ToMonsieurP。S。B。Gavault。
Jean-JacquesRousseauwrotethesewordsatthebeginningofhis，NouvelleHeloise：“IhaveseenthemoralsofmytimeandIpublish，theseletters。”MayInotsaytoyou，inimitationofthatgreat，writer，“IhavestudiedthemarchofmyepochandIpublishthis，work“？
Theobjectofthisparticularstudy——startlinginitstruthso，longassocietymakesphilanthropyaprincipleinsteadof，regardingitasanaccident——istobringtosighttheleading，charactersofaclasstoolongunheededbythepensofwriterswho，seeknoveltyastheirchiefobject。Perhapsthisforgetfulnessis，onlyprudenceinthesedayswhenthepeopleareheirsofallthe，sycophantsofroyalty。Wemakecriminalspoetic，wecommiserate，thehangman，wehaveallbutdeifiedtheproletary。Sectshave，risen，andcriedbyeverypen，“Arise，working-men！”justas，formerlytheycried，“Arise！”tothe“tiersetat。”Noneofthese，Erostrates，however，havedaredtofacethecountrysolitudesand，studytheunceasingconspiracyofthosewhomwetermweakagainst，thoseotherswhofancythemselvesstrong，——thatofthepeasant，againsttheproprietor。Itisnecessarytoenlightennotonlythe，legislatorofto-daybuthimofto-morrow。Inthemidstofthe，presentdemocraticferment，intowhichsomanyofourwriters，blindlyrush，itbecomesanurgentdutytoexhibitthepeasantwho，rendersLawinapplicable，andwhohasmadetheownershipofland，tobeathingthatis，andthatisnot。
Youarenowtobeholdthatindefatigablemole，thatrodentwhich，underminesanddisintegratesthesoil，parcelsitoutanddivides，anacreintoahundredfragments，——everspurredontohisbanquet，bythelowermiddleclasseswhomakehimatoncetheirauxiliary，andtheirprey。Thisessentiallyunsocialelement，createdbythe，Revolution，willsomedayabsorbthemiddleclasses，justasthe，middleclasseshavedestroyedthenobility。Liftedabovethelaw，byitsowninsignificance，thisRobespierre，withoneheadand，twentymillionarms，isatworkperpetually;crouchingincountry，districts，intrenchedinmunicipalcouncils，underarmsinthe，nationalguardofeverycantoninFrance，——oneresultoftheyear，1830，whichfailedtorememberthatNapoleonpreferredthechances，ofdefeattothedangerofarmingthemasses。
IfduringthelasteightyearsIhaveagainandagaingivenupthe，writingofthisbookthemostimportantofthoseIhave，undertakentowrite，andasoftenreturnedtoit，itwas，asyou，andotherfriendscanwellimagine，becausemycourageshrankfrom，themanydifficulties，themanyessentialdetailsofadramaso，doublydreadfulandsocruellybloody。Amongthereasonswhich，rendermenowalmost，itmaybethought，foolhardy，Icountthe，desiretofinishaworklongdesignedtobetoyouaproofofmy，deepandlastinggratitudeforafriendshipthathaseverbeen，amongmygreatestconsolationsinmisfortune。
DeBalzac。
SONSOFTHESOIL
PARTI
Whosolandhath，contentionhath。
CHAPTERI
THECHATEAU
LesAigues，August6，1823。
ToMonsieurNathan，MydearNathan，——You，whoprovidethepublicwithsuchdelightful，dreamsthroughthemagicofyourimagination，arenowtofollowme，whileImakeyoudreamadreamoftruth。Youshallthentellme，whetherthepresentcenturyislikelytobequeathsuchdreamstothe，NathansandtheBlondetsoftheyear1923;youshallestimatethe，distanceatwhichwenowarefromthedayswhentheFlorinesofthe，eighteenthcenturyfound，onawaking，achateaulikeLesAiguesinthe，termsoftheirbargain。
Mydearfellow，ifyoureceivethisletterinthemorning，letyour，mindtravel，asyoulieinbed，fiftyleaguesorthereaboutsfrom，Paris，alongthegreatmailroadwhichleadstotheconfinesof，Burgundy，andbeholdtwosmalllodgesbuiltofredbrick，joined，or，separated，byarailpaintedgreen。Itwastherethatthediligence，depositedyourfriendandcorrespondent。
Oneithersideofthisdoublepaviliongrowsaquick-sethedge，from，whichthebramblesstragglelikestraylocksofhair。Hereandtherea，treeshootsboldlyup;flowersbloomontheslopesofthewayside，ditch，bathingtheirfeetinitsgreenandsluggishwater。Thehedge，atbothendsmeetsandjoinstwostripsofwoodland，andthedouble，meadowthusinclosedisdoubtlesstheresultofaclearing。
Thesedustyanddesertedlodgesgiveentrancetoamagnificentavenue，ofcentennialelms，whoseumbrageousheadsleantowardeachotherand，formalongandmostmajesticarbor。Thegrassgrowsinthisavenue，andonlyafewwheel-trackscanbeseenalongitsdoublewidthofway。
Thegreatageofthetrees，thebreadthoftheavenue，thevenerable，constructionofthelodges，thebrowntintsoftheirstonecourses，allbespeakanapproachtosomehalf-regalresidence。
Beforereachingthisenclosurefromtheheightofaneminencesuchas，weFrenchmenratherconceitedlycallamountain，atthefootofwhich，liesthevillageofConchesthelastpost-house，Ihadseenthelong，valleyofAigues，atthefartherendofwhichthemailroadturnsto，followastraightlineintothelittlesub-prefectureofLaVille-aux-
