第11章

"Don’tgiveanyhopewhatevertothatyoungPhellion。NeitheryourfathernorIcanarrangeyourmarriage。Youhaveexpectationstobeconsulted。Itismuchlessimportanttopleaseaprofessorwithoutapennythantomakesureoftheaffectionandgood—willofMademoiselleBrigitteandyourgodfather。Ifyoudon’twanttokillyourmother——

yes，mydear，killher——youmustobeymeinthisaffairblindly；andrememberthatwhatwewanttosecure，aboveall，isyourgood。"

AsthedateofthefinalsalewassetforthelastofJuly，TheodoseadvisedBrigittebytheendofJunetoarrangeheraffairsintimetobereadyforthepayment。Accordingly，shenowsoldoutherownandhersister—in—law’spropertyintheFunds。Thecatastropheofthetreatyofthefourpowers，aninsulttoFrance，isnowanestablishedhistoricalfact；butitisnecessarytoremindthereaderthatfromJulytothelastofAugusttheFrenchfunds，alarmedbytheprospectofwar，afearwhichMonsieurThiersdidmuchtopromote，felltwentyfrancs，andtheThree—per—centswentdowntosixty。Thatwasnotall：

thisfinancialfiascohadamostunfortunateinfluenceonthevalueofrealestateinParis；andallthosewhohadsuchpropertythenforsalesufferedloss。TheseeventsmadeTheodoseaprophetintheeyesofBrigitteandThuillier，towhomthehousewasnowabouttobedefinitelysoldforseventy—fivethousandfrancs。Thenotary，involvedinthepoliticaldisaster，andwhosepracticewasalreadysold，concealedhimselfforatimeinthecountry；buthetookwithhimthetenthousandfrancsforClaparon。AdvisedbyTheodose，ThuilliermadeacontractwithGrindot，whosupposedhewasreallyworkingforthenotaryinfinishingthehouse；andas，duringthisperiodoffinancialdepression，suspendedworkleftmanyworkmenwiththeirarmsfolded，thearchitectwasabletofinishoffthebuildinginasplendidmanneratalowcost。Theodoseinsistedthattheagreementshouldbeinwriting。

ThispurchaseincreasedThuillier’simportanceten—fold。Asforthenotary，hehadtemporarilylosthisheadinpresenceofpoliticaleventswhichcameuponhimlikeawaterspoutoutofcloudlessskies。

Theodose，certainnowofhissupremacy，holdingThuillierfastbyhispastservicesandbytheliteraryworkinwhichtheywerebothengaged，admiredbyBrigitteforhismodestyanddiscretion，——forneverhadhemadetheslightestallusiontohisownpovertyorutteredonewordaboutmoney，——Theodosebegantoassumeanairthatwasratherlessservilethanithadbeen。BrigitteandThuilliersaidtohimoneday：——

"Nothingcandepriveyouofouresteem；youarehereinthishouseasifinyourownhome；theopinionofMinardandPhellion，whichyouseemtofear，hasnomorevalueforusthanastanzaofVictorHugo。

Therefore，letthemtalk！Carryyourheadhigh！"

"ButweshallstillneedthemforThuillier’selectiontotheChamber，"saidTheodose。"Followmyadvice；youhavefounditgoodsofar，haven’tyou？Whenthehouseisactuallyyours，youwillhavegotitforalmostnothing；foryoucannowbuyintotheThree—per—centsatsixtyinMadameThuillier’sname，andthusreplacenearlythewholeofherfortune。Waitonlyfortheexpirationofthetimeallowedtothenominalcreditortobuyitin，andhavethefifteenthousandfrancsreadyforourscoundrels。"

Brigittedidnotwait；shetookherwholecapitalwiththeexceptionofasumofonehundredandtwentythousandfrancs，andboughtintotheThree—per—centsinMadameThuillier’snametotheamountoftwelvethousandfrancsayear，andinherownfortenthousandayear，resolvinginherownmindtochoosenootherkindofinvestmentinfuture。Shesawherbrothersecureoffortythousandfrancsayearbesideshispension，twelvethousandayearforMadameThuillierandeighteenthousandayearforherself，besidesthehousetheylivedin，therentalofwhichshevaluedateightthousand。

