AprivatecommunicationmadebyCardottothecelebrated\"procureur—
general，\"fatherofthisyoungman，wasthecauseofhisvisit。
OlivierVinethadjustbeenpromotedfromthecourtofArcis—sur—AubetothatoftheSeine，wherehenowheldthepostofsubstitute\"procureur—de—roi。\"CardothadalreadyinvitedThuillierandtheelderVinet，whowaslikelytobecomeministerofjustice，withhisson，todinewithhim。ThenotaryestimatedthefortuneswhichwouldeventuallyfalltoCelesteatsevenhundredthousandfrancs。VinetjuniorappearedcharmedtoobtaintherighttovisittheThuilliersonSundays。Greatdowriesmakemencommitgreatandunbecomingfollieswithoutreserveordecencyinthesedays。
Tenminuteslateranotheryoungman，whohadbeentalkingwithThuillierbeforethearrivalofOlivierVinet，raisedhisvoiceeagerly，inapoliticaldiscussion，andforcedtheyoungmagistratetofollowhisexampleinthevivaciousargumentwhichnowensued。ThematterrelatedtothevotebywhichtheChamberofDeputieshadjustoverthrowntheministryofthe12thofMay，refusingtheallowancedemandedfortheDucdeNemours。
\"Assuredly，\"saidtheyoungman，\"Iamfarfrombelongingtothedynasticparty；Iamveryfarfromapprovingoftheriseofthebourgeoisietopower。Thebourgeoisieoughtnot，anymorethanthearistocracyofotherdays，toassumetobethewholenation。ButtheFrenchbourgeoisiehasnowtakenuponitselftocreateanewdynasty，aroyaltyofitsown，andbeholdhowittreatsit！WhenthepeopleallowedNapoleontorisetopower，itcreatedwithhimasplendidandmonumentalstateofthings；itwasproudofhisgrandeur；anditnoblygaveitsbloodandsweatinbuildinguptheedificeoftheEmpire。
Betweenthemagnificenceofthearistocraticthroneandthoseoftheimperialpurple，betweenthegreatoftheearthandthePeople，thebourgeoisieisprovingitselfpetty；itdegradespowertoitsownlevelinsteadofrisinguptoit。Thesavingofcandle—endsithassolongpractisedbehinditscounters，itnowseekstoimposeonitsprinces。Whatmayperhapshavebeenvirtueinitsshopsisablunderandacrimehigherup。Imyselfhavewantedmanythingsforthepeople，butInevershouldhavebegunbyloppingofftenmillionsoffrancsfromthenewcivillist。Inbecoming，asitwere，nearlythewholeofFrance，thebourgeoisieowedtoustheprosperityofthepeople，splendorwithoutostentation，grandeurwithoutprivilege。\"
ThefatherofOlivierVinetwasjustnowsulkingwiththegovernment。
TherobeofKeeperoftheSeals，whichhadbeenhisdream，wasslowincomingtohim。Theyoungsubstitutedidnot，therefore，knowexactlyhowtoanswerthisspeech；hethoughtitwisetoenlargeononeofitssideissues。
\"Youareright，monsieur，\"saidOlivierVinet。\"But，beforemanifestingitselfmagnificently，thebourgeoisiehasotherdutiestofulfiltowardsFrance。Theluxuryyouspeakofshouldcomeafterduty。
Thatwhichseemstoyousoblameableisthenecessityofthemoment。
TheChamberisfarfromhavingitsfullshareinpublicaffairs；theministersarelessforFrancethantheyareforthecrown，andparliamenthasdeterminedthattheadministrationshallhave，asinEngland，astrengthandpowerofitsown，andnotamereborrowedpower。Thedayonwhichtheadministrationcanactforitself，andrepresenttheChamberastheChamberrepresentsthecountry，parliamentwillbefoundveryliberaltowardthecrown。Thewholequestionisthere。Istateitwithoutexpressingmyownopinion，forthedutiesofmypostdemand，inpolitics，acertainfealtytothecrown。\"
