Page:The Complete Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant.djvu/724

692 me, but think me stupid, though that matters very little to me. Hungry men eat like gluttons, but people of refinement are disgusted at it and often feel an invincible dislike for a dish, on account of a mere trifle. It is the same with love, as with cookery.

“What I cannot comprehend for example is that certain women who fully understand the irresistible attraction of fine, embroidered stockings, the exquisite charm of shades, the witchery of valuable lace concealed in the depths of their underclothing, the exciting zest of hidden luxury, and all the subtle delicacies of female elegance, never understands the invincible disgust with which words that are out of place or foolishly tender, inspire us.

“At times coarse and brutal expressions work wonders, as they excite the senses and make the heart beat, and they are allowable at the hours of combat. Is not that sentence of Cambronne's sublime?

“Nothing shocks us that comes at the light time; but then, we must also know when to hold our tongue, and to avoid phrases à la Paul de Kock, at certain moments.

“And I embrace you passionately, on the condition that you say nothing.

The Upstart

You know good-naiured, stout Du- pontel, who looks Lke the type of a happy man, with fat cheeks the color of ripe apples, a small, reddish mus- tache, turned up over his thick lips, prominent eyes, which never know any emotion or sorrow, and remind one of the calm eyes of cows and oxen, and a long back fixed on to two wriggling crooked legs, which have obtain'^d for him the nickname of "corkscrew" from some nymph of the ballet. Dupontel, who had taken the trouble to be bom, but not like the grand seigneurs whom Beaumarchais made fun of once upon a time, was ballasted with a respectable number of millions, as be- fitted the sole heir of a house that had sold household utensils and appHances for over 3 century. Naturally, like every other upstart who respects himself, he wished to ap- pear to be something, to be known as a clubman, and to play to the gallery, because he had been educated at Vaugirard and knew a little English, had gone through his voluntary service in the army for twelve months* at Rouen; military service Is compulsory, men are allowed to serve in both countries as one-year volunteers ; they en'oy certain privileges, find their own uniform, etc., which entails, of course, considerable ex- pense.
 * Although, in France, as in Germany,