HemadesorapidamovementthatFlavie，terrified，roseandmovedaway。
\"Oh！mysaint！\"hecried，\"atthyfeetIfall——amiracle！Godisforme，surely！Aflashoflighthascometome——anidea——suddenly！Oh，thanks，mygoodangel，mygrandSaint—Theodose！thouhastsavedme！\"
Flaviecouldnothelpadmiringthatchameleonbeing；onekneeonthefloor，hishandscrossedonhisbreast，andhiseyesraisedtoheaveninreligiousecstasy，herecitedaprayer；hewasaferventCatholic；
hereverentlycrossedhimself。Itwasfine；likethevisionofSaint—
Jerome。
\"Adieu！\"hesaid，withamelancholylookandamovingtoneofvoice。
\"Oh！\"criedFlavie，\"leavemethishandkerchief。\"
Theodoserushedawaylikeonepossessed，sprangintothestreet，anddartedtowardstheThuilliers’，butturned，sawFlavieatherwindow，andmadeheralittlesignoftriumph。
\"Whataman！\"shethoughttoherself。
\"Dear，goodfriend，\"hesaidtoThuillier，inacalmandgentle，almostcaressingvoice，\"wehavefallenintothehandsofatrociousscoundrels。ButImeantoreadthemalesson。\"
\"Whathashappened？\"askedBrigitte。
\"Theywanttwenty—fivethousandfrancs，and，inordertogetthebetterofus，thenotary，orhisaccomplices，havedeterminedtobidintheproperty。Thuillier，putfivethousandfrancsinyourpocketandcomewithme；Iwillsecurethathousetoyou。Iammakingmyselfimplacableenemies！\"hecried；\"theyareseekingtodestroymemorally。ButallIaskisthatyouwilldisregardtheirinfamouscalumniesandfeelnochangeofhearttome。Afterall，whatisit？IfIsucceed，youwillonlyhavepaidonehundredandtwenty—fivethousandfrancsforthehouseinsteadofonehundredandtwenty。\"
\"Providedthesamethingdoesn’thappenagain，\"saidBrigitte，uneasily，hereyesdilatingundertheeffectofaviolentsuspicion。
\"Preferredcreditorshavealonetherighttobidinproperty，andas，inthiscase，thereisbutone，andhehasusedthatright，wearesafe。Theamountofhisclaimisreallyonlytwothousandfrancs，buttherearelawyers，attorneys，andsoforth，topayinsuchmatters，andweshallhavetodropanoteofathousandfrancstomakethecreditorhappy。\"
\"Go，Thuillier，\"saidBrigitte，\"getyourhatandgloves，andtakethemoney——fromyouknowwhere。\"
\"AsIpaidthosefifteenthousandfrancswithoutsuccess，Idon’twishtohaveanymoremoneypassthroughmyhands。Thuilliermustpayithimself，\"saidTheodose，whenhefoundhimselfalonewithBrigitte。
\"Youhave，however，gainedtwentythousandonthecontractIenabledyoutomakewithGrindot，whothoughthewasservingthenotary，andyouownapieceofpropertywhichinfiveyearswillbeworthnearlyamillion。Itiswhatiscalleda’boulevardcorner。’\"
Brigittelisteneduneasily，preciselylikeacatwhichhearsamousewithinthewall。ShelookedTheodosestraightintheeye，and，inspiteofthetruthofhisremarks，doubtspossessedher。
\"Whattroublesyou，littleaunt？\"
\"Oh！Ishallbeinmortalterroruntilthatpropertyissecurelyours。\"
\"Youwouldbewillingtogivetwentythousandfrancs，wouldn’tyou，\"
saidTheodose，\"tomakesurethatThuillierwaswhatwecall，inlaw，’ownernotdispossessable’ofthatproperty？Well，then，rememberthatIhavesavedyoutwicethatamount。\"
\"Wherearewegoing？\"askedThuillier，returning。
\"ToMaitreGodeschal！Wemustemployhimasourattorney。\"
\"ButwerefusedhimforCeleste。\"
\"Well，that’sonereasonforgoingtohim，\"repliedTheodose。\"Ihavetakenhismeasure；he’samanofhonor，andhe’llthinkitafinethingtodoyouaservice。\"