\"Settingasidethepoliticalquestion，\"repliedtheyoungman，whosevoiceandaccentwerethoseofanativeofProvence，\"itiscertainlytruethatthebourgeoisiehasillunderstooditsmission。Wecansee，anyday，thegreatlawofficers，attorney—generals，peersofFranceinomnibuses，judgeswholiveontheirsalaries，prefectswithoutfortunes，ministersindebt！Whereasthebourgeoisie，whohaveseizeduponthoseoffices，oughttodignifythem，asintheoldentimewhenaristocracydignifiedthem，andnotoccupysuchpostssolelyforthepurposeofmakingtheirfortune，asscandalousdisclosureshaveproved。\"
\"Whoisthisyoungman？\"thoughtOlivierVinet。\"Ishearelative？
Cardotoughttohavecomewithmeonthisfirstvisit。\"
\"Whoisthatlittlemonsieur？\"askedMinardofBarbet。\"Ihaveseenhimhereseveraltimes。\"
\"Heisatenant，\"repliedMetivier，shufflingthecards。
\"Alawyer，\"addedBarbet，inalowvoice，\"whooccupiesasmallapartmentonthethirdfloorfront。Oh！HEdoesn’tamounttomuch；hehasnothing。\"
\"Whatisthenameofthatyoungman？\"saidOlivierVinettoThuillier。
\"TheodosedelaPeyrade；heisabarrister，\"repliedThuillier，inawhisper。
Atthatmomentthewomenpresent，aswellasthemen，lookedatthetwoyoungfellows，andMadameMinardremarkedtoColleville：——
\"Heisrathergood—looking，thatstranger。\"
\"Ihavemadehisanagram，\"repliedColleville，\"andhisname，Charles—
Marie—TheodosedelaPeyrade，prophecies：’Eh！monsieurpayera，deladot，desoiesetlechar。’Therefore，mydearMammaMinard，besureyoudon’tgivehimyourdaughter。\"
\"Theysaythatyoungmanisbetter—lookingthanmyson，\"saidMadamePhelliontoMadameColleville。\"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？\"
\"Oh！inthematterofphysicalbeautyawomanmighthesitatebeforechoosing，\"repliedMadameColleville。
AtthatmomentitoccurredtoyoungVinetashelookedroundthesalon，sofullofthelesserbourgeoisie，thatitmightbeashrewdthingtomagnifythatparticularclass；andhethereuponenlargeduponthemeaningoftheyoungProvencalbarrister，declaringthatmensohonoredbytheconfidenceofthegovernmentshouldimitateroyaltyandencourageamagnificencesurpassingthatoftheformercourt。Itwasfolly，hesaid，tolaybytheemolumentsofanoffice。Besides，coulditbedone，inParisespecially，wherecostsoflivinghadtrebled，——
theapartmentofamagistrate，forinstance，costingthreethousandfrancsayear？
\"Myfather，\"hesaidinconclusion，\"allowsmethreethousandfrancsayear，andthat，withmysalary，barelyallowsmetomaintainmyrank。\"
Whentheyoungsubstituterodeboldlyintothisbog—hole，theProvencal，whohadslylyenticedhimthere，exchanged，withoutbeingobserved，awinkwithDutocq，whowasjustthenwaitingfortheplaceofaplayeratbouillotte。
\"Thereissuchademandforoffices，\"remarkedthelatter，\"thattheytalkofcreatingtwojusticesofthepeacetoeacharrondissementinordertomakeadozennewclerkships。Asiftheycouldinterferewithourrightsandoursalaries，whichalreadyrequireanexhorbitanttax！\"
\"IhavenotyethadthepleasureofhearingyouatthePalais，\"saidVinettoMonsieurdelaPeyrade。
\"Iamadvocateforthepoor，andIpleadonlybeforethejusticeofpeace，\"repliedlaPeyrade。
MademoiselleThuillier，asshelistenedtoyoungVinet’stheoryofthenecessityofspendinganincome，assumedadistantairandmanner，thesignificanceofwhichwaswellunderstoodbyDutocqandtheyoungProvencal。VinetleftthehouseincompanywithMinardandJulientheadvocate，sothatthebattle—fieldbeforethefire—placewasabandonedtolaPeyradeandDutocq。
\"Theupperbourgeoisie，\"saidDutocqtoThuillier，\"willbehave，infuture，exactlyliketheoldaristocracy。Thenobilitywantedgirlswithmoneytomanuretheirlands，andtheparvenusofto—daywantthesametofeathertheirnests。\"
\"That’sexactlywhatMonsieurThuillierwassayingtomethismorning，\"remarkedlaPeyrade，boldly。
