TranslatedbyKatharinePrescottWormeleyDEDICATION
ToTheophileGautierTHESECRETSOFTHEPRINCESSEDECADIGNAN
CHAPTERI
THELASTWORDOFTWOGREATCOQUETTES
AfterthedisastersoftherevolutionofJuly，whichdestroyedsomanyaristocraticfortunesdependentonthecourt，MadamelaPrincessedeCadignanwascleverenoughtoattributetopoliticaleventsthetotalruinshehadcausedbyherownextravagance。TheprinceleftFrancewiththeroyalfamily，andneverreturnedtoit，leavingtheprincessinParis，protectedbythefactofhisabsence；fortheirdebts，whichthesaleofalltheirsalablepropertyhadnotbeenabletoextinguish，couldonlyberecoveredthroughhim。Therevenuesoftheentailedestateshadbeenseized。Inshort，theaffairsofthisgreatfamilywereinasbadastateasthoseoftheelderbranchoftheBourbons。
Thiswoman，socelebratedunderherfirstnameofDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，verywiselydecidedtoliveinretirement，andtomakeherself，ifpossible，forgotten。PariswasthensocarriedawaybythewhirlingcurrentofeventsthattheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，buriedinthePrincessedeCadignan，achangeofnameunknowntomostofthenewactorsbroughtuponthestageofsocietybytherevolutionofJuly，didreallybecomeastrangerinherowncity。
InParisthetitleofdukeranksallothers，eventhatofprince；
though，inheraldictheory，freeofallsophism，titlessignifynothing；thereisabsoluteequalityamonggentlemen。ThisfineequalitywasformerlymaintainedbytheHouseofFranceitself；andinourdayitissostill，atleast，nominally；witnessthecarewithwhichthekingsofFrancegivetotheirsonsthesimpletitleofcount。ItwasinvirtueofthissystemthatFrancoisI。crushedthesplendidtitlesassumedbythepompousCharlestheFifth，bysigninghisanswer：\"Francois，seigneurdeVanves。\"LouisXI。didbetterstillbymarryinghisdaughtertoanuntitledgentleman，PierredeBeaujeu。
ThefeudalsystemwassothoroughlybrokenupbyLouisXIV。thatthetitleofdukebecame，duringhisreign，thesupremehonorofthearistocracy，andthemostcoveted。
NeverthelesstherearetwoorthreefamiliesinFranceinwhichtheprincipality，richlyendowedinformertimes，takesprecedenceoftheduchy。ThehouseofCadignan，whichpossessesthetitleofDucdeMaufrigneuseforitseldestsons，isoneoftheseexceptionalfamilies。LiketheprincesofthehouseofRohaninearlierdays，theprincesofCadignanhadtherighttoathroneintheirowndomain；
theycouldhavepagesandgentlemenintheirservice。Thisexplanationisnecessary，asmuchtoescapefoolishcriticswhoknownothing，astorecordthecustomsofaworldwhich，wearetold，isabouttodisappear，andwhich，evidently，somanypersonsareassistingtopushawaywithoutknowingwhatitis。
TheCadignansbear：or，fivelozengessableappointed，placedfess-
wise，withtheword\"Memini\"formotto，acrownwithacapofmaintenance，nosupportersormantle。InthesedaysthegreatcrowdofstrangersflockingtoParis，andthealmostuniversalignoranceofthescienceofheraldry，arebeginningtobringthetitleofprinceintofashion。Therearenorealprincesbutthosepossessedofprincipalities，towhombelongsthetitleofhighness。ThedisdainshownbytheFrenchnobilityforthetitleofprince，andthereasonswhichcausedLouisXIV。togivesupremacytothetitleofduke，havepreventedFrenchmenfromclaimingtheappellationof\"highness\"forthefewprinceswhoexistinFrance，thoseofNapoleonexcepted。ThisiswhytheprincesofCadignanholdaninferiorposition，nominally，totheprincesofthecontinent。
ThemembersofthesocietycalledthefaubourgSaint-Germainprotectedtheprincessbyarespectfulsilenceduetohername，whichisoneofthosethatallmenhonor，tohermisfortunes，whichtheyceasedtodiscuss，andtoherbeauty，theonlythingshesavedofherdepartedopulence。Society，ofwhichshehadoncebeentheornament，wasthankfultoherforhaving，asitwere，takentheveil，andcloisteredherselfinherownhome。Thisactofgoodtastewasforher，morethanforanyotherwoman，animmensesacrifice。GreatdeedsarealwayssokeenlyfeltinFrancethattheprincessgained，byherretreat，asmuchasshehadlostinpublicopinioninthedaysofhersplendor。
