Original Short Stories of Maupassant, Volume 1

ter, dated the day after we had left, that

omise. For the moment I am at the inn, where I have

nd as her children were with their grandparents. I have learned all this since yesterday, and it has turned my ideas of vengeance into more humane feelings. At the very moment when I felt pleasure in in

chwoman? You think that you will do right in

' I re

t you are going to do in burning me. I aveng

ou approve of this vengea

not f

without trembling, while I brought wood and dried leaves together, and feverishly threw on

and he seemed to be looking at me with his large, glassy eyes, and I applied myself to my work again after kiss

frightened?'

ss your husband, I thought

ing suddenly, she said to me in

ou any c

in it I saw two photographs of quite young children, a boy and a girl, with those kind, gentle, chubby faces that German children ha

r little

dead husband, who was not to be avenged, I went with her as far as the inn. She is free; I have just left her, and she kiss

ed what it all meant, I was told that there was a captain of francs-tireurs and his wife inside, both d

ly. "Go in if you wish to, as you know them. You

were covered by a sheet. I raised it, and saw that the woman had inflict

weeping, the woman who had been mentioned to me

PRIS

noon; a little fine snow, that covered the branches as with frozen moss, and spread a silvery covering over the dead leaves in the d

he elbow, was chopping wood with a hatchet on a block of stone. She was tall

ed from with

must come in. It is getting dark, and

se log of wood with strong, deft blows, which expanded her chest each time she raised

mney corner, went back to close the great oaken shutters, and f

an whom age had rendered timid

en your father's not here. T

"I'd cheerfully kill a wolf or

heavy revolver hang

n, and the two women had remained alone with the old father, a keeper named Nicolas Pichon, so

ify their native place, and, if need be, to stand a siege as in the good old days. Twice already, under Henri IV and under Louis XIV, the people of Reth

the square. All-bakers, grocers, butchers, lawyers, carpenters, booksellers, chemists-took their turn at military training at regular hours of the day, under the auspice

had enlisted all the others who were in favor of resisting an attack. Fat men now invariably walked the streets at a r

were not far off, however, for twice already their scouts had penetra

come and warned the town. The guns had been go

rest. Twice a week the old man went to the town for provis

n infantry had halted at his house the day before, about two o'clock in the afternoon, a

lions-as a safeguard against the wolves, which were beginning to get fierce, and he left directio

her mother was always apprehen

one of these days.

s, if possible, mor

me your father will

ertain. When he dines with th

he soup when she suddenly stood still, listening attenti

in the wood," she said; "s

an stopped her spinni

And your fath

eaking when a succession of

o reply, a loud, gu

the

ilence the same

or or I'll b

ook, slipped it into the pocket of her skir

ded the young woman.

came here the other d

in the forest since morning. Ope

open the ponderous shutter, and perceived in the wan light of the snow six m

e at this time of night

them completely. Then I recognized this house. I'

with my mother this e

of fellow. "We won't do you any harm, but you must give us s

girl mo

in;" s

led with a creamy-looking froth, which gave them the

the wooden benches on eit

make you some soup. You certainl

olted the

hen, taking down a piece of bacon from a hook in the chimne

ad placed their rifles and helmets in a corner and waited

nd uneasy glance at the soldiers. Nothing was to be heard save the humming of

arsh breathing of some wild animal sniffing und

he rifles. Berthine stopped him wi

ey are like you-prowling

oon as the door was opened he perceived two large grayish ani

to his sea

t have bel

quietly till s

ght swallow the more. Their round eyes opened at the same time as their jaws, and as the

nts of the big red beards. The potatoes see

he cellar was small, with an arched ceiling, and had served, so people said, both as prison and as hiding-place during the Re

ling mysteriously to herself. She

supped apart, at the o

they sat round the table. Every now and then a forehead fell with a

said to t

e fire. There's lots of room for six.

be heard locking the door and walking abou

ire and their heads resting on their rolled-up cloaks. Soon a

dly that it seemed directed against the very wall's of the house

, barefooted and only half dressed, with her c

nd you here they'll burn the house down. For God's sake, hurry down into the cel

plied the terrified offi

or, and the six men disappeared one after another down the

thick as a wall, hard as steel, furnished with the hinges and bolts of a prison cell-shot the two heavy bolts

lar as in a strong-box, obtaining air o

hung the pot over it, and prepa

ll be tire

vy pendulum of the clock swung t

n cast an impatient glance at the

he'd b

he masonry which roofed the cellar. The Prussians were beginning to suspect the trick she had pl

e door!"

d, rising from her seat and

the

do any su

eak it down!" shout

laug

my good man!

un at the closed oaken door. But it

one after another and tried their strength against the trapdoor. But, finding their

, then she rose, opened the door of the hou

would, and almost immediately two great dogs emerged from the darkness, and

o, fa

f voice

, Bert

few seconds,

o, fa

nearer no

, Bert

ole!" shouted his daughter. "The

could be seen to the left, st

r?" he asked anxiously.

