And Pierre asked himself if he had not taken a wrong view of things, and if it was not the idle and good-for-nothing fellows who were more prudent than he.  To waste his life in superhuman works, to tire his mind in seeking to solve great problems, and to attain old age without other satisfaction than unproductive honors and mercenary rewards.  Those who only sought happiness and joy—­epicureans who drive away all care, all pain, and only seek to soften their existence, and brighten their horizon—­were they not true sages?  Death comes so quickly!  And it is with astonishment that one perceives when the hour is at hand, that one has not lived!  Then the voice of pride spoke to him:  what is a man who remains useless, and does not leave one trace of his passage through the world by works or discoveries?  And, in a state of fever, Pierre said to himself: 

“I will throw myself heart and soul into science; I will make my name famous, and I will make that ungrateful child regret me.  She will see the difference between me and him whom she has chosen.  She will understand that he is nobody, except by her money, whereas she would have been all by me.”

A hand was placed on his shoulder; and Marechal’s affectionate voice said to him: 

“Well! what are you doing here, gesticulating like that?”

Pierre turned round.

Lost in his thoughts he had not heard his friend approaching.

“All our guests have arrived,” continued Marechal.  “I have only just been able to leave them and to come to you.  I have been seeking you for more than a quarter of an hour.  You are wrong to hide yourself; people will make remarks.  Come toward the house; it is as well to show yourself a little; people might imagine things which they must not imagine.”

“Eh! let them think what they like; what does it matter to me?” said Pierre, sadly.  “My life is a blank.”

“Your life may be a blank; but it is your duty not to let any one perceive it.  Imitate the young Spartan, who smiled although the fox, hidden under his cloak, was gnawing his vitals.  Let us avoid ridicule, my friend.  In society there is nothing that provokes laughter more than a disappointed lover, who rolls his eyes about and looks woe-begone.  And, then, you-see, suffering is a human law; the world is an arena, life is a conflict.  Material obstacles, moral griefs, all hinder and overwhelm us.  We must go on, though, all the same, and fight.  Those who give in are trodden down!  Come, pull yourself together!”

“And for whom should I fight now?  A moment ago I was making projects, but I was a fool!  All hope and ambition are dead in me.”

“Ambition will return, you may be sure!  At present you are suffering from weariness of mind; but your strength will return.  As to hope, one must never despair.”

“What can I expect in the future?”

“What?  Why, everything!  In this world all sorts of things happen!” said Marechal, gayly.  “Who is to prove that the Princess will not be a widow soon?”