asimplesoul一个简单的灵魂

ASIMPLESOULByGustaveFlaubertForhalfacenturythehousewivesofPont-l'EvequehadenviedMadameAubainherservantFelicite.Forahundredfrancsayear,shecookedanddidthehousework,washed,ironed,mended,harnessedthehorse,fattenedthepoultry,madethebutterandremainedfaithfultohermistress--althoughthelatterwasbynomeansanagreeableperson.MadameAubainhadmarriedacomelyyouthwithoutanymoney,whodiedinthebeginningof1809,leavingherwithtwoyoungchildrenandanumberofdebts.ShesoldallherpropertyexceptingthefarmofToucquesandthefarmofGeffosses,theincomeofwhichbarelyamountedto5,000francs;thensheleftherhouseinSaint-Melaine,andmovedintoalesspretentiousonewhichhadbelongedtoherancestorsandstoodbackofthemarket-place.Thishouse,withitsslate-coveredroof,wasbuiltbetweenapassage-wayandanarrowstreetthatledtotheriver.Theinteriorwassounevenlygradedthatitcausedpeopletostumble.Anarrowhallseparatedthekitchenfromtheparlour,whereMadameAubainsatalldayinastrawarmchairnearthewindow.Eightmahoganychairsstoodinarowagainstthewhitewainscoting.Anoldpiano,standingbeneathabarometer,wascoveredwithapyramidofoldbooksandboxes.Oneithersideoftheyellowmarblemantelpiece,inLouisXV.style,stoodatapestryarmchair.TheclockrepresentedatempleofVesta;andthewholeroomsmelledmusty,asitwasonalowerlevelthanthegarden.OnthefirstfloorwasMadame'sbed-chamber,alargeroompaperedinaflowereddesignandcontainingtheportraitofMonsieurdressedinthecostumeofadandy.Itcommunicatedwithasmallerroom,inwhichthereweretwolittlecribs,withoutanymattresses.Next,cametheparlour(alwaysclosed),filledwithfurniturecoveredwithsheets.Thenahall,whichledtothestudy,wherebooksandpaperswerepiledontheshelvesofabook-casethatenclosedthreequartersofthebigblackdesk.Twopanelswereentirelyhiddenunderpen-and-inksketches,GouachelandscapesandAudranengravings,relicsofbettertimesandvanishedluxury.Onthesecondfloor,agarret-windowlightedFelicite'sroom,whichlookedoutuponthemeadows.Shearoseatdaybreak,inordertoattendmass,andsheworkedwithoutinterruptionuntilnight;then,whendinnerwasover,thedishesclearedawayandthedoorsecurelylocked,shewouldburythelogundertheashesandfallasleepinfrontofthehearthwitharosaryinherhand.Nobodycouldbargainwithgreaterobstinacy,andasforcleanliness,thelustreonherbrasssauce-panswastheenvyanddespairofotherservants.Shewasmosteconomical,andwhensheateshewouldgatherupcrumbswiththetipofherfinger,sothatnothingshouldbewastedoftheloafofbreadweighingtwelvepoundswhichwasbakedespeciallyforherandlastedthreeweeks.Summerandwintersheworeadimitykerchieffastenedinthebackwithapin,acapwhichconcealedherhair,aredskirt,greystockings,andanapronwithabiblikethosewornbyhospitalnurses.Herfacewasthinandhervoiceshrill.Whenshewastwenty-five,shelookedforty.Aftershehadpassedfifty,nobodycouldtellherage;erectandsilentalways,sheresembledawoodenfigureworkingautomatically.Likeeveryotherwoman,shehadhadanaffairoftheheart.Herfather,whowasamason,waskilledbyfallingfromascaffolding.Thenhermotherdiedandhersisterswenttheirdifferentways;afarmertookherin,andwhileshewasquitesmall,letherkeepcowsinthefields.Shewascladinmiserablerags,beatenfortheslightestoffenceandfinallydismissedforatheftofthirtysouswhichshedidnotcommit.Shetookserviceonanotherfarmwhereshetendedthepoultry;andasshewaswellthoughtofbyhermaster,herfellow-workerssoongrewjealous.OneeveninginAugust(shewastheneighteenyearsold),theypersuadedhertoaccompanythemtothefairatColleville.Shewasimmediatelydazzledbythenoise,thelightsinthetrees,thebrightnessofthedresses,thelacesandgoldcrosses,andthecrowdofpeopleallhoppingatthesametime.Shewasstandingmodestlyatadistance,whenpresentlyayoungmanofwell-to-doappearance,whohadbeenleaningonthepoleofawagonandsmokinghispipe,approachedher,andaskedherforadance.Hetreatedhertociderandcake,boughtherasilkshawl,andthen,thinkingshehadguessedhispurpose,offeredtoseeherhome.Whentheycametotheendofafieldhethrewherdownbrutally.Butshegrewfrightenedandscreamed,andhewalkedoff.Oneevening,ontheroadleadingtoBeaumont,shecameuponawagonloadedwithhay,andwhensheovertookit,sherecognisedTheodore.Hegreetedhercalmly,andaskedhertoforgetwhathadhappenedbetweenthem,asit"wasallthefaultofthedrink."Shedidnotknowwhattoreplyandwishedtorunaway.Presentlyhebegantospeakoftheharvestandofthenotablesofthevillage;hisfatherhadleftCollevilleandboughtthefarmofLesEcots,sothatnowtheywouldbeneighbours."Ah!"sheexclaimed.Hethenaddedthathisparentswerelookingaroundforawifeforhim,butthathe,himself,wasnotsoanxiousandpreferredtowaitforagirlwhosuitedhim.Shehungherhead.Hethenaskedherwhethershehadeverthoughtofmarrying.Shereplied,smilingly,thatitwaswrongofhimtomakefunofher."Oh!no,Iaminearnest,"hesaid,andputhisleftarmaroundherwaistwhiletheysaunteredalong.Theairwassoft,thestarswerebright,andthehugeloadofhayoscillatedinfrontofthem,drawnbyfourhorseswhoseponderoushoofsraisedcloudsofdust.Withoutawordfromtheirdrivertheyturnedtotheright.Hekissedheragainandshewenthome.Thefollowingweek,Theodoreobtainedmeetings.Theymetinyards,behindwallsorunderisolatedtrees.Shewasnotignorant,asgirlsofwell-to-dofamiliesare--fortheanimalshadinstructedher;--butherreasonandherinstinctofhonourkeptherfromfalling.HerresistanceexasperatedTheodore'sloveandsoinordertosatisfyit(orperchanceingenuously),heofferedtomarryher.Shewouldnotbelievehimatfirst,sohemadesolemnpromises.But,inashorttimehementionedadifficulty;thepreviousyear,hisparentshadpurchasedasubstituteforhim;butanydayhemightbedraftedandtheprospectofservinginthearmyalarmedhimgreatly.ToFelicitehiscowardiceappearedaproofofhisloveforher,andherdevotiontohimgrewstronger.Whenshemethim,hewouldtortureherwithhisfearsandhisentreaties.Atlast,heannouncedthathewasgoingtotheprefecthimselfforinformation,andwouldletherknoweverythingonthefollowingSunday,betweeneleveno'clockandmidnight.Whenthetimegrewnear,sherantomeetherlover.ButinsteadofTheodore,oneofhisfriendswasatthemeeting-place.Heinformedherthatshewouldneverseehersweetheartagain;for,inordertoescapetheconscription,hehadmarriedaricholdwoman,MadameLehoussais,ofToucques.Thepoorgirl'ssorrowwasfrightful.Shethrewherselfontheground,shecriedandcalledontheLord,andwanderedarounddesolatelyuntilsunrise.Thenshewentbacktothefarm,declaredherintentionofleaving,andattheendofthemonth,aftershehadreceivedherwages,shepackedallherbelongingsinahandkerchiefandstartedforPont-l'Eveque.Infrontoftheinn,shemetawomanwearingwidow'sweeds,anduponquestioningher,learnedthatshewaslookingforacook.Thegirldidnotknowverymuch,butappearedsowillingandsomodestinherrequirements,thatMadameAubainfinallysaid:"Verywell,Iwillgiveyouatrial."AndhalfanhourlaterFelicitewasinstalledinherhouse.Atfirstshelivedinaconstantanxietythatwascausedby"thestyleofthehousehold"andthememoryof"Monsieur,"thathoveredovereverything.PaulandVirginia,theoneagedseven,andtheotherbarelyfour,seemedmadeofsomepreciousmaterial;shecarriedthempig-a-back,andwasgreatlymortifiedwhenMadameAubainforbadehertokissthemeveryotherminute.Butinspiteofallthis,shewashappy.Thecomfortofhernewsurroundingshadobliteratedhersadness.EveryThursday,friendsofMadameAubaindroppedinforagameofcards,anditwasFelicite'sdutytopreparethetableandheatthefootwarmers.Theyarrivedatexactlyeighto'clockanddepartedbeforeeleven.EveryMondaymorning,thedealerinsecond-handgoods,wholivedunderthealley-way,spreadouthiswaresonthesidewalk.Thenthecitywouldbefilledwithabuzzingofvoicesinwhichtheneighingofhorses,thebleatingoflambs,thegruntingofpigs,couldbedistinguished,mingledwiththesharpsoundofwheelsonthecobble-stones.Abouttwelveo'clock,whenthemarketwasinfullswing,thereappearedatthefrontdooratall,middle-agedpeasant,withahookednoseandacaponthebackofhishead;itwasRobelin,thefarmerofGeffosses.ShortlyafterwardscameLiebard,thefarmerofToucques,short,rotundandruddy,wearingagreyjacketandspurredboots.Bothmenbroughttheirlandladyeitherchickensorcheese.Felicitewouldinvariablythwarttheirrusesandtheyheldheringreatrespect.Atvarioustimes,MadameAubainreceivedavisitfromtheMarquisdeGremanville,oneofheruncles,whowasruinedandlivedatFalaiseontheremainderofhisestates.Healwayscameatdinner-timeandbroughtanuglypoodlewithhim,whosepawssoiledtheirfurniture.Inspiteofhiseffortstoappearamanofbreeding(heevenwentsofarastoraisehishateverytimehesaid"Mydeceasedfather"),hishabitsgotthebetterofhim,andhewouldfillhisglassalittletoooftenandrelatebroadstories.Felicitewouldshowhimoutverypolitelyandsay:"Youhavehadenoughforthistime,MonsieurdeGremanville!Hopingtoseeyouagain!"andwouldclosethedoor.SheopeneditgladlyforMonsieurBourais,aretiredlawyer.Hisbaldheadandwhitecravat,therufflingofhisshirt,hisflowingbrowncoat,themannerinwhichhetooksnuff,hiswholeperson,infact,producedinherthekindofawewhichwefeelwhenweseeextraordinarypersons.AshemanagedMadame'sestates,hespenthourswithherinMonsieur'sstudy;hewasinconstantfearofbeingcompromised,hadagreatregardforthemagistracyandsomepretensionstolearning.Inordertofacilitatethechildren'sstudies,hepresentedthemwithanengravedgeographywhichrepresentedvariousscenesoftheworld;cannibalswithfeatherhead-dresses,agorillakidnappingayounggirl,Arabsinthedesert,awhalebeingharpooned,etc.PaulexplainedthepicturestoFelicite.And,infact,thiswasheronlyliteraryeducation.Thechildren'sstudieswereunderthedirectionofapoordevilemployedatthetown-hall,whosharpenedhispocket-knifeonhisbootsandwasfamousforhispenmanship.Whentheweatherwasfine,theywenttoGeffosses.Thehousewasbuiltinthecentreoftheslopingyard;andthesealookedlikeagreyspotinthedistance.Felicitewouldtakeslicesofcoldmeatfromthelunchbasketandtheywouldsitdownandeatinaroomnexttothedairy.Thisroomwasallthatremainedofacottagethathadbeentorndown.Thedilapidatedwall-papertrembledinthedrafts.MadameAubain,overwhelmedbyrecollections,wouldhangherhead,whilethechildrenwereafraidtoopentheirmouths.Then,"Whydon'tyougoandplay?"theirmotherwouldsay;andtheywouldscamperoff.Paulwouldgototheoldbarn,catchbirds,throwstonesintothepond,orpoundthetrunksofthetreeswithasticktilltheyresoundedlikedrums.Virginiawouldfeedtherabbitsandruntopickthewildflowersinthefields,andherflyinglegswoulddiscloseherlittleembroideredpantalettes.Oneautumnevening,theystruckoutforhomethroughthemeadows.Thenewmoonilluminedpartoftheskyandamisthoveredlikeaveiloverthesinuositiesoftheriver.Oxen,lyinginthepastures,gazedmildlyatthepassingpersons.Inthethirdfield,however,severalofthemgotupandsurroundedthem."Don'tbeafraid,"criedFelicite;andmurmuringasortoflamentshepassedherhandoverthebackofthenearestox;heturnedawayandtheothersfollowed.Butwhentheycametothenextpasture,theyheardfrightfulbellowing.Itwasabullwhichwashiddenfromthembythefog.Headvancedtowardsthetwowomen,andMadameAubainpreparedtofleeforherlife."No,no!notsofast,"warnedFelicite.Stilltheyhurriedon,fortheycouldhearthenoisybreathingofthebullbehindthem.Hishoofspoundedthegrasslikehammers,andpresentlyhebegantogallop!Feliciteturnedaroundandthrewpatchesofgrassinhiseyes.Hehunghishead,shookhishornsandbellowedwithfury.MadameAubainandthechildren,huddledattheendofthefield,weretryingtojumpovertheditch.Felicitecontinuedtobackbeforethebull,blindinghimwithdirt,whilesheshoutedtothemtomakehaste.MadameAubainfinallyslidintotheditch,aftershovingfirstVirginiaandthenPaulintoit,andthoughshestumbledseveraltimesshemanaged,bydintofcourage,toclimbtheothersideofit.ThebullhaddrivenFeliciteupagainstafence;thefoamfromhismuzzleflewinherfaceandinanotherminutehewouldhavedisembowelledher.Shehadjusttimetoslipbetweentwobarsandthehugeanimal,thwarted,paused.Foryears,thisoccurrencewasatopicofconversationinPontl'Eveque.ButFelicitetooknocredittoherself,andprobablyneverknewthatshehadbeenheroic.Virginiaoccupiedherthoughtssolely,fortheshockshehadsustainedgaveheranervousaffection,andthephysician,M.Poupart,prescribedthesalt-waterbathingatTrouville.Inthosedays,Trouvillewasnotgreatlypatronised.MadameAubaingatheredinformation,consultedBourais,andmadepreparationsasiftheyweregoingonanextendedtrip.ThebaggagewassentthedaybeforeonLiebard'scart.Onthefollowingmorning,hebroughtaroundtwohorses,oneofwhichhadawoman'ssaddlewithavelveteenbacktoit,whileonthecrupperoftheotherwasarolledshawlthatwastobeusedforaseat.MadameAubainmountedthesecondhorse,behindLiebard.Felicitetookchargeofthelittlegirl,andPaulrodeM.Lechaptois'donkey,whichhadbeenlentfortheoccasionontheconditionthattheyshouldbecarefulofit.Theroadwassobadthatittooktwohourstocovertheeightmiles.Thetwohorsessankknee-deepintothemudandstumbledintoditches;sometimestheyhadtojumpoverthem.Incertainplaces,Liebard'smarestoppedabruptly.Hewaitedpatientlytillshestartedagain,andtalkedofthepeoplewhoseestatesborderedtheroad,addinghisownmoralreflectionstotheoutlineoftheirhistories.Thus,whentheywerepassingthroughToucques,andcametosomewindowsdrapedwithnasturtiums,heshruggedhisshouldersandsaid:"There'sawoman,MadameLehoussais,who,insteadoftakingayoungman--"Felicitecouldnotcatchwhatfollowed;thehorsesbegantotrot,thedonkeytogallop,andtheyturnedintoalane;thenagateswungopen,twofarm-handsappearedandtheyalldismountedattheverythresholdofthefarm-house.MotherLiebard,whenshecaughtsightofhermistress,waslavishwithjoyfuldemonstrations.Shegotupalunchwhichcomprisedalegofmutton,tripe,sausages,achickenfricassee,sweetcider,afruittartandsomepreservedprunes;thentoallthisthegoodwomanaddedpoliteremarksaboutMadame,whoappearedtobeinbetterhealth,Mademoiselle,whohadgrowntobe"superb,"andPaul,whohadbecomesingularlysturdy;shespokealsooftheirdeceasedgrandparents,whomtheLiebardshadknown,fortheyhadbeenintheserviceofthefamilyforseveralgenerations.Likeitsowners,thefarmhadanancientappearance.Thebeamsoftheceilingweremouldy,thewallsblackwithsmokeandthewindowsgreywithdust.Theoaksideboardwasfilledwithallsortsofutensils,plates,pitchers,tinbowls,wolf-traps.Thechildrenlaughedwhentheysawahugesyringe.Therewasnotatreeintheyardthatdidnothavemushroomsgrowingarounditsfoot,orabunchofmistletoehanginginitsbranches.Severalofthetreeshadbeenblowndown,buttheyhadstartedtogrowinthemiddleandallwereladenwithquantitiesofapples.Thethatchedroofs,whichwereofunequalthickness,lookedlikebrownvelvetandcouldresistthefiercestgales.Butthewagon-shedwasfastcrumblingtoruins.MadameAubainsaidthatshewouldattendtoit,andthengaveorderstohavethehorsessaddled.IttookanotherthirtyminutestoreachTrouville.ThelittlecaravandismountedinordertopassLesEcores,acliffthatoverhangsthebay,andafewminuteslater,attheendofthedock,theyenteredtheyardoftheGoldenLamb,aninnkeptbyMotherDavid.Duringthefirstfewdays,Virginiafeltstronger,owingtothechangeofairandtheactionofthesea-baths.Shetooktheminherlittlechemise,asshehadnobathingsuit,andafterwardshernursedressedherinthecabinofacustomsofficer,whichwasusedforthatpurposebyotherbathers.Intheafternoon,theywouldtakethedonkeyandgototheRochesNoires,nearHennequeville.Thepathledatfirstthroughundulatinggrounds,andthencetoaplateau,wherepasturesandtilledfieldsalternated.Attheedgeoftheroad,minglingwiththebrambles,grewhollybushes,andhereandtherestoodlargedeadtreeswhosebranchestracedzigzagsuponthebluesky.Ordinarily,theyrestedinafieldfacingtheocean,withDeauvilleontheirleft,andHavreontheirright.Theseaglitteredbrightlyinthesunandwasassmoothasamirror,andsocalmthattheycouldscarcelydistinguishitsmurmur;sparrowschirpedjoyfullyandtheimmensecanopyofheavenspreadoveritall.MadameAubainbroughtouthersewing,andVirginiaamusedherselfbybraidingreeds;Felicitewovelavenderblossoms,whilePaulwasboredandwishedtogohome.SometimestheycrossedtheToucquesinaboat,andstartedtohuntforsea-shells.Theoutgoingtideexposedstar-fishandsea-urchins,andthechildrentriedtocatchtheflakesoffoamwhichthewindblewaway.Thesleepywaveslappingthesandunfurledthemselvesalongtheshorethatextendedasfarastheeyecouldsee,butwherelandbegan,itwaslimitedbythedownswhichseparateditfromthe"Swamp,"alargemeadowshapedlikeahippodrome.Whentheywenthomethatway,Trouville,ontheslopeofahillbelow,grewlargerandlargerastheyadvanced,and,withallitshousesofunequalheight,seemedtospreadoutbeforetheminasortofgiddyconfusion.Whentheheatwastoooppressive,theyremainedintheirrooms.Thedazzlingsunlightcastbarsoflightbetweentheshutters.Notasoundinthevillage,notasoulonthesidewalk.Thissilenceintensifiedthetranquilityofeverything.Inthedistance,thehammersofsomecalkerspoundedthehullofaship,andthesultrybreezebroughtthemanodouroftar.Theprincipaldiversionconsistedinwatchingthereturnofthefishingsmacks.Assoonastheypassedthebeacons,theybegantoplytowindward.Thesailswereloweredtoonethirdofthemasts,andwiththeirfore-sailsswelleduplikeballoonstheyglidedoverthewavesandanchoredinthemiddleoftheharbour.Thentheycreptupalongsideofthedockandthesailorsthrewthequiveringfishoverthesideoftheboat;alineofcartswaswaitingforthem,andwomenwithwhitecapssprangforwardtoreceivethebasketsandembracetheirmen-folk.Oneday,oneofthemspoketoFelicite,who,afteralittlewhile,returnedtothehousegleefully.Shehadfoundoneofhersisters,andpresentlyNastasieBarette,wifeofLeroux,madeherappearance,holdinganinfantinherarms,anotherchildbythehand,whileonherleftwasalittlecabin-boywithhishandsinhispocketsandhiscaponhisear.Attheendoffifteenminutes,MadameAubainbadehergo.Theyalwayshungaroundthekitchen,orapproachedFelicitewhensheandthechildrenwereoutwalking.Thehusband,however,didnotshowhimself.Felicitedevelopedagreatfondnessforthem;sheboughtthemastove,