g woman

rday. They lost their way, and I've g

larmed them by firing the revolver,

till serio

do with them at th

his men," she replied. "He'll take

ther s

will-de

" said his daughter. "Eat

an to eat his soup, having first filled two p

hearing voice

hour later, and Berthine, with h

y shouted, called, and beat furiously with the butts of

hoping, no doubt, to be heard by any German d

nerved her. Blind anger rose in her heart against the prisoners; she

she watched the clock, count

ale with emotion, and rang for his servant to bring him his arms and uniform. She fancied she could bear the drum as it sounded the call to arms. Frightened faces a

legs at its head, set forth through th

clock. "They may b

her. The minutes seemed intermi

e opened the door to listen for their approach. She perceived a shadowy form c

, "to see if there is any ch

-no

dark mass loomed up under the trees; t

he vent-hole!" repeated

ed out the much-dreaded vent

arrived, in all two hundred men, ea

to surround the whole house, save for a large space left vacant in front of the littl

the trap-door a blow w

ak to the Prus

an did n

icer!" again shou

th bag and baggage, promising him that all lives should be spared, and that he and his men should be accorded mil

across their chest, as cabdrivers do, to warm themselves, and gazing at

s fleet of limb. He ran like a deer across the zone of danger.

ice

s no on

tly from one side to the other, like a boy playing baseball, kicking up the snow behind him as he ran. They had lighted big fires of dead wood at which

one s

turn now,

corpulent person served to point

ffort, he set off at a little, waddling gait, which shook his

son!" they shouted f

rt followed, and the fat baker fell face forward to the ground, uttering a frightful scream. No one went to his assistanc

the upper par

Lavigne appeared on the threshold of the forester's dwelling. He had formed his plan

en appr

vestroughs f

they brought the command

in the trap-door; then, making a conduit with the troughs from the

se German gentlemen

rst from his followers. And the commandant organized relays of men,

mp!

r trickled throughout the length of the piping, and flowed from

wai

, walked up and down the kitchen, putting his ear to the ground every now and then to

be heard moving the casks about, t

ng, a voice came from the vent-hole "I

window, taking care not t

u surr

urre

your rifle

nto the snow, then another and another, until all were

re. Be quick!

!" ordered th

handle hung

ith armed and waiting soldiers, h

ong, sandy hair, and one after another the six Germans e

they set off at once in two convoys, one in charge of the prisone

riumphal entr

ed a Prussian advance guard, and the fat baker received the

TTLE S

right on leaving the barracks, crossed Courbevoie with rapid strides, as though on a forced march;

ff shako one could just barely perceive two thin, hollow-cheeked Breton faces, with their calm, naive blue eyes. They never spoke during their journey, going straight before them, the same idea in

they arrived under the trees, they would take off the

stood there several minutes, bending over the railing, watching the white sails, whic

's. A piece of bologna, four cents' worth of bread, and a quart of wine, made up the luncheon which they carried away, wrappe

rest which seemed to remind them of that other forest at Kermarivan. The wheat and oat

e home, just l

s just li

full of dim memories of home. They saw the f

n the edge of the private estate, because i

e Ganidec would cut off a small stick, and, whittling i

n carried th

ld little by little gain possession of their minds, sending them back through space, to the well-known forms and noises, to the familiar scenery, with the fragrance of its gr

ted and sad, haunted by a sweet sorrow, the slow and penetrating s

y they took their meal. They found the two bricks, which they had hidden in a hedge, and the

lves out on the grass side by side, without speaking, their half-closed eyes looking away in the distance, th

dairy maid would soon be coming. Every Sunday she would pass in front of them on th

m to watch the sparkling sunbeams reflected from her shining pail. They nev

ckled and tanned by the open air-a

were always sitting in the s

always c

re daring than his

me here for

g them, she smiled with the kindly smile of a wo

here? Are you watc

d up, smile

"It's not growi

till laughing:

ack with her pail full of milk,

t will remind

nctively, guessed and

ink, carefully watching lest he should take more than his share. Then he passed the bottle to Jean. She stood before them, her hands on he

as it receded in the distance, blending w

they left the barrac

we ought to buy h

favor of bringing her some chitterlings; but Jean, who had a sweet tooth, thought that candy would be

e quickly than usual,

her. "There she is," he said; and

en she saw th

w are you

answered

ow's everythi

ngs which might interest them; of the

which were slowly melting in Jean's pocke

rought you

d: "Let'

rs, reached in his pocket, and drawing ou

dainties. The two soldiers sat in

lking, and when she came back

and often spoke of her: The following Sun

ped over their knees, and they told each other little incidents and little details of the villages where

en she brought them plums pocket for plums were now ripe. Her presence

Luc Le Ganidec; he asked for leave and d

brain to account for his fr

s from one of his friends, and once more a

sturbed, changed. Kerderen did not understand; he vaguely s

usual place, and lunched s

went towards her. She placed her pail on the ground and kissed him. She kissed him passionately, throwi

