\"Parbleu！thethingisplainenough；monsieurseesnothinginit？
Well，Ishallnotputmyhonorandmyfortuneintothehandsofalittleupstartlikeyourself；Ishalltakesomegreatlawyerifthecasecomestotrial。I’vehadenoughofyourcollaborationbythistime。\"
UndertheinjusticeoftheseremarkslaPeyradefelthisangerrising。
However，hesawhimselfdisarmed，andnotwishingtocometoanopenrupture，hepartedfromThuillier，sayingthatheforgaveamanexcitedbyfear，andwouldgotoseehimlaterintheafternoon，whenhewouldprobablybecalmer；theycouldthendecideonwhatstepstheyhadbettertake。
Accordingly，aboutfouro’clock，theProvencalarrivedatthehouseinthePlacedelaMadeleine。Thuillier’sirritationwasquieted，butfrightfulconsternationhadtakenitsplace。Iftheexecutionerwerecominginhalfanhourtoleadhimtothescaffoldhecouldnothavebeenmoreutterlyunstrungandwoe—begone。WhenlaPeyradeenteredMadameThuillierwastryingtomakehimtakeaninfusionoflinden—
leaves。Thepoorwomanhadcomeoutofherusualapathy，andprovedherself，besidethepresentSabinus，anotherEponina。
AsforBrigitte，whopresentlyappeared，bearingafoot—bath，shehadnomercyorrestrainttowardsTheodose；hersharpandbitterreproaches，whichwereoutofallproportiontothefault，evensupposinghimtohavecommittedonewouldhavedrivenamanofthemostplacidtemperamentbesidehimself。LaPeyradefeltthatallwaslosttohimintheThuillierhousehold，wheretheynowseemedtoseizewithjoytheoccasiontobreaktheirwordtohimandtogivefreereintorevoltingingratitude。OnanironicalallusionbyBrigittetothemannerinwhichhedecoratedhisfriends，laPeyraderoseandtookleave，withoutanyeffortbeingmadetoretainhim。
Afterwalkingaboutthestreetsforawhile，laPeyrade，inthemidstofhisindignation，turnedtothoughtsofMadamedeGodollo，whoseimage，totellthetruth，hadbeenmuchinhismindsincetheirformerinterview。
CHAPTERVI
’TWASTHUSTHEYBADEADIEU
NotonlyoncewhenthecountessmetthebarristerattheThuilliershadshelefttheroom；butthesameperformancetookplaceateachoftheirencounters；andlaPeyradehadconvincedhimself，withoutknowingexactlywhy，thatineachcase，thisaffectationofavoidinghim，signifiedsomethingthatwasnotindifference。Tohavepaidheranothervisitimmediatelywouldcertainlyhavebeenveryunskilful；
butnowasufficienttimehadelapsedtoprovehimtobeamanwhowasmasterofhimself。Accordingly，hereturneduponhisstepstotheBoulevarddelaMadeleine，andwithoutaskingtheporterifthecountesswasathome，hepassedthelodgeasifreturningtotheThuilliers’，andrangthebelloftheentresol。
Themaidwhoopenedthedooraskedhim，asbefore，towaituntilshenotifiedhermistress；but，onthisoccasion，insteadofshowinghimintothedining—room，sheusheredhimintoalittleroomarrangedasalibrary。
Hewaitedlong，andknewnotwhattothinkofthedelay。Still，hereassuredhimselfwiththethoughtthatifshemeanttodismisshimhewouldnothavebeenaskedtowaitatall。Finallythemaidreappeared，buteventhenitwasnottointroducehim。
\"Madamelacomtesse，\"saidthewoman，\"wasengagedonamatterofbusiness，butshebeggedmonsieurbesokindastowait，andtoamusehimselfwiththebooksinthelibrary，becauseshemightbedetainedlongerthansheexpected。\"
Theexcuse，bothinformandsubstance，wascertainlynotdiscouraging，andlaPeyradelookedabouthimtofulfilthebehesttoamusehimself。Withoutopeninganyofthecarvedrosewoodbookcases，whichenclosedacollectionofthemostelegantlyboundvolumeshehadeverlaidhiseyesupon，hesawonanoblongtablewithclawfeetapell—mellofbookssufficientfortheamusementofamanwhoseattentionwaskeenlyaliveelsewhere。