Fayes，overwhich，asyouknow，thenephewofourfrienddesLupeaulx，lordsit。Tallforestslyingonthehorizon，alongvastslopeswhich，skirtariver，commandthisrichvalley，whichisframedinthefar，distancebythemountainsofalesserSwitzerland，calledtheMorvan。
TheseforestsbelongtoLesAigues，andtotheMarquisdeRonquerolles，andtheComtedeSoulanges，whosecastlesandparksandvillages，seen，inthedistancefromtheseheights，givethesceneastrong，resemblancetotheimaginarylandscapesofVelvetBreughel。
Ifthesedetailsdonotremindyouofallthecastlesintheairyou，havedesiredtopossessinFranceyouarenotworthytoreceivethe，presentnarrativeofanastoundedParisian。AtlastIhaveseena，landscapewhereartisblendedwithnatureinsuchawaythatneither，ofthemspoilstheother;theartisnatural，andthenatureartistic。
IhavefoundtheoasisthatyouandIhavedreamedofwhenreading，novels，——natureluxuriantandadorned，rollinglinesthatarenot，confused，somethingwildwithal，unkempt，mysterious，notcommon。Jump，thatgreenrailingandcomeon！
WhenItriedtolookuptheavenue，whichthesunneverpenetrates，exceptwhenitrisesorwhenitsets，stripingtheroadlikeazebra，withitsobliquerays，myviewwasobstructedbyanoutlineofrising，ground;afterthatispassed，thelongavenueisobstructedbya，copse，withinwhichtheroadsmeetatacross-ways，inthecentreof，whichstandsastoneobelisk，foralltheworldlikeaneternal，exclamationmark。Fromthecrevicesbetweenthefoundationstonesof，thiserection，whichistoppedbyaspikedballwhatanidea！，hang，floweringplants，blueoryellowaccordingtotheseason。LesAigues，mustcertainlyhavebeenbuiltbyawoman，orforawoman;noman，wouldhavehadsuchdaintyideas;thearchitectnodoubthadhiscue。
Passingthroughthelittlewoodplacedthereassentinel，Icameupon，acharmingdeclivity，atthefootofwhichfoamedandgurgledalittle，brook，whichIcrossedonaculvertofmossystones，superbincolor，theprettiestofallthemosaicswhichtimemanufactures。Theavenue，continuesbythebrooksideupagentlerise。Inthedistance，the，firsttableauisnowseen，——amillanditsdam，acausewayandtrees，linenlaidouttodry，thethatchedcottageofthemiller，his，fishing-nets，andthetankwherethefisharekept，——nottospeakof，themiller’sboy，whowasalreadywatchingme。Nomatterwhereyouare，inthecountry，howeversolitaryyoumaythinkyourself，youare，certaintobethefocusofthetwoeyesofacountrybumpkin;a，laborerrestsonhishoe，avine-dresserstraightenshisbentback，a，littlegoat-girl，orshepherdess，ormilkmaidclimbsawillowtostare，atyou。
Presentlytheavenuemergesintoanalleyofacacias，whichleadsto，anironrailingmadeinthedayswheniron-workersfashionedthose，slenderfilagreeswhicharenotunlikethecopiessetusbyawriting-
master。Oneithersideoftherailingisaha-ha，theedgesofwhich，bristlewithangryspikes，——regularporcupinesinmetal。Therailing，isclosedatbothendsbytwoporter’s-lodges，likethoseofthe，palaceatVersailles，andthegatewayissurmountedbycolossalvases。
Thegoldofthearabesquesisruddy，forrusthasaddeditstints，but，thisentrance，called“thegateoftheAvenue，“whichplainlyshows，thehandoftheGreatDauphintowhom，indeed，LesAiguesowesit，seemstomenonethelessbeautifulforthat。Attheendofeachha-ha，thewallsofthepark，builtofrough-hewnstone，begin。Thesestones，setinamortarmadeofreddishearth，displaytheirvariegated，colors，thewarmyellowsofthesilex，thewhiteofthelime，carbonates，therussetbrownsofthesandstone，inmanyafantastic，shape。Asyoufirstenterit，theparkisgloomy，thewallsarehidden，bycreepingplantsandbytreesthatforfiftyyearshaveheardno，soundofaxe。Onemightthinkitavirginforest，madeprimevalagain，throughsomephenomenongrantedexclusivelytoforests。Thetrunksof，thetreesareswathedwithlichenwhichhangsfromonetoanother。
Mistletoe，withitsviscidleaves，droopsfromeveryforkofthe，brancheswheremoisturesettles。Ihavefoundgiganticivies，wild，arabesqueswhichflourishonlyatfiftyleaguesfromParis，herewhere，landdoesnotcostenoughtomakeonesparingofit。Thelandscapeon，suchfreelinescoversagreatdealofground。Nothingissmoothed，off;rakesareunknown，rutsandditchesarefullofwater，frogsare，tranquillydeliveredoftheirtadpoles，thewoodlandflowersbloom，andtheheatherisasbeautifulasthatIhaveseenonyourmantle-
shelfinJanuaryintheelegantbeau-potsentbyFlorine。Thismystery，isintoxicating，itinspiresvaguedesires。Theforestodors，beloved，ofsoulsthatareepicuresofpoesy，whodelightinthetinymosses，thenoxiousfungi，themoistmould，thewillows，thebalsams，thewild，thyme，thegreenwatersofapond，thegoldenstaroftheyellow，water-lily，——thebreathofallsuchvigorouspropagationscametomy，nostrilsandfilledmewithasinglethought;wasittheirsoul？I