"WeareworthquiteasmuchastheMinards，"sheremarked。

"Don’tchantvictorybeforeyouwinit，"saidTheodose。"Therightofredemptiondoesn’texpireforanotherweek。Ihaveattendedtoyouraffairs，butminehavegoneterriblytopieces。"

"Mydearchild，youhavefriends，"criedBrigitte；"ifyoushouldhappentowantfivehundredfrancsorso，youwillalwaysfindthemhere。"

TheodoseexchangedasmilewithThuillier，whohastenedtocarryhimoff，saying：——

"Excusemypoorsister；sheseestheworldthroughasmallhole。Butifyoushouldwanttwenty—fivethousandfrancsI’lllendthemtoyou——

outofmyfirstrents，"headded。

"Thuillier，"exclaimedTheodose，"theropeisroundmyneck。EversinceIhavebeenabarristerIhavehadnotesofhandrunning。Butsaynothingaboutit，"addedTheodose，frightenedhimselfathavingletoutthesecretofhissituation。"I’mintheclawsofscoundrels，butIhopetocrushthemyet。"

IntellingthissecretTheodose，thoughalarmedashedidso，hadatwo—foldpurpose：first，totestThuillier；andnext，toaverttheconsequencesofafatalblowwhichmightbedealttohimanydayinasecretandsinisterstrugglehehadlongforeseen。Twowordswillexplainhishorribleposition。

CHAPTERXII

DEVILSAGAINSTDEVILS

DuringtheextremepovertyoflaPeyrade’sfirstyearsinParis，nonebutCerizethadevergonetoseehiminthewretchedgarretwhere，inseverelycoldweather，hestayedinbedforwantofclothes。Onlyoneshirtremainedtohim。Forthreedayshelivedononeloafofbread，cuttingitintomeasuredmorsels，andaskinghimself，"WhatamItodo？"Atthismomentitwasthathisformerpartnercametohim，havingjustleftprison，pardoned。Theprojectswhichthetwomenthenformedbeforeafireoflaths，onewrappedinhislandlady’scounterpane，theotherinhisinfamy，itisuselesstorelate。ThenextdayCerizet，whohadtalkedwithDutocqinthecourseofthemorning，returned，bringingtrousers，waistcoat，coat，hat，andboots，boughtintheTemple，andhecarriedoffTheodosetodinewithhimselfandDutocq。

ThehungryProvencalateatPinson’s，ruedel’AncienneComedie，halfofadinnercostingforty—sevenfrancs。Atdessert，afterTheodosehaddrunkfreely，Cerizetsaidtohim：——

"Willyousignmebillsofexchangeforfiftythousandfrancsinyourcapacityasabarrister？"

"Youcouldn’tgetfivethousandonthem。"

"That’snotyouraffair，butours；Imeanmonsieur’shere，whoisgivingusthisdinner，andmine，inamatterwhereyourisknothing，butinwhichyou’llgetyourtitleasbarrister，afinepractice，andthehandinmarriageofagirlabouttheageofanolddog，andrichbytwentyorthirtythousandfrancsayear。NeitherDutocqnorIcanmarryher；butwe’llequipyou，giveyouthelookofadecentman，feedandlodgeyou，andsetyouupgenerally。Consequently，wewantsecurity。Idon’tsaythatonmyownaccount，forIknowyou，butformonsieurhere，whoseproxyIam。We’llequipyouasapirate，hey！todothewhite—slavetrade！Ifwecan’tcapturethat’dot，’we’lltryotherplans。Betweenourselves，noneofusneedbeparticularwhatwetouch——that’splainenough。We’llgiveyoucarefulinstructions；forthematteriscertaintotaketime，andthere’llprobablybesomebotheraboutit。Here，see，Ihavebroughtstampedpaper。"

