CONTENTSOFTHE13VOLUMES（180Stories）

VOLUMEI.

GUYDEMAUPASSANT——ASTUDYBYPOL.NEVEUX

BOULEDESUIF

TWOFRIENDS

THELANCER’SWIFE

THEPRISONERS

TWOLITTLESOLDIERS

FATHERMILON

ACOUPD’ETAT

LIEUTENANTLARE’SMARRIAGE

THEHORRIBLE

MADAMEPARISSE

MADEMOISELLEFIFI

ADUEL

VOLUMEII.

THECOLONEL’SIDEAS

MOTHERSAUVAGE

EPIPHANY

THEMUSTACHE

MADAMEBAPTISTE

THEQUESTIONOFLATIN

AMEETING

THEBLINDMAN

INDISCRETION

AFAMILYAFFAIR

BESIDESCHOPENHAUER’SCORPSE

VOLUMEIII.

MISSHARRIET

LITTLELOUISEROQUE

THEDONKEY

MOIRON

THEDISPENSEROFHOLYWATER

THEPARRICIDE

BERTHA

THEPATRON

THEDOOR

ASALE

THEIMPOLITESEX

AWEDDINGGIFT

THERELIC

VOLUMEIV.

THEMORIBUND

THEGAMEKEEPER

THESTORYOFAFARMGIRL

THEWRECK

THEODULESABOT’SCONFESSION

THEWRONGHOUSE

THEDIAMONDNECKLACE

THEMARQUISDEFUMEROL

THETRIPOFTHEHORLA

FAREWELL

THEWOLF

THEINN

VOLUMEV.

MONSIEURPARENT

QUEENHORTENSE

TIMBUCTOO

TOMBSTONES

MADEMOISELLEPEARL

THETHIEF

CLAIRDELUNE

WAITER，A"BOCK"

AFTER

FORGIVENESS

INTHESPRING

AQUEERNIGHTINPARIS

VOLUMEVI.

THATCOSTLYRIDE

USELESSBEAUTY

THEFATHER

MYUNCLESOSTHENES

THEBARONESS

MOTHERANDSON

THEHAND

ATRESSOFHAIR

ONTHERIVER

THECRIPPLE

ASTROLL

ALEXANDRE

THELOG

JULIEROMAINE

THERONDOLISISTERS

VOLUMEVII.

THEFALSEGEMS

FASCINATION

YVETTESAMORIS

AVENDETTA

MYTWENTY—FIVEDAYS

"THETERROR"

LEGENDOFMONTST.MICHEL

ANEWYEAR’SGIFT

FRIENDPATIENCE

ABANDONED

THEMAISONTELLIER

DENIS

MYWIFE

THEUNKNOWN

THEAPPARITION

VOLUMEVIII.

CLOCHETTE

THEKISS

THELEGIONOFHONOR

THETEST

FOUNDONADROWNEDMAN

THEORPHAN

THEBEGGAR

THERABBIT

HISAVENGER

MYUNCLEJULES

THEMODEL

AVAGABOND

THEFISHINGHOLE

THESPASM

INTHEWOOD

MARTINE

ALLOVER

THEPARROT

APIECEOFSTRING

VOLUMEIX.

TOINE

MADAMEHUSSON’SROSIER

THEADOPTEDSON

ACOWARD

OLDMONGILET

MOONLIGHT

THEFIRSTSNOWFALL

SUNDAYSOFABOURGEOIS

ARECOLLECTION

OURLETTERS

THELOVEOFLONGAGO

FRIENDJOSEPH

THEEFFEMINATES

OLDAMABLE

VOLUMEX.

THECHRISTENING

THEFARMER’SWIFE

THEDEVIL

THESNIPE

THEWILL

WALTERSCHNAFF’SADVENTURE

ATSEA

MINUET

THESON

THATPIGOFAMORIN

SAINTANTHONY

LASTINGLOVE

PIERROT

ANORMANDYJOKE

FATHERMATTHEW

VOLUMEXI.

THEUMBRELLA

BELHOMME’SBEAST

DISCOVERY

THEACCURSEDBREAD

THEDOWRY

THEDIARYOFAMADMAN

THEMASK

THEPENGUINSROCK

AFAMILY

SUICIDES

ANARTIFICE

DREAMS

SIMON’SPAPA

VOLUMEXII.

THECHILD

ACOUNTRYEXCURSION

ROSE

ROSALIEPRUDENT

REGRET

ASISTER’SCONFESSION

COCO

ADEADWOMAN’SSECRET

AHUMBLEDRAMA

MADEMOISELLECOCOTTE

THECORSICANBANDIT

THEGRAVE

VOLUMEXIII.

OLDJUDAS

THELITTLECASK

BOITELLE

AWIDOW

THEENGLISHMENOFETRETAT

MAGNETISM

AFATHERSCONFESSION

AMOTHEROFMONSTERS

ANUNCOMFORTABLEBED

APORTRAIT

THEDRUNKARD

THEWARDROBE

THEMOUNTAINPOOL

ACREMATION

MISTI

MADAMEHERMET

THEMAGICCOUCH

GUYDEMAUPASSANT

ORIGINALSHORTSTORIES

VOLUMEI.

GUYDEMAUPASSANT——ASTUDYBYPOL.NEVEUX

BOULEDESUIF

TWOFRIENDS

THELANCER’SWIFE

THEPRISONERS

TWOLITTLESOLDIERS

FATHERMILON

ACOUPD’ETAT

LIEUTENANTLARE’SMARRIAGE

THEHORRIBLE

MADAMEPARISSE

MADEMOISELLEFIFI

ADUEL

GUYDEMAUPASSANT

ASTUDYBYPOL.NEVEUX

"Ienteredliterarylifeasameteor，andIshallleaveitlikeathunderbolt."ThesewordsofMaupassanttoJoseMariadeHerediaontheoccasionofamemorablemeetingare，inspiteoftheirmorbidsolemnity，notaninexactsummingupofthebriefcareerduringwhich，fortenyears，thewriter，byturnsundauntedandsorrowful，withthefertilityofamasterhandproducedpoetry，novels，romancesandtravels，onlytosinkprematurelyintotheabyssofmadnessanddeath

InthemonthofApril，1880，anarticleappearedinthe"LeGaulois"

announcingthepublicationoftheSoireesdeMedan.Itwassignedbyanameasyetunknown：GuydeMaupassant.Afterajuvenilediatribeagainstromanticismandapassionateattackonlanguorousliterature，thewriterextolledthestudyofreallife，andannouncedthepublicationofthenewwork.Itwaspicturesqueandcharming.Inthequietofevening，onanisland，intheSeine，beneathpoplarsinsteadoftheNeapolitancypressesdeartothefriendsofBoccaccio，amidthecontinuousmurmurofthevalley，andnolongertothesoundofthePyrenneanstreamsthatmurmuredafaintaccompanimenttothetalesofMarguerite’scavaliers，themasterandhisdisciplestookturnsinnarratingsomestrikingorpatheticepisodeofthewar.Andtheissue，incollaboration，ofthesetalesinonevolume，inwhichthemasterjostledelbowswithhispupils，tookontheappearanceofamanifesto，thetoneofachallenge，ortheutteranceofacreed.

Infact，however，thebeginningshadbeenmuchmoresimple，andtheyhadconfinedthemselves，beneaththetreesofMedan，todecidingonageneraltitleforthework.Zolahadcontributedthemanuscriptofthe"AttaqueduMoulin，"anditwasatMaupassant’shousethatthefiveyoungmengaveintheircontributions.Eachonereadhisstory，Maupassantbeingthelast.WhenhehadfinishedBouledeSuif，withaspontaneousimpulse，withanemotiontheyneverforgot，filledwithenthusiasmatthisrevelation，theyallroseand，withoutsuperfluouswords，acclaimedhimasamaster.

HeundertooktowritethearticlefortheGauloisand，incooperationwithhisfriends，hewordeditinthetermswithwhichwearefamiliar，amplifyingandembellishingit，yieldingtoaninborntasteformystificationwhichhisyouthrenderedexcusable.Theessentialpoint，hesaid，isto"unmoor"criticism.

