andI
went
shopping
with
Agnès
,
but
I
would
not
even
tell
Godmamma
that
!
Victorine
says
spiteful
things
to
me
whenever
she
can
,
but
Jean
and
Héloise
are
so
charming
that
I
do
n't
mind
the
rest
.
We
are
to
wear
sort
of
garden-party
dresses
and
hats
at
the
entertainment
to-night
.
Dinner
is
to
be
at
eight
,
in
a
large
pavilion
,
where
they
have
had
a
beautiful
parquet
floor
laid
down
,
and
then
when
the
tables
are
cleared
away
,
we
shall
begin
the
cotillon
.
As
I
have
never
danced
in
one
before
,
I
hope
I
sha'
n't
make
an
idiot
of
myself
.
Etiquette
of
the
Bathroom
This
morning
I
very
nearly
had
another
row
with
Godmamma
—
you
will
never
guess
what
for
,
Mamma
!
She
knocked
at
the
door
of
my
room
before
I
was
quite
dressed
,
and
then
came
in
with
a
face
as
glum
as
a
church
.
She
began
at
once
.
She
said
that
she
had
heard
something
about
me
that
she
hoped
was
a
mistake
,
so
she
thought
it
better
to
ask
me
herself
.
She
understood
that
I
went
down
to
the
Salle
de
Bain
every
day
,
instead
of
just
washing
in
my
room
.
(
I
have
done
so
ever
since
Agnès
discovered
there
really
was
water
enough
for
a
decent
bath
there
,
and
that
no
one
else
seemed
to
use
it
.
)
I
began
to
wonder
if
she
was
going
to
accuse
me
of
tampering
with
the
taps
—
but
not
a
bit
of
it
!
After
a
rigmarole
,
as
if
she
thought
it
almost
too
shocking
to
mention
,
she
said
she
understood
from
her
maid
,
who
had
heard
it
from
the
valet
de
chambre
who
clears
out
the
bath
after
I
leave
,
that
there
never
were
any
wet
chemises
,
and
that
she
was
therefore
forced
to
conclude
that
I
got
into
my
tub
"
toute
nue
!
"
I
had
been
so
worked
up
for
something
dreadful
,
that
I
am
sorry
to
say
,
Mamma
,
I
went
into
a
shriek
of
laughter
.
That
seemed
to
annoy
Godmamma
very
much
;
she
got
as
red
as
a
turkey-cock
,
and
said
she
saw
nothing
to
cause
mirth
—
in
fact
,
she
had
hoped
I
should
have
been
ashamed
at
such
deplorable
immodesty
,
if
,
as
she
feared
from
my
attitude
,
her
accusation
was
correct
.
I
said
,
when
I
could
stop
laughing
,
of
course
it
was
correct
,
how
in
the
world
else
should
one
get
into
a
bath
?
The
Marquis
Again
Her
eyes
almost
turned
up
into
her
head
with
horror
;
she
could
only
gasp
,
"
Mais
si
quelqu'un
ouvrait
la
porte
?
"
"
Mais
je
la
ferme
toujours
à
clef
,
"
I
said
,
and
then
I
asked
her
if
in
France
they
also
dried
themselves
in
their
wet
chemises
?
But
she
said
that
that
was
a
childish
question
,
as
I
must
know
it
would
be
an
impossibility
;
and
when
I
said
I
could
not
see
any
difference
in
washing
or
drying
,
she
was
so
stumped
she
was
obliged
to
sit
down
and
fan
herself
.
I
smoothed
her
down
by
assuring
her
it
was
the
English
custom
,
and
that
I
was
sorry
I
shocked
her
so
.
At
last
I
got
rid
of
her
,
evidently
thinking
our
nation
"
brûlée
,
"
as
well
as
"
toquée
"
.
Now
are
n't
they
too
odd
,
Mamma
?
I
suppose
a
nice
big
bath
is
such
a
rare
thing
for
them
that
they
are
obliged
to
make
as
much
fuss
as
possible
over
it
.
One
would
think
they
received
company
there
,
dressing
up
like
that
!
Héloise
and
the
smart
people
wash
all
right
;
it
is
only
the
girls
and
the
thoroughly
goody
ones
like
Godmamma
who
are
afraid
of
water
.
5.30
p.m.
—
The
Marquis
came
over
from
Tournelle
with
a
note
from
the
Baronne
after
déjeûner
to-day
.
I
happened
to
be
getting
some
music
out
of
the
big
salon
for
Héloise
when
he
arrived
.
Louis
,
the
valet
,
who
showed
him
in
,
did
not
catch
sight
of
me
as
I
was
behind
the
piano
,
or
he
would
certainly
have
taken
him
somewhere
else
.
He
began
at
once
(
after
putting
his
heels
together
)
to
say
a
lot
of
compliments
and
things
.
This
was
a
fortunate
chance
—
more
than
he
had
dared
to
hope
—
would
I
promise
to
dance
the
cotillon
with
him
to-night
?
etc.
,
etc.
You
would
not
believe
,
Mamma
,
the
amount
he
got
into
the
five
minutes
before
Héloise
came
into
the
room
.
She
knew
it
was
her
own
fault
for
sending
for
the
music
that
I
was
alone
with
him
,
or
I
should
have
got
a
scolding
;
as
it
was
,
she
talked
without
ceasing
until
at
last
he
got
up
to
go
.
I
had
not
answered
about
the
cotillon
,
so
as
I
have
half
promised
the
Vicomte
I
do
n't
know
which
I
shall
take
;
perhaps
I
could
manage
both
,
as
I
believe
one
only
has
to
sit
on
a
chair
and
every
now
and
then
get
up
and
dance
.
However
,
I
will
see
when
I
get
there
.
Now
good-bye
,
dear
Mamma
.
—
Your
affectionate
daughter
,
Elizabeth
.
Château
de
Croixmare
,
September
1st
.
A
Proposal
of
Marriage
Dearest
Mamma
,
—
I
have
had
a
proposal
!
Is
n't
it
too
interesting
?
It
all
happened
at
the
de
Tournelles
'
last
night
,
but
I
never
blushed
or
did
any
of
the
things
they
used
to
in
Miss
Edgeworth
's
novels
that
you
have
allowed
me
to
read
;
but
I
must
go
straight
on
.
We
were
quite
punctual
at
Château
de
Tournelle
,
and
got
there
as
the
clock
struck
eight
.
Héloise
looked
perfectly
lovely
,
she
does
hold
herself
and
walk
so
beautifully
,
and
her
head
is
such
a
nice
shape
.
I
am
going
to
be
like
her
,
and
not
like
the
women
at
Nazeby
(
who
all
slouched
)
when
I
am
married
.
Victorine
looked
better
than
usual
too
,
and
Héloise
had
put
some
powder
on
her
face
for
her
,
but
afterwards
it
came
off
in
patches
and
made
her
look
piebald
;
however
,
to
start
she
was
all
right
,
and
everybody
was
in
a
good
temper
.
There
were
lots
of
people
there
already
,
and
the
Baronne
and
the
Comtesse
received
us
in
the
hall
.
I
wore
the
white
silk
and
my
pink
tulle
hat
.
The
Marquis
and
the
Vicomte
both
flew
across
when
we
arrived
,
and
the
Vicomte
got
to
me
first
,
as
Godmamma
detained
the
Marquis
;
and
this
is
where
Frenchmen
shine
,
for
although
he
told
me
afterwards
that
he
wanted
to
murder
her
,
he
stood
with
a
beautiful
grin
on
his
face
all
the
time
.
The
Vicomte
at
once
began
to
assure
me
I
had
promised
him
the
cotillon
,
but
I
would
not
say
;
and
as
he
could
only
get
words
in
edgeways
,
with
Victorine
listening
all
the
time
,
it
made
it
rather
difficult
for
him
.