But，asheopenedoneafteranotherofthevariousvolumes，hebegantofancythatafeastofTantalushadbeenprovidedforhim：onebookwasEnglish，anotherGerman，athirdRussian；therewasevenoneincabalisticlettersthatseemedTurkish。Wasthisapolyglotticjokethecountesshadarrangedforhim？
Onevolume，however，claimedparticularattention。Thebinding，unlikethoseoftheotherbooks，waslessrichthandainty。Lyingbyitselfatacornerofthetable，itwasopen，withthebackturnedup，theedgesoftheleavesrestingonthegreentable—clothintheshapeofatent。LaPeyradetookitup，beingcarefulnottolosethepagewhichitseemedtohavebeensomeone’sintentiontomark。ItprovedtobeavolumeoftheillustratededitionofMonsieurScribe’sworks。TheengravingwhichpresenteditselfontheopenpagetolaPeyrade’seyes，wasentitled\"TheHatredofaWoman\"；theprincipalpersonageofwhichisayoungwidow，desperatelypursuingapooryoungmanwhocannothelphimself。Thereishatredallround。Throughherdevilriesshealmostmakeshimlosehisreputation，anddoesmakehimmissarichmarriage；buttheendisthatshegiveshimmorethanshetookawayfromhim，andmakesahusbandofthemanwhowasthoughthervictim。
Ifchancehadputthisvolumeapartfromtherest，andhadleftitopenattheprecisepagewherelaPeyradefounditmarked，itmustbeownedthat，afterwhathadpassedbetweenhimselfandthecountess，chancecansometimesseemcleverandadroit。Ashestoodthere，thinkingoverthesignificancewhichthismoreorlessaccidentalcombinationmighthave，laPeyradereadthroughanumberofscenestoseewhetherinthedetailsaswellasthegeneralwholetheyappliedtothepresentsituation。Whilethusemployed，thesoundofanopeningdoorwasheard，andherecognizedthesilveryandslightlydrawlingvoiceofthecountess，whowasevidentlyaccompanyingsomevisitortothedoor。
\"ThenImaypromisetheambassadress，\"saidaman’svoice，\"thatyouwillhonorherballwithyourpresence？\"
\"Yes，commander，ifmyheadache，whichisjustbeginningtogetalittlebetter，iskindenoughtogoaway。\"
\"Aurevoir，then，fairestlady，\"saidthegentleman。Afterwhichthedoorswereclosed，andsilencereignedoncemore。
ThetitleofcommanderreassuredlaPeyradesomewhat，foritwasnottherankofayoungdandy。Hewasneverthelesscurioustoknowwhothispersonagewaswithwhomthecountesshadbeenshutupsolong。
Hearingnooneapproachtheroomhewasin，hewenttothewindowandopenedthecurtaincautiously，preparedtoletitdropbackattheslightestnoise，andtomakeaquickright—about—facetoavoidbeingcaught，\"flagrantedelicto，\"incuriosity。Anelegantcoupe，standingatalittledistance，wasnowdrivenuptothehouse，afootmaninshowyliveryhastenedtoopenthedoor，andalittleoldman，withalightandjauntymovement，thoughitwasevidenthewasoneofthoserelicsofthepastwhohavenotyetabandonedpowder，steppedquicklyintothecarriage，whichwasthendrivenrapidlyaway。LaPeyradehadtimetoobserveonhisbreastaperfectstringofdecorations。This，combinedwiththepowderedhair，wascertainevidenceofadiplomaticindividual。
LaPeyradehadpickeduphisbookoncemore，whenabellfromtheinnerroomsounded，quicklyfollowedbytheappearanceofthemaid，whoinvitedhimtofollowher。TheProvencaltookcareNOTtoreplacethevolumewherehefoundit，andaninstantlaterheenteredthepresenceofthecountess。
