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joined the sense of a vast solitude surrounded by darkness and perils。
A few of the sculptor's friends gathered together as a family council to consider the future of this unfortunate child without relatives or fortune。 Fifty francs had been discovered in the box where Sebastien used to put his money； on a piece of the studio furniture well known to its needy frequenters and visited by them without scruple。 There was no other inheritance； at least in cash； only a quantity of artistic and curious furniture of the most sumptuous description； a few valuable pictures； and a certain amount of money owing but scarcely sufficing to cover numberless debts。 It was proposed to organize a sale。 Felicia； when she was consulted； replied that she would not care if everything were sold； but； for God's sake； let them leave her in peace。
The sale did not take place； however； thanks to the godmother； the excellent Crenmitz； who suddenly made her appearance； calm and gentle as usual。
〃Don't listen to them； my child。 Sell nothing。 Your old Constance has an income of fifteen thousand francs； which was destined to come to you later on。 You will take advantage of it at once； that is all。 We will live here together。 You will see； I shall not be in the way。 You will work at your sculpture； I shall manage the house。 Does that suit you？〃
It was said so tenderly； with that childishness of accent which foreigners have when expressing themselves in French； that the girl was deeply moved。 Her heart that had seemed turned to stone opened； a burning flood came pouring from her eyes； and she rushed； flung herself into the arms of the dancer。 〃Ah； godmother； how good you are to me！ Yes； yes； don't leave me any more。 Stay with me always。 Life frightens and disgusts me。 I see so much hypocrisy in it； so much falsehood。〃 And the old woman arranged for herself a silken and embroidered nest in this house so like a traveller's camp laden with treasures from every land； and the suggested dual life began for these two different natures。
It was no small sacrifice that Constance had made for the dear demon in quitting her Fontainebleau retreat for Paris； which inspired her with terror。 Ever since the day when this dancer； with her extravagant caprices； who made princely fortunes flow and disappear through her five open fingers； had descended from her triumphant position； a little of its dazzling glitter still in her eyes； and had attempted to resume an ordinary existence； to manage her little income and her modest household； she had been the object of a thousand impudent exploitations； of frauds that were easy in view of the ignorance of this poor butterfly that was frightened by reality and came into collision with all its unknown difficulties。 Living in Felicia's house； the responsibility became still more serious by reason of the wastefulness introduced long ago by the father and continued by the daughter； two artists knowing nothing of economy。 She had； moreover； other difficulties to conquer。 She found the studio insupportable with its permanent atmosphere of tobacco smoke； an impenetrable cloud for her； in which the discussions on art； the analysis of ideas； were lost and which infallibly gave her a headache。 〃Chaff；〃 above all； frightened her。 As a foreigner； as at one time a divinity of the green…room； brought up on out…of…date compliments； on gallantries /a la Dorat/； she did not understand it； and would feel terrified in the presence of the wild exaggerations； the paradoxes of these Parisians refined by the liberty of the studio。
That kind of thing was intimidating to her who had never possessed wit save in the vivacity of her feet； and reduced her simply to the rank of a lady…companion； and； seeing this amiable old dame sitting； silent and smiling； her knitting in her lap； like one of Chardin's /bourgeoises/； or hastening by the side of her cook up the long Rue de Chaillot； where the nearest market happened to be； one would never have guessed that that simple old body had ruled kings； princes； the whole class of amorous nobles and financiers； at the caprice of her step and pirouettings。
Paris is full of such fallen stars； extinguished by the crowd。
Some of these famous ones； these conquerors of a former day； cherish a rage in their heart； others； on the contrary； enjoy the past blissfully； digest in an ineffable content all their glorious and ended joys； asking only repose； silence； shadow； good enough for memory and contemplations； so that when they die people are quite astonished to learn that they had been still living。
Constance Crenmitz was among these fortunate ones。 The household of these two women was a curious one。 Both were childlike； placing side by side in a common domain； inexperience and ambition； the tranquility of an accomplished destiny and the fever of a life plunged in struggle； all the different qualities manifest even in the serene style of dress affected by this blonde who seemed all white like a faded rose； with something beneath her bright colours that vaguely suggested the footlights； and that brunette with the regular features； who almost always clothed her beauty in dark materials； simple in fold； a semblance； as it were； of virility。
Things unforeseen； caprices； ignorance of even the least important details； led to an extreme disorder in the finances of the household； disorder which was only rectified by dint of privations； by the dismissal of servants； by reforms that were laughable in their exaggeration。 During one of these crises； Jenkins had made veiled delicate offers； which； however； were repulsed with contempt by Felicia。
〃It is not nice of you；〃 Constance would remark to her； 〃to be so hard on the poor doctor。 After all； there was nothing offensive in his suggestion。 An old friend of your father。〃
〃He； any one's friend！ Ah； the hypocrite！〃
And Felicia； hardly able to contain herself； would give an ironical turn to her wrath； imitating Jenkins with his oily manner and his hand on his heart； then； puffing out her cheeks； she would say in a loud； deep voice full of lying unction：
〃Let us be humane； let us be kind。 To do good without hope of reward！ That is the whole point。〃
Constance used to laugh till the tears came； in spite of herself。 The resemblance was so perfect。
〃All the same； you are too hard。 You will end by driving him away altogether。〃
〃Little fear of that；〃 a shake of the girl's head would reply。
In effect he always came back； pleasant； amiable； dissimulating his passion； which was visible only when it grew jealous of newcomers； paying assiduous attention to the old dancer； who； in spite of everything； found his good…nature pleasing and recognised in him a man of her own time； of the time when one accosted a woman with a kiss on her hand； with a compliment on her appearance。
One morning； Jenkins having called in the course of his round； found Constance alone and doing nothing in the antechamber。
〃You see； doctor； I am on guard；〃 she remarked tranquilly。
〃How is that？〃
〃Felicia is at work。 She wishes not to be disturbed； and the servants are so stupid； I am myself seeing that her orders are obeyed。〃
Then； seeing that the Irishman made a step towards t