"Waiter，pensandink！"criedTheodose。

"Ha！Ilikefellowsofthatkind！"exclaimedDutocq。

"Sign：’TheodosedelaPeyrade，’andafteryournameput’Barrister，rueSaint—Dominiqued’Enfer，’underthewords’Acceptedfortenthousand。’We’lldatethenotesandsueyou，——allsecretly，ofcourse，butinordertohaveaholduponyou；theownersofaprivateeroughttohavesecuritywhenthebrigandthecaptainareatsea。"

Thedayafterthisinterviewthebailiffofthejustice—of—peacedidCerizettheserviceofsuinglaPeyradesecretly。Hewenttoseethebarristerthatevening，andthewholeaffairwasdonewithoutanypublicity。TheCourtofcommercehasahundredsuchcasesinthecourseofoneterm。ThestrictregulationsofthecouncilofbarristersofthebarofParisarewellknown。Thisbody，andalsothecouncilofattorneys，exerciseseveredisciplineovertheirmembers。A

barristerliabletogotoClichywouldbedisbarred。Consequently，Cerizet，underDutocq’sadvice，hadtakenagainsttheirpuppetmeasureswhichwerecertaintosecuretoeachofthemtwenty—fivethousandfrancsoutofCeleste’s"dot。"Insigningthenotes，Theodosesawbutonething，——hismeansoflivingsecured；butastimehadgoneon，andthehorizongrewclearer，andhemounted，stepbystep，toabetterpositiononthesocialladder，hebegantodreamofgettingridofhisassociates。Andnow，onobtainingtwenty—fivethousandfrancsfromThuillier，hehopedtotreatonthebasisoffiftypercentforthereturnofhisfatalnotesbyCerizet。

Unfortunately，thissortofinfamousspeculationisnotanexceptionalfact；ittakesplaceinParisundervariousformstoolittledisguisedforthehistorianofmannersandmoralstopassthemoverunnoticedinacompleteandaccuratepictureofsocietyinthenineteenthcentury。

Dutocq，anarrantscoundrel，stillowedfifteenthousandfrancsonhispractice，andlivedinhopesofsomethingturninguptokeephishead，asthesayingis，abovewateruntilthecloseof1840。Uptothepresenttimenoneofthethreeconfederateshadflinchedorgroaned。

Eachfelthisstrengthandknewhisdanger。Equalstheywereindistrust，inwatchfulness；equals，too，inapparentconfidence；andequallystolidinsilenceandlookwhenmutualsuspicionsrosetothesurfaceoffaceorspeech。ForthelasttwomonthsthepositionofTheodosewasacquiringthestrengthofadetachedfort。ButCerizetandDutocqhelditunderminedbyamassofpowder，withthematcheverlighted；butthewindmightextinguishthematchorthedevilmightfloodthemine。

Themomentwhenwildbeastsseizetheirfoodisalwaysthemostcritical，andthatmomenthadnowarrivedforthesethreehungrytigers。CerizetwouldsometimessaytoTheodose，withthatrevolutionaryglancewhichtwiceinthiscenturysovereignshavehadtomeet：——

"Ihavemadeyouking，andhereamIstillnothing！foritisnothingnottobeall。"

AreactionofenvywasrushingitsavalanchethroughCerizet。Dutocqwasatthemercyofhiscopyingclerk。Theodosewouldgladlyhaveburnedhiscopartnerscouldhehaveburnedtheirpapersinthesameconflagration。Allthreestudiedeachothertoocarefully，inordertoconcealtheirownthoughts，nottobeinturndivined。Theodoselivedalifeofthreehellsashethoughtofwhatlaybelowthecards，thenofhisowngame，andthenofhisfuture。HisspeechtoThuillierwasacryofdespair；hethrewhisleadintothewatersoftheoldbourgeoisandfoundtherenothingmorethantwenty—fivethousandfrancs。

"And，"hesaidtohimselfashewenttohisownroom，"possiblynothingatallamonthhence。"

