居伊·德·莫泊桑/GuydeMaupassant
Shewasoneofthoseprettyandcharminggirlsborn, asthoughfatehadblunderedoverher, , noexpectations, nomeansofgettingknown, understood, loved, andweddedbyamanofwealthanddistinction; andsheletherselfbemarriedofftoalittleclerkintheMinistryofEducation.
Hertastesweresimplebecauseshehadneverbeenabletoaffordanyother, butshewasasunhappyasthoughshehadmarriedbeneathher; forwomenhavenocasteorclass, theirbeauty, grace, , theirinstinctiveelegance, theirnimblenessofwit, aretheironlymarkofrank, andputtheslumgirlonalevelwiththehighestladyintheland.
Shesufferedendlessly, , fromitsmeanwalls, wornchairs, , ofwhichotherwomenofherclasswouldnotevenhavebeenaware, , heavywithorientaltapestries, litbytorchesinloftybronzesockets, withtwofallfootmeninknee-breechessleepinginlargearm-chairs, , exquisitepiecesoffurnituresupportingpricelessornaments, andsmall, charming, perfumedrooms, createdjustforlittlepartiesofintimatefriends, menwhowerefamousandsoughtafter, whosehomagerousedeveryotherwoman'senviouslongings.
Whenshesatdownfordinnerattheroundtablecoveredwithathree-day-oldcloth, oppositeherhusband, whotookthecoveroffthesoup-tureen, exclaimingdelightedly, "Aha! Scotchbroth! Whatcouldbebetter?" sheimagineddelicatemeals, gleamingsilver, tapestriespeoplingthewallswithfolkofapastageandstrangebirdsinfaeryforests; sheimagineddelicatefoodservedinmarvellousdishes, murmuredgallantries, listenedtowithaninscrutablesmileasonetrifledwiththerosyfleshoftroutorwingsofasparaguschicken.
