第1章

TranslatedbyKatharinePrescottWormeley

DEDICATION

ToaPolishLady。

Daughterofanenslavedland，angelthroughlove，witchthroughfancy，childbyfaith，agedbyexperience，maninbrain，womaninheart，giantbyhope，motherthroughsorrows，poetinthydreams，——toTHEEbelongsthisbook，inwhichthylove，thyfancy，thyexperience，thysorrow，thyhope，thydreams，arethewarpthroughwhichisshotawooflessbrilliantthanthepoesyofthysoul，whoseexpression，whenitshinesuponthycountenance，is，tothosewholovethee，whatthecharactersofalostlanguagearetoscholars。

DeBalzac。

MODESTEMIGNON

CHAPTERI

THECHALET

AtthebeginningofOctober，1829，MonsieurSimonBabylasLatournelle，notary，waswalkingupfromHavretoIngouville，arminarmwithhissonandaccompaniedbyhiswife，atwhosesidetheheadclerkofthelawyer’soffice，alittlehunchbacknamedJeanButscha，trottedalonglikeapage。Whenthesefourpersonages（twoofwhomcamethesamewayeveryevening）reachedtheelbowoftheroadwhereitturnsbackuponitselflikethosecalledinItaly\"cornice，\"thenotarylookedabouttoseeifanyonecouldoverhearhimeitherfromtheterraceaboveorthepathbeneath，andwhenhespokeheloweredhisvoiceasafurtherprecaution。

\"Exupere，\"hesaidtohisson，\"youmusttrytocarryoutintelligentlyalittlemanoeuvrewhichIshallexplaintoyou，butyouarenottoaskthemeaningofit;andifyouguessthemeaningI

commandyoutotossitintothatStyxwhicheverylawyerandeverymanwhoexpectstohaveahandinthegovernmentofhiscountryisboundtokeepwithinhimforthesecretsofothers。AfteryouhavepaidyourrespectsandcomplimentstoMadameandMademoiselleMignon，toMonsieurandMadameDumay，andtoMonsieurGobenheimifheisattheChalet，andassoonasquietisrestored，MonsieurDumaywilltakeyouaside;youarethentolookattentivelyatMademoiselleModeste（yes，Iamwillingtoallowit）duringthewholetimeheisspeakingtoyou。

Myworthyfriendwillaskyoutogooutandtakeawalk;attheendofanhour，thatis，aboutnineo’clock，youaretocomebackinagreathurry;trytopuffasifyouwereoutofbreath，andwhisperinMonsieurDumay’sear，quitelow，butsothatMademoiselleModesteissuretooverhearyou，thesewords:’Theyoungmanhascome。’\"

ExuperewastostartthenextmorningforParistobeginthestudyoflaw。ThisimpendingdeparturehadinducedLatournelletoproposehimtohisfriendDumayasanaccompliceintheimportantconspiracywhichthesedirectionsindicate。

\"IsMademoiselleModestesuspectedofhavingalover？\"askedButschainatimidvoiceofMadameLatournelle。

\"Hush，Butscha，\"shereplied，takingherhusband’sarm。

MadameLatournelle，thedaughterofaclerkofthesupremecourt，feelsthatherbirthauthorizeshertoclaimissuefromaparliamentaryfamily。Thisconvictionexplainswhythelady，whoissomewhatblotchedastocomplexion，endeavorstoassumeinherownpersonthemajestyofacourtwhosedecreesarerecordedinherfather’spothooks。Shetakessnuff，holdsherselfasstiffasaramrod，posesforapersonofconsideration，andresemblesnothingsomuchasamummybroughtmomentarilytolifebygalvanism。Shetriestogivehigh—bredtonestohersharpvoice，andsucceedsnobetterindoingthatthaninhidinghergenerallackofbreeding。Hersocialusefulnessseems，however，incontestablewhenweglanceattheflower—

bedeckedcapshewears，atthefalsefrontfrizzlingaroundherforehead，atthegownsofherchoice;forhowcouldshopkeepersdisposeofthoseproductsiftherewerenoMadameLatournelle？Alltheseabsurditiesoftheworthywoman，whoistrulypiousandcharitable，mighthavepassedunnoticed，ifnature，amusingherselfassheoftendoesbyturningouttheseludicrouscreations，hadnotendowedherwiththeheightofadrum—major，andthushelduptoviewthecomicalitiesofherprovincialnature。ShehasneverbeenoutofHavre;shebelievesintheinfallibilityofHavre;sheproclaimsherselfNormantotheverytipsofherfingers;sheveneratesherfather，andadoresherhusband。

