第8章

"Haveyouobtainedthecrossforme？"hecried，onreceivingaglancefromTheodose，andwishingtoprovethathewasnotwithoutcraft。

"Youwilldoubtlessreceiveiterelong，"repliedthemayor。"Butthematternowrelatestosomethingbetterthanthat。Thecrossisafavorduetothegoodopinionofaminister，whereasthepresentquestionconcernsanelectionduetotheconsentofyourfellowcitizens。Inaword，asufficientlylargenumberofelectorsinyourarrondissementhavecasttheireyesuponyou，andwishtohonoryouwiththeirconfidencebymakingyoutherepresentativeofthisarrondissementinthemunicipalcouncilofParis；which，aseverybodyknows，istheCouncil—generaloftheSeine。"

"Bravo！"criedDutocq。

Phellionrose。

"Monsieurlemairehasforestalledme，"hesaidinanagitatedvoice，"butitissoflatteringforourfriendtobetheobjectofeagernessonthepartofallgoodcitizens，andtoobtainthepublicvoteofhighandlow，thatIcannotcomplainofbeingobligedtocomesecondonly；therefore，allhonortotheinitiatoryauthority！"（HerehebowedrespectfullytoMinard。）"Yes，MonsieurThuillier，manyelectorsthinkofgivingyoutheirvotesinthatportionofthearrondissementwhereIkeepmyhumblepenates；andyouhavethespecialadvantageofbeingsuggestedtotheirmindsbyadistinguishedman。"（Sensation。）

"Byamaninwhosepersonwedesiredtohonoroneofthemostvirtuousinhabitantsofthearrondissement，whofortwentyyears，Imaysay，wasthefatherofit。IalludetothelateMonsieurPopinot，counsellor，duringhislifetime，totheRoyalcourt，andourdelegateinthemunicipalcouncilofParis。Buthisnephew，ofwhomIspeak，DoctorBianchon，oneofourglories，has，inviewofhisabsorbingduties，declinedtheresponsibilitywithwhichwesoughttoinvesthim。Whilethankingusforourcomplimenthehas——takenoteofthis——indicatedforoursuffragesthecandidateofMonsieurlemaireasbeing，inhisopinion，capable，owingtothepositionheformerlyoccupied，ofexercisingthemagisterialfunctionsoftheaedileship。"

AndPhellionsatdownamidapprovingmurmurs。

"Thuillier，youcancountonme，youroldfriend，"saidColleville。

AtthismomenttheguestsweresincerelytouchedbythesightpresentedofoldMademoiselleBrigitteandMadameThuillier。Brigitte，paleasthoughshewerefainting，waslettingtheslowtearsrun，unheeded，downhercheeks，tearsofdeepestjoy；whileMadameThuilliersat，asifstruckbylightning，withhereyesfixed。

Suddenlytheoldmaiddartedintothekitchen，cryingouttoJosephinethecook：——

"Comeintothecellarmygirl，wemustgetoutthewinebehindthewood！"

"Myfriends，"saidThuillier，inashakingvoice，"thisisthefinestmomentofmylife，finerthaneventhedayofmyelection，shouldI

consenttoallowmyselftobepresentedtothesuffragesofmyfellow—

citizens"（"Youmust！youmust！"）；"forIfeelmyselfmuchworndownbythirtyyearsofpublicservice，and，asyoumaywellbelieve，amanofhonorhasneedtoconsulthisstrengthandhiscapacitiesbeforehetakesuponhimselfthefunctionsoftheaedileship。"

"Iexpectednothinglessofyou，MonsieurThuillier，"criedPhellion。

"Pardonme；thisisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhaveeverinterruptedasuperior；buttherearecircumstances——"

"Accept！accept！"criedZelie。"Blessmysoul！whatwewantaremenlikeyoutogovernus。"

"Resignyourself，mychief！"criedDutocq，and，"Longlivethefuturemunicipalcouncillor！butwehaven’tanythingtodrink——"

"Well，thethingissettled，"saidMinard；"youaretobeourcandidate。"