HenewfeltthedeepesthatredtotheThuilliers。ButThuillierhimselfheheldbyaharpoonstuckintothedepthsoftheman’svanity；namely，bytheprojectedwork，entitled"TaxationandtheSinkingFund，"forwhichheintendedtorearrangetheideasoftheSaint—Simonian"Globe，"givingthemasystematicform，andcoloringthemwithhisfervidSoutherndiction。Thuillier’sbureaucraticknowledgeofthesubjectwouldbeofusetohimhere。Theodosethereforeclungtothisrope，resolvingtodobattle，onsopoorabaseofoperations，withthevanityofafool，which，accordingtoindividualcharacter，iseithergraniteorsand。Onreflection，Theodosewasinclinedtobecontentwiththeprospect。

Ontheeveningbeforetherightofredemptionexpired，ClaparonandCerizetproceededtomanipulatethenotaryinthefollowingmanner。

Cerizet，towhomClaparonhadrevealedthepasswordandthenotary’sretreat，wentouttothishiding—placetosaytothelatter：——

"Oneofmyfriends，Claparon，whomyouknow，hasaskedmetocomeandseeyou；hewillexpectyouto—morrow，intheevening，youknowwhere。

Hehasthepaperyouexpectfromhim，whichhewillexchangewithyouforthetenthousandagreedupon；butImustbepresent，forfivethousandofthatsumbelongtome；andIwarnyou，mydearmonsieur，thatthenameinthecounter—deedisinblank。"

"Ishallbethere，"repliedtheex—notary。

Thepoordevilwaitedthewholenightinagoniesofmindthatcanwellbeimagined，forsafetyorinevitableruinwereinthebalance。Atsunrisehesawapproachinghim，insteadofClaparon，abailiffoftheCourtofcommerce，whoproducedajudgmentagainsthiminregularform，andinformedhimthathemustgowithhimtoClichy。

Cerizethadmadeanarrangementwithoneofthecreditorsofthelucklessnotary，pledginghimselftodeliverupthedebtoronpaymenttohimselfofhalfthedebt。OutofthetenthousandfrancspromisedtoClaparon，thevictimofthistrapwasobliged，inordertoobtainhisliberty，topaysixthousanddown，theamountofhisdebt。

OnreceivinghisshareofthisextortionCerizetsaidtohimself：

"There’sthreethousandtomakeCerizetclearout。"

Cerizetthenreturnedtothenotaryandsaid："Claparonisascoundrel，monsieur；hehasreceivedfifteenthousandfrancsfromtheproposedpurchaserofyourhouse，whowillnow，ofcourse，becometheowner。Threatentorevealhishiding—placetohiscreditors，andtohavehimsuedforfraudulentbankruptcy，andhe’llgiveyouhalf。"

InhiswraththenotarywroteafulminatinglettertoClaparon。

Claparon，alarmed，fearedanarrest，andCerizetofferedtogethimapassport。

"Youhaveplayedmemanyatrick，Claparon，"hesaid，"butlistentomenow，andyoucanjudgeofmykindness。Ipossess，asmywholemeans，threethousandfrancs；I’llgivethemtoyou；startforAmerica，andmakeyourfortunethere，asI’mtryingtomakeminehere。"

ThateveningClaparon，carefullydisguisedbyCerizet，leftforHavrebythediligence。CerizetremainedmasterofthefifteenthousandfrancstobepaidtoClaparon，andheawaitedTheodosewiththepaymentthereoftranquilly。

"Thelimitforbidding—inispassed，"thoughtTheodose，ashewenttofindDutocqandaskhimtobringCerizettohisoffice。"SupposeI

werenowtomakeanefforttogetridofmyleech？"

"Youcan’tsettlethisaffairanywherebutatCerizet’s，becauseClaparonmustbepresent，andheishidingthere，"saidDutocq。

Accordingly，Theodosewent，betweensevenandeighto’clock，tothedenofthe"bankerofthepoor，"whomDutocqhadnotifiedofhiscoming。Cerizetreceivedhiminthehorriblekitchenwheremiseriesandsorrowswerechoppedandcooked，aswehaveseenalready。Thepairthenwalkedupanddown，preciselyliketwoanimalsinacage，whilemutuallyplayingthefollowingscene：——