LittleLatournellewasboldenoughtomarrythisladyaftershehadattainedtheanti—matrimonialageofthirty—three，andwhatismore，hehadasonbyher。Ashecouldhavegotthesixtythousandfrancsofher\"dot\"inseveralotherways，thepublicassignedhisuncommonintrepiditytoadesiretoescapeaninvasionoftheMinotaur，againstwhomhispersonalqualificationswouldhaveinsufficientlyprotectedhimhadherashlydaredhisfatebybringinghomeayoungandprettywife。Thefactwas，however，thatthenotaryrecognizedthereallyfinequalitiesofMademoiselleAgnes（shewascalledAgnes）andreflectedtohimselfthatawoman’sbeautyissoonpastandgonetoahusband。AstotheinsignificantyouthonwhomtheclerkofthecourtbestowedinbaptismhisNormannameof\"Exupere，\"MadameLatournelleisstillsosurprisedatbecominghismother，attheageofthirty—

fiveyearsandsevenmonths，thatshewouldstillprovidehim，ifitwerenecessary，withherbreastandhermilk，——anhyperbolewhichalonecanfullyexpressherimpassionedmaternity。\"Howhandsomeheis，thatsonofmine！\"shesaystoherlittlefriendModeste，astheywalktochurch，withthebeautifulExupereinfrontofthem。\"Heislikeyou，\"ModesteMignonanswers，verymuchasshemighthavesaid，\"Whathorridweather！\"ThissilhouetteofMadameLatournelleisquiteimportantasanaccessory，inasmuchasforthreeyearsshehasbeenthechaperoneoftheyounggirlagainstwhomthenotaryandhisfriendDumayarenowplottingtosetupwhatwehavecalled，inthe\"PhysiologieduMariage，\"a\"mouse—trap。\"

AsforLatournelle，imagineaworthylittlefellowasslyasthepuresthonoranduprightnesswouldallowhimtobe，——amanwhomanystrangerwouldtakeforarascalatsightofhisqueerphysiognomy，towhich，however，theinhabitantsofHavrewerewellaccustomed。Hiseyesight，saidtobeweak，obligedtheworthymantoweargreengogglesfortheprotectionofhiseyes，whichwereconstantlyinflamed。Thearchofeacheyebrow，definedbyathindownofhair，surroundedthetortoise—shellrimoftheglassesandmadeacoupleofcirclesasitwere，slightlyapart。Ifyouhaveneverobservedonthehumanfacetheeffectproducedbythesecircumferencesplacedonewithintheother，andseparatedbyahollowspaceorline，youcanhardlyimaginehowperplexingsuchafacewillbetoyou，especiallyifpale，hollow—cheeked，andterminatinginapointedchinlikethatofMephistopheles，——atypewhichpaintersgivetocats。ThisdoubleresemblancewasobservableonthefaceofBabylasLatournelle。Abovetheatrociousgreenspectaclesroseabaldcrown，allthemorecraftyinexpressionbecauseawig，seeminglyendowedwithmotion，letthewhitehairsshowonallsidesofitasitmeanderedcrookedlyacrosstheforehead。AnobservertakingnoteofthisexcellentNorman，clothedinblackandmountedonhistwolegslikeabeetleonacoupleofpins，andknowinghimtobeoneofthemosttrustworthyofmen，wouldhavesought，withoutfindingit，forthereasonofsuchphysicalmisrepresentation。

JeanButscha，anaturalsonabandonedbyhisparentsandtakencareofbytheclerkofthecourtandhisdaughter，andnow，throughsheerhardwork，head—clerktothenotary，fedandlodgedbyhismaster，whogavehimasalaryofninehundredfrancs，almostadwarf，andwithnosemblanceofyouth，——JeanButschamadeModestehisidol，andwouldwillinglyhavegivenhislifeforhers。Thepoorfellow，whoseeyeswerehollowedbeneaththeirheavylidslikethetouch—holesofacannon，whoseheadoverweightedhisbody，withitsshockofcrisphair，andwhosefacewaspock—marked，hadlivedunderpityingeyesfromthetimehewassevenyearsofage。Isnotthatenoughtoexplainhiswholebeing？Silent，self—contained，pious，exemplaryinconduct，hewenthiswayoverthatvasttractofcountrynamedonthemapoftheheartLove—without—Hope，thesublimeandaridsteppesofDesire。