seemedtoseearose-tintedgownfloatingalongthewindingalley。
Thepathendedabruptlyinanothercopse，wherebirchesandpoplars，andallthequiveringtreespalpitated，——anintelligentfamilywith，gracefulbranchesandelegantbearing，thetreesofaloveasfree！It，wasfromthispoint，mydearfellow，thatIsawapondcoveredwith，thewhitewater-lilyandotherplantswithbroadflatleavesand，narrowslenderones，onwhichlayaboatpaintedwhiteandblack，as，lightasanut-shellanddaintyasthewherryofaSeineboatman。
Beyondrosethechateau，builtin1560，offineredbrick，withstone，coursesandcopings，andwindow-framesinwhichthesasheswereof，smallleadedpanesOVersailles！。Thestoneishewnindiamond，points，buthollowed，asintheDucalPalaceatVeniceonthefacade，towardtheBridgeofSighs。Therearenoregularlinesaboutthe，castleexceptinthecentrebuilding，fromwhichprojectsastately，porticowithdoubleflightsofcurvingsteps，androundbalusters，slenderattheirbaseandbroadeningatthemiddle。Themainbuilding，issurroundedbyclock-towersandsundrymodernturrets，with，galleriesandvasesmoreorlessGreek。Noharmonythere，mydear，Nathan！Theseheterogeneouserectionsarewrapped，sotospeak，by，variousevergreentreeswhosebranchesshedtheirbrownneedlesupon，theroofs，nourishingthelichenandgivingtonetothecracksand，creviceswheretheeyedelightstowander。HereyouseetheItalian，pine，thestonepine，withitsredbarkanditsmajesticparasol;here，acedartwohundredyearsold，weepingwillows，aNorwayspruce，anda，beechwhichovertopsthemall;andthere，infrontofthemaintower，someverysingularshrubs，——ayewtrimmedinawaythatrecallssome，long-decayedgardenofoldFrance，andmagnoliaswithhortensiasat，theirfeet。Inshort，theplaceistheInvalidesoftheheroesof，horticulture，oncethefashionandnowforgotten，likeallother，heroes。
Achimney，withcuriouscopings，whichwassendingforthgreatvolumes，ofsmoke，assuredmethatthisdelightfulscenewasnotanopera，setting。Akitchenrevealshumanbeings。NowimagineME，Blondet，who，shiverasifinthepolarregionsatSaint-Cloud，inthemidstofthis，glowingBurgundianclimate。Thesunsendsdownitswarmestrays，the，king-fisherwatchesontheshoresofthepond，thecricketchirps，the，grain-podsburst，thepoppydropsitsmorphiainglutinoustears，and，allareclearlydefinedonthedark-blueether。Abovetheruddysoil，oftheterracesflamesthatjoyousnaturalpunchwhichintoxicatesthe，insectsandtheflowersanddazzlesoureyesandbrownsourfaces。The，grapeisbeading，itstendrilsfallinaveilofthreadswhose，delicacyputstoshamethelace-makers。Besidethehouseblue，larkspur，nasturtium，andsweet-peasareblooming。Fromadistance，orange-treesandtuberosesscenttheair。Afterthepoeticexhalations，ofthewoodsagradualpreparationcamethedelectablepastillesof，thisbotanicseraglio。
Standingontheportico，likethequeenofflowers，beholdawoman，robedinwhite，withhairunpowdered，holdingaparasollinedwith，whitesilk，butherselfwhiterthanthesilk，whiterthanthelilies，atherfeet，whiterthanthestarryjasminethatclimbedthe，balustrade，——awoman，aFrenchwomanborninRussia，whosaidasI
approachedher，“Ihadalmostgivenyouup。”ShehadseenmeasIleft，thecopse。Withwhatperfectiondoallwomen，eventhemostguileless，understandthearrangementofasceniceffect？Themovementsofthe，servants，whowerepreparingtoservebreakfast，showedmethatthe，mealhadbeendelayeduntilafterthearrivalofthediligence。She，hadnotventuredtocometomeetme。
Isthisnotourdream，——thedreamofallloversofthebeautiful，underwhatsoeverformitcomes;theseraphicbeautythatLuiniput，intohisMarriageoftheVirgin，thatnoblefrescoatSarono;the，beautythatRubensgraspedinthetumultofhis“Battleofthe，Thermodon“;thebeautythatfivecenturieshaveelaboratedinthe，cathedralsofSevilleandMilan;thebeautyoftheSaracensat，Granada，thebeautyofLouisXIV。atVersailles，thebeautyofthe，Alps，andthatofthisLimagneinwhichIstand？
Belongingtotheestate，aboutwhichthereisnothingtooprincely，noryettoofinancial，whereprinceandfarmer-generalhavebothlived，whichfactservestoexplainit，arefourthousandacresof，woodland，aparkofsomeninehundredacres，themill，threeleased，farms，anotherimmensefarmatConches，andvineyards，——thewhole，producingarevenueofaboutseventythousandfrancsayear。Nowyou，knowLesAigues，mydearfellow;whereIhavebeenexpectedforthe，lasttwoweeks，andwhereIamatthismoment，inthechintz-lined，chamberassignedtodearestfriends。