Shenowsawonlyoneofheroldfriends，theMarquised’Espard，andeventohersheneverwentonfestiveoccasionsortoparties。Theprincessandthemarquisevisitedeachotherintheforenoons，withacertainamountofsecrecy。Whentheprincesswenttodinewithherfriend，themarquiseclosedherdoors。Madamed’Espardtreatedtheprincesscharmingly；shechangedherboxattheopera，leavingthefirsttierforabaignoireontheground-floor，sothatMadamedeCadignancouldcometothetheatreunseen，anddepartincognito。Fewwomenwouldhavebeencapableofadelicacywhichdeprivedthemofthepleasureofbearingintheirtrainafallenrival，andofpubliclybeingherbenefactress。Thusrelievedofthenecessityforcostlytoilets，theprincesscouldenjoythetheatre，whithershewentinMadamed’Espard’scarriage，whichshewouldneverhaveacceptedopenlyinthedaytime。NoonehaseverknownMadamed’Espard’sreasonsforbehavingthustothePrincessedeCadignan；butherconductwasadmirable，andforalongtimeincludedanumberoflittleactswhich，viewedsingle，seemmeretrifles，buttakeninthemassbecomegigantic。
In1832，threeyearshadthrownamantleofsnowoverthefolliesandadventuresoftheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse，andhadwhitenedthemsothoroughlythatitnowrequiredaseriouseffortofmemorytorecallthem。Ofthequeenonceadoredbysomanycourtiers，andwhosefolliesmighthavegivenathemetoavarietyofnovels，thereremainedawomanstilladorablybeautiful，thirty-sixyearsofage，butquitejustifiedincallingherselfthirty，althoughshewasthemotherofDucGeorgesdeMaufrigneuse，ayoungmanofeighteen，handsomeasAntinous，poorasJob，whowasexpectedtoobtaingreatsuccesses，andforwhomhismotherdesired，aboveallthings，tofindarichwife。
Perhapsthishopewasthesecretoftheintimacyshestillkeptupwiththemarquise，inwhosesalon，whichwasoneofthefirstinParis，shemighteventuallybeabletochooseamongmanyheiressesforGeorges’wife。Theprincesssawfiveyearsbetweenthepresentmomentandherson’smarriage，——fivesolitaryanddesolateyears；for，inordertoobtainsuchamarriageforherson，sheknewthatherownconductmustbemarkedinthecornerwithdiscretion。
TheprincesslivedintheruedeMiromesnil，inasmallhouse，ofwhichsheoccupiedtheground-flooratamoderaterent。Thereshemadethemostoftherelicsofherpastmagnificence。Theeleganceofthegreatladywasstillredolentabouther。Shewasstillsurroundedbybeautifulthingswhichrecalledherformerexistence。Onherchimney-
piecewasafineminiatureportraitofCharlesX。，byMadameMirbel，beneathwhichwereengravedthewords，\"GivenbytheKing\"；and，asapendant，theportraitof\"Madame\"，whowasalwaysherkindfriend。Onatablelayanalbumofcostliestprice，suchasnoneofthebourgeoiseswhonowlorditinourindustrialandfault-findingsocietywouldhavedaredtoexhibit。Thisalbumcontainedportraits，aboutthirtyinnumber，ofherintimatefriends，whomtheworld，firstandlast，hadgivenheraslovers。Thenumberwasacalumny；buthadrumorsaidten，itmighthavebeen，asherfriendMadamed’Espardremarked，good，soundgossip。TheportraitsofMaximedeTrailles，deMarsay，Rastignac，theMarquisd’Esgrignon，GeneralMontriveau，theMarquisdeRonquerollesandd’Ajuda-Pinto，PrinceGalathionne，theyoungDucsdeGrandlieuanddeRhetore，theVicomtedeSerizy，andthehandsomeLuciendeRubempre，hadallbeentreatedwiththeutmostcoquetryofbrushandpencilbycelebratedartists。Astheprincessnowreceivedonlytwoorthreeofthesepersonages，shecalledthebook，jokingly，thecollectionofhererrors。
Misfortunehadmadethiswomanagoodmother。DuringthefifteenyearsoftheRestorationshehadamusedherselffartoomuchtothinkofherson；butontakingrefugeinobscurity，thisillustriousegoistbethoughtherthatthematernalsentiment，developedtoitsextreme，mightbeanabsolutionforherpastfolliesintheeyesofsensiblepersons，whopardoneverythingtoagoodmother。Shelovedhersonallthemorebecauseshehadnothingelsetolove。GeorgesdeMaufrigneusewas，moreover，oneofthosechildrenwhoflatterthevanitiesofamother；andtheprincesshad，accordingly，madeallsortsofsacrificesforhim。Shehiredastableandcoach-house，abovewhichhelivedinalittleentresolwiththreeroomslookingonthestreet，andcharminglyfurnished；shehadevenborneseveralprivationstokeepasaddle-horse，acab-horse，andalittlegroomforhisuse。Forherself，shehadonlyherownmaid，andascook，aformerkitchen-
