in M.
Paul's presence, than they dare tread purposely on his corns, laugh in his face
during a stormy apostrophe, or speak above their breath while some crisis of
irritability was covering his human visage with the mask of an intelligent
tiger. M. Paul, then, might dance with whom he would - and woe be to the
interference which put him out of step.
    Others there were admitted as spectators - with (seeming) reluctance,
through prayers, by influence, under restriction, by special and difficult
exercise of Madame Beck's gracious good-nature, and whom she all the evening -
with her own personal surveillance - kept far aloof at the remotest, drearest,
coldest, darkest side of the carré - a small, forlorn, band of jeunes gens;
these being all of the best families, grown-up sons of mothers present, and
whose sisters were pupils in the school. That whole evening was madame on duty
beside these jeunes gens - attentive to them as a mother, but strict with them
as a dragon. There was a sort of cordon sketched before them, which they wearied
her with prayers to be permitted to pass, and just to revive themselves by one
dance with that »belle blonde,« or that »jolie brune,« or »cette jeune fille
magnifique aux cheveux noirs comme le jais.«
    »Taisez-vous!« madame would reply, heroically and inexorably. »Vous ne
passerez pas à moins que ce ne soit sur mon cadavre, et vous ne danserez qu'avec
la nonnette du jardin« (alluding to the legend). And she majestically walked to
and fro along their disconsolate and impatient line, like a little Buonaparte in
a mouse-coloured silk gown.
    Madame knew something of the world; madame knew much of human nature. I
don't think that another directress in Villette would have dared to admit a
jeune homme within her walls; but madame knew that by granting such admission,
on an occasion like the present, a bold stroke might be struck, and a great
point gained.
    In the first place, the parents were made accomplices to the deed, for it
was only through their mediation it was brought about. Secondly: the admission
of these rattle-snakes, so fascinating and so dangerous, served to draw out
madame precisely in her strongest character - that of a first-rate surveillante.
Thirdly: their presence furnished a most piquant ingredient to the
entertainment: the pupils knew it, and saw it, and the view of such golden
apples shining afar on, animated them with a spirit