Itwasunmoored.ThefollowingdayWolffwroteapolemicaldissertationintheFigaroandcarriedawayhiscolleagues.Thevolumewasabrilliantsuccess，thankstoBouledeSuif.Despitethenovelty，thehonestyofeffort，onthepartofall，nomentionwasmadeoftheotherstories.Relegatedtothesecondrank，theypassedwithoutnotice.Fromhisfirstbattle，Maupassantwasmasterofthefieldinliterature.

Atoncetheentirepresstookhimupandsaidwhatwasappropriateregardingthebuddingcelebrity.Biographersandreporterssoughtinformationconcerninghislife.Asitwasverysimpleandperfectlystraightforward，theyresortedtoinvention.AndthusitisthatatthepresentdayMaupassantappearstouslikeoneofthoseancientheroeswhoseoriginanddeathareveiledinmystery.

IwillnotdwellonGuydeMaupassant’syoungerdays.Hisrelatives，hisoldfriends，hehimself，hereandthereinhisworks，havefurnishedusintheirlettersenoughvaluablerevelationsandtouchingremembrancesoftheyearsprecedinghisliterarydebut.Hisworthybiographer，H.EdouardMaynial，aftercollectingintelligentlyallthewritings，condensingandcomparingthem，hasbeenabletogiveussomedefiniteinformationregardingthatearlyperiod.

Iwillsimplyrecallthathewasbornonthe5thofAugust，1850，nearDieppe，inthecastleofMiromesnilwhichhedescribesinUneVie

Maupassant，likeFlaubert，wasaNorman，throughhismother，andthroughhisplaceofbirthhebelongedtothatstrangeandadventurousrace，whoseheroicandlongvoyagesontramptradingshipshelikedtorecall.

Andjustastheauthorof"Educationsentimentale"seemstohaveinheritedinthepaternallinetheshrewdrealismofChampagne，sodeMaupassantappearstohaveinheritedfromhisLorraineancestorstheirindestructibledisciplineandcoldlucidity.

HischildhoodwaspassedatEtretat，hisbeautifulchildhood;itwastherethathisinstinctswereawakenedintheunfoldmentofhisprehistoricsoul.Yearswentbyinanecstasyofphysicalhappiness.

Thedelightofrunningatfullspeedthroughfieldsofgorse，thecharmofvoyagesofdiscoveryinhollowsandravines，gamesbeneaththedarkhedges，apassionforgoingtoseawiththefishermenand，onnightswhentherewasnomoon，fordreamingontheirboatsofimaginaryvoyages.

Mme.deMaupassant，whohadguidedherson’searlyreading，andhadgazedwithhimatthesublimespectacleofnature，put，offaslongaspossiblethehourofseparation.Oneday，however，shehadtotakethechildtothelittleseminaryatYvetot.Later，hebecameastudentatthecollegeatRouen，andbecamealiterarycorrespondentofLouisBouilhet.Itwasatthelatter’shouseonthoseSundaysinwinterwhentheNormanraindrownedthesoundofthebellsanddashedagainstthewindowpanesthattheschoolboylearnedtowritepoetry.

VacationtooktherhetoricianbacktothenorthofNormandy.NowitwasshootingatSaintJulienl’Hospitalier，acrossfields，bogs，andthroughthewoods.Fromthattimeonhesealedhispactwiththeearth，andthose"deepanddelicateroots"whichattachedhimtohisnativesoilbegantogrow.ItwasofNormandy，broad，freshandvirile，thathewouldpresentlydemandhisinspiration，ferventandeagerasaboy’slove;itwasinherthathewouldtakerefugewhen，wearyoflife，hewouldimploreatruce，orwhenhesimplywishedtoworkandrevivehisenergiesinold—timejoys.Itwasatthistimethatwasborninhimthatvoluptuousloveofthesea，whichinlaterdayscouldalonewithdrawhimfromtheworld，calmhim，consolehim.

In1870helivedinthecountry，thenhecametoParistolive;for，thefamilyfortuneshavingdwindled，hehadtolookforaposition.ForseveralyearshewasaclerkintheMinistryofMarine，whereheturnedovermustypapers，intheuninterestingcompanyoftheclerksoftheadmiralty.

ThenhewentintothedepartmentofPublicInstruction，wherebureaucraticservilityislessintolerable.Thedailydutiesarecertainlyscarcelymoreonerousandhehadaschiefs，orcolleagues，XavierCharmesandLeonDierx，HenryRoujonandReneBillotte，buthisofficelookedoutonabeautifulmelancholygardenwithimmenseplanetreesaroundwhichblackcirclesofcrowsgatheredinwinter.

Maupassantmadetwodivisionsofhissparehours，oneforboating，andtheotherforliterature.Everyeveninginspring，everyfreeday，herandowntotheriverwhosemysteriouscurrentveiledinfogorsparklinginthesuncalledtohimandbewitchedhim.IntheislandsintheSeinebetweenChatouandPort—Marly，onthebanksofSartrouvilleandTrielhewaslongnotedamongthepopulationofboatmen，whohavenowvanished，forhisunwearyingbiceps，hiscynicalgaietyofgood—fellowship，hisunfailingpracticaljokes，hisbroadwitticisms.Sometimeshewouldrowwithfranticspeed，freeandjoyous，throughtheglowingsunlightonthestream;sometimes，hewouldwanderalongthecoast，questioningthesailors，chattingwiththeravageurs，orjunkgatherers，orstretchedatfulllengthamidtheirisesandtansyhewouldlieforhourswatchingthefrailinsectsthatplayonthesurfaceofthestream，waterspiders，orwhitebutterflies，dragonflies，chasingeachotheramidthewillowleaves，orfrogsasleeponthelily—pads.

Therestofhislifewastakenupbyhiswork.Withouteverbecomingdespondent，silentandpersistent，heaccumulatedmanuscripts，poetry，criticisms，plays，romancesandnovels.EveryweekhedocilelysubmittedhisworktothegreatFlaubert，thechildhoodfriendofhismotherandhisuncleAlfredLePoittevin.Themasterhadconsentedtoassisttheyoungman，torevealtohimthesecretsthatmakechefs—d’oeuvreimmortal.Itwashewhocompelledhimtomakecopiousresearchandtousedirectobservationandwhoinculcatedinhimahorrorofvulgarityandacontemptforfacility.

MaupassanthimselftellsusofthosesevereinitiationsintheRueMurillo，orinthetentatCroisset;hehasrecalledtheimplacabledidacticsofhisoldmaster，histenderbrutality，thepaternaladviceofhisgenerousandcandidheart.ForsevenyearsFlaubertslashed，pulverized，theawkwardattemptsofhispupilwhosesuccessremaineduncertain.

Suddenly，inaflightofspontaneousperfection，hewroteBouledeSuif.

Hismaster’sjoywasgreatandoverwhelming.Hediedtwomonthslater.

UntiltheendMaupassantremainedilluminatedbythereflectionofthegood，vanishedgiant，bythattouchingreflectionthatcomesfromthedeadtothosesoulstheyhavesoprofoundlystirred.TheworshipofFlaubertwasareligionfromwhichnothingcoulddistracthim，neitherwork，norglory，norslowmovingwaves，norbalmynights.

Attheendofhisshortlife，whilehismindwasstillclear：hewrotetoafriend："IamalwaysthinkingofmypoorFlaubert，andIsaytomyselfthatIshouldliketodieifIweresurethatanyonewouldthinkofmeinthesamemanner."

DuringtheselongyearsofhisnovitiateMaupassanthadenteredthesocialliterarycircles.Hewouldremainsilent，preoccupied;andifanyone，astonishedathissilence，askedhimabouthisplansheansweredsimply："Iamlearningmytrade."However，underthepseudonymofGuydeValmont，hehadsentsomearticlestothenewspapers，and，later，withtheapprovalandbytheadviceofFlaubert，hepublished，inthe"RepubliquedesLettres，"poemssignedbyhisname.