Then
the
Comte
and
René
,
his
little
boy
,
came
round
with
a
silver
basket
full
of
buttonholes
and
little
cards
with
names
,
and
by
the
kind
of
flower
we
got
we
were
to
know
which
table
we
were
to
sit
at
,
as
they
were
to
be
decorated
with
the
same
.
Les
Jeunes
Filles
Of
course
the
Baronne
had
arranged
for
the
Vicomte
to
take
me
in
;
and
our
table
was
pink
and
white
carnations
.
Presently
the
whole
company
had
arrived
,
and
we
started
—
a
huge
train
,
two
and
two
,
arm-in-arm
—
for
the
pavilion
.
It
was
pretty
;
all
the
trees
hung
with
electric
lights
and
Chinese
lanterns
,
and
the
pavilion
itself
a
fairyland
of
flowers
.
There
were
about
twelve
tables
,
three
of
different
coloured
carnations
for
the
"
jeunes
filles
,
"
and
the
rest
with
roses
for
the
married
people
.
Godmamma
thought
it
most
imprudent
separating
them
like
that
,
and
would
hardly
let
Victorine
sit
down
so
far
away
from
her
until
she
saw
the
daughter
of
the
Princesse
d'Hauterine
at
the
same
table
.
Victorine
went
in
with
another
officer
from
Versailles
,
in
the
same
regiment
of
Chasseurs
as
the
Vicomte
;
he
was
like
a
small
black
monkey
.
The
Marquis
sat
with
the
Comtesse
at
her
table
,
and
Godmamma
and
the
other
bores
had
a
table
with
the
old
Baron
,
etc.
The
Baronne
had
quite
a
young
man
next
her
.
I
expect
she
could
not
do
with
the
chaperons
and
the
old
gentlemen
.
Most
of
the
girls
at
our
table
were
either
ill-at-ease
or
excited
at
the
unusual
pleasure
of
being
without
their
mothers
,
and
at
first
no
one
talked
much
.
The
French
country
people
are
almost
as
frumpy
as
the
English
,
only
in
a
different
way
,
but
many
of
the
guests
were
very
smart
,
and
of
course
had
come
from
Paris
.
The
Vicomte
did
say
such
a
lot
of
agreeable
things
to
me
,
and
the
others
were
so
occupied
with
their
one
chance
of
talking
to
a
young
man
that
they
did
not
listen
as
much
as
usual
.
He
said
he
had
never
spent
such
an
agitated
night
as
the
one
at
Vernon
.
So
I
said
No
,
the
fleas
were
horrid
.
He
said
he
had
not
meant
them
;
he
meant
that
the
sight
of
my
beautiful
hair
hanging
down
had
caused
him
"
une
grande
émotion
"
and
"
rêves
délicieux
.
"
There
was
an
oldish
girl
next
to
him
whom
he
knew
;
she
has
coiffed
St.
Catherine
for
several
years
now
,
and
was
put
at
our
table
,
I
believe
,
to
be
a
kind
of
chaperon
.
She
happened
to
be
listening
just
then
,
as
her
partner
would
talk
to
Victorine
's
friend
—
the
pretty
one
with
the
dirty
nails
—
who
was
at
his
other
side
.
She
caught
the
word
"
fleas
,
"
and
at
once
asked
what
we
were
talking
about
.
"
Un
sujet
si
désagréable
,
"
she
said
.
I
said
it
was
about
our
journey
on
the
Sauterelle
,
where
,
at
Vernon
,
Monsieur
de
la
Trémors
had
been
so
badly
bitten
by
the
fleas
that
they
had
given
him
silly
dreams
.
He
said
his
dreams
were
as
beautiful
as
those
produced
by
the
Hachis
of
Monte
Cristo
(
whatever
that
is
)
,
so
the
old
girl
exclaimed
,
"
Quel
pouvoir
pour
une
puce
!
"
She
thought
we
were
mad
;
and
I
overheard
her
presently
telling
her
partner
—
when
she
could
get
him
to
listen
—
that
no
one
would
believe
the
bizarre
conversations
of
the
toqués
English
unless
they
actually
heard
them
!
The
Cotillon
I
would
not
say
I
would
dance
the
cotillon
with
the
Vicomte
.
I
told
him
I
had
half
promised
it
to
the
Marquis
;
and
when
he
seemed
offended
,
I
said
if
he
was
going
to
be
disagreeable
I
would
certainly
dance
it
with
Monsieur
de
Beaupré
(
the
Marquis
's
name
,
which
I
forgot
to
tell
you
before
)
.
I
remember
hearing
Octavia
say
once
that
it
never
did
to
make
oneself
easy
to
young
men
,
that
the
more
capricious
one
was
the
better
;
and
you
know
how
nice
Octavia
is
,
and
I
meant
to
be
like
her
.
He
went
on
imploring
;
so
I
told
him
that
I
had
come
there
to
enjoy
myself
,
not
to
amuse
him
,
so
I
should
just
dance
with
whom
I
pleased
,
or
not
at
all
if
I
happened
not
to
want
to
.
He
said
I
was
"
très
cruelle
,
"
and
looked
perfectly
wobbly-eyed
at
me
,
but
I
did
not
mind
a
bit
.
As
dinner
went
on
all
the
girls
began
to
talk
and
to
get
excited
,
and
laugh
,
and
every
one
was
so
gay
;
but
I
could
see
Godmamma
craning
her
neck
with
anxiety
and
disapproval
,
and
I
am
sure
,
if
it
had
not
been
for
the
Princesse
d'Hauterine
being
at
her
table
,
she
would
have
jumped
up
and
clawed
Victorine
away
.
It
came
to
an
end
at
last
,
and
we
returned
arm-in-arm
to
the
house
,
while
the
servants
arranged
the
pavilion
for
the
cotillon
.
Godmamma
collected
Victorine
and
me
,
and
made
us
stay
by
her
;
and
that
horrid
old
Mme
.
de
Visac
—
the
one
who
called
me
a
"
jeune
femme
"
—
came
up
,
and
they
had
a
conversation
.
Godmamma
said
it
was
"
très
imprudent
"
having
the
dinner
first
,
that
the
champagne
would
go
to
the
young
men
's
heads
,
and
with
all
the
care
in
the
world
no
one
could
foresee
the
consequences
!
The
garden
,
too
!
If
they
should
dance
the
farandole
!
what
opportunities
!
It
was
all
the
fault
of
the
chère
Baronne
,
so
sadly
giddy
for
her
age
.
She
never
thought
of
the
anxieties
of
other
mothers
,
having
married
her
only
daughter
so
young
!
I
do
n't
know
what
Godmamma
feared
,
but
I
should
hate
to
think
you
could
not
trust
me
to
behave
like
a
lady
,
Mamma
,
if
I
was
out
of
your
sight
a
moment
.
Nearly
a
Duel
I
saw
the
Marquis
talking
to
a
very
young
youth
;
he
seemed
pleading
with
him
about
something
,
and
presently
the
youth
crossed
over
and
kissed
Godmamma
's
hand
,
then
asked
Victorine
for
the
cotillon
.
She
looked
furious
,
but
she
was
obliged
to
say
yes
,
as
no
one
else
had
asked
her
;
it
was
getting
late
,
and
the
Marquis
was
busy
speaking
to
some
other
ladies
.
Presently
he
came
up
to
us
,
and
the
young
youth
said
before
he
could
speak
:
"
N'ai-je
pas
de
la
veine
,
mon
cher
,
Mlle
.
de
Croixmare
m'a
promis
le
cotillon
.
"
Upon
which
the
Marquis
asked
me
to
dance
it
with
him
—
right
out
loud
before
Godmamma
!
and
when
I
said
I
had
half
promised
it
to
Monsieur
de
la
Trémors
,
he
looked
so
cross
and
offended
,
that
I
thought
it
was
better
to
be
firm
with
him
,
as
I
had
been
with
the
Vicomte
.
