Villette - Endnotes

Endnotes

Beautiful girl. ↩
Englishwoman! ↩
What are you doing there? That trunk is mine. ↩
Boarding-school. ↩
It is only Englishwomen who would attempt this kind of thing,⁠ … what courage those women have! ↩
They are ringing for evening prayers! ↩
And what do you say to it?

Well⁠—many things. ↩
Tell me,⁠ … do you really feel yourself incapable? ↩
They are Labassecouriennes, coarse, frank, blunt, and just a little stubborn. ↩
That’s true. ↩
Young girl. ↩
That’s well.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠… That’ll do. ↩
I have lied many times. ↩
Dear me, but this is difficult! I won’t do it. It’s too wearisome. ↩
Because, when you die⁠—you will burn in hell.

Do you believe that?

Certainly I believe it: everybody knows that; besides the priest told me so. ↩
To ensure your salvation on high, they would do well to burn you alive here below. ↩
So so.⁠ … That’s sufficient. ↩
So they say. ↩
Handsome, but rather a fine man than a good-looking fellow. ↩
Sky-blue sash. ↩
Someone has come for Miss Fanshawe! ↩
Listen! ↩
Listen, you dear old grumbler! ↩
Greenhorn. ↩
Not at all! ↩
I am his queen, but he is not my king. ↩
Serious men, intense and impassioned, don’t suit my taste. ↩
Give me your handsome fops and pretty rogues! Long live joy and pleasure! Away with serious love-making and strict propriety! ↩
I love my handsome Colonel,⁠ … I shall never care a bit for his rival. I would never be a middle-class wife, not I! ↩
Their future. ↩
Take care, my child! ↩
What a nuisance this Désirée is! What a little serpent! ↩
Désirée requires very careful looking after. ↩
This child has broken a bone. ↩
And let someone go at once for a cab. ↩
That will do better. ↩
Thank you, Madam; well done, very well done!⁠ … That is a very opportune self-possession, and worth a thousand fits of misplaced sensibility. ↩
Easy freedom of the goodwife. ↩
This poor Doctor John!⁠ … this dear young man! the best creature in the world. ↩
Look⁠ … how tidy this Miss Lucy is! You are fond of that alley, then, Miss? ↩
That’s right. ↩
A veritable British hypocrite from what you say⁠—a sort of monster, rough and harsh like an old corporal of grenadiers, and sour as a nun. ↩
The grey dress, the straw hat. ↩
What a tale!⁠ … No one has been there. ↩
The evening breeze, ↩
What a fine night! ↩
How fine is it? and how fresh the air! ↩
Good night, my dear, sleep well! ↩
Pious reading. ↩
This child is always a little feverish. ↩
Has Dr John seen her lately? He has not, has he? ↩
Spring green hat. ↩
There’s nothing the matter with the little monkey, is there? ↩
Not much. ↩
Still. ↩
Ah!⁠ … Then there is nothing behind it: no mystery, no love affair, for instance? ↩
Not more than there is on the palm of my hand. ↩
What a pity!⁠ … and I⁠—who was just beginning to form some ideas about all that. ↩
Well, you have got your labour for your pains. ↩
I know very well she has no principles, and perhaps no morals. ↩
Her behaviour in the school is always proper, and even filled with a certain dignity: it is always what it should be. Neither the pupils nor their parents look for anything more, nor, consequently, do I. ↩
Big arbour. ↩
Ah, well then! Two or three silver spoons and forks. ↩
Listen! ↩
Are you all a parcel of dolls then?⁠ … Have you no passions, no feeling? Is your flesh turned to snow and your blood to ice? I want to see some fire in it, some life, soul! ↩
Dressmaker. ↩
So sombre⁠—not gay. ↩
Grown women. ↩
As for Mademoiselle St. Pierre, she looks like an ancient coquette playing the simple maiden. ↩
That is it!⁠ … I know her: it is the Englishwoman. So much the worse, but English, and therefore prudish as she may be⁠—she shall get me out of this mess, or I’ll know why. ↩
God knows I detest them like the plague, ordinarily. ↩
To work, quickly! ↩
I have heard it all. That’s good enough. Once more! ↩
Again!⁠ … No sour looks! Don’t be bashful! ↩
At least she knows it. ↩
Well! What is it, miss?

I am very hungry.