maid。Theduke’sgroomhad，therefore，ratherahardplace。Toby，formerlytigertothe\"late\"Beaudenord（suchwasthejestingtermappliedbythegayworldtothatruinedgentleman），——Toby，whoattwenty-fiveyearsofagewasstillconsideredonlyfourteen，wasexpectedtogroomthehorses，cleanthecabriolet，orthetilbury，andtheharnesses，accompanyhismaster，takecareoftheapartments，andbeintheprincess’santechambertoannounceavisitor，if，bychance，shehappenedtoreceiveone。
WhenonethinksofwhatthebeautifulDuchessedeMaufrigneusehadbeenundertheRestoration，——oneofthequeensofParis，adazzlingqueen，whoseluxuriousexistenceequalledthatoftherichestwomenoffashioninLondon，——therewassomethingtouchinginthesightofherinthathumblelittleabodeintheruedeMiromesnil，afewstepsawayfromhersplendidmansion，whichnoamountoffortunehadenabledhertokeep，andwhichthehammerofspeculatorshassincedemolished。Thewomanwhothoughtshewasscarcelywellservedbythirtyservants，whopossessedthemostbeautifulreception-roomsinallParis，andtheloveliestlittleprivateapartments，andwhomadethemthesceneofsuchdelightfulfetes，nowlivedinasmallapartmentoffiverooms，——
anantechamber，dining-room，salon，onebed-chamber，andadressing-
room，withtwowomen-servantsonly。
\"Ah！sheisdevotedtoherson，\"saidthatclevercreature，Madamed’Espard，\"anddevotedwithoutostentation；sheishappy。Whowouldeverhavebelievedsofrivolousawomanwascapableofsuchpersistentresolution！Ourgoodarchbishophas，consequently，greatlyencouragedher；heismostkindtoher，andhasjustinducedtheoldComtessedeCinq-Cygnetopayheravisit。\"
Letusadmitatruth！Onemustbeaqueentoknowhowtoabdicate，andtodescendwithdignityfromaloftypositionwhichisneverwhollylost。Thoseonlywhohaveaninnerconsciousnessofbeingnothinginthemselves，showregretsinfalling，orstruggle，murmuring，toreturntoapastwhichcanneverreturn，——afactofwhichtheythemselvesarewellaware。Compelledtodowithoutthechoiceexoticsinthemidstofwhichshehadlived，andwhichsetoffsocharminglyherwholebeing（foritisimpossiblenottocomparehertoaflower），theprincesshadwiselychosenaground-floorapartment；theresheenjoyedaprettylittlegardenwhichbelongedtoit，——agardenfullofshrubs，andanalwaysverdantturf，whichbrightenedherpeacefulretreat。Shehadabouttwelvethousandfrancsayear；butthatmodestincomewaspartlymadeupofanannualstipendsentherbytheoldDuchessedeNavarreins，paternalauntoftheyoungduke，andanotherstipendgivenbyhermother，theDuchessed’Uxelles，whowaslivingonherestateinthecountry，wheresheeconomizedasoldduchessesaloneknowhowtoeconomize；forHarpagonisamerenovicecomparedtothem。Theprincessstillretainedsomeofherpastrelationswiththeexiledroyalfamily；anditwasinherhousethatthemarshaltowhomweowetheconquestofAfricahadconferences，atthetimeof\"Madame’s\"
attemptinLaVendee，withtheprincipalleadersoflegitimistopinion，——sogreatwastheobscurityinwhichtheprincesslived，andsolittledistrustdidthegovernmentfeelforherinherpresentdistress。
Beholdingtheapproachofthatterriblefortiethyear，thebankruptcyoflove，beyondwhichthereissolittleforawomanaswoman，theprincesshadflungherselfintothekingdomofphilosophy。Shetooktoreading，shewhoforsixteenyearshadfeltacordialhorrorforseriousthings。Literatureandpoliticsareto-daywhatpietyanddevotiononceweretohersex，——thelastrefugeoftheirfemininepretensions。InherlatesocialcircleitwassaidthatDianewaswritingabook。Sincehertransformationfromaqueenandbeautytoawomanofintellect，theprincesshadcontrivedtomakeareceptioninherlittlehouseagreathonorwhichdistinguishedthefavoredperson。
Shelteredbyhersupposedoccupation，shewasabletodeceiveoneofherformeradorers，deMarsay，themostinfluentialpersonageofthepoliticalbourgeoisiebroughttotheforeinJuly1830。Shereceivedhimsometimesintheevenings，and，occupiedhisattentionwhilethemarshalandafewlegitimistsweretalking，inalowvoice，inherbedroom，abouttherecoveryofpower，whichcouldbeattainedonlybyageneralco-operationofideas，——theoneelementofsuccesswhichallconspiratorsoverlook。Itwastheclevervengeanceoftheprettywoman，whothusinveigledtheprimeminister，andmadehimactasscreenforaconspiracyagainsthisowngovernment。