Thesepoems，overflowingwithsensuality，wherethehymntotheEarthdescribesthetransportsofphysicalpossession，wheretheimpatienceofloveexpressesitselfinloudmelancholyappealslikethecallsofanimalsinthespringnights，arevaluablechieflyinasmuchastheyrevealthecreatureofinstinct，thefawnescapedfromhisnativeforests，thatMaupassantwasinhisearlyyouth.Buttheyaddnothingtohisglory.Theyarethe"rhymesofaprosewriter"asJulesLemaitresaid.Tomouldtheexpressionofhisthoughtaccordingtothestrictestlaws，andto"narrowitdown"tosomeextent，suchwashisaim.

FollowingtheexampleofoneofhiscomradesofMedan，beingreadilycarriedawaybyprecisionofstyleandtherhythmofsentences，bytheimperiousruleoftheballad，ofthepantoumorthechantroyal，Maupassantalsodesiredtowriteinmetricallines.However，heneverlikedthiscollectionthatheoftenregrettedhavingpublished.Hisencounterswithprosodyhadlefthimwiththatmonotonouswearinessthatthehorsemanandthefencerfeelafteraperiodintheridingschool，oraboutwiththefoils.

Such，inverybroadlines，isthestoryofMaupassant’sliteraryapprenticeship.

Thedayfollowingthepublicationof"BouledeSuif，"hisreputationbegantogrowrapidly.Thequalityofhisstorywasunrivalled，butatthesametimeitmustbeacknowledgedthatthereweresomewho，forthesakeofdiscussion，desiredtoplaceayoungreputationinoppositiontothetriumphantbrutalityofZola.

Fromthistimeon，Maupassant，atthesolicitationoftheentirepress，settoworkandwrotestoryafterstory.Histalent，freefromallinfluences，hisindividuality，arenotdisputedforamoment.Withaquickstep，steadyandalert，headvancedtofame，afameofwhichhehimselfwasnotaware，butwhichwassouniversal，thatnocontemporaryauthorduringhislifeeverexperiencedthesame.The"meteor"sentoutitslightanditsrayswereprolongedwithoutlimit，inarticleafterarticle，volumeonvolume.

HewasnowrichandfamousHeisesteemedallthemoreastheybelievehimtoberichandhappy.Buttheydonotknowthatthisyoungfellowwiththesunburntface，thickneckandsalientmuscleswhomtheyinvariablycomparetoayoungbullatliberty，andwhoseloveaffairstheywhisper，isill，veryill.Attheverymomentthatsuccesscametohim，themaladythatneverafterwardslefthimcamealso，and，seatedmotionlessathisside，gazedathimwithitsthreateningcountenance.Hesufferedfromterribleheadaches，followedbynightsofinsomnia.Hehadnervousattacks，whichhesoothedwithnarcoticsandanesthetics，whichheusedfreely.Hissight，whichhadtroubledhimatintervals，becameaffected，andacelebratedoculistspokeofabnormality，asymetryofthepupils.Thefamousyoungmantrembledinsecretandwashauntedbyallkindsofterrors.

Thereaderischarmedatthesanenessofthisrevivedartandyet，hereandthere，heissurprisedtodiscover，amiddescriptionsofnaturethatarefullofhumanity，disquietingflightstowardsthesupernatural，distressingconjurations，veiledatfirst，ofthemostcommonplace，themostvertiginousshudderingfitsoffear，asoldastheworldandaseternalastheunknown.But，insteadofbeingalarmed，hethinksthattheauthormustbegiftedwithinfallibleintuitiontofollowoutthusthetaintsinhischaracters，eventhroughtheirmostdangerousmazes.

ThereaderdoesnotknowthatthesehallucinationswhichhedescribessominutelywereexperiencedbyMaupassanthimself;hedoesnotknowthatthefearisinhimself，theanguishoffear"whichisnotcausedbythepresenceofdanger，orofinevitabledeath，butbycertainabnormalconditions，bycertainmysteriousinfluencesinpresenceofvaguedangers，"the"fearoffear，thedreadofthathorriblesensationofincomprehensibleterror."

Howcanoneexplainthesephysicalsufferingsandthismorbiddistressthatwereknownforsometimetohisintimatesalone？Alas！theexplanationisonlytoosimple.Allhislife，consciouslyorunconsciously，Maupassantfoughtthismalady，hiddenasyet，whichwaslatentinhim.

Ashismaladybegantotakeamoredefiniteform，heturnedhisstepstowardsthesouth，onlyvisitingParistoseehisphysiciansandpublishers.IntheoldportofAntibesbeyondthecausewayofCannes，hisyacht，BelAmi，whichhecherishedasabrother，layatanchorandawaitedhim.HetookittothewhitecitiesoftheGenoeseGulf，towardsthepalmtreesofHyeres，ortheredbaytreesofAntheor.

Afterseveraltragicweeksinwhich，frominstinct，hemadeadesperatefight，onthe1stofJanuary，1892，hefelthewashopelesslyvanquished，andinamomentofsupremeclearnessofintellect，likeGerarddeNerval，heattemptedsuicide.LessfortunatethantheauthorofSylvia，hewasunsuccessful.Buthismind，henceforth"indifferenttoallunhappiness，"

hadenteredintoeternaldarkness.

HewastakenbacktoParisandplacedinDr.Meuriot’ssanatorium，where，aftereighteenmonthsofmechanicalexistence，the"meteor"quietlypassedaway.

BOULEDESUIF

Forseveraldaysinsuccessionfragmentsofadefeatedarmyhadpassedthroughthetown.Theyweremeredisorganizedbands，notdisciplinedforces.Themenworelong，dirtybeardsandtattereduniforms;theyadvancedinlistlessfashion，withoutaflag，withoutaleader.Allseemedexhausted，wornout，incapableofthoughtorresolve，marchingonwardmerelybyforceofhabit，anddroppingtothegroundwithfatiguethemomenttheyhalted.Onesaw，inparticular，manyenlistedmen，peacefulcitizens，menwholivedquietlyontheirincome，bendingbeneaththeweightoftheirrifles;andlittleactivevolunteers，easilyfrightenedbutfullofenthusiasm，aseagertoattackastheywerereadytotaketoflight;andamidthese，asprinklingofred—breechedsoldiers，thepitifulremnantofadivisioncutdowninagreatbattle;somberartillerymen，sidebysidewithnondescriptfoot—soldiers;and，hereandthere，thegleaminghelmetofaheavy—footeddragoonwhohaddifficultyinkeepingupwiththequickerpaceofthesoldiersoftheline.Legionsofirregularswithhigh—soundingnames"AvengersofDefeat，""CitizensoftheTomb，""BrethreninDeath"——passedintheirturn，lookinglikebanditti.Theirleaders，formerdrapersorgrainmerchants，ortalloworsoapchandlers——warriorsbyforceofcircumstances，officersbyreasonoftheirmustachiosortheirmoney——coveredwithweapons，flannelandgoldlace，spokeinanimpressivemanner，discussedplansofcampaign，andbehavedasthoughtheyaloneborethefortunesofdyingFranceontheirbraggartshoulders;though，intruth，theyfrequentlywereafraidoftheirownmen——scoundrelsoftenbravebeyondmeasure，butpillagersanddebauchees.

RumorhaditthatthePrussianswereabouttoenterRouen.

ThemembersoftheNationalGuard，whoforthepasttwomonthshadbeenreconnoiteringwiththeutmostcautionintheneighboringwoods，occasionallyshootingtheirownsentinels，andmakingreadyforfightwheneverarabbitrustledintheundergrowth，hadnowreturnedtotheirhomes.Theirarms，theiruniforms，allthedeath—dealingparaphernaliawithwhichtheyhadterrifiedallthemilestonesalongthehighroadforeightmilesround，hadsuddenlyandmarvellouslydisappeared.