Abovethepark，towardsConches，adozenlittlebrooks，clear，limpid，streamscomingfromtheMorvan，fallintothepond，afteradorning，withtheirsilveryribbonsthevalleysoftheparkandthemagnificent，gardensaroundthechateau。Thenameoftheplace，LesAigues，comes，fromthesecharmingstreamsofwater;theestatewasoriginallycalled，intheoldtitle-deeds“LesAigues-Vives“todistinguishitfrom，“Aigues-Mortes“;buttheword“Vives“hasnowbeendropped。Thepond，emptiesintothestream，whichfollowsthecourseoftheavenue，throughawideandstraightcanalborderedonbothsidesandalongits，wholelengthbyweepingwillows。Thiscanal，thusarched，producesa，delightfuleffect。Glidingthroughit，seatedonathwartofthe，littleboat，onecouldfancyone’sselfinthenaveofsomegreat，cathedral，thechoirbeingformedofthemainbuildingofthehouse，seenattheendofit。Whenthesettingsuncastsitsorangetones，mingledwithamberuponthecasementsofthechateau，theeffectis，thatofpaintedwindows。AttheotherendofthecanalweseeBlangy，thecounty-town，containingaboutsixtyhouses，andthevillage，church，whichisnothingmorethanatumble-downbuildingwitha，woodenclock-towerwhichappearstoholduparoofofbrokentiles。
Onecomfortablehouseandtheparsonagearedistinguishable;butthe，townshipisalargeone，——abouttwohundredscatteredhousesinall，thoseofthevillageformingasitwerethecapital。Theroadsare，linedwithfruit-trees，andnumerouslittlegardensarestrewnhere，andthere，——truecountrygardenswitheverythinginthem;flowers，onions，cabbagesandgrapevines，currants，andagreatdealofmanure。
Thevillagehasaprimitiveair;itisrustic，andhasthatdecorative，simplicitywhichweartistsareforeverseeking。Inthefardistance，isthelittletownofSoulangesoverhangingavastsheetofwater，likethebuildingsonthelakeofThune。
Whenyoustrollinthepark，whichhasfourgates，eachsuperbin，style，youfeelthatourmythologicalArcadiasareflatandstale。
ArcadiaisinBurgundy，notinGreece;ArcadiaisatLesAiguesand，nowhereelse。Ariver，madebyscoresofbrooklets，crossesthepark，atitslowerlevelwithaserpentinemovement;givingadewyfreshness，andtranquillitytothescene，——anairofsolitude，whichremindsone，ofaconventofCarthusians，andallthemorebecause，onan，artificialislandintheriver，isahermitageinruins，theinterior，eleganceofwhichisworthyoftheluxuriousfinancierwhoconstructed，it。LesAigues，mydearNathan，oncebelongedtothatBouretwhospent，twomillionstoreceiveLouisXV。onasingleoccasionunderhisroof。
Howmanyardentpassions，howmanydistinguishedminds，howmany，fortunatecircumstanceshavecontributedtomakethisbeautifulplace，whatitis！AmistressofHenriIV。rebuiltthechateauwhereitnow，stands。ThefavoriteoftheGreatDauphin，MademoiselleChointowhom，LesAigueswasgiven，addedanumberoffarmstoit。Bouretfurnished，thehousewithalltheeleganciesofParisianhomesforanOpera，celebrity;andtohimLesAiguesowestherestorationofitsground，floorinthestyleLouisXV。
Ihaveoftenstoodraptinadmirationatthebeautyofthedining-
room。Theeyeisfirstattractedtotheceiling，paintedinfrescoin，theItalianmanner，wherelightsomearabesquesarefrolicking。Female，forms，instuccoendinginfoliage，supportatregulardistances，corbeilsoffruit，fromwhichspringthegarlandsoftheceiling。
Charmingpaintings，theworkofunknownartists，fillthepanels，betweenthefemalefigures，representingtheluxuriesofthetable，——
boar’s-heads，salmon，rareshell-fish，andallediblethings，——which，fantasticallysuggestmenandwomenandchildren，andrivalthe，whimsicalimaginationoftheChinese，——thepeoplewhobestunderstand，tomythinkingatleast，theartofdecoration。Themistressofthe，housefindsabell-wirebeneathherfeettosummonservants，whoenter，onlywhenrequired，disturbingnointerviewsandoverhearingno，secrets。Thepanelsabovethedoorwaysrepresentgayscenes;allthe，embrasures，bothofdoorsandwindows，areinmarblemosaics。Theroom，isheatedfrombelow。Everywindowlooksforthonsomedelightful，view。
Thisroomcommunicateswithabath-roomononesideandontheother，withaboudoirwhichopensintothesalon。Thebath-roomislinedwith，Sevrestiles，paintedinmonochrome，thefloorismosaic，andthebath，marble。Analcove，hiddenbyapicturepaintedoncopper，whichturns，onapivot，containsacouchingiltwoodofthetruestPompadour。The，ceilingislapis-lazulistarredwithgold。Thetilesarepaintedfrom，designsbyBoucher。Bath，tableandlovearethereforecloselyunited。
Afterthesalon，which，Ishouldtellyou，mydearfellow，exhibits，themagnificenceoftheLouisXIV。manner，youenterafinebilliard-
roomunrivalledsofarasIknowinParisitself。Theentrancetothis，suiteofground-floorapartmentsisthroughasemi-circular，antechamber，atthelowerendofwhichisafairy-likestaircase，lightedfromabove，whichleadstootherpartsofthehouse，allbuilt，atvariousepochs——andtothinkthattheychoppedofftheheadsofthe，wealthyin1793！Goodheavens！whycan’tpeopleunderstandthatthe，marvelsofartareimpossibleinalandwheretherearenogreat，fortunes，nosecure，luxuriouslives？IftheLeftinsistsonkilling，kingswhynotleaveusafewlittleprincelingswithmoneyintheir，pockets？
