashionfromthesmartlittleshoetothe



extravaganthat,theseductivecharmofgesture,voice,andsmile,allthecoquettishairsinshortdisplayedonthisseashore,suddenlystruckhimasstupendousefflorescencesoffemaledepravity.Allthesebedizenedwomenaimedatpleasing,bewitching,anddeludingsomeman.Theyhaddressedthemselvesoutformenforallmenallexceptingthehusbandwhomtheynolongerneededtoconquer.Theyhaddressedthemselvesoutfortheloverofyesterdayandtheloverofto-morrow,forthestrangertheymightmeetandnoticeorwereperhapsonthelookoutfor.Andthesemensittingclosetothem,eyetoeyeandmouthtomouth,invitedthem,desiredthem,huntedthemlikegame,coyandelusivenotwithstandingthatitseemedsonearandsoeasytocapture.Thiswideshorewas,then,nomorethanalove-marketwheresomesold,othersgavethemselvessomedroveahardbargainfortheirkisseswhileotherspromisedthemforlove.Allthesewomenthoughtonlyofonething,tomaketheirbodiesdesirablebodiesalreadygiven,sold,orpromisedtoothermen.Andhereflectedthatitwaseverywherethesame,alltheworldover.Hismotherhaddonewhatothersdidthatwasall.Others?Thesewomenhesawabouthim,rich,giddy,love-seeking,belongedonthewholetotheclassoffashionableandshowywomenoftheworld,someindeedtothelessrespectablesisterhood,foronthesesands,trampledbythelegionofidlers,thetribeofvirtuous,home-keepingwomenwerenottobeseen.Thetidewasrising,drivingtheforemostrankofvisitorsgraduallylandward.Hesawthevariousgroupsjumpupandfly,carryingtheirchairswiththem,beforetheyellowwavesastheyrolledupedgedwithalace-likefrilloffoam.

Thebathing-machinestoowerebeingpulledupbyhorses,andalongtheplankedwaywhichformedthepromenaderunningalongtheshorefromendtoend,therewasnowanincreasingflow,slowanddense,ofwell-dressedpeopleintwooppositestreamselbowingandmingling.Pierre,madenervousandexasperatedbythisbustle,madehisescapeintothetown,andwenttogethisbreakfastatamodesttavernontheskirtsofthefields.Whenhehadfinishedwithcoffee,hestretchedhislegsonacoupleofchairsunderalime-treeinfrontofthehouse,andashehadhardlysleptthenightbefore,hepresentlyfellintoadoze.Afterrestingforsomehoursheshookhimself,andfindingthatitwastimetogoonboardagainhesetout,tormentedbyasuddenstiffnesswhichhadcomeuponhimduringhislongnap.Nowhewaseagertobeathomeagain;toknowwhetherhismotherhadfoundtheportraitof

Marechal.Wouldshebethefirsttospeakofit,orwouldhebeobligedtoaskforitagain?Ifshewaitedtobequestionedfurtheritmustbebecauseshehadsomesecretreasonfornotshowingtheminiature.Butwhenhewasathomeagain,andinhisroom,hehesitatedaboutgoingdowntodinner.Hewastoowretched.Hisrevoltedsoulhadnotyettimetocalmdown.However,hemadeuphismindtoit,andappearedinthedining-roomjustastheyweresittingdown.Alltheirfaceswerebeaming."Well,"saidRoland,"areyougettingonwithyourpurchases?Idonotwanttoseeanythingtillitisallinitsplace."Andhiswifereplied:"Oh,yes.Wearegettingon.Butittakesmuch

considerationtoavoidbuyingthingsthatdonotmatch.Thefurniturequestionisanabsorbingone."ShehadspentthedayingoingwithJeantocabinet-makersandupholsterers.Herfancywasforrichmaterials,rathersplendidtostriketheeyeatonce.Herson,onthecontrary,wishedforsomethingsimpleandelegant.Soinfrontofeverythingputbeforethemtheyhadeachrepeatedtheirarguments.Shedeclaredthataclient,adefendant,mustbeimpressed;thatassoonasheisshownintohiscounsel'swaiting-roomheshouldhaveasenseofwealth.Jean,ontheotherhand,wishingtoattractonlyanelegantandopulentclass,



wasanxioustocaptivatepersonsofrefinementbyhisquietandperfecttaste.Andthisdiscussion,whichhadgoneonallday,beganagainwiththesoup.Rolandhadnoopinion.Herepeated:"Idonotwanttohearanythingaboutit.Iwillgoandseeitwhenitisallfinished."Mme.Rolandappealedtothejudgmentofherelderson."Andyou,Pierre,whatdoyouthinkofthematter?"Hisnerveswereinastateofsuchintenseexcitementthathewouldhavelikedtoreplywithanoath.However,heonlyansweredinadrytonequiveringwithannoyance."Oh,IamquiteofJean'smind.Ilikenothingsowellassimplicity,which,inmattersoftaste,isequivalenttorectitudeinmattersofconduct."Hismotherwenton:"Youmustrememberthatweliveinacityofcommercialmen,wheregoodtasteisnottobemetwithateveryturn."Pierrereplied:"Whatdoesthatmatter?Isthatareasonforlivingasfoolsdo?Ifmyfellow-townsmenarestupidandill-bred,needIfollowtheirexample?Awomandoesnotmisconductherselfbecauseherneighbourhasalover."Jeanbegantolaugh."Youarguebycomparisonswhichseemtohavebeenborrowedfromthemaximsofamoralist."Pierremadenoreply.Hismotherandhisbrotherrevertedtothequestionofstuffsandarm-chairs.

HesatlookingatthemashehadlookedathismotherinthemorningbeforestartingforTrouville;lookingatthemasastrangerwhowouldstudythem,andhefeltasthoughhehadreallysuddenlycomeintoafamilyofwhichheknewnothing.Hisfather,aboveall,amazedhiseyesandhismind.Thatflabby,burlyman,happyandbesotted,washisownfather!No,no;Jeanwasnotintheleastlikehim.Hisfamily!Withinthesetwodaysanunknownandmalignanthand,thehandofadeadman,hadtornasunderandbroken,onebyone,allthetieswhichhadheldthesefourhumanbeingstogether.Itwasallover,allruined.Hehadnownomotherforhecouldnolongerlovehernowthathecouldnotrevereherwiththatperfect,

tender,andpiousrespectwhichason'slovedemands;nobrothersincehisbrotherwasthechildofastranger;nothingwaslefthimbuthisfather,thatcoarsemanwhomhecouldnotloveinspiteofhimself.Andhesuddenlybrokeout:"Isay,mother,haveyoufoundthatportrait?"Sheopenedhereyesinsurprise."Whatportrait?""TheportraitofMarechal.""NothatistosayyesIhavenotfoundit,butIthinkIknowwhereitis.""Whatisthat?"askedRoland.AndPierreanswered:"AlittlelikenessofMarechalwhichusedtobeinthedining-roominParis.IthoughtthatJeanmightbegladtohaveit."Rolandexclaimed:

"Why,yes,tobesure;Irememberitperfectly.Isawitagainlastweek.Yourmotherfounditinherdeskwhenshewastidyingthepapers.ItwasonThursdayorFriday.Doyouremember,Louise?Iwasshavingmyselfwhenyoutookitoutandlaidinonachairbyyoursidewithapileoflettersofwhichyouburnedhalf.Strange,isn'tit,thatyoushouldhavecomeacrosstheportraitonlytwoorthreedaysbeforeJeanheardofhislegacy?IfIbelievedinpresentimentsIshouldthinkthatthiswasone."Mme.Rolandcalmlyreplied:"Yes,Iknowwhereitis.Iwillfetchitpresently."Thenshehadlied!Whenshehadsaidthatverymorningtohersonwhohadasked



herwhathadbecomeoftheminiature:"Idon'texactlyknowperhapsitisinmydesk"itwasalie!Shehadseenit,touchedit,handledit,gazedatitbutafewdayssince;andthenshehadhiddenitawayagaininthesecretdrawerwiththoselettershisletters.Pierrelookedatthemotherwhohadliedtohim;lookedatherwiththeconcentratedfuryofasonwhohadbeencheated,robbedofhismostsacredaffection,andwiththejealouswrathofamanwho,afterlongbeingblind,atlastdiscoversadisgracefulbetrayal.Ifhehadbeenthatwoman'shusbandandnotherchildhewouldhavegrippedherbythewrists,seizedherbytheshouldersorthehair,haveflungherontheground,havehither,hurther,crushedher!Andhemightsaynothing,donothing,shownothing,revealnothing.Hewasherson;hehadnovengeancetotake.Andhehadnotbeendeceived.Nay,butshehaddeceivedhistenderness,hispiousrespect.Sheowedtohimtobewithoutreproach,asallmothersoweittotheirchildren.Ifthefurythatboiledwithinhimvergedonhatreditwasthathefelthertobeevenmoreguiltytowardshimthantowardhisfather.Theloveofmanandwifeisavoluntarycompactinwhichtheonewhoprovesweakisguiltyonlyofperfidy;butwhenthewifeisamotherherdutyisahigherone,sincenaturehasintrustedherwitharace.Ifshefails,thensheiscowardly,worthless,infamous."Idonotcare,"saidRolandsuddenly,stretchingouthislegsunderthetable,ashedideveryeveningwhilehesippedhisglassofblack-currantbrandy."You

maydoworsethanliveidlewhenyouhaveasnuglittleincome.IhopeJeanwillhaveustodinnerinstylenow.Hangitall!IfIhaveindigestionnowandthenIcannothelpit."Thenturningtohiswifeheadded:"Goandfetchthatportrait,littlewoman,asyouhavedoneyourdinner.Ishouldliketoseeitagainmyself."Sherose,tookataper,andwent.Then,afteranabsencewhichPierrethoughtlong,thoughshewasnotawaymorethanthreeminutes,Mme.Rolandreturnedsmiling,andholdinganold-fashionedgiltframebythering."Hereitis,"saidshe,"Ifounditatonce."Thedoctorwasthefirsttoputforthhishand;hetookthepicture,andholding

italittleawayfromhim,heexaminedit.Then,fullyawarethathismotherwaslookingathim,heslowlyraisedhiseyesandfixedthemonhisbrothertocomparethefaces.Hecouldhardlyrefrain,inhisviolence,fromsaying:"Dearme!HowlikeJean!"Andthoughhedarednotuttertheterriblewords,hebetrayedhisthoughtbyhismannerofcomparingthelivingfacewiththepaintedone.Theyhad,nodoubt,detailsincommon;thesamebeard,thesamebrow;butnothingsufficientlymarkedtojustifytheassertion:"Thisisthefatherandthattheson."Itwasratherafamilylikeness,arelationshipofphysiognomiesinwhichthesamebloodcourses.ButwhattoPierrewasfarmoredecisivethanthecommonaspectofthefaces,wasthathismotherhadrisen,hadturnedher

back,andwaspretending,toodeliberately,tobeputtingthesugarbasinandtheliqueurbottleawayinacupboard.Sheunderstoodthatheknew,oratanyratehadhissuspicions."Handitontome,"saidRoland.Pierreheldouttheminiatureandhisfatherdrewthecandletowardshimtoseeitbetter;then,hemurmuredinapathetictone:"Poorfellow!Tothinkthathewaslikethatwhenwefirstknewhim!Cristi!Howtimeflies!Hewasagood-lookingman,too,inthosedays,andwithsuchapleasantmannerwasnothe,Louise?"



Ashiswifemadenoanswerhewenton:"Andwhataneventemper!Ineversawhimputout.AndnowitisallatanendnothingleftofhimbutwhathebequeathedtoJean.Well,atanyrateyoumaytakeyouroaththatthatmanwasagoodandfaithfulfriendtothelast.Evenonhisdeath-bedhedidnotforgetus."Jean,inhisturn,heldouthishandforthepicture.Hegazedatitforafewminutesandthensaidregretfully:"Idonotrecogniseitatall.Ionlyrememberhimwithwhitehair."Hereturnedtheminiaturetohismother.Shecastahastyglanceatit,lookingawayasifshewerefrightened;theninherusualvoiceshesaid:"Itbelongstoyounow,mylittleJean,asyouarehisheir.Wewilltakeittoyournewrooms."Andwhentheywentintothedrawing-roomsheplacedthepictureonthechimney-shelfbytheclock,whereithadformerlystood.Rolandfilledhispipe;PierreandJeanlightedcigarettes.Theycommonlysmokedthem,Pierrewhilehepacedtheroom,Jean,sunkinadeeparm-chair,withhislegscrossed.Theirfatheralwayssatastrideachairandspatfromafarintothefire-place.Mme.Roland,onalowseatbyalittletableonwhichthelampstood,embroidered,orknitted,ormarkedlinen.Thiseveningshewasbeginningapieceofworstedwork,intendedforJean'slodgings.Itwasadifficultandcomplicatedpattern,andrequiredallherattention.Still,nowandagain,hereye,whichwascountingthestitches,

glancedupswiftlyandfurtivelyatthelittleportraitofthedeadasitleanedagainsttheclock.Andthedoctor,whowasstridingtoandfroacrossthelittleroominfourorfivesteps,methismother'slookateachturn.Itwasasthoughtheywerespyingoneachother;andacuteuneasiness,intolerabletobeborne,clutchedatPierre'sheart.Hewassayingtohimselfatoncetorturedandglad:"ShemustbeinmiseryatthismomentifsheknowsthatIguess!"Andeachtimehereachedthefire-placehestoppedforafewsecondstolookatMarechal'sfairhair,andshowquiteplainlythathewashauntedbyafixedidea.Sothatthislittleportrait,smallerthananopenedpalm,waslikealivingbeing,malignantandthreatening,suddenlybroughtintothishouseandthisfamily.

Presentlythestreet-doorbellrang.Mme.Roland,alwayssoself-possessed,startedviolently,betrayingtoherdoctorsontheanguishofhernerves.Thenshesaid:"ItmustbeMme.Rosemilly;"andhereyeagainanxiouslyturnedtothemantel-shelf.Pierreunderstood,orthoughtheunderstood,herfearsandmisery.Awoman'seyeiskeen,awoman'switisnimble,andherinstinctssuspicious.Whenthiswomanwhowascominginshouldseetheminiatureofamanshedidnotknow,shemightperhapsatthefirstglancediscoverthelikenessbetweenthisfaceandJean.Thenshewouldknowandunderstandeverything.Hewasseizedwithdread,asuddenandhorribledreadofthisshamebeingunveiled,and,turningaboutjustasthedooropened,hetookthelittle

paintingandslippeditundertheclockwithoutbeingseenbyhisfatherandbrother.Whenhemethismother'seyesagaintheyseemedtohimaltered,dim,andhaggard."Goodevening,"saidMme.Rosemilly."Ihavecometoaskyouforacupoftea."Butwhiletheywerebustlingaboutherandaskingafterherhealth,Pierremadeoff,thedoorhavingbeenleftopen.Whenhisabsencewasperceivedtheywereallsurprised.Jean,annoyedfortheyoungwidow,who,hethought,wouldbehurt,muttered:"Whatabear!"Mme.Rolandreplied:"Youmustnotbevexedwithhim;heisnotverywellto-day



andtiredwithhisexcursiontoTrouville.""Nevermind,"saidRoland,"thatisnoreasonfortakinghimselfofflikeasavage."Mme.Rosemillytriedtosmoothmattersbysaying:"Notatall,notatall.HehasgoneawayintheEnglishfashion;peoplealwaysdisappearinthatwayinfashionablecirclesiftheywanttoleaveearly.""Oh,infashionablecircles,Idaresay,"repliedJean."Butamandoesnottreathisfamilyal'Anglaise,andmybrotherhasdonenothingelseforsometimepast."