ThelastoftheFrenchsoldiershadjustcrossedtheSeineontheirwaytoPont—Audemer，throughSaint—SeverandBourg—Achard，andintheirrearthevanquishedgeneral，powerlesstodoaughtwiththeforlornremnantsofhisarmy，himselfdismayedatthefinaloverthrowofanationaccustomedtovictoryanddisastrouslybeatendespiteitslegendarybravery，walkedbetweentwoorderlies.

Thenaprofoundcalm，ashuddering，silentdread，settledonthecity.

Manyaround—paunchedcitizen，emasculatedbyyearsdevotedtobusiness，anxiouslyawaitedtheconquerors，tremblinglesthisroasting—jacksorkitchenknivesshouldbelookeduponasweapons.

Lifeseemedtohavestoppedshort;theshopswereshut，thestreetsdeserted.Nowandthenaninhabitant，awedbythesilence，glidedswiftlybyintheshadowofthewalls.Theanguishofsuspensemademenevendesirethearrivaloftheenemy.

IntheafternoonofthedayfollowingthedepartureoftheFrenchtroops，anumberofuhlans，comingnooneknewwhence，passedrapidlythroughthetown.Alittlelateron，ablackmassdescendedSt.Catherine’sHill，whiletwootherinvadingbodiesappearedrespectivelyontheDarnetalandtheBoisguillaumeroads.TheadvanceguardsofthethreecorpsarrivedatpreciselythesamemomentattheSquareoftheHoteldeVille，andtheGermanarmypouredthroughalltheadjacentstreets，itsbattalionsmakingthepavementringwiththeirfirm，measuredtread.

Ordersshoutedinanunknown，gutturaltonguerosetothewindowsoftheseeminglydead，desertedhouses;whilebehindthefast—closedshutterseagereyespeeredforthatthevictors—mastersnowofthecity，itsfortunes，anditslives，by"rightofwar."Theinhabitants，intheirdarkenedrooms，werepossessedbythatterrorwhichfollowsinthewakeofcataclysms，ofdeadlyupheavalsoftheearth，againstwhichallhumanskillandstrengtharevain.Forthesamethinghappenswhenevertheestablishedorderofthingsisupset，whensecuritynolongerexists，whenallthoserightsusuallyprotectedbythelawofmanorofNatureareatthemercyofunreasoning，savageforce.Theearthquakecrushingawholenationunderfallingroofs;thefloodletloose，andengulfinginitsswirlingdepthsthecorpsesofdrownedpeasants，alongwithdeadoxenandbeamstornfromshatteredhouses;orthearmy，coveredwithglory，murderingthosewhodefendthemselves，makingprisonersoftherest，pillaginginthenameoftheSword，andgivingthankstoGodtothethunderofcannon——alltheseareappallingscourges，whichdestroyallbeliefineternaljustice，allthatconfidencewehavebeentaughttofeelintheprotectionofHeavenandthereasonofman.

Smalldetachmentsofsoldiersknockedateachdoor，andthendisappearedwithinthehouses;forthevanquishedsawtheywouldhavetobeciviltotheirconquerors.

Attheendofashorttime，oncethefirstterrorhadsubsided，calmwasagainrestored.InmanyhousesthePrussianofficerateatthesametablewiththefamily.Hewasoftenwell—bred，and，outofpoliteness，expressedsympathywithFranceandrepugnanceatbeingcompelledtotakepartinthewar.Thissentimentwasreceivedwithgratitude;besides，hisprotectionmightbeneedfulsomedayorother.Bytheexerciseoftactthenumberofmenquarteredinone’shousemightbereduced;andwhyshouldoneprovokethehostilityofapersononwhomone’swholewelfaredepended？Suchconductwouldsavorlessofbraverythanoffool—

hardiness.AndfoolhardinessisnolongerafailingofthecitizensofRouenasitwasinthedayswhentheircityearnedrenownbyitsheroicdefenses.Lastofall—finalargumentbasedonthenationalpoliteness—

thefolkofRouensaidtooneanotherthatitwasonlyrighttobecivilinone’sownhouse，providedtherewasnopublicexhibitionoffamiliaritywiththeforeigner.Outofdoors，therefore，citizenandsoldierdidnotknoweachother;butinthehousebothchattedfreely，andeacheveningtheGermanremainedalittlelongerwarminghimselfatthehospitablehearth.

Eventhetownitselfresumedbydegreesitsordinaryaspect.TheFrenchseldomwalkedabroad，butthestreetsswarmedwithPrussiansoldiers.

Moreover，theofficersoftheBlueHussars，whoarrogantlydraggedtheirinstrumentsofdeathalongthepavements，seemedtoholdthesimpletownsmeninbutlittlemorecontemptthandidtheFrenchcavalryofficerswhohaddrunkatthesamecafestheyearbefore.

Buttherewassomethingintheair，asomethingstrangeandsubtle，anintolerableforeignatmospherelikeapenetratingodor——theodorofinvasion.Itpermeateddwellingsandplacesofpublicresort，changedthetasteoffood，madeoneimagineone’sselfinfar—distantlands，amiddangerous，barbarictribes.

Theconquerorsexactedmoney，muchmoney.Theinhabitantspaidwhatwasasked;theywererich.But，thewealthieraNormantradesmanbecomes，themorehesuffersathavingtopartwithanythingthatbelongstohim，athavingtoseeanyportionofhissubstancepassintothehandsofanother.

Nevertheless，withinsixorsevenmilesofthetown，alongthecourseoftheriverasitflowsonwardtoCroisset，DieppedalleandBiessart，boat—

menandfishermenoftenhauledtothesurfaceofthewaterthebodyofaGerman，bloatedinhisuniform，killedbyablowfromknifeorclub，hisheadcrushedbyastone，orperchancepushedfromsomebridgeintothestreambelow.Themudoftheriver—bedswalloweduptheseobscureactsofvengeance——savage，yetlegitimate;theseunrecordeddeedsofbravery;

thesesilentattacksfraughtwithgreaterdangerthanbattlesfoughtinbroadday，andsurrounded，moreover，withnohaloofromance.Forhatredoftheforeignereverarmsafewintrepidsouls，readytodieforanidea.

Atlast，astheinvaders，thoughsubjectingthetowntothestrictestdiscipline，hadnotcommittedanyofthedeedsofhorrorwithwhichtheyhadbeencreditedwhileontheirtriumphalmarch，thepeoplegrewbolder，andthenecessitiesofbusinessagainanimatedthebreastsofthelocalmerchants.SomeofthesehadimportantcommercialinterestsatHavre—

occupiedatpresentbytheFrencharmy——andwishedtoattempttoreachthatportbyoverlandroutetoDieppe，takingtheboatfromthere.

ThroughtheinfluenceoftheGermanofficerswhoseacquaintancetheyhadmade，theyobtainedapermittoleavetownfromthegeneralincommand.

Alargefour—horsecoachhaving，therefore，beenengagedforthejourney，andtenpassengershavinggivenintheirnamestotheproprietor，theydecidedtostartonacertainTuesdaymorningbeforedaybreak，toavoidattractingacrowd.

Thegroundhadbeenfrozenhardforsometime—past，andaboutthreeo’clockonMondayafternoon——largeblackcloudsfromthenorthshedtheirburdenofsnowuninterruptedlyallthroughthateveningandnight.

Athalf—pastfourinthemorningthetravellersmetinthecourtyardoftheHoteldeNormandie，wheretheyweretotaketheirseatsinthecoach.

Theywerestillhalfasleep，andshiveringwithcoldundertheirwraps.

Theycouldseeoneanotherbutindistinctlyinthedarkness，andthemountainofheavywinterwrapsinwhicheachwasswathedmadethemlooklikeagatheringofobesepriestsintheirlongcassocks.Buttwomenrecognizedeachother，athirdaccostedthem，andthethreebegantotalk."Iambringingmywife，"saidone."SoamI.""AndI，too."Thefirstspeakeradded："WeshallnotreturntoRouen，andifthePrussiansapproachHavrewewillcrosstoEngland."Allthree，itturnedout，hadmadethesameplans，beingofsimilardispositionandtemperament.

