years old, has false
curls and teeth, wit of the time of the Restoration, and toilettes of
the same period."

When the guests returned to the drawing-room, Duroy asked Mme. de
Marelle: "May I escort you home?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because M. Laroche-Mathieu, who is my neighbor, leaves me at my door
every time that I dine here."

"When shall I see you again?"

"Lunch with me to-morrow."

They parted without another word. Duroy did not remain late; as he
descended the staircase, he met Norbert de Varenne, who was likewise
going away. The old poet took his arm; fearing no rivalry on the
newspaper, their work being essentially different, he was very friendly
to the young man.

"Shall we walk along together?"

"I shall be pleased to," replied Duroy.

The streets were almost deserted that night. At first the two men did
not speak. Then Duroy, in order to make some remark, said: "That M.
Laroche-Mathieu looks very intelligent."

The old poet murmured: "Do you think so?"

The younger man hesitated in surprise: "Why, yes! Is he not considered
one of the most capable men in the Chamber?"

"That may be. In a kingdom of blind men the blind are kings. All those
people are divided between money and politics; they are pedants to whom
it is impossible to speak of anything that is familiar to us. Ah, it is
difficult to find a man who is liberal in his ideas! I have known
several, they are dead. Still, what difference does a little more or a
little less genius make, since all must come to an end?" He paused, and
Duroy said with a smile:

"You are gloomy to-night, sir!"

The poet replied: "I always am, my child; you will be too in a few
years. While one is climbing the ladder, one sees the top and feels
hopeful; but when one has reached that summit, one sees the descent and
the end which is death. It is slow work ascending, but one descends
rapidly. At your age one is joyous; one hopes for many things which
never come to pass. At mine, one expects nothing but death."

Duroy laughed: "Egad, you make me shudder."

Norbert de Varenne continued: "You do not understand me now, but later
on you will remember what I have told you. We breathe, sleep, drink,
eat, work, and then die! The end of life is death. What do you long
for? Love? A few kisses and you will be powerless. Money? What for? To
gratify your desires. Glory? What comes after it all? Death! Death
alone is certain."

He stopped, took Duroy by his coat collar