Apainedexpressionwasvisibleonthehandsomefaceoftheforeigncountess，who，however，lostnothingofhercharminthelanguorthatseemedtoovercomeher。Onthesofabesideherwasamanuscriptwrittenongilt—edgedpaper，inthatlargeandopulenthandwritingwhichindicatesanofficialcommunicationfromsomeministerialofficeorchancery。Sheheldinherhandacrystalbottlewithagoldstopper，fromwhichshefrequentlyinhaledthecontents，andastrongodorofEnglishvinegarpervadedthesalon。
\"Ifearyouareill，madame，\"saidlaPeyrade，withinterest。
\"Oh！itisnothing，\"repliedthecountess；\"onlyaheadache，towhichIamverysubject。Butyou，monsieur，whathasbecomeofyou？Iwasbeginningtoloseallhopeofeverseeingyouagain。Haveyoucometoannouncetomesomegreatnews？TheperiodofyourmarriagewithMademoiselleCollevilleisprobablysonearthatIthinkyoucanspeakofit。\"
ThisopeningdisconcertedlaPeyrade。
\"But，madame，\"heanswered，inatonethatwasalmosttart，\"you，itseemstome，mustknowtoowelleverythingthatgoesonintheThuillierhouseholdnottobeawarethattheeventyouspeakofisnotapproaching，and，Imayadd，notprobable。\"
\"No，Iassureyou，Iknownothing；IhavestrictlyforbiddenmyselffromtakinganyfurtherinterestinanaffairwhichIfeltIhadmeddledwithveryfoolishly。MademoiselleBrigitteandItalkofeverythingexceptCeleste’smarriage。\"
\"AnditisnodoubtthedesiretoallowmeperfectfreedominthematterthatinducesyoutotakeflightwheneverIhavethehonortomeetyouintheThuilliersalon？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthecountess，\"thatoughttobethereasonthatmakesmeleavetheroom；else，whyshouldIbesodistant？\"
\"Ah！madame，thereareotherreasonsthatmightmakeawomanavoidaman’spresence。Forinstance，ifhehasdispleasedher；iftheadvice，giventohimwithrarewisdomandkindness，wasnotreceivedwithpropereagernessandgratitude。\"
\"Oh，mydearmonsieur，\"shereplied，\"IhavenosuchardorinproselytizingthatIamangrywiththosewhoarenotdociletomyadvice。Iam，likeothers，veryapttomakemistakes。\"
\"Onthecontrary，madame，inthematterofmymarriageyourjudgmentwasperfectlycorrect。\"
\"Howso？\"saidthecountess，eagerly。\"Hastheseizureofthepamphlet，comingdirectlyafterthefailuretoobtainthecross，ledtoarupture？\"
\"No，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"myinfluenceintheThuillierhouseholdrestsonasolidbasis；theservicesIhaverenderedMademoiselleBrigitteandherbrotheroutweighthesechecks，which，afterall，arenotirreparable。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"saidthecountess。
\"Certainly，\"repliedlaPeyrade；\"whentheComtesseduBrueltakesitintoherheadtoseriouslyobtainthatbitofredribbon，shecandoso，inspiteofallobstaclesthatareputinherway。\"
Thecountessreceivedthisassertionwithasmile，andshookherhead。
\"But，madame，onlyadayortwoagoMadameduBrueltoldMadameCollevillethattheunexpectedoppositionshehadmetwithpiquedher，andthatshemeanttogoinpersontotheminister。\"
\"Butyouforgetthatsincethenthisseizurehasbeenmadebythepolice；itisnotusualtodecorateamanwhoissummonedbeforethecourtofassizes。Youseemnottonoticethattheseizurearguesastrongill—willagainstMonsieurThuillier，and，Imayadd，againstyourself，monsieur，foryouareknowntobetheculprit。Youhavenot，Ithink，takenallthisintoaccount。Theauthoritiesappeartohaveactednotwhollyfromlegalcauses。\"
LaPeyradelookedatthecountess。
\"Imustown，\"hesaid，afterthatrapidglance，\"thatIhavetriedinvaintofindanypassageinthatpamphletwhichcouldbemadealegalpretextfortheseizure。\"