Godeschal，nowDerville’ssuccessor，hadformerlybeen，formorethantwoyears，head—clerkwithDesroches。Theodose，towhomthatcircumstancewasknown，seemedtohearthenameflungintohisearinthemidstofhisdespairbyaninwardvoice，andheforesawapossibilityofwrenchingfromthehandsofClaparontheweaponwithwhichCerizethadthreatenedhim。Hemust，however，inthefirstinstance，gainanentrancetoDesroches，andgetsomelightontheactualsituationofhisenemies。Godeschal，byreasonoftheintimacystillexistingbetweentheformerclerkandhisoldmaster，couldbehisgo—between。WhentheattorneysofParishavetieslikethosewhichboundGodeschalandDesrochestogether，theyliveintruefraternity，andtheresultisafacilityinarranginganymatterswhichare，asonemaysay，arrangeable。Theyobtainfromoneanother，onthegroundofreciprocity，allpossibleconcessionsbytheapplicationoftheproverb，\"Passmetherhubarb，andI’llpassyouthesenna，\"whichisputinpracticeinallprofessions，betweenministers，soldiers，judges，businessmen；wherever，inshort，enmityhasnotraisedbarrierstoostrongandhighbetweentheparties。
\"Igainaprettygoodfeeoutofthiscompromise，\"isareasonthatneedsnoexpressioninwords：itisvisibleinthegesture，thetone，theglance；andasattorneysandsolicitorsmeetconstantlyonthisground，thematter，whateveritis，isarranged。Thecounterpoiseofthisfraternalsystemisfoundinwhatwemaycallprofessionalconscience。Thepublicmustbelievethephysicianwhosays，givingmedicaltestimony，\"Thisbodycontainsarsenic\"；nothingissupposedtoexceedtheintegrityofthelegislator，theindependenceofthecabinetminister。Inlikemanner，theattorneyofParissaystohisbrotherlawyer，good—humoredly，\"Youcan’tobtainthat；myclientisfurious，\"andtheotheranswers，\"Verygood；Imustdowithoutit。\"
Now，laPeyrade，ashrewdman，hadwornhislegalgownaboutthePalaislongenoughtoknowhowthesejudicialmoralsmightbemadetoservehispurpose。
\"Sitinthecarriage，\"hesaidtoThuillier，whentheyreachedtherueVivienne，whereGodeschalwasnowmasterofthepracticehehadformerlyservedasclerk。\"Youneedn’tshowyourselfuntilheundertakestheaffair。\"
Itwaseleveno’clockatnight；laPeyradewasnotmistakeninsupposingthatheshouldfindanewlyfledgedmasterofapracticeinhisofficeatthathour。
\"TowhatdoIowethisvisit，monsieur？\"saidGodeschal，comingforwardtomeetthebarrister。
Foreigners，provincials，andpersonsinhighsocietymaynotbeawarethatbarristersaretoattorneyswhatgeneralsaretomarshals。Thereexistsalineofdemarcation，strictlymaintained，betweentheorderofbarristersandtheguildofattorneysandsolicitorsinParis。
Howevervenerableanattorneymaybe，howevercapableandstronginhisprofession，hemustgotothebarrister。Theattorneyistheadministrator，whomapsouttheplanofthecampaign，collectsthemunitionsofwar，andputstheforceinmotion；thebarristergivesbattle。Itisnotknownwhythelawgivesamantwomentodefendhimanymorethanitisknownwhyanauthorisforcedtohavebothprinterandpublisher。Therulesofthebarforbiditsmemberstodoanyactbelongingtotheguildofattorneys。Itisveryrarethatabarristerputshisfootinanattorney’soffice；thetwoclassesmeetinthelaw—courts。Insociety，thereisnobarrierbetweenthem，andsomebarristers，thoseinlaPeyrade’ssituationparticularly，demeanthemselvesbycallingoccasionallyonattorneys，thougheventhesecasesarerare，andareusuallyexcusedbysomespecialurgency。