\"Vinet’sfather，\"saidDutocq，\"marriedaDemoiselledeChargeboeufandhascaughttheopinionsofthenobility；hewantsafortuneatanyprice；hiswifespendsmoneyregally。\"
\"Oh！\"saidThuillier，inwhomthejealousybetweenthetwoclassesofthebourgeoisiewasfullyroused，\"takeofficesawayfromthosefellowsandthey’dfallbackwheretheycame。\"
Mademoisellewasknittingwithsuchprecipitoushastethatsheseemedtobepropelledbyasteam—engine。
\"Takemyplace，MonsieurDutocq，\"saidMadameMinard，rising。\"Myfeetarecold，\"sheadded，goingtothefire，wherethegoldenornamentsofherturbanmadefireworksinthelightoftheSaint—Aurorawax—candlesthatwerestrugglingvainlytolightthevastsalon。
\"Heisverysmallfry，thatyoungsubstitute，\"saidMadameMinard，glancingatMademoiselleThuillier。
\"Smallfry！\"criedlaPeyrade。\"Ah，madame！howwitty！\"
\"Butmadamehassolongaccustomedustothatsortofthing，\"saidthehandsomeThuillier。
MadameCollevillewasexamininglaPeyradeandcomparinghimwithyoungPhellion，whowasjustthentalkingtoCeleste，neitherofthempayinganyheedtowhatwasgoingonaroundthem。Thisis，certainly，therightmomenttodepictthesingularpersonagewhowasdestinedtoplayasignalpartintheThuillierhousehold，andwhofullydeservestheappellationofagreatartist。
CHAPTERV
APRINCIPALPERSONAGE
ThereexistsinProvence，especiallyaboutAvignon，araceofmenwithblondorchestnuthair，fairskin，andeyesthatarealmosttender，theirpupilscalm，feeble，orlanguishing，ratherthankeen，ardent，orprofound，astheyusuallyareintheeyesofSoutherners。Letusremark，inpassing，thatamongCorsicans，aracesubjecttofitsofangeranddangerousirascibility，weoftenmeetwithfairskinsandphysicalnaturesofthesameapparenttranquillity。Thesepalemen，ratherstout，withsomewhatdimandhazyeyeseithergreenorblue，aretheworstspeciesofhumanityinProvence；andCharles—Marie—
TheodosedelaPeyradepresentsafinetypeofthatrace，theconstitutionofwhichdeservescarefulexaminationonthepartofmedicalscienceandphilosophicalphysiology。Thererises，attimes，withinsuchmen，aspeciesofbile，——abittergall，whichfliestotheirheadandmakesthemcapableofferociousactions，done，apparently，incoldblood。Beingtheresultofaninwardintoxication，thissortofdumbviolenceseemstobeirreconcilablewiththeirquasi—lymphaticoutwardman，andthetranquillityoftheirbenignantglance。
BornintheneighborhoodofAvignon，theyoungProvencalwhosenamewehavejustmentionedwasofmiddleheight，well—proportioned，andratherstout；thetoneofhisskinhadnobrilliancy；itwasneitherlividnordead—white，norcolored，butgelatinous，——thatwordcanalonegiveatrueideaoftheflabby，huelessenvelope，beneathwhichwereconcealednervesthatwerelessvigorousthancapableofenormousresistanceatcertaingivenmoments。Hiseyes，ofapalecoldblue，expressedintheirordinaryconditionaspeciesofdeceptivesadness，whichmusthavehadgreatcharmsforwomen。Theforehead，finelycut，wasnotwithoutdignity，anditharmonizedwellwiththesoft，lightchestnuthaircurlingnaturally，butslightly，atitstips。Thenose，preciselylikethatofahuntingdog，flatandfurrowedatthetip，inquisitive，intelligent，searching，alwaysonthescent，insteadofexpressinggood—humor，wasironicalandmocking；butthisparticularaspectofhisnaturenevershoweditselfopenly；theyoungmanmusthaveceasedtowatchhimself，hemusthaveflownintofurybeforethepowercametohimtoflashoutthesarcasmandthewitwhichembittered，tenfold，hisinfernalhumor。Themouth，thecurvinglinesandpomegranate—coloredlipsofwhichwereverypleasing，seemedtheadmirableinstrumentofanorganthatwasalmostsweetinitsmiddletones，whereitsownerusuallykeptit，butwhich，initshigherkey，vibratedontheearlikethesoundofagong。