What, you’re hungry! How about the collation? ↩
Ah! That’s true. ↩
Well, so be it. ↩
Is it not beautiful? ↩
Order! Silence! ↩
I draw a line there! ↩
Coxcomb. ↩
Dear friend⁠—pretty Englishwoman. ↩
School play. ↩
Courage, my friend! A little more self-possession⁠—steady yourself, M. Lucien, and all will go well. ↩
That, perhaps, is finer than your model,⁠ … but it is not the part. ↩
Handsome blonde⁠ … pretty brunette⁠ … this splendid girl with jet-black hair. ↩
Keep quiet!⁠ … You shall not pass except it is over my dead body, and you shall not dance unless it is with the nun of the garden. ↩
Get out, and look sharp about it. ↩
It is himself. ↩
That is enough: I don’t want him. ↩
So,⁠ … you will be enthroned like a queen; tomorrow⁠—enthroned beside me? No doubt you are tasting in anticipation the delights of authority. There seems an indescribable radiance about you, you ambitious little woman. ↩
How severe you are, Sir! ↩
I took it for a warning. ↩
For example. ↩
Did I say that right? ↩
Give me your hand. ↩
Poor little woman! ↩
Father, I am a Protestant. ↩
What are you doing here? ↩
I am just amusing myself, sir.

You are amusing yourself! and at what, if you please? But first, do me the favour of rising; take my arm, and let us go to the other side. ↩
These Englishwomen are peculiar! ↩
There, there! Be silent, and sit down. ↩
Just sit down, Miss, and don’t move⁠—do you hear?⁠—until someone comes for you, or till I give you permission. ↩
What a dull corner!⁠ … and what disagreeable pictures! ↩
Disagreeable. ↩
The life of a woman. ↩
Maiden. ↩
Wife. ↩
Young Mother. ↩
Widow. ↩
Angels. ↩
Truly! You are a poor thing. ↩
That does not matter.⁠ … A grand woman⁠—the stature of an empress, the figure of Juno, but a person I should not desire either for wife, daughter, or sister. But no matter. You must not cast another glance in that direction. ↩
For the good of the poor. ↩
Miss, you are sad.

Sir, I have very good reason to be.

You are heartsick and out of sorts. ↩
How busy Mademoiselle is! ↩
Giant-stride. ↩
One, two, three. ↩
My dear. ↩
Unsociable saint. ↩
Thank goodness! ↩
British bear. ↩
There is something for you. ↩
Are you purposefully insulting me? ↩
Won’t you? ↩
We can only be young once. ↩
I understand: we know what a “friend” means. Good-day, Miss! ↩
I see plainly that you despise me and my property. ↩
Garret. ↩
A sly air. ↩
There is someone for you in the salon. ↩
Poppy. ↩
About that big John. ↩
We two have waded in the brook
From morning sun till dinner-time [noon],
But seas between us broad have roared
Since auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your flagon,
And surely I’ll buy mine;
And we’ll taste a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

↩
With all my heart, my dear: I willingly give you permission. Since you have been in my house you have always worked admirably, with zeal and prudence: and you have a very good right to enjoy yourself. Go out as much as you wish. I am very pleased at your choice of acquaintance; it is modest, worthy, and commendable. ↩
There is⁠ … something very remarkable in the English character. ↩
I could not explain “how;” but, in a word, the English have ideas of their own about friendship, and love, and everything. But there is one thing, they don’t need watching. ↩
That is what I will do. ↩
Devotion⁠ … contemplativeness. ↩
What do you think of it? ↩
You alluring flirt!⁠ … you have a sad, submissive, pensive manner; but that is not your true character, I tell you: Savage! with heart aflame, and lightening hidden in your eyes!

Yes; I have a heart aflame, and rightly! ↩
Dear friend, I forgive you. ↩
Well done!⁠ … See, the sun begins to shine! Say “mon ami,” then.