\"Ihavecomeonimportantbusiness，\"repliedlaPeyrade；\"itconcerns，especially，aquestionofdelicacywhichyouandIoughttosolvetogether。Thuillierisbelow，inacarriage，andIhavecomeuptoseeyou，notasabarrister，butashisfriend。Youareinapositiontodohimanimmenseservice；andIhavetoldhimthatyouhavetoonobleasoul（asaworthysuccessorofourgreatDervillemusthave）nottoputyourutmostcapacityathisorders。Here’stheaffair。\"
Afterexplaining，whollytohisownadvantage，theswindlingtrickwhichmust，hesaid，bemetwithcautionandability，thebarristerdevelopedhisplanofcampaign。
\"Youought，mydearmaitre，togothisveryeveningtoDesroches，explainthewholeplotandpersuadehimtosendto—morrowforhisclient，thisSauvaignou。We’llconfessthefellowbetweenus，andifhewantsanoteforathousandfrancsoverandabovetheamountofhisclaim，we’lllethimhaveit；notcountingthefivehundredforyouandasmuchmoreforDesroches，providedThuillierreceivestherelinquishmentofhisclaimbyteno’clockto—morrowmorning。WhatdoesthisSauvaignouwant？Nothingbutmoney。Well，ahagglerlikethatwon’tresisttheattractionofanextrathousandfrancs，especiallyifheisonlytheinstrumentofacupiditybehindhim。Itisnomattertoushowhefightsitoutwiththosewhoprompthim。
Now，then，doyouthinkyoucangettheThuillierfamilyoutofthis？\"
\"I’llgoandseeDesrochesatonce，\"saidGodeschal。
\"NotbeforeThuilliergivesyouapowerofattorneyandfivehundredfrancs。Themoneyshouldbeonthetableinacaselikethis。\"
AftertheinterviewwithThuillierwasover，laPeyradetookGodeschalinthecarriagetotherueduBethizy，whereDesrocheslived，explainingthatitwasontheirwaybacktotherueSaint—Dominiqued’Enfer。WhentheystoppedatDesroches’sdoorlaPeyrademadeanappointmentwithGodeschaltomeethimtherethenextmorningatseveno’clock。
LaPeyrade’swholefutureandfortunelayintheoutcomeofthisconference。ItisthereforenotastonishingthathedisregardedthecustomsofthebarandwenttoDesroches’soffice，tostudySauvaignouandtakepartinthestruggle，inspiteofthedangerheraninthusplacinghimselfvisiblybeforetheeyesofoneofthemostdreadedattorneysinParis。
Asheenteredtheofficeandmadehissalutations，hetooknoteofSauvaignou。Themanwas，asthenamehadalreadytoldhim，fromMarseilles，——theforemanofamaster—carpenter，entrustedwiththegivingoutofsub—contracts。Theprofitsofthisworkconsistedofwhathecouldmakebetweenthepricehepaidfortheworkandthatpaidtohimbythemaster—carpenter；thisagreementbeingexclusiveofmaterial，hiscontractbeingonlyforlabor。Themaster—carpenterhadfailed。Sauvaignouhadthereuponappealedtothecourtofcommerceforrecognitionascreditorwithalienontheproperty。Hewasastockylittleman，dressedinagraylinenblouse，withacaponhishead，andwasseatedinanarmchair。Threebanknotes，ofathousandfrancseach，lyingvisiblybeforehimonDesroches’sdesk，informedlaPeyradethatthenegotiationhadalreadytakenplace，andthatthelawyerswereworsted。Godeschal’seyestoldtherest，andtheglancewhichDesrochescastatthe\"poorman’sadvocate\"wasliketheblowofapick—axeintotheearthofagrave。Stimulatedbyhisdanger，theProvencalbecamemagnificent。Hecoollytookupthebank—notesandfoldedthem，asiftoputtheminhispocket，sayingtoDesroches：——
\"Thuillierhaschangedhismind。\"
\"Verygood；thenweareallagreed，\"saidtheterribleattorney。
\"Yes；yourclientmustnowhandovertousthefiftythousandfrancswehavespentonfinishingthehouse，accordingtothecontractbetweenThuillierandGrindot。Ididnottellyouthatyesterday，\"headded，turningtoGodeschal。
\"Doyouhearthat？\"saidDesrochestoSauvaignou。\"That’sacaseI
shallnottouchwithoutproperguarantees。\"