Stillthehorseswerenotharnessed.Asmalllanterncarriedbyastable—boyemergednowandthenfromonedarkdoorwaytodisappearimmediatelyinanother.Thestampingofhorses’hoofs，deadenedbythedungandstrawofthestable，washeardfromtimetotime，andfrominsidethebuildingissuedaman’svoice，talkingtotheanimalsandswearingatthem.Afainttinkleofbellsshowedthattheharnesswasbeinggotready;thistinklesoondevelopedintoacontinuousjingling，louderorsofteraccordingtothemovementsofthehorse，sometimesstoppingaltogether，thenbreakingoutinasuddenpealaccompaniedbyapawingofthegroundbyaniron—shodhoof.

Thedoorsuddenlyclosed.Allnoiseceased.

Thefrozentownsmenweresilent;theyremainedmotionless，stiffwithcold.

Athickcurtainofglisteningwhiteflakesfellceaselesslytotheground;itobliteratedalloutlines，envelopedallobjectsinanicymantleoffoam;nothingwastobeheardthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthesilent，winter—boundcitysavethevague，namelessrustleoffallingsnow——asensationratherthanasound——thegentleminglingoflightatomswhichseemedtofillallspace，tocoverthewholeworld.

Themanreappearedwithhislantern，leadingbyaropeamelancholy—

lookinghorse，evidentlybeingledoutagainsthisinclination.Thehostlerplacedhimbesidethepole，fastenedthetraces，andspentsometimeinwalkingroundhimtomakesurethattheharnesswasallright;

forhecoulduseonlyonehand，theotherbeingengagedinholdingthelantern.Ashewasabouttofetchthesecondhorsehenoticedthemotionlessgroupoftravellers，alreadywhitewithsnow，andsaidtothem："Whydon’tyougetinsidethecoach？You’dbeundershelter，atleast."

Thisdidnotseemtohaveoccurredtothem，andtheyatoncetookhisadvice.Thethreemenseatedtheirwivesatthefarendofthecoach，thengotinthemselves;lastlytheothervague，snow—shroudedformsclamberedtotheremainingplaceswithoutaword.

Thefloorwascoveredwithstraw，intowhichthefeetsank.Theladiesatthefarend，havingbroughtwiththemlittlecopperfoot—warmersheatedbymeansofakindofchemicalfuel，proceededtolightthese，andspentsometimeinexpatiatinginlowtonesontheiradvantages，sayingoverandoveragainthingswhichtheyhadallknownforalongtime.

Atlast，sixhorsesinsteadoffourhavingbeenharnessedtothediligence，onaccountoftheheavyroads，avoiceoutsideasked："Iseveryonethere？"Towhichavoicefromtheinteriorreplied："Yes，"andtheysetout.

Thevehiclemovedslowly，slowly，atasnail’space;thewheelssankintothesnow;theentirebodyofthecoachcreakedandgroaned;thehorsesslipped，puffed，steamed，andthecoachman’slongwhipcrackedincessantly，flyinghitherandthither，coilingup，thenflingingoutitslengthlikeaslenderserpent，asitlashedsomeroundedflank，whichinstantlygrewtenseasitstrainedinfurthereffort.

Butthedaygrewapace.Thoselightflakeswhichonetraveller，anativeofRouen，hadcomparedtoarainofcottonfellnolonger.Amurkylightfilteredthroughdark，heavyclouds，whichmadethecountrymoredazzlinglywhitebycontrast，awhitenessbrokensometimesbyarowoftalltreesspangledwithhoarfrost，orbyacottageroofhoodedinsnow.

Withinthecoachthepassengerseyedoneanothercuriouslyinthedimlightofdawn.

Rightattheback，inthebestseatsofall，MonsieurandMadameLoiseau，wholesalewinemerchantsoftheRueGrand—Pont，slumberedoppositeeachother.Formerlyclerktoamerchantwhohadfailedinbusiness，Loiseauhadboughthismaster’sinterest，andmadeafortuneforhimself.Hesoldverybadwineataverylowpricetotheretail—dealersinthecountry，andhadthereputation，amonghisfriendsandacquaintances，ofbeingashrewdrascalatrueNorman，fullofquipsandwiles.Sowellestablishedwashischaracterasacheatthat，inthemouthsofthecitizensofRouen，theverynameofLoiseaubecameabywordforsharppractice.

Aboveandbeyondthis，Loiseauwasnotedforhispracticaljokesofeverydescription——histricks，goodorill—natured;andnoonecouldmentionhisnamewithoutaddingatonce："He’sanextraordinaryman——Loiseau."

Hewasundersizedandpotbellied，hadafloridfacewithgrayishwhiskers.

Hiswife—tall，strong，determined，withaloudvoiceanddecidedmanner——

representedthespiritoforderandarithmeticinthebusinesshousewhichLoiseauenlivenedbyhisjovialactivity.

Besidethem，dignifiedinbearing，belongingtoasuperiorcaste，satMonsieurCarre—Lamadon，amanofconsiderableimportance，akinginthecottontrade，proprietorofthreespinning—mills，officeroftheLegionofHonor，andmemberoftheGeneralCouncil.DuringthewholetimetheEmpirewasintheascendancyheremainedthechiefofthewell—disposedOpposition，merelyinordertocommandahighervalueforhisdevotionwhenheshouldrallytothecausewhichhemeanwhileopposedwith"courteousweapons，"tousehisownexpression.

MadameCarre—Lamadon，muchyoungerthanherhusband，wastheconsolationofalltheofficersofgoodfamilyquarteredatRouen.Pretty，slender，graceful，shesatoppositeherhusband，curledupinherfurs，andgazingmournfullyatthesorryinteriorofthecoach.

Herneighbors，theComteandComtesseHubertdeBreville，boreoneofthenoblestandmostancientnamesinNormandy.Thecount，anoblemanadvancedinyearsandofaristocraticbearing，strovetoenhancebyeveryartificeofthetoilet，hisnaturalresemblancetoKingHenryIV，who，accordingtoalegendofwhichthefamilywereinordinatelyproud，hadbeenthefavoredloverofaDeBrevillelady，andfatherofherchild——

thefrailone’shusbandhaving，inrecognitionofthisfact，beenmadeacountandgovernorofaprovince.

AcolleagueofMonsieurCarre—LamadonintheGeneralCouncil，CountHubertrepresentedtheOrleanistpartyinhisdepartment.ThestoryofhismarriagewiththedaughterofasmallshipowneratNanteshadalwaysremainedmoreorlessofamystery.Butasthecountesshadanairofunmistakablebreeding，entertainedfaultlessly，andwasevensupposedtohavebeenlovedbyasonofLouis—Philippe，thenobilityviedwithoneanotherindoingherhonor，andherdrawing—roomremainedthemostselectinthewholecountryside——theonlyonewhichretainedtheoldspiritofgallantry，andtowhichaccesswasnoteasy.

ThefortuneoftheBrevilles，allinrealestate，amounted，itwassaid，tofivehundredthousandfrancsayear.

Thesesixpeopleoccupiedthefartherendofthecoach，andrepresentedSociety——withanincome——thestrong，establishedsocietyofgoodpeoplewithreligionandprinciple.

Ithappenedbychancethatallthewomenwereseatedonthesameside;

andthecountesshad，moreover，asneighborstwonuns，whospentthetimeinfingeringtheirlongrosariesandmurmuringpaternostersandaves.

Oneofthemwasold，andsodeeplypittedwithsmallpoxthatshelookedforalltheworldasifshehadreceivedachargeofshotfullintheface.Theother，ofsicklyappearance，hadaprettybutwastedcountenance，andanarrow，consumptivechest，sappedbythatdevouringfaithwhichisthemakingofmartyrsandvisionaries.

Amanandwoman，sittingoppositethetwonuns，attractedalleyes.