Monsieur Paul, I forgive you. ↩
My God! my God!⁠ … What will become of me? Monsieur is going to kill me, I am sure; for he is terribly angry! ↩
From this minute!⁠—the class is prohibited. The first one who opens this door or passes this partition will be hung⁠—even if it were Madame Beck herself! ↩
Spectacles. ↩
Oh dear! I’m quite done-up! ↩
What do you want with me? ↩
Sir,⁠ … I want the impossible, things unheard of before. ↩
There!⁠ … I am widowed of my spectacles! ↩
A strong woman⁠—a terrible Englishwoman⁠—a virago. ↩
There’s Monsieur! ↩
Don’t move. ↩
You won’t have me for your neighbour,⁠ … You give yourself fine airs; you treat me as a pariah;⁠ … Good! I’ll settle this business! ↩
All stand up, young ladies! ↩
Is that far enough away? ↩
Monsieur is responsible for it. ↩
You know very well that it is not so. It is you who have created this immense void: I had nothing to do with it. ↩
A drama of Williams Shackspire; the false god,⁠ … of those stupid pagans, the English. ↩
Obstinate character. ↩
Fury. ↩
Silence! this minute! ↩
Quick as gunpowder! ↩
Temper⁠ … heat. ↩
In the air. ↩
Doll-like colours, a nose more or less well formed. ↩
Embroidered collars. ↩
One more gewgaw. ↩
Knick-nacks. ↩
Gay fashions. ↩
We’ll pass the ribbon! ↩
Birthday. ↩
Silk dress. ↩
Enjoy a little pleasure. ↩
Good morning, my friends. ↩
Is that all? ↩
Map of the world. ↩
Long live England, History and Heroes! Down with France, Fiction and Fops! ↩
Then I shall not be here. ↩
So be it! ↩
I detest thee, my lad! ↩
God preserve you from it! ↩
Comfits. ↩
Cake. ↩
At present it’s an accomplished fact. ↩
How truly beautiful he is, Miss, that young doctor! What eyes⁠—what a look! See! My heart is quite touched by it! ↩
That brazen-face girl, that shameless creature. ↩
She only speaks truth. ↩
Ah! you think so?

Why, of course. ↩
There is nothing to do with me: I don’t care about it. ↩
Demon-like pride. ↩
I see you from here. ↩
That commanding woman. ↩
Velvet paw. ↩
I advise you to get yourself invited. ↩
What’s that? You are playing tricks with me? ↩
It’s the pink dress! ↩
And Miss Lucy is as great a coquette as ten Parisian women.⁠ … Did ever any one see such an Englishwoman? Just look at her bonnet, her gloves, and her boots! ↩
Courage!⁠—as a matter of fact I am not sorry, perhaps I am even glad that you have beautified yourself for my poor holiday.

But my dress is not beautiful, sir⁠—it is only neat.

I like neatness. ↩
The woods and by-paths. ↩
Ham⁠ … sweets. ↩
Singy housewives. ↩
Give me your hand! ↩
Little sister. ↩
Yet I have been very severe, very exacting with you. ↩
Where is Miss Lucy? ↩
She is in bed. ↩
Medley. ↩
What do you want with me? ↩
And as for her felicitations, I laugh at them. ↩
Then, you must know my noble pupil, my Paul? ↩
She is a queer creature, isn’t she? ↩
Oh, the queer little hunchback!⁠ … And just imagine that she hates me because she thinks me in love with my cousin Paul; that little saint who dare not stir unless his confessor give him permission! ↩
Be it I, or be it another. ↩
A silly enough person in my opinion. ↩
Pure as a lily, according to what he says. ↩
Forget angels, hunchbacks, and especially Professors⁠—and good evening! ↩
Forget Professors. ↩
Great heavens! ↩
I know nothing of it. ↩
We are acting in the interests of truth. We don’t want to pain you. ↩
A scoffing and heartless creature. ↩
And you, Miss? you are neat and delicate, and fearfully hard-hearted to boot. ↩
I make my own bed and do the household work myself. ↩
And then? ↩
Is it not true? ↩
You little exacting creature! ↩
Too much sensibility and sympathy. ↩
Tell me then, little sister. ↩
Oh, that pains me! ↩
Mary, Queen of Heaven. ↩
O God, be merciful to me a sinner! ↩
A compound of wit and grace. ↩
How sweet is repose! How precious calm happiness! ↩
Dear little friend!⁠ … sweet consoler! ↩
How pale you are! You must be very ill, Miss! ↩
Frolics. ↩
Where are they? Why don’t they come? ↩
Ladies and gentlemen,⁠ … where then is Justine Marie? ↩
There she is!⁠ … there is Justine Marie coming! ↩
The little one is going to help me⁠—is it not so? ↩
Why yes, I will help you with all my heart. You shall do whatever you please with me, godfather. ↩
Godfather. ↩
Abduction of a minor. ↩
My husband. ↩
Leave me! ↩
Get out! ↩
Woman!⁠ … Woman! get out this instant. ↩
Gently⁠—gently. ↩
Don’t be in a hurry. ↩
Here we are! ↩
Day-school for young ladies.⁠ … Manageress, Miss Lucy Snowe. ↩