\"But，messieurs，\"saidSauvaignou，\"Ican’tnegotiatethismatteruntilIhaveseentheworthymanwhopaidmefivehundredfrancsonaccountforhavingsignedhimthatbitofaproxy。\"
\"AreyoufromMarseilles？\"saidlaPeyrade，inpatois。
\"Oh！ifhetackleshimwithpatoisthefellowisbeaten，\"saidGodeschaltoDesrochesinalowtone。
\"Yes，monsieur，\"repliedtheMarseillais。
\"Well，youpoordevil，\"continuedTheodose，\"don’tyouseethattheywanttoruinyou？ShallItellyouwhatyououghttodo？Pocketthesethreethousandfrancs，andwhenyourworthymancomesafteryou，takeyourruleandhithimarapovertheknuckles；tellhimhe’sarascalwhowantsyoutodohisdirtywork，andinsteadofthatyourevokeyourproxyandwillpayhimhisfivehundredfrancsintheweekwiththreeThursdays。ThenbeoffwithyoutoMarseilleswiththesethreethousandfrancsandyoursavingsinyourpocket。Ifanythinghappenstoyouthere，letmeknowthroughthesegentlemen，andI’llgetyououtofthescrape；for，don’tyousee？I’mnotonlyaProvencal，butI’malsooneoftheleadinglawyersinParis，andthefriendofthepoor。\"
WhentheworkmanfoundacompatriotsanctioninginatoneofauthoritythereasonsbywhichhecouldbetrayCerizet，hecapitulated，asking，however，forthreethousandfivehundredfrancs。Thatdemandhavingbeengrantedheremarked：——
\"Itisnonetoomuchforarapovertheknuckles；hemightputmeinprisonforassault。\"
\"Well，youneedn’tstrikeunlessheinsultsyou，\"repliedlaPeyrade，\"andthat’sself—defence。\"
WhenDesrocheshadassuredhimthatlaPeyradewasreallyabarristeringoodstanding，Sauvaignousignedtherelinquishment，whichcontainedareceiptfortheamount，principalandinterest，ofhisclaim，madeinduplicatebetweenhimselfandThuillier，andwitnessedbythetwoattorneys；sothatthepaperwasafinalsettlementofthewholematter。
\"We’llleavetheremainingfifteenhundredbetweenyou，\"whisperedlaPeyradetoDesrochesandGodeschal，\"onconditionthatyougivemetherelinquishment，whichIwillhaveThuillieracceptandsignbeforehisnotary，Cardot。Poorman！heneverclosedhiseyesallnight！\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedDesroches。\"Youmaycongratulateyourself，\"headded，makingSauvaignousignthepaper，\"thatyou’veearnedthatmoneyprettyeasily。\"
\"Itisreallymine，isn’tit，monsieur？\"saidtheMarseillais，alreadyuneasy。
\"Yes，andlegally，too，\"repliedDesroches，\"onlyyoumustletyourmanknowthismorningthatyouhaverevokedyourproxyunderdateofyesterday。Gooutthroughmyclerk’soffice，here，thisway。\"
Desrochestoldhishead—clerkwhatthemanwastodo，andhesentapupil—clerkwithhimtoseethatasheriff’sofficercarriedthenoticetoCerizetbeforeteno’clock。
\"Ithankyou，Desroches，\"saidlaPeyrade，pressingtheattorney’shand；\"youthinkofeverything；Ishallneverforgetthisservice。\"
\"Don’tdepositthedeedwithCardottillaftertwelveo’clock，\"
returnedDesroches。
\"Hay！comrade，\"criedthebarrister，inProvencal，followingSauvaignouintothenextroom，\"takeyourMargottowalkaboutBelleville，andbesureyoudon’tgohome。\"
\"Ihear，\"saidSauvaignou。\"I’moffto—morrow；adieu！\"
\"Adieu，\"returnedlaPeyrade，withaProvencalcry。
\"Thereissomethingbehindallthis，\"saidDesrochesinanundertonetoGodeschal，aslaPeyradefollowedSauvaignouintotheclerk’soffice。
\"TheThuilliersgetasplendidpieceofpropertyfornexttonothing，\"
repliedGodeschal；\"that’sall。\"
\"LaPeyradeandCerizetlooktomeliketwodiverswhoarefightingunderwater，\"repliedDesroches。\"WhatamItosaytoCerizet，whoputthematterintomyhands？\"headded，asthebarristerreturnedtothem。