Modestehadchristenedthisgrotesquelittlebeingher\"BlackDwarf。\"

ThenicknamesenthimtothepagesofWalterScott’snovel，andheonedaysaidtoModeste:\"Willyouacceptaroseagainsttheevildayfromyourmysteriousdwarf？\"Modesteinstantlysentthesoulofheradorertoitshumblemud—cabinwithaterribleglance，suchasyounggirlsbestowonthemenwhocannotpleasethem。Butscha’sconceptionofhimselfwaslowly，and，likethewifeofhismaster，hehadneverbeenoutofHavre。

Perhapsitwillbewell，forthesakeofthosewhohaveneverseenthatcity，tosayafewwordsastothepresentdestinationoftheLatournellefamily，——theheadclerkbeingincludedinthelatterterm。

IngouvilleistoHavrewhatMontmartreistoParis，——ahighhillatthefootofwhichthecitylies;withthisdifference，thatthehillandthecityaresurroundedbytheseaandtheSeine，thatHavreishelplesslycircumscribedbyenclosingfortifications，and，inshort，thatthemouthoftheriver，theharbor，andthedockspresentaverydifferentaspectfromthefiftythousandhousesofParis。AtthefootofMontmartreanoceanofslateroofsliesinmotionlessbluebillows;

atIngouvilletheseaislikethesameroofsstirredbythewind。Thiseminence，orlineofhills，whichcoaststheSeinefromRouentotheseashore，leavingamarginofvalleylandmoreorlessnarrowbetweenitselfandtheriver，andcontaininginitscities，itsravines，itsvales，itsmeadows，veritabletreasuresofthepicturesque，becameofenormousvalueinandaboutIngouville，aftertheyear1816，theperiodatwhichtheprosperityofHavrebegan。ThistownshiphasbecomesincethattimetheAuteuil，theVille—d’Avray，theMontmorency，inshort，thesuburbanresidenceofthemerchantsofHavre。Heretheybuildtheirhousesonterracesarounditsampitheatreofhills，andbreathetheseaairladenwiththefragranceoftheirsplendidgardens。Heretheseboldspeculatorscastofftheburdenoftheircounting—roomsandtheatmosphereoftheircityhouses，whicharebuiltcloselytogetherwithoutopenspaces，oftenwithoutcourt—

yards，——aviceofconstructionwiththeincreasingpopulationofHavre，theinflexiblelineofthefortifications，andtheenlargementofthedockshasforceduponthem。Theresultis，wearinessofheartinHavre，cheerfulnessandjoyatIngouville。ThelawofsocialdevelopmenthasforcedupthesuburbofGravillelikeamushroom。Itisto—daymoreextensivethanHavreitself，whichliesatthefootofitsslopeslikeaserpent。

AtthecrestofthehillIngouvillehasbutonestreet，and（asinallsuchsituations）thehouseswhichoverlooktheriverhaveanimmenseadvantageoverthoseontheothersideoftheroad，whoseviewtheyobstruct，andwhichpresenttheeffectofstandingontip—toetolookovertheopposingroofs。However，thereexisthere，aselsewhere，certainservitudes。Somehousesstandingatthesummithaveafinerpositionorpossesslegalrightsofviewwhichcompeltheiroppositeneighborstokeeptheirbuildingsdowntoarequiredheight。Moreover，theopeningscutinthecapriciousrockbyroadswhichfollowitsdeclensionsandmaketheampitheatrehabitable，givevistasthroughwhichsomeestatescanseethecity，ortheriver，orthesea。Insteadofrisingtoanactualpeak，thehillendsabruptlyinacliff。Attheendofthestreetwhichfollowsthelineofthesummit，ravinesappearinwhichafewvillagesareclustered（Sainte—AdresseandtwoorthreeotherSaint—somethings）togetherwithseveralcreekswhichmurmurandflowwiththetidesofthesea。Thesehalf—desertedslopesofIngouvilleformastrikingcontrasttotheterracesoffinevillaswhichoverlookthevalleyoftheSeine。Isthewindonthissidetoostrongforvegetation？Dothemerchantsshrinkfromthecostofterracingit？Howeverthismaybe，thetravellerapproachingHavreonasteamerissurprisedtofindabarrencoastandtangledgorgestothewestofIngouville，likeabeggarinragsbesideaperfumedandsumptuouslyapparelledrichman。