not understand. His mind was upset and his h

wn beside Luc, and t

end had gone out twice during the week. He felt the pain an

went together to

gainst the white road. It was Luc who sank the stake to which the cow was tethered. The girl stooped down to milk the cow, w

ed so that he did not have strength to stand. He stayed there, motionless, bewildered and grieving-si

were walking slowly, hand in hand, as vil

t on, nodding carelessly to Jean. She

aces in no way betraying the trouble in their hearts. The sun shone down on them. From time to

it at the wine merchant's in Bezons. Then they stopped on the br

ther, as though he had seen something in the

atter? Do you

ed away the rest of his body, and the little blue and r

p. In the distance he saw something move; then his friend

, just one hand, which appeared and

ushed to the scene fo

of tears, he related the accident: "He leaned-he-he was leaning -

hat he could say no mor

ER M

like little woods. On closer view, after lowering the worm-eaten wooden bars, you imagine yourself in an immense garden, for all the ancient apple-trees, as gnarled as the peasants themselves, are in bloom. The sweet scent of their blossoms mingles with the heavy smell of the earth and the penetra

gets up and takes a pitcher down

ching a grape vine, still bare, which is winding an

is budding early this year. Perh

round and looks, wi

n the spot where their

cupying the whole country. General Faidherbe, with t

rm. The old farmer to whom it belonged, Father Pierre Milon

age. The French remained motionless, ten leagues away

ho were sent to the outposts, in groups of

ield or in a ditch. Even their horses were

be done by the same men,

women were imprisoned; children were frightened in order t

found stretched out in the barn,

ing his bloody sword in his hand. He had fought, tried to defend himself. A court-martial wa

thin, like the down of a young duck, allowing patches of his scalp to be seen. The brown and wrinkled skin of his neck showed big ve

e kitchen table, which had been dragged outside. Five o

el spoke

been obliging and even attentive to us. But to-day a terrible accusation is hanging ov

nt answer

onel co

to answer me! Do you understand? Do you know who killed

an answer

d

he stupid look of the peasant, his eyes lowered as though he were talking to the priest. Just one thing betrayed an une

-law and his two grandchildren were standing a

lonel

uts who have been found dead, for a mont

wered with the

d

lled th

uh! I

one? Al

hu

how you

ecessity for talking any length of ti

I simply

onel co

e everything. You might as well make up

ding close behind him. He hesitated a minute longer,

ch will you make them pay back.' And then I had other things on my mind which I will tell you. Just then I noticed one of your soldiers who was smoking his pipe by the ditch behind the barn. I went and got my scythe and crept up slowly behind him, so

from his boots to his cap, and hid them

eechless, looking at each other. The question

the Prussians!" He hated them with the blind, fierce hate of the greedy y

rs. Each night he saw the outposts leave. One night he followed them, having heard the name of the village to which the me

d put them on. Then he began to crawl through the fields, following along the hedges i

r a while. Finally, toward midnight, he heard the sound of a galloping horse. The man put his e

ng a German, he thought he was wounded and dismounted, coming nearer without any suspicion, and just as he was leaning over the unknown man, he received, in the pit of his stomach, a heavy thrust from the long curved blade of the sabre. He droppe

er. Father Milon mounted him and s

ho were returning home, side by side. He rode st

distrust. The old man passed between them like a cannon-ball, fel

o the woods and hid one of the horses. He left his uniform there and again

me on he did not stop. Each night he wandered about in search of adventure, killing Prussians, sometimes here and sometimes there, galloping through deserted fields, in the moonl

r quietly to his mount, and he fed it well a

ght before, in defending himself slashed the

t on his ordinary clothes again; but as he reached home he began to feel faint

im there, bleedi

uddenly lifted up his head and look

was gnawing at hi

nothing el

shed my task; I killed six

that you are

t asked f

u been a

oldier of the first Emperor. And last month you killed my youngest son,

were looking

man co

I don't know you. I don't even know where you come from. And here you are, ordering me abou

ack, the old man folded his arms

who had also lost his son the previous month, was defending the poor wretc

is perhaps a way of savi

with the downy hair on his head, he distorted his slashed face, giving it a truly terrible expr

his hand, and for the second

ped up and were shriekin

all and shot, looking smilingly the while toward Jean, his eldest son, his daug

UP D

l France was wavering on the brink of this madness which lasted until after the

und big, peaceful stomachs wrapped in flaming red belts; little tradesmen became warriors commanding b

ade them, without any reason, dangerous to all. Innocent people were shot to prove that they knew how to k

n military affairs. The cafes of the smallest villages, ful

the army and the capital; nevertheless, great excitement had prevailed

mined opponent arise in Dr. Massarel, a big, full-blooded man, leader of the Republican party of the neighborhood, a high official in the local mas

s, fathers of families, prudent farmers and town merchants, and every

ont of his troop, his sword in his hand, and make all of them cry: "Long live the Fatherland!" And it had been noticed that this

onsultation to an old couple, a farmer who had been suffering from varicose veins for the last seven years and h

is hands to heaven in a gesture of exaltation, began to shout

long live the Republic!

