Mustmychildreninheritthebloodofadeistandhisconvictions？Oh！
God，whatmiseryforawife！No，no，theseideasareintolerable。
Felix！beofmyfaith，forIcannotshareyours。Donotputagulfbetweenus。Ifyoulovedme，youwouldalreadyhaveread’TheImitationofJesusChrist。’\"
ThePhellionclass，sonsofthe\"Constitutionnel，\"dislikethepriestlymind。Felixhadtheimprudencetoreplytothissortofprayerfromthedepthsofanardentheart：——
\"Youarerepeating，Celeste，thelessonsyourconfessorteachesyou；
nothing，believeme，ismorefataltohappinessthantheinterferenceofpriestsinahome。\"
\"Oh！\"criedCeleste，woundedtothequick，forlovealoneinspiredher，\"youdonotlove！Thevoiceofmyheartisnotinunisonwithyours！Youhavenotunderstoodme，becauseyouhavenotlistenedtome；butIforgiveyou，foryouknownotwhatyousay。\"
Shewrappedherselfinsolemnsilence，andFelixwenttothewindowanddrummeduponthepanes，——musicfamiliartothosewhohaveindulgedinpoignantreflections。Felixwas，infact，presentingthefollowingdelicateandcuriousquestionstothePhellionconscience。
\"Celesteisarichheiress，and，inyieldingagainstthevoiceofnaturalreligion，toherideas，Ishouldhaveinviewthemakingofwhatiscertainlyanadvantageousmarriage，——aninfamousact。Ioughtnot，asfatherofafamily，toallowthepriesthoodtohaveaninfluenceinmyhome。IfIyieldto—day，Idoaweakact，whichwillbefollowedbymanyothersequallypernicioustotheauthorityofahusbandandfather。Allthisisunworthyofaphilosopher。\"
Thenhereturnedtohisbeloved。
\"Celeste，Ientreatyouonmyknees，\"hesaid，\"nottominglethatwhichthelaw，initswisdom，hasseparated。Weliveintwoworlds，——
societyandheaven。Eachhasitsownwayofsalvation；butastosociety，isitnotobeyingGodtoobeythelaws？Christsaid：’RenderuntoCaesarthatwhichisCaesar’s。’Caesaristhebodypolitic。Dear，letusforgetourlittlequarrel。\"
\"Littlequarrel！\"criedtheyoungenthusiast；\"IwantyoutohavemywholeheartasIwanttohavethewholeofyours；andyoumakeitintotwoparts！Isnotthatanevil？Youforgetthatmarriageisasacrament。\"
\"Yourpriesthoodhaveturnedyourhead，\"exclaimedthemathematician，impatiently。
\"MonsieurPhellion，\"saidCeleste，interruptinghimhastily，\"enoughofthis！\"
ItwasatthispointofthequarrelthatTheodoseconsidereditjudicioustoentertheroom。HefoundCelestepale，andtheyoungprofessorasanxiousasalovershouldbewhohasjustirritatedhismistress。
\"Iheardtheword’enough’；thensomethingistoomuch？\"hesaid，inquiringly，lookinginturnfromCelestetoFelix。
\"Weweretalkingreligion，\"repliedFelix，\"andIwassayingtomademoisellehowdangerousecclesiasticalinfluenceisinthebosomoffamilies。\"
\"Thatwasnotthepoint，monsieur，\"saidCeleste，sharply；\"itwastoknowifhusbandandwifecouldbeofoneheartwhentheoneisanatheistandtheotherCatholic。\"
\"Cantherebesuchathingasatheists？\"criedTheodose，withallthesignsofextremewonderment。\"CouldatrueCatholicmarryaProtestant？Thereisnosafetypossibleforamarriedpairunlesstheyhaveperfectconformityinthematterofreligiousopinions。I，whocomefromtheComtat，ofafamilywhichcountsapopeamongitsancestors——forourarmsare：gules，akeyargent，withsupporters，amonkholdingachurch，andapilgrimwithastaff，or，andthemotto，’Iopen，Ishut’——Iam，ofcourse，intenselydogmaticonsuchpoints。
Butinthesedays，thankstoourmodernsystemofeducation，itdoesnotseemtomestrangethatreligionshouldbecalledintoquestion。I
myselfwouldnevermarryaProtestant，hadshemillions，evenifI