CHAPTERVIForaweekortwonothingoccurred.Thefatherwentfishing;Jean,withhismother'shelp,wasfurnishingandsettlinghimself;Pierre,verygloomy,neverwasseenexceptingatmeal-times.Hisfatherhavingaskedhimoneevening:"Whythedeucedoyoualwayscominwithafaceascheerfulasafuneral?ThisisnotthefirsttimeIhaveremarkedit."Thedoctorreplied:"ThefactisIamterriblyconsciousoftheburdenoflife."

Theoldmandidnothaveanotionwhathemeant,andwithanaggrievedlookhewenton:"Itreallyistoobad.Eversincewehadthegoodlucktocomeintothislegacy,everyoneseemsunhappy.Itisasthoughsomeaccidenthadbefallenus,asifwewereinmourningforsomeone.""Iaminmourningforsomeone,"saidPierre."Youare?Forwhom?""Forsomeoneyouneverknew,andofwhomIwastoofond."Rolandimaginedthathissonalludedtosomegirlwithwhomhehadhadsomelovepassages,andhesaid:

"Awoman,Isuppose.""Yes,awoman.""Dead?""No.Worse.Ruined!""Ah!"Thoughhewasstartledbythisunexpectedconfidence,inhiswife'spresencetoo,andbyhisson'sstrangetoneaboutit,theoldmanmadenofurtherinquiries,forinhisopinionsuchaffairsdidnotconcernathirdperson.Mme.Rolandaffectednottohear;sheseemedillandwasverypale.Severaltimesalreadyherhusband,surprisedtoseehersitdownasifsheweredroppingintoherchair,andtohearhergaspasifshecouldnotdrawherbreath,hadsaid:

"Really,Louise,youlookveryill;youtireyourselftoomuchwithhelpingJean.Giveyourselfalittlerest.Sacristi!Therascalisinnohurry,asheisarichman."Sheshookherheadwithoutaword.Butto-dayherpallorwassogreatthatRolandremarkedonitagain."Come,come,"saidhe,"thiswillnotdoatall,mydearoldwoman.Youmusttakecareofyourself."Then,addressinghisson,"Yousurelymustseethatyourmotherisill.Haveyouquestionedher,atanyrate?"



Pierrereplied:"No;Ihadnotnoticedthattherewasanythingthematterwithher."AtthisRolandwasangry."Butitstaresyouintheface,confoundyou!Whatonearthisthegoodofyourbeingadoctorifyoucannotevenseethatyourmotherisoutofsorts?Why,lookather,justlookather.Really,amanmightdieunderhisveryeyesandthisdoctorwouldneverthinktherewasanythingthematter!"Mme.Rolandwaspantingforbreath,andsowhitethatherhusbandexclaimed:"Sheisgoingtofaint.""No,no,itisnothingIshallgetbetterdirectlyitisnothing."Pierrehadgoneuptoherandwaslookingathersteadily."Whatailsyou?"hesaid.Andsherepeatedinanundertone:"Nothing,nothingIassureyou,nothing."Rolandhadgonetofetchsomevinegar;henowreturned,andhandingthebottletohissonhesaid:"Heredosomethingtoeaseher.Haveyoufeltherheart?"AsPierrebentoverhertofeelherpulseshepulledawayherhandsovehementlythatshestruckitagainstachairwhichwasstandingby."Come,"saidheinicytones,"letmeseewhatIcandoforyou,asyouareill."Thensheraisedherarmandhelditouttohim.Herskinwasburning,thebloodthrobbinginshortirregularleaps."Youarecertainlyill,"hemurmured."Youmusttakesomethingtoquietyou.I

willwriteyouaprescription."Andashewrote,stoopingoverthepaper,alowsoundofchokedsighs,smothered,quickbreathingandsuppressedsobsmadehimsuddenlylookroundather.Shewasweeping,herhandscoveringherface.Roland,quitedistracted,askedher:"Louise,Louise,whatisthematerwithyou?Whatonearthailsyou?"Shedidnotanswer,butseemedrackedbysomedeepanddreadfulgrief.Herhusbandtriedtotakeherhandsfromherface,butsheresistedhim,repeating:"No,no,no."Heappealedtohisson."Butwhatisthematterwithher?Ineversawherlikethis.""Itisnothing,"saidPierre,"sheisalittlehysterical."Andhefeltasifitwereacomforttohimtoseehersufferingthus,asifthis

anguishmitigatedhisresentmentanddiminishedhismother'sloadofopprobrium.Helookedatherasajudgesatisfiedwithhisday'swork.Suddenlysherose,rushedtothedoorwithsuchaswiftimpulsethatitwasimpossibletoforestallortostopher,andranofftolockherselfintoherroom.Rolandandthedoctorwereleftfacetoface."Canyoumakeheadortailofit?"saidthefather."Oh,yes,"saidtheother."Itisalittlenervousdisturbance,notalarmingorsurprising;suchattacksmayverylikelyrecurfromtimetotime."Theydidinfactrecur,almosteveryday;andPierreseemedtobringthemonwithaword,asifhehadtheclewtoherstrangeandnewdisorder.Hewoulddiscerninherfacealucidintervalofpeaceandwiththewillingnessofa

torturerwould,withaword,revivetheanguishthathadbeenlulledforamoment.Buthe,too,wassufferingascruellyasshe.Itwasdreadfulpaintohimthathecouldnolongerlovehernorrespecther,thathemustputherontherack.Whenhehadlaidbarethebleedingwoundwhichhehadopenedinherwoman's,hermother'sheart,whenhefelthowwretchedanddesperateshewas,hewouldgooutalone,wanderaboutthetown,sotornbyremorse,sobrokenbypity,sogrievedtohavethushammeredherwithhisscornasherson,thathelongedtofling



himselfintotheseaandputanendtoitallbydrowninghimself.Ah!Howgladlynowwouldhehaveforgivenher.Buthecouldnot,forhewasincapableofforgetting.Ifonlyhecouldhavedesistedfrommakinghersuffer;butthisagainhecouldnot,sufferingashedidhimself.Hewenthometohismeals,fullofrelentingresolutions;then,assoonashesawher,assoonashemethereyeformerlysoclearandfrank,nowsoevasive,frightened,andbewilderedhestruckatherinspiteofhimself,unabletosuppressthetreacherouswordswhichwouldrisetohislips.Thisdisgracefulsecret,knowntothemalone,goadedhimupagainsther.Itwasasapoisonflowinginhisveinsandgivinghimanimpulsetobitelikeamaddog.Andtherewasnooneinthewaynowtohinderhisreadingher;Jeanlivedalmostentirelyinhisnewapartments,andonlycamehometodinnerandtosleepeverynightathisfather's.Hefrequentlyobservedhisbrother'sbitternessandviolence,andattributedthemtojealousy.Hepromisedhimselfthatsomedayhewouldteachhimhisplaceandgivehimalesson,forlifeathomewasbecomingverypainfulasaresultoftheseconstantscenes.Butashenowlivedaparthesufferedlessfromthisbrutalconduct,andhisloveofpeacepromptedhimtopatience.Hisgoodfortune,too,hadturnedhishead,andhescarcelypausedtothinkofanything

whichhadnodirectinterestforhimself.Hewouldcomeinfulloffreshlittleanxieties,fullofthecutofamorning-coat,oftheshapeofafelthat,ofthepropersizeforhisvisiting-cards.Andhetalkedincessantlyofallthedetailsofhishousetheshelvesfixedinhisbed-roomcupboardtokeeplinenon,thepegstobeputupintheentrancehall,theelectricbellscontrivedtopreventillicitvisitorstohislodgings.IthadbeensettledthatonthedaywhenheshouldtakeuphisabodetheretheyshouldmakeanexcursiontoSaintJouin,andreturnafterdiningthere,todrinkteainhisrooms.Rolandwantedtogobywater,butthedistanceandtheuncertaintyofreachingitinasailingboatifthereshouldbeahead-wind,

madethemrejecthisplan,andabreakwashiredfortheday.Theysetoutattentogettheretobreakfast.ThedustyhighroadlayacrosstheplainofNormandy,which,byitsgentleundulations,dottedwithfarmsemboweredintrees,wearstheaspectofanendlesspark.Inthevehicle,asitjoggedonattheslowtrotofapairofheavyhorses,satthefourRolands,Mme.Rosemilly,andCaptainBeausire,allsilent,deafenedbytherumbleofthewheels,andwiththeireyesshuttokeepoutthecloudsofdust.Itwasharvest-time.Alternatingwiththedarkhueofcloverandtherawgreenofbeet-root,theyellowcornlightedupthelandscapewithgleamsofpalegold;thefieldslookedasiftheyhaddrunkinthesunshinewhichpoureddownonthem.Hereandtherethereaperswereatwork,andintheplotswherethescythe

hadbeenputinthemenmightbeseensee-sawingastheysweptthelevelsoilwiththebroad,wing-shapedblade.Afteratwo-hours'drivethebreakturnedofftotheleft,pastawindmillatworkamelancholy,graywreck,halfrottenanddoomed,thelastsurvivorofitsancientrace;thenitwentintoaprettyinnyard,anddrewupatthedoorofasmartlittlehouse,ahostelryfamousinthoseparts.Themistress,wellknownas"LabelleAlphonsine,"camesmilingtothethreshold,andheldoutherhandtothetwoladieswhohesitatedtotakethehighstep.



Somestrangerswerealreadyatbreakfastunderatentbyagrass-plotshadedbyappletreesParisians,whohadcomefromEtretat;andfromthehousecamesoundsofvoices,laughter,andtheclatterofplatesandpans.Theyweretoeatinaroom,astheouterdining-hallswereallfull.Rolandsuddenlycaughtsightofsomeshrimpingnetshangingagainstthewall."Ah!ha!"criedhe,"youcatchprawnshere?""Yes,"repliedBeausire."Indeeditistheplaceonallthecoastwheremostaretaken.""First-rate!Supposewetrytocatchsomeafterbreakfast."Asithappeneditwouldbelowtideatthreeo'clock,soitwassettledthattheyshouldallspendtheafternoonamongtherocks,huntingprawns.Theymadealightbreakfast,asaprecautionagainstthetendencyofbloodtotheheadwhentheyshouldhavetheirfeetinthewater.Theyalsowishedtoreserveanappetitefordinner,whichhadbeenorderedonagrandscaleandtobereadyatsixo'clockwhentheycamein.Rolandcouldnotsitstillforimpatience.Hewantedtobuythenetsspeciallyconstructedforfishingprawns,notunlikethoseusedforcatchingbutterfliesinthecountry.TheirnameontheFrenchcoastislanets;theyarenettedbagsonacircularwoodenframe,attheendofalongpole.Alphonsine,stillsmiling,washappytolendthem.Thenshehelpedthetwoladiestomakeanimpromptuchangeoftoilet,soasnottospoiltheirdresses.Sheofferedthemskirts,coarseworstedstockingsandhempshoes.Thementookofftheirsocksandwenttotheshoemaker'stobuywoodenshoesinstead.

Thentheysetout,thenetsovertheirshouldersandcreelsontheirbacks.Mme.Rosemillywasverysweetinthiscostume,withanunexpectedcharmofcountrifiedaudacity.TheskirtwhichAlphonsinehadlenther,coquettishlytuckedupandfirmlystitchedsoastoallowofherrunningandjumpingfearlesslyontherocks,displayedherankleandlowercalfthefirmcalfofastrongandagilelittlewoman.Herdresswasloosetogivefreedomtohermovements,andtocoverherheadshehadfoundanenormousgardenhatofcoarseyellowstrawwithanextravagantlybroadbrim;andtothis,abunchoftamariskpinnedintocockitononeside,gaveaverydashingandmilitaryeffect.Jean,sincehehadcomeintohisfortune,hadaskedhimselfeverydaywhetherornoheshouldmarryher.Eachtimehesawherhemadeuphismindtoaskherto

behiswife,andthen,assoonashewasaloneagain,heconsideredthatbywaitinghewouldhavetimetoreflect.Shewasnowlessrichthanhe,forshehadbuttwelvethousandfrancsayear;butitwasinrealestate,infarmsandlandsnearthedocksinHavre;andthisby-and-byemightbeworthagreatdeal.Theirfortuneswerethusapproximatelyequal,andcertainlytheyoungwidowattractedhimgreatly.Ashewatchedherwalkinginfrontofhimthatdayhesaidtohimself:"Imustreallydecide;Icannotdobetter,Iamsure."Theywentdownalittleravine,slopingfromthevillagetothecliff,andthecliff,attheendofthiscomb,roseabouteightymetresabovethesea.Framedbetweenthegreenslopestotherightandleft,agreattriangleofsilverybluewatercouldbeseeninthedistance,andasail,scarcelyvisible,lookedlike

aninsectoutthere.Thesky,palewithlight,wassomergedintoonewiththewaterthatitwasimpossibletoseewhereoneendedandtheotherbegan;andthetwowomen,walkinginfrontofthemen,stoodoutagainstthebrightbackground,theirshapesclearlydefinedintheirclosely-fittingdresses.Jean,withasparkleinhiseye,watchedthesmartankle,theneatleg,thesupplewaist,andthecoquettishbroadhatofMme.Rosemillyastheyfledawayfromhim.Andthisflightfiredhisardour,urginghimontothesuddendeterminationwhichcomestohesitatingandtimidnatures.Thewarmair,



fragrantwithsea-coastodoursgorse,clover,andthyme,minglingwiththesaltsmelloftherocksatlowtideexcitedhimstillmore,mountingtohisbrain;andeverymomenthefeltalittlemoredetermined,ateverystep,ateveryglancehecastatthealertfigure;hemadeuphismindtodelaynolonger,totellherthathelovedherandhopedtomarryher.Theprawn-fishingwouldfavourhimbyaffordinghimanopportunity;anditwouldbeaprettyscenetoo,aprettyspotforlove-makingtheirfeetinapooloflimpidwaterwhiletheywatchedthelongfeelersoftheshrimpslurkingunderthewrack.Whentheyhadreachedtheendofthecombandtheedgeofthecliff,theysawalittlefootpathslantingdownthefaceofit;andbelowthem,abouthalf-waybetweentheseaandthefootoftheprecipice,anamazingchaosofenormousboulderstumbledoverandpiledoneabovetheotheronasortofgrassyandundulatingplainwhichextendedasfarastheycouldseetothesouthward,formedbyanancientlandslip.Onthislongshelfofbrushwoodandgrass,disrupted,asitseemed,bytheshocksofavolcano,thefallenrocksseemedthewreckofagreatruinedcitywhichhadoncelookedoutontheocean,shelteredbythelongwhitewalloftheoverhangingcliff."Thatisfine!"exclaimedMme.Rosemilly,standingstill.Jeanhadcomeupwithher,andwithabeatingheartofferedhishandtohelpherdownthenarrowstepscutintherock.Theywentoninfront,whileBeausire,squaringhimselfonhislittlelegs,gave

hisarmtoMme.Roland,whofeltgiddyatthegulfbeforeher.RolandandPierrecamelast,andthedoctorhadtodraghisfatherdown,forhisbrainreeledsothathecouldonlyslipdownsitting,fromsteptostep.Thetwoyoungpeoplewholedthewaywentfasttillonasuddentheysaw,bythesideofawoodenbenchwhichaffordedaresting-placeabouthalf-waydowntheslope,athreadofclearwater,springingfromacreviceinthecliff.Itfellintoahollowaslargeasawashingbasinwhichithadworninthestone;then,fallinginacascade,hardlytwofeethigh,ittrickledacrossthefootpathwhichithadcarpetedwithcresses,andwaslostamongthebriersandgrassontheraisedshelfwheretheboulderswerepiled."Oh,Iamsothirsty!"criedMme.Rosemilly.