k in his chair,

with the ants, which began to run up and

. The Republic has been proclaimed, the emperor has been

the door,

, quick,

in; he was trying to talk so rap

e-box and the Spanish dagger whi

s silence, continued, "I seemed to get big lumps which h

ou had washed your feet it

m by the collar,

hat we are a republic,

n calmed him, and he pushed th

back to-morrow, my friends.

d to foot, he gave a series of

mmel, and tell them that I am expecting them here immediat

d thought over the situation and the diff

ing clothes. The commandant, who expected to

ken prisoner, the Republic has been proclaimed. We must

ts before his bewildered sub

together the people, to whom I am going to announce the news. You, Torchebeuf beat the tattoo throughout the whole neighborhood as far as the hamlets of Gerisaie and Salmare, in order to assemble the mi

es

I will go over to your house with you

de Varnetot, his legs encased in gaiters as for a hunting party, his gun on his shoulder, was coming down the other street at dou

d, the four men entered the town-ha

ysician, "we must now wait for reenforcemen

art now appear

d. "He has even locked himself in th

tightly closed town-hall, stood the church, silent

on their doorsteps, the drum suddenly began to be heard, and Torchebeuf appeared, furiously beati

een the two buildings behind which the enemy had intrenched itself

Republic! Dea

urned to hi

urbed, were anxiously pulling down their shades an

ith gold braid, the cap being the principal part of the outfit. They were armed with old rusty guns, the old

ant, in a few words, outlined the situation to them

hering together and ta

ly decided on a

of this town-hall and summon Monsieur de Varnetot, in

nant, a master

d, thank you. Those people in there shoot straigh

ndant gre

o go in the name

tenant r

ve my beauty spoiled

in a group near by, began t

icart, this isn't

or then

war

a soldier, he advanced slowly, his eye fastened on the w

a flood of children ran out, boys from one side, girls from the ether, and began to play around the doctor, in

was out of the building, t

ly dispersed, and the comman

ur de V

floor opened and M.

andant c

h you represented no longer exists. The one which I represent is taking control. Under these painful, but decisive circumstances

rnetot a

Canneville until I have been dismissed by a decree from my superiors. As mayor, I

ed the

efore giving any information, eyeing Lieute

a fine specimen of manhood! You're a

't giv

mingled with a gr

do? Attack? But would his men obey orders

elegraph office, opposite the town-

ublican govern

t of the Seine-In

ublican sub-pr

if it should remain in the hands of the royalist mayor; offered his faithful

cket, he cried: "Here, my friends, go eat and drink; only leave me a d

began to laugh, and exclaimed: "By Jove, if they come out, it'll give you a chance

ot reply, and he

en about the town as though they we

and of the church without noticing anything susp

nd the druggist once mor

prisoner, there must have been some kind of treason. They did

ht

blic building, persuaded that the enemy must have gone to bed; and, as he was prepari

goes

eated as fast as his

ut any change i

had gathered around this troop awaiting developmen

or another; and he was about to take some measures, undoubtedly energetic ones, when the door of the tel

seeing the eyes of everyone on her, and lowering her head and running along with little quick steps, she went and

receive the message; and the young girl returned blushing, r

voice, the

, if you

ad quieted down, he

ion which I have receiv

the telegr

sed. Inform him imm

low

e sub-

Counc

and his hands were trembling; but Picart, his former

he others don't come out, what goo

e others did not come out, he would now have to take som

n-hall, hoping to see the door

do? The crowd was growing and closing

him dead, all strife would cease, it was at him and him only that M. de Varnetot and his three guards would aim. And t

gist and ask him to lend

tenant h

lag, at the sight of which the royalist

hands and holding it in front of him, again advanced in the direction of the town-hall. When he was opposite the door, he once

his enemy, and, choking with emotion, he announced: "I have come, mo

r through fear of, nor obedience to, the odious government which has usurped the power." And, emphasizin

rnetot, walking quickly, disappeared around the c

soon as he was near enough to make himself heard, he cried

no outbu

e are free, you are free

oking at him without any signs o

f what he could say or do in order to make an impression to el

nant, go get me the bust of the ex-emperor which is in the meetin

s right shoulder the plaster Bonaparte, and

placed the white bust on it, then stepping bac

geful Destiny has struck you. Defeat and shame have pursued you; you fall conquered, a prisoner of the Prussians; and fro