Atthepresentmomenttheseaccumulatedtreasuresbelongtoacharming，womanwithanartisticsoul，whoisnotcontentwithmerelyrestoring，themmagnificently，butwhokeepstheplaceupwithlovingcare。Sham，philosophers，studyingthemselveswhiletheyprofesstobestudying，humanity，callthesegloriousthingsextravagance。Theygrovelbefore，cottonprintsandthetastelessdesignsofmodernindustry，asifwe，weregreaterandhappierinthesedaysthaninthoseofHenriIV。，LouisXIV。andLouisXVI。monarchswhohaveallleftthestampof，theirreignsuponLesAigues。Whatpalace，whatroyalcastle，what，mansions，whatnobleworksofart，whatgoldbrocadedstuffsare，sacrednow？Thepetticoatsofourgrandmothersgotocoverthechairs，inthesedegeneratedays。Selfishandthievinginterlopersthatwe，are，wepulldowneverythingandplantcabbageswheremarvelsonce，wererife。OnlyyesterdaytheploughlevelledPersan，thatmagnificent，domainwhichgaveatitletooneofthemostopulentfamiliesofthe，oldparliament;hammershavedemolishedMontmorency，whichcostan，ItalianfollowerofNapoleonuntoldsums;Val，thecreationof，RegnaultdeSaint-Jeand’Angely，Cassan，builtbyamistressofthe，PrincedeConti;inall，fourroyalhouseshavedisappearedinthe，valleyoftheOisealone。WearegettingaRomancampagnaaroundParis，inadvanceofthedayswhenatempestshallblowfromthenorthand，overturnourplasterpalacesandourpasteboarddecorations。
Nowsee，mydearfellow，towhatthehabitofbombasticisingin，newspapersbringsyouto。HereamIwritingadownrightarticle。Does，themindhaveitsruts，likearoad？Istop;forIrobthemail，andI
robmyself，andyoumaybeyawning——tobecontinuedinournext;I
hearthesecondbell，whichsummonsmetooneofthoseabundant，breakfaststhefashionofwhichhaslongpassedaway，inthedining-
roomsofParis，beitunderstood。
Here’sthehistoryofmyArcadia。In1815，therediedatLesAigues，oneofthefamouswantonsofthelastcentury，——asinger，forgottenof，theguillotineandthenobility，afterpreyinguponexchequers，upon，literature，uponaristocracy，andallbutreachingthescaffold;
forgotten，likesomanyfascinatingoldwomenwhoexpiatetheirgolden，youthincountrysolitudes，andreplacetheirlostlovesbyanother，——
manbyNature。Suchwomenlivewiththeflowers，withthewoodland，scents，withthesky，withthesunshine，withallthatsingsandskips，andshinesandsprouts，——thebirds，thesquirrels，theflowers，the，grass;theyknownothingaboutthesethings，theycannotexplainthem，buttheylovethem;theylovethemsowellthattheyforgetdukes，marshals，rivalries，financiers，follies，luxuries，theirpastejewels，andtheirrealdiamonds，theirheeledslippersandtheirrouge，——all，forthesweetnessofcountrylife。
Ihavegathered，mydearfellow，muchpreciousinformationaboutthe，oldageofMademoiselleLaguerre;for，totellyouthetruth，the，afterlifeofsuchwomenasFlorine，Mariette，SuzannedeValNoble，andTulliahasmademe，everynowandthen，extremelyinquisitive，as，thoughIwereachildinquiringwhathadbecomeoftheoldmoons。
In1790MademoiselleLaguerre，alarmedattheturnofpublicaffairs，cametosettleatLesAigues，boughtandgiventoherbyBouret，who，passedseveralsummerswithheratthechateau。Terrifiedatthefate，ofMadameduBarry，sheburiedherdiamonds。Atthattimeshewasonly，fifty-threeyearsofage，andaccordingtoherlady’s-maid，afterwards，marriedtoagendarmenamedSoudry，“Madamewasmorebeautifulthan，ever。”MydearNathan，Naturehasnodoubtherprivatereasonsfor，treatingwomenofthissortlikespoiledchildren;excesses，instead，ofkillingthem，fattenthem，preservethem，renewtheiryouth。Under，alymphaticappearancetheyhavenerveswhichmaintaintheir，marvellousphysique;theyactuallypreservetheirbeautyforreasons，whichwouldmakeavirtuouswomanhaggard。No，uponmyword，Natureis，notmoral！
MademoiselleLaguerrelivedanirreproachablelifeatLesAigues，one，mightevencallitasaintlyone，afterherfamousadventure，——you，rememberit？Oneeveninginaparoxysmofdespairinglove，shefled，fromtheopera-houseinherstagedress，rushedintothecountry，and，passedthenightweepingbythewayside。Ah！howtheyhave，calumniatedtheloveofLouisXV。’stime！Shewassounusedtosee，thesunrise，thatshehaileditwithoneofherfinestsongs。Her，attitude，quiteasmuchashertinsel，drewthepeasantsabouther;
