| I. | The Initiation of Saval |
| II. | Bougival and Love |
| III. | Enlightenment |
| IV. | From Emotion to Philosophy |
As they were leaving the Cafe Riche, Jean de Servigny said to LeonSaval: "If you don't object, let us walk. The weather is too fine totake a cab."
His friend answered: "I would like nothing better."
Jean replied: "It is hardly eleven o'clock. We shall arrive muchbefore midnight, so let us go slowly."
A restless crowd was moving along the boulevard, that throngpeculiar to summer nights, drinking, chatting, and flowing like ariver, filled with a sense of comfort and joy. Here and there a cafethrew a flood of light upon a knot of patrons drinking at littletables on the sidewalk, which were covered with bottles and glasses,hindering the passing of the hurrying multitude. On the pavement thecabs with their red, blue, or green lights dashed by, showing for asecond, in the glimmer, the thin shadow of the horse, the raisedprofile of the coachman, and the dark box of the carriage. The cabsof the Urbaine Company made clear and rapid spots when their yellowpanels were struck by the light.
The two friends walked with slow steps, cigars in their mouths, inevening dress and overcoats on their arms, with a flower in theirbuttonholes, and their hats a trifle on one side, as men willcarelessly wear them sometimes, after they have dined well and theair is mild.
They had been linked together since their college days by a close,devoted, and firm affection. Jean de Servigny, small, slender, atrifle bald, rather frail, with elegance of mien, curled mustache,bright eyes, and fine lips, was a man who seemed born and bred uponthe boulevard. He was tireless in spite of his languid air, strongin spite of his pallor, one of those slight Parisians to whomgymnastic exercise, fencing, cold shower and hot baths give anervous, artificial strength. He was known by his marriage as wellas by his wit, his fortune, his connections, and by thatsociability, amiability, and fashionable gallantry peculiar tocertain men.
A true Parisian, furthermore, light, sceptical, changeable,captivating, energetic, and irresolute, capable of everything and ofnothing; selfish by principle and generous on occasion, he livedmoderately upon his income, and amused himself with hygiene.Indifferent and passionate, he gave himself rein and drew backconstantly, impelled by conflicting instincts, yie