"Youthinktoomuchofme，"repliedThuillier。

"Come，come！"criedColleville。"Amanwhohasdonethirtyyearsinthegalleysoftheministryoffinanceisatreasuretothetown。"

"Youaremuchtoomodest，"saidtheyoungerMinard；"yourcapacityiswellknowntous；itremainsatraditionattheministryoffinance。"

"Asyouallinsist——"beganThuillier。

"TheKingwillbepleasedwithourchoice；Icanassureyouofthat，"

saidMinard，pompously。

"Gentlemen，"saidlaPeyrade，"willyoupermitarecentdwellerinthefaubourgSaint—Jacquestomakeonelittleremark，whichisnotwithoutimportance？"

Theconsciousnessthateverybodyhadofthesterlingmeritsoftheadvocateofthepoorproducedthedeepestsilence。

"TheinfluenceofMonsieurlemaireofanadjoiningarrondissement，whichisimmenseinourswherehehasleftsuchexcellentmemories；

thatofMonsieurPhellion，theoracle——yes，letthetruthbespoken，"

heexclaimed，noticingagesturemadebyPhellion——"theORACLEofhisbattalion；theinfluence，nolesspowerful，whichMonsieurCollevilleowestothefrankheartinessofhismanner，andtohisurbanity；thatofMonsieurDutocq，theclerkofthejusticecourt，whichwillnotbelessefficacious，Iamsure；andthepooreffortswhichIcanofferinmyhumblesphereofactivity，——arepledgesofsuccess，buttheyarenotsuccessitself。Toobtainarapidtriumphweshouldpledgeourselves，nowandhere，tokeepthedeepestsecrecyonthemanifestationofsentimentswhichhasjusttakenplace。Otherwise，weshouldexcite，withoutknowingorwillingit，envyandalltheothersecondarypassions，whichwouldcreateforuslatervariousobstaclestoovercome。Thepoliticalmeaningofthenewsocialorganization，itsverybasis，itstoken，andtheguaranteeforitscontinuance，areinacertainsharingofthegoverningpowerwiththemiddleclasses，classeswhoarethetruestrengthofmodernsocieties，thecentreofmorality，ofallgoodsentimentsandintelligentwork。Butwecannotconcealfromourselvesthattheprincipleofelection，extendednowtoalmosteveryfunction，hasbroughttheinterestsofambition，andthepassionforbeingSOMETHING，excusetheword，intosocialdepthswheretheyoughtnevertohavepenetrated。Someseegoodinthis；othersseeevil；itisnotmyplacetojudgebetweentheminpresenceofmindsbeforewhoseeminenceIbow。Icontentmyselfbysimplysuggestingthisquestioninordertoshowthedangerswhichthebannerofourfriendmustmeet。Seeforyourselves！thedeceaseofourlatehonorablerepresentativeinthemunicipalcouncildatesbackscarcelyoneweek，andalreadythearrondissementisbeingcanvassedbyinferiorambitions。Suchmenputthemselvesforwardtobeseenatanyprice。Thewritofconvocationwill，probably，nottakeeffectforamonthtocome。Betweennowandthen，imaginetheintrigues！IentreatyounottoexposeourfriendThuilliertotheblowsofhiscompetitors；letusnotdeliverhimovertopublicdiscussion，thatmodernharpywhichisbutthetrumpetofenvyandcalumny，thepretextseizedbymalevolencetobelittleallthatisgreat，soilallthatisimmaculateanddishonorwhateverissacred。Letus，rather，doastheThirdPartyisnowdoingintheChamber，——keepsilenceandvote！"

"Hespeakswell，"saidPhelliontohisneighborDutocq。

"Andhowstrongthestatementis！"

EnvyhadturnedMinardandhissongreenandyellow。

"Thatiswellsaidandverytrue，"remarkedMinard。

"Unanimouslyadopted！"criedColleville。"Messieurs，wearemenofhonor；itsufficestounderstandeachotheronthispoint。"

