第1章

ToDonMicheleAngeloCajetani，PrinceofTeano。

ItisneithertotheRomanPrince，nortotherepresentativeoftheillustrioushouseofCajetani，whichhasgivenmorethanonePopetotheChristianChurch，thatIdedicatethisshortportionofalonghistory；itistothelearnedcommentatorofDante。

ItwasyouwholedmetounderstandthemarvelousframeworkofideasonwhichthegreatItalianpoetbuilthispoem，theonlyworkwhichthemodernscanplacebythatofHomer。TillIheardyou，theDivineComedywastomeavastenigmatowhichnonehadfoundtheclue——thecommentatorsleastofall。Thus，tounderstandDanteistobeasgreatashe；buteveryformofgreatnessisfamiliartoyou。

AFrenchsavantcouldmakeareputation，earnaprofessor’schair，andadozendecorations，bypublishinginadogmaticvolumetheimprovisedlecturebywhichyoulentenchantmenttooneofthoseeveningswhicharerestafterseeingRome。Youdonotknow，perhaps，thatmostofourprofessorsliveonGermany，onEngland，ontheEast，orontheNorth，asaninsectlivesonatree；and，liketheinsect，becomeanintegralpartofit，borrowingtheirmeritfromthatofwhattheyfeedon。Now，Italyhithertohasnotyetbeenworkedoutinpubliclectures。Noonewillevergivemecreditformyliteraryhonesty。MerelybyplunderingyouImighthavebeenaslearnedasthreeSchlegelsinone，whereasImeantoremainahumbleDoctoroftheFacultyofSocialMedicine，aveterinarysurgeonforincurablemaladies。Wereitonlytolayatokenofgratitudeatthefeetofmycicerone，IwouldfainaddyourillustriousnametothoseofPorcia，ofSan-Severino，ofPareto，ofdiNegro，andofBelgiojoso，whowillrepresentinthis”HumanComedy”thecloseandconstantalliancebetweenItalyandFrance，towhichBandellodidhonorinthesamewayinthesixteenthcentury——Bandello，thebishopandauthorofsomestrangetalesindeed，wholeftusthesplendidcollectionofromanceswhenceShakespearederivedmanyofhisplotsandevencompletecharacters，wordforword。

ThetwosketchesIdedicatetoyouarethetwoeternalaspectsofoneandthesamefact。Homoduplex，saidthegreatBuffon：whynotaddResduplex？Everythinghastwosides，evenvirtue。HenceMolierealwaysshowsusbothsidesofeveryhumanproblem；andDiderot，imitatinghim，oncewrote，”Thisisnotameretale”——inwhatisperhapsDiderot’smasterpiece，whereheshowsusthebeautifulpictureofMademoiselledeLachauxsacrificedbyGardanne，sidebysidewiththatofaperfectloverdyingforhismistress。

Inthesameway，thesetworomancesformapair，liketwinsofoppositesexes。Thisisaliteraryvagarytowhichawritermayforoncegiveway，especiallyaspartofaworkinwhichIamendeavoringtodepicteveryformthatcanserveasagarbtomind。

Mosthumanquarrelsarisefromthefactthatbothwisemenandduncesexistwhoaresoconstitutedastobeincapableofseeingmorethanonesideofanyfactoridea，whileeachassertsthatthesideheseesistheonlytrueandrightone。ThusitiswrittenintheHolyBook，”Godwilldelivertheworldovertodivisions。”ImustconfessthatthispassageofScripturealoneshouldpersuadethePapalSeetogiveyouthecontrolofthetwoChamberstocarryoutthetextwhichfounditscommentaryin1814，inthedecreeofLouisXVIII。

Mayyourwitandthepoetrythatisinyouextendaprotectinghandoverthesetwohistoriesof”ThePoorRelations”

Ofyouraffectionatehumbleservant，DEBALZAC。

PARIS，August-September，1846。

COUSINBETTY

PARTI

THEPRODIGALFATHER

Oneday，aboutthemiddleofJuly1838，oneofthecarriages，thenlatelyintroducedtoPariscabstands，andknownas/Milords/，wasdrivingdowntheRuedel’Universite，conveyingastoutmanofmiddleheightintheuniformofacaptainoftheNationalGuard。

AmongthePariscrowd，whoaresupposedtobesoclever，therearesomemenwhofancythemselvesinfinitelymoreattractiveinuniformthanintheirordinaryclothes，andwhoattributetowomensodepravedatastethattheybelievetheywillbefavorablyimpressedbytheaspectofabusbyandofmilitaryaccoutrements。

ThecountenanceofthisCaptainoftheSecondCompanybeamedwithaself-satisfactionthataddedsplendortohisruddyandsomewhatchubbyface。Thehaloofglorythatafortunemadeinbusinessgivestoaretiredtradesmansatonhisbrow，andstampedhimasoneoftheelectofParis——atleastaretireddeputy-mayorofhisquarterofthetown。

AndyoumaybesurethattheribbonoftheLegionofHonorwasnotmissingfromhisbreast，gallantlypadded/alaPrussienne/。Proudlyseatedinonecornerofthe/milord/，thissplendidpersonlethisgazewanderoverthepassers-by，who，inParis，oftenthusmeetaningratiatingsmilemeantforsweeteyesthatareabsent。

ThevehiclestoppedinthepartofthestreetbetweentheRuedeBellechasseandtheRuedeBourgogne，atthedoorofalarge，newly-

buildhouse，standingonpartofthecourt-yardofanancientmansionthathadagarden。Theoldhouseremainedinitsoriginalstate，beyondthecourtyardcurtailedbyhalfitsextent。

Onlyfromthewayinwhichtheofficeracceptedtheassistanceofthecoachmantohelphimout，itwasplainthathewaspastfifty。Therearecertainmovementssoundisguisedlyheavythattheyareastell-

taleasaregisterofbirth。Thecaptainputonhislemon-coloredright-handglove，and，withoutanyquestiontothegatekeeper，wentuptheouterstepstothegroundofthenewhousewithalookthatproclaimed，”Sheismine！”

The/concierges/ofParishavesharpeyes；theydonotstopvisitorswhowearanorder，haveablueuniform，andwalkponderously；inshort，theyknowarichmanwhentheyseehim。

ThisgroundfloorwasentirelyoccupiedbyMonsieurleBaronHulotd’Ervy，CommissaryGeneralundertheRepublic，retiredarmycontractor，andatthepresenttimeattheheadofoneofthemostimportantdepartmentsoftheWarOffice，CouncillorofState，officeroftheLegionofHonor，andsoforth。

ThisBaronHulothadtakenthenameofd’Ervy——theplaceofhisbirth——todistinguishhimfromhisbrother，thefamousGeneralHulot，ColoneloftheGrenadiersoftheImperialGuard，createdbytheEmperorComtedeForzheimafterthecampaignof1809。TheCount，theelderbrother，beingresponsibleforhisjunior，had，withpaternalcare，placedhiminthecommissariat，where，thankstotheservicesofthetwobrothers，theBarondeservedandwonNapoleon’sgoodgraces。

After1807，BaronHulotwasCommissaryGeneralforthearmyinSpain。

Havingrungthebell，thecitizen-captainmadestrenuouseffortstopullhiscoatintoplace，forithadruckedupasmuchatthebackasinfront，pushedoutofshapebytheworkingofapiriformstomach。

Beingadmittedassoonastheservantinliverysawhim，theimportantandimposingpersonagefollowedtheman，whoopenedthedoorofthedrawing-room，announcing：”MonsieurCrevel。”

Onhearingthename，singularlyappropriatetothefigureofthemanwhoboreit，atall，fairwoman，evidentlyyoung-lookingforherage，roseasifshehadreceivedanelectricshock。”Hortense，mydarling，gointothegardenwithyourCousinBetty，”shesaidhastilytoherdaughter，whowasworkingatsomeembroideryathermother’sside。

Aftercurtseyingprettilytothecaptain，MademoiselleHortensewentoutbyaglassdoor，takingwithherawithered-lookingspinster，wholookedolderthantheBaroness，thoughshewasfiveyearsyounger。”Theyaresettlingyourmarriage，”saidCousinBettyinthegirl’sear，withoutseemingatalloffendedatthewayinwhichtheBaronesshaddismissedthem，countingheralmostaszero。