Theman——awell—knowncharacter——wasCornudet，thedemocrat，theterrorofallrespectablepeople.Forthepasttwentyyearshisbigredbeardhadbeenontermsofintimateacquaintancewiththetankardsofalltherepublicancafes.Withthehelpofhiscomradesandbrethrenhehaddissipatedarespectablefortunelefthimbyhisfather，anold—

establishedconfectioner，andhenowimpatientlyawaitedtheRepublic，thathemightatlastberewardedwiththeposthehadearnedbyhisrevolutionaryorgies.OnthefourthofSeptember——possiblyastheresultofapracticaljoke——hewasledtobelievethathehadbeenappointedprefect;butwhenheattemptedtotakeupthedutiesofthepositiontheclerksinchargeoftheofficerefusedtorecognizehisauthority，andhewascompelledinconsequencetoretire.Agoodsortoffellowinotherrespects，inoffensiveandobliging，hehadthrownhimselfzealouslyintotheworkofmakinganorganizeddefenceofthetown.Hehadhadpitsduginthelevelcountry，youngforesttreesfelled，andtrapssetonalltheroads;thenattheapproachoftheenemy，thoroughlysatisfiedwithhispreparations，hehadhastilyreturnedtothetown.HethoughthemightnowdomoregoodatHavre，wherenewintrenchmentswouldsoonbenecessary.

Thewoman，whobelongedtothecourtesanclass，wascelebratedforanembonpointunusualforherage，whichhadearnedforherthesobriquetof"BouledeSuif"（TallowBall）.Shortandround，fatasapig，withpuffyfingersconstrictedatthejoints，lookinglikerowsofshortsausages;

withashiny，tightly—stretchedskinandanenormousbustfillingoutthebodiceofherdress，shewasyetattractiveandmuchsoughtafter，owingtoherfreshandpleasingappearance.Herfacewaslikeacrimsonapple，apeony—budjustburstingintobloom;shehadtwomagnificentdarkeyes，fringedwiththick，heavylashes，whichcastashadowintotheirdepths;

hermouthwassmall，ripe，kissable，andwasfurnishedwiththetiniestofwhiteteeth.

Assoonasshewasrecognizedtherespectablematronsofthepartybegantowhisperamongthemselves，andthewords"hussy"and"publicscandal"

wereutteredsoloudlythatBouledeSuifraisedherhead.Sheforthwithcastsuchachallenging，boldlookatherneighborsthatasuddensilencefellonthecompany，andallloweredtheireyes，withtheexceptionofLoiseau，whowatchedherwithevidentinterest.

Butconversationwassoonresumedamongthethreeladies，whomthepresenceofthisgirlhadsuddenlydrawntogetherinthebondsoffriendship——onemightalmostsayinthoseofintimacy.Theydecidedthattheyoughttocombine，asitwere，intheirdignityaswivesinfaceofthisshamelesshussy;forlegitimizedlovealwaysdespisesitseasygoingbrother.

Thethreemen，also，broughttogetherbyacertainconservativeinstinctawakenedbythepresenceofCornudet，spokeofmoneymattersinatoneexpressiveofcontemptforthepoor.CountHubertrelatedthelosseshehadsustainedatthehandsofthePrussians，spokeofthecattlewhichhadbeenstolenfromhim，thecropswhichhadbeenruined，withtheeasymannerofanoblemanwhowasalsoatenfoldmillionaire，andwhomsuchreverseswouldscarcelyinconvenienceforasingleyear.MonsieurCarre—

Lamadon，amanofwideexperienceinthecottonindustry，hadtakencaretosendsixhundredthousandfrancstoEnglandasprovisionagainsttherainydayhewasalwaysanticipating.AsforLoiseau，hehadmanagedtoselltotheFrenchcommissariatdepartmentallthewineshehadinstock，sothatthestatenowowedhimaconsiderablesum，whichhehopedtoreceiveatHavre.

Andallthreeeyedoneanotherinfriendly，well—disposedfashion.

Althoughofvaryingsocialstatus，theywereunitedinthebrotherhoodofmoney——inthatvastfreemasonrymadeupofthosewhopossess，whocanjinglegoldwherevertheychoosetoputtheirhandsintotheirbreeches’

pockets.

Thecoachwentalongsoslowlythatatteno’clockinthemorningithadnotcoveredtwelvemiles.Threetimesthemenofthepartygotoutandclimbedthehillsonfoot.Thepassengerswerebecominguneasy，fortheyhadcountedonlunchingatTotes，anditseemednowasiftheywouldhardlyarrivetherebeforenightfall.Everyonewaseagerlylookingoutforaninnbytheroadside，when，suddenly，thecoachfounderedinasnowdrift，andittooktwohourstoextricateit.

Asappetitesincreased，theirspiritsfell;noinn，nowineshopcouldbediscovered，theapproachofthePrussiansandthetransitofthestarvingFrenchtroopshavingfrightenedawayallbusiness.

Themensoughtfoodinthefarmhousesbesidetheroad，butcouldnotfindsomuchasacrustofbread;forthesuspiciouspeasantinvariablyhidhisstoresforfearofbeingpillagedbythesoldiers，who，beingentirelywithoutfood，wouldtakeviolentpossessionofeverythingtheyfound.

Aboutoneo’clockLoiseauannouncedthathepositivelyhadabighollowinhisstomach.Theyhadallbeensufferinginthesamewayforsometime，andtheincreasinggnawingsofhungerhadputanendtoallconversation.

Nowandthensomeoneyawned，anotherfollowedhisexample，andeachinturn，accordingtohischaracter，breedingandsocialposition，yawnedeitherquietlyornoisily，placinghishandbeforethegapingvoidwhenceissuedbreathcondensedintovapor.

SeveraltimesBouledeSuifstooped，asifsearchingforsomethingunderherpetticoats.Shewouldhesitateamoment，lookatherneighbors，andthenquietlysituprightagain.Allfaceswerepaleanddrawn.Loiseaudeclaredhewouldgiveathousandfrancsforaknuckleofham.Hiswifemadeaninvoluntaryandquicklycheckedgestureofprotest.Italwayshurthertohearofmoneybeingsquandered，andshecouldnotevenunderstandjokesonsuchasubject.

"Asamatteroffact，Idon’tfeelwell，"saidthecount."WhydidInotthinkofbringingprovisions？"Eachonereproachedhimselfinsimilarfashion.

Cornudet，however，hadabottleofrum，whichheofferedtohisneighbors.TheyallcoldlyrefusedexceptLoiseau，whotookasip，andreturnedthebottlewiththanks，saying："That’sgoodstuff;itwarmsoneup，andcheatstheappetite."Thealcoholputhimingoodhumor，andheproposedtheyshoulddoasthesailorsdidinthesong：eatthefattestofthepassengers.ThisindirectallusiontoBouledeSuifshockedtherespectablemembersoftheparty.Noonereplied;onlyCornudetsmiled.

Thetwogoodsistershadceasedtomumbletheirrosary，and，withhandsenfoldedintheirwidesleeves，satmotionless，theireyessteadfastlycastdown，doubtlessofferingupasasacrificetoHeaventhesufferingithadsentthem.

Atlast，atthreeo’clock，astheywereinthemidstofanapparentlylimitlessplain，withnotasinglevillageinsight，BouledeSuifstoopedquickly，anddrewfromunderneaththeseatalargebasketcoveredwithawhitenapkin.

Fromthissheextractedfirstofallasmallearthenwareplateandasilverdrinkingcup，thenanenormousdishcontainingtwowholechickenscutintojointsandimbeddedinjelly.Thebasketwasseentocontainothergoodthings：pies，fruit，daintiesofallsorts—provisions，infine，forathreedays’journey，renderingtheirownerindependentofwaysideinns.Thenecksoffourbottlesprotrudedfromamongthpfood.

Shetookachickenwing，andbegantoeatitdaintily，togetherwithoneofthoserollscalledinNormandy"Regence."

Alllooksweredirectedtowardher.Anodoroffoodfilledtheair，causingnostrilstodilate，mouthstowater，andjawstocontractpainfully.Thescornoftheladiesforthisdisreputablefemalegrewpositivelyferocious;theywouldhavelikedtokillher，orthrow，herandherdrinkingcup，herbasket，andherprovisions，outofthecoachintothesnowoftheroadbelow.