Buthowcouldshedrink?Shetriedtocatchthewaterinherhand,butitslippedawaybetweenherfingers.Jeanhadanidea;heplacedastoneonthepathandonthisshekneltdowntoputherlipstothespringitself,whichwasthusonthesamelevel.Whensheraisedherhead,coveredwithmyriadsoftinydrops,sprinkledalloverherface,herhair,hereye-lashes,andherdress,Jeanbentoverherandmurmured:"Howprettyyoulook!"Sheansweredinthetoneinwhichshemighthavescoldedachild:"Willyoubequiet?"Thesewerethefirstwordsofflirtationtheyhadeverexchanged."Come,"saidJean,muchagitated."Letusgoonbeforetheycomeupwithus."ForinfacttheycouldseequitenearthemnowCaptainBeausireashecamedown,

backward,soastogivebothhandstoMme.Roland;andfurtherup,furtheroff,Rolandstilllettinghimselfslip,loweringhimselfonhishamsandclingingonwithhishandsandelbowsatthespeedofatortoise,Pierrekeepinginfrontofhimtowatchhismovements.Thepath,nowlesssteep,washerealmostaroad,zigzaggingbetweenthehugerockswhichhadatsomeformertimerolledfromthehill-top.Mme.RosemillyandJeansetoffatarunandtheyweresoononthebeach.Theycrosseditand



reachedtherocks,whichstretchedinalongandflatexpansecoveredwithsea-weed,andbrokenbyendlessgleamingpools.Theebbedwaterslaybeyond,veryfaraway,acrossthisplainofslimyweed,ofablackandshiningolivegreen.Jeanrolleduphistrousersabovehiscalf,andhissleevestohiselbows,thathemightgetwetwithoutcaring;thensaying:"Forward!"heleapedboldlyintothefirsttide-pooltheycameto.Thelady,morecautious,thoughfullyintendingtogointoo,presently,madeherwayroundthelittlepond,steppingtimidly,forsheslippedonthegrassyweed."Doyouseeanything?"sheasked."Yes,Iseeyourfacereflectedinthewater.""Ifthatisallyousee,youwillnothavegoodfishing."Hemurmuredtenderlyinreply:"OfallfishingitisthatIshouldlikebesttosucceedin."Shelaughed:"Try;youwillseehowitwillslipthroughyournet.""Butyetifyouwill?""Iwillseeyoucatchprawnsandnothingelseforthemoment.""Youarecruelletusgoalittlefarther,therearenonehere."Hegaveherhishandtosteadyherontheslipperyrocks.Sheleanedonhimrathertimidly,andhesuddenlyfelthimselfoverpoweredbyloveandinsurgentwithpassion,asifthefeverthathadbeenincubatinginhimhadwaitedtillto-daytodeclareitspresence.Theysooncametoadeeperrift,inwhichlongslenderweeds,fantastically

tinted,likefloatinggreenandrose-colouredhair,wereswayingunderthequiveringwaterasittrickledofftothedistantseathroughsomeinvisiblecrevice.Mme.Rosemillycriedout:"Look,look,Iseeone,abigone.Averybigone,justthere!"Hesawittoo,andsteppedboldlyintothepool,thoughhegotwetuptothewaist.Butthecreature,wavingitslongwhiskers,gentlyretiredinfrontofthenet.Jeandroveittowardsthesea-weed,makingsureofhisprey.Whenitfounditselfblockadeditrosewithadartoverthenet,shotacrossthemere,andwasgone.Theyoungwoman,whowaswatchingthechaseingreatexcitement,couldnothelpexclaiming:"Oh!Clumsy!"Hewasvexed,andwithoutamoment'sthoughtdraggedhisnetoveraholefullof

weed.Ashebroughtittothesurfaceagainhesawinitthreelargetransparentprawns,caughtblindfoldintheirhiding-place.HeofferedthemintriumphtoMme.Rosemilly,whowasafraidtotouchthem,forfearofthesharp,serratedcrestwhicharmstheirheads.However,shemadeuphermindtoit,andtakingthemupbythetipoftheirlongwhiskersshedroppedthemonebyoneintohercreel,withalittleseaweedtokeepthemalive.Then,havingfoundashallowerpoolofwater,shesteppedinwithsomehesitation,forthecoldplungeofherfeettookherbreathaway,andbegantofishonherownaccount.Shewasdextrousandartful,withthelighthandandthehunter'sinstinctwhichareindispensable.Atalmosteverydipshebroughtupsome

prawns,beguiledandsurprisedbyheringeniouslygentlepursuit.Jeannowcaughtnothing;buthefollowedher,stepbystep,touchedhernowandagain,bentoverher,pretendedgreatdistressathisownawkwardness,andbesoughthertoteachhim."Showme,"hekeptsaying."Showmehow."Andthen,astheirtwofaceswerereflectedsidebysideinwatersoclearthattheblackweedsatthebottommadeamirror,Jeansmiledatthefacewhichlookedupathimfromthedepth,andnowandthenfromhisfinger-tipsblewitakisswhichseemedtolightuponit.



"Oh!howtiresomeyouare!"sheexclaimed."Mydearfellow,youshouldneverdotwothingsatonce."Hereplied:"Iamonlydoingonelovingyou."Shedrewherselfupandsaidgravely:"Whathascomeoveryouthesetenminutes;haveyoulostyourwits?""No,Ihavenotlostmywits.Iloveyou,andatlastIdaretotellyouso."Theywereatthismomentbothstandinginthesaltpoolwethalf-wayuptotheirkneesandwithdrippinghands,holdingtheirnets.Theylookedintoeachother'seyes.Shewentoninatoneofamusedannoyance."Howveryill-advisedtotellmehereandnow!Couldyounotwaittillanotherdayinsteadofspoilingmyfishing?""Forgiveme,"hemurmured,"butIcouldnotlongerholdmypeace.Ihavelovedyoualongtime.To-dayyouhaveintoxicatedmeandIlostmyreason."Thensuddenlysheseemedtohaveresignedherselftotalkbusinessandthinknomoreofpleasure."Letussitdownonthatstone,"saidshe,"wecantalkmorecomfortably."Theyscrambleduparatherhighboulder,andwhentheyhadsettledthemselvessidebysideinthebrightsunshine,shebeganagain:"Mygoodfriend,youarenolongerachild,andIamnotayounggirl.webothknowperfectlywellwhatweareaboutandwecanweightheconsequencesofour

actions.Ifyouhavemadeupyourmindtomakelovetometo-dayImustnaturallyinferthatyouwishtomarryme."Hewasnotpreparedforthismatter-of-factstatementofthecase,andheansweredblandly:"Why,yes.""Haveyoumentionedittoyourfatherandmother?""No,Iwantedtoknowfirstwhetheryouwouldacceptme."Sheheldoutherhand,whichwasstillwet,andasheeagerlyclaspedit:"Iamreadyandwilling,"shesaid."Ibelieveyoutobekindandtrue-hearted.Butremember,Ishouldnotliketodispleaseyourparents.""Oh,doyouthinkthatmymotherhasneverforeseenit,orthatshewouldnotbeasfondofyouassheisifshedidnothopethatyouandIshouldmarry?"

"Thatistrue.Iamalittledisturbed."Theysaidnomore.He,forhispart,wasamazedatherbeingsolittledisturbed,sorational.Hehadexpectedprettylittleflirtingways,refusalswhichmeantyes,awholecoquettishcomedyoflovechequeredbyprawn-fishinginthesplashingwater.Anditwasallover;hewaspledged,marriedwithtwentywords.Theyhadnomoretosayaboutitsincetheywereagreed,andtheynowsat,bothsomewhatembarrassedbywhathadsoswiftlypassedbetweenthem;alittleperplexed,indeed,notdaringtospeak,notdaringtofish,notknowingwhattodo.Roland'svoicerescuedthem."Thisway,thisway,children.ComeandwatchBeausire.Thefellowispositively

clearingoutthesea!"Thecaptainhad,infact,hadawonderfulhaul.Wetabovehishipshewadedfrompooltopool,recognizingthelikeliestspotsataglance,andsearchingallthehollowshiddenundersea-weed,withasteadyslowsweepofhisnet.Andthebeautifultransparent,sandy-grayprawnsskippedinhispalmashepickedthemoutofthenetwithadryjerkandputthemintohiscreel.Mme.Rosemilly,surprisedanddelighted,remainedathisside,almostforgetfulofherpromisetoJean,whofollowedtheminadream,givingherselfupentirelytothe



childishenjoymentofpullingthecreaturesoutfromamongthewavingsea-grasses.Rolandsuddenlyexclaimed:"Ah,herecomesMme.Rolandtojoinus."ShehadremainedatfirstonthebeachwithPierre,fortheyhadneitherofthemanywishtoplayatrunningaboutamongtherocksandpaddlinginthetide-pools;andyettheyhadfeltdoubtfulaboutstayingtogether.Shewasafraidofhim,andhersonwasafraidofherandofhimself;afraidofhisowncrueltywhichhecouldnotcontrol.Buttheysatdownsidebysideonthestones.Andbothofthem,undertheheatofthesun,mitigatedbythesea-breeze,gazingatthewide,fairhorizonofbluewaterstreakedandshotwithsilver,thoughtasifinunison:"Howdelightfulthiswouldhavebeenonce."ShedidnotventuretospeaktoPierre,knowingthathewouldreturnsomehardanswer;andhedarednotaddresshismother,knowingthatinspiteofhimselfheshouldspeakviolently.Hesattwitchingthewater-wornpebbleswiththeendofhiscane,switchingthemandturningthemover.She,withavaguelookinhereyes,hadpickedupthreeorfourlittlestonesandwasslowlyandmechanicallydroppingthemfromonehandintotheother.Thenherunsettledgaze,wanderingoverthescenebeforeher,discerned,amongtheweedyrocks,hersonJeanfishingwithMme.Rosemilly.Shelookedatthem,watchingtheirmovements,dimly

understanding,withmotherlyinstinct,thattheyweretalkingastheydidnottalkeveryday.Shesawthemleaningoversidebysidewhentheylookedintothewater,standingfacetofacewhentheyquestionedtheirhearts,thenscrambleduptherockandseatedthemselvestocometoanunderstanding.Theirfiguresstoodoutverysharply,lookingasiftheywerealoneinthemiddleofthewidehorizon,andassumingasortofsymbolicdignityinthatvastexpanseofskyandseaandcliff.Pierre,too,waslookingatthem,andaharshlaughsuddenlybrokeformhislips.WithoutturningtohimMme.Rolandsaid:"Whatisit?"Hespokewithasneer.

"Iamlearning.Learninghowamanlayshimselfouttobecozenedbyhiswife."Sheflushedwithrage,exasperatedbytheinsinuationshebelievedwasintended.

"Inwhosenamedoyousaythat?""InJean's,byHeaven!Itisimmenselyfunnytoseethosetwo."Shemurmuredinalowvoice,tremulouswithfeeling:"OPierre,howcruelyouare!Thatwomanishonestyitself.Yourbrothercouldnotfindabetter."Helaughedaloud,ahard,satiricallaugh:"Ha!hah!Hah!Honestyitself!Allwivesarehonestyitselfandallhusbandsarebetrayed."Andheshoutedwithlaughter.Shemadenoreply,butrose,hastilywentdowntheslopingbeach,andattheriskoftumblingintooneoftheriftshiddenbythesea-weed,ofbreakingaleg

oranarm,shehastened,almostrunning,plungingthroughthepoolswithoutlooking,straighttoherotherson.Seeingherapproach,Jeancalledout:"Well,mother?Soyouhavemadetheeffort?"Withoutawordsheseizedhimbythearm,asiftosay:"Saveme,protectme!"Hesawheragitation,andgreatlysurprisedhesaid:"Howpaleyouare!Whatisthematter?"Shestammeredout:"Iwasnearlyfalling;Iwasfrightenedattherocks."



SothenJeanguidedher,supportedher,explainedthesporttoherthatshemighttakeaninterestinit.Butasshescarcelyheededhim,andashewasburstingwiththedesiretoconfideinsomeone,heledherawayandinalowvoicesaidtoher:"GuesswhatIhavedone!""ButwhatIdon'tknow.""Guess.""Icannot.Idon'tknow.""Well,IhavetoldMme.RosemillythatIwishtomarryher."Shedidnotanswer,forherbrainwasbuzzing,hermindinsuchdistressthatshecouldscarcelytakeitin.Sheechoed:"Marryher?""Yes.HaveIdonewell?Sheischarming,donotyouthink?""Yes,charming.Youhavedoneverywell.""Thenyouapprove?""Yes,Iapprove.""Buthowstrangelyyousayso!Icouldfancythatthatyouwerenotglad.""Yes,indeed,Iamveryglad.""Reallyandtruly?""Reallyandtruly."Andtoproveitshethrewherarmsroundhimandkissedhimheartily,withwarmmotherlykisses.Then,whenshehadwipedhereyes,whichwerefulloftears,sheobserveduponthebeachamanlyingflatatfulllengthlikeadeadbody,hisfacehiddenagainstthestones;itwastheotherone,Pierre,sunkinthoughtanddesperation.

AtthissheledherlittleJeanfartheraway,quitetotheedgeofthewaves,andtheretheytalkedforalongtimeofthismarriageonwhichhehadsethisheart.Therisingtidedrovethembacktorejointhefishers,andthentheyallmadetheirwaytotheshore.TheyrousedPierre,whopretendedtobesleeping;andthencamealongdinnerwasheddownwithmanykindsofwine.

CHAPTERVIIInthebreak,ontheirwayhome,allthemendozedexceptingJean.Beausireand

Rolanddroppedeveryfiveminutesontoaneighbour'sshoulderwhichrepelledthemwithashove.Thentheysatup,ceasedtosnore,openedtheireyes,muttered,"Alovelyevening!"andalmostimmediatelyfelloverontheotherside.BythetimetheyreachedHavretheirdrowsinesswassoheavythattheyhadgreatdifficultyinshakingitoff,andBeausireevenrefusedtogotoJean'sroomswhereteawaswaitingforthem.Hehadtobesetdownathisowndoor.Theyounglawyerwastosleepinhisnewabodeforthefirsttime;andhewasfullofratherpuerilegleewhichhadsuddenlycomeoverhim,atbeingable,thatveryevening,toshowhisbetrothedtheroomsshewassosoontoinhabit.Themaidhadgonetobed,Mme.Rolandhavingdeclaredthatsheherselfwouldboilthewaterandmakethetea,forshedidnotliketheservantstobekeptup

forfearoffire.Noonehadyetbeenintothelodgingsbutherself,Jean,andtheworkmen,thatthesurprisemightbethegreaterattheirbeingsopretty.Jeanbeggedthemalltowaitamomentintheante-room.Hewantedtolightthelampsandcandles,andheleftMme.Rosemillyinthedarkwithhisfatherandbrother;thenhecried:"Comein!"openingthedoubledoortoitsfullwidth.Theglassgallery,lightedbyachandelierandlittlecolouredlampshiddenamongpalms,india-rubberplants,andflowers,wasfirstseenlikeasceneonthestage.Therewasaspasmofsurprise.Roland,dazzledbysuchluxury,



mutteredanoath,andfeltinclinedtoclaphishandsasifitwereapantomimescene.Theythenwentintothefirstdrawing-room,asmallroomhungwithdeadgoldandfurnishedtomatch.Thelargerdrawing-roomthelawyer'sconsulting-room,verysimple,hungwithlightsalmon-colourwasdignifiedinstyle.Jeansatdowninhisarm-chairinfrontofhiswriting-tableloadedwithbooks,andinasolemn,ratherstiltedtone,hebegan:"Yes,madame,theletterofthelawisexplicit,and,assumingtheconsentIpromisedyou,itaffordsmeabsolutecertaintythatthematterwediscussedwillcometoahappyconclusionwithinthreemonths."HelookedatMme.Rosemilly,whobegantosmileandglancedatMme.Roland.Mme.Rolandtookherhandandpressedit.Jean,inhighspirits,cutacaperlikeaschool-boy,exclaiming:"Hah!Howwellthevoicecarriesinthisroom;itwouldbecapitalforspeakingin."Andhedeclaimed:"Ifhumanityalone,iftheinstinctofnaturalbenevolencewhichwefeeltowardsallwhosuffer,werethemotiveoftheacquittalweexpectofyou,Ishouldappealtoyourcompassion,gentlemenofthejury,toyourheartsasfathersandasmen;butwehavelawonourside,anditisthepointoflawonlywhichweshallsubmittoyourjudgment."Pierrewaslookingatthishomewhichmighthavebeenhis,andhewasrestive

underhisbrother'sfrolics,thinkinghimreallytoosillyandwitless.Mme.Rolandopenedadoorontheright."Thisisthebed-room,"saidshe.Shehaddevotedherselftoitsdecorationwithallhermother'slove.ThehangingswereofRouencretonneimitatingoldNormandychintz,andtheLouisXV.designashepherdess,inamedallionheldinthebeaksofapairofdovesgavethewalls,curtains,bed,andarm-chairsafestive,rusticstylethatwasextremelypretty!"Oh,howcharming!"Mme.Rosemillyexclaimed,becomingalittleseriousastheyenteredtheroom."Doyoulikeit?"askedJean."Immensely."