Thisfalsettowasthevoiceofhisnervesandhisanger。Hisface，keptexpressionlessbyaninwardcommand，wasovalinform。Hismanners，inharmonywiththesacerdotalcalmnessoftheface，werereservedandconventional；buthehadsupple，pliantwayswhich，thoughtheyneverdescendedtowheedling，werenotlackinginseduction；althoughassoonashisbackwasturnedtheircharmseemedinexplicable。Charm，whenittakesitsriseintheheart，leavesdeepandlastingtraces；thatwhichismerelyaproductofart，orofeloquence，hasonlyapassingpower；itproducesitsimmediateeffect，andthatisall。Buthowmanyphilosophersarethereinlifewhoareabletodistinguishthedifference？Almostalwaysthetrickisplayed（touseapopularexpression）beforetheordinaryrunofmenhaveperceiveditsmethods。
Everythingaboutthisyoungmanoftwenty—sevenwasinharmonywithhischaracter；heobeyedhisvocationbycultivatingphilanthropy，——
theonlyexpressionwhichexplainsthephilanthropist。TheodoselovedthePeople，forhelimitedhisloveforhumanity。Likethehorticulturistwhodevoteshimselftoroses，ordahlias，orheart’s—
ease，orgeraniums，andpaysnoattentiontotheplantshisfancyhasnotselected，sothisyoungLaRochefoucault—Liancourtgavehimselftotheworkingmen，theproletariatandthepaupersofthefaubourgsSaint—JacquesandSaint—Marceau。Thestrongman，themanofgeniusatbay，theworthypoorofthebourgeoisclass，hecutthemofffromthebosomofhischarity。Theheartofallpersonswithamaniaislikethoseboxeswithcompartments，inwhichsugarplumsarekeptinsorts：
\"suumcuiquetribuere\"istheirmotto；theymeasuretoeachdutyitsdose。Therearesomephilanthropistswhopitynothingbutthemancondemnedtodeath。Vanityiscertainlythebasisofphilanthropy；butinthecaseofthisProvencalitwascalculation，apredeterminedcourse，a\"liberal\"anddemocratichypocrisy，playedwithaperfectionthatnootheractorwilleverattain。
Theodosedidnotattacktherich；hecontentedhimselfwithnotunderstandingthem；heenduredthem；everyone，inhisopinion，oughttoenjoythefruitsofhislabor。Hehadbeen，hesaid，aferventdiscipleofSaint—Simon，butthatmistakemustbeattributedtohisyouth：modernsocietycouldhavenootherbasisthanheredity。AnardentCatholic，likeallmenfromtheComtat，hewenttotheearliestmorningmasses，andthusconcealedhispiety。Likeotherphilanthropists，hepractisedasordideconomy，andgavetothepoorhistime，hislegaladvice，hiseloquence，andsuchmoneyasheextractedforthemfromtherich。Hisclothes，alwaysofblackcloth，werewornuntiltheseamsbecamewhite。NaturehaddoneagreatdealforTheodoseinnotgivinghimthatfinemanlySouthernbeautywhichcreatesinothersanimaginaryexpectation，towhichitismorethandifficultforamantorespond。Asitwas，hecouldbewhatsuitedhimatthemoment，——anagreeablemanoraveryordinaryone。Never，sincehisadmissiontotheThuilliers’，hadheventured，tillthisevening，toraisehisvoiceandspeakasdogmaticallyashehadriskeddoingtoOlivierVinet；butperhapsTheodosedelaPeyradewasnotsorrytoseizetheopportunitytocomeoutfromtheshadeinwhichhehadhithertokepthimself。Besides，itwasnecessarytogetridoftheyoungsubstitute，justastheMinardshadpreviouslyruinedthehopesofMonsieurGodeschal。Likeallsuperiormen（forhecertainlyhadsomesuperiority），Vinethadneverloweredhimselftothepointwherethethreadsofthesebourgeoisspider—websbecamevisibletohim，andhehadthereforeplunged，likeafly，headforemost，intothealmostinvisibletraptowhichTheodoseinveigledhim。
Tocompletethisportraitofthepoorman’slawyerwemusthererelatethecircumstancesofhisfirstarrivalattheThuilliers’。