\"TellhimthatSauvaignouforcedyourhand，\"repliedlaPeyrade。
\"Andyoufearnothing？\"saidDesroches，inasuddenmanner。
\"I？ohno！IwanttogiveCerizetalesson。\"
\"To—morrow，Ishallknowthetruth，\"saidDesroches，inalowtone，toGodeschal；\"noonechatterslikeabeatenman。\"
LaPeyradedeparted，carryingwithhimthedeedofrelinquishment。Ateleveno’clockhewasinthecourtroomofthejustice—of—peace，perfectlycalm，andfirm。WhenhesawCerizetcomein，palewithrage，hiseyesfullofvenom，hesaidinhisear：——
\"Mydearfriend，I’maprettygoodfellowmyself，andIholdthattwenty—fivethousandfrancsingoodbank—billsatyourdisposal，wheneveryouwillreturntomethosenotesofminewhichyouhold。\"
Cerizetlookedattheadvocateofthepoor，withoutbeingabletosayonewordinreply；hewasgreen；thebilehadstruckin。
CHAPTERXIII
THEPERVERSITYOFDOVES
\"Iamanon—dispossessableproperty—owner！\"criedThuillier，cominghomeaftervisitinghisnotary。\"Nohumanpowercangetthathouseawayfromme。Cardotsaysso。\"
Thebourgeoisiethinkmuchmoreofwhattheirnotarytellsthemthanofwhattheirattorneysays。Thenotaryisnearertothemthananyotherministerialofficer。TheParisianbourgeoisneverpaysavisittohisattorneywithoutasenseoffear；whereashemountsthestairswithever—renewedpleasuretoseehisnotary；headmiresthatofficial’svirtueandhissoundgoodsense。
\"Cardot，whoislookingforanapartmentforoneofhisclients，wantstoknowaboutoursecondfloor，\"continuedThuillier。\"IfIchoosehe’llintroducetomeonSundayatenantwhoisreadytosignaleaseforeighteenyearsatfortythousandfrancsandtaxes！Whatdoyousaytothat，Brigitte？\"
\"Betterwait，\"shereplied。\"Ah！thatdearTheodose，whatafrighthegaveme！\"
\"Hey！mydearestgirl，ImusttellyouthatwhenCardotaskedwhoputmeinthewayofthisaffairhesaidIowedhimapresentofatleasttenthousandfrancs。Thefactis，Ioweitalltohim。\"
\"Butheisthesonofthehouse，\"respondedBrigitte。
\"Poorlad！I’lldohimthejusticetosaythatheasksfornothing。\"
\"Well，dear，goodfriend，\"saidlaPeyrade，cominginaboutthreeo’clock，\"hereyouare，richissime！\"
\"Andthroughyou，Theodose。\"
\"Andyou，littleaunt，haveyoucometolifeagain？Ah！youwerenothalfasfrightenedasIwas。Iputyourinterestsbeforemyown；I
haven’tbreathedfreelytillthismorningateleveno’clock；andyetI
amsurenowofhavingtwomortalenemiesatmyheelsinthetwomenI
havetrickedforyoursake。AsIwalkedhome，justnow，Iaskedmyselfwhatcouldbeyourinfluenceovermetomakemecommitsuchacrime，andwhetherthehappinessofbelongingtoyourfamilyandbecomingyoursoncouldevereffacethestainIhaveputuponmyconscience。\"
\"Bah！youcanconfessit，\"saidThuillier，thefree—thinker。
\"Andnow，\"saidTheodosetoBrigitte，\"youcanpay，inallsecurity，thecostofthehouse，——eightythousandfrancs，andthirtythousandtoGrindot；inall，withwhatyouhavepaidincosts，onehundredandtwentythousand；andthislasttwentythousandaddedmakeonehundredandfortythousand。Ifyouletthehouseoutrighttoasingletenantaskhimforthelastyear’srentinadvance，andreserveformywifeandmethewholeofthefirstfloorabovetheentresol。Makethoseconditionsandyou’llstillgetyourfortythousandfrancsayear。IfyoushouldwanttoleavethisquartersoastobenearertheChamber，youcanalwaystakeupyourabodewithusonthatvastfirstfloor，whichhasstablesandcoach—housebelongingtoit；infact，everythingthatisneedfulforasplendidlife。Andnow，Thuillier，IamgoingtogetthecrossoftheLegionofhonorforyou。\"