lovedherdistractedly。Faithisathingthatcannotbetamperedwith。
’Unafides，unusDominus，’thatismydeviceinlife。\"
\"Youhearthat！\"criedCeleste，triumphantly，lookingatFelixPhellion。
\"Iamnotopenlydevout，\"continuedlaPeyrade。\"Igotomassatsixeverymorning，thatImaynotbeobserved；IfastonFridays；Iam，inshort，asonoftheChurch，andIwouldnotundertakeanyseriousenterprisewithoutprayer，aftertheancientfashionofourancestors；
butnooneisabletonoticemyreligion。AsingularthinghappenedtoourfamilyduringtheRevolutionof1789，whichattachedusmorecloselythanevertoourholymothertheChurch。ApooryoungladyoftheelderbranchofthePeyrades，whoownedthelittleestateoflaPeyrade，——forweourselvesarePeyradesofCanquoelle，butthetwobranchesinheritfromoneanother，——well，thisyoungladymarried，sixyearsbeforetheRevolution，abarristerwho，afterthefashionofthetimes，wasVoltairean，thatistosay，anunbeliever，or，ifyouchoose，adeist。Hetookupalltherevolutionaryideas，andpractisedthecharmingritesthatyouknowofintheworshipofthegoddessReason。HecameintoourpartofthecountryimbuedwiththeideasoftheConvention，andfanaticalaboutthem。Hiswifewasveryhandsome；
hecompelledhertoplaythepartofLiberty；andthepoorunfortunatecreaturewentmad。Shediedinsane！Well，asthingsaregoingnowitlooksasifwemighthaveanother1793。\"
Thishistory，inventedonthespot，madesuchanimpressiononCeleste’sfreshandyouthfulimaginationthatsherose，bowedtotheyoungmenandhastenedtoherchamber。
\"Ah！monsieur，whydidyoutellherthat？\"criedFelix，strucktotheheartbythecoldlooktheyounggirl，affectingprofoundindifference，castuponhim。ShefanciedherselftransformedintoagoddessofReason。
\"Whynot？Whatwereyoutalkingabout？\"askedTheodose。
\"Aboutmyindifferencetoreligion。\"
\"Thegreatsoreofthiscentury，\"repliedTheodose，gravely。
\"Iamready，\"saidMadameColleville，appearinginatoiletofmuchtaste。\"Butwhatisthematterwithmypoordaughter？Sheiscrying！\"
\"Crying？madame，\"exclaimedFelix；\"pleasetellherthatIwillstudy’TheImitationofChrist’atonce。\"
FelixleftthehousewithTheodoseandFlavie，whosearmthebarristerpressedtoletherknowhewouldexplaininthecarriagetheapparentdementiaoftheyoungprofessor。
Anhourlater，MadameCollevilleandCeleste，CollevilleandTheodosewereenteringtheThuilliers’apartmenttodinethere。TheodoseandFlavietookThuillierintothegarden，wheretheformersaidtohim：——
\"Dear，goodfriend！youwillhavethecrosswithinaweek。OurcharmingfriendherewilltellyouaboutourvisittotheComtesseduBruel。\"
AndTheodoseleftThuillier，havingcaughtsightofDesrochesintheactofbeingbroughtbyMademoiselleThuillierintothegarden；hewent，drivenbyaterribleandglacialpresentiment，tomeethim。
\"Mygoodfriend，\"saidDesrochesinhisear，\"Ihavecometoseeifyoucanprocureatoncetwenty—fivethousandfrancsplustwothousandsixhundredandeightyforcosts。\"
\"AreyouactingforCerizet？\"askedthebarrister。
\"CerizethasputallthepapersintothehandsofLouchard，andyouknowwhatyouhavetoexpectifarrested。IsCerizetwronginthinkingyouhavetwenty—fivethousandfrancsinyourdesk？Hesaysyouofferedthemtohimandhethinksitonlynaturalnottoleavetheminyourhands。\"
\"Thankyoufortakingthestep，mygoodfriend，\"repliedTheodose。\"I
havebeenexpectingthisattack。\"
\"Betweenourselves，\"repliedDesroches，\"youhavemadeanutterfoolofhim，andheisfurious。Thescampwillstopatnothingtogethisrevengeuponyou——forhe’llloseeverythingifheforcesyoutoflingyourbarrister’sgown，astheysay，tothenettlesandgotoprison。\"
