THE FIRST ACT OF THE TRAGEDY

Camors did not attempt to rejoin the Marquise, and it seemed to him that she also avoided him.  A quarter of an hour later, he left the Hotel Campvallon.

He returned immediately home.  A lamp was burning in his chamber.  When he saw himself in the mirror, his own face terrified him.  This exciting scene had shaken his nerves.

He could no longer control himself.  His pupil had become his master.  The fact itself did not surprise him.  Woman is more exalted than man in morality.  There is no virtue, no devotion, no heroism in which she does not surpass him; but once impelled to the verge of the abyss, she falls faster and lower than man.  This is attributable to two causes:  she has more passion, and she has no honor.  For honor is a reality and must not be underrated.  It is a noble, delicate, and salutary quality.  It elevates manly attributes; in fact, it constitutes the modesty of man.  It is sometimes a force, and always a grace.  But to think that honor is all-sufficient; that in the face of great interests, great passions, great trials in life, it is a support and an infallible defence; that it can enforce the precepts which come from God—­in fact that it can replace God—­this is a terrible mistake.  It exposes one in a fatal moment to the loss of one’s self-esteem, and to fall suddenly and forever into that dismal ocean of bitterness where Camors at that instant was struggling in despair, like a drowning man in the darkness of midnight.

He abandoned himself, on this evil night, to a final conflict full of agony; and he was beaten.

The next evening at six o’clock he was at the house of the Marquise.  He found her in her boudoir, surrounded by all her regal luxury.  She was half buried in a fauteuil in the chimney-corner, looking a little pale and fatigued.  She received him with her usual coldness and self-possession.

“Good-day,” she said.  “How are you?”

“Not very well,” replied Camors.

“What is the matter?”

“I fancy that you know.”

She opened her large eyes wide with surprise, but did not reply.

“I entreat you, Madame,” continued Camors, smiling—­“no more music, the curtain is raised, and the drama has begun.”

“Ah! we shall see.”

“Do you love me?” he continued; “or were you simply acting, to try me, last night?  Can you, or will you, tell me?”

“I certainly could, but I do not wish to do so.”

“I had thought you more frank.”

“I have my hours.”

“Well, then,” said Camors, “if your hours of frankness have passed, mine have begun.”

“That would be compensation,” she replied.

“And I will prove it to you,” continued Camors.

“I shall make a fete of it,” said the Marquise, throwing herself back on the sofa, as if to make herself comfortable in order to enjoy an agreeable conversation.