He
—
the
Vicomte
—
came
up
just
then
,
and
they
looked
as
if
they
wanted
to
fight
each
other
;
so
I
said
if
they
would
stop
frowning
,
I
would
dance
it
with
both
of
them
,
but
if
they
were
nasty
,
I
should
not
dance
it
with
either
;
and
so
that
is
how
it
ended
,
I
was
to
have
one
on
each
side
.
Godmamma
said
to
me
that
it
was
unheard
of
conduct
,
and
might
have
produced
a
duel
,
and
when
I
tried
to
explain
to
her
that
that
was
just
what
I
had
avoided
,
she
looked
angrier
than
ever
,
and
would
not
understand
.
Was
n't
it
stupid
of
her
,
Mamma
?
The
Two
Partners
At
last
we
got
to
the
pavilion
,
and
all
sat
round
,
and
having
both
the
Vicomte
and
the
Marquis
to
talk
to
,
I
did
have
fun
.
They
arranged
that
our
chairs
should
be
against
the
wall
,
and
not
in
the
row
that
the
chaperons
were
behind
.
Godmamma
tried
to
make
signs
to
me
to
come
and
sit
by
Victorine
in
front
of
her
,
but
I
pretended
not
to
see
,
until
all
the
chairs
were
filled
up
.
The
Marquise
de
Vermandoise
was
next
me
,
with
the
Vicomte
between
;
she
was
dancing
with
the
Comte
.
We
were
gay
!
The
first
set
of
presents
were
big
brocade
bags
,
and
we
called
one
our
"
pot
au
feu
"
and
pretended
it
was
for
the
ingredients
to
make
bon
ménage
,
and
so
all
the
presents
that
were
small
enough
afterwards
we
put
in
there
to
keep
for
me
.
I
did
have
lots
!
A
cotillon
is
very
easy
,
Mamma
,
as
you
have
often
told
me
,
and
it
was
fun
dancing
with
all
sorts
of
strange
people
that
one
did
not
even
know
.
In
one
figure
a
huge
Russian
prince
got
hold
of
me
,
and
squeezed
me
until
I
very
nearly
screamed
;
you
see
,
Mamma
,
how
dreadful
foreigners
are
like
that
.
It
was
like
being
hugged
by
a
bear
in
the
Zoo
;
and
after
it
,
he
kept
giving
me
flowers
or
presents
if
I
dared
to
sit
down
for
a
moment
,
but
he
did
not
say
a
word
except
once
or
twice
a
mumble
of
"
Adorable
mademoiselle
.
"
My
two
partners
were
nice
,
we
had
a
perfectly
beautiful
time
,
they
laughed
at
everything
I
said
;
and
Madame
de
Vermandoise
leant
over
and
whispered
—
while
they
were
both
away
doing
a
figure
—
that
never
had
any
one
had
such
a
succès
as
me
,
and
that
all
the
old
ladies
would
be
ready
to
tear
my
eyes
out
.
Héloise
did
not
dance
with
"
Antoine
,
"
but
he
sat
next
her
,
and
they
talked
while
his
partner
was
away
with
other
people
.
It
is
much
better
to
have
two
partners
,
Mamma
,
because
then
one
is
not
left
to
oneself
at
all
,
and
they
are
each
trying
to
be
nicer
than
the
other
all
the
time
.
The
Comtesse
led
the
cotillon
with
a
cousin
of
hers
;
he
does
do
it
well
,
and
does
nothing
else
in
Paris
,
the
Baronne
told
me
.
At
last
we
got
on
towards
the
end
,
and
they
began
the
farandole
.
You
know
it
,
Mamma
?
A
lady
and
a
gentleman
take
hands
,
then
she
beckons
some
one
,
and
he
has
to
come
;
and
then
he
calls
another
lady
,
and
so
on
.
It
goes
on
until
the
whole
company
are
hand-in-hand
;
and
the
leader
runs
about
everywhere
with
this
chain
of
people
after
him
,
dancing
a
long
sliding
step
,
to
such
a
lovely
go-ahead
tune
.
The
leader
tears
all
over
the
garden
,
and
one
is
obliged
to
follow
in
and
out
.
It
is
too
exciting
,
and
just
as
we
got
to
the
furthest
end
of
the
illuminated
paths
,
and
had
rushed
round
into
the
dark
,
some
one
let
go
,
and
in
the
confusion
of
trying
to
catch
on
again
,
the
Marquis
and
I
were
left
behind
.
To
Elope
with
the
Marquis
It
was
then
the
proposal
happened
,
he
did
not
wait
a
moment
;
he
talked
so
fast
I
could
hardly
understand
him
.
He
said
he
had
heard
that
it
was
the
custom
of
our
country
to
speak
directly
to
the
person
one
loved
,
without
consulting
the
parents
;
so
he
hoped
I
would
believe
he
meant
me
no
disrespect
,
but
that
he
adored
me
.
He
had
fallen
in
love
at
first
sight
,
when
he
went
to
review
Victorine
—
that
he
implored
me
to
fly
with
him
,
as
his
mother
would
never
consent
to
his
marrying
an
English
woman
!
Think
of
it
,
Mamma
!
me
flying
with
the
Marquis
!
without
a
wedding
cake
,
or
bridesmaids
,
or
pages
,
or
trousseau
,
or
any
of
the
really
nice
bits
of
getting
married
—
only
the
boring
part
of
just
going
away
and
staying
with
one
man
,
without
any
of
the
other
things
to
make
up
for
it
.
I
nearly
laughed
at
the
ridiculousness
of
it
,
only
he
was
so
deadly
in
earnest
,
and
would
hold
my
hand
.
I
said
I
could
not
think
of
such
a
thing
,
and
would
he
take
me
back
to
the
pavilion
?
He
became
quite
wild
then
,
and
said
he
would
kill
himself
with
grief
;
and
such
a
lot
of
things
about
love
;
but
I
was
so
wanting
to
join
in
the
farandole
again
—
we
heard
them
coming
nearer
—
that
my
attention
was
all
on
that
,
and
I
did
not
listen
much
.
Anyway
,
I
am
sure
runaway
matches
are
n't
legal
in
France
,
from
what
I
heard
Jean
saying
two
nights
ago
at
dinner
;
and
I
told
him
so
at
last
,
and
that
pulled
him
up
short
.
And
just
then
the
train
passed
,
and
I
stretched
out
my
hand
to
the
last
man
,
and
was
whirled
away
back
to
the
pavilion
and
the
people
.
I
was
glad
to
get
away
from
the
Marquis
,
because
he
looked
desperate
,
and
you
ca
n't
trust
foreigners
,
they
have
pistols
and
things
in
their
pockets
,
and
he
might
have
shot
me
.
When
we
got
back
to
our
seats
,
the
défilé
began
and
I
took
the
Vicomte
's
arm
to
go
and
make
our
curtsey
to
the
Comtesse
and
the
Baronne
.
It
was
just
as
well
the
Marquis
was
away
,
because
they
might
have
quarrelled
as
to
which
one
's
arm
I
was
to
take
.
Godmamma
's
Friends
Just
before
the
supper
tables
were
brought
in
,
Monsieur
de
Beaupré
turned
up
again
.
His
face
was
green
;
he
came
up
behind
me
,
and
whispered
through
his
teeth
that
I
had
broken
his
heart
,
and
that
he
should
marry
Victorine
!
So
you
see
,
Mamma
,
nothing
could
have
turned
out
better
,
and
they
ought
to
be
very
grateful
to
me
.
We
had
the
gayest
supper
,
all
at
little
tables
;
and
it
was
arranged
that
we
should
go
with
the
de
Tournelles
,
and
the
Baronne
,
to
a
Ralli
de
Papier
to-day
,
given
by
the
75th
Cuirassiers
at
the
Forêt
de
Marly
.