Thecousin’sdressmight，atneed，haveexplainedthisfree-and-easydemeanor。Theoldmaidworeamerinogownofadarkplumcolor，ofwhichthecutandtrimmingdatedfromtheyearoftheRestoration；alittleworkedcollar，worthperhapsthreefrancs；andacommonstrawhatwithbluesatinribbonsedgedwithstrawplait，suchastheold-

clothesbuyerswearatmarket。Onlookingdownatherkidshoes，made，itwasevident，bytheveriestcobbler，astrangerwouldhavehesitatedtorecognizeCousinBettyasamemberofthefamily，forshelookedexactlylikeajourneywomansempstress。ButshedidnotleavetheroomwithoutbestowingalittlefriendlynodonMonsieurCrevel，towhichthatgentlemanrespondedbyalookofmutualunderstanding。”Youarecomingtousto-morrow，Ihope，MademoiselleFischer？”saidhe。”Youhavenocompany？”askedCousinBetty。”Mychildrenandyourself，nooneelse，”repliedthevisitor。”Verywell，”repliedshe；”dependonme。””AndhereamI，madame，atyourorders，”saidthecitizen-captain，bowingagaintoMadameHulot。

HegavesuchalookatMadameHulotasTartuffecastsatElmire——whenaprovincialactorplaysthepartandthinksitnecessarytoemphasizeitsmeaning——atPoitiers，oratCoutances。”Ifyouwillcomeintothisroomwithme，weshallbemoreconvenientlyplacedfortalkingbusinessthanweareinthisroom，”

saidMadameHulot，goingtoanadjoiningroom，which，astheapartmentwasarranged，servedasacardroom。

Itwasdividedbyaslightpartitionfromaboudoirlookingoutonthegarden，andMadameHulotlefthervisitortohimselfforaminute，forshethoughtitwisetoshutthewindowandthedooroftheboudoir，sothatnooneshouldgetinandlisten。Sheeventooktheprecautionofshuttingtheglassdoorofthedrawing-room，smilingonherdaughterandhercousin，whomshesawseatedinanoldsummer-houseattheendofthegarden。Asshecamebacksheleftthecardroomdooropen，soastohearifanyoneshouldopenthatofthedrawing-roomtocomein。

Asshecameandwent，theBaroness，seenbynobody，allowedherfacetobetrayallherthoughts，andanyonewhocouldhaveseenherwouldhavebeenshockedtoseeheragitation。Butwhenshefinallycamebackfromtheglassdoorofthedrawing-room，assheenteredthecardroom，herfacewashiddenbehindtheimpenetrablereservewhicheverywoman，eventhemostcandid，seemstohaveathercommand。

Duringallthesepreparations——odd，tosaytheleast——theNationalGuardsmanstudiedthefurnitureoftheroominwhichhefoundhimself。

Ashenotedthesilkcurtains，oncered，nowfadedtodullpurplebythesunshine，andfrayedinthepleatsbylongwear；thecarpet，fromwhichthehueshadfaded；thediscoloredgildingofthefurniture；andthesilkseats，discoloredinpatches，andwearingintostrips——

expressionsofscorn，satisfaction，andhopedawnedinsuccessionwithoutdisguiseonhisstupidtradesman’sface。HelookedathimselfintheglassoveranoldclockoftheEmpire，andwascontemplatingthegeneraleffect，whentherustleofhersilkskirtannouncedtheBaroness。Heatoncestruckatattitude。

Afterdroppingontoasofa，whichhadbeenaveryhandsomeoneintheyear1809，theBaroness，pointingtoanarmchairwiththearmsendinginbronzesphinxes’heads，whilethepaintwaspeelingfromthewood，whichshowedthroughinmanyplaces，signedtoCreveltobeseated。”Alltheprecautionsyouaretaking，madame，wouldseemfullofpromisetoa——””Toalover，”saidshe，interruptinghim。”Thewordistoofeeble，”saidhe，placinghisrighthandonhisheart，androllinghiseyesinawaywhichalmostalwaysmakesawomanlaughwhenshe，incoldblood，seessuchalook。”Alover！Alover？

Sayamanbewitched——””Listen，MonsieurCrevel，”saidtheBaroness，tooanxioustobeabletolaugh，”youarefifty——tenyearsyoungerthanMonsieurHulot，I

know；butatmyageawoman’sfolliesoughttobejustifiedbybeauty，youth，fame，superiormerit——someoneofthesplendidqualitieswhichcandazzleustothepointofmakingusforgetallelse——evenatourage。Thoughyoumayhavefiftythousandfrancsayear，youragecounterbalancesyourfortune；thusyouhavenothingwhateverofwhatawomanlooksfor——””Butlove！”saidtheofficer，risingandcomingforward。”Suchloveas——””No，monsieur，suchobstinacy！”saidtheBaroness，interruptinghimtoputanendtohisabsurdity。”Yes，obstinacy，”saidhe，”andlove；butsomethingstrongerstill——aclaim——””Aclaim！”criedMadameHulot，risingsublimewithscorn，defiance，andindignation。”But，”shewenton，”thiswillbringustonoissues；

Ididnotaskyoutocomeheretodiscussthematterwhichledtoyourbanishmentinspiteoftheconnectionbetweenourfamilies——””Ihadfanciedso。””What！still？”criedshe。”Doyounotsee，monsieur，bytheentireeaseandfreedomwithwhichIcanspeakofloversandlove，ofeverythingleastcreditabletoawoman，thatIamperfectlysecureinmyownvirtue？Ifearnothing——noteventoshutmyselfinalonewithyou。Isthattheconductofaweakwoman？YouknowfullwellwhyI

beggedyoutocome。””No，madame，”repliedCrevel，withanassumptionofgreatcoldness。Hepurseduphislips，andagainstruckanattitude。”Well，Iwillbebrief，toshortenourcommondiscomfort，”saidtheBaroness，lookingatCrevel。

Crevelmadeanironicalbow，inwhichamanwhoknewtheracewouldhaverecognizedthegracesofabagman。”Oursonmarriedyourdaughter——””Andifitweretodoagain——”saidCrevel。”Itwouldnotbedoneatall，Isuspect，”saidthebaronesshastily。”However，youhavenothingtocomplainof。MysonisnotonlyoneoftheleadingpleadersofParis，butforthelastyearhehassatasDeputy，andhismaidenspeechwasbrilliantenoughtoleadustosupposethaterelonghewillbeinoffice。Victorinhastwicebeencalledupontoreportonimportantmeasures；andhemightevennow，ifhechose，bemadeAttorney-GeneralintheCourtofAppeal。So，ifyoumeantosaythatyourson-in-lawhasnofortune——””Worsethanthat，madame，ason-in-lawwhomIamobligedtomaintain，”

repliedCrevel。”Ofthefivehundredthousandfrancsthatformedmydaughter’smarriageportion，twohundredthousandhavevanished——Godknowshow！——inpayingtheyounggentleman’sdebts，infurnishinghishousesplendaciously——ahousecostingfivehundredthousandfrancs，andbringinginscarcelyfifteenthousand，sinceheoccupiesthelargerpartofit，whileheowestwohundredandsixtythousandfrancsofthepurchase-money。Therenthegetsbarelypaystheinterestonthedebt。Ihavehadtogivemydaughtertwentythousandfrancsthisyeartohelphertomakebothendsmeet。Andthenmyson-in-law，whowasmakingthirtythousandfrancsayearattheAssizes，Iamtold，isgoingtothrowthatupfortheChamber——””This，again，MonsieurCrevel，isbesidethemark；wearewanderingfromthepoint。Still，todisposeofitfinally，itmaybesaidthatifmysongetsintooffice，ifhehasyoumadeanofficeroftheLegionofHonorandcouncillorofthemunicipalityofParis，you，asaretiredperfumer，willnothavemuchtocomplainof——””Ah！thereweareagain，madame！Yes，Iamatradesman，ashopkeeper，aretaildealerinalmond-paste，eau-de-Portugal，andhair-oil，andwasonlytoomuchhonoredwhenmyonlydaughterwasmarriedtothesonofMonsieurleBaronHulotd’Ervy——mydaughterwillbeaBaroness！

ThisisRegency，LouisXV。，(Eil-de-boeuf——quitetip-top！——verygood。)