"YoucannotimaginehowgladIam."Theylookedateachotherforasecond,withconfidingtendernessinthedepthsoftheireyes.Shehadfeltalittleawkward,however,alittleabashed,inthisroomwhichwastobehers.Shenoticedasshewentinthatthebedwasalargeone,quiteafamilybed,chosenbyMme.Roland,whohadnodoubtforeseenandhopedthathersonshouldsoonmarry;andthismotherlyforesightpleasedher,foritseemedtotellherthatshewasexpectedinthefamily.Whentheyhadreturnedtothedrawing-roomJeanabruptlythrewopenthedoortotheleft,showingthecirculardining-roomwiththreewindows,anddecoratedtoimitateaChineselantern.Motherandsonhadherelavishedallthefancyof

whichtheywerecapable,andtheroom,withitsbamboofurniture,itsmandarins,jars,silkhangingsglisteningwithgold,transparentblindsthreadedwithbeadslookinglikedropsofwater,fansnailedtothewalltodrapethehangingson,screens,swords,masks,cranesmadeofrealfeathers,andamyriadtriflesinchina,wood,paper,ivory,mother-of-pearl,andbronze,hadthepretentiousandextravagantaspectwhichunpractisedhandsanduneducatedeyesinevitablystamponthingswhichneedtheutmosttact,taste,andartisticeducation.Neverthelessitwasthemostadmired;onlyPierremadesomeobservationswith



ratherbitterironywhichhurthisbrother'sfeelings.Pyramidsoffruitstoodonthetableandmonumentsofcakes.Noonewashungry;theypickedatthefruitandnibbledatthecakesratherthanatethem.Then,attheendofaboutanhour,Mme.Rosemillybeggedtotakeleave.ItwasdecidedthatoldRolandshouldaccompanyherhomeandsetoutwithherforthwith;whileMme.Roland,inthemaid'sabsence,shouldcastamaternaleyeoverthehouseandseethathersonhadallheneeded."ShallIcomebackforyou?"askedRoland.Shehesitatedamomentandthensaid:"No,dearoldman;gotobed.Pierrewillseemehome."Assoonastheyweregonesheblewoutthecandles,lockedupthecakes,thesugar,andliqueursinacupboardofwhichshegavethekeytoJean;thenshewentintothebed-room,turneddownthebed,sawthattherewasfreshwaterinthewater-bottle,andthatthewindowwasproperlyclosed.PierreandJeanhadremainedinthelittleouterdrawing-room;theyoungerstillsoreunderthecriticismpassedonhistaste,andtheelderchafingmoreandmoreatseeinghisbrotherinthisabode.Theybothsatsmokingwithoutaword.Pierresuddenlystartedtohisfeet."Cristi!"heexclaimed."Thewidowlookedveryjadedthisevening.Longexcursionsdonotimproveher."Jeanfelthisspiritrisingwithoneofthosesuddenandfuriousrageswhichboilupineasy-goingnatureswhentheyarewoundedtothequick.Hecould

hardlyfindbreathtospeak,sofiercewashisexcitement,andhestammeredout:

"Iforbidyoueveragaintosay'thewidow'whenyouspeakofMme.Rosemilly."Pierreturnedonhimhaughtily:"Youaregivingmeanorder,Ibelieve.Areyougonemadbyanychance?"Jeanhadpulledhimselfup."Iamnotgonemad,butIhavehadenoughofyourmannerstome."Pierresneered:"Toyou?AndareyouanypartofMme.Rosemilly?""YouaretoknowthatMme.Rosemillyisabouttobecomemywife."Pierrelaughedthelouder."Ah!ha!verygood.IunderstandnowwhyIshouldnolongerspeakofheras'the

widow.'Butyouhavetakenastrangewayofannouncingyourengagement.""Iforbidanyjestingaboutit.Doyouhear?Iforbidit."Jeanhadcomecloseuptohim,pale,andhisvoicequiveringwithexasperationatthisironylevelledatthewomanhelovedandhadchosen.ButonasuddenPierreturnedequallyfurious.Alltheaccumulationofimpotentrage,ofsuppressedmalignity,ofrebellionchokeddownforsolongpast,allhisunspokendespairmountedtohisbrain,bewilderingitlikeafit."Howdareyou?Howdareyou?Iorderyoutoholdyourtonguedoyouhear?Iorderyou."Jean,startledbyhisviolence,wassilentforafewseconds,tryingintheconfusionofmindwhichcomesofragetohitonthething,thephrase,theword,whichmightstabhisbrothertotheheart.Hewenton,withanefforttocontrol

himselfthathemightaimtrue,andtospeakslowlythatthewordsmighthitmorekeenly:"Ihaveknownforalongtimethatyouwerejealousofme,eversincethedaywhenyoufirstbegantotalkof'thewidow'becauseyouknewitannoyedme."Pierrebrokeintooneofthosestridentandscornfullaughswhichwerecommonwithhim."Ah!ah!GoodHeavens!Jealousofyou!I?I?Andofwhat?GoodGod!Ofyourpersonoryourmind?"ButJeanknewfullwellthathehadtouchedthewoundinhissoul.



"Yes,jealousofmejealousfromyourchildhoodup.Anditbecamefurywhenyousawthatthiswomanlikedmebestandwouldhavenothingtosaytoyou."Pierre,stungtothequickbythisassumption,stutteredout:"I?I?Jealousofyou?Andforthesakeofthatgoose,thatgaby,thatsimpleton?"Jean,seeingthathewasaimingtrue,wenton:"AndhowaboutthedaywhenyoutriedtopullmeroundinthePearl?Andallyousaidinherpresencetoshowoff?Why,youareburstingwithjealousy!Andwhenthismoneywaslefttomeyouweremaddened,youhatedme,youshoweditineverypossibleway,andmadeeveryonesufferforit;notanhourpassesthatyoudonotspitoutthebilethatischokingyou."Pierreclenchedhisfistinhisfurywithanalmostirresistibleimpulsetoflyathisbrotherandseizehimbythethroat."Holdyourtongue,"hecried."Atleastsaynothingaboutthatmoney."Jeanwenton:"Whyyourjealousyoozesoutateverypore.Youneversayawordtomyfather,mymother,ormethatdoesnotdeclareitplainly.Youpretendtodespisemebecauseyouarejealous.Youtrytopickaquarrelwitheveryonebecauseyouarejealous.AndnowthatIamrichyoucannolongercontainyourself;youhavebecomevenomous,youtortureourpoormotherasifsheweretoblame!"Pierrehadretiredstepbystepasfarasthefire-place,hismouthhalfopen,hiseyesglaring,apreytooneofthosemadfitsofpassioninwhichacrimeis

committed.Hesaidagaininalowertone,gaspingforbreath:"HoldyourtongueforGod'ssakeholdyourtongue!""No!ForalongtimeIhavebeenwantingtogiveyoumywholemind!Youhavegivenmeanopeningsomuchtheworseforyou.Ilovethewoman;youknowit,andlaughhertoscorninmypresencesomuchtheworseforyou.ButIwillbreakyourviper'sfangs,Itellyou.Iwillmakeyoutreatmewithrespect.""Withrespectyou?""Yesme.""Respectyou?Youwhohavebroughtshameonusallbyyourgreed.""Yousay?Sayitagainagain.""Isaythatitdoesnotdotoacceptoneman'sfortunewhenanotherisreputed

tobeyourfather."Jeanstoodrigid,notunderstanding,dazedbytheinsinuationhescented."What?Repeatthatoncemore.""Isaywhateverybodyismuttering,whateverygossipisblabbingthatyouarethesonofthemanwholeftyouhisfortune.Well,thenadecentmandoesnottakethemoneywhichbringsdishonouronhismother.""Pierre!Pierre!Pierre!Thinkwhatyouaresaying.You?Isityouwhogiveutterancetothisinfamousthing?""Yes,I.ItisI.Haveyounotseenmecrushedwithwoethismonthpast,spendingmynightswithoutsleepandmydaysinlurkingoutofsightlikeananimal?IhardlyknowwhatIamdoingorwhatwillbecomeofme,somiserableamI,socrazedwithshameandgrief;forfirstIguessedandnowIknowit."

"Pierre!Besilent.Motherisinthenextroom.Remembershemayhearshemusthear."ButPierrefeltthathemustunburdenhisheart.HetoldJeanallhissuspicions,hisarguments,hisstruggles,hisassurance,andthehistoryoftheportraitwhichhadagaindisappeared.Hespokeinshortbrokensentencesalmostwithoutcoherencethelanguageofasleep-walker.HeseemedtohavequiteforgottenJean,andhismotherintheadjoiningroom.Hetalkedasifnoonewerelistening,becausehemusttalk,becausehehadsufferedtoomuchandsmotheredandclosedthewoundtootightly.Ithad



festeredlikeanabscessandtheabscesshadburst,splashingeveryone.Hewaspacingtheroominthewayhealmostalwaysdid,hiseyesfixedonvacancy,gesticulatinginafrenzyofdespair,hisvoicechokedwithtearlesssobsandrevulsionsofself-loathing;hespokeasifheweremakingaconfessionofhisownmiseryandthatofhisnearestkin,asthoughhewerecastinghiswoestothedeaf,invisiblewindswhichboreawayhiswords.Jean,distractedandalmostconvincedonasuddenbyhisbrother'sblindvehemence,wasleaningagainstthedoorbehindwhich,asheguessed,theirmotherhadheardthem.Shecouldnotgetout,shemustcomethroughhisroom.Shehadnotcome;thenitwasbecauseshedarenot.SuddenlyPierrestampedhisfoot."Iamabrute,"hecried,"tohavetoldyouthis."Andhefled,bare-headed,downthestairs.Thenoiseofthefront-doorclosingwithaslamrousedJeanfromthedeepstuporintowhichhehadfallen.Somesecondshadelapsed,longerthanhours,andhisspirithadsunkintothenumbtorporofidiocy.Hewasconscious,indeed,thathemustpresentlythinkandact,buthewouldwait,refusingtounderstand,toknow,toremember,outoffear,weakness,cowardice.Hewasoneofthoseprocrastinatorswhoputeverythingofftillto-morrow;andwhenhewascompelledtocometoadecisionthenandthere,stillheinstinctivelytriedtogainafew

minutes.Buttheperfectsilencewhichnowreigned,afterPierre'svociferations,thesuddenstillnessofwallsandfurniture,withthebrightlightofsixwaxcandlesandtwolamps,terrifiedhimsogreatlythathesuddenlylongedtomakehisescapetoo.Thenherousedhisbrain,rousedhisheart,andtriedtoreflect.Neverinhislifehadhehadtofaceadifficulty.Therearemenwholetthemselvesglideonwardlikerunningwater.Hehadbeenduteousoverhistasksforfearofpunishment,andhadgotthroughhislegalstudieswithcreditbecausehisexistencewastranquil.Everythingintheworldseemedtohimquitenaturalandneverarousedhisparticularattention.Helovedorder,steadiness,andpeace,bytemperament,hisnaturehavingnocomplications;andfacetoface

withthiscatastrophe,hefoundhimselflikeamanwhohasfallenintothewaterandcannotswim.Atfirsthetriedtobeincredulous.Hisbrotherhadtoldalie,outofhatredandjealousy.Butyet,howcouldhehavebeensovileastosaysuchathingoftheirmotherifhehadnothimselfbeendistraughtbydespair?Besides,stampedonJean'sear,onhissight,onhisnerves,ontheinmostfibresofhisflesh,werecertainwords,certaintonesofanguish,certaingesturesofPierre's,sofullofsufferingthattheywereirresistiblyconvincing;asincontrovertibleascertaintyitself.Hewastoomuchcrushedtostiroreventowill.Hisdistressbecameunbearable;

andheknewthatbehindthedoorwashismotherwhohadheardeverythingandwaswaiting.Whatwasshedoing?Notamovement,notashudder,notabreath,notasighrevealedthepresenceofalivingcreaturebehindthatpanel.Couldshehaverunaway?Buthow?Ifshehadrunawayshemusthavejumpedoutofthewindowintothestreet.Ashockofterrorrousedhimsoviolentandimperiousthathedrovethedoorinratherthanopenedit,andflunghimselfintothebed-room.Itwasapparentlyempty,lightedbyasinglecandlestandingonthechestof



drawers.Jeanflewtothewindow;itwasshutandtheshuttersbolted.Helookedabouthim,peeringintothedarkcornerswithanxiouseyes,andhethennoticedthatthebed-curtainsweredrawn.Heranforwardandopenedthem.Hismotherwaslyingonthebed,herfaceburiedinthepillowwhichshehadpulledupoverherearsthatshemighthearnomore.Atfirsthethoughtshehadsmotheredherself.Then,takingherbytheshoulders,heturnedheroverwithoutherleavinggoofthepillow,whichcoveredherface,andinwhichshehadsetherteethtokeepherselffromcryingout.Butthemeretouchofthisrigidform,ofthosearmssoconvulsivelyclinched,communicatedtohimtheshockofherunspeakabletorture.Thestrengthanddeterminationwithwhichsheclutchedthelinencasefulloffeatherswithherhandsandteeth,overhermouthandeyesandears,thathemightneitherseehernorspeaktoher,gavehimanidea,bytheturmoilitrousedinhim,ofthepitchsufferingmayriseto,andhisheart,hissimpleheart,wastornwithpity.Hewasnojudge,nothe;notevenamercifuljudge;hewasamanfullofweaknessandasonfulloflove.Herememberednothingofwhathisbrotherhadtoldhim;heneitherreasonednorargued,hemerelylaidhistwohandsonhismother'sinertbody,andnotbeingabletopullthepillowaway,heexclaimed,kissingherdress:

"Mother,mother,mypoormother,lookatme!"Shewouldhaveseemedtobedeadbutthatanalmostimperceptibleshudderranthroughallherlimbs,thevibrationofastrainedcord.Andherepeated:"Mother,mother,listentome.Itisnottrue.Iknowthatitisnottrue."Aspasmseemedtocomeoverher,afitofsuffocation;thenshesuddenlybegantosobintothepillow.Hersinewsrelaxed,herrigidmusclesyielded,herfingersgavewayandleftgoofthelinen;andheuncoveredherface.Shewaspale,quitecolourless;andfromunderherclosedlidstearswerestealing.Hethrewhisarmsroundherneckandkissedhereyes,slowly,withlongheart-brokenkisses,wetwithhertears;andhesaidagainandagain:"Mother,mydearmother,Iknowitisnottrue.Donotcry;Iknowit.Itisnottrue."