amazedathergestures，hervoice，herbeauty，theytookherforan，angel，anddroppedontheirkneesaroundher。IfVoltairehadnot，existedwemighthavethoughtitanewmiracle。Idon’tknowifGod，gavehermuchcreditforhertardyvirtue，forloveafterallmustbe，asickeningthingtoawomanaswearyofitasawantonoftheold，Opera。MademoiselleLaguerrewasbornin1740，andherhey-daywasin，1760，whenMonsieurIforgethisnamewascalledthe“ministredela，guerre，“onaccountofhisliaisonwithher。Sheabandonedthatname，whichwasquiteunknowndownhere，andcalledherselfMadamedes，Aigues，asiftomergeheridentityintheestate，whichshedelighted，toimprovewithatastethatwasprofoundlyartistic。WhenBonaparte，becameFirstConsul，sheincreasedherpropertybythepurchaseof，churchlands，forwhichsheusedtheproceedsofherdiamonds。Asan，Operadivinityneverknowshowtotakecareofhermoney，she，intrustedthemanagementoftheestatetoasteward，occupyingherself，withherflowersandfruitsandwiththebeautifyingofthepark。
AfterMademoisellewasdeadandburiedatBlangy，thenotaryof，Soulanges——thatlittletownwhichliesbetweenVille-aux-Fayesand，Blangy，thecapitalofthetownship——madeanelaborateinventory，and，soughtouttheheirsofthesinger，whoneverknewshehadany。Eleven，familiesofpoorlaborerslivingnearAmiens，andsleepingincotton，sheets，awokeonefinemorningingoldenones。Thepropertywassold，atauction。LesAigueswasboughtbyMontcornet，whohadlaidby，enoughduringhiscampaignsinSpainandPomeraniatomakethe，purchase，whichcostaboutelevenhundredthousandfrancs，including，thefurniture。Thegeneral，nodoubt，felttheinfluenceofthese，luxuriousapartments;andIwasarguingwiththecountessonly，yesterdaythathermarriagewasadirectresultofthepurchaseofLes，Aigues。
Torightlyunderstandthecountess，mydearNathan，youmustknowthat，thegeneralisaviolentman，redasfire，fivefeetnineinchestall，roundasatower，withathickneckandtheshouldersofablacksmith，whichmusthaveamplyfilledhiscuirass。Montcornetcommandedthe，cuirassiersatthebattleofEsslingcalledbytheAustriansGross-
Aspern，andcamenearperishingwhenthatnoblecorpswasdrivenback，ontheDanube。Hemanagedtocrosstheriverastridealogofwood。
Thecuirassiers，findingthebridgedown，tooktheglorious，resolution，atMontcornet’scommand，toturnandresisttheentire，Austrianarmy，whichcarriedoffonthemorrowoverthirtywagon-loads，ofcuirasses。TheGermansinventedanamefortheirenemiesonthis，occasionwhichmeans“menofiron。”[*]Montcornethastheoutermanof，aheroofantiquity。Hisarmsarestoutandvigorous，hischestdeep，andbroad;hisheadhasaleonineaspect，hisvoiceisofthosethat，canorderachargeinthethickofbattle;buthehasnothingmore，thanthecourageofadaringman;helacksmindandbreadthofview。
Likeothergeneralstowhommilitarycommon-sense，thenatural，boldnessofthosewhospendtheirlivesindanger，andthehabitof，commandgivesanappearanceofsuperiority，Montcornethasanimposing，effectwhenyoufirstmeethim;heseemsaTitan，buthecontainsa，dwarf，likethepasteboardgiantwhosalutedQueenElizabethatthe，gatesofKenilworth。Cholericthoughkind，andfullofimperial，hauteur，hehasthecaustictongueofasoldier，andisquickat，repartee，butquickerstillwithablow。Hemayhavebeensuperbona，battle-field;inahouseholdheissimplyintolerable。Heknowsno，lovebutbarracklove，——thelovewhichthoseclevermyth-makers，the，ancients，placedunderthepatronageofEros，sonofMarsandVenus。
Thosedelightfulchroniclersoftheoldreligionsprovidedthemselves，withadozendifferentLoves。Studythefathersandtheattributesof，theseLoves，andyouwilldiscoveracompletesocialnomenclature，——
andyetwefancythatweoriginatethings！Whentheworldturnsupside，downlikeanhour-glass，whentheseasbecomecontinents，Frenchmen，willfindcanons，steamboats，newspapers，andmapswrappedupin，seaweedatthebottomofwhatisnowourocean。
[*]Idonot，onprinciple，likefoot-notes，andthisisthefirstI
haveeverallowedmyself。Itshistoricalinterestmustbemy，excuse;itwillprove，moreover，thatdescriptionsofbattles，shouldbesomethingmorethanthedryparticularsoftechnical，writers，whoforthelastthreethousandyearshavetoldusabout，leftandrightwingsandcentresbeingbrokenordrivenin，but，neverawordaboutthesoldierhimself，hissufferings，andhis，heroism。TheconscientiouscarewithwhichIpreparedmyselfto，writethe“ScenesfromMilitaryLife，“ledmetomanyabattle-
fieldoncewetwiththebloodofFranceandherenemies。Among，themIwenttoWagram。WhenIreachedtheshoresoftheDanube，oppositeLobau，Inoticedonthebank，whichiscoveredwithturf，certainundulationsthatremindedmeofthefurrowsinafieldof，lucern。Iaskedthereasonofit，thinkingIshouldhearofsome，newmethodofagriculture：“Theresleepthecavalryofthe，imperialguard，“saidthepeasantwhoservedusasaguide;“those，aretheirgravesyouseethere。”Thewordsmademeshudder。Prince，FredericSchwartzenburg，whotranslatedthem，addedthattheman，hadhimselfdrivenoneofthewagonsladenwithcuirasses。Byone，ofthestrangechancesofwarourguidehadservedabreakfastto，NapoleononthemorningofthebattleofWagram。Thoughpoor，he，hadkeptthedoublenapoleonwhichtheEmperorgavehimforhis，milkandhiseggs。ThecurateofGross-Asperntookustothe，famouscemeterywhereFrenchandAustriansstruggledtogether，knee-deepinblood，withacourageandobstinacyglorioustoeach。
