or, if you like, a professor, and love
perishes under the rod which, sooner or later, gives pain; for a young
and handsome wife, at once discreet and laughter-loving, will not accept
any superiority above that with which she is endowed by nature. Perhaps
I was in the wrong? During the difficult beginnings of a household I,
perhaps, assumed a magisterial tone? On the other hand, I may have made
the mistake of trusting too entirely to that artless nature; I kept no
watch over the Countess, in whom revolt seemed to me impossible? Alas!
neither in politics nor in domestic life has it yet been ascertained
whether empires and happiness are wrecked by too much confidence or too
much severity! Perhaps again, the husband failed to realize Honorine's
girlish dreams? Who can tell, while happy days last, what precepts he
has neglected?'

"I remember only the broad outlines of the reproaches the Count
addressed to himself, with all the good faith of an anatomist seeking
the cause of a disease which might be overlooked by his brethren; but
his merciful indulgence struck me then as really worthy of that of Jesus
Christ when He rescued the woman taken in adultery.

"'It was eighteen months after my father's death--my mother followed him
to the tomb in a few months--when the fearful night came which surprised
me by Honorine's farewell letter. What poetic delusion had seduced my
wife? Was it through her senses? Was it the magnetism of misfortune
or of genius? Which of these powers had taken her by storm or misled
her?--I would not know. The blow was so terrible, that for a month I
remained stunned. Afterwards, reflection counseled me to continue in
ignorance, and Honorine's misfortunes have since taught me too much
about all these things.--So far, Maurice, the story is commonplace
enough; but one word will change it all: I love Honorine, I have never
ceased to worship her. From the day when she left me I have lived on
memory; one by one I recall the pleasures for which Honorine no doubt
had no taste.

"'Oh!' said he, seeing the amazement in my eyes, 'do not make a hero of
me, do not think me such a fool, as the Colonel of the Empire would say,
as to have sought no diversion. Alas, my boy! I was either too young or
too much in love; I have not in the whole world met with another woman.
After frightful struggles with myself, I tried to forget; money in hand,
I stood on the very threshold of infidelity, but there the memory of
Honorine