Sheraisedherself,shesatup,lookedinhisface,andwithaneffortofcouragesuchasitmustcostinsomecasestokillone'sself,shesaid:"No,mychild;itistrue."Andtheyremainedspeechless,eachinthepresenceoftheother.Forsomeminutessheseemedagaintobesuffocating,craningherthroatandthrowingbackherheadtogetbreath;thensheoncemoremasteredherselfandwenton:"Itistrue,mychild.Whylieaboutit?Itistrue.YouwouldnotbelievemeifIdeniedit."Shelookedlikeacrazycreature.Overcomebyalarm,hefellonhiskneesbythebedside,murmuring:

"Hush,mother,besilent."Shestoodupwithterribledeterminationandenergy."Ihavenothingmoretosay,mychild.Good-bye."Andshewenttowardsthedoor.

Hethrewhisarmsaboutherexclaiming:"Whatareyoudoing,mother;whereareyougoing?""Idonotknow.HowshouldIknowThereisnothingleftformetodo,nowthatIamalone."Shestruggledtobereleased.Holdingherfirmly,hecouldfindonlywordstosayagainandagain:



"Mother,mother,mother!"Andthroughallhereffortstofreeherselfshewassaying:"No,no.Iamnotyourmothernow,poorboygood-bye."Itstruckhimclearlythatifhelethergonowheshouldneverseeheragain;liftingherupinhisarmshecarriedhertoanarm-chair,forcedherintoit,andkneelingdowninfrontofherbarredherinwithhisarms."Youshallnotquitthisspot,mother.IloveyouandIwillkeepyou!IwillkeepyoualwaysIloveyouandyouaremine."Shemurmuredinadejectedtone:"No,mypoorboy,itisimpossible.Youweepto-night,butto-morrowyouwouldturnmeoutofthehouse.You,evenyou,couldnotforgiveme."Hereplied:"I?I?Howlittleyouknowme!"withsuchaburstofgenuineaffectionthat,withacry,sheseizedhisheadbythehairwithbothhands,anddragginghimviolentlytoherkissedhimdistractedlyalloverhisface.Thenshesatstill,hercheekagainsthis,feelingthewarmthofhisskinthroughhisbeard,andshewhisperedinhisear:"No,mylittleJean,youwouldnotforgivemeto-morrow.Youthinkso,butyoudeceiveyourself.Youhaveforgivenmethisevening,andthatforgivenesshassavedmylife;butyoumustneverseemeagain."Andherepeated,claspingherinhisarms:"Mother,donotsaythat.""Yes,mychild,Imustgoaway.Idonotknowwhere,norhowIshallsetaboutit,norwhatIshalldo;butitmustbedone.Icouldneverlookatyou,nor

kissyou,doyouunderstand?"Thenheinhisturnspokeintoherear:"Mylittlemother,youaretostay,becauseIinsist,becauseIwantyou.Andyoumustpledgeyourwordtoobeyme,now,atonce.""No,mychild.""Yes,mother,youmust;doyouhear?Youmust.""No,mychild,itisimpossible.Itwouldbecondemningusalltothetorturesofhell.Iknowwhatthattormentis;Ihaveknownitthismonthpast.Yourfeelingsaretouchednow,butwhenthatisover,whenyoulookonmeasPierredoes,whenyourememberwhatIhavetoldyouoh,myJean,thinkthinkIamyourmother!""Iwillnotletyouleaveme,mother.Ihavenoonebutyou.""Butthink,myson,wecanneverseeeachotheragainwithoutbothofus

blushing,withoutmyfeelingthatImustdieofshame,withoutmyeyesfallingbeforeyours.""Butitisnotso,mother.""Yes,yes,yes,itisso!Oh,Ihaveunderstoodallyourpoorbrother'sstruggles,believeme!Allfromtheveryfirstday.Now,whenIhearhisstepinthehousemyheartbeatsasifitwouldburst,whenIhearhisvoiceIamreadytofaint.Istillhadyou;nowIhaveyounolonger.Oh,mylittleJean!DoyouthinkIcouldlivebetweenyoutwo?""Yes,Ishouldloveyousomuchthatyouwouldceasetothinkofit.""Asifthatwerepossible!""Butitispossible.""HowdoyousupposethatIcouldceasetothinkofit,withyourbrotherandyou

oneachhand?Wouldyouceasetothinkofit,Iaskyou?""I?IswearIshould.""Whyyouwouldthinkofitateveryhouroftheday.""No,Iswearit.Besides,listen,ifyougoawayIwillenlistandgetkilled."Thisboyishthreatquiteovercameher;sheclaspedJeaninapassionateandtenderembrace.Hewenton:"Iloveyoumorethanyouthinkah,muchmore,muchmore.Come,bereasonable.Trytostayforonlyoneweek.Willyoupromisemeoneweek?Youcannotrefusemethat?"ShelaidhertwohandsonJean'sshoulders,andholdinghimatarm'slengthshe



said:"Mychild,letustryandbecalmandnotgivewaytoemotions.First,listentome.IfIwereevertohearfromyourlipswhatIhaveheardforthismonthpastfromyourbrother,ifIwereoncetoseeinyoureyeswhatIreadinhis,ifIcouldfancyfromawordoralookthatIwasasodioustoyouasIamtohimwithinonehour,markmewithinonehourIshouldbegoneforever.""Mother,Isweartoyou""Letmespeak.ForamonthpastIhavesufferedallthatanycreaturecansuffer.FromthemomentwhenIperceivedthatyourbrother,myotherson,suspectedme,thatastheminuteswentby,heguessedthetruth,everymomentofmylifehasbeenamartyrdomwhichnowordscouldtellyou."HervoicewassofullofwoethatthecontagionofhermiserybroughtthetearstoJean'seyes.Hetriedtokissher,butsheheldhimoff."Leavemelisten;Istillhavesomuchtosaytomakeyouunderstand.Butyounevercanunderstand.Yousee,ifIstayedImustno,no.Icannot.""Speakon,mother,speak.""Yes,indeed,foratleastIshallnothavedeceivedyou.Youwantmetostaywithyou?Forwhatforustobeabletoseeeachother,speaktoeachother,meetatanyhourofthedayathome,forInolongerdareopenadoorforfearoffindingyourbrotherbehindit.Ifwearetodothat,youmustnotforgivemenothingissowoundingasforgivenessbutyoumustowemenogrudgeforwhat

Ihavedone.Youmustfeelyourselfstrongenough,andsofarunliketherestoftheworld,astobeabletosaytoyourselfthatyouarenotRoland'ssonwithoutblushingforthefactordespisingme.IhavesufferedenoughIhavesufferedtoomuch;Icanbearnomore,noindeed,nomore!Anditisnotathingofyesterday,mindyou,butoflong,longyears.Butyoucouldneverunderstandthat;howshouldyou!IfyouandIaretolivetogetherandkisseachother,mylittleJean,youmustbelievethatthoughIwasyourfather'smistressIwasyetmoretrulyhiswife,hisrealwife;that,atthebottomofmyheart,Icannotbeashamedofit;thatIhavenoregrets;thatIlovehimstillevenindeath;that

Ishallalwayslovehimandneverlovedanyotherman;thathewasmylife,myjoy,myhope,mycomfort,everythingeverythingintheworldtomeforsolong!Listen,myboy,beforeGod,whohearsme,IshouldneverhavehadajoyinmyexistenceifIhadnotmethim;neveranythingnotatouchoftendernessorkindness,notoneofthosehourswhichmakeusregretgrowingoldnothing.Ioweeverythingtohim!Ihadbuthimintheworld,andyoutwoboys,yourbrotherandyou.Butforyou,allwouldhavebeenempty,dark,andvoidasthenight.Ishouldneverhaveloved,orknown,orcaredforanythingIshouldnotevenhaveweptforIhavewept,mylittleJean;oh,yes,andbittertears,sincewecametoHavre.Iwashiswhollyandforever;fortenyearsIwasasmuchhiswifeashewasmyhusbandbeforeGodwhocreatedusforeachother.AndthenIbegantoseethathelovedmeless.Hewasalwayskindandcourteous,butIwasnotwhat

Ihadbeentohim.Itwasallover!Oh,howIhavecried!Howdreadfulanddelusivelifeis!Nothinglasts.ThenwecamehereIneversawhimagain;henevercame.Hepromiseditineveryletter.Iwasalwaysexpectinghim,andIneversawhimagainandnowheisdead!Buthestillcaredforussinceherememberedyou.Ishalllovehimtomylatestbreath,andIneverwilldenyhim,andIloveyoubecauseyouarehischild,andIcouldneverbeashamedofhimbeforeyou.Doyouunderstand?Icouldnot.Soifyouwishmetoremainyoumustacceptthesituationashisson,andwewilltalkofhimsometimes;andyoumust



lovehimalittleandwemustthinkofhimwhenwelookateachother.Ifyouwillnotdothisifyoucannotthengood-bye,mychild;itisimpossiblethatweshouldlivetogether.Now,Iwillactbyyourdecision."Jeanrepliedgently:"Stay,mother."Sheclaspedhiminherarms,andhertearsflowedagain;then,withherfaceagainsthis,shewenton:"Well,butPierre.WhatcanwedoaboutPierre?"Jeananswered:"Wewillfindsomeplan!Youcannotlivewithhimanylonger."Atthethoughtofhereldersonshewasconvulsedwithterror."No,Icannot;no,no!"AndthrowingherselfonJean'sbreastshecriedindistressofmind:"Savemefromhim,you,mylittleone.Saveme;dosomethingIdon'tknowwhat.Thinkofsomething.Saveme.""Yes,mother,Iwillthinkofsomething.""Andatonce.Youmust,thisminute.Donotleaveme.Iamsoafraidofhimsoafraid.""Yes,yes;Iwillhitonsomeplan.IpromiseyouIwill.""Butatonce;quick,quick!YoucannotimaginewhatIfeelwhenIseehim."Thenshemurmuredsoftlyinhisear:"Keepmehere,withyou."Hepaused,reflected,andwithhisbluntgood-sensesawatoncethedangersofsuchanarrangement.Buthehadtoargueforalongtime,combatingherscared,

terror-strickeninsistence."Onlyforto-night,"shesaid."Onlyforto-night.Andto-morrowmorningyoucansendwordtoRolandthatIwastakenill.""Thatisoutofthequestion,asPierreleftyouhere.Come,takecourage.Iwillarrangeeverything,Ipromiseyou,to-morrow;Iwillbewithyoubynineo'clock.Come,putonyourbonnet.Iwilltakeyouhome.""Iwilldojustwhatyoudesire,"shesaidwithachildlikeimpulseoftimidityandgratitude.Shetriedtorise,buttheshockhadbeentoomuchforher;shecouldnotstand.

Hemadeherdrinksomesugaredwaterandsmellatsomesalts,whilehebathed

hertempleswithvinegar.Shelethimdowhathewould,exhausted,butcomforted,asafterthepainsofchild-birth.Atlastshecouldwalkandshetookhisarm.Thetownhallstruckthreeastheywentpast.OutsidetheirowndoorJeankissedher,saying:"Good-night,mother,keepupyourcourage."Shestealthilycreptupthesilentstairs,andintoherroom,undressedquickly,andslippedintobedwithareawakenedsenseofthatlong-forgottensin.Rolandwassnoring.InallthehousePierrealonewasawake,andhadheardhercomein.

CHAPTERVIIIWhenhegotbacktohislodgingsJeandroppedonasofa;forthesorrowsandanxietieswhichmadehisbrotherlongtobemoving,andtofleelikeahuntedprey,acteddifferentlyonhistorpidnatureandbrokethestrengthofhisarmsandlegs.Hefelttoolimptostirafinger,eventogettobed;limpbodyandsoul,crushedandheart-broken.Hehadnotbeenhit,asPierrehadbeen,inthepurityoffiliallove,inthesecretdignitywhichistherefugeofaproud



heart;hewasoverwhelmedbyastrokeoffatewhich,atthesametime,threatenedhisownnearestinterests.Whenatlasthisspiritwascalmer,whenhisthoughtshadsettledlikewaterthathasbeenstirredandlashed,hecouldcontemplatethesituationwhichhadcomebeforehim.Ifhehadlearnedthesecretofhisbirththroughanyotherchannelhewouldassuredlyhavebeenverywrothandverydeeplypained,butafterhisquarrelwithhisbrother,aftertheviolentandbrutalbetrayalwhichhadshakenhisnerves,theagonizingemotionofhismother'sconfessionhadsoberefthimofenergythathecouldnotrebel.Theshocktohisfeelinghadbeensogreatastosweepawayinanirresistibletideofpathos,allprejudice,andallthesacreddelicacyofnaturalmorality.Besides,hewasnotamanmadeforresistance.Hedidnotlikecontendingagainstanyone,leastofallagainsthimself,soheresignedhimselfatonce;andbyinstinctivetendency,acongenitalloveofpeace,andofaneasyandtranquillife,hebegantoanticipatetheagitationswhichmustsurgeuparoundhimandatoncebehisruin.Heforesawthattheywereinevitable,andtoavertthemhemadeuphismindtosuperhumaneffortsofenergyandactivity.Theknotmustbecutimmediately,thisveryday;forevenhehadfitsofthatimperiousdemandforaswiftsolutionwhichistheonlystrengthofweaknatures,incapableofaprolongedeffortofwill.Hislawyer'smind,accustomedasitwastodisentanglingandstudyingcomplicatedsituationsandquestionsofdomesticdifficultiesinfamiliesthathadgotoutofgear,atonceforesawthemoreimmediateconsequencesofhisbrother'sstateofmind.Inspiteofhimself,helookedattheissuefromanalmostprofessionalpointofview,asthoughhehad

tolegislateforthefuturerelationsofcertainclientsafteramoraldisaster.ConstantfrictionagainstPierrehadcertainlybecomeunendurable.Hecouldeasilyevadeit,nodoubt,bylivinginhisownlodgings;buteventhenitwasnotpossiblethattheirmothershouldliveunderthesameroofwithherelderson.Foralongtimehesatmeditating,motionless,onthecushions,devisingandrejectingvariouspossibilities,andfindingnothingthatsatisfiedhim.Butsuddenlyanideatookhimbystorm.Thisfortunewhichhadcometohim.Wouldanhonestmankeepit?"No,"wasthefirstimmediateanswer,andhemadeuphismindthatitmustgotothepoor.Itwashard,butitcouldnotbehelped.Hewouldsellhisfurnitureandworklikeanyotherman,likeanyotherbeginner.Thismanfulandpainful

resolutionspurredhiscourage;heroseandwenttothewindow,leaninghisforeheadagainstthepane.Hehadbeenpoor;hecouldbecomepooragain.Afterallheshouldnotdieofit.Hiseyeswerefixedonthegaslampburningattheoppositesideofthestreet.Awoman,muchbelated,happenedtopass;suddenlyhethoughtofMme.Rosemillywithapangathisheart,theshockofdeepfeelingwhichcomesofacruelsuggestion.Allthedireresultsofhisdecisionroseupbeforehimtogether.Hewouldhavetorenouncehismarriage,renouncehappiness,renounceeverything.Couldhedosuchathingafterhavingpledgedhimselftoher?Shehadacceptedhimknowinghimtoberich.Shewouldtakehimstillifhewerepoor;buthadheanyrighttodemandsuchasacrifice?Woulditnotbe

bettertokeepthismoneyintrust,toberestoredtothepooratsomefuturedate.Andinhissoul,whereselfishnessputonaguiseofhonesty,allthesespeciousinterestswerestrugglingandcontending.Hisfirstscruplesyieldedtoingeniousreasoning,thencametothetopagain,andagaindisappeared.Hesatdownagain,seekingsomedecisivemotive,someall-sufficientpretexttosolvehishesitancyandconvincehisnaturalrectitude.Twentytimesoverhadheaskedhimselfthisquestion:"SinceIamthisman'sson,sinceIknowand



acknowledgeit,isitnotnaturalthatIshouldalsoaccepttheinheritance?"Buteventhisargumentcouldnotsuppressthe"No"murmuredbyhisinmostconscience.Thencamethethought:"SinceIamnotthesonofthemanIalwaysbelievedtobemyfather,Icantakenothingfromhim,neitherduringhislifetimenorafterhisdeath.Itwouldbeneitherdignifiednorequitable.Itwouldberobbingmybrother."Thisnewviewofthematterhavingrelievedhimandquietedhisconscience,hewenttothewindowagain."Yes,"hesaidtohimself,"Imustgiveupmyshareofthefamilyinheritance.ImustletPierrehavethewholeofit,sinceIamnothisfather'sson.Thatisbutjust.ThenisitnotjustthatIshouldkeepmyfather'smoney?"HavingdiscernedthathecouldtakenothingofRoland'ssavings,havingdecidedongivingupthewholeofthismoney,heagreed;heresignedhimselftokeepingMarechal's;forifherejectedbothhewouldfindhimselfreducedtobeggary.ThisdelicatequestionbeingthusdisposedofhecamebacktothatofPierre'spresenceinthefamily.Howwashetobegotridof?Hewasgivinguphissearchforanypracticalsolutionwhenthewhistleofasteam-vesselcomingintoportseemedtoblowhimananswerbysuggestingascheme.Thenhethrewhimselfonhisbedwithoutundressing,anddozedanddreamedtilldaybreak.