ButLoiseau’sgazewasfixedgreedilyonthedishofchicken.Hesaid：

"Well，well，thisladyhadmoreforethoughtthantherestofus.Somepeoplethinkofeverything."

Shelookedupathim.

"Wouldyoulikesome，sir？Itishardtogoonfastingallday."

Hebowed.

"Uponmysoul，Ican’trefuse;Icannotholdoutanotherminute.Allisfairinwartime，isitnot，madame？"And，castingaglanceonthosearound，headded：

"Attimeslikethisitisverypleasanttomeetwithobligingpeople."

Hespreadanewspaperoverhiskneestoavoidsoilinghistrousers，and，withapocketknifehealwayscarried，helpedhimselftoachickenlegcoatedwithjelly，whichhethereuponproceededtodevour.

ThenBouleleSuif，inlow，humbletones，invitedthenunstopartakeofherrepast.Theybothacceptedtheofferunhesitatingly，andafterafewstammeredwordsofthanksbegantoeatquickly，withoutraisingtheireyes.NeitherdidCornudetrefusehisneighbor’soffer，and，incombinationwiththenuns，asortoftablewasformedbyopeningoutthenewspaperoverthefourpairsofknees.

Mouthskeptopeningandshutting，ferociouslymasticatinganddevouringthefood.Loiseau，inhiscorner，washardatwork，andinlowtonesurgedhiswifetofollowhisexample.Sheheldoutforalongtime，butoverstrainedNaturegavewayatlast.Herhusband，assuminghispolitestmanner，askedtheir"charmingcompanion"ifhemightbeallowedtoofferMadameLoiseauasmallhelping.

"Why，certainly，sir，"shereplied，withanamiablesmile，holdingoutthedish.

Whenthefirstbottleofclaretwasopenedsomeembarrassmentwascausedbythefactthattherewasonlyonedrinkingcup，butthiswaspassedfromonetoanother，afterbeingwiped.Cornudetalone，doubtlessinaspiritofgallantry，raisedtohisownlipsthatpartoftherimwhichwasstillmoistfromthoseofhisfairneighbor.

Then，surroundedbypeoplewhowereeating，andwell—nighsuffocatedbytheodoroffood，theComteandComtessedeBrevilleandMonsieurandMadameCarre—LamadonenduredthathatefulformoftorturewhichhasperpetuatedthenameofTantalus.Allatoncethemanufacturer’syoungwifeheavedasighwhichmadeeveryoneturnandlookather;shewaswhiteasthesnowwithout;hereyesclosed，herheadfellforward;shehadfainted.Herhusband，besidehimself，imploredthehelpofhisneighbors.Nooneseemedtoknowwhattodountiltheelderofthetwonuns，raisingthepatient’shead，placedBouledeSuif’sdrinkingcuptoherlips，andmadeherswallowafewdropsofwine.Theprettyinvalidmoved，openedhereyes，smiled，anddeclaredinafeeblevoicethatshewasallrightagain.But，topreventarecurrenceofthecatastrophe，thenunmadeherdrinkacupfulofclaret，adding："It’sjusthunger—

that’swhatiswrongwithyou."

ThenBouledeSuif，blushingandembarrassed，stammered，lookingatthefourpassengerswhowerestillfasting：

"’MonDieu’，ifImightoffertheseladiesandgentlemen————"

Shestoppedshort，fearingasnub.ButLoiseaucontinued：

"Hangitall，insuchacaseasthisweareallbrothersandsistersandoughttoassisteachother.Come，come，ladies，don’tstandonceremony，forgoodness’sake！Doweevenknowwhetherweshallfindahouseinwhichtopassthenight？Atourpresentrateofgoingwesha’n’tbeatTotestillmiddayto—morrow."

Theyhesitated，noonedaringtobethefirsttoaccept.Butthecountsettledthequestion.Heturnedtowardtheabashedgirl，andinhismostdistinguishedmannersaid：

"Weacceptgratefully，madame."

Asusual，itwasonlythefirststepthatcost.ThisRubicononcecrossed，theysettoworkwithawill.Thebasketwasemptied.Itstillcontainedapatedefoiegras，alarkpie，apieceofsmokedtongue，Crassanepears，Pont—Levequegingerbread，fancycakes，andacupfullofpickledgherkinsandonions——BouledeSuif，likeallwomen，beingveryfondofindigestiblethings.

Theycouldnoteatthisgirl’sprovisionswithoutspeakingtoher.Sotheybegantotalk，stifflyatfirst;then，assheseemedbynomeansforward，withgreaterfreedom.MesdamesdeBrevilleandCarre—Lamadon，whowereaccomplishedwomenoftheworld，weregraciousandtactful.Thecountessespeciallydisplayedthatamiablecondescensioncharacteristicofgreatladieswhomnocontactwithbasermortalscansully，andwasabsolutelycharming.ButthesturdyMadameLoiseau，whohadthesoulofagendarme，continuedmorose，speakinglittleandeatingmuch.

Conversationnaturallyturnedonthewar.TerriblestoriesweretoldaboutthePrussians，deedsofbraverywererecountedoftheFrench;andallthesepeoplewhowerefleeingthemselveswerereadytopayhomagetothecourageoftheircompatriots.Personalexperiencessoonfollowed，andBottleleSuifrelatedwithgenuineemotion，andwiththatwarmthoflanguagenotuncommoninwomenofherclassandtemperament，howitcameaboutthatshehadleftRouen.

"IthoughtatfirstthatIshouldbeabletostay，"shesaid."Myhousewaswellstockedwithprovisions，anditseemedbettertoputupwithfeedingafewsoldiersthantobanishmyselfgoodnessknowswhere.ButwhenIsawthesePrussiansitwastoomuchforme！Mybloodboiledwithrage;Iweptthewholedayforveryshame.Oh，ifonlyIhadbeenaman！

Ilookedatthemfrommywindow——thefatswine，withtheirpointedhelmets！——andmymaidheldmyhandstokeepmefromthrowingmyfurnituredownonthem.Thensomeofthemwerequarteredonme;Iflewatthethroatofthefirstonewhoentered.Theyarejustaseasytostrangleasothermen！AndI’dhavebeenthedeathofthatoneifIhadn’tbeendraggedawayfromhimbymyhair.Ihadtohideafterthat.AndassoonasIcouldgetanopportunityIlefttheplace，andhereIam."

Shewaswarmlycongratulated.Sheroseintheestimationofhercompanions，whohadnotbeensobrave;andCornudetlistenedtoherwiththeapprovingandbenevolentsmileofanapostle，thesmileapriestmightwearinlisteningtoadevoteepraisingGod;forlong—beardeddemocratsofhistypehaveamonopolyofpatriotism，justaspriestshaveamonopolyofreligion.Heheldforthinturn，withdogmaticself—

assurance，inthestyleoftheproclamationsdailypastedonthewallsofthetown，windingupwithaspecimenofstumporatoryinwhichhereviled"thatbesottedfoolofaLouis—Napoleon."

ButBouledeSuifwasindignant，forshewasanardentBonapartist.Sheturnedasredasacherry，andstammeredinherwrath："I’djustliketohaveseenyouinhisplace——youandyoursort！Therewouldhavebeenanicemix—up.Oh，yes！Itwasyouwhobetrayedthatman.ItwouldbeimpossibletoliveinFranceifweweregovernedbysuchrascalsasyou！"

Cornudet，unmovedbythistirade，stillsmiledasuperior，contemptuoussmile;andonefeltthathighwordswereimpending，whenthecountinterposed，and，notwithoutdifficulty，succeededincalmingtheexasperatedwoman，sayingthatallsincereopinionsoughttoberespected.Butthecountessandthemanufacturer’swife，imbuedwiththeunreasoninghatredoftheupperclassesfortheRepublic，andinstinct，moreover，withtheaffectionfeltbyallwomenforthepompandcircumstanceofdespoticgovernment，weredrawn，inspiteofthemselves，towardthisdignifiedyoungwoman，whoseopinionscoincidedsocloselywiththeirown.