\"I？\"saidTheodose。\"I’mgoingtopayhim。Butevenso，therewillstillbefivenotesofmineinhishands，forfivethousandfrancseach；whatdoeshemeantodowiththem？\"
\"Oh！aftertheaffairofthismorning，Ican’ttellyou；myclientisacrafty，mangycur，andheissuretohavehislittleplans。\"
\"Lookhere，Desroches，\"saidTheodose，takingthehard，unyieldingattorneyroundthewaist，\"thosepapersareinyourhands，arenotthey？\"
\"Willyoupaythem？\"
\"Yes，inthreehours。\"
\"Verygood，then。Beatmyofficeatnineo’clock；I’llreceivethemoneyandgiveyouyournotes；BUT，athalf—pastnineo’clock，theywillbeinthesheriff’shands。\"
\"To—night，then，atnineo’clock，\"saidTheodose。
\"Nineo’clock，\"repeatedDesroches，whoseglancehadtakeninthewholefamily，thenassembledinthegarden。
Celeste，withredeyes，wastalkingtohergodmother；CollevilleandBrigitte，FlavieandThuillierwereonthestepsofthebroadporticoleadingtotheentrance—hall。DesrochesremarkedtoTheodose，whofollowedhimtothedoor：——
\"Youcanpayoffthosenotes。\"
Atasingleglancetheshrewdattorneyhadcomprehendedthewholeschemeofthebarrister。
CHAPTERXIV
ONEOFCERIZET’SFEMALECLIENTS
Thenextmorning，atdaybreak，Theodosewenttotheofficeofthebankerofthepoor，toseetheeffectproduceduponhisenemybythepunctualpaymentofthenightbefore，andtomakeanotherefforttogetridofhishornet。
HefoundCerizetstandingup，inconferencewithawoman，andhereceivedanimperativesigntokeepatadistanceandnottointerrupttheinterview。Thebarristerwasthereforereducedtoconjecturesastotheimportanceofthiswoman，animportancerevealedbytheeagerlookonthefaceofthelender\"bythelittleweek。\"Theodosehadapresentiment，thoughaveryvagueone，thattheupshotofthisconferencewouldhavesomeinfluenceonCerizet’sownarrangements，forhesuddenlybeheldonthatcraftycountenancethechangeproducedbyadawninghope。
\"But，mydearmammaCardinal——\"
\"Yes，mygoodmonsieur——\"
\"Whatisityouwant——？\"
\"Itmustbedecided——\"
Thesebeginnings，ortheseendsofsentencesweretheonlygleamsoflightthattheanimatedconversation，carriedoninthelowesttoneswithliptoearandeartolip，conveyedtothemotionlesswitness，whoseattentionwasfixedonMadameCardinal。
MadameCardinalwasoneofCerizet’searliestclients；shepeddledfish。IfParisiansknowthesecreationspeculiartotheirsoil，foreignershavenosuspicionoftheirexistence；andMereCardinal——
technologicallyspeaking，ofcourse，deservedalltheinterestsheexcitedinTheodose。Somanywomenofherspeciesmaybemetwithinthestreetsthatthepassers—bygivethemnomoreattentionthantheygivetothethreethousandpicturesoftheSalon。ButasshestoodinCerizet’sofficetheCardinalhadallthevalueofanisolatedmasterpiece；shewasacompleteandperfecttypeofherspecies。
Thewomanwasmountedonmuddysabots；butherfeet，carefullywrappedingaiters，werestillfurtherprotectedbystoutandthick—ribbedstockings。Hercottongown，adornedwithaglounceofmud，boretheimprintofthestrapwhichsupportedthefish—basket。Herprincipalgarmentwasashawlofwhatwascalled\"rabbit’s—haircashmere，\"thetwoendsofwhichwereknottedbehind，aboveherbustle——forwemustneedsemployafashionablewordtoexpresstheeffectproducedbythetransversalpressureofthebasketuponherpetticoats，whichprojectedbelowit，inshapelikeacabbage。Aprintedcottonneckerchief，ofthecoarsestdescription，gavetoviewaredneck，ribbedandlinedlikethesurfaceofapondwherepeoplehaveskated。