Atalittlebeforeninehewentouttoascertainwhetherhisplanswerefeasible.Then,aftermakingsundryinquiriesandcalls,hewenttohisoldhome.Hismotherwaswaitingforhiminherroom."Ifyouhadnotcome,"shesaid,"Ishouldneverhavedaredtogodown."InaminuteRoland'svoicewasheardonthestairs:"Arewetohavenothingtoeatto-day,hangitall?"Therewasnoanswer,andheroaredout,withathunderingoaththistime:"Josephine,whatthedevilareyouabout?"Thegirl'svoicecameupfromthedepthsofthebasement."Yes,M'sieuwhatisit?""WhereisyourMiss'es?""MadameisupstairswithM'sieuJean."Thenheshouted,lookingupatthehigherfloor:"Louise!"

Mme.Rolandhalfopenedherdoorandanswered:"Whatisit,mydear?""Arewetohavenothingtoeatto-day,hangitall?""Yes,mydear,Iamcoming."Andshewentdown,followedbyJean.Roland,assoonashesawhim,exclaimed:"Hallo!Thereyouare!Sickofyourhomealready?""No,father,butIhadsomethingtotalkoverwithmotherthismorning."Jeanwentforwardholdingouthishand,andwhenhefelthisfingersintheoldman'sfatherlyclasp,astrange,unforeseenemotionthrilledthroughhim,andasenseasofpartingandfarewellwithoutreturn.Mme.Rolandasked:"Pierreisnotcomedown?"

Herhusbandshruggedhisshoulders."No,butnevermindhim;heisalwaysbehind-hand.Wewillbeginwithouthim."SheturnedtoJean:"Youhadbettergotocallhim,mychild;ithurtshisfeelingsifwedonotwaitforhim.""Yes,mother.Iwillgo."Andtheyoungmanwent.Hemountedthestairswiththefevereddeterminationofamanwhoisabouttofightaduelandwhoisinafright.WhenheknockedatthedoorPierresaid:"Comein."



Hewentin.Theelderwaswriting,leaningoverhistable."Good-morning,"saidJean.Pierrerose."Good-morning!"andtheyshookhandsasifnothinghadoccurred."Areyounotcomingdowntobreakfast?""WellyouseeIhaveagooddealtodo."Theelderbrother'svoicewastremulous,andhisanxiouseyeaskedhisyoungerbrotherwhathemeanttodo."Theyarewaitingforyou.""Oh!Thereisismymotherdown?""Yes,itwasshewhosentmetofetchyou.""Ah,verywell;thenIwillcome."Atthedoorofthedining-roomhepaused,doubtfulaboutgoinginfirst;thenheabruptlyopenedthedoorandsawhisfatherandmotherseatedatthetableoppositeeachother.Hewentstraightuptoherwithoutlookingatherorsayingaword,andbendingoverher,offeredhisforeheadforhertokiss,ashehaddoneforsometimepast,insteadofkissingheronbothcheeksasofold.Hesupposedthatsheputherlipsnearbuthedidnotfeelthemonhisbrow,andhestraightenedhimselfwithathrobbingheartafterthisfeintofacaress.Andhewondered:"WhatdidtheysaytoeachotherafterIhadleft?"Jeanconstantlyaddressedhertenderlyas"mother,"or"dearmother,"tookcareofher,waitedonher,andpouredoutherwine.ThenPierreunderstoodthattheyhadwepttogether,buthecouldnotreadtheir

minds.DidJeanbelieveinhismother'sguilt,orthinkhisbrotherabasewretch?Andallhisself-reproachforhavingutteredthehorriblethingcameuponhimagain,chokinghisthroatandhistongue,andpreventinghiseithereatingorspeaking.Hewasnowapreytoanintolerabledesiretofly,toleavethehousewhichwashishomenolonger,andthesepersonswhowereboundtohimbysuchimperceptibleties.Hewouldgladlyhavebeenoffthatmoment,nomatterwhither,feelingthateverythingwasover,thathecouldnotenduretostaywiththem,thathispresencewastorturetothem,andthattheywouldbringonhimincessantsufferingtoogreattoendure.Jeanwastalking,chattingwithRoland.

Pierre,ashedidnotlisten,didnothear.Buthepresentlywasawareofapointedtoneinhisbrother'svoiceandpaidmoreattentiontohiswords.Jeanwassaying:"Shewillbethefinestshipintheirfleet.Theysaysheisof6,500tons.Sheistomakeherfirsttripnextmonth."Rolandwasamazed."Sosoon?Ithoughtshewasnottobereadyforseathissummer.""Yes.Theworkhasbeenpushedforwardveryvigorously,togetherthroughherfirstvoyagebeforetheautumn.IlookedinattheCompany'sofficethismorning,andwastalkingtooneofthedirectors.""Indeed!Whichofthem?""M.Marchand,whoisagreatfriendoftheChairmanoftheBoard.""Oh!Doyouknowhim?"

"Yes.AndIwantedtoaskhimafavour.""ThenyouwillgetmeleavetogoovereverypartoftheLorraineassoonasshecomesintoport?""Tobesure;nothingcouldbeeasier."ThenJeanseemedtohesitate,tobeweighinghiswords,andtowanttoleaduptoadifficultsubject.Hewenton:"Onthewhole,lifeisveryendurableonboardthosegreatTransatlanticliners.MorethanhalfthetimeisspentonshoreintwosplendidcitiesNewYorkand



Havre;andtheremainderatseawithdelightfulcompany.Infact,verypleasantacquaintancesaresometimesmadeamongthepassengers,andveryusefulinafter-lifeyes,reallyveryuseful.Onlythink,thecaptain,withhisperquisitesoncoal,canmakeasmuchastwenty-fivethousandfrancsayearormore."Rolandmutteredanoathfollowedbyawhistle,whichtestifiedtohisdeeprespectforthesumandthecaptain.Jeanwenton:"Thepursermakesasmuchastenthousand,andthedoctorhasafixedsalaryoffivethousand,withlodgings,keep,light,firing,service,andeverything,whichmakesituptotenthousandatleast.Thatisverygoodpay."Pierreraisinghiseyesmethisbrother'sandunderstood.Then,aftersomehesitation,heasked:"IsitveryhardtogetaplaceasmedicalmanonboardaTransatlanticliner?""Yesandno.Italldependsoncircumstancesandrecommendation."Therewasalongpause;thenthedoctorbeganagain."Nextmonth,yousay,theLorraineistosail?""Yes.Onthe7th."Andtheysaidnothingmore.Pierrewasconsidering.Itcertainlywouldbeawayoutofmanydifficultiesifhecouldembarkasmedicalofficeronboardthesteamship.By-and-byhecouldsee;hemightperhapsgiveitup.Meanwhilehewouldbegainingaliving,andaskingfornothingfromhisparents.Onlytwodayssincehehadbeenforcedtosellhiswatch,forhewouldnolongerholdouthishandtobegofhismother.

Sohehadnootherresourceleft,noopeningtoenablehimtoeatthebreadofanyhousebutthiswhichhadbecomeuninhabitable,orsleepinanyotherbed,orunderanyotherroof.Hepresentlysaid,withsomelittlehesitation:"IfIcould,Iwouldverygladlysailinher."Jeanasked:"Whatshouldhinderyou?""IknownooneintheTransatlanticShippingCompany."Rolandwasastounded."Andwhathasbecomeofallyourfineschemesforgettingon?"Pierrerepliedinalowvoice:"Therearetimeswhenwemustbringourselvestosacrificeeverythingandrenounceourfondesthopes.Andafterallitisonlytomakeabeginning,away

ofsavingafewthousandfrancstostartfairwithafterward."Hisfatherwaspromptlyconvinced."Thatisverytrue.Inacoupleofyearsyoucanputbysixorseventhousandfrancs,andthatwelllaidout,willgoalongway.Whatdoyouthinkofthematter,Louise?"Sherepliedinavoicesolowastobescarcelyaudible:"IthinkPierreisright."Rolandexclaimed:"IwillgoandtalkitoverwithM.Poulin:Iknowhimverywell.HeisassessoroftheChamberofCommerceandtakesaninterestintheaffairsoftheCompany.ThereisM.Lenient,too,theship-owner,whoisintimatewithoneofthevice-chairmen."

Jeanaskedhisbrother:"WouldyoulikemetofeelmywaywithM.Marchandatonce?""Yes,Ishouldbeveryglad."AfterthinkingafewminutesPierreadded:"ThebestthingIcando,perhaps,willbetowritetomyprofessorsatthecollegeofMedicine,whohadagreatregardforme.Veryinferiormenaresometimesshippedonboardthosevessels.LettersofstrongrecommendationfromsuchprofessorsasMas-Roussel,Remusot,Flanche,andBorriquelwoulddomoreformeinanhourthanallthedoubtfulintroductionsintheworld.ItwouldbeenoughifyourfriendM.Marchandwouldlaythembeforetheboard."



Jeanapprovedheartily."Yourideaisreallycapital."Andhesmiled,quitereassured,almosthappy,sureofsuccessandincapableofallowinghimselftobeunhappyforlong."Youwillwriteto-day?"hesaid."Directly.Now;atonce.Iwillgoanddoso.Idonotcareforanycoffeethismorning;Iamtoonervous."Heroseandlefttheroom.ThenJeanturnedtohismother:"Andyou,mother,whatareyougoingtodo?""Nothing.Idonotknow.""WillyoucomewithmetocallonMme.Rosemilly?""Why,yesyes.""YouknowImustpositivelygotoseeherto-day.""Yes,yes.Tobesure.""Whymustyoupositively?"askedRoland,whosehabititwasnevertounderstandwhatwassaidinhispresence."BecauseIpromisedherIwould.""Oh,verywell.Thataltersthecase."Andhebegantofillhispipe,whilethemotherandsonwentupstairstomakeready.WhentheywereinthestreetJeansaid:"Willyoutakemyarm,mother?"Hewasneveraccustomedtoofferit,fortheywereinthehabitofwalkingsidebyside.Sheacceptedandleanedonhim.Forsometimetheydidnotspeak;thenhesaid:

"YouseethatPierreisquitereadyandwillingtogoaway."Shemurmured:"Poorboy!""Butwhy'poorboy'?HewillnotbeintheleastunhappyonboardtheLorraine."

"NoIknow.ButIwasthinkingofsomanythings."Andshethoughtforalongtime,herheadbent,accommodatinghersteptoherson's;then,inthepeculiarvoiceinwhichwesometimesgiveutterancetotheconclusionoflongandsecretmeditations,sheexclaimed:"Howhorriblelifeis!Ifbyanychancewecomeacrossanysweetnessinit,wesininlettingourselvesbehappy,andpaydearlyforitafterward."Hesaidinawhisper:

"Donotspeakofthatanymore,mother.""Isthatpossible?Ithinkofnothingelse.""Youwillforgetit."Againshewassilent;thenwithdeepregretshesaid:"HowhappyImighthavebeen,marriedtoanotherman!"ShewasvisitingitonRolandnow,throwingalltheresponsibilityofhersinonhisugliness,hisstupidity,hisclumsiness,theheavinessofhisintellect,andthevulgarityofhisperson.Itwastothisthatitwasowingthatshehadbetrayedhim,haddrivenonesontodesperation,andhadbeenforcedtouttertotheotherthemostagonizingconfessionthatcanmakeamother'sheartbleed.

Shemuttered:"Itissofrightfulforayounggirltohavetomarrysuchahusbandasmine."Jeanmadenoreply.Hewasthinkingofthemanhehadhithertobelievedtobehisfather;andpossiblythevaguenotionhehadlongsinceconceived,ofthatfather'sinferiority,withhisbrother'sconstantirony,thescornfulindifferenceofothers,andtheverymaid-servant'scontemptforRoland,hadsomewhatpreparedhismindforhismother'sterribleavowal.Ithadallmadeitlessdreadfultohimtofindthathewasanotherman'sson;andif,afterthegreatshockandagitationofthepreviousevening,hehadnotsufferedthereactionofrage,indignation,andrebellionwhichMme.Rolandhadfeared,it



wasbecausehehadlongbeenunconsciouslychafingunderthesenseofbeingthechildofthiswell-meaninglout.TheyhadnowreachedthedwellingofMme.Rosemilly.ShelivedontheroadtoSainte-Adresse,onthesecondfloorofalargetenementwhichsheowned.Thewindowscommandedaviewofthewholeroadstead.OnseeingMme.Roland,whoenteredfirst,insteadofmerelyholdingoutherhandsasusual,sheputherarmsroundherandkissedher,forshedivinedthepurposeofhervisit.Thefurnitureofthisdrawing-room,allinstampedvelvet,wasalwaysshroudedinchair-covers.Thewalls,hungwithfloweredpaper,weregracedbyfourengravings,thepurchaseofherlatehusband,thecaptain.Theyrepresentedsentimentalscenesofseafaringlife.Inthefirstafisherman'swifewasseen,wavingahandkerchiefonshore,whilethevesselwhichboreawayherhusbandvanishedonthehorizon.Inthesecondthesamewoman,onherkneesonthesameshore,underaskyshotwithlightning,wrungherarmsasshegazedintothedistanceatherhusband'sboatwhichwasgoingtothebottomamidimpossiblewaves.Theothersrepresentedsimilarscenesinahigherrankofsociety.Ayoungladywithfairhair,restingherelbowsontheledgeofalargesteamshipquittingtheshore,gazedatthealreadydistantcoastwitheyesfulloftearsandregret.Whomissheleavingbehind?Thenthesameyoungladysittingbyanopenwidowwithaviewofthesea,hadfaintedinanarm-chair;alettershehaddroppedlayatherfeet.Soheis

dead!Whatdespair!Visitorsweregenerallymuchmovedandcharmedbythecommonplacepathosoftheseobviousandsentimentalworks.Theywereatonceintelligiblewithoutquestionorexplanation,andthepoorwomenweretobepitied,thoughthenatureofthegriefofthemoreelegantofthetwowasnotpreciselyknown.Butthisverydoubtcontributedtothesentiment.Shehad,nodoubt,lostherlover.Onenteringtheroomtheeyewasimmediatelyattractedtothesefourpictures,andrivetedasiffascinated.Ifitwandereditwasonlytoreturnandcontemplatethefourexpressionsonthefacesofthetwowomen,whowereaslikeeachotherastwosisters.Andtheverystyleoftheseworks,intheirshiningframes,crisp,sharp,andhighlyfinished,withtheeleganceofafashionplate,suggestedasenseofcleanlinessandproprietywhichwasconfirmedbytherest

ofthefittings.Theseatswerealwaysinpreciselythesameorder,someagainstthewallandsomeroundthecircularcentre-table.Theimmaculatelywhitecurtainshunginsuchstraightandregularpleatsthatonelongedtocrumplethemalittle;andneverdidagrainofdustrestontheshadeunderwhichthegiltclock,inthetasteofthefirstempireaterrestrialglobesupportedbyAtlasonhiskneeslookedlikeamelonlefttheretoripen.Thetwowomenastheysatdownsomewhatalteredthenormalpositionoftheirchairs."Youhavenotbeenoutthismorning?"askedMme.Roland."No.Imustowntobeingrathertired."AndshespokeasifingratitudetoJeanandhismother,ofallthepleasureshe

hadderivedfromtheexpeditionandtheprawn-fishing."Iatemyprawnsthismorning,"sheadded,"andtheywereexcellent.Ifyoufeltinclinedwemightgoagainoneofthesedays."Theyoungmaninterruptedher:"Beforewestartonasecondfishingexcursion,supposewecompletethefirst?""Completeit?Itseemstomequitefinished.""Nay,madame,I,formypart,caughtsomethingontherocksofSaintJouainwhichIamanxioustocarryhomewithme."Sheputonaninnocentandknowinglook.