TheodosecametolodgeinMademoiselleThuillier’shousetowardthecloseoftheyear1837。Hehadtakenhisdegreeaboutfiveyearsearlier，andhadkeptthepropernumberoftermstobecomeabarrister。Circumstances，however，aboutwhichhesaidnothing，hadinterferedtopreventhisbeingcalledtothebar；hewas，therefore，stillalicentiate。Butsoonafterhewasinstalledinthelittleapartmentonthethirdfloor，withthefurniturerigorouslyrequiredbyallmembersofhisnobleprofession，——fortheguildofbarristersadmitsnobrotherunlesshehasasuitablestudy，alegallibrary，andcanthus，asitwere，verifyhisclaims，——TheodosedelaPeyradebegantopractiseasabarristerbeforetheRoyalCourtofParis。
Thewholeoftheyear1838wasemployedinmakingthischangeinhiscondition，andheledamostregularlife。Hestudiedathomeinthemorningstilldinner—time，goingsometimestothePalaisforimportantcases。HavingbecomeveryintimatewithDutocq（soDutocqsaid），hedidcertainservicestothepoorofthefaubourgSaint—Jacqueswhowerebroughttohisnoticebythatofficial。Hepleadedtheircasesbeforethecourt，afterbringingthemtothenoticeoftheattorneys，who，accordingtothestatutesoftheirorder，areobligedtotaketurnsindoingbusinessforthepoor。AsTheodosewascarefultopleadonlysafecases，hewonthemall。Thosepersonswhomhethusobligedexpressedtheirgratitudeandtheiradmiration，inspiteoftheyounglawyer’sadmonitions，amongtheirownclass，andtotheportersofprivatehouses，throughwhommanyanecdotesrosetotheearsoftheproprietors。Delightedtohaveintheirhouseatenantsoworthyandsocharitable，theThuillierswishedtoattracthimtotheirsalon，andtheyquestionedDutocqabouthim。Themayor’sclerkrepliedastheenviousreply；whiledoingjusticetotheyoungmanhedweltonhisremarkableavarice，whichmight，however，betheeffectofpoverty。
\"Ihavehadotherinformationabouthim。HebelongstothePeyrades，anoldfamilyofthe’comtat’ofAvignon；hecameheretowardtheendof1829，toinquireaboutanunclewhosefortunewassaidtobeconsiderable；hediscoveredtheaddressoftheoldmanonlythreedaysbeforehisdeath；andthefurnitureofthedeceasedmerelysufficedtoburyhimandpayhisdebts。Afriendofthisuselessunclegaveacoupleofhundredlouistothepoorfortune—hunter，advisinghimtofinishhislegalstudiesandenterthejudiciarycareer。ThosetwohundredlouissupportedhimforthreeyearsinParis，wherehelivedlikeananchorite。Butbeingunabletodiscoverhisunknownfriendandbenefactor，thepoorstudentwasinabjectdistressin1833。Heworkedthen，likesomanyotherlicentiates，inpoliticsandliterature，bywhichhekepthimselfforatimeabovewant——forhehadnothingtoexpectfromhisfamily。Hisfather，theyoungestbrotherofthedeaduncle，haselevenotherchildren，wholiveonasmallestatecalledLesCanquoelles。Hefinallyobtainedaplaceonaministerialnewspaper，themanagerofwhichwasthefamousCerizet，socelebratedforthepersecutionshemetwith，undertheRestoration，onaccountofhisattachmenttotheliberals，——amanwhomthenewLeftwillneverforgiveforhavingmadehispaperministerial。Asthegovernmentofthesedaysdoesverylittletoprotectevenitsmostdevotedservants（witnesstheGisquetaffair），therepublicanshaveendedbyruiningCerizet。ItellyouthistoexplainhowitisthatCerizetisnowacopyingclerkinmyoffice。Well，inthedayswhenheflourishedasmanagingeditorofapaperdirectedbythePerierministryagainsttheincendiaryjournals，the’Tribune’andothers，Cerizet，whoisaworthyfellowafterall，thoughheistoofondofwomen，pleasure，andgoodliving，wasveryusefultoTheodose，whoeditedthepoliticaldepartmentofthepaper；andifithadn’tbeenforthedeathofCasimirPerierthatyoungmanwouldcertainlyhavereceivedanappointmentassubstitutejudgeinParis。Asitwas，hedroppedbackin1834—35，inspiteofhistalent；forhisconnectionwithaministerialjournalofcoursedidhimharm。’Ifithadnotbeenformyreligiousprinciples，’hesaidtome，’IshouldhavethrownmyselfintotheSeine。’However，itseemsthatthefriendofhisunclemusthaveheardofhisdistress，foragainhesenthimasumofmoney；