In1829oneofthelasthouseslookingtowardthesea，andwhichinallprobabilitystandsaboutthecentreoftheIngouvilleto—day，wascalled，andperhapsisstillcalled，\"theChalet。\"Originallyitwasaporter’slodgewithatrimlittlegardeninfrontofit。Theownerofthevillatowhichitbelonged，——amansionwithpark，gardens，aviaries，hot—houses，andlawns——tookafancytoputthelittledwellingmoreinkeepingwiththesplendorofhisownabode，andhereconstructeditonthemodelofanornamentalcottage。Hedividedthiscottagefromhisownlawn，whichwasborderedandsetwithflower—bedsandformedtheterraceofhisvilla，byalowwallalongwhichheplantedaconcealinghedge。Behindthecottage（called，inspiteofallhiseffortstopreventit，theChalet）weretheorchardsandkitchengardensofthevilla。TheChalet，withoutcowsordairy，isseparatedfromtheroadwaybyawoodenfencewhosepalingsarehiddenunderaluxurianthedge。Ontheothersideoftheroadtheoppositehouse，subjecttoalegalprivilege，hasasimilarhedgeandpaling，soastoleaveanunobstructedviewofHavretotheChalet。

Thislittledwellingwasthetormentofthepresentproprietorofthevilla，MonsieurVilquin;andhereisthewhyandthewherefore。Theoriginalcreatorofthevilla，whosesumptuousdetailscryaloud，\"Beholdourmillions！\"extendedhisparkfarintothecountryforthepurpose，asheaverred，ofgettinghisgardenersoutofhispockets;

andso，whentheChaletwasfinished，nonebutafriendcouldbeallowedtoinhabitit。MonsieurMignon，thenextowneroftheproperty，wasverymuchattachedtohiscashier，Dumay，andthefollowinghistorywillprovethattheattachmentwasmutual;tohimthereforeheofferedthelittledwelling。Dumay，asticklerforlegalmethods，insistedonsigningaleaseforthreehundredfrancsfortwelveyears，andMonsieurMignonwillinglyagreed，remarking，——

\"MydearDumay，remember，youhavenowboundyourselftolivewithmefortwelveyears。\"

Inconsequenceofcertaineventswhichwillpresentlyberelated，theestatesofMonsieurMignon，formerlytherichestmerchantinHavre，weresoldtoVilquin，oneofhisbusinesscompetitors。InhisjoyatgettingpossessionofthecelebratedvillaMignon，thelatterforgottodemandthecancellingofthelease。Dumay，anxiousnottohinderthesale，wouldhavesignedanythingVilquinrequired，butthesaleoncemade，heheldtohisleaselikeavengeance。Andthereheremained，inVilquin’spocketasitwere;attheheartofVilquin’sfamilylife，observingVilquin，irritatingVilquin，——inshort，thegadflyofalltheVilquins。Everymorning，whenhelookedoutofhiswindow，Vilquinfeltaviolentshockofannoyanceashiseyelightedonthelittlegemofabuilding，theChalet，whichhadcostsixtythousandfrancsandsparkledlikearubyinthesun。Thatcomparisonisverynearlyexact。Thearchitecthasconstructedthecottageofbrilliantredbrickpointedwithwhite。Thewindow—framesarepaintedofalivelygreen，thewoodworkisbrownvergingonyellow。Theroofoverhangsbyseveralfeet。Aprettygallery，withopen—workedbalustrade，surmountsthelowerfloorandprojectsatthecentreofthefacadeintoaverandawithglasssides。Theground—floorhasacharmingsalonandadining—room，separatedfromeachotherbythelandingofastaircasebuiltofwood，designedanddecoratedwithelegantsimplicity。Thekitchenisbehindthedining—room，andthecorrespondingroombackofthesalon，formerlyastudy，isnowthebedroomofMonsieurandMadameDumay。Ontheupperfloorthearchitecthasmanagedtogettwolargebedrooms，eachwithadressing—room，towhichtheverandaservesasasalon;andabovethisfloor，undertheeaves，whicharetippedtogetherlikeacoupleofcards，aretwoservants’roomswithmansardroofs，eachlightedbyacircularwindowandtolerablyspacious。