IloveCelestineasamanloveshisonlychild——sowellindeed，that，topreserveherfromhavingeitherbrotherorsister，Iresignedmyselftoalltheprivationsofawidower——inParis，andintheprimeoflife，madame。Butyoumustunderstandthat，inspiteofthisextravagantaffectionformydaughter，Idonotintendtoreducemyfortuneforthesakeofyourson，whoseexpensesarenotwhollyaccountedfor——inmyeyes，asanoldmanofbusiness。””Monsieur，youmayatthisdayseeintheMinistryofCommerceMonsieurPopinot，formerlyadruggistintheRuedesLombards——””Andafriendofmine，madame，”saidtheex-perfumer。”ForI，CelestinCrevel，foremanoncetooldCesarBirotteau，broughtupthesaidCesarBirotteau’sstock；andhewasPopinot’sfather-in-law。Why，thatveryPopinotwasnomorethanashopmanintheestablishment，andheisthefirsttoremindmeofit；forheisnotproud，todohimjustice，tomeninagoodpositionwithanincomeofsixtythousandfrancsinthefunds。””Wellthen，monsieur，thenotionsyouterm’Regency’arequiteoutofdateatatimewhenamanistakenathispersonalworth；andthatiswhatyoudidwhenyoumarriedyourdaughtertomyson。””Butyoudonotknowhowthemarriagewasbroughtabout！”criedCrevel。”Oh，thatcursedbachelorlife！Butformymisconduct，myCelestinemightatthisdaybeVicomtessePopinot！””Oncemorehavedonewithrecriminationsoveraccomplishedfacts，”

saidtheBaronessanxiously。”LetusratherdiscussthecomplaintsI

havefoundonyourstrangebehavior。MydaughterHortensehadachanceofmarrying；thematchdependedentirelyonyou；Ibelievedyoufeltsomesentimentsofgenerosity；Ithoughtyouwoulddojusticetoawomanwhohasneverhadathoughtinherheartforanymanbutherhusband，thatyouwouldhaveunderstoodhownecessaryitisforhernottoreceiveamanwhomaycompromiseher，andthatforthehonorofthefamilywithwhichyouarealliedyouwouldhavebeeneagertopromoteHortense’ssettlementwithMonsieurleConseillerLebas——Anditisyou，monsieur，youhavehinderedthemarriage。””Madame，”saidtheex-perfumer，”Iactedthepartofanhonestman。I

wasaskedwhetherthetwohundredthousandfrancstobesettledonMademoiselleHortensewouldbeforthcoming。Irepliedexactlyinthesewords：’Iwouldnotanswerforit。Myson-in-law，towhomtheHulotshadpromisedthesamesum，wasindebt；andIbelievethatifMonsieurHulotd’Ervyweretodieto-morrow，hiswidowwouldhavenothingtoliveon。’——There，fairlady。””Andwouldyouhavesaidasmuch，monsieur，”askedMadameHulot，lookingCrevelsteadilyintheface，”ifIhadbeenfalsetomyduty？””Ishouldnotbeinapositiontosayit，dearestAdeline，”criedthissingularadorer，interruptingtheBaroness，”foryouwouldhavefoundtheamountinmypocket-book。”

Andaddingactiontoword，thefatguardsmankneltdownononekneeandkissedMadameHulot’shand，seeingthathisspeechhadfilledherwithspeechlesshorror，whichhetookforhesitancy。”What，buymydaughter’sfortuneatthecostof——？Rise，monsieur——

orIringthebell。”

Crevelrosewithgreatdifficulty。Thisfactmadehimsofuriousthatheagainstruckhisfavoriteattitude。Mostmenhavesomehabitualpositionbywhichtheyfancythattheyshowtothebestadvantagethegoodpointsbestowedonthembynature。ThisattitudeinCrevelconsistedincrossinghisarmslikeNapoleon，hisheadshowingthree-

quartersface，andhiseyesfixedonthehorizon，asthepainterhasshowntheEmperorinhisportrait。”Tobefaithful，”hebegan，withwell-actedindignation，”sofaithfultoaliber——””Toahusbandwhoisworthyofsuchfidelity，”MadameHulotputin，tohinderCrevelfromsayingawordshedidnotchoosetohear。”Come，madame；youwrotetobidmehere，youaskthereasonsformyconduct，youdrivemetoextremitieswithyourimperialairs，yourscorn，andyourcontempt！AnyonemightthinkIwasaNegro。ButI

repeatit，andyoumaybelieveme，Ihavearightto——tomakelovetoyou，for——Butno；Iloveyouwellenoughtoholdmytongue。””Youmayspeak，monsieur。InafewdaysIshallbeeight-and-forty；I

amnoprude；Icanhearwhateveryoucansay。””Thenwillyougivemeyourwordofhonorasanhonestwoman——foryouare，alasforme！anhonestwoman——nevertomentionmynameortosaythatitwasIwhobetrayedthesecret？””Ifthatistheconditiononwhichyouspeak，IwillswearnevertotellanyonefromwhomIheardthehorrorsyouproposetotellme，notevenmyhusband。””Ishouldthinknotindeed，foronlyyouandheareconcerned。”

MadameHulotturnedpale。”Oh，ifyoustillreallyloveHulot，itwilldistressyou。ShallIsaynomore？””Speak，monsieur；forbyyouraccountyouwishtojustifyinmyeyestheextraordinarydeclarationsyouhavechosentomakeme，andyourpersistencyintormentingawomanofmyage，whoseonlywishistoseeherdaughtermarried，andthen——todieinpeace——””Yousee；youareunhappy。””I，monsieur？””Yes，beautiful，noblecreature！”criedCrevel。”Youhaveindeedbeentoowretched！””Monsieur，besilentandgo——orspeaktomeasyouought。””Doyouknow，madame，howMasterHulotandIfirstmadeacquaintance？——

Atourmistresses’，madame。””Oh，monsieur！””Yes，madame，atourmistresses’，”Crevelrepeatedinamelodramatictone，andleavinghispositiontowavehisrighthand。”Well，andwhatthen？”saidtheBaronesscoolly，toCrevel’sgreatamazement。

Suchmeanseducerscannotunderstandagreatsoul。”I，awidowerfiveyearssince，”Crevelbegan，inthetoneofamanwhohasastorytotell，”andnotwishingtomarryagainforthesakeofthedaughterIadore，notchoosingeithertocultivateanysuchconnectioninmyownestablishment，thoughIhadatthetimeaveryprettylady-accountant。Isetup，’onherownaccount，’astheysay，alittlesempstressoffifteen——reallyamiracleofbeauty，withwhomI

felldesperatelyinlove。Andinfact，madame，Iaskedanauntofmyown，mymother’ssister，whomIsentforfromthecountry，tolivewiththesweetcreatureandkeepaneyeonher，thatshemightbehaveaswellasmightbeinthisrather——whatshallIsay——shady？——no，delicateposition。”Thechild，whosetalentformusicwasstriking，hadmasters，shewaseducated——Ihadtogivehersomethingtodo。Besides，Iwishedtobeatonceherfather，herbenefactor，and——well，outwithit——herlover；

tokilltwobirdswithonestone，agoodactionandasweetheart。ForfiveyearsIwasveryhappy。Thegirlhadoneofthosevoicesthatmakethefortuneofatheatre；IcanonlydescribeherbysayingthatsheisaDuprezinpetticoats。Itcostmetwothousandfrancsayearonlytocultivatehertalentasasinger。Shemadememusic-mad；I

tookaboxattheoperaforherandformydaughter，andwenttherealternateeveningswithCelestineorJosepha。””What，thefamoussinger？””Yes，madame，”saidCrevelwithpride，”thefamousJosephaoweseverythingtome——Atlast，in1834，whenthechildwastwenty，believingthatIhadattachedhertomeforever，andbeingveryweakwhereshewasconcerned，IthoughtIwouldgiveheralittleamusement，andIintroducedhertoaprettylittleactress，JennyCadine，whoselifehadbeensomewhatlikeherown。Thisactressalsoowedeverythingtoaprotectorwhohadbroughtherupinleading-

strings。ThatprotectorwasBaronHulot。””Iknowthat，”saidtheBaroness，inacalmvoicewithouttheleastagitation。”Blessme！”criedCrevel，moreandmoreastounded。”Well！ButdoyouknowthatyourmonsterofahusbandtookJennyCadineinhandattheageofthirteen？””Whatthen？”saidtheBaroness。”AsJennyCadineandJosephawerebothagedtwentywhentheyfirstmet，”theex-tradesmanwenton，”theBaronhadbeenplayingthepartofLouisXV。toMademoiselledeRomanseversince1826，andyouweretwelveyearsyoungerthen——””Ihadmyreasons，monsieur，forleavingMonsieurHulothisliberty。””Thatfalsehood，madame，willsurelybeenoughtowipeouteverysinyouhaveevercommitted，andtoopentoyouthegatesofParadise，”

repliedCrevel，withaknowingairthatbroughtthecolortotheBaroness’cheeks。”Sublimeandadoredwoman，tellthattothosewhowillbelieveit，butnottooldCrevel，whohas，Imaytellyou，feastedtoooftenasoneoffourwithyourrascallyhusbandnottoknowwhatyourhighmeritsare！Manyatimehasheblamedhimselfwhenhalftipsyashehasexpatiatedonyourperfections。Oh，Iknowyouwell！——Alibertinemighthesitatebetweenyouandagirloftwenty。I

donothesitate——””Monsieur！””Well，Isaynomore。Butyoumustknow，saintlyandnoblewoman，thatahusbandundercertaincircumstanceswilltellthingsabouthiswifetohismistressthatwillmightilyamuseher。”