"Whosodesirestheendacceptsthemeans，"saidPhellion，emphatically。

Atthismoment，MademoiselleThuillierreappeared，followedbyhertwoservants；thekeyofthecellarwashangingfromherbelt，andthreebottlesofchampagne，threeofhermitage，andonebottleofmalagawereplaceduponthetable。Sheherselfwascarrying，withalmostrespectfulcare，asmallerbottle，likeafairyCarabosse，whichsheplacedbeforeher。Inthemidstofthehilaritycausedbythisabundanceofexcellentthings——afruitofgratitude，whichthepoorspinsterinthedeliriumofherjoypouredoutwithaprofusionwhichputtoshamethesparinghospitalityofherusualfortnightlydinners——numerousdessertdishesmadetheirappearance：moundsofalmonds，raisins，figs，andnuts（popularlyknownasthe"fourbeggars"），pyramidsoforanges，confections，crystallizedfruits，broughtfromthehiddendepthsofhercupboards，whichwouldneverhavefiguredonthetable—clothhaditnotbeenforthe"candidacy。"

"Celeste，theywillbringyouabottleofbrandywhichmyfatherobtainedin1802；makeanorange—salad！"criedBrigittetohersister—

in—law。"MonsieurPhellion，openthechampagne；thatbottleisforyouthree。MonsieurDutocq，takethisone。MonsieurColleville，youknowhowtopopcorks！"

Thetwomaidsdistributedchampagneglasses，alsoclaretglasses，andwineglasses。JosephinealsobroughtthreemorebottlesofBordeaux。

"Theyearofthecomet！"criedThuillier，laughing，"Messieurs，youhaveturnedmysister’shead。"

"Andthiseveningyoushallhavepunchandcakes，"shesaid。"Ihavesenttothechemistsforsometea。Heavens！ifIhadonlyknowntheaffairconcernedanelection，"shecried，lookingathersister—in—

law，"I’dhaveservedtheturkey。"

Agenerallaughwelcomedthisspeech。

"Wehaveagoose！"saidMinardjunior。

"Thecartsareunloading！"criedMadameThuillier，as"marronsglaces"

and"meringues"wereplaceduponthetable。

MademoiselleThuillier’sfacewasblazing。Shewasreallysuperbtobehold。Neverdidsisterlyloveassumesuchafrenziedexpression。

"Tothosewhoknowher，itisreallytouching，"remarkedMadameColleville。

Theglasseswerefilled。Theguestsalllookedatoneanother，evidentlyexpectingatoast，whereuponlaPeyradesaid：——

"Messieurs，letusdrinktosomethingsublime。"

Everybodylookedcurious。

"ToMademoiselleBrigitte！"

Theyallrose，clinkedglasses，andcriedwithonevoice，"MademoiselleBrigitte！"somuchenthusiasmdidtheexhibitionofatruefeelingexcite。

"Messieurs，"saidPhellion，readingfromapaperwritteninpencil，"Toworkanditssplendors，inthepersonofourformercomrade，nowbecomeoneofthemayorsofParis，——toMonsieurMinardandhiswife！"

Afterfiveminutes’generalconversationThuillierroseandsaid：——

"Messieurs，TotheKingandtheroyalfamily！Iaddnothing；thetoastsaysall。"

"Totheelectionofmybrother！"saidMademoiselleThuillieramomentlater。

"NowI’llmakeyoulaugh，"whisperedlaPeyradeinFlavie’sear。

Andherose。

"ToWoman！"hesaid；"thatenchantingsextowhomweoweourhappiness，——nottospeakofourmothers，oursisters，andourwives！"

Thistoastexcitedgeneralhilarity，andColleville，alreadysomewhatgay，exclaimed：——

"Rascal！youhavestolenmyspeech！"

Themayorthenrose；profoundsilencereigned。

"Messieurs，ourinstitutions！fromwhichcomethestrengthandgrandeurofdynasticFrance！"

Thebottlesdisappearedamidachorusofadmirationastothemarvellousgoodnessanddelicacyoftheircontents。

CelesteCollevilleheresaidtimidly：——

"Mamma，willyoupermitmetogiveatoast？"

