THE AWAKENING BY HENRY BORDEAUX Author of "The Fear of Living" TRANSLATED BY RUTH HELEN DAVIS NEW YORK E-P-DUTTON & COMPANY PUBLISHERS Copyright, 1914 BY P. DUTTON & COMPANY TO MY DEAR AUNT VIRGINIA WITH THE AFFECTIONATE REGARD OF RUTH HELEN DAVIS CONTENTS PART I CHAPTER I The First Act of Procedure II The First Judges III The Plaintiff IV The Defendant PART II I The Other Side of the World II The Watch III Albert's Diary IV Anne de Sézery V Elizabeth's Awakening PART III I The First Stage II Elizabeth's Day III Madame Molay-Norrois IV The New Life V A Ghost VI Madame Derize PART IV I The Palms II Philippe Lagier's Mysterious Journey III Elizabeth in Paris IV The Return V The Phantom VI The Chartreuse of Prémol VII The Opened Eyes THE AWAKENING PART I I THE FIRST ACT OF PROCEDURE A suit for divorce or separation is begun, as everyone knows, by a petition to the presiding judge: the party seeking freedom or release from the conjugal tie briefly states his grievances, and requests the magistrate, according to law, to attempt a reconciliation, a useless proceeding in most cases, before the final break. In the provinces, the first step in the proceedings is generally heartily welcomed in the solicitors' offices. The clerks hastily leave their desks to get a look at the rough draft--which they will soon have to copy--with all the eagerness of youth to enjoy a scandal, the participants in which are known to them. It is a regular treat for them; but their unkindness is quite devoid of malice. Thus, the Derize case at Grenoble brought into close conference in M. Tabourin's office, during the chief's absence, the four clerks--the learned Vitrolle, Dauras, Lestaque and the errand-boy Malaunay. They began the reading of a communication from the veteran barrister, M. Salvage with the formality commensurate with the importance of the persons concerned, and with a sense of the glory reflected upon the office by such a truly Parisian affair. "Another victim of man's selfishness!" cried Vitrolle with an air of finality.