Vilquinhasbeenpettyenoughtobuildahighwallonthesidetowardtheorchardandkitchengarden;andinconsequenceofthispieceofspite，thefewsquarefeetwhichtheleasesecuredtotheChaletresembledaParisiangarden。Theout—buildings，paintedinkeepingwiththecottage，stoodwiththeirbackstothewalloftheadjoiningproperty。

Theinteriorofthischarmingdwellingharmonizedwithitsexterior。

Thesalon，flooredentirelywithiron—wood，waspaintedinastylethatsuggestedthebeautiesofChineselacquer。Onblackpanelsedgedwithgold，birdsofeverycolor，foliageofimpossiblegreens，andfantasticorientaldesignsglowedandshimmered。Thedining—roomwasentirelysheathedinNorthernwoodscarvedandcutinopen—worklikethebeautifulRussianchalets。ThelittleantechamberformedbythelandingandthewellofthestaircasewaspaintedinoldoaktorepresentGothicornament。Thebedrooms，hungwithchintz，werecharmingintheircostlysimplicity。Thestudy，wherethecashierandhiswifenowslept，waspanelledfromtoptobottom，onthewallsandceiling，likethecabinofasteamboat。TheseluxuriesofhispredecessorexcitedVilquin’swrath。Hewouldfainhavelodgedhisdaughterandherhusbandinthecottage。Thisdesire，wellknowntoDumay，willpresentlyservetoillustratetheBretonobstinacyofthelatter。

TheentrancetotheChaletisbyalittletrellisedirondoor，theuprightsofwhich，endinginlance—heads，showforafewinchesabovethefenceanditshedge。Thelittlegarden，aboutaswideasthemorepretentiouslawn，wasjustnowfilledwithflowers，roses，anddahliasofthechoicestkind，andmanyrareproductsofthehot—houses，for（anotherVilquinardgrievance）theelegantlittlehot—house，averywhimofahot—house，ahot—houserepresentingdignityandstyle，belongedtotheChalet，andseparated，orifyouprefer，unitedittothevillaVilquin。Dumayconsoledhimselfforthetoilsofbusinessintakingcareofthishot—house，whoseexotictreasureswereoneofModeste’sjoys。Thebilliard—roomofthevillaVilquin，aspeciesofgallery，formerlycommunicatedthroughanimmenseaviarywiththishot—house。Butafterthebuildingofthewallwhichdeprivedhimofaviewintotheorchards，Dumaybrickedupthedoorofcommunication。

\"Wallforwall！\"hesaid。

In1827VilquinofferedDumayasalaryofsixthousandfrancs，andtenthousandmoreasindemnity，ifhewouldgiveupthelease。Thecashierrefused;thoughhehadbutthreethousandfrancsfromGobenheim，aformerclerkofhismaster。DumaywasaBretontransplantedbyfateintoNormandy。ImaginethereforethehatredconceivedforthetenantsoftheChaletbytheNormanVilquin，amanworththreemillions！Whatcriminalleze—milliononthepartofacashier，toholduptotheeyesofsuchamantheimpotenceofhiswealth！Vilquin，whosedesperationinthemattermadehimthetalkofHavre，hadjustproposedtogiveDumayaprettyhouseofhisown，andhadagainbeenrefused。Havreitselfbegantogrowuneasyattheman’sobstinacy，andagoodmanypersonsexplaineditbythephrase，\"DumayisaBreton。\"Asforthecashier，hethoughtMadameandMademoiselleMignonwouldbeill—lodgedelsewhere。Histwoidolsnowinhabitedatempleworthyofthem;thesumptuouslittlecottagegavethemahome，wherethesedethronedroyaltiescouldkeepthesemblanceofmajestyaboutthem，——aspeciesofdignityusuallydeniedtothosewhohaveseenbetterdays。

Perhapsasthestorygoeson，thereaderwillnotregrethavinglearnedinadvanceafewparticularsastothehomeandthehabitualcompanionsofModesteMignon，for，atherage，peopleandthingshaveasmuchinfluenceuponthefuturelifeasaperson’sowncharacter，——

indeed，characteroftenreceivesineffaceableimpressionsfromitssurroundings。

CHAPTERII

APORTRAITFROMLIFE

FromthemannerwithwhichtheLatournellesenteredtheChaletastrangerwouldreadilyhaveguessedthattheycamethereeveryevening。