Thisadventure，worthyofthefinestdaysoftheFronde，wasthetextofaverywittyletter，inwhichtheprincessrenderedto\"Madame\"anaccountofthenegotiations。TheDucdeMaufrigneusewenttoLaVendee，andwasabletoreturnsecretlywithoutbeingcompromised，butnotwithouttakingpartin\"Madame’s\"perils；thelatter，however，senthimhomethemomentshesawthathercausewaslost。Perhaps，hadheremained，theeagervigilanceoftheyoungmanmighthavefoiledthattreachery。HowevergreatthefaultsoftheDuchessedeMaufrigneusemayhaveseemedintheeyesofthebourgeoisie，thebehaviorofhersononthisoccasioncertainlyeffacedthemintheeyesofthearistocracy。Therewasgreatnobilityandgrandeurinthusriskingheronlyson，andtheheirofanhistoricname。Somepersonsaresaidtointentionallycoverthefaultsoftheirprivatelifebypublicservices，andviceversa；butthePrincessedeCadignanmadenosuchcalculation。Possiblythosewhoapparentlysoconductthemselvesmakenone。Eventscountformuchinsuchcases。
OnoneofthefirstfinedaysinthemonthofMay，1833，theMarquised’Espardandtheprincesswereturningabout——onecouldhardlycallitwalking——inthesinglepathwhichwoundroundthegrass-platinthegarden，abouthalf-pasttwointheafternoon，justasthesunwasleavingit。Theraysreflectedonthewallsgaveawarmatmospheretothelittlespace，whichwasfragrantwithflowers，thegiftofthemarquise。
\"WeshallsoonlosedeMarsay，\"saidthemarquise；\"andwithhimwilldisappearyourlasthopeoffortuneforyourson。Eversinceyouplayedhimthatclevertrick，hehasreturnedtohisaffectionforyou。\"
\"Mysonwillnevercapitulatetotheyoungerbranch，\"returnedtheprincess，\"ifhehastodieofhunger，orIhavetoworkwithmyhandstofeedhim。Besides，BerthedeCinq-Cygnehasnoaversiontohim。\"
\"Childrendon’tbindthemselvestotheirparents’principles，\"saidMadamed’Espard。
\"Don’tletustalkaboutit，\"saidtheprincess。\"IfIcan’tcoaxovertheMarquisedeCinq-Cygne，IshallmarryGeorgestothedaughterofsomeiron-founderer，asthatlittled’Esgrignondid。\"
\"DidyouloveVicturnien？\"askedthemarquise。
\"No，\"repliedtheprincess，gravely，\"d’Esgrignon’ssimplicitywasreallyonlyasortofprovincialsilliness，whichIperceivedrathertoolate——or，ifyouchoose，toosoon。\"
\"AnddeMarsay？\"
\"DeMarsayplayedwithmeasifIwereadoll。Iwassoyoungatthetime！Weneverlovemenwhopretendtoteachus；theyrubupallourlittlevanities。\"
\"Andthatwretchedboywhohangedhimself？\"
\"Lucien？AnAntinousandagreatpoet。Iworshipedhiminallconscience，andImighthavebeenhappy。Buthewasinlovewithagirlofthetown；andIgavehimuptoMadame。deSerizy……Ifhehadcaredtoloveme，shouldIhavegivenhimup？\"
\"Whatanoddthing，thatyoushouldcomeintocollisionwithanEsther！\"
\"ShewashandsomerthanI，\"saidthePrincess。——\"VerysoonitshallbethreeyearsthatIhavelivedinsolitude，\"sheresumed，afterapause，\"andthistranquillityhasnothingpainfultomeaboutit。ToyoualonecanIdaretosaythatIfeelIamhappy。Iwassurfeitedwithadoration，wearyofpleasure，emotionalonthesurfaceofthings，butconsciousthatemotionitselfneverreachedmyheart。IhavefoundallthemenwhomIhaveknownpetty，paltry，superficial；noneofthemevercausedmeasurprise；theyhadnoinnocence，nograndeur，nodelicacy。IwishIcouldhavemetwithonemanabletoinspiremewithrespect。\"
\"Thenareyoulikeme，mydear？\"askedthemarquise；\"haveyouneverfelttheemotionoflovewhiletryingtolove？\"
\"Never，\"repliedtheprincess，layingherhandonthearmofherfriend。
Theyturnedandseatedthemselvesonarusticbenchbeneathajasminethencomingintoflower。Eachhadutteredoneofthosesayingsthataresolemntowomenwhohavereachedtheirage。
\"Likeyou，\"resumedtheprincess，\"Ihavereceivedmorelovethanmostwomen；butthroughallmymanyadventures，Ihaveneverfoundhappiness。Icommittedgreatfollies，buttheyhadanobject，andthatobjectretreatedasfastasIapproachedit。Ifeelto-dayinmyheart，oldasitis，aninnocencewhichhasneverbeentouched。Yes，underallmyexperience，liesafirstloveintact，——justasImyself，inspiteofallmylossesandfatigues，feelyoungandbeautiful。Wemayloveandnotbehappy；wemaybehappyandneverlove；buttoloveandbehappy，tounitethosetwoimmensehumanexperiences，isamiracle。Thatmiraclehasnottakenplaceforme。\"
\"Norforme，\"saidMadamed’Espard。
\"IownIampursuedinthisretreatbydreadfulregret：Ihaveamusedmyselfallthroughlife，butIhaveneverloved。\"
\"Whatanincrediblesecret！\"criedthemarquise。