Thegoodgirlhadnoticedthedull，bewilderedlookofhergodmother，neglectedandforgotten，——she，themistressofthathouse，wearingalmosttheexpressionofadogthatisdoubtfulwhichmastertoobey，lookingfromthefaceofherterriblesister—in—lawtothatofThuillier，consultingeachcountenance，andobliviousofherself；butjoyonthefaceofthatpoorhelot，accustomedtobenothing，torepressherideas，herfeelings，hadtheeffectofapalewintrysunbehindamist；itbarelylightedherfaded，flabbyflesh。Thegauzecaptrimmedwithdingyflowers，thehairill—dressed，thegloomybrowngown，withnoornamentbutathickgoldchain——all，combinedwiththeexpressionofhercountenance，stimulatedtheaffectionoftheyoungCeleste，who——aloneintheworld——knewthevalueofthatwomancondemnedtosilencebutawareofallabouther，sufferingfromallyetconsolingherselfinGodandinthegirlwhonowwaswatchingher。

"Yes，letthedearchildgiveusherlittletoast，"saidlaPeyradetoMadameColleville。

"Goon，mydaughter，"criedColleville；"here’sthehermitagestilltobedrunk——andit’shoarywithage，"headded。

"Tomykindgodmother！"saidthegirl，loweringherglassrespectfullybeforeMadameThuillier，andholdingittowardsher。

Thepoorwoman，startled，lookedthroughaveiloftearsfirstatherhusband，andthenatBrigitte；butherpositioninthefamilywassowellknown，andthehomagepaidbyinnocencetoweaknesshadsomethingsobeautifulaboutit，thattheemotionwasgeneral；themenallroseandbowedtoMadameThuillier。

"Ah！Celeste，IwouldIhadakingdomtolayatyourfeet，"murmuredFelixPhellion。

TheworthyPhellionwipedawayatear。Dutocqhimselfwasmoved。

"Oh！thecharmingchild！"criedMademoiselleThuillier，rising，andgoingroundtokisshersister—in—law。

"Myturnnow！"saidColleville，posinglikeanathlete。"Nowlisten：

Tofriendship！Emptyyourglasses；refillyourglasses。Good！Tothefinearts，——theflowerofsociallife！Emptyyourglasses；refillyourglasses。Toanothersuchfestivalonthedayafterelection！"

"Whatisthatlittlebottleyouhavethere？"saidDutocqtoMademoiselleThuillier。

"That，"shesaid，"isoneofmythreebottlesofMadameAmphoux’

liqueur；thesecondisforthedayofCeleste’smarriage；thethirdforthedayonwhichherfirstchildisbaptized。"

"Mysisterislosingherhead，"remarkedThuilliertoColleville。

Thedinnerendedwithatoast，offeredbyThuillier，butsuggestedtohimbyTheodoseatthemomentwhenthemalagasparkledinthelittleglasseslikesomanyrubies。

"Colleville，messieurs，hasdrunktoFRIENDSHIP。Inowdrink，inthismostgenerouswine，Tomyfriends！"

Anhurrah，fullofheartiness，greetedthatfinesentiment，butDutocqremarkedasidetoTheodose：——

"Itisashametopoursuchwinedownthethroatsofsuchpeople。"

"Ah！ifwecouldonlymakesuchwineasthat！"criedZelie，makingherglassringbythewayinwhichshesuckeddowntheSpanishliquid。

"Whatfortuneswecouldget！"

Zeliehadnowreachedherhighestpointofincandescence，andwasreallyalarming。

"Yes，"repliedMinard，"butoursismade。"

"Don’tyouthink，sister，"saidBrigittetoMadameThuillier，"thatwehadbettertakecoffeeinthesalon？"

MadameThuillierobedientlyassumedtheairofmistressofthehouse，androse。

"Ah！youareagreatwizard，"saidFlavieColleville，acceptinglaPeyrade’sarmtoreturntothesalon。

"AndyetIcareonlytobewitchyou，"heanswered。"Ithinkyoumoreenchantingthaneverthisevening。"