\"Ah，youareherealready，\"saidthenotary，perceivingtheyoungbankerGobenheim，aconnectionofGobenheim—Keller，theheadofthegreatbankinghouseinParis。

Thisyoungmanwithalividface——ablondeofthetypewithblackeyes，whoseimmovableglancehasanindescribablefascination，soberinspeechasinconduct，dressedinblack，leanasaconsumptive，butneverthelessvigorouslyframed——visitedthefamilyofhisformermasterandthehouseofhiscashierlessfromaffectionthanfromself—interest。Heretheyplayedwhistattwosousapoint;adress—

coatwasnotrequired;heacceptednorefreshmentexcept\"eausucree，\"

andconsequentlyhadnocivilitiestoreturn。ThisapparentdevotiontotheMignonfamilyallowedittobesupposedthatGobenheimhadaheart;italsoreleasedhimfromthenecessityofgoingintothesocietyofHavreandincurringuselessexpenses，thusupsettingtheorderlyeconomyofhisdomesticlife。Thisdiscipleofthegoldencalfwenttobedathalf—pastteno’clockandgotupatfiveinthemorning。Moreover，beingperfectlysureofLatournelle’sandButscha’sdiscretion，hecouldtalkoverdifficultbusinessmatters，obtaintheadviceofthenotarygratis，andgetaninklingoftherealtruthofthegossipofthestreet。Thisstolidgold—glutton（theepithetisButscha’s）belongedbynaturetotheclassofsubstanceswhichchemistrytermsabsorbents。EversincethecatastropheofthehouseofMignon，wheretheKellershadplacedhimtolearntheprinciplesofmaritimecommerce，nooneattheChalethadeveraskedhimtodothesmallestthing，nomatterwhat;hisreplywastoowellknown。TheyoungfellowlookedatModestepreciselyashewouldhavelookedatacheaplithograph。

\"He’soneofthepistonsofthebigenginecalled’Commerce，’\"saidpoorButscha，whoseclevermindmadeitselffeltoccasionallybysuchlittlesayingstimidlyjerkedout。

ThefourLatournellesbowedwiththemostrespectfuldeferencetoanoldladydressedinblackvelvet，whodidnotrisefromthearmchairinwhichshewasseated，forthereasonthatbotheyeswerecoveredwiththeyellowfilmproducedbycataract。MadameMignonmaybesketchedinonesentence。Heraugustcountenanceofthemotherofafamilyattractedinstantnoticeasthatofonewhoseirreproachablelifedefiestheassaultsofdestiny，whichneverthelessmakesherthetargetofitsarrowsandamemberoftheunnumberedtribeofNiobes。

Herblondewig，carefullycurledandwellarrangeduponherhead，becamethecoldwhitefacewhichresembledthatofsomeburgomaster’swifepaintedbyHalsorMirevelt。Theextremeneatnessofherdress，thevelvetboots，thelacecollar，theshawlevenlyfoldedandputon，allboretestimonytothesolicitouscarewhichModestebestoweduponhermother。

Whensilencewas，asthenotaryhadpredicted，restoredintheprettysalon，Modeste，sittingbesidehermother，forwhomshewasembroideringakerchief，becameforaninstantthecentreofobservation。Thiscuriosity，barelyveiledbythecommonplacesalutationsandinquiriesofthevisitors，wouldhaverevealedeventoanindifferentpersontheexistenceofthedomesticplottowhichModestewasexpectedtofallavictim;butGobenheim，morethanindifferent，noticednothing，andproceededtolightthecandlesonthecard—table。ThebehaviorofDumaymadethewholesceneterrifyingtoButscha，totheLatournelles，andabovealltoMadameDumay，whoknewherhusbandtobecapableoffiringapistolatModeste’sloverascoollyasthoughhewereamaddog。

AfterdinnerthatdaythecashierhadgonetowalkfollowedbytwomagnificentPyreneeshounds，whomhesuspectedofbetrayinghim，andthereforeleftinchargeofafarmer，aformertenantofMonsieurMignon。Onhisreturn，justbeforethearrivaloftheLatournelles，hehadtakenhispistolsfromhisbed’sheadandplacedthemonthechimney—piece，concealingthisactionfromModeste。Theyounggirltooknonoticewhateverofthesepreparations，singularastheywere。