\"Inmyopinion，\"saidthecountess，\"theking’sservantsmusthaveavividimaginationtopersuadethemselvestheyweredealingwithaseditiouspublication。ButthatonlyprovesthestrengthoftheundergroundpowerwhichisthwartingallyourgoodintentionsinfavorofMonsieurThuillier。\"
\"Madame，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"doyouknowoursecretenemies？\"
\"PerhapsIdo，\"repliedthecountess，withanothersmile。
\"MayIdaretoutterasuspicion，madame？\"saidlaPeyrade，withsomeagitation。
\"Yes，saywhatyouthink，\"repliedMadamedeGodollo。\"Ishallnotblameyouifyouguessright。\"
\"Well，madame，ourenemies，Thuillier’sandmine，are——awoman。\"
\"Supposingthatisso，\"saidthecountess；\"doyouknowhowmanylinesRichelieurequiredfromaman’shandinordertohanghim？\"
\"Four，\"repliedlaPeyrade。
\"Youcanimagine，then，thatapamphletoftwohundredpagesmightafforda——slightlyintriguingwomansufficientgroundforpersecution。\"
\"Iseeitall，madame，Iunderstandit！\"criedlaPeyrade，withanimation。\"Ibelievethatwomantobeoneoftheeliteofhersex，withasmuchmindandmaliceasRichelieu！Adorablemagician！itisshewhohassetinmotionthepoliceandthegendarmes；but，morethanthat，itisshewhowithholdsthatcrosstheministerswereabouttogive。\"
\"Ifthatbeso，\"saidthecountess，\"whystruggleagainsther？\"
\"Ah！Istrugglenolonger，\"saidlaPeyrade。Then，withanassumedairofcontrition，headded，\"Youmust，indeed，HATEme，madame。\"
\"Notquiteasmuchasyoumaythink，\"repliedthecountess；\"but，afterall，supposethatIdohateyou？\"
\"Ah！madame，\"criedlaPeyrade，ardently，\"Ishouldthenbethehappiestofunhappymen；forthathatredwouldseemtomesweeterandmorepreciousthanyourindifference。Butyoudonothateme；whyshouldyoufeeltomethatmostblessedfemininesentimentwhichScribehasdepictedwithsuchdelicacyandwit？\"
MadamedeGodollodidnotanswerimmediately。Sheloweredhereyelids，andthedeeperbreathingofherbosomgavetohervoicewhenshedidspeakatremuloustone：——
\"Thehatredofawoman！\"shesaid。\"Isamanofyourstoicismabletoperceiveit？\"
\"Ah！yes，madame，\"repliedlaPeyrade，\"Idoindeedperceiveit，butnottorevoltagainstit；onthecontrary，Iblesstheharshnessthatdeignstohurtme。NowthatIknowmybeautifulandavowedenemy，I
shallnotdespairoftouchingherheart；forneveragainwillIfollowanyroadbuttheonethatshepointsouttome，neverwillImarchunderanybannerbuthers。Ishallwait——forherinspiration，tothink；forherwill，towill；forhercommands，toact。InallthingsIwillbeherauxiliary，——morethanthat，herslave；andifshestillrepulsesmewiththatdaintyfoot，thatsnowyhand，Iwillbearitresignedly，asking，inreturnforsuchobedienceoneonlyfavor，——thatofkissingthefootthatspurnsme，ofbathingwithtearsthehandthatthreatensme。\"
Duringthislongcryoftheexcitedheart，whichthejoyoftriumphwrungfromanaturesonervousandimpressionableasthatoftheProvencal，hehadsliddenfromhischair，andnowkneltwithonekneeonthegroundbesidethecountess，intheconventionalattitudeofthestage，whichis，however，muchmorecommoninreallifethanpeoplesuppose。
\"Rise，monsieur，\"saidthecountess，\"andbesogoodastoanswerme。\"
Then，givinghimaquestioninglookfrombeneathherbeautifulfrowningbrows，shecontinued：\"Haveyouwell—weighedtheoutcomeofthewordsyouhavejustuttered？Haveyoumeasuredthefullextentofyourpledge，anditsdepth？Withyourhandonyourheartandonyourconscience，areyouamantofulfilthosewords？Orareyouoneofthefalselyhumbleandperfidiousmenwhothrowthemselvesatourfeetonlytomakeuslosethebalanceofourwillandourreason？\"