TearsofshamehangingtoMadameHulot’slonglashescheckedtheNationalGuardsman。Hestoppedshort，andforgothisattitude。”Toproceed，”saidhe。”Webecameintimate，theBaronandI，throughthetwohussies。TheBaron，likeallbadlots，isverypleasant，athoroughlyjollygoodfellow。Yes，hetookmyfancy，theoldrascal。

Hecouldbesofunny！——Well，enoughofthosereminiscences。Wegottobelikebrothers。Thescoundrel——quiteRegencyinhisnotions——triedindeedtodepravemealtogether，preachedSaint-Simonismastowomen，andallsortsoflordlyideas；but，yousee，Iwasfondenoughofmygirltohavemarriedher，onlyIwasafraidofhavingchildren。”Thenbetweentwoolddaddies，suchfriendsas——aswewere，whatmorenaturalthanthatweshouldthinkofourchildrenmarryingeachother？——

ThreemonthsafterhissonhadmarriedmyCelestine，Hulot——Idon’tknowhowIcanutterthewretch’sname！hehascheatedusboth，madame——well，thevillaindidmeoutofmylittleJosepha。ThescoundrelknewthathewassupplantedintheheartofJennyCadinebyayounglawyerandbyanartist——onlytwoofthem！——forthegirlhadmoreandmoreofahowlingsuccess，andhestolemysweetlittlegirl，aperfectdarling——butyoumusthaveseenherattheopera；hegotheranengagementthere。YourhusbandisnotsowellbehavedasIam。Iamruledasstraightasasheetofmusic-paper。HehaddroppedagooddealofmoneyonJennyCadine，whomusthavecosthimnearonthirtythousandfrancsayear。Well，IcanonlytellyouthatheisruininghimselfoutrightforJosepha。”Josepha，madame，isaJewess。HernameisMirah，theanagramofHiram，anIsraelitemarkthatstampsher，forshewasafoundlingpickedupinGermany，andtheinquiriesIhavemadeprovethatsheistheillegitimatechildofarichJewbanker。Thelifeofthetheatre，and，aboveall，theteachingofJennyCadine，MadameSchontz，Malaga，andCarabine，astothewaytotreatanoldman，havedeveloped，inthechildwhomIhadkeptinarespectableandnottooexpensivewayoflife，allthenativeHebrewinstinctforgoldandjewels——forthegoldencalf。”Sothisfamoussinger，hungeringforplunder，nowwantstoberich，veryrich。Shetriedher’prenticehandonBaronHulot，andsoonpluckedhimbare——pluckedhim，ay，andsingedhimtotheskin。Themiserableman，aftertryingtoviewithoneoftheKellersandwiththeMarquisd’Esgrignon，bothperfectlymadaboutJosepha，tosaynothingofunknownworshipers，isabouttoseehercarriedoffbythatveryrichDuke，whoissuchapatronofthearts。Oh，whatishisname？——adwarf——Ah，theDucd’Herouville。ThisfinegentlemaninsistsonhavingJosephaforhisveryown，andallthatsetaretalkingaboutit；theBaronknowsnothingofitasyet；foritisthesameintheThirteenthArrondissementasineveryother：thelover，likethehusband，islasttogetthenews。”Now，doyouunderstandmyclaim？Yourhusband，dearlady，hasrobbedmeofmyjoyinlife，theonlyhappinessIhaveknownsinceIbecameawidower。Yes，ifIhadnotbeensounluckyastocomeacrossthatoldrip，Josephawouldstillbemine；forI，youknow，shouldneverhaveplacedheronthestage。Shewouldhavelivedobscure，wellconducted，andmine。Oh！ifyoucouldbuthaveseenhereightyearsago，slightandwiry，withthegoldenskinofanAndalusian，astheysay，blackhairasshinyassatin，aneyethatflashedlightningunderlongbrownlashes，thestyleofaduchessineverymovement，themodestyofadependent，decentgrace，andtheprettywaysofawildfawn。AndbythatHulot’sdoingallthischarmandpurityhasbeendegradedtoaman-trap，amoney-boxforfive-francpieces！ThegirlistheQueenofTrollops；andnowadaysshehumbugseveryone——shewhoknewnothing，noteventhatword。”

Atthisstagetheretiredperfumerwipedhiseyes，whichwerefulloftears。ThesincerityofhisgrieftouchedMadameHulot，androusedherfromthemeditationintowhichshehadsunk。”Tellme，madame，isamanoffifty-twolikelytofindsuchanotherjewel？Atmyagelovecoststhirtythousandfrancsayear。Itisthroughyourhusband’sexperiencethatIknowtheprice，andIloveCelestinetootrulytobeherruin。WhenIsawyou，atthefirsteveningpartyyougaveinourhonor，IwonderedhowthatscoundrelHulotcouldkeepaJennyCadine——youhadthemannerofanEmpress。Youdonotlookthirty，”hewenton。”Tome，madame，youlookyoung，andyouarebeautiful。Onmywordofhonor，thateveningIwasstrucktotheheart。Isaidtomyself，’IfIhadnotJosepha，sinceoldHulotneglectshiswife，shewouldfitmelikeaglove。’Forgiveme——itisareminiscenceofmyoldbusiness。Theperfumerwillcropupnowandthen，andthatiswhatkeepsmefromstandingtobeelecteddeputy。”Andthen，whenIwassoabominablydeceivedbytheBaron，forreallybetweenoldripslikeusourfriend’smistressshouldbesacred，I

sworeIwouldhavehiswife。Itisbutjustice。TheBaroncouldsaynothing；wearecertainofimpunity。YoushowedmethedoorlikeamangydogatthefirstwordsIutteredastothestateofmyfeelings；

youonlymademypassion——myobstinacy，ifyouwill——twiceasstrong，andyoushallbemine。””Indeed；how？””Idonotknow；butitwillcometopass。Yousee，madame，anidiotofaperfumer——retiredfrombusiness——whohasbutoneideainhishead，isstrongerthanacleverfellowwhohasathousand。Iamsmittenwithyou，andyouarethemeansofmyrevenge；itislikebeinginlovetwiceover。Iamspeakingtoyouquitefrankly，asamanwhoknowswhathemeans。Ispeakcoldlytoyou，justasyoudotome，whenyousay，’Ineverwillbeyours，’Infact，astheysay，Iplaythegamewiththecardsonthetable。Yes，youshallbemine，soonerorlater；

ifyouwerefifty，youshouldstillbemymistress。Anditwillbe；

forIexpectanythingfromyourhusband！”

MadameHulotlookedatthisvulgarintriguerwithsuchafixedstareofterror，thathethoughtshehadgonemad，andhestopped。”Youinsistedonit，youheapedmewithscorn，youdefiedme——andI

havespoken，”saidhe，feelingthathemustjustifytheferocityofhislastwords。”Oh，mydaughter，mydaughter，”moanedtheBaronessinavoicelikeadyingwoman’s。”Oh！Ihaveforgottenallelse，”Crevelwenton。”ThedaywhenIwasrobbedofJosephaIwaslikeatigressrobbedofhercubs；inshort，asyouseemenow——Yourdaughter？Yes，Iregardherasthemeansofwinningyou。Yes，Iputaspokeinhermarriage——andyouwillnotgethermarriedwithoutmyhelp！HandsomeasMademoiselleHortenseis，sheneedsafortune——””Alas！yes，”saidtheBaroness，wipinghereyes。”Well，justaskyourhusbandfortenthousandfrancs，”saidCrevel，strikinghisattitudeoncemore。Hewaitedaminute，likeanactorwhohasmadeapoint。”Ifhehadthemoney，hewouldgiveittothewomanwhowilltakeJosepha’splace，”hewenton，emphasizinghistones。”Doesamaneverpullupontheroadhehastaken？Inthefirstplace，heistoosweetonwomen。Thereisahappymediuminallthings，asourKinghastoldus。Andthenhisvanityisimplicated！Heisahandsomeman！——Hewouldbringyoualltoruinforhispleasure；infact，youarealreadyonthehighroadtotheworkhouse。Why，look，neversinceIsetfootinyourhousehaveyoubeenabletodoupyourdrawing-roomfurniture。