someshirtsandablanket;itwasevidentthattheyexploitedher.HerfoolishnessannoyedMadameAubain,who,moreoverdidnotlikethenephew'sfamiliarity,forhecalledherson"thou";--and,asVirginiabegantocoughandtheseasonwasover,shedecidedtoreturntoPont-l'Eveque.MonsieurBouraisassistedherinthechoiceofacollege.TheoneatCaenwasconsideredthebest.SoPaulwassentawayandbravelysaidgood-byetothemall,forhewasgladtogotoliveinahousewherehewouldhaveboycompanions.MadameAubainresignedherselftotheseparationfromhersonbecauseitwasunavoidable.Virginiabroodedlessandlessoverit.Feliciteregrettedthenoisehemade,butsoonanewoccupationdivertedhermind;beginningfromChristmas,sheaccompaniedthelittlegirltohercatechismlessoneveryday.Aftershehadmadeacurtseyatthethreshold,shewouldwalkuptheaislebetweenthedoublelinesofchairs,openMadameAubain'spew,sitdownandlookaround.Girlsandboys,theformerontheright,thelatterontheleft-handsideofthechurch,filledthestallsofthechoir;theprieststoodbesidethereading-desk;ononestainedwindowoftheside-aisletheHolyGhosthoveredovertheVirgin;onanotherone,MarykneltbeforetheChildJesus,andbehindthealter,awoodengrouprepresentedSaintMichaelfellingthedragon.Thepriestfirstreadacondensedlessonofsacredhistory.FeliciteevokedParadise,theFlood,theTowerofBabel,theblazingcities,thedyingnations,theshatteredidols;andoutofthisshedevelopedagreatrespectfortheAlmightyandagreatfearofHiswrath.Then,whenshehadlistenedtothePassion,shewept.WhyhadtheycrucifiedHimwholovedlittlechildren,nourishedthepeople,madetheblindsee,andwho,outofhumility,hadwishedtobebornamongthepoor,inastable?Thesowings,theharvests,thewine-presses,allthosefamiliarthingswhichtheScripturesmention,formedapartofherlife;thewordofGodsanctifiedthem;andshelovedthelambswithincreasedtendernessforthesakeoftheLamb,andthedovesbecauseoftheHolyGhost.Shefoundithard,however,tothinkofthelatterasaperson,forwasitnotabird,aflame,andsometimesonlyabreath?Perhapsitisitslightthatatnighthoversoverswamps,itsbreaththatpropelstheclouds,itsvoicethatrenderschurch-bellsharmonious.AndFeliciteworshippeddevoutly,whileenjoyingthecoolnessandthestillnessofthechurch.Asforthedogma,shecouldnotunderstanditanddidnoteventry.Thepriestdiscoursed,thechildrenrecited,andshewenttosleep,onlytoawakenwithastartwhentheywereleavingthechurchandtheirwoodenshoesclatteredonthestonepavement.Inthisway,shelearnedhercatechism,herreligiouseducationhavingbeenneglectedinheryouth;andthenceforthsheimitatedallVirginia'sreligiouspractices,fastedwhenshedid,andwenttoconfessionwithher.AttheCorpus-ChristiDaytheybothdecoratedanaltar.SheworriedinadvanceoverVirginia'sfirstcommunion.Shefussedabouttheshoes,therosary,thebookandthegloves.Withwhatnervousnessshehelpedthemotherdressthechild!Duringtheentireceremony,shefeltanguished.MonsieurBouraishidpartofthechoirfromview,butdirectlyinfrontofher,theflockofmaidens,wearingwhitewreathsovertheirloweredveils,formedasnowwhitefield,andsherecognisedherdarlingbytheslendernessofherneckandherdevoutattitude.Thebelltinkled.Alltheheadsbentandtherewasasilence.Then,atthepealsoftheorganthesingersandtheworshippersstruckuptheAgnesDei;theboys'processionbegan;behindthemcamethegirls.Withclaspedhands,theyadvancedstepbysteptothelightedaltar,kneltatthefirststep,receivedonebyonetheHost,andreturnedtotheirseatsinthesameorder.WhenVirginia'sturncame,Feliciteleanedforwardtowatchher,andthroughthatimaginationwhichspringsfromtrueaffection,sheatoncebecamethechild,whosefaceanddressbecamehers,whoseheartbeatinherbosom,andwhenVirginiaopenedhermouthandclosedherlids,shedidlikewiseandcameverynearfainting.Thefollowingday,shepresentedherselfearlyatthechurchsoastoreceivecommunionfromthecure.Shetookitwiththeproperfeeling,butdidnotexperiencethesamedelightasonthepreviousday.MadameAubainwishedtomakeanaccomplishedgirlofherdaughter;andasGuyotcouldnotteachEnglishormusic,shedecidedtosendhertotheUrsulinesatHonfleur.Thechildmadenoobjection,butFelicitesighedandthoughtMadamewasheartless.Then,shethoughtthatperhapshermistresswasright,asthesethingswerebeyondhersphere.Finally,oneday,anoldfiacrestoppedinfrontofthedoorandanunsteppedout.FeliciteputVirginia'sluggageontopofthecarriage,gavethecoachmansomeinstructions,andsmuggledsixjarsofjam,adozenpearsandabunchofvioletsundertheseat.Atthelastminute,Virginiahadafitofsobbing;sheembracedhermotheragainandagain,whilethelatterkissedherontheforehead,andsaid:"Now,bebrave,bebrave!"Thestepwaspulledupandthefiacrerumbledoff.ThenMadameAubainhadafaintingspell,andthateveningallherfriends,includingthetwoLormeaus,MadameLechaptois,theladiesRochefeuille,MessieursdeHouppevilleandBourais,calledonherandtenderedtheirsympathy.Atfirsttheseparationprovedverypainfultoher.Butherdaughterwroteherthreetimesaweekandtheotherdaysshe,herself,wrotetoVirginia.Thenshewalkedinthegarden,readalittle,andinthiswaymanagedtofillouttheemptinessofthehours.Eachmorning,outofhabit,FeliciteenteredVirginia'sroomandgazedatthewalls.Shemissedcombingherhair,lacinghershoes,tuckingherinherbed,andthebrightfaceandlittlehandwhentheyusedtogooutforawalk.Inordertooccupyherselfshetriedtomakelace.Butherclumsyfingersbrokethethreads;shehadnoheartforanything,losthersleepand"wastedaway,"assheputit.Inordertohavesomedistraction,sheaskedleavetoreceivethevisitsofhernephewVictor.HewouldcomeonSunday,afterchurch,withruddycheeksandbaredchest,bringingwithhimthescentofthecountry.Shewouldsetthetableandtheywouldsitdownoppositeeachother,andeattheirdinner;sheateaslittleaspossible,herself,toavoidanyextraexpense,butwouldstuffhimsowithfoodthathewouldfinallygotosleep.Atthefirststrokeofvespers,shewouldwakehimup,brushhistrousers,tiehiscravatandwalktochurchwithhim,leaningonhisarmwithmaternalpride.Hisparentsalwaystoldhimtogetsomethingoutofher,eitherapackageofbrownsugar,orsoap,orbrandy,andsometimesevenmoney.Hebroughtherhisclothestomend,andsheacceptedthetaskgladly,becauseitmeantanothervisitfromhim.InAugust,hisfathertookhimonacoasting-vessel.ItwasvacationtimeandthearrivalofthechildrenconsoledFelicite.ButPaulwascapricious,andVirginiawasgrowingtoooldtobethee-andthou'd,afactwhichseemedtoproduceasortofembarrassmentintheirrelations.VictorwentsuccessivelytoMorlaix,toDunkirk,andtoBrighton;wheneverhereturnedfromatriphewouldbringherapresent.Thefirsttimeitwasaboxofshells;thesecond,acoffee-cup;thethird,abigdollofginger-bread.Hewasgrowinghandsome,hadagoodfigure,atinymoustache,kindeyes,andalittleleathercapthatsatjauntilyonthebackofhishead.Heamusedhisauntbytellingherstoriesmingledwithnauticalexpressions.OneMonday,the14thofJuly,1819(sheneverforgotthedate),Victorannouncedthathehadbeenengagedonamerchant-vesselandthatintwodayshewouldtakethesteameratHonfleurandjoinhissailer,whichwasgoingtostartfromHavreverysoon.Perhapshemightbeawaytwoyears.TheprospectofhisdeparturefilledFelicitewithdespair,andinordertobidhimfarewell,onWednesdaynight,afterMadame'sdinner,sheputonherpattensandtrudgedthefourmilesthatseparatedPont-l'EvequefromHonfleur.WhenshereachedtheCalvary,insteadofturningtotheright,sheturnedtotheleftandlostherselfincoal-yards;shehadtoretracehersteps;somepeopleshespoketoadvisedhertohasten.Shewalkedhelplesslyaroundtheharbourfilledwithvessels,andknockedagainsthawsers.Presentlythegroundslopedabruptly,lightsflittedtoandfro,andshethoughtallatoncethatshehadgonemadwhenshesawsomehorsesinthesky.Others,ontheedgeofthedock,neighedatthesightoftheocean.Aderrickpulledthemupintheair,anddumpedthemintoaboat,wherepassengerswerebustlingaboutamongbarrelsofcider,basketsofcheeseandbagsofmeal;chickenscackled,thecaptainsworeandacabin-boyrestedontherailing,apparentlyindifferenttohissurroundings.Felicite,whodidnotrecognisehim,keptshouting:"Victor!"Hesuddenlyraisedhiseyes,butwhileshewaspreparingtorushuptohim,theywithdrewthegangplank.Thepacket,towedbysingingwomen,glidedoutoftheharbour.Herhullsqueakedandtheheavywavesbeatupagainsthersides.Thesailhadturnedandnobodywasvisible;--andontheocean,silveredbythelightofthemoon,thevesselformedablackspotthatgrewdimmeranddimmer,andfinallydisappeared.WhenFelicitepassedtheCalvaryagain,shefeltasifshemustentrustthatwhichwasdearesttohertotheLord;andforalongwhilesheprayed,withupliftedeyesandafacewetwithtears.Thecitywassleeping;somecustomsofficialsweretakingtheair;andthewaterkeptpouringthroughtheholesofthedamwithadeafeningroar.Thetownclockstrucktwo.Theparlouroftheconventwouldnotopenuntilmorning,andsurelyadelaywouldannoyMadame,so,inspiteofherdesiretoseetheotherchild,shewenthome.ThemaidsoftheinnwerejustarisingwhenshereachedPont-l'Eveque.Sothepoorboywouldbeontheoceanformonths!Hisprevioustripshadnotalarmedher.OnecancomebackfromEnglandandBrittany;butAmerica,thecolonies,theislands,werealllostinanuncertainregionattheveryendoftheworld.Fromthattimeon,Felicitethoughtsolelyofhernephew.Onwarmdaysshefearedhewouldsufferfromthirst,andwhenitstormed,shewasafraidhewouldbestruckbylightning.Whensheharkenedtothewindthatrattledinthechimneyanddislodgedthetilesontheroof,sheimaginedthathewasbeingbuffetedbythesamestorm,perchedontopofashatteredmast,withhiswholebodybendbackwardandcoveredwithsea-foam;or,--thesewererecollectionsoftheengravedgeography--hewasbeingdevouredbysavages,orcapturedinaforestbyapes,ordyingonsomelonelycoast.Shenevermentionedheranxieties,however.MadameAubainworriedaboutherdaughter.ThesistersthoughtthatVirginiawasaffectionatebutdelicate.Theslightestemotionenervatedher.Shehadtogiveupherpianolessons.Hermotherinsisteduponregularlettersfromtheconvent.Onemorning,whenthepostmanfailedtocome,shegrewimpatientandbegantopacetoandfro,fromherchairtothewindow.Itwasreallyextraordinary!Nonewssincefourdays!Inordertoconsolehermistressbyherownexample,Felicitesaid:"Why,Madame,Ihaven'thadanynewssincesixmonths!--""Fromwhom?--"Theservantrepliedgently:"Why--frommynephew.""Oh,yes,yournephew!"Andshrugginghershoulders,MadameAubaincontinuedtopacethefloorasiftosay:"Ididnotthinkofit.-Besides,Idonotcare,acabin-boy,apauper!--butmydaughter--whatadifference!justthinkofit!--"Felicite,althoughshehadbeenrearedroughly,wasveryindignant.Thensheforgotaboutit.Itappearedquitenaturaltoherthatoneshouldloseone'sheadaboutVirginia.Thetwochildrenwereofequalimportance;theywereunitedinherheartandtheirfatewastobethesame.ThechemistinformedherthatVictor'svesselhadreachedHavana.Hehadreadtheinformationinanewspaper.FeliciteimaginedthatHavanawasaplacewherepeopled