While
we
were
going
to
the
house
to
get
our
wraps
,
I
overheard
two
ladies
talking
of
Godmamma
.
They
said
she
gave
herself
great
airs
,
and
considering
that
every
one
knew
that
years
ago
she
had
been
the
amie
of
that
good-looking
Englishman
at
the
Embassy
these
high
stilts
of
virtue
were
ridiculous
.
I
suppose
to
be
an
amie
is
something
wicked
in
French
,
but
it
does
n't
sound
very
bad
,
does
it
,
Mamma
?
And
,
whatever
it
is
,
I
wonder
if
poor
papa
knew
,
as
he
was
at
the
Embassy
,
and
it
might
have
been
one
of
his
friends
,
might
n't
it
?
I
expect
she
had
not
a
moustache
then
.
I
am
dreadfully
afraid
the
Vicomte
wo
n't
be
able
to
be
at
the
Ralli
to-day
,
although
he
did
whisper
when
he
was
putting
on
my
cloak
that
nothing
should
keep
him
away
,
and
that
then
I
would
believe
the
extent
of
his
devotion
.
He
wo
n't
have
gone
to
bed
at
all
,
if
he
does
turn
up
,
as
he
will
only
have
got
back
to
Versailles
just
in
time
for
his
duty
at
six
,
and
how
he
is
to
be
in
the
Forêt
de
Marly
by
ten
I
do
n't
know
,
but
we
shall
see
.
It
is
just
time
to
start
,
the
brake
is
at
the
door
,
so
good-bye
,
dear
Mamma
,
with
love
from
your
affectionate
daughter
,
Elizabeth
.
Château
de
Croixmare
,
Thursday
Night
,
September
1st
.
The
"
Ralli
de
Papier
"
Dearest
Mamma
,
—
I
wonder
if
you
have
ever
been
to
a
Ralli
de
Papier
?
It
is
fun
.
We
got
to
Marly
at
last
after
a
long
drive
.
The
rendezvous
was
in
the
middle
of
the
forest
,
in
such
a
lovely
glade
,
and
although
it
rained
for
the
last
twenty
minutes
of
our
drive
,
the
sun
came
out
when
we
got
there
,
and
the
lights
through
the
trees
on
the
wet
green
were
so
beautiful
.
There
were
quantities
of
carriages
already
arrived
,
every
sort
—
victorias
,
coaches
,
pony
carts
,
charabancs
,
motor
cars
,
and
a
few
of
the
really
odd
kinds
of
shandrydans
that
one
sees
coming
to
country
garden
parties
in
England
.
There
were
also
numbers
of
officers
riding
in
uniform
—
cuirassiers
,
chasseurs
,
dragons
—
and
they
were
to
take
part
in
the
chase
.
There
was
one
officer
who
was
to
lead
the
carriages
in
a
procession
through
the
short
cuts
,
so
that
we
might
not
miss
any
of
the
jumps
,
and
he
had
a
horn
slung
over
his
shoulder
.
I
do
think
it
such
a
sensible
plan
;
and
if
we
could
have
the
foxes
trained
in
England
to
go
just
where
they
should
,
and
then
always
drive
to
where
the
jumps
are
,
like
that
,
how
much
nicer
hunting
would
be
—
would
n't
it
,
Mamma
?
Better
than
Fox-hunting
Well
,
at
last
every
one
seemed
to
be
arrived
,
and
it
was
gay
.
I
was
glad
Godmamma
had
been
too
tired
to
come
,
so
Victorine
was
actually
trusted
with
Jean
and
Héloise
and
me
.
We
had
picked
up
the
Baronne
and
the
Comte
and
the
Marquise
de
Vermandoise
at
Tournelle
on
our
way
.
The
brake
was
not
quite
like
an
English
one
;
it
had
seats
facing
,
and
then
an
extra
one
behind
for
the
grooms
,
and
Jean
drove
with
Héloise
beside
him
;
but
he
does
look
like
a
trussed
pigeon
,
and
if
the
horses
were
not
as
quiet
as
mice
,
I
am
sure
the
Baronne
would
never
have
trusted
herself
with
him
.
The
Vicomte
up
to
Time
They
all
began
to
chaff
about
the
Vicomte
;
"
Il
ne
chevauchera
jamais
si
loin
,
pas
même
pour
vos
beaux
yeux
,
"
the
Marquise
said
.
Victorine
seemed
annoyed
that
any
one
should
expect
he
would
do
anything
for
me
.
"
Evidemment
Monsieur
de
la
Trémors
ne
viendra
pas
,
"
she
said
.
I
saw
a
beautiful
black
horse
being
led
about
by
a
groom
,
apart
from
the
crowd
,
and
I
wondered
who
would
ride
it
.
Just
before
the
horn
sounded
for
the
carriages
to
start
,
from
the
farthest
end
of
the
allée
we
saw
an
officer
galloping
as
hard
as
he
could
.
"
Mon
Dieu
!
C'est
Gaston
!
"
screamed
the
Baronne
.
"
C'est
pour
vous
,
Enchanteresse
,
"
said
the
Comte
.
"
Que
c'est
ridicule
,
"
snapped
Victorine
,
while
the
Marquise
laughed
and
put
her
tongue
into
her
gap
.
"
Oh
!
la
belle
jeunesse
!
"
she
said
.
Meanwhile
the
Vicomte
had
dismounted
,
jumped
on
to
the
fresh
black
horse
,
and
was
bowing
beside
us
.
"
Vous
voyez
je
suis
venu
,
"
he
said
,
and
he
looked
only
at
me
.
I
do
n't
know
why
,
Mamma
,
but
I
felt
the
blood
rushing
all
over
my
cheeks
;
it
was
nice
of
him
,
was
n't
it
?
He
had
arranged
it
all
yesterday
,
and
by
changing
horses
and
galloping
the
whole
way
,
he
had
managed
just
to
get
to
the
rendezvous
in
time
.
I
do
n't
believe
any
Englishman
that
I
know
would
do
so
much
for
me
,
and
I
was
touched
.
We
were
fortunate
in
being
almost
the
first
carriage
behind
our
leader
,
the
officer
with
the
horn
,
and
he
took
us
across
roads
,
and
we
halted
at
last
,
where
we
could
see
the
whole
hunt
advancing
to
some
hurdles
which
had
been
erected
at
a
few
yards
'
distance
from
each
other
down
the
allée
.
Such
an
excitement
!
every
one
encouraging
them
at
the
top
of
their
voices
,
their
uniforms
glittering
in
the
sun
.
The
jumps
were
not
very
high
,
and
most
of
the
officers
got
over
all
right
,
only
one
cuirassier
fell
,
and
every
one
shrieked
,
but
he
was
n't
a
bit
hurt
.
We
clapped
those
who
jumped
especially
well
,
and
cried
"
Bravo
!
"
It
was
fun
.
Then
,
when
they
had
all
passed
,
we
were
conducted
through
some
more
short
cuts
to
another
set
of
hurdles
covered
with
green
boughs
,
and
these
were
a
little
higher
.
It
did
sound
lively
,
with
horns
blowing
and
people
shouting
all
the
time
.
The
Vicomte
was
among
the
last
,
as
he
passed
us
following
the
paper
,
but
he
waved
gaily
.
We
had
to
drive
very
quickly
to
be
in
time
for
the
next
"
obstacles
"
and
so
it
went
on
.
When
we
watched
the
last
ones
,
the
Vicomte
was
among
the
very
front
four
.
Rewards
of
Gallantry
Then
the
exciting
part
began
,
as
they
had
to
race
for
the
ribbons
,
white
for
the
winner
and
blue
for
the
second
;
but
it
was
quite
a
long
way
,
so
we
had
time
to
get
to
the
winning-post
,
the
flat
place
near
where
the
Château
stood
formerly
.