’Hardup’isthewordshoutedbyeveryslitinthestuff。Wherewillyoufindason-in-lawwhowouldnotturnhisbackinhorroroftheill-concealedevidenceofthemostcruelmiserythereis——thatofpeopleindecentsociety？Ihavekeptshop，andIknow。ThereisnoeyesoquickasthatoftheParistradesmantodetectrealwealthfromitssham——Youhavenomoney，”hesaid，inalowervoice。”Itiswritteneverywhere，evenonyourman-servant’scoat。”Wouldyoulikemetodiscloseanymorehideousmysteriesthatarekeptfromyou？””Monsieur，”criedMadameHulot，whosehandkerchiefwaswetthroughwithhertears，”enough，enough！””Myson-in-law，Itellyou，giveshisfathermoney，andthisiswhatI

particularlywantedtocometowhenIbeganbyspeakingofyourson’sexpenses。ButIkeepaneyeonmydaughter’sinterests，beeasy。””Oh，ifIcouldbutseemydaughtermarried，anddie！”criedthepoorwoman，quitelosingherhead。”Well，then，thisistheway，”saidtheex-perfumer。

MadameHulotlookedatCrevelwithahopefulexpression，whichsocompletelychangedhercountenance，thatthisaloneoughttohavetouchedtheman’sfeelingsandhaveledhimtoabandonhismonstrousschemes。”Youwillstillbehandsometenyearshence，”Crevelwenton，withhisarmsfolded；”bekindtome，andMademoiselleHulotwillmarry。Hulothasgivenmetheright，asIhaveexplainedtoyou，toputthemattercrudely，andhewillnotbeangry。InthreeyearsIhavesavedtheinterestonmycapital，formydissipationshavebeenrestricted。I

havethreehundredthousandfrancsinthebankoverandabovemyinvestedfortune——theyareyours——””Go，”saidMadameHulot。”Go，monsieur，andneverletmeseeyouagain。ButforthenecessityinwhichyouplacedmetolearnthesecretofyourcowardlyconductwithregardtothematchIhadplannedforHortense——yes，cowardly！”sherepeated，inanswertoagesturefromCrevel。”Howcanyouloadapoorgirl，apretty，innocentcreature，withsuchaweightofenmity？Butforthenecessitythatgoadedmeasamother，youwouldneverhavespokentomeagain，neveragainhavecomewithinmydoors。Thirty-twoyearsofanhonorableandloyallifeshallnotbesweptawaybyablowfromMonsieurCrevel——””Theretiredperfumer，successortoCesarBirotteauatthe/QueenoftheRoses/，RueSaint-Honore，”addedCrevel，inmockingtones。”Deputy-mayor，captainintheNationalGuard，ChevalieroftheLegionofHonor——exactlywhatmypredecessorwas！””Monsieur，”saidtheBaroness，”if，aftertwentyyearsofconstancy，MonsieurHulotistiredofhiswife，thatisnobody’sconcernbutmine。Asyousee，hehaskepthisinfidelityamystery，forIdidnotknowthathehadsucceededyouintheaffectionsofMademoiselleJosepha——””Oh，ithascosthimaprettypenny，madame。Hissinging-birdhascosthimmorethanahundredthousandfrancsinthesetwoyears。Ah，ha！

youhavenotseentheendofit！””Havedonewithallthis，MonsieurCrevel。Iwillnot，foryoursake，foregothehappinessamotherknowswhocanembraceherchildrenwithoutasinglepangofremorseinherheart，whoseesherselfrespectedandlovedbyherfamily；andIwillgiveupmysoultoGodunspotted——””Amen！”exclaimedCrevel，withthediabolicalragethatembittersthefaceofthesepretenderswhentheyfailforthesecondtimeinsuchanattempt。”Youdonotyetknowthelatterendofpoverty——shame，disgrace——Ihavetriedtowarnyou；Iwouldhavesavedyou，youandyourdaughter。Well，youmuststudythemodernparableofthe/ProdigalFather/fromAtoZ。Yourtearsandyourpridemovemedeeply，”saidCrevel，seatinghimself，”foritisfrightfultoseethewomanonelovesweeping。AllIcanpromiseyou，dearAdeline，istodonothingagainstyourinterestsoryourhusband’s。Onlyneversendtomeforinformation。Thatisall。””Whatistobedone？”criedMadameHulot。

UptonowtheBaronesshadbravelyfacedthethreefoldtormentwhichthisexplanationinflictedonher；forshewaswoundedasawoman，asamother，andasawife。Infact，solongasherson’sfather-in-lawwasinsolentandoffensive，shehadfoundthestrengthinherresistancetotheaggressivetradesman；butthesortofgood-natureheshowed，inspiteofhisexasperationasamortifiedadorerandasahumiliatedNationalGuardsman，brokedownhernerve，strungtothepointofsnapping。Shewrungherhands，meltedintotears，andwasinastateofsuchhelplessdejection，thatsheallowedCreveltokneelatherfeet，kissingherhands。”GoodGod！whatwillbecomeofus！”shewenton，wipingawayhertears。”Canamothersitstillandseeherchildpineawaybeforehereyes？Whatistobethefateofthatsplendidcreature，asstronginherpurelifeunderhermother’scareassheisbyeverygiftofnature？Therearedayswhenshewandersroundthegarden，outofspiritswithoutknowingwhy；Ifindherwithtearsinhereyes——””Sheisone-and-twenty，”saidCrevel。”MustIplaceherinaconvent？”askedtheBaroness。”Butinsuchcasesreligionisimpotenttosubduenature，andthemostpiouslytrainedgirlslosetheirhead！——Getup，pray，monsieur；doyounotunderstandthateverythingisfinalbetweenus？thatIlookuponyouwithhorror？thatyouhavecrushedamother’slasthopes——””ButifIweretorestorethem，”askedhe。

MadameHulotlookedatCrevelwithafrenziedexpressionthatreallytouchedhim。Buthedrovepitybacktothedepthsofhisheart；shehadsaid，”Ilookuponyouwithhorror。”

Virtueisalwaysalittletoorigid；itoverlookstheshadesandinstinctsbyhelpofwhichweareabletotackwheninafalseposition。”SohandsomeagirlasMademoiselleHortensedoesnotfindahusbandnowadaysifsheispenniless，”Crevelremarked，resuminghisstarchiestmanner。”Yourdaughterisoneofthosebeautieswhoratheralarmintendinghusbands；likeathoroughbredhorse，whichistooexpensivetokeepuptofindareadypurchaser。Ifyougooutwalkingwithsuchawomanonyourarm，everyonewillturntolookatyou，andfollowandcovethisneighbor’swife。Suchsuccessisasourceofmuchuneasinesstomenwhodonotwanttobekillinglovers；for，afterall，nomankillsmorethanone。Inthepositioninwhichyoufindyourselftherearejustthreewaysofgettingyourdaughtermarried：

Eitherbymyhelp——andyouwillhavenoneofit！Thatisone——Orbyfindingsomeoldmanofsixty，veryrich，childless，andanxioustohavechildren；thatisdifficult，stillsuchmenaretobemetwith。

ManyoldmentakeupwithaJosepha，aJennyCadine，whyshouldnotonebefoundwhoisreadytomakeafoolofhimselfunderlegalformalities？IfitwerenotforCelestineandourtwograndchildren，I

wouldmarryHortensemyself。Thatistwo——Thelastwayistheeasiest——”

MadameHulotraisedherhead，andlookeduneasilyattheex-perfumer。”Parisisatownwhithereverymanofenergy——andtheysproutlikesaplingsonFrenchsoil——comestomeethiskind；talentswarmsherewithouthearthorhome，andenergyequaltoanything，eventomakingafortune。Well，theseyoungsters——yourhumbleservantwassuchaoneinhistime，andhowmanyhehasknown！WhathadduTilletorPopinottwentyyearssince？TheywerebothpotteringroundinDaddyBirotteau’sshop，withnotapennyofcapitalbuttheirdeterminationtogeton，which，inmyopinion，isthebestcapitalamancanhave。