\"Ah！mydear，\"repliedtheprincess，\"suchsecretswecantelltoourselves，youandI，butnobodyinPariswouldbelieveus。\"
\"And，\"saidthemarquise，\"ifwewerenotbothoverthirty-sixyearsofage，perhapswewouldnottellthemtoeachother。\"
\"Yes；whenwomenareyoungtheyhavesomanystupidconceits，\"repliedtheprincess。\"Wearelikethosepooryoungmenwhoplaywithatoothpicktopretendtheyhavedined。\"
\"Well，atanyrate，hereweare！\"saidMadamed’Espard，withcoquettishgrace，andacharminggestureofwell-informedinnocence；
\"and，itseemstome，sufficientlyalivetothinkoftakingourrevenge。\"
\"Whenyoutoldme，theotherday，thatBeatrixhadgoneoffwithConti，Ithoughtofitallnightlong，\"saidtheprincess，afterapause。\"Isupposetherewashappinessinsacrificingherposition，herfuture，andrenouncingsocietyforever。\"
\"Shewasalittlefool，\"saidMadamed’Espard，gravely。\"MademoiselledesToucheswasdelightedtogetridofConti。Beatrixneverperceivedhowthatsurrender，madebyasuperiorwomanwhoneverforamomentdefendedherclaims，provedConti’snothingness。\"
\"Thenyouthinkshewillbeunhappy？\"
\"Sheissonow，\"repliedMadamed’Espard。\"Whydidsheleaveherhusband？Whatanacknowledgmentofweakness！\"
\"ThenyouthinkthatMadamedeRochefidewasnotinfluencedbythedesiretoenjoyatrueloveinpeace？\"askedtheprincess。
\"No；shewassimplyimitatingMadamedeBeausantandMadamedeLangeais，who，beitsaid，betweenyouandme，wouldhavebeen，inalessvulgarperiodthanours，theLaVilliere，theDianedePoitiers，theGabrielled’Estreesofhistory。\"
\"Lesstheking，mydear。Ah！IwishIcouldevoketheshadesofthosewomen，andaskthem——\"
\"But，\"saidthemarquise，interruptingtheprincess，\"whyaskthedead？Weknowlivingwomenwhohavebeenhappy。IhavetalkedonthisverysubjectascoreoftimeswithMadamedeMontcornetsinceshemarriedthatlittleEmileBlondet，whomakesherthehappiestwomanintheworld；notaninfidelity，notathoughtthatturnsasidefromher；
theyareashappyastheywerethefirstday。Theselongattachments，likethatofRastignacandMadamedeNucingen，andyourcousin，MadamedeCamps，forherOctave，haveasecret，andthatsecretyouandI
don’tknow，mydear。Theworldhaspaidustheextremecomplimentofthinkingwearetworakesworthyofthecourtoftheregent；whereasweare，intruth，asinnocentasacoupleofschool-girls。\"
\"Ishouldlikethatsortofinnocence，\"criedtheprincess，laughing；
\"butoursisworse，anditisveryhumiliating。Well，itisamortificationweofferupinexpiationofourfruitlesssearch；yes，mydear，fruitless，foritisn’tprobableweshallfindinourautumnseasonthefineflowerwemissedinthespringandsummer。\"
\"That’snotthequestion，\"resumedthemarquise，afterameditativepause。\"Wearebothstillbeautifulenoughtoinspirelove，butwecouldneverconvinceanyoneofourinnocenceandvirtue。\"
\"Ifitwerealie，howeasytodressitupwithcommentaries，andserveitassomedeliciousfruittobeeagerlyswallowed！Buthowisitpossibletogetatruthbelieved？Ah！thegreatestofmenhavebeenmistakenthere！\"addedtheprincess，withoneofthosemeaningsmileswhichthepencilofLeonardodaVincialonehasrendered。
\"Foolslovewell，sometimes，\"returnedthemarquise。
\"Butinthiscase，\"saidtheprincess，\"foolswouldn’thaveenoughcredulityintheirnature。\"
\"Youareright，\"saidthemarquise。\"Butwhatweoughttolookforisneitherafoolnorevenamanoftalent。Tosolveourproblemweneedamanofgenius。Geniusalonehasthefaithofchildhood，thereligionoflove，andwillinglyallowsustobanditseyes。LookatCanalisandtheDuchessedeChaulieu！Thoughwehavebothencounteredmenofgenius，theywereeithertoofarremovedfromusortoobusy，andwetooabsorbed，toofrivolous。\"
\"Ah！howIwishImightnotleavethisworldwithoutknowingthehappinessoftruelove，\"exclaimedtheprincess。
\"Itisnothingtoinspireit，\"saidMadamed’Espard；\"thethingistofeelit。Iseemanywomenwhoareonlythepretextforapassionwithoutbeingbothitscauseanditseffect。\"
\"ThelastloveIinspiredwasabeautifulandsacredthing，\"saidtheprincess。\"Ithadafutureinit。Chancehadbroughtme，foronceinaway，themanofgeniuswhoisduetous，andyetsodifficulttoobtain；therearemoreprettywomenthanmenofgenius。Butthedevilinterferedwiththeaffair。\"
\"Tellmeaboutit，mydear；thisisallnewstome。\"