\"I！\"exclaimedlaPeyrade；\"nevercanIreactagainstthefascinationyouhavewieldedovermefromthemomentofourfirstinterview！Ah！
madame，themoreIhaveresisted，themoreIhavestruggled，themoreyououghttotrustinmysincerityanditstardyexpression。WhatI
havesaid，Ithink；thatwhichIthinkaloudto—dayIhavethoughtinmysoulsincethehourwhenIfirsthadthehonorofadmittancetoyou；andthemanydaysIhavepassedinstrugglingagainstthisallurementhaveendedingivingmeafirmanddeliberatewill，whichunderstandsitself，andisnotcastdownbyyourseverity。\"
\"Severity？\"saidthecountess；\"possibly。Butyououghttothinkofthekindnesstoo。Questionyourselfcarefully。WeforeignwomendonotunderstandthecarelesseasewithwhichaFrenchwomanentersuponasolemnengagement。Tous，ourYESissacred；ourwordisabond。Wedoandwewillnothingbyhalves。Thearmsofmyfamilybearamottowhichseemssignificantunderthepresentcircumstances，——’AllorNothing’；thatissayingmuch，andyet，perhaps，notenough。\"
\"ThatishowIunderstandmypledge，\"repliedlaPeyrade；\"andonleavingthisroommyfirststepwillbetobreakwiththatignoblepastwhichforaninstantIseemedtoholdinthebalanceagainsttheintoxicatingfutureyoudonotforbidmetoexpect。\"
\"No，\"saidthecountess，\"doitcalmlyandadvisedly；Idonotlikerashconduct；youwillnotpleasemebytakingopensteps。TheseThuilliersarenotreallybadatheart；theyhumiliatedyouwithoutknowingthattheydidso；theirworldisnotyours。Isthattheirfault？Loosenthetiebetweenyou，butdonotviolentlybreakit。And，aboveall，reflect。Yourconversiontomybeliefsisofrecentdate。
Whatmaniscertainofwhathisheartwillsaytohimto—morrow？\"
\"Madame，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"Iamthatman。WemenofSouthernblooddonotloveasyousayaFrenchwomanloves。\"
\"But，\"saidthecountess，withacharmingsmile，\"Ithoughtitwashatredweweretalkingof。\"
\"Ah，madame，\"criedthebarrister，\"explainedandunderstoodasithasbeen，thatwordisstillathingthathurtsme。Tellmerather，notthatyouloveme，butthatthewordsyoudeignedtosaytomeatourfirstinterviewwereindeedtheexpressionofyourthoughts。\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidthecountess，dwellingontheword；\"oneofyourmoralistshassaid：’Therearepersonswhosay，THATISorTHATIS
NOT。’Domethefavortocountmeamongsuchpersons。\"
Sosaying，sheheldoutherhandtohersuitorwithacharminggestureofmodestyandgrace。LaPeyrade，quitebesidehimself，darteduponthatbeautifulhandanddevoureditwithkisses。
\"Enough，child！\"saidthecountess，gentlyfreeingherimprisonedfingers；\"adieunow，soontomeetagain！Adieu！Myheadache，Ithink，hasdisappeared。\"
LaPeyradepickeduphishat，andseemedabouttorushfromtheapartment；butatthedoorheturnedandcastuponthehandsomecreaturealookoftenderness。Thecountessmadehim，withherhead，agracefulgestureofadieu；then，seeingthatlaPeyradewasinclinedtoreturntoher，sheraisedherforefingerasawarningtocontrolhimselfandgo。
LaPeyradeturnedandlefttheapartment。
CHAPTERVII
HOWTOSHUTTHEDOORINPEOPLE’SFACES
OnthestaircaselaPeyradestoppedtoexhale，ifwemaysoexpressit，thehappinessofwhichhisheartwasfull。Thewordsofthecountess，theingeniouspreparationshehadmadetoputhimonthetrackofhersentiments，seemedtohimtheguaranteeofhersincerity，andheleftherfulloffaith。