Moneymaybeeatenthrough，butyoudon’teatthroughyourdetermination。Why，whathadI？Thewilltogeton，andplentyofpluck。AtthisdayduTilletisamatchforthegreatestfolks；littlePopinot，therichestdruggistoftheRuedesLombards，becameadeputy，nowheisinoffice——Well，oneofthesefreelances，aswesayonthestockmarket，ofthepen，orofthebrush，istheonlymaninPariswhowouldmarryapennilessbeauty，fortheyhavecourageenoughforanything。MonsieurPopinotmarriedMademoiselleBirotteauwithoutaskingforafarthing。Thosemenaremadmen，tobesure！Theytrustinloveastheytrustingoodluckandbrains！——Findamanofenergywhowillfallinlovewithyourdaughter，andhewillmarrywithoutathoughtofmoney。YoumustconfessthatbywayofanenemyI

amnotungenerous，forthisadviceisagainstmyowninterests。””Oh，MonsieurCrevel，ifyouwouldindeedbemyfriendandgiveupyourridiculousnotions——””Ridiculous？Madame，donotrunyourselfdown。Lookatyourself——I

loveyou，andyouwillcometobemine。ThedaywillcomewhenIshallsaytoHulot，’YoutookJosepha，Ihavetakenyourwife！’”Itistheoldlawoftit-for-tat！AndIwillperseveretillIhaveattainedmyend，unlessyoushouldbecomeextremelyugly——Ishallsucceed；andIwilltellyouwhy，”hewenton，resuminghisattitude，andlookingatMadameHulot。”Youwillnotmeetwithsuchanoldman，orsuchayounglover，”hesaidafterapause，”becauseyouloveyourdaughtertoowelltohandherovertothemanoeuvresofanoldlibertine，andbecauseyou——theBaronneHulot，sisteroftheoldLieutenant-GeneralwhocommandedtheveteranGrenadiersoftheOldGuard——willnotcondescendtotakeamanofspiritwhereveryoumayfindhim；forhemightbeamerecraftsman，asmanyamillionaireofto-daywastenyearsago，aworkingartisan，ortheforemanofafactory。”Andthen，whenyouseethegirl，urgedbyhertwentyyears，capableofdishonoringyouall，youwillsaytoyourself，’ItwillbebetterthatIshouldfall！IfMonsieurCrevelwillbutkeepmysecret，Iwillearnmydaughter’sportion——twohundredthousandfrancsfortenyears’

attachmenttothatoldgloveseller——oldCrevel！’——Idisgustyounodoubt，andwhatIamsayingishorriblyimmoral，youthink？Butifyouhappenedtohavebeenbittenbyanoverwhelmingpassion，youwouldfindathousandargumentsinfavorofyielding——aswomendowhentheyareinlove——Yes，andHortense’sinterestswillsuggesttoyourfeelingssuchtermsofsurrenderingyourconscience——””Hortensehasstillanuncle。””What！OldFischer？Heiswindinguphisconcerns，andthatagainistheBaron’sfault；hisrakeisdraggedovereverytillwithinhisreach。””ComteHulot——””Oh，madame，yourhusbandhasalreadymadethinairoftheoldGeneral’ssavings。Hespenttheminfurnishinghissinger’srooms——

Now，come；amItogowithoutahope？””Good-bye，monsieur。Amaneasilygetsoverapassionforawomanofmyage，andyouwillfallbackonChristianprinciples。Godtakescareofthewretched——”

TheBaronessrosetoobligethecaptaintoretreat，anddrovehimbackintothedrawing-room。”OughtthebeautifulMadameHulottobelivingamidsuchsqualor？”

saidhe，andhepointedtoanoldlamp，achandelierbereftofitsgilding，thethreadbarecarpet，theveryragsofwealthwhichmadethelargeroom，withitsred，white，andgold，looklikeacorpseofImperialfestivities。”Monsieur，virtueshinesonitall。Ihavenowishtooweahandsomeabodetohavingmadeofthebeautyyouarepleasedtoascribetomea/man-trap/and/amoney-boxforfive-francpieces/！”

ThecaptainbithislipsasherecognizedthewordshehadusedtovilifyJosepha’savarice。”Andforwhomareyousomagnanimous？”saidhe。Bythistimethebaronesshadgotherrejectedadmirerasfarasthedoor——”Foralibertine！”saidhe，withaloftygrimaceofvirtueandsuperiorwealth。”Ifyouareright，myconstancyhassomemerit，monsieur。Thatisall。”

Afterbowingtotheofficerasawomanbowstodismissanimportunevisitor，sheturnedawaytooquicklytoseehimoncemorefoldhisarms。Sheunlockedthedoorsshehadclosed，anddidnotseethethreateninggesturewhichwasCrevel’spartinggreeting。Shewalkedwithaproud，defiantstep，likeamartyrtotheColiseum，butherstrengthwasexhausted；shesankonthesofainherblueroom，asifshewerereadytofaint，andsattherewithhereyesfixedonthetumble-downsummer-house，whereherdaughterwasgossipingwithCousinBetty。

FromthefirstdaysofhermarriedlifetothepresenttimetheBaronesshadlovedherhusband，asJosephineintheendhadlovedNapoleon，withanadmiring，maternal，andcowardlydevotion。ThoughignorantofthedetailsgivenherbyCrevel，sheknewthatfortwentyyearspastBaronHulotbeenanythingratherthanafaithfulhusband；

butshehadsealedhereyeswithlead，shehadweptinsilence，andnowordofreproachhadeverescapedher。Inreturnforthisangelicsweetness，shehadwonherhusband’svenerationandsomethingapproachingtoworshipfromallwhowereabouther。

Awife’saffectionforherhusbandandtherespectshepayshimareinfectiousinafamily。Hortensebelievedherfathertobeaperfectmodelofconjugalaffection；astotheirson，broughtuptoadmiretheBaron，whomeverybodyregardedasoneofthegiantswhosoeffectuallybackedNapoleon，heknewthatheowedhisadvancementtohisfather’sname，position，andcredit；andbesides，theimpressionsofchildhoodexertanenduringinfluence。Hestillwasafraidofhisfather；andifhehadsuspectedthemisdeedsrevealedbyCrevel，ashewastoomuchoverawedbyhimtofindfault，hewouldhavefoundexcusesinthevieweverymantakesofsuchmatters。

Itnowwillbenecessarytogivethereasonsfortheextraordinaryself-devotionofagoodandbeautifulwoman；andthis，inafewwords，isherpasthistory。

Threebrothers，simplelaboringmen，namedFischer，andlivinginavillagesituatedonthefurthestfrontierofLorraine，werecompelledbytheRepublicanconscriptiontosetoutwiththeso-calledarmyoftheRhine。

In1799thesecondbrother，Andre，awidower，andMadameHulot’sfather，lefthisdaughtertothecareofhiselderbrother，PierreFischer，disabledfromservicebyawoundreceivedin1797，andmadeasmallprivateventureinthemilitarytransportservice，anopeningheowedtothefavorofHulotd’Ervy，whowashighinthecommissariat。

ByaveryobviouschanceHulot，comingtoStrasbourg，sawtheFischerfamily。Adeline’sfatherandhisyoungerbrotherwereatthattimecontractorsforforageintheprovinceofAlsace。

Adeline，thensixteenyearsofage，mightbecomparedwiththefamousMadameduBarry，likeher，adaughterofLorraine。Shewasoneofthoseperfectandstrikingbeauties——awomanlikeMadameTallien，finishedwithpeculiarcarebyNature，whobestowsonthemallherchoicestgifts——distinction，dignity，grace，refinement，elegance，fleshofasuperiortexture，andacomplexionmingledintheunknownlaboratorywheregoodluckpresides。Thesebeautifulcreaturesallhavesomethingincommon：BiancaCapella，whoseportraitisoneofBronzino’smasterpieces；JeanGoujon’sVenus，paintedfromthefamousDianedePoitiers；SignoraOlympia，whosepictureadornstheDoriagallery；Ninon，MadameduBarry，MadameTallien，MademoiselleGeorges，MadameRecamier——allthesewomenwhopreservedtheirbeautyinspiteofyears，ofpassion，andoftheirlifeofexcessandpleasure，haveinfigure，frame，andinthecharacteroftheirbeautycertainstrikingresemblances，enoughtomakeonebelievethatthereisintheoceanofgenerationsanAphrodisiancurrentwhenceeverysuchVenusisborn，alldaughtersofthesamesaltwave。