Hearingthislastpromise，Brigittecriedoutinherenthusiasm：——
\"Faith！mydearboy，you’vedoneourbusinesssowellthatI’llleaveyoutomanagethatoflettingthehouse。\"
\"Don’tabdicate，dearaunt，\"repliedTheodose。\"Godkeepmefromevertakingastepwithoutyou！Youarethegoodgeniusofthisfamily；I
thinkonlyofthedaywhenThuillierwilltakehisseatintheChamber。Ifyouletthehouseyouwillcomeintopossessionofyourfortythousandfrancsforthelastyearoftheleaseintwomonthsfromnow；andthatwillnotpreventThuillierfromdrawinghisquarterlytenthousandoftherental。\"
Aftercastingthishopeintothemindoftheoldmaid，whowasjubilant，TheodosedrewThuillierintothegardenandsaidtohim，withoutbeatingroundthebush：——
\"Dear，goodfriend，findmeanstogettenthousandfrancsfromyoursister，andbesurenottolethersuspectthatyoupaythemtome；
tellherthatsumisrequiredinthegovernmentofficetofacilitateyourappointmentaschevalieroftheLegionofhonor；tellher，too，thatyouknowthepersonsamongwhomthatsumshouldbedistributed。\"
\"That’sagoodidea，\"saidThuillier；\"besides，I’llpayitbacktoherwhenIgetmyrents。\"
\"Havethemoneyreadythisevening，dearfriend。NowIamgoingoutonbusinessaboutyourcross；to—morrowweshallknowsomethingdefinitelyaboutit。\"
\"Whatamanyouare！\"criedThuillier。
\"Theministryofthe1stofMarchisgoingtofall，andwemustgetitoutofthembeforehand，\"saidTheodose，shrewdly。
HenowhurriedtoMadameColleville，cryingoutasheenteredherroom：——
\"I’veconquered！WeshallhaveapieceoflandedpropertyforCelesteworthamillion，alife—interestinwhichwillbegiventoherbyhermarriage—contract；butkeepthesecret，oryourdaughterwillbehunteddownbypeersofFrance。Besides，thissettlementwillonlybemadeinmyfavor。Nowdressyourself，andletusgoandcallonMadameduBruel；shecangetthecrossforThuillier。WhileyouaregettingunderarmsI’lldoalittlecourtingtoCeleste；youandIcantalkaswedrivealong。\"
LaPeyradehadseen，ashepassedthedoorofthesalon，CelesteandFelixPhellionincloseconversation。Flaviehadsuchconfidenceinherdaughterthatshedidnotfeartoleavethemtogether。Nowthatthegreatsuccessofthemorningwassecured，TheodosefeltthenecessityofbeginninghiscourtshipofCeleste。Itwashightime，hethought，tobringaboutaquarrelbetweenthelovers。Hedidnot，therefore，hesitatetoapplyhiseartothedoorofthesalonbeforeenteringit，inordertodiscoverwhatlettersofthealphabetoflovetheywerespelling；hewaseveninvitedtocommitthisdomestictreacherybysoundsfromwithin，whichseemedtosaythattheyweredisputing。Love，accordingtooneofourpoets，isaprivilegewhichtwopersonsmutuallytakeadvantageoftocauseeachother，reciprocally，agreatdealofsorrowaboutnothingatall。
WhenCelesteknewthatFelixwaselectedbyherhearttobethecompanionofherlife，shefeltadesire，notsomuchtostudyhimastouniteherselfcloselywithhimbythatcommunionofsoulswhichisthebasisofallaffections，andleads，inyouthfulminds，toinvoluntaryexamination。ThedisputetowhichTheodosewasnowtolistentookitsriseinadisagreementwhichhadsprungupwithinthelastfewdaysbetweenthemathematicianandCeleste。Theyounggirl’spietywasreal；shebelongedtotheflockofthetrulyfaithful，andtoher，Catholicism，temperedbythatmysticismwhichattractsyoungsouls，wasaninwardpoem，alifewithinherlife。Fromthispointyounggirlsareapttodevelopintoeitherextremelyhigh—mindedwomenorsaints。But，duringthisbeautifulperiodoftheiryouththeyhaveintheirheart，intheirideas，asortofabsolutism：beforetheireyesistheimageofperfection，andallmustbecelestial，angelic，ordivinetosatisfythem。Outsideoftheirideal，nothingofgoodcanexist；allisstainedandsoiled。Thisideacausestherejectionofmanyadiamondwithaflawbygirlswho，aswomen，fallinlovewithpaste。
