g a selection. She had seen only three
pieces: _Robert le Diable_ in the capital, _Le Jeune Mari_ at Rouen, and
another at Falaise which was very funny, and which was called _La
Brouette du Vinaigrier_.[10]

Finally, Bouvard suggested to her the great scene of Tartuffe in the
second act.

Pecuchet thought an explanation was desirable:

"You must know that Tartuffe----"

Madame Bordin interrupted him: "We know what a Tartuffe is."

Bouvard had wished for a robe for a certain passage.

"I see only the monk's habit," said Pecuchet.

"No matter; bring it here."

He reappeared with it and a copy of Moliere.

The opening was tame, but at the place where Tartuffe caresses Elmire's
knees, Pecuchet assumed the tone of a gendarme:

"_What is your hand doing there?_"

Bouvard instantly replied in a sugary voice:

"_I am feeling your dress; the stuff of it is marrowy._"

And he shot forth glances from his eyes, bent forward his mouth, sniffed
with an exceedingly lecherous air, and ended by even addressing himself
to Madame Bordin.

His impassioned gaze embarrassed her, and when he stopped, humble and
palpitating, she almost sought for something to say in reply.

Pecuchet took refuge in the book: "_The declaration is quite gallant._"

"Ha! yes," cried she; "he is a bold wheedler."

"Is it not so?" returned Bouvard confidently. "But here's another with a
more modern touch about it." And, having opened his coat, he squatted
over a piece of ashlar, and, with his head thrown back, burst forth:

"Your eyes' bright flame my vision floods with joy.
Sing me some song like those, in bygone years,
You sang at eve, your dark eye filled with tears."[11]

"That is like me," she thought.

"Drink and be merry! let the wine-cup flow:
Give me this hour, and all the rest may go!"[12]

"How droll you are!" And she laughed with a little laugh, which made her
throat rise up, and exposed her teeth.

"Ah! say, is it not sweet
To love and see your lover at your feet?"[13]

He knelt down.

"Finish, then."

"'Oh! let me sleep and dream upon thy breast,
My beauty, Dona Sol, my love!'[14]

"Here the bells are heard, and they are disturbed by a mountaineer."

"Fortunately; for, but for that----" And Madame Bordin smiled, in place
of finishing the sentence.

It was getting dark. She arose.

It had been raining a short time before, and the path through the beech
grove no