Herheadwascoveredinayellowsilkfoulard，twinedinamannerthatwasratherpicturesque。Shortandstout，andruddyofskin，MereCardinalprobablydrankherlittledropofbrandyinthemorning。Shehadoncebeenhandsome。TheHallehadformerlyreproachedher，intheboldnessofitsfigurativespeech，fordoing\"adoubleday’s—workinthetwenty—four。\"Hervoice，inordertoreduceitselftothediapasonofordinaryconversation，wasobligedtostifleitssoundasothervoicesdoinasick—room；butatsuchtimesitcamethickandmuffled，fromathroataccustomedtosendtothefarthestrecessesofthehighestgarretthenamesofthefishintheirseason。Hernose，alaRoxelane，herwell—cutlips，herblueeyes，andallthatformerlymadeupherbeauty，wasnowburiedinfoldsofvigorousfleshwhichtoldofthehabitsandoccupationsofanoutdoorlife。ThestomachandbosomweredistinguishedforanamplitudeworthyofRubens。
\"Doyouwanttomakemelieinthestraw？\"shesaidtoCerizet。\"WhatdoIcarefortheToupilliers？Ain’tIaToupilliermyself？Whatdoyouwanttodowiththem，thoseToupilliers？\"
ThissavageoutburstwashastilyrepressedbyCerizet，whoutteredaprolonged\"Hush—sh！\"suchasallconspiratorsobey。
\"Well，goandfindoutallyoucanaboutit，andcomebacktome，\"
saidCerizet，pushingthewomantowardthedoor，andwhispering，ashedidso，afewwordsinherear。
\"Well，mydearfriend，\"saidTheodosetoCerizet，\"youhavegotyourmoney？\"
\"Yes，\"returnedCerizet\"wehavemeasuredourclaws，theyarethesamelength，thesamestrength，andthesamesharpness。Whatnext？\"
\"AmItotellDutocqthatyoureceived，lastnight，twenty—fivethousandfrancs？\"
\"Oh！mydearfriend，notaword，ifyouloveme！\"criedCerizet。
\"Listen，\"saidTheodose。\"Imustknow，onceforall，whatyouwant。I
ampositivelydeterminednottoremaintwenty—fourhourslongeronthegridironwhereyouhavegotme。CheatDutocqifyouwill；Iamutterlyindifferenttothat；butIintendthatyouandIshallcometoanunderstanding。ItisafortunethatIhavepaidyou，twenty—fivethousandfrancs，andyoumusthaveearnedtenthousandmoreinyourbusiness；itisenoughtomakeyouanhonestman。Cerizet，ifyouwillleavemeinpeace，ifyouwon’tpreventmymarriagewithMademoiselleColleville，Ishallcertainlybeking’sattorney—general，orsomethingofthatkindinParis。Youcan’tdobetterthanmakesureofaninfluenceinthatsphere。\"
\"Herearemyconditions；andtheywon’tallowofdiscussion；youcantakethemorleavethem。YouwillobtainformetheleaseofThuillier’snewhouseforeighteenyears，andI’llhandyoubackoneofyourfivenotescancelled，andyoushallnotfindmeanylongerinyourway。ButyouwillhavetosettlewithDutocqfortheremainingfournotes。YougotthebetterofME，andIknowDutocqhasn’ttheforcetostandagainstyou。\"
\"I’llagreetothat，providedyou’llpayarentofforty—eightthousandfrancsforthehouse，thelastyearinadvance，andbegintheleaseinOctober。\"
\"Yes；butIshallnotgiveforthelastyear’srentmorethanforty—
threethousandfrancs；yournotewillpaytheremainder。Ihaveseenthehouse，andexaminedit。Itsuitsmeverywell。\"
\"Onelastcondition，\"saidTheodose；\"you’llhelpmeagainstDutocq？\"
\"No，\"saidCerizet，\"you’llcookhimbrownyourself；hedoesn’tneedanybastingfromme；he’llgiveouthisgravyfastenough。Butyououghttobereasonable。Thepoorfellowcan’tpayoffthelastfifteenthousandfrancsdueonhispractice，andyoushouldreflectthatfifteenthousandfrancswouldcertainlybuybackyournotes。\"
\"Well；givemetwoweekstogetyourlease——\"
\"No，notadaylaterthanMondaynext！TuesdayyournoteswillbeinLouchard’shands；unlessyoupaythemMonday，orThuilliersignsthelease。\"