There
were
long
tables
laid
out
with
goûter
,
and
the
bands
of
the
regiments
playing
nice
tunes
.
Victorine
began
to
be
disagreeable
directly
we
saw
them
coming
,
the
Vicomte
well
to
the
front
.
"
Comme
c'est
cruel
de
Monsieur
de
la
Trémors
,
de
presser
son
cheval
à
ce
point
,
"
she
said
,
while
even
the
Comte
became
excited
,
and
shouted
,
"
Bravo
,
Gaston
!
"
I
was
pleased
when
he
came
in
first
,
and
really
he
rides
quite
nicely
,
Mamma
.
Then
every
one
got
out
of
the
carriages
and
there
was
a
ceremony
.
The
wife
of
the
Colonel
of
the
75th
chasseurs
(
young
and
nice
looking
)
placed
a
white
ribbon
with
gold
fringe
ends
round
the
neck
of
the
Vicomte
,
while
he
knelt
and
kissed
her
hand
on
the
damp
grass
,
and
when
he
got
up
there
was
quite
a
wet
stain
on
his
knees
.
The
second
man
—
a
great
lumbering
cuirassier
—
got
a
blue
ribbon
,
and
as
he
was
heavier
the
stain
showed
worse
on
his
red
trousers
.
After
that
,
we
all
began
to
eat
cakes
and
drink
drinks
(
I
do
n't
know
what
they
were
made
of
,
that
is
why
I
say
"
drinks
,
"
anyway
they
were
sweet
and
nice
)
,
and
as
the
rain
had
stopped
we
danced
on
the
green
,
after
we
had
finished
.
Now
you
know
,
Mamma
,
we
could
never
have
any
fun
like
this
in
England
.
What
Englishman
would
think
of
dancing
the
Lancers
on
sopping
grass
,
quite
gravely
,
with
a
white
ribbon
round
his
neck
like
a
pet
lamb
,
and
his
trousers
wet
through
at
the
knees
?
They
would
simply
laugh
in
the
middle
,
and
spoil
the
whole
thing
.
The
Vicomte
danced
with
me
,
of
course
,
and
while
we
were
advancing
to
our
vis-à-vis
in
the
first
figure
,
he
managed
to
whisper
that
he
adored
me
,
and
now
that
he
had
ridden
all
night
,
and
won
the
white
ribbon
for
me
,
I
ought
to
believe
him
.
I
did
not
answer
because
there
was
not
time
just
then
,
and
he
looked
so
reproachfully
at
me
for
the
rest
of
the
Lancers
.
The
Whispered
Declaration
It
began
to
rain
again
before
we
finished
,
and
we
got
into
the
brake
as
quickly
as
we
could
.
It
was
a
perfect
wonder
that
they
were
not
all
exclaiming
at
their
wet
feet
,
and
catching
cold
;
but
it
seems
that
dancing
on
the
green
and
these
sort
of
fêtes
champêtres
are
national
sports
,
and
you
do
n't
catch
cold
at
them
.
It
is
only
washing
,
and
having
the
windows
open
,
and
the
house
aired
,
and
things
like
that
,
that
give
cold
in
France
.
The
Vicomte
came
back
with
us
,
and
,
as
he
was
one
too
many
for
the
brake
,
we
had
to
sit
very
close
on
our
seat
.
He
was
between
the
Baronne
and
Victorine
,
who
made
room
for
him
when
he
was
just
going
to
sit
down
by
me
.
She
kept
giggling
all
the
way
home
,
and
the
Vicomte
looked
so
squashed
and
uncomfortable
.
I
was
next
,
beyond
the
Baronne
,
and
as
both
of
them
could
not
keep
up
their
umbrellas
,
Victorine
was
obliged
to
put
down
hers
,
and
the
drips
from
the
Baronne
's
umbrella
got
on
to
the
roses
in
Victorine
's
hat
.
At
last
they
ran
in
a
red
stream
right
down
her
nose
,
and
she
did
look
odd
,
and
each
time
she
said
anything
to
the
Vicomte
,
he
nearly
had
a
fit
to
keep
from
laughing
,
and
when
we
got
back
and
she
found
how
she
was
looking
she
was
cross
.
The
Vicomte
took
hold
of
my
hand
when
he
helped
me
out
,
it
was
n't
in
saying
good-bye
,
as
of
course
unmarried
people
only
bow
and
do
n't
shake
hands
.
Somehow
his
spur
caught
in
my
dress
,
and
we
had
to
stop
a
minute
to
disentangle
it
,
the
others
had
bolted
into
the
house
,
as
they
were
afraid
of
the
rain
,
so
we
were
alone
for
an
instant
.
The
Vicomte
at
once
kissed
my
hand
and
said
,
"
Je
vous
adore
.
"
It
was
done
so
quickly
that
even
Hippolyte
,
who
had
come
out
with
an
open
umbrella
to
help
us
,
did
not
see
—
at
least
I
hope
he
did
n't
.
We
went
in
to
Tournelle
to
have
something
to
drink
,
while
the
horses
were
being
rubbed
down
,
as
we
had
had
such
a
long
drive
;
and
it
was
at
the
first
mirror
Victorine
discovered
her
red
striped
nose
.
While
I
was
sipping
my
punch
,
I
heard
the
Baronne
telling
Héloise
that
her
nephew
,
the
Marquis
,
had
consented
to
marry
Victorine
;
and
that
the
Baron
would
go
over
to
Croixmare
the
next
day
to
make
the
formal
demand
for
her
hand
.
Then
she
whispered
something
,
and
they
looked
at
me
,
and
Héloise
laughed
,
while
the
Baronne
said
,
"
Pauvre
garçon
.
C'est
dommage
qu'il
ne
puisse
pas
combiner
le
plaisir
avec
les
affaires
.
"
And
when
we
got
back
to
Croixmare
,
Héloise
came
to
my
room
and
kissed
me
,
and
thanked
me
;
she
had
heard
,
she
said
,
from
the
Baronne
,
how
I
had
broken
the
Marquis
's
heart
,
and
so
got
him
to
consent
to
take
Victorine
!
I
am
glad
,
Mamma
,
that
getting
married
is
differently
arranged
with
us
.
I
should
hate
to
have
some
one
because
somebody
else
that
he
wanted
would
not
have
him
.
However
,
Victorine
is
as
pleased
as
can
be
,
and
has
been
smiling
to
herself
all
the
evening
.
Now
I
must
go
to
bed
,
so
good-bye
,
dear
Mamma
,
with
love
from
your
affectionate
daughter
,
Elizabeth
.
Château
de
Croixmare
,
Saturday
,
September
3rd
.
In
Due
Form
Dearest
Mamma
,
—
I
am
sure
what
I
am
going
to
tell
you
will
surprise
you
quite
as
much
as
it
has
done
me
.
Victorine
is
really
engaged
!
The
day
after
the
Ralli
de
Papier
it
rained
again
,
and
as
we
were
sitting
in
the
little
salon
after
breakfast
the
old
Baron
was
announced
.
He
was
dressed
in
a
frock
coat
and
a
tall
hat
,
just
as
if
it
was
Paris
and
the
height
of
the
season
.
They
made
conversation
for
about
ten
minutes
,
and
then
he
got
up
and
,
putting
his
heels
together
,
he
said
he
had
come
to
request
a
private
interview
with
Mme
.
la
Comtesse
Douairière
de
Croixmare
,
and
Monsieur
le
Comte
de
Croixmare
,
son
fils
;
upon
which
Victorine
looked
coy
,
and
began
scrabbling
with
her
toes
on
the
paquet
.
Héloise
was
not
in
the
room
,
and
Godmamma
said
to
me
that
it
was
time
for
our
walk
,
as
the
rain
had
stopped
,
and
Mdlle
.
