before, our lips met more passionately than ever, and our single body
swayed among the invisible, ejaculating throng that elbowed and jostled
us. The light flashed again. We had loosed our hold. Ah, it was not
Marie whom I had clasped! The woman fled with a stifled exclamation of
shame and indignation towards him who she believed had embraced her,
and who had seen nothing. Confused, and as though still blind, I
rejoined Marie, but I was myself again with difficulty. In spite of
all, that kiss which had suddenly brought me in naked contact with a
complete stranger remained to me an extraordinary and infernal delight.
Afterwards, I thought I recognized the woman by her blue dress, half
seen at the same time as the gleam of her neck after that brief and
dazzling incident. But there were three of them somewhat alike. I
never knew which of those unknown women concealed within her flesh the
half of the thrill that I could not shake off all the evening.

* * * * * *

There was a large gathering at the wedding. The Marquis and
Marchioness of Monthyon appeared at the sacristy. Brisbille, by good
luck, stayed away. Good sectarian that he was, he only acknowledged
civil marriages. I was a little shamefaced to see march past, taking
their share of the fine and tranquil smile distributed by Marie, some
women who had formerly been my mistresses--Madame Lacaille, nervous,
subtle, mystical; big Victorine and her good-natured rotundity, who had
welcomed me any time and anywhere; and Madeleine Chaine; and slender
Antonia above all, with the Italian woman's ardent and theatrical face,
ebony-framed, and wearing a hat of Parisian splendor. For Antonia is
very elegant since she married Véron. I could not help wincing when I
saw that lanky woman, who had clung to me in venturesome rooms, now
assiduous around us in her ceremonious attire. But how far off and