\"Ifirstnoticedthisbeautifulpassionaboutthemiddleofthewinterof1829。EveryFriday，attheopera，Iobservedayoungman，aboutthirtyyearsofage，intheorchestrastalls，whoevidentlycamethereforme。Hewasalwaysinthesamestall，gazingatmewitheyesoffire，but，seemingly，saddenedbythedistancebetweenus，perhapsbythehopelessnessofreachingme。\"
\"Poorfellow！Whenamanloveshebecomeseminentlystupid，\"saidthemarquise。
\"Betweeneveryacthewouldslipintothecorridor，\"continuedtheprincess，smilingatherfriend’sepigrammaticremark。\"Onceortwice，eithertoseemeortomakemeseehim，helookedthroughtheglasssashoftheboxexactlyoppositetomine。IfIreceivedavisit，Iwascertaintoseehiminthecorridorclosetomydoor，castingafurtiveglanceuponme。Hehadapparentlylearnedtoknowthepersonsbelongingtomycircle；andhefollowedthemwhenhesawthemturninginthedirectionofmybox，inordertoobtainthebenefitoftheopeningdoor。IalsofoundmymysteriousadorerattheItalianopera-
house；therehehadastalldirectlyoppositetomybox，wherehecouldgazeatmeinnaiveecstasy——oh！itwaspretty！OnleavingeitherhouseIalwaysfoundhimplantedinthelobby，motionless；hewaselbowedandjostled，buthenevermoved。Hiseyesgrewlessbrilliantifhesawmeonthearmofsomefavorite。Butnotaword，notaletter，nodemonstration。Youmustacknowledgethatwasingoodtaste。Sometimes，ongettinghomelateatnight，Ifoundhimsittingupononeofthestonepostsoftheporte-cochere。Thisloverofminehadveryhandsomeeyes，along，thick，fan-shapedbeard，withamoustacheandside-whiskers；nothingcouldbeseenofhisskinbuthiswhitecheek-bones，andanobleforehead；itwastrulyanantiquehead。
Theprince，asyouknow，defendedtheTuileriesontheriverside，duringtheJulydays。HereturnedtoSaint-Cloudthatnight，whenallwaslost，andsaidtome：’Icamenearbeingkilledatfouro’clock。I
wasaimedatbyoneoftheinsurgents，whenayoungman，withalongbeard，whomIhaveoftenseenattheopera，andwhowasleadingtheattack，threwuptheman’sgun，andsavedme。’Somyadorerwasevidentlyarepublican！In1831，afterIcametolodgeinthishouse，Ifoundhim，oneday，leaningwithhisbackagainstthewallofit；heseemedpleasedwithmydisasters；possiblyhemayhavethoughttheydrewusnearertogether。ButaftertheaffairofSaint-MerriIsawhimnomore；hewaskilledthere。TheeveningbeforethefuneralofGeneralLamarque，Ihadgoneoutonfootwithmyson，andmyrepublicanaccompaniedus，sometimesbehind，sometimesinfront，fromtheMadeleinetothePassagedesPanoramas，whereIwasgoing。\"
\"Isthatall？\"askedthemarquise。
\"Yes，all，\"repliedtheprincess。\"ExceptthatonthemorningSaint-
Merriwastaken，agamincamehereandinsistedonseeingme。Hegavemealetter，writtenoncommonpaper，signedbymyrepublican。\"
\"Showittome，\"saidthemarquise。
\"No，mydear。Lovewastoogreatandtoosacredintheheartofthatmantoletmeviolateitssecrets。Theletter，shortandterrible，stillstirsmysoulwhenIthinkofit。ThatdeadmangivesmemoreemotionsthanallthelivingmenIevercoquettedwith；heconstantlyrecurstomymind。\"
\"Whatwashisname？\"askedthemarquise。
\"Oh！averycommonone：MichelChrestien。\"
\"Youhavedonewelltotellme，\"saidMadamed’Espard，eagerly。\"I
haveoftenheardofhim。ThisMichelChrestienwastheintimatefriendofaremarkablemanyouhavealreadyexpressedawishtosee，——Danield’Arthez，whocomestomyhousesometwoorthreetimesayear。
Chrestien，whowasreallykilledatSaint-Merri，hadnolackoffriends。Ihavehearditsaidthathewasoneofthosebornstatesmentowhom，likedeMarsay，nothingiswantingbutopportunitytobecomealltheymightbe。\"
\"Thenhehadbetterbedead，\"saidtheprincess，withamelancholyair，underwhichsheconcealedherthoughts。
\"Willyoucometomyhousesomeeveningandmeetd’Arthez？\"saidthemarquise。\"Youcantalkofyourghost。\"
\"Yes，Iwill，\"repliedtheprincess。
CHAPTERII
DANIELD’ARTHEZ
AfewdaysafterthisconversationBlondetandRastignac，whoknewd’Arthez，promisedMadamed’Espardthattheywouldbringhimtodinewithher。Thispromisemighthaveprovedrashhaditnotbeenforthenameoftheprincess，ameetingwithwhomwasnotamatterofindifferencetothegreatwriter。