"Thuillier，"shesaid，toevadethesubject，"Thuilliermadetothinkhimselfapoliticalcharacter！oh！oh！"

"But，mydearFlavie，halftheabsurditiesoflifearetheresultofsuchconspiracies；andmenarenotaloneinthesedeceptions。Inhowmanyfamiliesoneseesthehusband，children，andfriendspersuadingasillymotherthatsheisawomanofsense，oranoldwomanoffiftythatsheisyoungandbeautiful。Hence，inconceivablecontrarietiesforthosewhogoabouttheworldwiththeireyesshut。Onemanoweshisill—savoredconceittotheflatteryofamistress；anotheroweshisversifyingvanitytothosewhoarepaidtocallhimagreatpoet。

Everyfamilyhasitsgreatman；andtheresultis，asweseeitintheChamber，generalobscurityofthelightsofFrance。Well，menofrealmindarelaughingtothemselvesaboutit，that’sall。Youarethemindandthebeautyofthislittlecircleofthepettybourgeoisie；itisthissuperioritywhichledmeinthefirstinstancetoworshipyou。I

havesincelongedtodragyououtofit；forIloveyousincerely——

moreinfriendshipthaninlove；thoughagreatdealofloveisglidingintoit，"headded，pressinghertohisheartundercoveroftherecessofawindowtowhichhehadtakenher。

"MadamePhellionwillplaythepiano，"criedColleville。"Wemustalldanceto—night——bottlesandBrigitte’sfrancsandallthelittlegirls！I’llgoandfetchmyclarionet。"

Hegavehisemptycoffee—cuptohiswife，smilingtoseehersofriendlywithlaPeyrade。

"Whathaveyousaidanddonetomyhusband？"askedFlavie，whenCollevillehadleftthem。

"MustItellyoualloursecrets？"

"Ah！youdon’tloveme，"shereplied，lookingathimwiththecoquettishslynessofawomanwhoisnotquitedecidedinhermind。

"Well，sinceyoutellmeyours，"hesaid，lettinghimselfgotothelivelyimpulseofProvencalgaiety，alwayssocharmingandapparentlysonatural，"Iwillnotconcealfromyouananxietyinmyheart。"

Hetookherbacktothesamewindowandsaid，smiling：——

"Colleville，poorman，hasseeninmetheartistrepressedbyallthesebourgeois；silentbeforethembecauseIfeelmisjudged，misunderstood，andrepelledbythem。Hehasfelttheheatofthesacredfirethatconsumesme。YesIam，"hecontinued，inatoneofconviction，"anartistinwordsafterthemannerofBerryer；Icouldmakejuriesweep，byweepingmyself，forI’masnervousasawoman。

Yourhusband，whodeteststhebourgeoisie，begantoteasemeaboutthem。Atfirstwelaughed；then，inbecomingserious，hefoundoutthatIwasasstrongashe。ItoldhimoftheplanconcoctedtomakeSOMETHINGofThuillier，andIshowedhimallthegoodhecouldgethimselfoutofapoliticalpuppet。’Ifitwereonly，’Isaidtohim，’tomakeyourselfMonsieurDEColleville，andtoputyourcharmingwifewhereIshouldliketoseeher，asthewifeofareceiver—

general，ordeputy。Tomakeyourselfallthatyouandsheoughttobe，youhaveonlytogoandliveafewyearsintheUpperorLowerAlps，insomeholeofatownwhereeverybodywilllikeyou，andyourwifewillseduceeverybody；andthis，’Iadded，’youcannotfailtoobtain，especiallyifyougiveyourdearCelestetosomemanwhocaninfluencetheChamber。’Goodreasons，statedinjest，havethemeritofpenetratingdeeperintosomemindsthaniftheyweregivensoberly。SoCollevilleandIbecamethebestfriendsintheworld。Didn’tyouhearhimsaytomeattable，’Rascal！youhavestolenmyspeech’？To—nightweshallbetheeingandthouingeachother。Iintendtohaveachoicelittlesupper—partysoon，whereartists，tiedtotheproprietiesathome，alwayscompromisethemselves。I’llinvitehim，andthatwillmakeusassolidlygoodfriendsasheiswithThuillier。There，mydearadornedone，iswhataprofoundsentimentgivesamanthecouragetoproduce。Collevillemustadoptme；sothatImayvisityourhousebyhisinvitation。Butwhatcouldn’tyoumakemedo？licklepers，swallowlivetoads，seduceBrigitte——yes，ifyousayso，I’llimpalemyownheartonthatgreatpicket—railtopleaseyou。"