Blanc
(
"
the
Tug
"
)
would
be
waiting
.
So
we
bundled
out
of
the
room
,
and
Victorine
for
the
first
time
became
affectionate
as
we
went
upstairs
.
"
Il
est
venu
pour
demander
ma
main
,
pour
son
neveu
,
Monsieur
de
Beaupré
,
"
she
said
,
putting
her
arm
round
my
waist
;
"
J'espère
que
cela
ne
vous
chagrine
pas
,
chérie
?
"
And
when
I
asked
her
why
in
the
world
it
should
grieve
me
she
said
that
,
as
every
one
had
noticed
how
I
had
flirted
with
the
Marquis
,
she
supposed
his
preferring
another
girl
could
not
be
quite
pleasant
!
I
could
have
screamed
with
laughter
,
if
I
had
not
been
so
angry
;
I
felt
dreadfully
tempted
to
tell
her
of
the
Marquis
's
proposal
to
me
,
and
why
he
was
marrying
her
—
only
that
would
have
been
playing
down
to
her
level
of
meanness
.
So
I
said
that
the
English
idea
of
flirting
and
the
French
were
different
;
that
the
Marquis
seemed
to
me
to
be
quite
an
agreeable
Frenchman
,
and
no
doubt
she
would
be
very
happy
;
and
far
from
it
grieving
me
,
I
was
delighted
to
think
she
would
be
settled
at
last
,
as
twenty-two
was
rather
on
the
road
to
fixing
St.
Catherine
's
tresses
.
She
dragged
her
arm
away
in
such
a
hurry
that
she
scratched
her
hand
on
a
pin
that
Agnès
had
stupidly
left
in
my
belt
.
"
Voyez
!
vous
avez
fait
saigner
ma
main
,
"
she
said
almost
crying
with
fury
.
All
I
said
was
,
"
Qui
s'y-frotte
s'y
pique
,
"
and
as
we
had
got
to
the
door
of
my
room
,
I
went
off
in
fits
of
laughter
—
she
looked
so
like
a
cross
monkey
I
could
not
help
it
!
Girlish
Amenities
Well
,
you
can
think
,
Mamma
,
we
did
not
have
an
agreeable
walk
.
Victorine
talked
in
her
most
prudish
goody
style
to
"
the
Remorqueur
,
"
and
never
addressed
me
;
while
poor
Mademoiselle
Blanc
was
so
nervous
trying
to
speak
to
both
.
As
we
got
to
the
turn
into
Vinant
,
Monsieur
Dubois
—
Victorine
's
music-master
—
came
up
the
street
.
He
is
a
rather
vulgar
looking
person
,
with
a
black
moustache
,
and
lemon
yellow
gloves
,
and
horrid
if
you
have
to
be
quite
close
to
him
.
Just
then
we
stopped
to
give
some
sous
to
a
beggar-woman
,
so
as
he
passed
he
said
,
with
a
great
flourish
of
the
hat
:
Was
he
to
come
on
Saturday
as
usual
for
the
lesson
?
Victorine
looked
down
all
the
time
modestly
,
and
"
the
Tug
"
answered
:
Of
course
;
so
he
said
it
would
be
a
never-to-be-sufficiently-thanked
kindness
,
if
Mademoiselle
would
take
back
with
her
this
roll
of
music
he
had
been
on
his
way
to
deliver
chez
elle
,
as
it
was
much
out
of
his
road
,
and
he
was
pressed
for
time
at
his
next
lesson
.
Victorine
at
once
seized
it
,
and
he
bowed
again
and
walked
on
.
Mademoiselle
Blanc
had
already
a
parcel
in
each
hand
she
was
taking
to
the
embroidery
shop
.
After
that
Victorine
was
distraite
,
and
seemed
in
a
great
hurry
to
get
home
;
she
even
spoke
to
me
,
and
while
"
the
Tug
"
was
looking
at
wools
in
the
shop
she
fidgeted
so
with
the
music
that
it
came
undone
.
I
offered
to
carry
it
,
as
I
had
no
parcels
,
but
she
snatched
it
up
as
if
it
was
gold
,
and
in
doing
so
a
bit
of
paper
fell
out
of
it
,
and
as
I
picked
it
up
I
could
not
help
seeing
it
began
"
Ma
cruelle
adorée
.
"
She
said
,
in
a
great
rage
,
that
it
was
only
the
words
of
a
song
,
as
she
put
it
in
her
pocket
;
so
I
do
n't
see
why
she
should
have
been
so
furious
with
me
seeing
it
,
do
you
,
Mamma
?
—
but
she
had
not
got
over
the
pin
in
my
belt
,
I
suppose
.
Anyway
she
made
us
trot
home
with
seven-leagued
boots
.
The
Music-master
Godmamma
met
us
in
the
hall
,
radiant
,
and
,
clasping
Victorine
to
her
breast
,
said
she
must
announce
to
her
the
joyful
news
that
M
.
le
Baron
de
Frémond
had
made
the
demande
,
on
the
part
of
his
sister
,
the
Marquise
de
Beaupré
,
for
the
hand
of
her
peerless
Victorine
,
for
her
son
and
his
nephew
,
the
Marquis
de
Beaupré
,
and
that
she
—
Godmamma
—
had
consented
to
relinquish
to
them
this
treasure
.
Jean
came
out
of
the
smoking-room
just
then
and
they
all
began
kissing
—
it
was
awful
.
I
got
upstairs
as
quickly
as
I
could
,
and
Héloise
soon
joined
me
there
.
She
was
enchanted
at
the
idea
of
really
getting
rid
of
Victorine
,
and
she
said
Godmamma
's
rheumatism
was
growing
so
bad
she
would
soon
have
to
spend
the
summer
at
German
baths
,
and
so
they
would
fortunately
at
last
have
Croixmare
to
themselves
;
and
she
could
not
thank
me
enough
for
having
assisted
at
this
dénoûment
.
All
the
evening
Victorine
played
the
tunes
the
music-master
gave
her
,
and
once
or
twice
broke
into
a
song
of
joy
;
but
when
I
asked
her
to
try
the
one
beginning
"
Ma
cruelle
adorée
,
"
she
looked
green
,
and
said
she
was
tired
,
and
would
go
to
bed
.
A
Game
of
Billiards
Then
Jean
and
I
had
a
game
of
billiards
—
we
often
do
now
after
dinner
.
The
salle
de
billard
opens
out
of
the
salon
,
and
there
is
a
glass
like
a
window
over
the
mantelpiece
,
so
that
you
can
see
into
the
two
rooms
from
each
other
.
It
always
reminds
me
of
Alice
,
in
"
Through
the
Looking
Glass
"
—
you
expect
to
find
a
mirror
,
and
you
see
into
another
room
.
Godmamma
generally
accompanies
us
into
the
billiard-room
,
and
sits
bolt
upright
in
an
armchair
watching
us
,
but
to-night
she
was
too
excited
to
pay
us
so
much
attention
,
and
stayed
talking
to
Héloise
about
the
engagement
.
Jean
seemed
nervous
and
sad
,
and
knocked
about
the
balls
aimlessly
,
not
trying
a
bit
.
It
is
only
French
billiards
,
but
still
one
has
to
play
properly
,
so
at
last
I
said
that
evidently
the
good
news
of
Victorine
's
engagement
had
so
distracted
him
that
he
could
not
pay
attention
to
the
game
.
He
seemed
quite
startled
.
"
Ma
foi
!
le
jeu
!
"
he
said
vacantly
.
I
put
down
my
cue
and
asked
him
quite
gently
what
was
the
matter
?
Just
then
the
bangle
you
gave
me
last
Christmas
came
undone
,
so
Jean
put
his
cue
down
too
,
and
offered
to
fasten
it
.