There，whileexplainingthatamarbletablettowhichour，attentionhadbeenattracted，andonwhichwereinscribedthe，namesoftheownerofGross-Aspern，whohadbeenkilledonthe，thirddaywasthesolecompensationevergiventothefamily，he，said，inatoneofdeepsadness：“Itwasatimeofgreatmisery，andofgreathopes;butnowarethedaysofforgetfulness。”The，sayingseemedtomesublimeinitssimplicity;butwhenIcameto，reflectuponthematter，Ifelttherewassomejustificationfor，theapparentingratitudeoftheHouseofAustria。Neithernations，norkingsarewealthyenoughtorewardallthedevotionstowhich，thesetragicstrugglesgiverise。Letthosewhoserveacausewith，asecretexpectationofrecompense，setapriceupontheirblood，andbecomemercenaries。Thosewhowieldeitherswordorpenfor，theircountry’sgoodoughttothinkofnothingbutofDOINGTHEIR
BEST，asourfathersusedtosay，andexpectnothing，noteven，glory，exceptasahappyaccident。
Itwasinrushingtoretakethisfamouscemeteryforthethird，timethatMassena，woundedandcarriedintheboxofacabriolet，madethissplendidharanguetohissoldiers：“What！yourascally，curs，whohaveonlyfivesousadaywhileIhavefortythousand，doyouletmegoaheadofyou？”Alltheworldknowstheorder，whichtheEmperorsenttohislieutenantbyM。deSainte-Croix，whoswamtheDanubethreetimes：“Dieorretakethevillage;itis，aquestionofsavingthearmy;thebridgesaredestroyed。”
TheAuthor。
Now，ImusttellyouthattheComtessedeMontcornetisafragile，timid，delicatelittlewoman。Whatdoyouthinkofsuchamarriageas，that？Tothosewhoknowsocietysuchthingsarecommonenough;awell-
assortedmarriageistheexception。Nevertheless，Ihavecometosee，howitisthatthisslenderlittlecreaturehandlesherbobbinsina，waytoleadthisheavy，solid，stolidgeneralpreciselyashehimself，usedtoleadhiscuirassiers。
IfMontcornetbeginstoblusterbeforehisVirginie，Madamelaysa，fingeronherlipsandheissilent。Hesmokeshispipesandhis，cigarsinakioskfiftyfeetfromthechateau，andairshimselfbefore，hereturnstothehouse。Proudofhissubjection，heturnstoher，likeabeardrunkongrapes，andsays，whenanythingisproposed，“If，Madameapproves。”Whenhecomestohiswife’sroom，withthatheavy，stepwhichmakesthetilescreakasthoughtheywereboards，andshe，notwantinghim，callsout：“Don’tcomein！”heperformsamilitary，volte-faceandsayshumbly：“YouwillletmeknowwhenIcanseeyou？”——
intheverytoneswithwhichheshoutedtohiscuirassiersonthe，banksoftheDanube：“Men，wemustdie，anddiewell，sincethere’s，nothingelsewecando！”Ihaveheardhimsay，speakingofhiswife，“NotonlydoIloveher，butIvenerateher。”Whenhefliesintoa，passionwhichdefiesallrestraintandburstsallbonds，thelittle，womanretiresintoherownroomandleaveshimtoshout。Butfouror，fivehourslatershewillsay：“Don’tgetintoapassion，mydear，you，mightbreakablood-vessel;andbesides，youhurtme。”Thenthelion，ofEsslingretreatsoutofsighttowipehiseyes。Sometimeshecomes，intothesalonwhensheandIaretalking，andifshesays：“Don’t，disturbus，heisreadingtome，“heleavesuswithoutaword。
Itisonlystrongmen，cholericandpowerful，thunder-boltsofwar，diplomatswitholympianheads，ormenofgenius，whocanshowthis，utterconfidence，thisgenerousdevotiontoweakness，thisconstant，protection，thislovewithoutjealousy，thiseasygoodhumorwitha，woman。Goodheavens！Iplacethescienceofthecountess’smanagement，ofherhusbandasfarabovethepeevish，aridvirtuesasthesatinof，acauseuseissuperiortotheUtrechtvelvetofadirtybourgeois，sofa。
Mydearfellow，Ihavespentsixdaysinthisdelightfulcountry-
house，andInevertireofadmiringthebeautiesofthepark，surroundedbyforestswhereprettywood-pathsleadbesidethebrooks。
Natureanditssilence，thesetranquilpleasures，thisplacidlifeto，whichshewoosme，——allattract。Ah！hereistrueliterature;nofault，ofstyleamongthemeadows。Happinessforgetsallthingshere，——even，theDebats！Ithasrainedallthemorning;whilethecountessslept，andMontcornettrampedoverhisdomain，Ihavecompelledmyselfto，keepmyrash，imprudentpromisetowritetoyou。
Untilnow，thoughIwasbornatAlencon，ofanoldjudgeanda，prefect，sotheysay，andthoughIknowsomethingofagriculture，I
supposedthetaleofestatesbringinginfourorfivethousandfrancs，amonthtobeafable。Money，tome，meantacoupleofdreadful，things，——workandapublisher，journalismandpolitics。Whenshallwe，poorfellowscomeuponalandwheregoldspringsupwiththegrass？