enoughtocompletehistermsforthebar；but，strangetosay，hehasneverknownthenameortheaddressofthismysteriousbenefactor。
Afterall，perhaps，undersuchcircumstances，hiseconomyisexcusable，andhemusthavegreatstrengthofmindtorefusewhatthepoordevilswhosecaseshewinsbyhisdevotionofferhim。Heisindignantatthewayotherlawyersspeculateonthepossibilityorimpossibilityofpoorcreatures，unjustlysued，payingforthecostsoftheirdefence。Oh！he’llsucceedintheend。Ishouldn’tbesurprisedtoseethatfellowinsomeverybrilliantposition；hehastenacity，honesty，andcourage。Hestudies，hedelves。\"
Notwithstandingthefavorwithwhichhewasgreeted，laPeyradewentdiscreetlytotheThuilliers’。Whenreproachedforthisreservehewentoftener，andendedbyappearingeverySunday；hewasinvitedtoalldinner—parties，andbecameatlastsofamiliarinthehousethatwheneverhecametoseeThuillieraboutfouro’clockhewasalwaysrequestedtotake\"pot—luck\"withoutceremony。MademoiselleThuillierusedtosay：——
\"Thenweknowthathewillgetagooddinner，poorfellow！\"
Asocialphenomenonwhichhascertainlybeenobserved，butnever，asyet，formulated，or，ifyoulikeitbetter，published，thoughitfullydeservestoberecorded，isthereturnofhabits，mind，andmannerstoprimitiveconditionsincertainpersonswho，betweenyouthandoldage，haveraisedthemselvesabovetheirfirstestate。ThusThuillierhadbecome，oncemore，morallyspeaking，thesonofaconcierge。Henowmadeuseofmanyofhisfather’sjokes，andalittleoftheslimeofearlydayswasbeginningtoappearonthesurfaceofhisdeclininglife。Aboutfiveorsixtimesamonth，whenthesoupwasrichandgoodhewoulddeposithisspooninhisemptyplateandsay，asifthepropositionwereentirelynovel：——
\"That’sbetterthanakickontheshin—bone！\"
OnhearingthatwitticismforthefirsttimeTheodose，towhomitwasreallynew，laughedsoheartilythatthehandsomeThuillierwastickledinhisvanityashehadneverbeenbefore。Afterthat，Theodosegreetedthesamespeechwithaknowinglittlesmile。ThisslightdetailwillexplainhowitwasthatonthemorningofthedaywhenTheodosehadhispassageatarmswithVinethehadsaidtoThuillier，astheywerewalkinginthegardentoseetheeffectofafrost：——
\"Youhavemuchmorewitthanyougiveyourselfcreditfor。\"
Towhichhereceivedthisanswer：——
\"Inanyothercareer，mydearTheodose，Ishouldhavemademywaynobly；butthefalloftheEmperorbrokemyneck。\"
\"Thereisstilltime，\"saidtheyounglawyer。\"Inthefirstplace，whatdidthatmountebank，Colleville，everdotogetthecross？\"
TherelaPeyradelaidhisfingeronasorewoundwhichThuillierhidfromeveryeyesocarefullythatevenhissisterdidnotknowofit；
buttheyoungman，interestedinstudyingthesebourgeois，haddivinedthesecretenvythatgnawedattheheartoftheex—official。
\"Ifyou，experiencedasyouare，willdothehonortofollowmyadvice，\"addedthephilanthropist，\"and，aboveall，notmentionourcompacttoanyone，IwillundertaketohaveyoudecoratedwiththeLegionofhonor，totheapplauseofthewholequarter。\"
\"Oh！ifwesucceedinthat，\"criedThuillier，\"youdon’tknowwhatI
woulddoforyou。\"
ThisexplainswhyThuilliercarriedhisheadhighwhenTheodosehadtheaudacitythateveningtoputopinionsintohismouth。