It
is
difficult
to
do
oneself
,
so
I
thanked
him
and
handed
him
my
wrist
;
his
hands
trembled
so
he
could
not
do
it
.
I
thought
he
was
ill
,
and
bent
over
him
to
see
.
Fortunately
at
that
moment
we
happened
to
be
at
the
one
part
of
the
table
which
ca
n't
be
seen
from
the
other
room
;
because
Jean
behaved
so
queerly
—
I
feel
sure
Godmamma
would
have
been
horrified
.
He
did
not
worry
about
the
bangle
,
but
just
began
kissing
my
hand
;
simply
dozens
of
kisses
.
I
pulled
and
pulled
to
try
and
get
it
away
,
but
he
would
not
let
go
,
and
kept
murmuring
that
at
last
,
at
last
,
he
was
alone
with
me
!
Now
was
n't
it
too
annoying
,
Mamma
?
I
could
not
call
out
or
make
a
fuss
,
because
there
would
have
been
such
a
scene
,
and
you
would
never
think
a
Frenchman
could
be
so
strong
.
For
although
I
wrenched
and
dragged
I
could
not
get
my
hand
away
,
and
it
was
making
me
crosser
and
crosser
every
minute
.
At
last
,
when
he
began
to
kiss
my
wrist
,
it
tickled
so
I
was
afraid
I
should
laugh
,
and
then
he
would
think
I
was
not
serious
;
so
I
seized
my
cue
with
the
other
hand
,
and
just
told
Jean
in
a
firm
voice
that
if
he
did
not
let
go
that
instant
I
would
break
it
over
his
head
!
That
stopped
him
!
He
pulled
himself
together
and
said
"
Oh
!
pardon
,
pardon
,
"
and
that
he
was
awfully
sorry
,
and
that
it
was
because
I
was
going
away
soon
and
he
was
mad
.
And
that
is
what
I
believe
it
was
,
Mamma
—
a
fit
of
some
kind
.
Did
you
ever
hear
there
was
anything
odd
in
the
Croixmare
family
?
Anyway
it
shows
foreigners
are
not
to
be
trusted
,
for
,
even
if
they
have
n't
pistols
ready
to
shoot
you
,
they
are
doing
something
queer
like
this
.
Indigestion
!
Presently
he
took
up
his
cue
and
began
playing
again
,
and
Héloise
came
in
from
the
salon
.
She
noticed
he
looked
different
and
said
at
once
,
"
Qu'avez-vous
,
mon
ami
?
"
"
Une
mauvaise
digestion
,
"
replied
Jean
,
and
he
went
and
drank
sirop
at
the
side-table
.
I
think
I
should
perhaps
tell
Héloise
what
it
really
was
,
and
warn
her
to
keep
an
eye
on
him
,
but
then
it
might
worry
her
,
and
he
may
not
have
another
attack
for
a
long
time
.
No
one
would
suspect
him
of
being
cracked
,
he
looks
as
quiet
and
respectable
as
the
pony
that
mows
the
lawn
.
The
post
is
starting
,
and
I
must
go
to
breakfast
,
so
now
good-bye
,
with
love
from
your
affectionate
daughter
,
Elizabeth
.
P.S.
—
The
day
after
to-morrow
there
is
to
be
a
dinner-party
here
for
the
fiancés
to
meet
.
All
the
Tournelle
party
,
and
his
mother
and
a
couple
of
cousins
will
be
here
,
besides
the
Vicomte
and
"
Antoine
,
"
and
the
Marquise
,
who
are
staying
at
Tournelle
.
Château
de
Croixmare
,
Tuesday
,
September
6th
.
Victorine
's
Indisposition
Dearest
Mamma
,
—
The
dinner
for
the
fiancés
came
off
last
night
.
It
was
the
first
time
we
have
had
real
evening
dresses
on
since
I
have
been
here
.
I
wore
the
pink
silk
,
and
Héloise
was
delighted
with
it
,
she
says
you
could
not
possibly
improve
upon
the
style
you
dress
me
in
—
it
is
ideal
for
a
young
girl
.
The
day
after
Jean
behaved
so
queerly
,
he
was
not
at
breakfast
;
he
went
to
Paris
and
I
did
not
see
him
until
the
evening
,
when
he
was
as
stolid
and
quiet
as
usual
,
so
it
must
have
been
a
fit
,
and
perhaps
he
went
up
to
Paris
to
see
his
doctor
.
Victorine
had
her
music
lesson
,
and
I
do
n't
know
what
could
have
upset
her
;
but
"
the
Tug
,
"
who
always
sits
in
the
room
with
her
,
came
flying
out
,
saying
Victorine
was
faint
and
she
must
get
her
a
glass
of
water
;
so
I
ran
into
the
salle
d'étude
to
see
if
I
could
help
her
.
There
she
was
flopping
on
the
music-stool
,
with
Monsieur
Dubois
kneeling
by
her
,
looking
cross
and
reproachful
,
and
just
like
the
villain
in
the
pantomimes
.
I
heard
her
say
,
"
Cela
doit
être
complètement
oublié
entre
nous
à
présent
que
je
vais
être
Marquise
.
"
I
do
n't
know
what
it
was
about
,
but
if
she
was
telling
him
she
would
not
be
friendly
with
him
any
more
,
I
do
call
it
snobbish
,
do
n't
you
,
Mamma
?
just
because
she
is
going
to
be
a
Marquise
.
It
is
n't
as
if
he
was
an
English
Marquis
even
,
like
Lord
Valmond
,
that
would
be
of
some
importance
—
but
a
trumpery
French
title
,
without
any
land
or
money
,
it
is
ridiculous
.
Of
course
,
here
no
one
has
his
own
land
really
since
the
Revolution
,
I
mean
like
"
Tournelle
,
"
they
only
call
the
new
house
that
;
I
believe
the
real
"
Tournelle
"
is
down
in
Touraine
somewhere
and
belongs
to
some
one
else
now
.
This
is
Château
de
Croixmare
,
but
then
Jean
's
great-grandfather
bought
it
back
again
.
Now
I
have
wandered
from
what
I
was
telling
you
—
oh
!
yes
,
about
Victorine
and
M
.
Dubois
.
He
got
up
from
his
knees
when
he
saw
me
,
and
began
fanning
her
,
while
she
flopped
more
than
ever
,
but
I
do
n't
think
she
felt
very
faint
,
her
face
was
so
red
.
And
when
"
the
Tug
"
returned
with
the
water
I
came
away
,
as
they
both
looked
as
if
they
wanted
to
murder
me
.
The
excitement
had
made
Monsieur
Dubois
'
collar
quite
give
way
,
and
he
looked
a
dirtier
and
more
pitiable
object
than
usual
.
The
"
Dîner
des
Fiançailles
"
Such
an
affair
the
"
Dîner
des
fiançailles
!
"
Victorine
wore
a
pink
dress
too
,
with
horrid
bunches
of
daisies
on
her
shoulders
and
in
her
hair
;
and
,
as
that
is
dark
and
greasy
,
and
dragged
off
her
face
,
and
done
in
the
tightest
twist
at
the
top
,
it
does
not
look
a
suitable
place
for
daisies
to
be
sprouting
from
.
I
hate
things
in
the
hair
anyway
,
do
n't
you
,
Mamma
?
However
she
was
delighted
with
herself
,
so
it
was
all
right
.
We
waited
in
the
big
salon
,
standing
behind
Godmamma
to
receive
the
company
.
First
arrived
the
old
Baron
and
the
Baronne
,
and
the
Marquis
and
his
mother
.
The
Marquis
kissed
Victorine
's
hand
as
well
as
Godmamma
's
and
Héloise
's
,
and
you
should
have
seen
her
bridling
!