\"Well，Monday，sobeit！\"saidTheodose；\"arewefriends？\"
\"WeshallbeMonday，\"respondedCerizet。
\"Well，then，Mondayyou’llpayformydinner，\"saidTheodose，laughing。
\"Yes，attheRocherdeCancale，ifIhavethelease。Dutocqshallbethere——we’llallbethere——ah！itislongsinceI’vehadagoodlaugh。\"
TheodoseandCerizetshookhands，saying，reciprocally：——
\"We’llmeetsoon。\"
Cerizethadnotcalmeddownsosuddenlywithoutreasons。Inthefirstplace，asDesrochesoncesaid，\"Biledoesnotfacilitatebusiness，\"
andtheusurerhadtoowellseenthejusticeofthatremarknottocoollyresolvetogetsomethingoutofhisposition，andtosqueezethejugularveinofthecraftyProvencaluntilhestrangledhim。
\"Itisafairrevenge，\"Desrochessaidtohim；\"mindyouextractitsquintessence。Youholdthatfellow。\"
FortenyearspastCerizethadseenmengrowingrichbypractisingthetradeofprincipaltenant。Theprincipaltenantis，inParis，totheownersofhouseswhatfarmersaretocountrylandlords。AllParishasseenoneofitsgreattailors，buildingathisowncost，onthefamoussiteofFrascati，oneofthemostsumptuousofhouses，andpaying，asprincipaltenant，fiftythousandfrancsayearforthegroundrentofthehouse，which，attheendofnineteenyears’lease，wastobecomethepropertyoftheowneroftheland。Inspiteofthecostsofconstruction，whichweresomethinglikesevenhundredthousandfrancs，theprofitsofthosenineteenyearsproved，intheend，verylarge。
Cerizet，alwaysonthewatchforbusiness，hadexaminedthechancesforgainofferedbythesituationofthehousewhichThuillierhadSTOLEN，——ashesaidtoDesroches，——andhehadseenthepossibilityoflettingitforsixtythousandattheendofsixyears。Therewerefourshops，twooneachside，foritstoodonaboulevardcorner。Cerizetexpected，therefore，togetcleartenthousandayearforadozenyears，allowingforeventualitiesandsundriesattendantonrenewalofleases。Hethereforeproposedtohimselftosellhismoney—lendingbusinesstothewidowPoiretandCadenetfortenthousandfrancs；healreadypossessedthirtythousand；andthetwotogetherwouldenablehimtopaythelastyear’srentinadvance，whichhouse—ownersinParisusuallydemandasaguaranteefromaprincipaltenantonalonglease。Cerizethadspentahappynight；hefellasleepinagloriousdream；hesawhimselfinafairwaytodoanhonestbusiness，andtobecomeabourgeoislikeThuillier，likeMinard，andsomanyothers。
Buthehadawakingofwhichhedidnotdream。HefoundFortunestandingbeforehim，andemptyinghergildedhornsofplentyathisfeetinthepersonofMadameCardinal。Hehadalwayshadalikingforthewoman，andhadpromisedherforayearpastthenecessarysumtobuyadonkeyandalittlecart，sothatshecouldcarryonherbusinessonalargescale，andgofromParistothesuburbs。MadameCardinal，widowofaporterinthecorn—market，hadanonlydaughter，whosebeautyCerizethadheardoffromsomeofthemother’scronies。
OlympeCardinalwasaboutthirteenyearsofageatthetime，1837，whenCerizetbeganhissystemofloansinthequarter；andwithaviewtoaninfamouslibertinism，hehadpaidgreatattentiontothemother，whomherescuedfromuttermisery，hopingtomakeOlympehismistress。
Butsuddenly，in1838，thegirllefthermother，and\"madeherlife，\"
touseanexpressionbywhichthelowerclassesinParisdescribetheabuseofthemostpreciousgiftsofnatureandyouth。
TolookforagirlinParisistolookforasmeltintheSeine；
