CHAPTER VI.

URSUS AS TUTOR, AND URSUS AS GUARDIAN.

Ursus added,—­

“Some of these days I will play them a nasty trick.  I will marry them.”

Ursus taught Gwynplaine the theory of love.  He said to him,—­

“Do you know how the Almighty lights the fire called love?  He places the woman underneath, the devil between, and the man at the top.  A match—­that is to say, a look—­and behold, it is all on fire.”

“A look is unnecessary,” answered Gwynplaine, thinking of Dea.

And Ursus replied,—­

“Booby!  Do souls require mortal eyes to see each other?”

Ursus was a good fellow at times.  Gwynplaine, sometimes madly in love with Dea, became melancholy, and made use of the presence of Ursus as a guard on himself.  One day Ursus said to him,—­

“Bah! do not put yourself out.  When in love, the cock shows himself.”

“But the eagle conceals himself,” replied Gwynplaine.

At other times Ursus would say to himself, apart,—­

“It is wise to put spokes in the wheels of the Cytherean car.  They love each other too much.  This may have its disadvantages.  Let us avoid a fire.  Let us moderate these hearts.”

Then Ursus had recourse to warnings of this nature, speaking to Gwynplaine when Dea slept, and to Dea when Gwynplaine’s back was turned:—­

“Dea, you must not be so fond of Gwynplaine.  To live in the life of another is perilous.  Egoism is a good root of happiness.  Men escape from women.  And then Gwynplaine might end by becoming infatuated with you.  His success is so great!  You have no idea how great his success is!”

“Gwynplaine, disproportions are no good.  So much ugliness on one side and so much beauty on another ought to compel reflection.  Temper your ardour, my boy.  Do not become too enthusiastic about Dea.  Do you seriously consider that you are made for her?  Just think of your deformity and her perfection!  See the distance between her and yourself.  She has everything, this Dea.  What a white skin!  What hair!  Lips like strawberries!  And her foot! her hand!  Those shoulders, with their exquisite curve!  Her expression is sublime.  She walks diffusing light; and in speaking, the grave tone of her voice is charming.  But for all this, to think that she is a woman!  She would not be such a fool as to be an angel.  She is absolute beauty.  Repeat all this to yourself, to calm your ardour.”

These speeches redoubled the love of Gwynplaine and Dea, and Ursus was astonished at his want of success, just as one who should say, “It is singular that with all the oil I throw on fire I cannot extinguish it.”

Did he, then, desire to extinguish their love, or to cool it even?

Certainly not.  He would have been well punished had he succeeded.  At the bottom of his heart this love, which was flame for them and warmth for him, was his delight.