Danield’Arthez，oneoftheraremenwho，inourday，uniteanoblecharacterwithgreattalent，hadalreadyobtained，notallthepopularityhisworksdeserve，butarespectfulesteemtowhichsoulsofhisowncalibrecouldaddnothing。Hisreputationwillcertainlyincrease；butintheeyesofconnoisseursithadalreadyattaineditsfulldevelopment。Heisoneofthoseauthorswho，soonerorlater，areputintheirrightplace，andneverloseit。Apoornobleman，hehadunderstoodhisepochwellenoughtoseekpersonaldistinctiononly。HehadstruggledlongintheParisianarena，againstthewishesofarichunclewho，byacontradictionwhichvanitymustexplain，afterleavinghisnephewapreytotheutmostpenury，bequeathedtothemanwhohadreachedcelebritythefortunesopitilesslyrefusedtotheunknownwriter。ThissuddenchangeinhispositionmadenochangeinDanield’Arthez’shabits；hecontinuedtoworkwithasimplicityworthyoftheantiquepast，andevenassumednewtoilsbyacceptingaseatintheChamberofDeputies，wherehetookhisseatontheRight。
Sincehisaccessiontofamehehadsometimesgoneintosociety。Oneofhisoldfriends，thenow-famousphysician，HoraceBianchon，persuadedhimtomaketheacquaintanceoftheBarondeRastignac，under-
secretaryofState，andafriendofdeMarsay，theprimeminister。
Thesetwopoliticalofficialsacquiesced，rathernobly，inthestrongwishofd’Arthez，Bianchon，andotherfriendsofMichelChrestienfortheremovalofthebodyofthatrepublicantothechurchofSaint-
Merriforthepurposeofgivingitfuneralhonors。Gratitudeforaservicewhichcontrastedwiththeadministrativerigordisplayedatatimewhenpoliticalpassionsweresoviolent，hadbound，sotospeak，d’ArtheztoRastignac。ThelatteranddeMarsayweremuchtooclevernottoprofitbythatcircumstance；andthustheywonoverotherfriendsofMichelChrestien，whodidnotsharehispoliticalopinions，andwhonowattachedthemselvestothenewgovernment。Oneofthem，LeonGiraud，appointedinthefirstinstancemasterofpetitions，becameeventuallyaCouncillorofState。
ThewholeexistenceofDanield’Arthezisconsecratedtowork；heseessocietyonlybysnatches；itistohimasortofdream。Hishouseisaconvent，whereheleadsthelifeofaBenedictine；thesamesobrietyofregimen，thesameregularityofoccupation。Hisfriendsknewthatuptothepresenttimewomanhadbeentohimnomorethananalwaysdreadedcircumstance；hehadobservedhertoomuchnottofearher；
butbydintofstudyingherhehadceasedtounderstandher，——like，inthis，tothosedeepstrategistswhoarealwaysbeatenonunexpectedground，wheretheirscientificaxiomsareeithermodifiedorcontradicted。Incharacterhestillremainsasimple-heartedchild，allthewhileprovinghimselfanobserverofthefirstrank。Thiscontrast，apparentlyimpossible，isexplainabletothosewhoknowhowtomeasurethedepthswhichseparatefacultiesfromfeelings；theformerproceedfromthehead，thelatterfromtheheart。Amancanbeagreatmanandawickedone，justashecanbeafoolandadevotedlover。D’Arthezisoneofthoseprivilegedbeingsinwhomshrewdnessofmindandabroadexpanseofthequalitiesofthebraindonotexcludeeitherthestrengthorthegrandeurofsentiments。Heis，byrareprivilege，equallyamanofactionandamanofthought。Hisprivatelifeisnobleandgenerous。Ifhecarefullyavoidedlove，itwasbecauseheknewhimself，andfeltapremonitionoftheempiresuchapassionwouldexerciseuponhim。
Forseveralyearsthecrushingtoilbywhichhepreparedthesolidgroundofhissubsequentworks，andthechillofpoverty，weremarvellouspreservatives。Butwheneasewithhisinheritedfortunecametohim，heformedavulgarandmostincomprehensibleconnectionwitharatherhandsomewoman，belongingtothelowerclasses，withouteducationormanners，whomhecarefullyconcealedfromeveryeye。
MichelChrestienattributedtomenofgeniusthepoweroftransformingthemostmassivecreaturesintosylphs，foolsintocleverwomen，peasantsintocountesses；themoreaccomplishedawomanwas，themoreshelosthervalueintheireyes，for，accordingtoMichel，theirimaginationhadthelesstodo。Inhisopinionlove，amerematterofthesensestoinferiorbeings，wastogreatsoulsthemostimmenseofallmoralcreationsandthemostbinding。Tojustifyd’Arthez，heinstancedtheexampleofRaffaeleandtheFornarina。Hemighthaveofferedhimselfasaninstanceforthistheory，hewhohadseenanangelintheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse。Thisstrangefancyofd’Arthezmight，however，beexplainedinotherways；perhapshehaddespairedofmeetingherebelowwithawomanwhoansweredtothatdelightfulvisionwhichallmenofintellectdreamofandcherish；perhapshisheartwastoosensitive，toodelicate，toyielditselftoawomanofsociety；perhapshethoughtbesttoletnaturehaveherway，andkeephisillusionsbycultivatinghisideal；perhapshehadlaidasideloveasbeingincompatiblewithhisworkandtheregularityofamonasticlifewhichlovewouldhavewhollyupset。