When
he
got
to
me
he
made
the
stiffest
bow
;
and
just
then
the
Comte
and
Comtesse
de
Tournelle
,
the
Marquise
de
Vermandoise
,
and
the
Vicomte
were
announced
,
and
immediately
following
,
"
Antoine
"
and
two
cousins
of
Godmamma
's
.
To
finish
the
party
there
were
a
batch
of
the
Marquis
's
relations
,
who
had
come
specially
from
Paris
.
We
were
spared
Yolande
and
Marie
,
who
usually
sit
up
to
dinner
with
their
German
bonne
,
and
eat
everything
that
they
should
n't
,
and
then
scream
in
the
night
.
There
was
a
buzz
of
conversation
,
and
the
Vicomte
talked
to
me
,
but
I
could
not
help
hearing
what
the
Marquis
said
to
Victorine
—
"
Vous
aimez
la
bicyclette
,
mademoiselle
?
"
"
Oui
,
monsieur
.
"
"
Moi
j'aime
mieux
l'automobile
.
"
"
Mais
il
y
a
toujours
de
la
poussière
!
"
And
they
are
going
to
be
married
in
a
month
!
The
Vicomte
kept
bending
over
me
and
looking
silly
,
and
the
Marquis
fidgeted
so
that
he
could
not
go
on
talking
to
Victorine
—
one
eye
was
always
fixed
on
us
.
That
seemed
to
please
the
Vicomte
,
for
he
got
more
and
more
empressé
,
and
I
could
not
help
laughing
in
return
.
At
dinner
he
took
in
Mme
.
de
Vermandoise
,
but
sat
next
me
,
and
on
my
other
hand
was
one
of
the
cousins
,
a
harmless
idiot
too
timid
to
speak
much
,
and
with
all
kinds
of
horrid
baby
fluffs
growing
on
his
face
.
If
men
are
to
wear
beards
(
which
I
should
forbid
if
I
were
the
Queen
)
they
ought
to
be
shut
up
till
they
are
really
grown
.
A
Contretemps
Opposite
to
us
were
Victorine
and
the
Marquis
,
and
Godmamma
and
the
Baron
,
and
Jean
and
the
Marquis
's
mother
.
They
did
look
a
dull
lot
,
and
the
Marquis
's
mother
eats
worst
of
all
!
We
had
the
greatest
fun
at
our
side
,
Mme
.
de
Vermandoise
was
delicious
with
gaiety
,
the
Comte
was
on
her
other
hand
,
and
we
four
never
stopped
joking
and
laughing
the
whole
of
dinner
.
It
was
such
a
big
party
,
so
the
conversation
could
not
be
quite
as
general
as
usual
.
The
Marquis
got
gloomier
and
gloomier
as
time
went
on
.
I
could
not
look
up
that
I
did
not
find
his
angry
eyes
fixed
on
me
.
Even
Victorine
's
aggressive
joy
at
having
caught
him
was
damped
when
she
could
not
get
him
to
pay
attention
to
what
she
was
saying
.
At
last
when
he
was
straining
his
ears
to
try
and
hear
my
conversation
with
the
Vicomte
,
she
got
absolutely
exasperated
with
him
,
and
addressed
a
question
to
him
in
a
loud
,
sharp
voice
.
It
made
him
jump
so
that
he
bounced
round
in
his
seat
;
and
as
she
had
lowered
her
head
to
put
the
piece
of
bécassine
—
which
had
been
poised
on
her
fork
while
she
spoke
—
into
her
mouth
,
his
jumping
round
,
and
her
raising
her
head
suddenly
,
made
her
daisies
catch
on
his
beard
;
and
you
never
saw
such
a
funny
sight
,
Mamma
!
It
was
a
nasty
little
wired
dewdrop
that
got
fixed
in
poor
Monsieur
de
Beaupré
's
fur
,
and
there
they
were
:
she
still
grasping
her
fork
and
he
looking
ready
to
eat
her
with
annoyance
.
Their
two
heads
were
fastened
together
,
and
there
they
would
have
remained
,
only
Hippolyte
(
who
always
goes
everywhere
with
the
Baronne
)
came
to
the
rescue
,
and
untangled
them
.
But
it
hurt
the
Marquis
very
much
,
as
some
of
the
hairs
had
to
be
pulled
out
,
and
it
did
not
mend
matters
Hippolyte
muttering
,
"
Cela
doit
être
que
Monsieur
le
Marquis
doit
faire
plus
attention
à
l'affaire
qu'il
a
en
main
,
s'il
désire
garder
ses
cheveux
intacts
.
"
The
Vicomte
's
Proposal
The
affair
made
quite
a
commotion
at
the
table
,
and
Victorine
so
nearly
cried
with
rage
that
the
Marquis
's
mother
had
to
give
her
smelling
salts
.
Mme
.
de
Vermandoise
was
overcome
with
laughter
,
and
her
tongue
was
hardly
ever
out
of
her
gap
,
while
the
Marquis
sat
,
white
with
fury
.
When
we
left
the
table
,
arm-in-arm
,
things
cleared
up
,
and
,
while
we
were
alone
when
the
men
went
back
to
smoke
,
Victorine
was
made
to
"
play
something
,
"
and
she
really
plays
very
well
.
It
was
so
stiflingly
hot
that
at
last
some
one
—
the
Comtesse
,
I
believe
—
asked
to
have
the
windows
opened
on
to
the
terrace
.
There
was
a
fair-sized
moon
,
and
we
all
went
out
there
,
even
Godmamma
for
a
few
moments
.
The
men
came
out
of
the
smoking-room
windows
and
joined
us
,
and
for
the
first
time
since
I
have
been
in
France
we
talked
to
the
persons
we
wanted
to
,
without
either
shouting
across
some
one
else
or
making
a
general
conversation
.
"
Antoine
"
and
Héloise
leant
over
the
balustrade
;
the
Comte
and
the
Marquise
stayed
by
the
window
,
while
the
Vicomte
whispered
to
me
by
the
steps
;
and
Victorine
and
her
Marquis
stood
like
two
wax
figures
,
not
saying
a
word
,
by
the
orange
trees
.
I
do
n't
know
whether
it
was
owing
to
the
moon
or
not
,
but
the
Vicomte
did
say
such
a
lot
of
charming
things
to
me
.
He
said
he
loved
me
,
and
would
I
marry
him
;
he
would
arrange
it
all
,
as
fortunately
he
has
no
parents
to
consult
.
I
seem
to
be
getting
quite
used
to
proposals
now
,
because
it
did
not
excite
me
in
the
least
.
But
I
do
n't
think
I
want
to
marry
any
one
yet
,
Mamma
;
so
I
told
him
you
would
never
let
me
marry
a
Frenchman
,
and
he
had
better
forget
all
about
me
.
He
said
as
much
about
love
as
he
could
in
the
ten
minutes
we
were
left
talking
together
,
and
put
it
so
nicely
—
not
a
bit
that
violent
want-to-eat-one-up-way
the
Marquis
has
.
I
felt
once
or
twice
quite
inclined
to
say
yes
,
if
only
it
had
been
an
affair
of
a
week
;
but
unfortunately
,
even
in
France
,
you
have
to
stay
on
with
people
longer
than
that
,
and
that
is
the
part
I
could
not
have
managed
.
I
made
him
understand
at
last
that
I
really
meant
not
to
have
him
,
and
he
was
very
miserable
.
But
you
ca
n't
tear
your
hair
or
cry
,
with
every
one
looking
on
,
and
,
as
it
all
had
to
be
done
in
a
voice
as
if
one
was
talking
about
the
weather
,
he
did
not
show
much
.
Only
he
looked
very
white
when
we
came
into
the
lights
again
,
but
he
whispered
as
he
said
good-night
that
he
did
not
despair
;
he
would
always
love
me
,
and
when
I
married
some
one
else
his
day
would
come
,
which
I
did
not
think
kind
of
him
,
as
I
do
n't
want
to
be
a