nothingbutchancecanthrowherintothenet。Thechancecame。MereCardinal，whotoentertainaneighborhadtakenhertotheBobinotheatre，recognizedintheleadingladyherowndaughter，whomthefirstcomedianhadheldunderhiscontrolforthreeyears。Themother，gratifiedatfirstatbeholdingherdaughterinafinegownofgoldbrocade，herhairdressedlikethatofaduchess，andwearingopen—
workedstockings，satinshoes，andreceivingtheplauditsoftheaudience，endedbyscreamingoutfromherseatinthegallery：——
\"Youshallsoonhearofme，murdererofyourownmother！I’llknowwhethermiserablestrolling—playershavetherighttocomeanddebauchyounggirlsofsixteen！\"
Shewaitedatthestage—doortocaptureherdaughter，butthefirstcomedianandtheleadingladyhadnodoubtjumpedacrossthefootlightsandleftthetheatrewiththeaudience，insteadofissuingbythestage—door，whereMadameCardinalandhercrony，MereMahoudeau，madeaninfernalrumpus，whichtwomunicipalguardswerecalledupontopacify。Thoseaugustpersonages，beforewhomthetwowomenloweredthediapasonoftheirvoices，calledthemother’sattentiontothefactthatthegirlwasoflegitimatetheatricalage，andthatinsteadofscreamingatthedoorafterthedirector，shecouldsummonhimbeforethejustice—of—peace，orthepolice—court，whichevershepleased。
ThenextdayMadameCardinalintendedtoconsultCerizet，inviewofthefactthathewasaclerkintheofficeofthejustice—of—peace；
but，beforereachinghislairintheruedesPoules，shewasmetbytheporterofahouseinwhichanuncleofhers，acertainToupillier，wasliving，whotoldherthattheoldmanhadn’tprobablytwodaystolive，beingtheninthelastextremity。
\"Well，howdoyouexpectmetohelpit？\"repliedthewidowCardinal。
\"Wecountonyou，mydearMadameCardinal；weknowyouwon’tforgetthegoodadvicewe’llgiveyou。Here’sthething。Lately，yourpooruncle，notbeingabletostirround，hastrustedmetogoandcollecttherentsofhishouse，rueNotre—DamedeNazareth，andthearrearsofhisdividendsattheTreasury，whichcometoeighteenhundredfrancs。\"
BythistimethewidowCardinal’seyeswerebecomingfixedinsteadofwandering。
\"Yes，mydear，\"continuedPerrache，ahump—backedlittleconcierge；
\"and，seeingthatyouaretheonlypersonwhoeverthinksabouthim，andthatyoucomeandseehimsometimes，andbringhimfish，perhapshemaymakeabequestinyourfavor。Mywife，whohasbeennursinghimforthelastfewdayssincehehasbeensoill，spoketohimofyou，buthewouldn’thaveyoutoldabouthisillness。Butnow，don’tyousee，itishightimeyoushouldshowyourselfthere。Itisprettynightwomonthssincehehasbeenabletoattendtobusiness。\"
\"Youmaywellthink，youoldthief，\"repliedMadameCardinal，hurryingattopspeedtowardtherueHonore—Chevalier，whereherunclelivedinawretchedgarret，\"thatthehairwouldgrowonmyhandbeforeIcouldeverimaginethat。What！myuncleToupillierrich！theoldpauperofthechurchofSaint—Sulpice！\"
\"Ah！\"returnedtheporter，\"buthefedwell。Hewenttobedeverynightwithhisbestfriend，abigbottleofRoussillon。Mywifehastastedit，thoughhetoldusitwascommonstuff。Thewine—merchantintheruedesCanettessuppliesittohim。\"
\"Don’tsayawordaboutallthis，\"saidthewidow，whenshepartedfromthemanwhohadgivenhertheinformation。\"I’lltakecareandrememberyou——ifanythingcomesofit。\"
Toupillier，formerdrum—majorintheFrenchGuards，hadbeenforthetwoyearspreceding1789intheserviceoftheChurchasbeadleofSaint—Sulpice。TheRevolutiondeprivedhimofthatpost，andhethendroppeddownintoastateofabjectmisery。Hewasevenobligedtotaketotheprofessionofmodel，forheENJOYED，astheysay，afinephysique。Whenpublicworshipwasrestored，hetookuphisbeadle’sstaffoncemore；butin1816hewasdismissed，asmuchonaccountofhisimmoralityasforhispoliticalopinions。Nevertheless，hewasallowedtostayaboutthedoorofthechurchanddistributetheholywater。Later，anunfortunateaffair，whichweshallpresentlymention，madehimloseeventhatposition；but，stillfindingmeanstokeeptothesanctuary，heobtainedpermissiontobeallowedasapauperintheporch。Atthisperiodoflife，beingthenseventy—twoyearsofage，hemadehimselfninety—six，andbegantheprofessionofcentenarian。