"Haveyoubroughtthefifteenthousandfrancs？"

"No，butIhavethemathome。"

"Whynothavetheminyourpocket？"askedCerizet，sharply。

"I’lltellyou，"repliedTheodose，who，ashewalkedfromtherueSaint—DominiquetotheEstrapade，haddecidedonhiscourseofaction。

TheProvencal，writhinguponthegridirononwhichhispartnersheldhim，becamesuddenlypossessedwithagoodidea，whichflashedfromthebodyofthelivecoalunderhim。Perilhasgleamsoflight。Heresolvedtorelyonthepoweroffrankness，whichaffectsallmen，evenswindlers。Everyoneisgratefultoanadversarywhobareshimselftothewaistinaduel。

"Well！"saidCerizet，"nowthehumbugbegins。"

Thewordsseemedtocomewhollythroughtheholeinhisnosewithhorribleintonations。

"Youhaveputmeinamagnificentposition，andIshallneverforgettheserviceyouhavedoneme，myfriend，"beganTheodose，withemotion。

"Oh，that’showyoutakeit，isit？"saidCerizet。

"Listentome；youdon’tunderstandmyintentions。"

"Yes，Ido！"repliedthelenderby"thelittleweek。"

"No，youdon’t。"

"Youintendnottogiveupthosefifteenthousandfrancs。"

TheodoseshruggedhisshouldersandlookedfixedlyatCerizet，who，struckbythetwomotions，keptsilence。

"Wouldyouliveinmyposition，knowingyourselfwithinrangeofacannonloadedwithgrape—shot，withoutfeelingastrongdesiretogetoutofit？Nowlistentomecarefully。Youaredoingadangerousbusiness，andyouwouldbegladenoughtohavesomesolidprotectionintheveryheartofthemagistracyofParis。IfIcancontinuemypresentcourse，Ishallbesubstituteattorney—general，possiblyattorney—general，inthreeyears。Iofferyouto—daytheofficesofadevotedfriendship，whichwillserveyouhereaftermostassuredly，ifonlytoreplaceyouinahonorableposition。Herearemyconditions——"

"Conditions！"exclaimedCerizet。

"IntenminutesIwillbringyoutwenty—fivethousandfrancsifyoureturntomeallthenoteswhichyouhaveagainstme。"

"ButDutocq？andClaparon？"saidCerizet。

"Leavetheminthelurch！"repliedTheodose，withhislipsatCerizet’sear。

"That’saprettythingtosay！"criedCerizet。"Andsoyouhaveinventedthislittlegameofhocus—pocusbecauseyouholdinyourfingersfifteenthousandfrancsthatdon’tbelongtoyou！"

"ButI’veaddedtenthousandfrancstothem。Besides，youandIknoweachother。"

"Ifyouareabletogettenthousandfrancsoutofyourbourgeoisyoucansurelygetfifteen，"saidCerizet。"ForthirtythousandI’myourman。Franknessforfrankness，youknow。"

"Youasktheimpossible，"repliedTheodose。"Atthisverymoment，ifyouhadtodowithClaparoninsteadofwithme，yourfifteenthousandwouldbelost，forThuillieristo—daytheownerofthathouse。"

"I’llspeaktoClaparon，"saidCerizet，pretendingtogoandconsulthim，andmountingthestairstothebedroom，fromwhichClaparonhadonlyjustdepartedonhisroadtoHavre。

Thetwoadversarieshadbeenspeaking，weshouldhereremark，inamannernottobeoverheard；andeverytimethatTheodoseraisedhisvoiceCerizetwouldmakeagesture，intimatingthatClaparon，fromabove，mightbelistening。ThefiveminutesduringwhichTheodoseheardwhatseemedtobethemurmuringoftwovoicesweretorturetohim，forhehadstakedhisverylifeupontheissue。Cerizetatlastcamedown，withasmileuponhislips，hiseyessparklingwithinfernalmischief，hiswholeframequiveringinhisjoy，aLuciferofgaiety！