, nonplussed, kept silent; and the white, placid, well-groomed statue seeme

standing three feet away. Anger seized the commandant. What could

is stomach, and he felt, under his

to his mind. Then, he drew his weapon, steppe

econd time and made a second hole, then a third time, then, without stopping, he shot off the three remaining sho

ne foot on what remained of the bust in the position of a conqueror,

umb with astonishment, the commandant cried to the militia: "You may go

g in his office for over three hours. He hastened in. They were the same two pe

ediately began

ich seemed to be crawli

NT LARE'

en two cannon from the Prussians. His general had said: "Th

ceful, he was entrusted with a hundred soldiers and he organized a comp

eral Carrel's brigade, separated from its division, retreated continually, fighting each day, but remaining almost intact, thanks to the vigilance and agility of Lieuten

the general

to-morrow. He is at Blainville, eight leagues from here. You will start at nightfall with three hundred men, whom you will ec

it began to snow, and by night the ground was cover

ck the detac

the lieutenant himself. The rest followed them in two long columns. To the right and left of the l

the darkness, and as it did not melt on their uniforms, they were hardl

sound, a vague, ominous murmur. A command was given in a low tone and when the troop resumed its march it left in its wake a sort of

their pace. Somethi

eutenant; "it is the Ronfi wood;

opped and waited for the lieutenant, who, accompanied by only te

tionless. Around them was a dead silence. Then, quite near them, a lit

st in the snow. We shall

r voice

er; I know the country as

words and four men moved a

ness. Two prisoners were brought back, an old man and a you

r na

re Be

profes

o Comte d

your da

es

does s

ndress at t

are you

aking our

hy

shot three keepers and hanged the gardener.

are you

lainv

hy

e is a French

know t

fect

hen, fo

untry. The old man walked in silence beside the lieutenant

"I am so tired I can

eemed about to lose consciousness. Her father wan

we shall only impede your march.

y came back with branches they had cut, and in a minute a litt

," said the lieutenant. "Who w

her up, and like an Eastern queen borne by her slaves she was placed in the center of the detachment of soldiers, who resumed their march with more energy, mo

n, then back, and then forward again without ceasing. Some whispered orders were passed around among the soldiers, and an occasional little, dry, metallic click was heard. The moving object suddenly came nearer, and twelve Uhlans were seen approaching at a gallop, one beh

s resumed. The old man whom th

ff in the distance crie

earer by gave t

ing. A cold wind was driving the clouds, and innumerable stars were spar

form stirred; two little hands moved aside the big blue army capes and, rosy as the dawn, with two eyes that were

I, mo

nto the midst of the camp, that was just getting to arms. Presently General Carrel arrive

the general. He found the commanding officer in his tent, chatting with the old man whom they had come across

an of whom you were telling me just

wered his ton

e b

hed lieutenant, he presented

ook both his

life. I have only one way of thanking you. You may

and Miss Louise-Hortense-Genevieve de Ronfi-Quediss

rancs, and was said to be the prettie

HORR

ng-room of the villa. The men, seated, or astride of garden chairs, were smoking

re dense. They had been talking about a frightful accident which had occurred the nig

de G--

re affecting, but th

something more is needed than emotion, something more than the spectacle of a dreadful death; there must be a shuddering sense of mystery, or a sensation of abnormal terror, more than n

ples which have shown me wh

passed through Rouen. The army, consisting of about twenty thousand men, twenty tho

. They had not eaten anything since the day before. The

shadows of the trees surrounding the farms, stret

ng, an endless tramping, mingled with the vague clink of tin bowls or swords. The men, bent, round-shouldered, dirt

er take off his shoes in order to walk barefoot, as his shoes hurt his weary feet; and at every step he left a track of blood. Then, a

and to make their almost frozen blood circulate in their veins, than an unconquerable torpor congealed them, nailed them to the ground, closed their eyes, and paralyzed in one second this overworked human mech

through the night, through the snow, through that cold and deadly country, crushed by pain, by defeat, by

rm a curious-looking little man, old,

athered in a group round the prisoner. A voice exclaimed: 'He must be shot!' And all these soldiers who were falling from utter prostration, only hold

attalion; but they no longer recognized the authority of

g us for the three last days. He has been asking

yself to quest

t do you want? Why are y

ulders, a sly look, and such an agitated air in my presence that I really no longer doubted that he was a spy

ll round u

wall! To

to the g

responsible fo

I saw the man seized by the furious soldiers, thrown down, struck, dragged along the

perate energy of brutes. They fought with each other to have a shot at him, filed off in front of the co

arose of 'The Prussi

ard the great noise of this pan

very executioners with terror; and, without realizing that they were themse

except for the two gendarmes whose

iddled mass of bruise

of taper matches which I had in my pocket. One of the

was examining th

se, a white shirt, trous

ghted a second. The man continue

k handkerchief, a snuffbox, a bit

d a third. The gendarme, after having

t is

s

l perhaps find somet

the lighted match. By the rapid and speedily extinguished flame of the match, I saw them take off t

y one of the

general, it

at moved my heart. I could not believe it, and I knelt down in the snow

d for me to give my opinion on the matter. But I

gadier slowly

a son of hers in the artiller

other c

indeed, t

resence of this corpse, on that icy cold night, in the midst of that gloomy plain; at the sig

interrogating one of the survivors of the

s drama. It is possible, however, that

of the Touaregs, who, in that great ocean of sand which stretches from the Atlantic to Egypt and fro