"You?Whatcanitbe?Whatcanyouhavefound?""Awife.AndmymotherandIhavecometoaskyouwhethershehadchangedhermindthismorning."Shesmiled:"No,monsieur.Ineverchangemymind."Andthenheheldouthishand,wideopen,andsheputhersintoitwithaquick,determinedmovement.Thenhesaid:"Assoonaspossible,Ihope.""Assoonasyoulike.""Insixweeks?""Ihavenoopinion.Whatdoesmyfuturemother-in-lawsay?"Mme.Rolandrepliedwitharathermelancholysmile:"I?Oh,Icansaynothing.IcanonlythankyouforhavingacceptedJean,foryouwillmakehimveryhappy.""Wewilldoourbest,mamma."Somewhatovercome,forthefirsttime,Mme.Rosemillyrose,andthrowingherarmsroundMme.Roland,kissedheralongtimeasachildofherownmighthavedone;andunderthisnewembracethepoorwoman'ssickheartswelledwithdeepemotion.Shecouldnothaveexpressedthefeeling;itwasatoncesadandsweet.Shehadlostherson,herbigboy,butinreturnshehadfoundadaughter,agrown-updaughter.Whentheyfacedeachotheragain,andwereseated,theytookhandsandremainedso,lookingateachandsmiling,whiletheyseemedtohaveforgottenJean.Thentheydiscussedanumberofthingswhichhadtobethoughtofinviewofan

earlymarriage,andwheneverythingwassettledanddecidedMme.Rosemillyseemedsuddenlytorememberafurtherdetailandasked:"YouhaveconsultedM.Roland,Isuppose?"Aflushofcolourmountedatthesameinstantonthefaceofbothmotherandson.Itwasthemotherwhoreplied:"Oh,no,itisquiteunnecessary!"Thenshehesitated,feelingthatsomeexplanationwasneeded,andadded:"Wedoeverythingwithoutsayinganythingtohim.Itisenoughtotellhimwhatwehavedecidedon."Mme.Rosemilly,notintheleastsurprised,onlysmiled,takingitasamatterofcourse,forthegoodmancountedforsolittle.WhenMme.Rolandwasinthestreetagainwithhersonshesaid:"Supposewegotoyourroomsforalittlewhile.Ishouldbegladtorest."Shefeltherselfhomeless,shelterless,herownhousebeingaterrortoher.

TheywentintoJean'sapartments.Assoonasthedoorwascloseduponhersheheavedadeepsigh,asifthatbolthadplacedherinsafety,butthen,insteadofrestingasshehadsaid,shebegantoopenthecupboards,tocountthepilesoflinen,thepocket-handkerchiefs,andsocks.Shechangedthearrangementtoplacetheminmoreharmoniousorder,morepleasingtoherhousekeeper'seye;andwhenshehadputeverythingtohermind,layingoutthetowels,theshirts,andthedrawersontheirseveralshelvesanddividingallthelinenintothreeprincipalclasses,body-linen,household-linen,andtable-linen,shedrewbackandcontemplatedtheresults,andcalledout:"Comehere,Jean,andseehowniceitlooks."Hewentandadmiredittopleaseher.Onasudden,whenhehadsatdownagain,shecamesoftlyupbehindhis

arm-chair,andputtingherrightarmroundhisneckshekissedhim,whileshelaidonthechimney-shelfasmallpacketwrappedinwhitepaperwhichsheheldintheotherhand."Whatisthat?"heasked.Then,asshemadenoreply,heunderstood,recognisingtheshapeoftheframe."Giveitme!"hesaid.Shepretendednottohearhim,andwentbacktothelinencupboards.Hegotuphastily,tookthemelancholyrelic,andgoingacrosstheroom,putitinthedrawerofhiswriting-table,whichhelockedanddoublelocked.Shewipedawaya



tearwiththetipofherfinger,andsaidinaratherquaveringvoice:"NowIamgoingtoseewhetheryournewservantkeepsthekitcheningoodorder.AssheisoutIcanlookintoeverythingandmakesure."

CHAPTERIXLettersofrecommendationfromProfessorsMas-Roussel,Remusot,Flache,andBorriquel,writteninthemostflatteringtermswithregardtoDr.PierreRoland,theirpupil,hadbeensubmittedbyM.MarchandtothedirectorsoftheTransatlanticShippingCo.,secondedbyM.Poulin,judgeoftheChamberofCommerce,M.Lenient,agreatship-owner,andMr.Marival,deputytotheMayorofHavre,andaparticularfriendofCaptainBeausires's.ItprovedthatnomedicalofficerhadyetbeenappointedtotheLorraine,andPierrewasluckyenoughtobenominatedwithinafewdays.TheletterannouncingitwashandedtohimonemorningbyJosephine,justashewasdressed.Hisfirstfeelingwasthatofamancondemnedtodeathwhoistoldthathissentenceiscommuted;hehadanimmediatesenseofreliefatthethoughtofhisearlydepartureandofthepeacefullifeonboard,cradledbythe

rollingwaves,alwayswandering,alwaysmoving.Hislifeunderhisfather'sroofwasnowthatofastranger,silentandreserved.Eversincetheeveningwhenheallowedtheshamefulsecrethehaddiscoveredtoescapehiminhisbrother'spresence,hehadfeltthatthelasttiestohiskindredwerebroken.HewasharassedbyremorseforhavingtoldthisthingtoJean.Hefeltthatitwasodious,indecent,andbrutal,andyetitwasarelieftohimtohaveutteredit.

Henevermettheeyeseitherofhismotherorhisbrother;toavoidhisgazetheirshadbecomesurprisinglyalert,withthecunningoffoeswhofeartocross

eachother.Hewasalwayswondering:"WhatcanshehavesaidtoJean?Didsheconfessordenyit?Whatdoesmybrotherbelieve?Whatdoeshethinkofherwhatdoeshethinkofme?"Hecouldnotguess,anditdrovehimtofrenzy.Andhescarcelyeverspoketothem,exceptingwhenRolandwasby,toavoidhisquestioning.Assoonashereceivedtheletterannouncinghisappointmentheshoweditatoncetohisfamily.Hisfather,whowaspronetorejoicingovereverything,clappedhishands.Jeanspokeseriously,thoughhisheartwasfullofgladness:"Icongratulateyouwithallmyheart,forIknowtherewereseveralothercandidates.Youcertainlyoweittoyourprofessors'letters."Hismotherbentherheadandmurmured:"Iamverygladyouhavebeensuccessful."AfterbreakfasthewenttotheCompany'sofficestoobtaininformationon

variousparticulars,andheaskedthenameofthedoctoronboardthePicardie,whichwastosailnextday,toinquireofhimastothedetailsofhisnewlifeandanydetailshemightthinkuseful.Dr.Pirettehavinggoneonboard,Pierrewenttotheship,wherehewasreceivedinalittlestate-roombyayoungmanwithafairbeard,notunlikehisbrother.Theytalkedtogetheralongtime.Inthehollowdepthsofthehugeshiptheycouldhearaconfusedandcontinuouscommotion;thenoiseofbalesandcasespitcheddownintotheholdminglingwith



footsteps,voices,thecreakingofthemachineryloweringthefreight,theboatswain'swhistle,andtheclatterofchainsdraggedorwoundontocapstansbythesnortingandpantingenginewhichsentaslightvibrationfromendtoendofthegreatvessel.ButwhenPierrehadlefthiscolleagueandfoundhimselfinthestreetoncemore,anewformofmelancholycamedownonhim,envelopinghimlikethefogswhichrolloverthesea,comingupfromtheendsoftheworldandholdingintheirintangibledensitysomethingmysteriouslyimpure,asitwerethepestilentialbreathofafar-away,unhealthyland.Inhishoursofgreatestsufferinghehadneverfelthimselfsosunkinafoulpitofmisery.Itwasasthoughhehadgiventhelastwrench;therewasnofibreofattachmentleft.Intearinguptherootsofeveryaffectionhehadnothithertohadthedistressfulfeelingwhichnowcameoverhim,likethatofalostdog.Itwasnolongeratorturingmortalpain,butthefrenzyofaforlornandhomelessanimal,thephysicalanguishofavagabondcreaturewithoutaroofforshelter,lashedbytherain,thewind,thestorm,allthebrutalforcesoftheuniverse.Ashesetfootonthevessel,ashewentintothecabinrockedbythewaves,theveryfleshoftheman,whohadalwayssleptinamotionlessandsteadybed,hadrisenupagainsttheinsecurityhenceforthofallhismorrows.Tillnowthatfleshhadbeenprotectedbyasolidwallbuiltintotheearthwhichheldit,bythecertaintyofrestinginthesamespot,underaroofwhich

couldresistthegale.Nowallthat,whichitwasapleasuretodefyinthewarmthofhome,mustbecomeaperilandaconstantdiscomfort.Noearthunderfoot,onlythegreedy,heaving,complainingsea;nospacearoundforwalking,running,losingtheway,onlyafewyardsofplankstopacelikeaconvictamongotherprisoners;notrees,nogardens,nostreets,nohouses;nothingbutwaterandclouds.Andtheceaselessmotionoftheshipbeneathhisfeet.Onstormydayshemustleanagainstthewainscot,holdontothedoors,clingtotheedgeofthenarrowberthtosavehimselffromrollingout.Oncalmdayshewouldhearthesnortingthrobofthescrew,andfeeltheswiftflightoftheship,bearinghimoninitsunpausing,regular,exasperatingrace.Andhewascondemnedtothisvagabondconvict'slifesolelybecausehismother

hadyieldedtoaman'scaresses.Hewalkedon,hisheartsinkingwiththedespairingsorrowofthosewhoaredoomedtoexile.Henolongerfeltahaughtydisdainandscornfulhatredofthestrangershemet,butawoefulimpulsetospeaktothem,totellthemallthathehadtoquitFrance,tobelistenedtoandcomforted.Therewasintheverydepthsofhishearttheshame-facedneedofabeggarwhowouldfainholdouthishandatimidbuturgentneedtofeelthatsomeonewouldgrieveathisdeparting.HethoughtofMarowsko.TheoldPolewastheonlypersonwholovedhimwellenoughtofeeltrueandkeenemotion,andthedoctoratoncedeterminedtogoandseehim.Whenheenteredtheshop,thedruggist,whowaspoundingpowdersinamarble

mortar,startedandlefthiswork."Youarenevertobeseennowadays,"saidhe.Pierreexplainedthathehadhadagreatmanyseriousmatterstoattendto,butwithoutgivingthereason,andhetookaseat,asking:"Well,andhowisbusinessdoing?"Businesswasnotdoingatall.Competitionwasfearful,andrichfolksrareinthatworkmen'squarter.Nothingwouldsellbutcheapdrugs,andthedoctorsdidnotprescribethecostlierandmorecomplicatedremediesonwhichaprofitismadeoffivehundredpercent.Theoldfellowendedbysaying:"IfthisgoesonforthreemonthsIshallshutupshop.IfIdidnotcountonyou,deargood



doctor,Ishouldhaveturnedshoe-blackbythistime."Pierrefeltapang,andmadeuphismindtodealtheblowatonce,sinceitmustbedone."Ioh,Icannotbeofanyusetoyou.IamleavingHavreearlynextmonth."Marowskotookoffhisspectacles,sogreatwashisagitation."You!You!Whatareyousaying?""IsaythatIamgoingaway,mypoorfriend."Theoldmanwasstricken,feelinghislasthopeslippingfromunderhim,andhesuddenlyturnedagainstthisman,whomhehadfollowed,whomheloved,whomhehadsoimplicitlytrusted,andwhoforsookhimthus.Hestammeredout:"Youaresurelynotgoingtoplaymefalseyou?"Pierrewassodeeplytouchedthathefeltinclinedtoembracetheoldfellow."Iamnotplayingyoufalse.Ihavenotfoundanythingtodohere,andIamgoingasmedicalofficeronboardaTransatlanticpassengerboat.""OMonsieurPierre!Andyoualwayspromisedyouwouldhelpmetomakealiving!"

"WhatcanIdo?Imustmakemyownliving.Ihavenotafarthingintheworld."Marowskosaid:"Itiswrong;whatyouaredoingisverywrong.Thereisnothingformebuttodieofhunger.Atmyagethisistheendofallthings.Itiswrong.Youareforsakingapooroldmanwhocameheretobewithyou.Itiswrong."

Pierretriedtoexplain,toprotest,togivereasons,toprovethathecouldnothavedoneotherwise;thePole,enragedbyhisdesertion,wouldnotlistentohim,andheendedbysaying,withanallusionnodoubttopoliticalevents:"YouFrenchyouneverkeepyourword!"AtthisPierrerose,offendedonhispart,andtakingratherahightonehesaid:"Youareunjust,pereMarowsko;amanmusthaveverystrongmotivestoactasIhavedoneandyououghttounderstandthat.AurevoirIhopeImayfindyoumorereasonable."Andhewentaway."Well,well,"hethought,"notasoulwillfeelasincereregretforme."Hismindsoughtthroughallthepeoplehekneworhadknown,andamongthefaces

whichcrossedhismemoryhesawthatofthegirlatthetavernwhohadledhimtodoubthismother.Hehesitated,havingstillaninstinctivegrudgeagainsther,thensuddenlyreflectedontheotherhand:"Afterall,shewasright."Andhelookedabouthimtofindtheturning.Thebeer-shop,asithappened,wasfullofpeople,andalsofullofsmoke.Thecustomers,tradesmen,andlabourers,foritwasaholiday,wereshouting,calling,laughing,andthemasterhimselfwaswaitingonthem,runningfromtabletotable,carryingawayemptyglassesandreturningthemcrownedwithfroth.WhenPierrehadfoundaseatnotfarfromthedeskhewaited,hopingthatthegirlwouldseehimandrecognisehim.Butshepassedhimagainandagainasshe

wenttoandfro,patteringherfeetunderherskirtswithasmartlittlestrut.Atlastherappedacoinonthetable,andshehurriedup."Whatwillyoutake,sir?"Shedidnotlookathim;hermindwasabsorbedincalculationsoftheliquorshehadserved."Well,"saidhe,"thisisaprettywayofgreetingafriend."Shefixedhereyesonhisface."Ah!"saidshehurriedly."Isityou?Youareprettywell?ButIhavenotaminuteto-day.Abockdidyouwishfor?""Yes,abock!"