Inart——andperhapsMolierehadplacedhypocrisyintherankofartbyclassingTartuffeforeveramongcomedians——thereexistsapointofperfectiontowhichgeniusaloneattains；meretalentfallsbelowit。
Thereissolittledifferencebetweenaworkofgeniusandaworkoftalent，thatonlymenofgeniuscanappreciatethedistancethatseparatesRaffaellefromCorreggio，TitianfromRubens。Morethanthat；commonmindsareeasilydeceivedonthispoint。Thesignofgeniusisacertainappearanceoffacility。Infact，itsworkmustappear，atfirstsight，ordinary，sonaturalisit，evenonthehighestsubjects。Manypeasant—womenholdtheirchildrenasthefamousMadonnaintheDresdengalleryholdshers。Well，theheightofartinamanoflaPeyrade’sforcewastoobligeotherstosayofhimlater：
\"Everybodywouldhavebeentakeninbyhim。\"
Now，inthesalonThuillier，henotedadawningopposition；heperceivedinCollevillethesomewhatclear—sightedandcriticisingnatureofanartistwhohasmissedhisvocation。ThebarristerfelthimselfdispleasingtoColleville，who（astheresultofcircumstancesnotnecessarytoherereport）consideredhimselfjustifiedinbelievinginthescienceofanagrams。Noneofthisanagramshadeverfailed。Theclerksinthegovernmentofficehadlaughedathimwhen，demandingananagramonthenameofthepoorhelplessAuguste—Jean—
FrancoisMinard，hehadproduced，\"J’amassaiunesigrandefortune\"；
andtheeventhadjustifiedhimafterthelapseoftenyears！
Theodose，onseveraloccasions，hadmadeadvancestothejovialsecretaryofthemayor’soffice，andhadfelthimselfrebuffedbyacoldnesswhichwasnotnaturalinsosociableaman。Whenthegameofbouillottecametoanend，CollevilleseizedthemomenttodrawThuillierintotherecessofawindowandsaytohim：——
\"Youarelettingthatlawyergettoomuchfootholdinyourhouse；hekepttheballinhisownhandsalltheevening。\"
\"Thankyou，myfriend；forewarnedisforearmed，\"repliedThuillier，inwardlyscoffingatColleville。
Theodose，whowastalkingatthemomenttoMadameColleville，hadhiseyeonthetwomen，and，withthesamepresciencebywhichwomenknowwhenandhowtheyarespokenof，heperceivedthatCollevillewastryingtoinjurehiminthemindoftheweakandsillyThuillier。
\"Madame，\"hesaidinFlavie’sear，\"ifanyonehereiscapableofappreciatingyouitiscertainlyI。Youseemtomeapearldroppedintothemire。Yousayyouareforty—two，butawomanisnoolderthanshelooks，andmanywomenofthirtywouldbethankfultohaveyourfigureandthatnoblecountenance，wherelovehaspassedwithouteverfillingthevoidinyourheart。YouhavegivenyourselftoGod，I
know，andIhavetoomuchreligionmyselftoregretit，butIalsoknowthatyouhavedonesobecausenohumanbeinghasprovedworthyofyou。Youhavebeenloved，butyouhaveneverbeenadored——Ihavedivinedthat。Thereisyourhusband，whohasnotknownhowtopleaseyouinapositioninkeepingwithyourdeserts。Hedislikesme，asifhethoughtIlovedyou；andhepreventsmefromtellingyouofawaythatIthinkIhavefoundtoplaceyouinthesphereforwhichyouweredestined。No，madame，\"hecontinued，rising，\"theAbbeGondrinwillnotpreachthisyearthroughLentatourhumbleSaint—JacquesduHaut—Pas；thepreacherwillbeMonsieurd’Estival，acompatriotofmine，andyouwillhearinhimoneofthemostimpressivespeakersthatIhaveeverknown，——apriestwhoseoutwardappearanceisnotagreeable，but，oh！whatasoul！\"
\"Thenmydesirewillbegratified，\"saidpoorMadameThuillier。\"I
haveneveryetbeenabletounderstandafamouspreacher。\"
AsmileflickeredonthelipsofMademoiselleThuillierandseveralotherswhoheardtheremark。
\"Theydevotethemselvestoomuchtotheologicaldemonstration，\"saidTheodose。\"Ihavelongthoughtsomyself——butInevertalkreligion；
ifithadnotbeenforMadameDEColleville，I——\"