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utterance； a life of wealth or of penury； perhaps it contained a
crime！
〃The mystery that lurked beneath this fair semblance of womanhood grew
afresh； there were so many ways of explaining Foedora； that she became
inexplicable。 A sort of language seemed to flow from between her lips。
I put thoughts and feelings into the accidents of her breathing；
whether weak or regular； gentle； or labored。 I shared her dreams； I
would fain have divined her secrets by reading them through her
slumber。 I hesitated among contradictory opinions and decisions
without number。 I could not deny my heart to the woman I saw before
me； with the calm； pure beauty in her face。 I resolved to make one
more effort。 If I told her the story of my life； my love； my
sacrifices； might I not awaken pity in her or draw a tear from her who
never wept？
〃As I set all my hopes on this last experiment； the sounds in the
streets showed that day was at hand。 For a moment's space I pictured
Foedora waking to find herself in my arms。 I could have stolen softly
to her side and slipped them about her in a close embrace。 Resolved to
resist the cruel tyranny of this thought； I hurried into the salon；
heedless of any sounds I might make； but； luckily； I came upon a
secret door leading to a little staircase。 As I expected； the key was
in the lock； I slammed the door； went boldly out into the court； and
gained the street in three bounds； without looking round to see
whether I was observed。
〃A dramatist was to read a comedy at the countess' house in two days'
time； I went thither； intending to outstay the others； so as to make a
rather singular request to her； I meant to ask her to keep the
following evening for me alone； and to deny herself to other comers；
but when I found myself alone with her； my courage failed。 Every tick
of the clock alarmed me。 It wanted only a quarter of an hour of
midnight。
〃 'If I do not speak；' I thought to myself； 'I must smash my head
against the corner of the mantelpiece。'
〃I gave myself three minutes' grace； the three minutes went by； and I
did not smash my head upon the marble； my heart grew heavy； like a
sponge with water。
〃 'You are exceedingly amusing；' said she。
〃 'Ah； madame； if you could but understand me！' I answered。
〃 'What is the matter with you？' she asked。 'You are turning pale。'
〃 'I am hesitating to ask a favor of you。'
〃Her gesture revived my courage。 I asked her to make the appointment
with me。
〃 'Willingly；' she answered' 'but why will you not speak to me now？'
〃 'To be candid with you； I ought to explain the full scope of your
promise： I want to spend this evening by your side； as if we were
brother and sister。 Have no fear； I am aware of your antipathies； you
must have divined me sufficiently to feel sure that I should wish you
to do nothing that could be displeasing to you； presumption； moreover；
would not thus approach you。 You have been a friend to me； you have
shown me kindness and great indulgence； know； therefore； that
to…morrow I must bid you farewell。Do not take back your word；' I
exclaimed； seeing her about to speak； and I went away。
〃At eight o'clock one evening towards the end of May； Foedora and I
were alone together in her gothic boudoir。 I feared no longer； I was
secure of happiness。 My mistress should be mine； or I would seek a
refuge in death。 I had condemned my faint…hearted love； and a man who
acknowledges his weakness is strong indeed。
〃The countess； in her blue cashmere gown； was reclining on a sofa；
with her feet on a cushion。 She wore an Oriental turban such as
painters assign to early Hebrews； its strangeness added an
indescribable coquettish grace to her attractions。 A transitory charm
seemed to have laid its spell on her face； it might have furnished the
argument that at every instant we become new and unparalleled beings；
without any resemblance to the US of the future or of the past。 I had
never yet seen her so radiant。
〃 'Do you know that you have piqued my curiosity？' she said； laughing。
〃 'I will not disappoint it；' I said quietly； as I seated myself near
to her and took the hand that she surrendered to me。 'You have a very
beautiful voice！'
〃 'You have never heard me sing！' she exclaimed； starting
involuntarily with surprise。
〃 'I will prove that it is quite otherwise； whenever it is necessary。
Is your delightful singing still to remain a mystery？ Have no fear； I
do not wish to penetrate it。'
〃We spent about an hour in familiar talk。 While I adopted the attitude
and manner of a man to whom Foedora must refuse nothing； I showed her
all a lover's deference。 Acting in this way； I received a favorI was
allowed to kiss her hand。 She daintily drew off the glove； and my
whole soul was dissolved and poured forth in that kiss。 I was steeped
in the bliss of an illusion in which I tried to believe。
〃Foedora lent herself most unexpectedly to my caress and my
flatteries。 Do not accuse me of faint…heartedness； if I had gone a
step beyond these fraternal compliments； the claws would have been out
of the sheath and into me。 We remained perfectly silent for nearly ten
minutes。 I was admiring her； investing her with the charms she had
not。 She was mine just then； and mine only；this enchanting being was
mine； as was permissible； in my imagination； my longing wrapped her
round and held her close； in my soul I wedded her。 The countess was
subdued and fascinated by my magnetic influence。 Ever since I have
regretted that this subjugation was not absolute； but just then I
yearned for her soul； her heart alone； and for nothing else。 I longed
for an ideal and perfect happiness； a fair illusion that cannot last
for very long。 At last I spoke； feeling that the last hours of my
frenzy were at hand。
〃 'Hear me； madame。 I love you； and you know it； I have said so a
hundred times； you must have understood me。 I would not take upon me
the airs of a coxcomb； nor would I flatter you； nor urge myself upon
you like a fool； I would not owe your love to such arts as these！ so I
have been misunderstood。 What sufferings have I not endured for your
sake！ For these； however； you were not to blame； but in a few minutes
you shall decide for yourself。 There are two kinds of poverty； madame。
One kind openly walks the street in rags； an unconscious imitator of
Diogenes； on a scanty diet； reducing life to its simplest terms； he is
happier； maybe； than the rich； he has fewer cares at any rate； and
accepts such portions of the world as stronger spirits refuse。 Then
there is poverty in splendor； a Spanish pauper； concealing the life of
a beggar by his title； his bravery； and his pride； poverty that wears
a white waistcoat and yellow kid gloves； a beggar with a carriage；
whose whole career will be wrecked for lack of a halfpenny。 Poverty of
the first kind belongs to the populace； the second kind is that of
blacklegs； of kings； and of men of talent