Whenshebroughtithesaid:"Ihavecometosaygood-bye.Iamgoingaway."Andsherepliedindifferently:"Indeed.Whereareyougoing?""ToAmerica.""Averyfindcountry,theysay."Andthatwasall!Really,hewasveryill-advisedtoaddressheronsuchabusyday;thereweretoomanypeopleinthecafe.Pierrewentdowntothesea.AshereachedthejettyhedescriedthePearl;hisfatherandBeausirewerecomingin.Papagriswaspulling,andthetwomen,seatedinthestern,smokedtheirpipeswithalookofperfecthappiness.Astheywentpastthedoctorsaidtohimself:"Blessedarethesimple-minded!"Andhesatdownononeofthebenchesonthebreakwater,totrytolullhimselfinanimaldrowsiness.Whenhewenthomeintheeveninghismothersaid,withoutdaringtolifthereyestohisface:"Youwillwantaheapofthingstotakewithyou.Ihaveorderedyourunder-linen,andIwentintothetailor'sshopaboutclothclothes;butistherenothingelseyouneedthingswhichI,perhaps,knownothingabout?"Hislipspartedtosay,"No,nothing."Buthereflectedthathemustacceptthemeansofgettingadecentoutfit,andherepliedinaverycalmvoice:"Ihardly

knowmyself,yet.Iwillmakeinquiriesattheoffice."Heinquired,andtheygavehimalistofindispensablenecessaries.Hismother,asshetookitfromhishand,lookedupathimforthefirsttimeforverylong,andinthedepthsofhereyestherewasthehumbleexpression,gentle,sad,andbeseeching,ofadogthathasbeenbeatenandbegsforgiveness.Onthe1stofOctobertheLorrainefromSaint-Nazaire,cameintotheharbourofHavretosailonthe7th,boundforNewYork,andPierreRolandwastotakepossessionofthelittlefloatingcabininwhichhenceforthhislifewastobeconfined.Nextdayashewasgoingout,hemethismotheronthestairswaitingforhim,tomurmurinanalmostinaudiblevoice:"Youwouldnotlikemetohelpyoutoputthingstorightsonboard?"

"No,thankyou.Everythingisdone."Thenshesaid:"Ishouldhavelikedtoseeyourcabin.""Thereisnothingtosee.Itisverysmallandveryugly."Andhewentdownstairs,leavingherstricken,leaningagainstthewallwithawanface.NowRoland,whohadgoneovertheLorrainethatveryday,couldtalkofnothingalldinnertimebutthissplendidvessel,andwonderedthathiswifeshouldnotcaretoseeitastheirsonwastosailonboard.Pierrehadscarcelyanyintercoursewithhisfamilyduringthedayswhichfollowed.Hewasnervous,irritable,hard,andhisroughspeechseemedtolasheveryoneindiscriminately.Butthedaybeforehelefthewassuddenlyquitechanged,andmuchsoftened.Asheembracedhisparentsbeforegoingtosleepon

boardforthefirsttimehesaid:"Youwillcometosaygood-byetomeonboard,willyounot?"Rolandexclaimed:"Why,yes,ofcourseofcourse,Louise?""Certainly,certainly,"shesaidinalowvoice.Pierrewenton:"Wesailatelevenprecisely.Youmustbetherebyhalf-pastnineatthelatest.""Hah!"criedhisfather."Agoodidea!Assoonaswehavebidyougood-bye,wewillmakehasteonboardthePearl,andlookoutforyoubeyondthejetty,soas



toseeyouoncemore.Whatdoyousay,Louise?""Certainly."Rolandwenton:"Andinthatwayyouwillnotlosesightofusamongthecrowdwhichthrongsthebreakwaterwhenthegreatlinerssail.Itisimpossibletodistinguishyourownfriendsinthemob.Doesthatmeetyourviews?""Yes,tobesure;thatissettled."Anhourlaterhewaslyinginhisberthalittlecribaslongandnarrowasacoffin.Thereheremainedwithhiseyeswideopenforalongtime,thinkingoverallthathadhappenedduringthelasttwomonthsofhislife,especiallyinhisownsoul.Bydintofsufferingandmakingotherssuffer,hisaggressiveandrevengefulanguishhadlostitsedge,likeabluntedsword.Hescarcelyhadtheheartleftinhimtooweanyoneoranythingagrudge;helethisrebelliouswrathfloatawaydownstream,ashislifemust.Hewassowearyofwrestling,wearyoffighting,wearyofhating,wearyofeverything,thathewasquitewornout,andtriedtostupefyhisheartwithforgetfulnessashedroppedasleep.Heheardvaguely,allabouthim,theunwontednoisesoftheship,slightnoises,andscarcelyaudibleonthiscalmnightinport;andhefeltnomoreofthedreadfulwoundwhichhadtorturedhimhitherto,butthediscomfortandstrainofitshealing.Hehadbeensleepingsoundlywhenthestirofthecrewrousedhim.Itwasday;thetidaltrainhadcomedowntothepierbringingthepassengersfromParis.Thenhewanderedaboutthevesselamongallthesebusy,bustlingfolksinquiring

fortheircabins,questioningandansweringeachotheratrandom,inthescareandfussofavoyagealreadybegun.AftergreetingtheCaptainandshakinghandswithhiscomradethepurser,hewentintothesaloonwheresomeEnglishmenwerealreadyasleepinthecorners.Thelargelowroom,withitswhitemarblepanelsframedingiltbeading,wasfurnishedwithlooking-glasses,whichprolonged,inendlessperspective,thelongtables,flankedbypivot-seatscoveredwithredvelvet.Itwasfit,indeed,tobethevastfloatingcosmopolitandining-hall,wheretherichnativesoftwocontinentsmighteatincommon.Itsmagnificentluxurywasthatofgreathotels,andtheatres,andpublicrooms;theimposingandcommonplaceluxurywhichappealstotheeyeofthemillionaire.Thedoctorwasonthepointofturningintothesecond-classsaloon,whenhe

rememberedthatalargecargoofemigrantshadcomeonboardthenightbefore,andhewentdowntothelowerdeck.Hewasmetbyasickeningsmellofdirty,poverty-strickenhumanity,anatmosphereofnakedflesh(farmorerevoltingthantheodouroffurortheskinofwildbeasts).There,inasortofbasement,lowanddark,likeagalleryinamine,Pierrecoulddiscernsomehundredsofmen,women,andchildren,stretchedonshelvesfixedoneaboveanother,orlyingonthefloorinheaps.Hecouldnotseetheirfaces,butcoulddimlymakeoutthissqualid,raggedcrowdofwretches,beateninthestruggleforlife,wornoutandcrushed,settingforth,eachwithastarvingwifeandweaklychildren,foranunknownlandwheretheyhoped,perhaps,nottodieofhunger.Andashethoughtoftheirpastlabourwastedlabour,andbarreneffortofthemortalstruggle

takenupafreshandinvaineachday,oftheenergyexpendedbythistatteredcrewwhoweregoingtobeginagain,notknowingwhere,thislifeofhideousmisery,helongedtocryouttothem:"Tumbleyourselvesoverboard,rather,withyourwomenandyourlittleones."Andhisheartachedsowithpitythathewentawayunabletoendurethesight.Hefoundhisfather,hismother,Jean,andMme.Rosemillywaitingforhiminhiscabin."Soearly!"heexclaimed.



"Yes,"saidMme.Rolandinatremblingvoice."Wewantedtohavealittletimetoseeyou."Helookedather.Shewasdressedallinblackasifshewereinmourning,andhenoticedthatherhair,whichonlyamonthagohadbeengray,wasnowalmostwhite.Itwasverydifficulttofindspaceforfourpersonstositdowninthelittleroom,andhehimselfgotontohisbed.Thedoorwasleftopen,andtheycouldseeagreatcrowdhurryingby,asifitwereastreetonaholiday,forallthefriendsofthepassengersandahostofinquisitivevisitorshadinvadedthehugevessel.Theypervadedthepassages,thesaloons,everycorneroftheship;andheadspeeredinatthedoorwaywhileavoicemurmuredoutside:"Thatisthedoctor'scabin."ThenPierreshutthedoor;butnosoonerwasheshutinwithhisownpartythanhelongedtoopenitagain,forthebustleoutsidecoveredtheiragitationandwantofwords.Mme.Rosemillyatlastfeltshemustspeak."Verylittleaircomesinthroughthoselittlewindows.""Port-holes,"saidPierre.Heshowedherhowthicktheglasswas,toenableittoresistthemostviolentshocks,andtookalongtimeexplainingthefastening.Rolandpresentlyasked:"Andyouhaveyourdoctor'sshophere?"ThedoctoropenedacupboardanddisplayedanarrayofphialsticketedwithLatinnamesonwhitepaperlabels.Hetookoneoutandenumeratedthepropertiesofitscontents;thenasecondandathird,aperfectlectureontherapeutics,

towhichtheyalllistenedwithgreatattention.Roland,shakinghishead,saidagainandagain:"Howveryinteresting!"Therewasatapatthedoor."Comein,"saidPierre,andCaptainBeausireappeared."Iamlate,"hesaidasheshookhands,"Ididnotwanttobeintheway."He,too,satdownonthebedandsilencefelloncemore.SuddenlytheCaptainprickedhisears.Hecouldheartheordersbeinggiven,andhesaid:"ItistimeforustobeoffifwemeantogetonboardthePearltoseeyouoncemoreoutside,andbidyougood-byeoutontheopensea."OldRolandwasveryeageraboutthis,toimpressthevoyagersonboardtheLorraine,nodoubt,andheroseinhaste."Good-bye,myboy."HekissedPierreonthewhiskersandthenopenedthedoor.

Mme.Rolandhadnotstirred,butsatwithdowncasteyes,verypale.Herhusbandtouchedherarm."Come,"hesaid,"wemustmakehaste,wehavenotaminutetospare."Shepulledherselfup,wenttohersonandofferedhimfirstoneandthenanothercheekofwhitewaxwhichhekissedwithoutsayingaword.ThenheshookhandswithMme.Rosemillyandhisbrother,asking:"Andwhenistheweddingtobe?""Idonotknowyetexactly.Wewillmakeitfitinwithoneofyourreturnvoyages."Atlasttheywerealloutofthecabin,andupondeckamongthecrowdofvisitors,porters,andsailors.Thesteamwassnortinginthehugebellyofthevessel,whichseemedtoquiverwithimpatience."Good-bye,"saidRolandinagreatbustle.

"Good-bye,"repliedPierre,standingononeofthelanding-plankslyingbetweenthedeckoftheLorraineandthequay.Heshookhandsallroundoncemore,andtheyweregone."Makehaste,jumpintothecarriage,"criedthefather.Aflywaswaitingforthemandtookthemtotheouterharbour,wherePapagrishadthePearlinreadinesstoputouttosea.Therewasnotabreathofair;itwasoneofthosecrisp,stillautumndays,whenthesheenysealooksascoldandhardaspolishedsteel.Jeantookoneoar,thesailorseizedtheotherandtheypulledoff.Onthebreakwater,onthepiers,evenonthegraniteparapets,acrowdstoodpacked,



hustling,andnoisy,toseetheLorrainecomeout.ThePearlglideddownbetweenthesetwowavesofhumanityandwassoonoutsidethemole.CaptainBeausire,seatedbetweenthetwowomen,heldthetiller,andhesaid:"Youwillsee,weshallbecloseinherwayclose."Andthetwooarsmenpulledwithalltheirmighttogetoutasfaraspossible.SuddenlyRolandcriedout:"Hereshecomes!Iseehermastsandhertwofunnels!Sheiscomingoutoftheinnerharbour.""Cheerily,lads!"criedBeausire.Mme.Rolandtookoutherhandkerchiefandheldittohereyes.Rolandstoodup,clingingtothemast,andanswered:"Atthismomentsheisworkingroundintheouterharbour.Sheisstandingstillnowshemovesagain!Sheistakingthetow-ropeonboardnodoubt.Thereshegoes.Bravo!Sheisbetweenthepiers!Doyouhearthecrowdshouting?Bravo!TheNeptunehasherintow.NowIseeherbowshereshecomesheresheis!GraciousHeavens,whataship!Look!Look!"Mme.RosemillyandBeausirelookedbehindthem,theoarsmenceasedpulling;onlyMme.Rolanddidnotstir.Theimmensesteamship,towedbyapowerfultug,which,infrontofher,lookedlikeacaterpillar,cameslowlyandmajesticallyoutoftheharbour.AndthegoodpeopleofHavre,whocrowdedthepiers,thebeach,andthewindows,carried

awaybyaburstofpatrioticenthusiasm,cried:"VivelaLorraine!"withacclamationsandapplauseforthismagnificentbeginning,thisbirthofthebeautifuldaughtergiventotheseabythegreatmaritimetown.She,assoonasshehadpassedbeyondthenarrowchannelbetweenthetwogranitewalls,feelingherselffreeatlast,castoffthetow-ropesandwentoffalone,likeamonstrouscreaturewalkingonthewaters."Heresheishereshecomes,straightdownonus!"Rolandkeptshouting;andBeausire,beaming,exclaimed:"WhatdidIpromiseyou!Heh!DoIknowtheway?"Jeaninalowtonesaidtohismother:"Look,mother,sheiscloseuponus!"AndMme.Rolanduncoveredhereyes,blindedwithtears.TheLorrainecameon,stillundertheimpetusofherswiftexitfromthe

harbour,inthebrilliant,calmweather.Beausire,withhisglasstohiseye,calledout:"Lookout!M.Pierreisatthestern,allalone,plainlytobeseen!Lookout!"TheshipwasalmosttouchingthePearlnow,astallasamountainandasswiftasatrain.Mme.Roland,distraughtanddesperate,heldoutherarmstowardsit;andshesawherson,herPierre,withhisofficer'scapon,throwingkissestoherwithbothhands.Buthewasgoingaway,flying,vanishing,atinyspeckalready,nomorethananimperceptiblespotontheenormousvessel.Shetriedstilltodistinguishhim,butshecouldnot.Jeantookherhand."Yousaw?"hesaid.

"Yes,Isaw.Howgoodheis!"Andtheyturnedtogohome."Cristi!Howfastshegoes!"exclaimedRolandwithenthusiasticconviction.Thesteamer,infact,wasshrinkingeverysecond,asthoughsheweremeltingawayintheocean.Mme.Roland,turningbacktolookather,watchedherdisappearingonthehorizon,onherwaytoanunknownlandattheothersideoftheworld.Inthatvesselwhichnothingcouldstay,thatvesselwhichshesoonwouldseenomore,washerson,herpoorson.Andshefeltasthoughhalfherhearthadgone



withhim;shefelt,too,asifherlifewereended;yes,andshefeltasthoughshewouldneverseethechildagain."Whyareyoucrying?"askedherhusband,"whenyouknowhewillbebackagainwithinamonth."Shestammeredout:"Idon'tknow;IcrybecauseIamhurt."Whentheyhadlanded,Beausireatoncetookleaveofthemtogotobreakfastwithafriend.ThenJeanledthewaywithMme.Rosemilly,andRolandsaidtohiswife:"Averyfinefellow,allthesame,isourJean.""Yes,"repliedthemother.Andhermindbeingtoomuchbewilderedtothinkofwhatshewassaying,shewenton:"IamverygladthatheistomarryMme.Rosemilly."Theworthymanwasastounded."Heh?What?HeistomarryMme.Rosemilly?""Yes,wemeanttoaskyouropinionaboutitthisveryday.""Blessme!Andhasthisengagementbeenlonginthewind?""Oh,no,onlyaveryfewdays.Jeanwishedtomakesurethatshewouldaccepthimbeforeconsultingyou."Rolandrubbedhishands."Verygood.Verygood.Itiscapital.Ientirelyapprove."AstheywereabouttoturnofffromthequaydowntheBoulevardFrancois,his

wifeoncemorelookedbacktocastalastlookatthehighseas,butshecouldseenothingnowbutapuffofgraysmoke,sofaraway,sofaintthatitlookedlikeafilmofhaze.

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pierre & jean, by guy de maupassant

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