"Youfrightenedmethismorning，"shesaid。

"Butthiseveningyouarereassured。Yes，"headded，"noharmwilleverhappentoyouthroughme。"

"Youare，Imustacknowledge，amostextraordinaryman。"

"Why，no！thesmallestaswellasthegreatestofmyeffortsaremerelythereflectionsoftheflamewhichyouhavekindled。Iintendtobeyourson—in—lawthatwemayneverpart。Mywife，heavens！whatcouldshebetomebutamachineforchild—bearing？whereasthedivinity，thesublimebeingwillbe——you，"hewhisperedinherear。

"YouareSatan！"shesaid，inasortofterror。

"No，Iamsomethingofapoet，likeallthemenofmyregion。Come，bemyJosephine！I’llgoandseeyouto—morrow。Ihavethemostardentdesiretoseewhereyouliveandhowyoulive，thefurnitureyouuse，thecolorofyourstuffs，thearrangementofallthingsaboutyou。I

longtoseethepearlinitsshell。"

Heslippedawaycleverlyafterthesewords，withoutwaitingforananswer。

Flavie，towhominallherlifelovehadnevertakenthelanguageofromance，satstill，buthappy，herheartpalpitating，andsayingtoherselfthatitwasverydifficulttoescapesuchinfluence。ForthefirsttimeTheodosehadappearedinapairofnewtrousers，withgraysilkstockingsandpumps，awaistcoatofblacksilk，andacravatofblacksatinontheknotofwhichshoneaplaingoldpinselectedwithtaste。Heworealsoanewcoatinthelastfashion，andyellowgloves，relievedbywhiteshirt—cuffs；hewastheonlymanwhohadmanners，ordeportmentinthatsalon，whichwasnowfillingupfortheevening。

MadamePron，neeBarniol，arrivedwithtwoschool—girls，agedseventeen，confidedtohermaternalcarebyfamiliesresidinginMartinique。MonsieurPron，professorofrhetoricinacollegepresidedoverbypriests，belongedtothePhellionclass；but，insteadofexpandingonthesurfaceinphrasesanddemonstrations，andposingasanexample，hewasdryandsententious。MonsieurandMadamePron，theflowersofthePhellionsalon，receivedeveryMonday。Thoughaprofessor，thelittlemandanced。HeenjoyedgreatinfluenceinthequarterenclosedbytheboulevardduMont—Parnasse，theLuxembourg，andtheruedeSevres。Therefore，assoonasPhellionsawhisfriend，hetookhimbythearmintoacornertoinformhimoftheThuilliercandidacy。Aftertenminutes’consultationtheybothwenttofindThuillier，andtherecessofawindow，oppositetothatwhereFlaviestillsatabsorbedinherreflections，nodoubt，hearda"trio"

worthy，initsway，ofthatoftheSwissin"GuillaumeTell。"

"Doyousee，"saidTheodose，returningtoFlavie，"thepureandhonestPhellionintriguingoverthere？Giveapersonalreasontoavirtuousmanandhe’llpaddleintheslimiestpuddle；heishookingthatlittlePron，andPronistakingitallin，solelytogetyourlittleCelesteforFelixPhellion。Separatethem，andintenminutesthey’llgettogetheragain，andthatyoungMinardwillbegrowlingroundthemlikeanangrybulldog。"