Possessedbythatintoxicationofhappypersonswhichshowsitselfintheirgestures，theirlooks，theirverygait，andsometimesinactionsnotauthorizedbytheircommon—sense，afterpausingamoment，aswehavesaid，onthestaircase，heranupafewstepstillhecouldseethedooroftheThuilliers’apartment。
\"Atlast！\"hecried，\"fame，fortune，happinesshavecometome；but，aboveall，Icannowgivemyselfthejoyofvengeance。AfterDutocqandCerizet，IwillcrushYOU，vilebourgeoisbrood！\"
Sosaying，heshookhisfistattheinnocentdoor。Thenheturnedandranout；thepopularsayingthattheearthcouldnotholdhim，wastrueatthatmomentofhisbeing。
Thenextday，forhecouldnotrestrainanylongerthetempestthatwasswellingwithinhim，laPeyradewenttoseeThuillierinthebitterestandmosthostileofmoods。Whatwasthereforehisamazementwhen，beforehehadtimetoputhimselfonguardandstopthedemonstrationofunionandoblivion，Thuillierflunghimselfintohisarms。
\"Myfriend，\"criedthemunicipalcouncillor，asheloosenedhisclasp，\"mypoliticalfortuneismade；thismorningallthenewspapers，withoutexception，havespokenoftheseizureofmypamphlet；andyououghttoseehowtheoppositionsheetshavemauledthegovernment。\"
\"Simpleenough，\"saidlaPeyrade，notmovedbythisenthusiasm；\"youareatopicforthem，that’sall。Butthisdoesnotalterthesituation；theprosecutionwillbeonlythemoredeterminedtohaveyoucondemned。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidThuillier，proudlyraisinghishead，\"Iwillgotoprison，likeBeranger，likeLamennais，likeArmandCarrel。\"
\"Mygoodfellow，persecutionischarmingatadistance；butwhenyouhearthebigboltsrunuponyou，youmaybesureyouwon’tlikeitaswell。\"
\"But，\"objectedThuillier，\"prisonerscondemnedforpoliticaloffencesarealwaysallowedtodotheirtimeinhospitaliftheylike。Besides，I’mnotyetconvicted。Yousaidyourselfyouexpectedtogetmeacquitted。\"
\"Yes，butsincethenIhaveheardthingswhichmakethatresultverydoubtful；thesamehandthatwithheldyourcrosshasseizedyourpamphlet；youarebeingmurderedwithpremeditation。\"
\"Ifyouknowwhothatdangerousenemyis，\"saidThuillier，\"youcan’trefusetopointhimouttome。\"
\"Idon’tknowhim，\"repliedlaPeyrade；\"Ionlysuspecthim。Thisiswhatyougetbyplayingtooshrewdagame。\"
\"Playingashrewdgame！\"saidThuillier，withthecuriosityofamanwhoisperfectlyawarethathehasnothingofthatkindonhisconscience。
\"Yes，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"youmadeasortofdecoyofCelestetoattractyoungbloodstoyoursalon。AlltheworldhasnottheforbearanceofMonsieurGodeschal，whoforgavehisrejectionandgenerouslymanagedthataffairaboutthehouse。\"
\"Explainyourselfbetter，\"saidThuillier，\"forIdon’tseewhatyoumean。\"
\"Nothingiseasiertounderstand。Withoutcountingme，howmanysuitorshaveyouhadforMademoiselleColleville？Godeschal，Minardjunior，Phellionjunior，OlivierVinet，thesubstitutejudge，——allmenwhohavebeensentabouttheirbusiness，asIam。\"
\"OlivierVinet，thesubstitutejudge！\"criedThuillier，struckwithaflashoflight。\"Ofcourse；theblowmusthavecomefromhim。Hisfather，theysay，hasalongarm。Butitcan’tbetrulysaidthatwesenthimabouthisbusiness，——touseyourexpression，whichstrikesmeasindecorous，——forhenevercametothehousebutonce，andmadenooffer；neitherdidMinardjuniororPhellionjunior，forthatmatter。
Godeschalistheonlyonewhoriskedadirectproposal，andhewasrefusedatonce，beforehedippedhisbeakinthewater。\"