Forseveralmonthspastd’ArthezhadbeensubjectedtothejestsandsatireofBlondetandRastignac，whoreproachedhimwithknowingneithertheworldnorwomen。Accordingtothem，hisauthorshipwassufficientlyadvanced，andhisworksnumerousenough，toallowhimafewdistractions；hehadafinefortune，andherehewaslivinglikeastudent；heenjoyednothing，——neitherhismoneynorhisfame；hewasignorantoftheexquisiteenjoymentsofthenobleanddelicatelovewhichwell-bornandwell-bredwomencouldinspireandfeel；heknewnothingofthecharmingrefinementsoflanguage，nothingoftheproofsofaffectionincessantlygivenbyrefinedwomentothecommonestthings。Hemight，perhaps，knowwoman；butheknewnothingofthedivinity。Whynottakehisrightfulplaceintheworld，andtastethedelightsofParisiansociety？
\"Whydoesn’tamanwhobearspartyperbendgulesandor，abezantandcrabcounterchanged，\"criedRastignac，\"displaythatancientescutcheonofPicardyonthepanelsofacarriage？Youhavethirtythousandfrancsayear，andtheproceedsofyourpen；youhavejustifiedyourmotto：Arsthesaurusquevirtus，thatpunningdeviceourancestorswerealwaysseeking，andyetyouneverappearintheBoisdeBoulogne！Weliveintimeswhenvirtueoughttoshowitself。\"
\"IfyoureadyourworkstothatspeciesofstoutLaforet，whomyouseemtofancy，Iwouldforgiveyou，\"saidBlondet。\"But，mydearfellow，youarelivingondrybread，materiallyspeaking；inthematterofintellectyouhaven’tevenbread。\"
ThisfriendlylittlewarfarehadbeengoingonforseveralmonthsbetweenDanielandhisfriends，whenMadamed’EspardaskedRastignacandBlondettoinduced’Artheztocomeanddinewithher，tellingthemthatthePrincessedeCadignanhadagreatdesiretoseethatcelebratedman。Suchcuriositiesaretocertainwomenwhatmagiclanternsaretochildren，——apleasuretotheeyes，butrathershallowandfullofdisappointments。Themoresentimentsamanoftalentexcitesatadistance，thelessherespondstothemonnearerview；
themorebrilliantfancyhaspicturedhim，thedullerhewillseeminreality。Consequently，disenchantedcuriosityisoftenunjust。
NeitherBlondetnorRastignaccoulddeceived’Arthez；buttheytoldhim，laughing，thattheynowofferedhimamostseductiveopportunitytopolishuphisheartandknowthesupremefascinationswhichloveconferredonaParisiangreatlady。Theprincesswasevidentlyinlovewithhim；hehadnothingtofearbuteverythingtogainbyacceptingtheinterview；itwasquiteimpossiblehecoulddescendfromthepedestalonwhichmadamedeCadignanhadplacedhim。NeitherBlondetnorRastignacsawanyimproprietyinattributingthislovetotheprincess；shewhosepasthadgivenrisetosomanyanecdotescouldverywellstandthatlessercalumny。Togethertheybegantorelatetod’ArtheztheadventuresoftheDuchessedeMaufrigneuse：herfirstaffairwithdeMarsay；hersecondwithd’Ajuda，whomshehad，theysaid，distractedfromhiswife，thusavengingMadamedeBeausant；alsoherlaterconnectionwithyoungd’Esgrignon，whohadtravelledwithherinItaly，andhadhorriblycompromisedhimselfonheraccount；
afterthattheytoldhimhowunhappyshehadbeenwithacertaincelebratedambassador，howhappywithaRussiangeneral，besidesbecomingtheEgeriaoftwoministersofForeignaffairs，andvariousotheranecdotes。D’Arthezrepliedthatheknewagreatdealmorethantheycouldtellhimaboutherthroughtheirpoorfriend，MichelChrestien，whoadoredhersecretlyforfouryears，andhadwell-nighgonemadabouther。
\"Ihaveoftenaccompaniedhim，\"saidDaniel，\"totheopera。Hewouldmakemerunthroughthestreetsasfarasherhorsesthathemightseetheprincessthroughthewindowofhercoupe。\"
\"Well，thereyouhaveatopicallreadyforyou，\"saidBlondet，smiling。\"Thisistheverywomanyouneed；she’llinitiateyoumostgracefullyintothemysteriesofelegance；buttakecare！shehaswastedmanyfortunes。ThebeautifulDianeisoneofthosespendthriftswhodon’tcostapenny，butforwhomamanspendsmillions。Giveyourselfuptoher，bodyandsoul，ifyouchoose；butkeepyourmoneyinyourhand，liketheoldfellowinGirodet’s’Deluge。’\"