AdelineFischer，oneoftheloveliestofthisraceofgoddesses，hadthesplendidtype，theflowinglines，theexquisitetextureofawomanbornaqueen。ThefairhairthatourmotherEvereceivedfromthehandofGod，theformofanEmpress，anairofgrandeur，andanaugustlineofprofile，withherruralmodesty，madeeverymanpauseindelightasshepassed，likeamateursinfrontofaRaphael；inshort，havingonceseenher，theCommissariatofficermadeMademoiselleAdelineFischerhiswifeasquicklyasthelawwouldpermit，tothegreatastonishmentoftheFischers，whohadallbeenbroughtupinthefearoftheirbetters。

Theeldest，asoldierof1792，severelywoundedintheattackonthelinesatWissembourg，adoredtheEmperorNapoleonandeverythingthathadtodowiththe/GrandeArmee/。AndreandJohannspokewithrespectofCommissaryHulot，theEmperor’sprotege，towhomindeedtheyowedtheirprosperity；forHulotd’Ervy，findingthemintelligentandhonest，hadtakenthemfromthearmyprovisionwagonstoplacetheminchargeofagovernmentcontractneedingdespatch。ThebrothersFischerhaddonefurtherserviceduringthecampaignof1804。AtthepeaceHulothadsecuredforthemthecontractforforagefromAlsace，notknowingthathewouldpresentlybesenttoStrasbourgtoprepareforthecampaignof1806。

ThismarriagewaslikeanAssumptiontotheyoungpeasantgirl。ThebeautifulAdelinewastranslatedatoncefromthemireofhervillagetotheparadiseoftheImperialCourt；forthecontractor，oneofthemostconscientiousandhard-workingoftheCommissariatstaff，wasmadeaBaron，obtainedaplaceneartheEmperor，andwasattachedtotheImperialGuard。Thehandsomerusticbravelysettoworktoeducateherselfforloveofherhusband，forshewassimplycrazyabouthim；

and，indeed，theCommissariatofficewasasamanaperfectmatchforAdelineasawoman。Hewasoneofthepickedcorpsoffinemen。Tall，well-built，fair，withbeautifulblueeyesfullofirresistiblefireandlife，hiselegantappearancemadehimremarkablebythesideofd’Orsay，Forbin，Ouvrard；inshort，inthebattalionoffinementhatsurroundedtheEmperor。Aconquering”buck，”andholdingtheideasoftheDirectoirewithregardtowomen，hiscareerofgallantrywasinterruptedforsomelongtimebyhisconjugalaffection。

ToAdelinetheBaronwasfromthefirstasortofgodwhocoulddonowrong。Tohimsheowedeverything：fortune——shehadacarriage，afinehouse，everyluxuryoftheday；happiness——hewasdevotedtoherinthefaceoftheworld；atitle，forshewasaBaroness；fame，forshewasspokenofasthebeautifulMadameHulot——andinParis！Finally，shehadthehonorofrefusingtheEmperor’sadvances，forNapoleonmadeherapresentofadiamondnecklace，andalwaysrememberedher，askingnowandagain，”AndisthebeautifulMadameHulotstillamodelofvirtue？”inthetoneofamanwhomighthavetakenhisrevengeononewhoshouldhavetriumphedwherehehadfailed。

Soitneedsnogreatintuitiontodiscernwhatwerethemotivesinasimple，guileless，andnoblesoulforthefanaticismofMadameHulot’slove。Havingfullypersuadedherselfthatherhusbandcoulddohernowrong，shemadeherselfinthedepthsofherheartthehumble，abject，andblindfoldslaveofthemanwhohadmadeher。Itmustbenoted，too，thatshewasgiftedwithgreatgoodsense——thegoodsenseofthepeople，whichmadehereducationsound。Insocietyshespokelittle，andneverspokeevilofanyone；shedidnottrytoshine；shethoughtoutmanythings，listenedwell，andformedherselfonthemodelofthebest-conductedwomenofgoodbirth。

In1815HulotfollowedtheleadofthePrincedeWissembourg，hisintimatefriend，andbecameoneoftheofficerswhoorganizedtheimprovisedtroopswhoseroutbroughttheNapoleoniccycletoacloseatWaterloo。In1816theBaronwasoneofthemenbesthatedbytheFeltreadministration，andwasnotreinstatedintheCommissariattill1823，whenhewasneededfortheSpanishwar。In1830hetookofficeasthefourthwheelofthecoach，atthetimeofthelevies，asortofconscriptionmadebyLouisPhilippeontheoldNapoleonicsoldiery。

Fromthetimewhentheyoungerbranchascendedthethrone，havingtakenanactivepartinbringingthatabout，hewasregardedasanindispensableauthorityattheWarOffice。HehadalreadywonhisMarshal’sbaton，andtheKingcoulddonomoreforhimunlessbymakinghimministerorapeerofFrance。

From1818till1823，havingnoofficialoccupation，BaronHulothadgoneonactiveservicetowomankind。MadameHulotdatedherHector’sfirstinfidelitiesfromthegrand/finale/oftheEmpire。Thus，fortwelveyearstheBaronesshadfilledthepartinherhouseholdof/primadonnaassoluta/，withoutarival。Shestillcouldboastoftheold-fashioned，inveterateaffectionwhichhusbandsfeelforwiveswhoareresignedtobegentleandvirtuoushelpmates；sheknewthatifshehadarival，thatrivalwouldnotsubsistfortwohoursunderawordofreprooffromherself；butsheshuthereyes，shestoppedherears，shewouldknownothingofherhusband’sproceedingsoutsidehishome。

Inshort，shetreatedherHectorasamothertreatsaspoiltchild。

Threeyearsbeforetheconversationreportedabove，Hortense，attheTheatredesVarietes，hadrecognizedherfatherinalowertierstage-

boxwithJennyCadine，andhadexclaimed：”Thereispapa！””Youaremistaken，mydarling；heisattheMarshal’s，”theBaronessreplied。

ShetoohadseenJennyCadine；butinsteadoffeelingapangwhenshesawhowprettyshewas，shesaidtoherself，”ThatrascalHectormustthinkhimselfverylucky。”

Shesufferednevertheless；shegaveherselfupinsecrettoragesoftorment；butassoonasshesawHector，shealwaysrememberedhertwelveyearsofperfecthappiness，andcouldnotfinditinhertoutterawordofcomplaint。ShewouldhavebeengladiftheBaronwouldhavetakenherintohisconfidence；butsheneverdaredtolethimseethatsheknewofhiskickingoverthetraces，outofrespectforherhusband。Suchanexcessofdelicacyisnevermetwithbutinthosegrandcreatures，daughtersofthesoil，whoseinstinctitistotakeblowswithouteverreturningthem；thebloodoftheearlymartyrsstilllivesintheirveins。Well-bornwomen，theirhusbands’equals，feeltheimpulsetoannoythem，tomarkthepointsoftheirtolerance，likepointsatbilliards，bysomestingingword，partlyinthespiritofdiabolicalmalice，andtosecuretheupperhandortherightofturningthetables。

TheBaronesshadanardentadmirerinherbrother-in-law，Lieutenant-

GeneralHulot，thevenerableColoneloftheGrenadiersoftheImperialInfantryGuard，whowastohaveaMarshal’sbatoninhisoldage。Thisveteran，afterhavingservedfrom1830to1834asCommandantofthemilitarydivision，includingthedepartmentsofBrittany，thesceneofhisexploitsin1799and1800，hadcometosettleinParisnearhisbrother，forwhomhehadafatherlyaffection。

Thisoldsoldier’sheartwasinsympathywithhissister-in-law；headmiredherasthenoblestandsaintliestofhersex。Hehadnevermarried，becausehehopedtofindasecondAdeline，thoughhehadvainlysoughtforherthroughtwentycampaignsinasmanylands。Tomaintainherplaceintheesteemofthisblamelessandspotlessoldrepublican——ofwhomNapoleonhadsaid，”ThatbraveoldHulotisthemostobstinaterepublican，buthewillneverbefalsetome”——Adelinewouldhaveenduredgriefsevengreaterthanthosethathadjustcomeuponher。Buttheoldsoldier，seventy-twoyearsofage，batteredbythirtycampaigns，andwoundedforthetwenty-seventhtimeatWaterloo，wasAdeline’sadmirer，andnota”protector。”ThepooroldCount，amongotherinfirmities，couldonlyhearthroughaspeakingtrumpet。