Felix，stillunderthestrongemotionimpartedtohimbyCeleste’sgenerousactionandthecrythatcamefromthegirl’sheart，thoughnoonebutMadameThuillierstillthoughtofit，becameinspiredbyoneofthoseingenuousartfulnesseswhicharethehonestcharlatanismoftruelove；buthewasnottothemannerbornofit，andmathematics，moreover，madehimsomewhatabsent—minded。HestationedhimselfnearMadameThuillier，imaginingthatMadameThuillierwouldattractCelestetoherside。ThisastutecalculationsucceededallthebetterbecauseyoungMinard，whosawinCelestenothingmorethana"dot，"

hadnosuchsuddeninspiration，andwasdrinkinghiscoffeeandtalkingpoliticswithLaudigeois，MonsieurBarniol，andDutocqbyorderofhisfather，whowasthinkingandplanningforthegeneralelectionofthelegislaturein1842。

"Whowouldn’tloveCeleste？"saidFelixtoMadameThuillier。

"Littledarling，nooneintheworldlovesmeasshedoes，"repliedthepoorslave，withdifficultyrestraininghertears。

"Ah！madame，webothloveyou，"saidthecandidprofessor，sincerely。

"Whatareyousayingtoeachother？"askedCeleste，comingup。

"Mychild，"saidthepiouswoman，drawinghergod—daughterdowntoherandkissingherontheforehead。"Hesaidthatyoubothlovedme。"

"Donotbeangrywithmypresumption，mademoiselle。LetmedoallI

cantoproveit，"murmuredFelix。"Ah！Icannothelpit，Iwasmadethisway；injusticerevoltsmetothesoul！Yes，theSaviourofmenwasrighttopromisethefuturetothemeekheart，totheslainlamb！

Amanwhodidnotloveyou，Celeste，musthaveadoredyouafterthatsublimeimpulseofyoursattable。Ah，yes！innocencealonecanconsolethemartyr。Youareakindyounggirl；youwillbeoneofthosewiveswhomakethegloryandthehappinessofafamily。Happybehewhomyouwillchoose！"

"Godmamma，withwhateyesdoyouthinkMonsieurFelixseesme？"

"Heappreciatesyou，mylittleangel；IshallpraytoGodforbothofyou。"

"IfyouknewhowhappyIamthatmyfathercandoaservicetoMonsieurThuillier，andhowIwishIcouldbeusefultoyourbrother——"

"Inshort，"saidCeleste，laughing，"youloveusall。"

"Well，yes，"repliedFelix。

Truelovewrapsitselfinthemysteriesofreserve，eveninitsexpression；itprovesitselfbyitself；itdoesnotfeelthenecessity，asafalselovedoes，oflightingaconflagration。Byanobserver（ifsuchabeingcouldhaveglidedintotheThuilliersalon）

abookmighthavebeenmadeincomparingthetwoscenesoflove—

making，andinwatchingtheenormouspreparationsofTheodoseandthesimplicityofFelix：onewasnature，theotherwassociety，——thetrueandthefalseembodied。Noticingherdaughterglowingwithhappiness，exhalinghersoulthroughtheporesofherface，andbeautifulwiththebeautyofayounggirlgatheringthefirstrosesofanindirectdeclaration，Flaviehadanimpulseofjealousyinherheart。ShecameacrosstoCelesteandsaidinherear：——

"Youarenotbehavingwell，mydaughter；everybodyisobservingyou；

youarecompromisingyourselfbytalkingsolongtoMonsieurFelixwithoutknowingwhetherweapproveofit。"

"But，mamma，mygodmotherishere。"

"Ah！pardonme，dearfriend，"saidMadameColleville；"Ididnotnoticeyou。"

"Youdoasothersdo，"saidthepoornonentity。

ThatreplystungMadameColleville，whoregardeditasabarbedarrow。

ShecastahaughtyglanceatFelixandsaidtoCeleste，"Sitthere，mydaughter，"seatingherselfatthesametimebesideMadameThuillierandpointingtoachairontheothersideofher。

"Iwillworkmyselftodeath，"saidFelixtoMadameThuillier。"I’llbeamemberoftheAcademyofSciences；I’llmakesomegreatdiscovery，andwinherhandbyforceoffame。"