\"Itisalwaysso！\"saidlaPeyrade，stilllookingforagroundofquarrel。\"Straightforwardandoutspokenpersonsarealwaysthosethatslymenboastoffooling。\"
\"Ahca！what’sallthis？\"saidThuillier；\"whatareyouinsinuating？
Didn’tyousettleeverythingwithBrigittetheotherday？Youtakeaprettytimetocomeandtalktomeaboutyourlove—affairs，whentheswordofjusticeishangingovermyhead。\"
\"Oh！\"saidlaPeyrade，ironically；\"sonowyouaregoingtomakethemostofyourinterestingpositionofaccusedperson！Iknewverywellhowitwouldbe；Iwascertainthatassoonasyourpamphletappearedtheoldcryofnotgettingwhatyouexpectedoutofmewouldcomeup。\"
\"Parbleu！yourpamphlet！\"criedThuillier。\"Ithinkyouareafinefellowtoboastofthatwhen，onthecontrary，ithascausedthemostdeplorablecomplications。\"
\"Deplorable？howso？youhavejustsaidyourpoliticalfortunewasmade。\"
\"Well，truly，mydearTheodose，\"saidThuillier，withfeeling，\"I
shouldneverhavethoughtthatyouwouldchoosethehourofadversitytocomeandputyourpistolatourthroatsandmakemetheobjectofyoursneersandinnuendoes。\"
\"Welldone！\"saidlaPeyrade；\"nowitisthehourofadversity！A
minuteagoyouwereflingingyourselfintomyarmsasamantowhomsomesignalpieceofluckhadhappened。Yououghtreallytochoosedecidedlybetweenbeingamanwhoneedspityandagloriousvictor。\"
\"Itisallverywelltobewitty，\"returnedThuillier；\"butyoucan’tcontrovertwhatIsay。Iamlogical，ifIamnotbrilliant。ItisverynaturalthatIshouldconsolemyselfbyseeingthatpublicopiniondecidesinmyfavor，andbyreadinginitsorgansthemosthonorableassurancesofsympathy；butdoyousupposeIwouldn’tratherthatthingshadtakentheirnaturalcourse？Besides，whenIseemyselftheobjectofunworthyvengeanceonthepartofpersonsasinfluentialastheVinets，howcanIhelpmeasuringtheextentofthedangerstowhichIamexposed？\"
\"Well，\"saidlaPeyrade，withpitilesspersistency，\"IseethatyouprefertoplaythepartofJeremiah。\"
\"Yes，\"saidThuillier，inasolemntone。\"JeremiahlamentsoverafriendshipIdidthinktrueanddevoted，butwhichIfindhasonlysarcasmstogivemewhenIlookedforservices。\"
\"Whatservices？\"askedlaPeyrade。\"Didyounottellmepositively，nolaterthanyesterday，thatyouwouldnotacceptmyhelpunderanyformwhatever？Iofferedtopleadyourcase，andyouansweredthatyouwouldtakeabetterlawyer。\"
\"Yes；inthefirstshockofsurpriseatsuchanunexpectedblow，Ididsaythatfoolishthing；but，onreflection，whocanexplainaswellasyoucantheintentionofthewordsyouwrotewithyourownpen？
YesterdayIwasalmostoutofmymind；butyou，withyourwoundedself—love，whichcan’tforgiveamomentaryimpatience，youareverycausticandcruel。\"
\"So，\"saidlaPeyrade，\"youformallyrequestmetodefendyoubeforethejury？\"
\"Yes，mydearfellow；andIdon’tknowanyotherhandsinwhichI
couldbetterplacemycase。Ishouldhavetopayamonstroussumtosomegreatlegalluminary，andhewouldn’tdefendmeasablyasyou。\"
\"Well，Irefuse。Roleshavechanged，asyousee，diametrically。
Yesterday，Ithought，asyoudo，thatIwasthemantodefendyou。
To—day，Iseethatyouhadbettertakethelegalluminary，because，withVinet’santagonismagainstyoutheaffairistakingsuchproportionsthatwhoeverdefendsitassumesafearfulresponsibility。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidThuillier，sarcastically。\"Monsieurhashiseyeonthemagistracy，andhedoesn’twanttoquarrelwithamanwhoisalreadytalkedofforKeeperoftheSeals。Itisprudent，butIdon’tknowthatitisgoingtohelponyourmarriage。\"