Thoughshort，thick—set，pockmarked，andspeakingalwaysinalowvoiceasiflisteningtohimself，thisBreton，aformerlieutenantintheGuard，showedtheevidenceofsuchresolution，suchsang—froidonhisfacethatthroughoutlife，eveninthearmy，noonehadeverventuredtotriflewithhim。Hislittleeyes，ofacalmblue，werelikebitsofsteel。Hisways，thelookonhisface，hisspeech，hiscarriage，wereallinkeepingwiththeshortnameofDumay。Hisphysicalstrength，well—knowntoeveryone，puthimabovealldangerofattack。Hewasabletokillamanwithablowofhisfist，andhadperformedthatfeatatBautzen，wherehefoundhimself，unarmed，facetofacewithaSaxonattherearofhiscompany。Atthepresentmomenttheusuallyfirmyetgentleexpressionoftheman’sfacehadrisentoasortoftragicsublimity;hislipswerepaleastherestofhisface，indicatingatumultwithinhimmasteredbyhisBretonwill;aslightsweat，whicheveryonenoticedandguessedtobecold，moistenedhisbrow。Thenotaryknewbuttoowellthatthesesignsmightresultinadramabeforethecriminalcourts。InfactthecashierwasplayingapartinconnectionwithModesteMignon，whichinvolvedtohismindsentimentsofhonorandloyaltyoffargreaterimportancethanmeresociallaws;andhispresentconductproceededfromoneofthosecompactswhich，incasedisastercameofit，couldbejudgedonlyinahighercourtthanoneofearth。Themajorityofdramasliereallyintheideaswhichwemaketoourselvesaboutthings。Eventswhichseemtousdramaticarenothingmorethansubjectswhichoursoulsconvertintotragedyorcomedyaccordingtothebentofourcharacters。

MadameLatournelleandMadameDumay，whowereappointedtowatchModeste，hadacertainassumedstiffnessofdemeanorandaquiverintheirvoices，whichthesuspectedpartydidnotnotice，soabsorbedwassheinherembroidery。Modestelaideachthreadofcottonwithaprecisionthatwouldhavemadeanordinaryworkwomandesperate。Herfaceexpressedthepleasureshetookinthesmoothpetalsoftheflowershewasworking。Thedwarf，seatedbetweenhismistressandGobenheim，restrainedhisemotion，tryingtofindmeanstoapproachModesteandwhisperawordofwarninginherear。

BytakingapositioninfrontofMadameMignon，MadameLatournelle，withthediabolicalintelligenceofconscientiousduty，hadisolatedModeste。MadameMignon，whoseblindnessalwaysmadehersilent，wasevenpalerthanusual，showingplainlythatshewasawareofthetesttowhichherdaughterwasabouttobesubjected。Perhapsatthelastmomentsherevoltedfromthestratagem，necessaryasitmightseemtoher。Hencehersilence;shewasweepinginwardly。Exupere，thespringofthetrap，waswhollyignorantofthepieceinwhichhewastoplayapart。Gobenheim，byreasonofhischaracter，remainedinastateofindifferenceequaltothatdisplayedbyModeste。Toaspectatorwhounderstoodthesituation，thiscontrastbetweentheignoranceofsomeandthepalpitatinginterestofotherswouldhaveseemedquitepoetic。

Nowadaysromance—writersarrangesucheffects;anditisquitewithintheirprovincetodoso，fornatureinallagestakesthelibertytobestrongerthanthey。Inthisinstance，asyouwillsee，nature，socialnature，whichisasecondnaturewithinnature，amusedherselfbymakingtruthmoreinterestingthanfiction;justasmountaintorrentsdescribecurveswhicharebeyondtheskillofpainterstoconvey，andaccomplishgiantdeedsindisplacingorsmoothingstoneswhicharethewonderofarchitectsandsculptors。