"Iknownothing，soitseems！"hecried，shakinghisshoulders，"butClaparonknowsagreatdeal；hehasworkedwiththebig—wigbankers，andwhenItoldwhatyouwantedhebegantolaugh，andsaid，’I

thoughtasmuch！’Youwillhavetobringmethetwenty—fivethousandyouoffermeto—morrowmorning，mylad；andasmuchmorebeforeyoucanrecoveryournotes。"

"Why？"askedTheodose，feelinghisspinalcolumnliquidizingasifthedischargeofsomeinwardelectricfluidhadmeltedit。

"Thehouseisours。"

"How？"

"Claparonhasbititinunderthenameofoneofhiscreditors，alittletoadnamedSauvaignou。Desroches，thelawyer，hastakenthecase，andyou’llgetanoticeto—morrow。ThisaffairwillobligeClaparon，Dutocq，andmetoraisefunds。WhatwouldbecomeofmewithoutClaparon！SoIforgivehim——yes，Iforgavehim，andthoughyoumaynotbelieveit，mydearfriend，Iactuallykissedhim！Changeyourterms。"

Thelastthreewordswerehorribletohear，especiallywhenillustratedbythefaceofthespeaker，whoamusedhimselfbyplayingascenefromthe"Legataire，"allthewhilestudyingattentivelytheProvencal’scharacter。

"Oh，Cerizet！"criedTheodose；"I，whowishedtodoyousomuchgood！"

"Don’tyousee，mydearfellow，"returnedCerizet，"thatbetweenyouandmethereoughttobeTHIS，——"andhestruckhisheart，——"ofwhichyouhavenone。Assoonasyouthoughtyouhadaleveronus，youhavetriedtoknockusover。Isavedyoufromthehorrorsofstarvationandvermin！You’lldieliketheidiotyouare。Weputyouonthehigh—roadtofortune；wegaveyouafinesocialskinandapositioninwhichyoucouldgraspthefuture——andlookwhatyoudo！NOWIknowyou！andfromthistimeforth，weshallgoarmed。"

"Thenitiswarbetweenus！"exclaimedTheodose。

"Youfiredfirst，"returnedCerizet。

"Ifyoupullmedown，farewelltoyourhopesandplans；ifyoudon’tpullmedown，youhaveinmeanenemy。"

"That’sjustwhatIsaidyesterdaytoDutocq；but，howcanwehelpit？

Weareforcedtochoosebetweentwoalternatives——wemustgoaccordingtocircumstances。I’magood—naturedfellowmyself，"headded，afterapause；"bringmeyourtwenty—fivethousandfrancsto—morrowmorningandThuilliershallkeepthehouse。We’llcontinuetohelpyouatbothends，butyou’llhavetopayup，myboy。Afterwhathasjusthappenedthat’sprettykind，isn’tit？"

AndCerizetpattedTheodoseontheshoulder，withacynicismthatseemedtobrandhimmorethantheironofthegalleys。

"Well，givemetillto—morrowatmid—day，"repliedtheProvencal，"forthere’llbe，asyousaid，somemanipulationtodo。"

"I’lltrytokeepClaparonquiet；he’sinsuchahurry，thatman！"

"To—morrowthen，"saidTheodose，inthetoneofamanwhodecideshiscourse。

"Good—night，friend，"saidCerizet，inhisnasaltone，whichdegradedthefinestwordinthelanguage。"There’sonewhohasgotamouthfultosuck！"thoughtCerizet，ashewatchedTheodosegoingdownthestreetwiththestepofadazedman。

WhenlaPeyradereachedtheruedesPosteshewentwithrapidstridestoMadameColleville’shouse，excitinghimselfashewalkedalong，andtalkingaloud。ThefireofhisrousedpassionsandthesortofinwardconflagrationofwhichmanyParisiansareconscious（forsuchsituationsaboundinParis）broughthimfinallytoapitchoffrenzyandeloquencewhichfoundexpression，asheturnedintotheruedesDeux—Eglises，inthewords：——

"Iwillkillhim！"

