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le day。 I was not prepared for the grandeur of the scenery； the workings of an unknown Power greater than that of man were visible at every step； the overhanging crags； the precipices on either hand； the stillness only broken by the voices of the mountain streams； the sternness and wildness of the landscape； relieved here and there by Nature's fairest creations； pine trees that have stood for centuries and delicate rock plants at their feet； all combine to produce sober musings。 There seemed to be no end to this waste solitude； shut in by its lofty mountain barriers。 The idle curiosity of man could scarcely penetrate there。 It would be difficult to cross this melancholy desert of Saint Bruno's with a light heart。
〃I saw the Grand Chartreuse。 I walked beneath the vaulted roofs of the ancient cloisters； and heard in the silence the sound of the water from the spring； falling drop by drop。 I entered a cell that I might the better realize my own utter nothingness； something of the peace that my predecessor had found there seemed to pass into my soul。 An inscription； which in accordance with the custom of the monastery he had written above his door； impressed and touched me； all the precepts of the life that I had meant to lead were there； summed up in three Latin wordsFuge； late； tace。〃
Genestas bent his head as if he understood。
〃My decision was made；〃 Benassis resumed。 〃The cell with its deal wainscot； the hard bed； the solitude； all appealed to my soul。 The Carthusians were in the chapel； I went thither to join in their prayers； and there my resolutions vanished。 I do not wish to criticise the Catholic Church； I am perfectly orthodox； I believe in its laws and in the works it prescribes。 But when I heard the chanting and the prayers of those old men； dead to the world and forgotten by the world； I discerned an undercurrent of sublime egoism in the life of the cloister。 This withdrawal from the world could only benefit the individual soul； and after all what was it but a protracted suicide？ I do not condemn it。 The Church has opened these tombs in which life is buried； no doubt they are needful for those few Christians who are absolutely useless to the world； but for me； it would be better； I thought； to live among my fellows； to devote my life of expiation to their service。
〃As I returned I thought long and carefully over the various ways in which I could carry out my vow of renunciation。 Already I began； in fancy； to lead the life of a common sailor； condemning myself to serve our country in the lowest ranks； and giving up all my intellectual ambitions； but though it was a life of toil and of self…abnegation； it seemed to me that I ought to do more than this。 Should I not thwart the designs of God by leading such a life？ If He had given me intellectual ability； was it not my duty to employ it for the good of my fellow…men？ Then； besides； if I am to speak frankly； I felt within me a need of my fellow…men； an indescribable wish to help them。 The round of mechanical duties and the routine tasks of the sailor afforded no scope for this desire； which is as much an outcome of my nature as the characteristic scent that a flower breathes forth。
〃I was obliged to spend the night here； as I have already told you。 The wretched condition of the countryside had filled me with pity； and during the night it seemed as if these thoughts had been sent to me by God； and that thus He had revealed His will to me。 I had known something of the joys that pierce the heart； the happiness and the sorrow of motherhood； I determined that henceforth my life should be filled with these； but that mine should be a wider sphere than a mother's。 I would expend her care and kindness on the whole district； I would be a sister of charity； and bind the wounds of all the suffering poor in a countryside。 It seemed to me that the finger of God unmistakably pointed out my destiny； and when I remembered that my first serious thoughts in youth had inclined me to the study of medicine； I resolved to settle here as a doctor。 Besides； I had another reason。 FOR A WOUNDED HEARTSHADOW AND SILENCE； so I had written in my letter； and I meant to fulfil the vow which I had made to myself。
〃So I have entered into the paths of silence and submission。 The fuge； late； tace of the Carthusian brother is my motto here； my death to the world is the life of this canton； my prayer takes the form of the active work to which I have set my hand； and which I lovethe work of sowing the seeds of happiness and joy； of giving to others what I myself have not。
〃I have grown so used to this life； completely out of the world and among the peasants； that I am thoroughly transformed。 Even my face is altered； it has been so continually exposed to the sun； that it has grown wrinkled and weather…beaten。 I have fallen into the habits of the peasants； I have assumed their dress； their ways of talking； their gait； their easy…going negligence； their utter indifference to appearances。 My old acquaintances in Paris； or the she…coxcombs on whom I used to dance attendance； would be puzzled to recognize in me the man who had a certain vogue in his day； the sybarite accustomed to all the splendor； luxury； and finery of Paris。 I have come to be absolutely indifferent to my surroundings； like all those who are possessed by one thought； and have only one object in view； for I have but one aim in lifeto take leave of it as soon as possible。 I do not want to hasten my end in any way； but some day； when illness comes； I shall lie down to die without regret。
〃There； sir； you have the whole story of my life until I came here told in all sincerity。 I have not attempted to conceal any of my errors； they have been great； though others have erred as I have erred。 I have suffered greatly； and I am suffering still； but I look beyond this life to a happy future which can only be reached through sorrow。 And yetfor all my resignation； there are moments when my courage fails me。 This very day I was almost overcome in your presence by inward anguish； you did not notice it but〃
Genestas started in his chair。
〃Yes； Captain Bluteau； you were with me at the time。 Do you remember how； while we were putting little Jacques to bed； you pointed to the mattress on which Mother Colas sleeps？ Well； you can imagine how painful it all was； I can never see any child without thinking of the dear child I have lost； and this little one was doomed to die！ I can never see a child with indifferent eyes〃
Genestas turned pale。
〃Yes； the sight of the little golden heads； the innocent beauty of children's faces always awakens memories of my sorrows； and the old anguish returns afresh。 Now and then； too； there comes the intolerable thought that so many people here should thank me for what little I can do for them； when all that I have done has been prompted by remorse。 You alone； captain； know the secret of my life。 If I had drawn my will to serve them from some purer source than the memory of my errors； I should be happy indeed！ But then； too； there would have been nothing to tell you； and no story about myself。〃
CHAPTER V
ELEGIES
As Benassis finished his story； he was struck by the troubled expression of the offic