Thebasketwasempty.Thetenpeoplehadfinisheditscontentswithoutdifficultyamidgeneralregretthatitdidnotholdmore.Conversationwentonalittlelonger，thoughitflaggedsomewhatafterthepassengershadfinishedeating.

Nightfell，thedarknessgrewdeeperanddeeper，andthecoldmadeBouledeSuifshiver，inspiteofherplumpness.SoMadamedeBrevilleofferedherherfoot—warmer，thefuelofwhichhadbeenseveraltimesrenewedsincethemorning，andsheacceptedtheofferatonce，forherfeetwereicycold.MesdamesCarre—LamadonandLoiseaugavetheirstothenuns.

Thedriverlightedhislanterns.Theycastabrightgleamonacloudofvaporwhichhoveredoverthesweatingflanksofthehorses，andontheroadsidesnow，whichseemedtounrollastheywentalonginthechanginglightofthelamps.

Allwasnowindistinguishableinthecoach;butsuddenlyamovementoccurredinthecorneroccupiedbyBouledeSuifandCornudet;andLoiseau，peeringintothegloom，fanciedhesawthebig，beardeddemocratmovehastilytooneside，asifhehadreceivedawell—directed，thoughnoiseless，blowinthedark.

Tinylightsglimmeredahead.ItwasTotes.Thecoachhadbeenontheroadelevenhours，which，withthethreehoursallottedthehorsesinfourperiodsforfeedingandbreathing，madefourteen.Itenteredthetown，andstoppedbeforetheHotelduCommerce.

Thecoachdooropened;awell—knownnoisemadeallthetravellersstart;

itwastheclangingofascabbard，onthepavement;thenavoicecalledoutsomethinginGerman.

Althoughthecoachhadcometoastandstill，noonegotout;itlookedasiftheywereafraidofbeingmurderedthemomenttheylefttheirseats.

Thereuponthedriverappeared，holdinginhishandoneofhislanterns，whichcastasuddenglowontheinteriorofthecoach，lightingupthedoublerowofstartledfaces，mouthsagape，andeyeswideopeninsurpriseandterror.

BesidethedriverstoodinthefulllightaGermanofficer，atallyoungman，fairandslender，tightlyencasedinhisuniformlikeawomaninhercorset，hisflatshinycap，tiltedtoonesideofhishead，makinghimlooklikeanEnglishhotelrunner.Hisexaggeratedmustache，longandstraightandtaperingtoapointateitherendinasingleblondhairthatcouldhardlybeseen，seemedtoweighdownthecornersofhismouthandgiveadrooptohislips.

InAlsatianFrenchherequestedthetravellerstoalight，sayingstiffly：

"Kindlygetdown，ladiesandgentlemen."

Thetwonunswerethefirsttoobey，manifestingthedocilityofholywomenaccustomedtosubmissiononeveryoccasion.Nextappearedthecountandcountess，followedbythemanufacturerandhiswife，afterwhomcameLoiseau，pushinghislargerandbetterhalfbeforehim.

"Good—day，sir，"hesaidtotheofficerasheputhisfoottotheground，actingonanimpulsebornofprudenceratherthanofpoliteness.Theother，insolentlikeallinauthority，merelystaredwithoutreplying.

BouledeSuifandCornudet，thoughnearthedoor，werethelasttoalight，graveanddignifiedbeforetheenemy.Thestoutgirltriedtocontrolherselfandappearcalm;thedemocratstrokedhislongrussetbeardwithasomewhattremblinghand.Bothstrovetomaintaintheirdignity，knowingwellthatatsuchatimeeachindividualisalwayslookeduponasmoreorlesstypicalofhisnation;and，also，resentingthecomplaisantattitudeoftheircompanions，BouledeSuiftriedtowearabolderfrontthanherneighbors，thevirtuouswomen，whilehe，feelingthatitwasincumbentonhimtosetagoodexample，keptuptheattitudeofresistancewhichhehadfirstassumedwhenheundertooktominethehighroadsroundRouen.

Theyenteredthespaciouskitchenoftheinn，andtheGerman，havingdemandedthepassportssignedbythegeneralincommand，inwhichwerementionedthename，descriptionandprofessionofeachtraveller，inspectedthemallminutely，comparingtheirappearancewiththewrittenparticulars.

Thenhesaidbrusquely："Allright，"andturnedonhisheel.

Theybreathedfreely，Allwerestillhungry;sosupperwasordered.Halfanhourwasrequiredforitspreparation，andwhiletwoservantswereapparentlyengagedingettingitreadythetravellerswenttolookattheirrooms.Theseallopenedoffalongcorridor，attheendofwhichwasaglazeddoorwithanumberonit.

Theywerejustabouttotaketheirseatsattablewhentheinnkeeperappearedinperson.Hewasaformerhorsedealer——alarge，asthmaticindividual，alwayswheezing，coughing，andclearinghisthroat.

Follenviewashispatronymic.

Hecalled：

"MademoiselleElisabethRousset？"

BouledeSuifstarted，andturnedround.

"Thatismyname."

"Mademoiselle，thePrussianofficerwishestospeaktoyouimmediately."

"Tome？"

"Yes;ifyouareMademoiselleElisabethRousset."

Shehesitated，reflectedamoment，andthendeclaredroundly：

"Thatmaybe;butI’mnotgoing."

Theymovedrestlesslyaroundher;everyonewonderedandspeculatedastothecauseofthisorder.Thecountapproached：

"Youarewrong，madame，foryourrefusalmaybringtroublenotonlyonyourselfbutalsoonallyourcompanions.Itneverpaystoresistthoseinauthority.Yourcompliancewiththisrequestcannotpossiblybefraughtwithanydanger;ithasprobablybeenmadebecausesomeformalityorotherwasforgotten."

Alladdedtheirvoicestothatofthecount;BouledeSuifwasbegged，urged，lectured，andatlastconvinced;everyonewasafraidofthecomplicationswhichmightresultfromheadstrongactiononherpart.Shesaidfinally：

"Iamdoingitforyoursakes，rememberthat！"

Thecountesstookherhand.

"Andwearegratefultoyou."

Shelefttheroom.Allwaitedforherreturnbeforecommencingthemeal.

Eachwasdistressedthatheorshehadnotbeensentforratherthanthisimpulsive，quick—temperedgirl，andeachmentallyrehearsedplatitudesincaseofbeingsummonedalso.

Butattheendoftenminutesshereappearedbreathinghard，crimsonwithindignation.

"Oh！thescoundrel！thescoundrel！"shestammered.

Allwereanxioustoknowwhathadhappened;butshedeclinedtoenlightenthem，andwhenthecountpressedthepoint，shesilencedhimwithmuchdignity，saying：

"No;thematterhasnothingtodowithyou，andIcannotspeakofit."

Thentheytooktheirplacesroundahighsouptureen，fromwhichissuedanodorofcabbage.Inspiteofthiscoincidence，thesupperwascheerful.Theciderwasgood;theLoiseausandthenunsdrankitfrommotivesofeconomy.Theothersorderedwine;Cornudetdemandedbeer.Hehadhisownfashionofuncorkingthebottleandmakingthebeerfoam，gazingatitasheinclinedhisglassandthenraisedittoapositionbetweenthelampandhiseyethathemightjudgeofitscolor.Whenhedrank，hisgreatbeard，whichmatchedthecolorofhisfavoritebeverage，seemedtotremblewithaffection;hiseyespositivelysquintedintheendeavornottolosesightofthebelovedglass，andhelookedforalltheworldasifhewerefulfillingtheonlyfunctionforwhichhewasborn.Heseemedtohaveestablishedinhismindanaffinitybetweenthetwogreatpassionsofhislife——palealeandrevolution——andassuredlyhecouldnottastetheonewithoutdreamingoftheother.