he column belonged to the tri

he Arabs declared that, as the spring was still some distanc

Flatters did not believe this, and accompanied the convoy w

nd the spring, and all t

camp, took command of the survivors, spahis and sharpshooters, and they began to retr

itude without shade and boundless, beneath the devou

ates as a tribute. The dates were poisoned. Nearly all

uin, and some native sharpshooters of the Chambaa tribe. They had sti

flight of the two men with the two camels, those who remained separated, and proceeded to march, one by one, t

d moved forward the number of yards arranged upon. And thus they continued marching the whole day, raising everywhere they passed, in

ddenly turned round and approached the ma

aim at the one who was coming toward him. When he believed he was within gunshot, he fired. The other

k their share. And he who had killed the fallen ma

stances, these irreconcilable allies, preparing f

famished again, he who had killed the first man began killing afresh. And again, like a but

etreat of cann

ssacred at the side of a well, the ve

d now what I mean

old us a few nights

ME P

village of Salis, looking at Antibes, bathed in the setting sun

cean, broke at its feet, surrounding it with a wreath of foam; and beyond the ramparts the houses climbed up the hill, one after the other, as far as the two towers, which rose up into th

t the bluish background of the nearest mountain ranges, presented to the rays of the setting sun a pyramid of red-r

just over the pale summits, and on the other side of the gulf Nice, lying close to the water, stretched like a white thread between t

at happiness. One sees, thinks, suffers, is moved and loves with the eyes. He who can feel with the eye experiences the same keen,

ion, M. Martini, a pu

rarest sights which it has b

that monstrous granite jewel,

meters long, shining under a moon as brilliant as our sun a

Volcanello, a giant flower which smokes and burns, an enormous yellow

derful than Antibes, standing aga

of Homer come into my mind; this is a city of the ancient East, a city

ded by the Phocians of Marseilles, about 340 B.C. They gave it the Greek name of Antipolis, meaning coun

rned Antibes into a municipal city, its inhabi

gram of Martial th

rrupte

Asia and the coast of Europe resemble each other in their shores, and there is no city on the oth

, a large, dark woman, was walking along the

ow," muttered Monsieur Martini,

tioned carelessly, that name of the Tr

d: "Who is this

hed that I did no

woman, who passed by without seeing us, dreaming, walking wit

years old and still very bea

tini told me the

to Monsieur Parisse, a government official. She was then a handsome

e of those little fat men with short legs, who tr

mmanded by Monsieur Jean de Carmelin, a young officer decorat

hole enclosed by its enormous double walls, he often strolled out to th

young woman with the brown eyes, the black hair, the pale skin, this fresh, handsome Southerner, who displayed her teeth in smiling, floated before the eyes of the officer as he continued his promenade, chewing his cigar instead of smoking it; and the image of the comman

ey knew each other. He certainly bowed to her. And she, surprised, bowed in return, but very, very slightly, just enough n

oking for it in each other's eyes more often than on the horizon. And every evening

ady saying to each other a thousand more intimate things, those secret, charming things that are reflected in the gentle

muring those words which the woman d

ey would love each other without evide

of intimacy, but he wanted more. And every day he u

hear of it, seemed det

ally: "My husband has just gone to M

en her door to him that very night at eleven o'clock. But she w

went out on the ramparts in a rage, going from one exercise field to the other, dea

napkin with these four words: "To-night at ten." And h

He passed part of it in curling

le another envelope was handed to him, a

mpleted. I return thi

ock

ISS

ehement oath that the waiter drop

e would have her. He would resort to any means, even to arresting and imprisoning the

come back this eve

ou know where, at ten

everything, on my

DE CA

this letter, he qu

he second in command, and said, rolling between his

at no one, mind me, no one, will either enter or leave before six in the morning. You will also have men patrol the streets, who will compel the inhabitants to retire to their houses at nine o'clock.

comman

for the execution of my

comman

to have a glas

pleasure,

down the brown liquor and C

tion at nine o'clock sharp, left two passeng

r Saribe, the oil merchant, and the oth

their valises, to reach the

e port the guards crossed their b

to deliberate; then, after having taken counsel one with the

reatened to shoot; and the two scared travellers ran off,

ed and guarded by a menacing sentinel. Messrs. Saribe and Parisse, like the prudent men they were, desisted from thei

sleepy, permitted them to stay

n the dark, on the green velvet so

and weary ni

ere informed that the gates were open

but failed to find their ab

anxious, the Commandant de Carmelin, with sly glance and must

ng himself for having caused them a ba

imperial and others again believed that there was an Orleanist conspiracy. The truth was suspected only later, when it became know

menade being ended. She passed gravely near me, with her eyes fixed on th

night of love, now long past, and of the bold man who for the sake of a kiss from h

he did not relate this audacious, comical and

. The Homer who should sing of this new Helen and the adventure of her Menelaus must be gifted with the soul of a Paul de K

