I considered that very beautiful, but simple, just as one, considers simple all devotions and climaxes in books or in plays.  It always seems, when one reads or listens to these stories of magnanimity, that one could sacrifice one’s self with enthusiastic pleasure and overwhelming joy.  But the following day, when an unfortunate friend comes to borrow some money, there is a strange revulsion of feeling.

But, suddenly, another supposition, less poetic and more realistic, replaced the first one.  Perhaps he had married before the war, before this frightful accident, and she, in despair and resignation, had been forced to receive, care for, cheer, and support this husband, who had departed, a handsome man, and had returned without his feet, a frightful wreck, forced into immobility, powerless anger, and fatal obesity.

Was he happy or in torture?  I was seized with an irresistible desire to know his story, or, at least, the principal points, which would permit me to guess that which he could not or would not tell me.  Still thinking the matter over, I began talking to him.  We had exchanged a few commonplace words; and I raised my eyes to the net, and thought:  “He must have three children:  the bonbons are for his wife, the doll for his little girl, the drum and the gun for his sons, and this pate de foies gras for himself.”

Suddenly I asked him:  “Are you a father, monsieur?”

He answered:  “No, monsieur.”

I suddenly felt confused, as if I had been guilty of some breach of etiquette, and I continued:  “I beg your pardon.  I had thought that you were when I heard your servant speaking about the toys.  One listens and draws conclusions unconsciously.”

He smiled and then murmured:  “No, I am not even married.  I am still at the preliminary stage.”

I pretended suddenly to remember, and said: 

“Oh! that’s true!  When I knew you, you were engaged to Mademoiselle de Mandel, I believe.”

“Yes, monsieur, your memory is excellent.”

I grew very bold and added:  “I also seem to remember hearing that Mademoiselle de Mandel married Monsieur—­Monsieur—­”

He calmly mentioned the name:  “Monsieur de Fleurel.”

“Yes, that’s it!  I remember it was on that occasion that I heard of your wound.”

I looked him full in the face, and he blushed.  His full face, which was already red from the oversupply of blood, turned crimson.  He answered quickly, with a sudden ardor of a man who is pleading a cause which is lost in his mind and in his heart, but which he does not wish to admit.