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from his perception。 Paul was the very man she desired for a son…in…
law； for the responsible editor of her future power。 He belonged；
through his mother； to the family of Maulincour； and the old Baronne
de Maulincour； the friend of the Vidame de Pamiers； was then living in
the centre of the faubourg Saint…Germain。 The grandson of the
baroness； Auguste de Maulincour； held a fine position in the army。
Paul would therefore be an excellent introducer for the Evangelistas
into Parisian society。 The widow had known something of the Paris of
the Empire； she now desired to shine in the Paris of the Restoration。
There alone were the elements of political fortune； the only business
in which women of the world could decently co…operate。 Madame
Evangelista； compelled by her husband's affairs to reside in Bordeaux；
disliked the place。 She desired a wider field； as gamblers rush to
higher stakes。 For her own personal ends； therefore； she looked to
Paul as a means of destiny； she proposed to employ the resources of
her own talent and knowledge of life to advance her son…in…law； in
order to enjoy through him the delights of power。 Many men are thus
made the screens of secret feminine ambitions。 Madame Evangelista had；
however； more than one interest； as we shall see； in laying hold of
her daughter's husband。
Paul was naturally captivated by this woman； who charmed him all the
more because she seemed to seek no influence over him。 In reality she
was using her ascendancy to magnify herself； her daughter； and all her
surroundings in his eyes； for the purpose of ruling from the start the
man in whom she saw a means of gratifying her social longings。 Paul；
on the other hand； began to value himself more highly when he felt
himself appreciated by the mother and daughter。 He thought himself
much cleverer than he really was when he found his reflections and
sayings accepted and understood by Mademoiselle Nataliewho raised
her head and smiled in response to themand by the mother； whose
flattery always seemed involuntary。 The two women were so kind and
friendly to him； he was so sure of pleasing them； they ruled him so
delightfully by holding the thread of his self…love； that he soon
passed all his time at the hotel Evangelista。
A year after his return to Bordeaux； Comte Paul； without having
declared himself； was so attentive to Natalie that the world
considered him as courting her。 Neither mother nor daughter appeared
to be thinking of marriage。 Mademoiselle Evangelista preserved towards
Paul the reserve of a great lady who can make herself charming and
converse agreeably without permitting a single step into intimacy。
This reserve； so little customary among provincials； pleased Paul
immensely。 Timid men are shy； sudden proposals alarm them。 They
retreat from happiness when it comes with a rush； and accept
misfortune if it presents itself mildly with gentle shadows。 Paul
therefore committed himself in his own mind all the more because he
saw no effort on Madame Evangelista's part to bind him。 She fairly
seduced him one evening by remarking that to superior women as well as
men there came a period of life when ambition superseded all the
earlier emotions of life。
〃That woman is fitted；〃 thought Paul； as he left her； 〃to advance me
in diplomacy before I am even made a deputy。〃
If； in all the circumstances of life a man does not turn over and over
both things and ideas in order to examine them thoroughly under their
different aspects before taking action； that man is weak and
incomplete and in danger of fatal failure。 At this moment Paul was an
optimist； he saw everything to advantage； and did not tell himself
than an ambitious mother…in…law might prove a tyrant。 So； every
evening as he left the house； he fancied himself a married man；
allured his mind with its own thought； and slipped on the slippers of
wedlock cheerfully。 In the first place； he had enjoyed his freedom too
long to regret the loss of it； he was tired of a bachelor's life；
which offered him nothing new； he now saw only its annoyances； whereas
if he thought at times of the difficulties of marriage； its pleasures；
in which lay novelty； came far more prominently before his mind。
〃Marriage；〃 he said to himself； 〃is disagreeable for people without
means； but half its troubles disappear before wealth。〃
Every day some favorable consideration swelled the advantages which he
now saw in this particular alliance。
〃No matter to what position I attain； Natalie will always be on the
level of her part；〃 thought he； 〃and that is no small merit in a
woman。 How many of the Empire men I've seen who suffered horribly
through their wives！ It is a great condition of happiness not to feel
one's pride or one's vanity wounded by the companion we have chosen。 A
man can never be really unhappy with a well…bred wife； she will never
make him ridiculous； such a woman is certain to be useful to him。
Natalie will receive in her own house admirably。〃
So thinking； he taxed his memory as to the most distinguished women of
the faubourg Saint…Germain； in order to convince himself that Natalie
could； if not eclipse them； at any rate stand among them on a footing
of perfect equality。 All comparisons were to her advantage； for they
rested on his own imagination； which followed his desires。 Paris would
have shown him daily other natures； young girls of other styles of
beauty and charm； and the multiplicity of impressions would have
balanced his mind； whereas in Bordeaux Natalie had no rivals； she was
the solitary flower； moreover； she appeared to him at a moment when
Paul was under the tyranny of an idea to which most men succumb at his
age。
Thus these reasons of propinquity； joined to reasons of self…love and
a real passion which had no means of satisfaction except by marriage；
led Paul on to an irrational love； which he had； however； the good
sense to keep to himself。 He even endeavored to study Mademoiselle
Evangelista as a man should who desires not to compromise his future
life； for the words of his friend de Marsay did sometimes rumble in
his ears like a warning。 But； in the first place； persons accustomed
to luxury have a certain indifference to it which misleads them。 They
despise it； they use it； it is an instrument； and not the object of
their existence。 Paul never imagined； as he observed the habits of
life of the two ladies； that they covered a gulf of ruin。 Then； though
there may exist some general rules to soften the asperities of
marriage； there are none by which they can be accurately foreseen and
evaded。 When trouble arises between two persons who have undertaken to
render life agreeable and easy to each other； it comes from the
contact of continual intimacy； which； of course； does not exist
between young people before they marry； and will never exist so long
as our present social laws and customs prevail in France。 All is more
or less deception between the two young pe