OISEL

easy-chair, with his booted feet on the beautiful marble mantelpiece where his spurs had made two hol

cigars, notched by the penknife of the victorious officer, who occasionally would stop while

ting down the park in order to keep themselves warm, he went to the window. The rain was descending in torrents, a regular Normandy rain, which looked as if it were being poured out by some furious person, a slanting

ich was overflowing its banks; he was drumming a waltz with his fingers on the window-panes, w

on suggested the idea of a military peacock, a peacock who was carrying his tail spread out on his breast. He had cold, gentle blue eyes,

looked as if he had been rubbed over with phosphorus. He had lost two front teeth one night, though he could not quite remember how, and this sometimes mad

went to the window and declared that it was a very unpleasant outlook. The major, who was a quiet man, with a wife at home, could accommodate himself to everything; but the capt

ast was ready. In the dining-room they met three other officers of lower rank-a lieutenant, Otto von Grossling, and two sub-lieutenants, Fritz Scheun

all waist, which looked as if he wore corsets; of his pale face, on which his budding mustache scarcely showed, and on account of the habit he had acquired of e

ed by pistol bullets, and whose Flemish tapestry, which was cut to ribbons, and hanging in rags in

the canvas, while a lady in a long, pointed waist proudly exhibited a pair of enormous mustaches, drawn with charcoal. The officers ate their breakfast almost in silence i

tles of brandy and of liqueur passed from hand to hand, and all sat back in their chairs and took repeated sips from their glasses, s

a cloud of strong tobacco smoke, and seemed to be sunk in a state of drowsy, stupid intoxication, that condition of stupid intoxication of men who have nothing to do, when suddenly the baron sat up and said: "He

captain?" the major asked, taking his pipe out of his mouth. "I will arrange all that, commandant," the baron said. "I will send Le Devoir to Rouen, and he will

s shoulders with a smile: "You

n old non-commissioned officer, who had never been seen to smile, but who carried out all the orders of his superiors to the letter, no matter what they might be. He stood there, with an impassive face, while he received the baron's instructions, and then

fi did not seem to be able to keep still. He got up and sat down again, and his bright eyes seemed to be looking for something to destroy. Suddenly, looking at the lady with the mustache

errupted, as if they had found some fresh and powerful subject of interest. Th

ng except the plate, which had been stowed away in a hole made in one of the walls. As he was very rich and had good taste,

and in elegant glass cupboards there were a thousand ornaments: small vases, statuettes, groups of Dresden china and gr

e minutes. The little marquis went into the drawing-room to get what he wanted, and he brought back a small, delicate china teapot, which he filled with gunpowder, and carefully introduced a piece of punk through the spout. This he lighted and took

of porcelain and wondered at the strange shape of the fragments, while the major was looking with a paternal eye at the large drawing-room, which had been wreck

co smoke, that they could not breathe, so the commandant opened the window, an

s. They looked at the tall trees which were dripping with rain, at the broad valley which was covered w

ostile commandant, who often employed him as a benevolent intermediary; but it was no use to ask him for a single stroke of the bells; he would sooner have allowed himself to be shot. That was his way of protesting against the invasion, a peaceful and silent protest, the onl

rd of the national honor. It seemed to the peasants that thus they deserved better of their country than Belfort and Strassburg, that they had set an equally valu

ilhelm alone would have liked to have forced them to ring the bells. He was very angry at his superior's politic compliance with the priest's scruples, and every day begged the commandant to allow him to sound "ding-dong, ding-dong," just once, only

ant Fritz said with a laugh: "The ladies will certainly not have fine weather for their drive." The

n the day of a grand review. The commandant's hair did not look so gray as it was in the morning, and the ca

ling in the distance. They all rushed down, and presently the wagon drove up at a gallop with its four horses steaming and blowing, and splashed with mud t

ns in the three months during which they had had to do with them, and so

the appearance of a bandits' inn, where they were supping after committing a robbery in the place. The captain was radiant, and put his arm round the women as if he were familiar with them; and when the three young men wanted to appropriate one each, he opposed them authoritatively, reserving to

cond, as a sign of proprietorship, he proffered stout Amanda to Lieutenant Otto; Eva, "the Tomato," to Sub-lieutenant Fritz, and Rachel, the shortest of them all, a very young,

t any distinctive features, and all ha

freshen their toilets; but the captain wisely opposed this, for he said they were quite fit to sit down to

nostrils. Under pretence of kissing her, the count had blown a whiff of tobacco into her mouth. She did not

ela sit on his right, and Blondina on his left, and said, as he unfol

ut Baron von Kelweinstein beamed, made obscene remarks and seemed on fire with his crown of red hair. He paid the women compli

peating the words, which the baron then began to say all wrong, in order that he might have the pleasure of hearing them say dirty things. They gave him as much of that stuff as he wanted, for they were drunk after the first bottle of wine, and resuming their

plates and dishes, while the soldiers behind them waited on them stoli

er furiously and made her scream, for he was seized by a species of ferocity, and tormented by his desire to hurt her. He often held her close to him and pr

he bathed the wound, she said: "You will have to pay for, tha

began, toasts worthy of the lowest soldiers and of drunkards, mingled with obscene jokes, which were made still more brutal by their ignorance of the language. They got up, one after the other, t

victories over hearts." and, thereupon Lieutenant Otto, who was a species of bear from the Black Forest, jumped up, inflamed

ay that." But the little count, still holding her on his knee, began to laugh, for the wine had made him very merry, and said: "Ha! ha! ha! I have never met any