InallParisitwasimpossibletofindanothersuchbeardandheadofhairasToupillier’s。Ashewalkedheappearedbentdouble；heheldastickinhisshakinghand，——ahandthatwascoveredwithlichen，likeagraniterock，andwiththeotherheheldouttheclassichatwithabroadbrim，filthyandbattered，intowhich，however，therefellabundantalms。Hislegswereswathedinragsandbandages，andhisfeetshuffledalonginmiserableovershoesofwovenmat—weed，insideofwhichhehadfastenedexcellentcorksoles。Hewashedhisfacewithcertaincompounds，whichgaveitanappearanceofformsofillness，andheplayedthesenilityofacentenariantothelife。Hereckonedhimselfahundredyearsoldin1830，atwhichtimehisactualagewaseighty；hewastheheadofthepaupersofSaint—Sulpice，themasteroftheplace，andallthosewhocametobegunderthearcadesofthechurch，safefromthepersecutionsofthepoliceandbeneaththeprotectionofthebeadleandthegiverofholywater，wereforcedtopayhimasortoftithe。
Whenanewheir，abridegroom，orsomegodfatherleftthechurch，saying，\"Here，thisisforallofyou；don’ttormentanyofmyparty，\"
Toupillier，appointedbythebeadletoreceivethesealms，pocketedthree—fourths，anddistributedonlytheremainingquarteramonghishenchmen，whosetributeamountedtoasouaday。Moneyandwinewerehislasttwopassions；butheregulatedthelatterandgavehimselfuptotheformer，withneglectinghispersonalcomfort。Hedrankatnightonly，afterhisdinner，andfortwentyyearshesleptinthearmsofdrunkenness，hislastmistress。
Intheearlymorninghewasathispostwithallhisfaculties。Fromthenuntilhisdinner，whichhetookatPereLathuile’s（madefamousbyCharlet），hegnawedcrustsofbreadbywayofnourishment；andhegnawedthemartistically，withanairofresignationwhichearnedhimabundantalms。Thebeadleandthegiverofholywater，withwhomhemayhavehadsomeprivateunderstanding，wouldsayofhim：——
\"Heisoneoftheworthypoorofthechurch；heusedtoknowtherectorLanguet，whobuiltSaint—Sulpice；hewasfortwentyyearsbeadleofthechurchbeforetheRevolution，andheisnowoverahundredyearsold。\"
Thislittlebiography，wellknowntoallthepiousattendantsofthechurch，was，ofcourse，thebestofhisadvertisements，andnohatwassowelllinedashis。Heboughthishousein1826，andbegantoinvesthismoneyintheFundsin1830。Fromthevalueofthetwoinvestmentshemusthavemadesomethinglikesixthousandfrancsayear，andprobablyturnedthemoverbyusury，afterCerizet’sownfashion；forthesumhepaidforthehousewasfortythousandfrancs，whilehisinvestmentin1830wasforty—eightthousandmore。Hisniece，deceivedbytheoldmanasmuchashedeceivedthefunctionariesandthepioussoulsofthechurch，believedhimthemostmiserableofpaupers，andwhenshehadanyfishthatwerespoilingshesometimestookthemtotheagedbeggar。
Consequently，shenowfeltitherrighttogetwhatshecouldinreturnforherpityandherliberalitytoanunclewhowaslikelytohaveacrowdofcollateralheirs；sheherselfbeingthethirdandlastToupillierdaughter。Shehadfourbrothers，andherfather，aporterwithahand—cart，hadtoldher，inherchildhood，ofthreeauntsandfouruncles，whoallledanexistenceofthebasersort。