SolongasBaronHulotd’Ervywasafineman，hisflirtationsdidnotdamagehisfortune；butwhenamanisfifty，theGracesclaimpayment。

Atthatagelovebecomesvice；insensatevanitiescomeintoplay。

Thus，ataboutthattime，Adelinesawthatherhusbandwasincrediblyparticularabouthisdress；hedyedhishairandwhiskers，andworeabeltandstays。Hewasdeterminedtoremainhandsomeatanycost。Thiscareofhisperson，aweaknesshehadoncemercilesslymockedat，wascarriedoutintheminutestdetails。

AtlastAdelineperceivedthatthePactoluspouredoutbeforetheBaron’smistresseshaditssourceinherpocket。Ineightyearshehaddissipatedaconsiderableamountofmoney；andsoeffectually，that，onhisson’smarriagetwoyearspreviously，theBaronhadbeencompelledtoexplaintohiswifethathispayconstitutedtheirwholeincome。”Whatshallwecometo？”askedAdeline。”Bequiteeasy，”saidtheofficial，”Iwillleavethewholeofmysalaryinyourhands，andIwillmakeafortuneforHortense，andsomesavingsforthefuture，inbusiness。”

Thewife’sdeepbeliefinherhusband’spowerandsuperiortalents，inhiscapabilitiesandcharacter，had，infact，forthemomentallayedheranxiety。

WhattheBaroness’reflectionsandtearswereafterCrevel’sdeparturemaynowbeclearlyimagined。Thepoorwomanhadfortwoyearspastknownthatshewasatthebottomofapit，butshehadfanciedherselfaloneinit。Howherson’smarriagehadbeenfinallyarrangedshehadnotknown；shehadknownnothingofHector’sconnectionwiththegraspingJewess；and，aboveall，shehopedthatnooneintheworldknewanythingofhertroubles。Now，ifCrevelwentaboutsoreadytotalkoftheBaron’sexcesses，Hector’sreputationwouldsuffer。Shecouldsee，undertheangryex-perfumer’scoarseharangue，theodiousgossipbehindthesceneswhichledtoherson’smarriage。Tworeprobatehussieshadbeenthepriestessesofthisunionplannedatsomeorgyamidthedegradingfamiliaritiesoftwotipsyoldsinners。”AndhasheforgottenHortense！”shewondered。”Butheseeshereveryday；willhetrytofindherahusbandamonghisgood-for-nothingsluts？”

Atthismomentitwasthemotherthatspokeratherthanthewife，forshesawHortenselaughingwithherCousinBetty——therecklesslaughterofheedlessyouth；andsheknewthatsuchhystericallaughterwasquiteasdistressingasymptomasthetearfulreverieofsolitarywalksinthegarden。

Hortensewaslikehermother，withgoldenhairthatwavednaturally，andwasamazinglylongandthick。Herskinhadthelustreofmother-

of-pearl。Shewasvisiblytheoffspringofatruemarriage，ofapureandnobleloveinitsprime。Therewasapassionatevitalityinhercountenance，abrilliancyoffeature，afullfountofyouth，afreshvigorandabundanceofhealth，whichradiatedfromherwithelectricflashes。Hortenseinvitedtheeye。

Whenhereye，ofdeepultramarineblue，liquidwiththemoistureofinnocentyouth，restedonapasser-by，hewasinvoluntarilythrilled。

Nordidasinglefrecklemarherskin，suchasthosewithwhichmanyawhiteandgoldenmaidpaystollforhermilkywhiteness。Tall，roundwithoutbeingfat，withaslenderdignityasnobleashermother’s，shereallydeservedthenameofgoddess，ofwhicholdauthorsweresolavish。Infact，thosewhosawHortenseinthestreetcouldhardlyrestraintheexclamation，”Whatabeautifulgirl！”

Shewassogenuinelyinnocent，thatshecouldsaytohermother：”Whatdotheymean，mamma，bycallingmeabeautifulgirlwhenIamwithyou？ArenotyoumuchhandsomerthanIam？”

And，inpointoffact，atseven-and-fortytheBaronessmighthavebeenpreferredtoherdaughterbyamateursofsunsetbeauty；forshehadnotyetlostanyofhercharms，byoneofthosephenomenawhichareespeciallyrareinParis，whereNinonwasregardedasscandalous，simplybecauseshethusseemedtoenjoysuchanunfairadvantageovertheplainerwomenoftheseventeenthcentury。

Thinkingofherdaughterbroughtherbacktothefather；shesawhimsinkingbydegrees，dayafterday，downtothesocialmire，andevendismissedsomedayfromhisappointment。Theideaofheridol’sfall，withavaguevisionofthedisastersprophesiedbyCrevel，wassuchaterrortothepoorwoman，thatshebecameraptinthecontemplationlikeanecstatic。

CousinBetty，fromtimetotime，asshechattedwithHortense，lookedroundtoseewhentheymightreturntothedrawing-room；butheryoungcousinwaspeltingherwithquestions，andatthemomentwhentheBaronessopenedtheglassdoorshedidnothappentobelooking。

LisbethFischer，thoughthedaughteroftheeldestofthethreebrothers，wasfiveyearsyoungerthanMadameHulot；shewasfarfrombeingashandsomeashercousin，andhadbeendesperatelyjealousofAdeline。Jealousywasthefundamentalpassionofthischaracter，markedbyeccentricities——awordinventedbytheEnglishtodescribethecrazinessnotoftheasylum，butofrespectablehouseholds。A

nativeoftheVosges，apeasantinthefullestsenseoftheword，lean，brown，withshiningblackhairandthickeyebrowsjoininginatuft，withlong，strongarms，thickfeet，andsomemolesonhernarrowsimianface——suchisabriefdescriptionoftheelderlyvirgin。

Thefamily，livingallunderoneroof，hadsacrificedthecommon-

lookinggirltothebeauty，thebitterfruittothesplendidflower。

Lisbethworkedinthefields，whilehercousinwasindulged；andoneday，whentheywerealonetogether，shehadtriedtodestroyAdeline’snose，atrulyGreeknose，whichtheoldmothersadmired。Thoughshewasbeatenforthismisdeed，shepersistedneverthelessintearingthefavorite’sgownsandcrumplinghercollars。

AtthetimeofAdeline’swonderfulmarriage，Lisbethhadbowedtofate，asNapoleon’sbrothersandsistersbowedbeforethesplendorofthethroneandtheforceofauthority。

Adeline，whowasextremelysweetandkind，rememberedLisbethwhenshefoundherselfinParis，andinvitedhertherein1809，intendingtorescueherfrompovertybyfindingherahusband。Butseeingthatitwasimpossibletomarrythegirloutofhand，withherblackeyesandsootybrows，unable，too，toreadorwrite，theBaronbeganbyapprenticinghertoabusiness；heplacedherasalearnerwiththeembroidererstotheImperialCourt，thewell-knownPonsBrothers。

Lisbeth，calledBettyforshort，havinglearnedtoembroideringoldandsilver，andpossessingalltheenergyofamountainrace，haddeterminationenoughtolearntoread，write，andkeepaccounts；forhercousintheBaronhadpointedoutthenecessityfortheseaccomplishmentsifshehopedtosetupinbusinessasanembroiderer。

Shewasbentonmakingafortune；intwoyearsshewasanothercreature。In1811thepeasantwomanhadbecomeaverypresentable，skilled，andintelligentforewoman。

Herdepartment，thatofgoldandsilverlace-work，asitiscalled，includedepaulettes，sword-knots，aiguillettes；inshort，theimmensemassofglitteringornamentsthatsparkledontherichuniformsoftheFrencharmyandcivilofficials。TheEmperor，atrueItalianinhisloveofdress，hadoverlaidthecoatsofallhisservantswithsilverandgold，andtheEmpireincludedahundredandthirty-threeDepartments。Theseornaments，usuallysuppliedtotailorswhoweresolventandwealthypaymasters，wereaverysecurebranchoftrade。

JustwhenCousinBetty，thebesthandinthehouseofPonsBrothers，whereshewasforewomanoftheembroiderydepartment，mighthavesetupinbusinessonherownaccount，theEmpirecollapsed。Theolive-

branchofpeaceheldoutbytheBourbonsdidnotreassureLisbeth；shefearedadiminutionofthisbranchoftrade，sincehenceforththereweretobebuteighty-sixDepartmentstoplunder，insteadofahundredandthirty-three，tosaynothingoftheimmensereductionofthearmy。