"There’safellowwhoisnotcontent！"saidapassingworkman，andthejestingwordscalmedtheincandescentmadnesstowhichTheodosewasaprey。

AsheleftCerizet’stheideacametohimtogotoFlavieandtellherall。Southernnaturesarebornthus——stronguntilcertainpassionsarise，andthencollapsed。HeenteredFlavie’sroom；shewasalone，andwhenshesawTheodoseshefanciedherlasthourhadcome。

"Whatisthematter？"shecried。

"I——I——"hesaid。"Doyouloveme，Flavie？"

"Oh！howcanyoudoubtit？"

"Doyoulovemeabsolutely？——ifIwerecriminal，even？"

"Hashemurderedsomeone？"shethought，replyingtohisquestionbyanod。

Theodose，thankfultoseizeeventhisbranchofwillow，drewachairbesideFlavie’ssofa，andtheregavewaytosobsthatmighthavetouchedtheoldestjudge，whiletorrentsoftearsbegantoflowfromhiseyes。

Flavieroseandlefttheroomtosaytohermaid："Iamnotathometoanyone。"ThensheclosedalldoorsandreturnedtoTheodose，movedtotheutmostpitchofmaternalsolicitude。Shefoundhimstretchedout，hisheadthrownback，andweeping。Hehadtakenouthishandkerchief，andwhenFlavietriedtomoveitfromhisfaceitwasheavywithtears。

"Butwhatisthematter？"sheasked；"whatailsyou？"

Nature，moreimpressivethanart，servedTheodosewell；nolongerwasheplayingapart；hewashimself；thisnervouscrisisandthesetearswerethewindingupofhisprecedingscenesofactedcomedy。

"Youareachild，"shesaid，inagentlevoice，strokinghishairsoftly。

"Ihavebutyou，youonly，inalltheworld！"hereplied，kissingherhandswithasortofpassion；"andifyouaretruetome，ifyouaremine，asthebodybelongstothesoulandthesoultothebody，then——"headded，recoveringhimselfwithinfinitegrace，"THENIcanhavecourage。"

Herose，andwalkedabouttheroom。

"Yes，Iwillstruggle；Iwillrecovermystrength，likeAntaeus，fromafall；Iwillstranglewithmyownhandstheserpentsthatentwineme，thatkisswithserpentkisses，thatslavermycheeks，thatsuckmyblood，myhonor！Oh，misery！oh，poverty！Oh，howgreataretheywhocanstanderectandcarryhightheirheads！Ihadbetterhaveletmyselfdieofhunger，there，onmywretchedpallet，threeandahalfyearsago！AcoffinisasofterbedtolieinthanthelifeIlead！ItiseighteenmonthsthatIhaveFEDONBOURGEOIS！andnow，atthemomentofattaininganhonest，fortunatelife，amagnificentfuture，atthemomentwhenIwasabouttositdowntothesocialbanquet，theexecutionerstrikesmeontheshoulder！Yes，themonster！hestruckmethere，onmyshoulder，andsaidtome：’Paythyduestothedevil，ordie！’AndshallInotcrushthem？ShallInotforcemyarmdowntheirthroatstotheirveryentrails？Yes，yes，Iwill，Iwill！See，Flavie，myeyesaredrynow。Ha，ha！nowIlaugh；Ifeelmystrengthcomebacktome；powerismine！Oh！saythatyouloveme；sayitagain！Atthismomentitsoundsliketheword’Pardon’tothemancondemnedtodeath！"

"Youareterrible，myfriend！"criedFlavie。"Oh！youarekillingme。"

Sheunderstoodnothingofallthis，butshefelluponthesofa，exhaustedbythespectacle。Theodoseflunghimselfatherfeet。

"Forgiveme！forgiveme！"hesaid。

"Butwhatisthematter？whatisit？"sheaskedagain。

"Theyaretryingtodestroyme。Oh！promisetogivemeCeleste，andyoushallseewhatagloriouslifeIwillmakeyoushare。Ifyouhesitate——verygood；thatissayingyouwillbewhollymine，andI

willhaveyou！"