Ah! yes, talk about them, my dear! Should we be here now if they were brave?" And, getting excited, he exclaimed: "We are the masters! France belongs to us!" She made one spring from his

ilitary enthusiasm, the enthusiasm of brutes, seized their glasses,

a word, as she had no reply to make. Then the little marquis put his champagne glass, which had jus

if to baptize her, and broke into a hundred fragments, as it fell to the floor. Her lips trembling, she

rue-for you shall not ha

here, my dear?" She was thunderstruck and made no reply for a moment, for in her agitation she did not understand him at first, but as soon as she

a small dessert knife with a silver blade from the table and, almost mad with rage, stabbed him right in the hollow of his neck. Som

etween the legs of Lieutenant Otto, who fell down at full length, she ran to the window,

g to their knees. With some difficulty the major stopped the slaughter and had the four terrified girls locked up in a room under the care of two soldier

th the stern faces of soldiers on duty, and tried to pierce through the darkness of the night amid the steady torrent of rain. Suddenly a shot was heard and then anoth

ee others wounded by their comrades in the ardor of that chase and in

topsy-turvy, the country was scoured and beaten up, over and over again, but

inferiors. The general had said: "One does not go to war in order to amuse one's self and to caress prostitutes." Graf von Farlsberg, in his exasperation, made up his mind to hav

l sounded its funeral knell in a lively manner, as if a friendly hand were caressing it. At night it rang again, and the next day, and every day; it rang as much as any one could desire. Sometimes even it would start at night and sound gently through the darkness, seized with a strange joy, awak

imself drove his prisoner to Rouen. When they got there he embraced her, and she quickly went back on foot to the es

ed her because of her bold deed, and who afterward loved her for he

DU

e whole country was pulsating like a conquered wr

fields and burned hamlets. Prussian soldiers, in their black helmets with brass spikes, were smoking their pipes astride their chairs in front of the houses which were still left standing. Others were working or talking just as if t

ational Guard in Paris, was going to join his wife and daughter,

nts of the past year with sorrowful resignation and bitter complaints at the savagery of men. Now that he was journeying to the frontier at the

e also the great need of that new instinct of prudence which since then has, never left us. In the same railway carriage were two Englishmen, who had come to the country as sightseers and were gazing a

double footboard of the railway carriage. He was tall, wore a tight-fitting uniform, and had whiskers up to his eyes. His red ha

kened interest, while M. Dubuis made a show of reading a newspaper. H

ent battles; and all of a sudden, as one of them stretched out his arm toward the horizon as he pointe

in that village and took mor

uite interested,

is the name of

ssian r

"We caught those French

Dubuis, laughing concei

German soldiers could be seen along the roads, on the edges of fields, standing in f

id, with a wav

e taken Paris, burned everything,

hrough politeness

! y

wen

it, will belong to us. Prussia is

ered at the downfall of France, insulted the prostrate enemy; he sneered at Austria, which had been recently conquered; he sneered at the valiant but fruitless defence of the departments; he sneered at the Garde Mobile and at the u

ll that was going on, as if they were suddenly shut u

pipe, and looking fixed

t any tobac

uis re

monsi

rman r

buy some for me wh

laughing afre

ou the price

. They passed a station that had been burn

iage door, and, catching M

at I told you

ng on. The engine was getting up steam before starting off again. Then M. Dubuis hurriedly jumped on t

art was beating so rapidly, and, gasping for bre

riage door and jumped in, followed close behind by the two Englishmen, who were im

ant to do what

uis re

monsi

d just left

ffice

ur mustache to f

s hand toward the

them, retaining their p

d his eyes glaring, he kept throttling the officer with one hand, while with the other clenched he began to strike him violent blows in the face. The Prussian struggled, tried to draw his sword, to clinch with his adversary, who was on top of him. But M. Dubuis crushed him with hi

er to see better. They remained standing, full of mirth and

is violent efforts, rose and resum

d terrified and astonished the officer as well as causing

atisfaction with pist

uis re

u like. I'm

erman

o officers to be my seconds, and there will

ng as hard as the engine

conds?" They both

, y

train

comrades, who brought pistols, and th

, shuffling their feet and hurrying on with the preparat

ever fired a pi

enty paces away from h

you r

ced that one of the Englishmen had opened his um

gave the

ir

ed to see the Prussian opposite him stagger, lift up his

ther, who still kept his watch in his hand, seized M. Dubuis' arm and hurried him in double-quick time toward the station,

made their way to the station like three

ir carriage. Then the Englishmen, taking off their travellin

p! hip!

nded their right hands to M. Dubuis and the