Itwaseighto’clock。Atthatseasontwilightwasstillsheddingitslastgleams;therewasnotacloudinthesky;thebalmyaircaressedtheearth，theflowersgaveforththeirfragrance，thestepsofpedestriansturninghomewardsoundedalongthegravellyroad，theseashonelikeamirror，andtherewassolittlewindthatthewaxcandlesuponthecard—tablessentupasteadyflame，althoughthewindowswerewideopen。Thissalon，thisevening，thisdwelling——whataframefortheportraitoftheyounggirlwhomthesepersonswerenowstudyingwiththeprofoundattentionofapainterinpresenceoftheMargharitaDoni，oneofthegloriesofthePittipalace。Modeste，——blossomenclosed，likethatofCatullus，——wassheworthalltheseprecautions？

Youhaveseenthecage;beholdthebird！Justtwentyyearsofage，slenderanddelicateasthesirenswhichEnglishdesignersinventfortheir\"BooksofBeauty，\"Modestewas，likehermotherbeforeher，thecaptivatingembodimentofagracetoolittleunderstoodinFrance，wherewechoosetocallitsentimentality，butwhichamongGermanwomenisthepoetryoftheheartcomingtothesurfaceofthebeingandspendingitself——inaffectationsiftheownerissilly，indivinecharmsofmannerifsheis\"spirituelle\"andintelligent。Remarkableforherpalegoldenhair，Modestebelongedtothetypeofwomancalled，perhapsinmemoryofEve，thecelestialblonde;whosesatinyskinislikeasilkpaperappliedtotheflesh，shudderingatthewinterofacoldlook，expandinginthesunshineofalovingglance，——

teachingthehandtobejealousoftheeye。Beneathherhair，whichwassoftandfeatheryandworninmanycurls，thebrow，whichmighthavebeentracedbyacompasssopurewasitsmodelling，shoneforthdiscreet，calmtoplacidity，andyetluminouswiththought:whenandwherecouldanotherbefoundsotransparentlyclearormoreexquisitelysmooth？Itseemed，likeapearl，tohaveitsorient。Theeyes，ofabluevergingongrayandlimpidastheeyesofachild，hadallthemischief，alltheinnocenceofchildhood，andtheyharmonizedwellwiththearchoftheeyebrows，faintlyindicatedbylineslikethosemadewithabrushonChinesefaces。Thiscandorofthesoulwasstillfurtherevidencedaroundtheeyes，intheircorners，andaboutthetemples，bypearlytintsthreadedwithblue，thespecialprivilegeofthesedelicatecomplexions。Theface，whoseovalRaphaelsooftengavetohisMadonnas，wasremarkableforthesoberandvirginaltoneofthecheeks，softasaBengalrose，uponwhichthelonglashesofthediaphanouseyelidscastshadowsthatweremingledwithlight。Thethroat，bendingassheworked，toodelicateperhaps，andofmilkywhiteness，recalledthosevanishinglinesthatLeonardoloved。Afewlittleblemisheshereandthere，likethepatchesoftheeighteenthcentury，provedthatModestewasindeedachildofearth，andnotacreationdreamedofinItalybytheangelicschool。Herlips，delicateyetfull，wereslightlymockingandsomewhatsensuous;thewaist，whichwassuppleandyetnotfragile，hadnoterrorsformaternity，likethoseofgirlswhoseekbeautybythefatalpressureofacorset。

Steelanddimityandlacingsdefinedbutdidnotcreatetheserpentinelinesoftheelegantfigure，gracefulasthatofayoungpoplarswayinginthewind。

Apearl—graydresswithcrimsontrimmings，madewithalongwaist，modestlyoutlinedthebustandcoveredtheshoulders，stillratherthin，withachemisettewhichleftnothingtoviewbutthefirstcurvesofthethroatwhereitjoinedtheshoulders。Fromtheaspectoftheyounggirl’sface，atonceetherealandintelligent，wherethedelicacyofaGreeknosewithitsrosynostrilsandfirmmodellingmarkedsomethingpositiveanddefined;wherethepoetryenthroneduponanalmostmysticbrowseemedbeliedattimesbythepleasure—lovingexpressionofthemouth;wherecandorclaimedthedepthsprofoundandvariedoftheeye，anddisputedthemwithaspiritofironythatwastrainedandeducated，——fromallthesesignsanobserverwouldhavefeltthatthisyounggirl，withthekeen，alertearthatwakedateverysound，withanostrilopentocatchthefragranceofthecelestialfloweroftheIdeal，wasdestinedtobethebattle—groundofastrugglebetweenthepoesiesofthedawnandthelaborsoftheday;