Now，CelestehadseeninFelix，notirreligion，butindifferencetomattersofreligion。Likemostgeometricians，chemists，mathematicians，andgreatnaturalists，hehadsubjectedreligiontoreason；herecognizedaprobleminitasinsolubleasthesquaringofthecircle。Deist\"inpetto，\"helivedinthereligionofmostFrenchmen，notattachingmoreimportancetoitthanhedidtothenewlawspromulgatedinJuly。ItwasnecessarytohaveaGodinheaven，justastheysetupabustofthekingatthemayor’soffice。FelixPhellion，aworthysonofhisfather，hadneverdrawntheslightestveiloverhisopinionsorhisconscience；heallowedCelestetoreadintothemwiththecandorandtheinattentionofastudentofproblems。Theyounggirl，onherside，professedahorrorforatheism，andherconscienceassuredherthatadeistwascousin—germaintoanatheist。
\"Haveyouthought，Felix，ofdoingwhatyoupromisedme？\"askedCeleste，assoonasMadameCollevillehadleftthemalone。
\"No，mydearCeleste，\"repliedFelix。
\"Oh！tohavebrokenhisword！\"shecried，softly。
\"Buttohavekeptitwouldhavebeenaprofanation，\"saidFelix。\"I
loveyousodeeply，withatendernesssolittleproofagainstyourwishes，thatIpromisedathingcontrarytomyconscience。Conscience，Celeste，isourtreasure，ourstrength，ourmainstay。Howcanyouaskmetogointoachurchandkneelatthefeetofapriest，inwhomI
canseeonlyaman？YouwoulddespisemeifIobeyedyou。\"
\"Andso，mydearFelix，yourefusetogotochurch，\"saidCeleste，castingatearfulglanceatthemansheloved。\"IfIwereyourwifeyouwouldletmegoalone？YoudonotlovemeasIloveyou！for，alas！IhaveafeelinginmyheartforanatheistcontrarytothatwhichGodcommands。\"
\"Anatheist！\"criedFelix。\"Oh，no！Listentome，Celeste。ThereiscertainlyaGod；Ibelieveinthat；butIhavehigherideasofHimthanthoseofyourpriests；IdonotwishtobringHimdowntomylevel；IwanttorisetoHim。IlistentothevoiceHehasputwithinme，——avoicewhichhonestmencallconscience，andIstrivenottodarkenthatdivinerayasitcomestome。Forinstance，Iwillneverharmothers；Iwilldonothingagainstthecommandmentsofuniversalmorality，whichwasthatofConfucius，Moses，Pythagoras，Socrates，aswellasofJesusChrist。IwillstandinthepresenceofGod；myactionsshallbemyprayers；Iwillneverbefalseinwordordeed；
neverwillIdoabaseorshamefulthing。ThosearethepreceptsI
havelearnedfrommyvirtuousfather，andwhichIdesiretobequeathtomychildren。AllthegoodthatIcandoIshalltrytoaccomplish，evenifIhavetosufferforit。Whatcanyouaskmoreofamanthanthat？\"
ThisprofessionofthePhellionfaithcausedCelestetosadlyshakeherhead。
\"Readattentively，\"shereplied，\"’TheImitationofJesusChrist。’
StrivetoconvertyourselftotheholyCatholic，apostolic，andRomanChurch，andyouwillseehowemptyyourwordsare。Hearme，Felix；
marriageisnot，theChurchsays，theaffairofaday，themeresatisfactionofourowndesires；itismadeforeternity。What！shallwebeuniteddayandnight，shallweformoneflesh，oneword，andyethavetwolanguages，twofaithsinourheart，andacauseofperpetualdissension？Wouldyoucondemnmetoweeptearsoverthestateofyoursoul，——tearsthatImusteverconcealfromyou？CouldIaddressmyselfinpeacetoGodwhenIseehisarmstretchedoutinwrathagainstyou？