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But before coming to the turn in the conversation which led the
Consul…General to speak； it will not be out of place to give some
account of him and his family。
This diplomate； a man of four…and…thirty； who had been married about
six years； was the living portrait of Lord Byron。 The familiarity of
that face makes a description of the Consul's unnecessary。 It may；
however； be noted that there was no affectation in his dreamy
expression。 Lord Byron was a poet； and the Consul was poetical； women
know and recognize the difference； which explains without justifying
some of their attachments。 His handsome face； thrown into relief by a
delightful nature； had captivated a Genoese heiress。 A Genoese
heiress！ the expression might raise a smile at Genoa； where； in
consequence of the inability of daughters to inherit； a woman is
rarely rich； but Onorina Pedrotti； the only child of a banker without
heirs male； was an exception。 Notwithstanding all the flattering
advances prompted by a spontaneous passion； the Consul…General had not
seemed to wish to marry。 Nevertheless； after living in the town for
two years； and after certain steps taken by the Ambassador during his
visits to the Genoese Court； the marriage was decided on。 The young
man withdrew his former refusal； less on account of the touching
affection of Onorina Petrotti than by reason of an unknown incident；
one of those crises of private life which are so instantly buried
under the daily tide of interests that； at a subsequent date； the most
natural actions seem inexplicable。
This involution of causes sometimes affects the most serious events of
history。 This； at any rate； was the opinion of the town of Genoa；
where； to some women； the extreme reserve； the melancholy of the
French Consul could be explained only by the word passion。 It may be
remarked； in passing； that women never complain of being the victims
of a preference； they are very ready to immolate themselves for the
common weal。 Onorina Pedrotti； who might have hated the Consul if she
had been altogether scorned； loved her /sposo/ no less； and perhaps
more； when she know that he had loved。 Women allow precedence in love
affairs。 All is well if other women are in question。
A man is not a diplomate with impunity： the /sposo/ was as secret as
the graveso secret that the merchants of Genoa chose to regard the
young Consul's attitude as premeditated； and the heiress might perhaps
have slipped through his fingers if he had not played his part of a
love…sick /malade imaginaire/。 If it was real； the women thought it
too degrading to be believed。
Pedrotti's daughter gave him her love as a consolation； she lulled
these unknown griefs in a cradle of tenderness and Italian caresses。
Il Signor Pedrotti had indeed no reason to complain of the choice to
which he was driven by his beloved child。 Powerful protectors in Paris
watched over the young diplomate's fortunes。 In accordance with a
promise made by the Ambassador to the Consul…General's father…in…law；
the young man was created Baron and Commander of the Legion of Honor。
Signor Pedrotti himself was made a Count by the King of Sardinia。
Onorina's dower was a million of francs。 As to the fortune of the Casa
Pedrotti； estimated at two millions； made in the corn trade； the young
couple came into it within six months of their marriage； for the first
and last Count Pedrotti died in January 183l。
Onorina Pedrotti is one of those beautiful Genoese women who； when
they are beautiful； are the most magnificent creatures in Italy。
Michael Angelo took his models in Genoa for the tomb of Giuliano。
Hence the fulness and singular placing of the breast in the figures of
Day and Night； which so many critics have thought exaggerated； but
which is peculiar to the women of Liguria。 A Genoese beauty is no
longer to be found excepting under the mezzaro； as at Venice it is met
with only under the /fazzioli/。 This phenomenon is observed among all
fallen nations。 The noble type survives only among the populace； as
after the burning of a town coins are found hidden in the ashes。 And
Onorina； an exception as regards her fortune； is no less an
exceptional patrician beauty。 Recall to mind the figure of Night which
Michael Angelo has placed at the feet of the /Pensieroso/； dress her
in modern garb； twist that long hair round the magnificent head； a
little dark in complexion； set a spark of fire in those dreamy eyes；
throw a scarf about the massive bosom； see the long dress； white；
embroidered with flowers； imagine the statue sitting upright； with her
arms folded like those of Mademoiselle Georges； and you will see
before you the Consul's wife； with a boy of six； as handsome as a
mother's desire； and a little girl of four on her knees； as beautiful
as the type of childhood so laboriously sought out by the sculptor
David to grace a tomb。
This beautiful family was the object of Camille's secret study。 It
struck Mademoiselle des Touches that the Consul looked rather too
absent…minded for a perfectly happy man。
Although； throughout the day； the husband and wife had offered her the
pleasing spectacle of complete happiness； Camille wondered why one of
the most superior men she had ever met； and whom she had seen too in
Paris drawing…rooms； remained as Consul…General at Genoa when he
possessed a fortune of a hundred odd thousand francs a year。 But； at
the same time； she had discerned； by many of the little nothings which
women perceive with the intelligence of the Arab sage in /Zadig/； that
the husband was faithfully devoted。 These two handsome creatures would
no doubt love each other without a misunderstanding till the end of
their days。 So Camille said to herself alternately； 〃What is wrong？
Nothing is wrong；〃 following the misleading symptoms of the Consul's
demeanor； and he； it may be said； had the absolute calmness of
Englishmen； of savages； of Orientals； and of consummate diplomatists。
In discussing literature； they spoke of the perennial stock…in…trade
of the republic of letterswoman's sin。 And they presently found
themselves confronted by two opinions： When a woman sins； is the man
or the woman to blame？ The three women presentthe Ambassadress； the
Consul's wife； and Mademoiselle des Touches； women； of course； of
blameless reputationswere without pity for the woman。 The men tried
to convince these fair flowers of their sex that some virtues might
remain in a woman after she had fallen。
〃How long are we going to play at hide…and…seek in this way？〃 said
Leon de Lora。
〃/Cara vita/； go and put your children to bed； and send me by Gina the
little black pocket…book that lies on my Boule cabinet；〃 said the
Consul to his wife。
She rose without a reply； which shows that she loved her husband very
truly； for she already knew French enough to understand that her
husband was getting rid of her。
〃I will tell you a story in which I played a part； and after that we
can discuss it； for it seems to me childish to practise with the
scalpel on an imaginary body。 Begin by dissecting a corpse。〃
Every one prepared to listen； with all the greater readiness because
they had all talked enough； and this is