ThatiswhatIdesireforyouandformeandtherestofusinthe，nameofthetheatre，andofthepress，andofbook-making！Amen！
WillFlorinebejealousofthelateMademoiselleLaguerre？Ourmodern，BouretshavenoFrenchnoblesnowtoshowthemhowtolive;theyhire，oneopera-boxamongthreeofthem;theysubscribefortheirpleasures;
theynolongercutdownmagnificentlyboundquartostomatchthe，octavosintheirlibrary;infact，theyscarcelybuyevenstitched，paperbooks。Whatistobecomeofus？
Adieu;continuetocarefor，YourBlondet。
Ifthisletter，dashedoffbytheidlestpenofthecentury，hadnot，bysomeluckychancebeenpreserved，itwouldhavebeenalmost，impossibletodescribeLesAigues;andwithoutthisdescriptionthe，historyofthehorribleeventsthatoccurredtherewouldcertainlybe，lessinteresting。
Afterthatremarksomepersonswillexpecttoseetheflashingofthe，cuirassoftheformercoloneloftheguard，andtheragingofhis，angerashefallslikeawaterspoutuponhislittlewife;sothatthe，endofthispresenthistorymaybeliketheendofallmoderndramas，——atragedyofthebed-chamber。Perhapsthefatalscenewilltake，placeinthatcharmingroomwiththebluemonochromes，wherebeautiful，idealbirdsarepaintedontheceilingsandtheshutters，where，Chinesemonsterslaughwithopenjawsonthemantle-shelf，and，dragons，greenandgold，twisttheirtailsincuriousconvolutions，aroundrichvases，andJapanesefantasyembroidersitsdesignsofmany，colors;wheresofasandreclining-chairsandconsolesandwhat-nots，invitetothatcontemplativeidlenesswhichforbidsallaction。
No;thedramaheretobedevelopedisnotoneofprivatelife;it，concernsthingshigher，orlower。Expectnoscenesofpassion;the，truthofthishistoryisonlytoodramatic。Andremember，the，historianshouldneverforgetthathismissionistodojusticeto，all;thepoorandtheprosperousareequalsbeforehispen;tohimthe，peasantappearsinthegrandeurofhismisery，andtherichinthe，pettinessofhisfolly。Moreover，therichmanhaspassions，the，peasantonlywants。Thepeasantisthereforedoublypoor;andif，politically，hisaggressionsmustbepitilesslyrepressed，totheeyes，ofhumanityandreligionheissacred。
CHAPTERII
ABUCOLICOVERLOOKEDBYVIRGIL
WhenaParisiandropsintothecountryheiscutofffromallhis，usualhabits，andsoonfeelsthedragginghours，nomatterhow，attentivehisfriendsmaybetohim。Therefore，becauseitisso，impossibletoprolonginatete-a-teteconversationsthataresoon，exhausted，themasterandmistressofacountry-houseareapttosay，calmly，“Youwillbeterriblyboredhere。”Itistruethatto，understandthedelightsofcountrylifeonemusthavesomethingtodo，someinterestsinit;onemustknowthenatureoftheworktobedone，andthealternatingharmonyoftoilandpleasure，——eternalsymbolof，humanlife。
WhenaParisianhasrecoveredhispowersofsleeping，shakenoffthe，fatiguesofhisjourney，andaccustomedhimselftocountryhabits，the，hardestperiodofthedayifhewearsthinbootsandisneithera，sportsmannoranagriculturalististheearlymorning。Betweenthe，hoursofwakingandbreakfasting，thewomenofthefamilyaresleeping，ordressing，andthereforeunapproachable;themasterofthehouseis，outandaboutonhisownaffairs;aParisianisthereforecompelledto，bealonefromeighttoeleveno’clock，thehourchoseninallcountry-
housesforbreakfast。Now，havinggotwhatamusementhecanoutof，carefullydressinghimself，hehassoonexhaustedthatresource。Then，perhaps，hehasbroughtwithhimsomework，whichhefindsit，impossibletodo，andwhichgoesbackuntouched，afterheseesthe，difficultiesofdoingit，intohisvalise;awriteristhenobligedto，wanderabouttheparkandgapeatnothingorcountthebigtrees。The，easierthelife，themoreirksomesuchoccupationsare，——unless，indeed，onebelongstothesectofshakingquakersortothehonorable，guildofcarpentersortaxidermists。Ifonereallyhad，likethe，ownersofestates，toliveinthecountry，itwouldbewelltosupply，one’sselfwithageological，mineralogical，entomological，or，botanicalhobby;butasensiblemandoesn’tgivehimselfavicemerely，tokilltimeforafortnight。Thenoblestestate，andthefinest，chateauxsoonpallonthosewhopossessnothingbutthesightofthem。
Thebeautiesofnatureseemrathersqualidcomparedtothe，representationofthemattheopera。Paris，byretrospection，shines，fromallitsfacets。Unlesssomeparticularinterestattachesus，as，itdidinBlondet’scase，tosceneshonoredbythestepsandlighted，bytheeyesofacertainperson，onewouldenvythebirdstheirwings，andlongtogetbacktotheendless，excitingscenesofParisandits，harrowingstrifes。
Thelongletteroftheyoungjournalistmustmakemostintelligent，mindssupposethathehadreached，morallyandphysically，that，particularphaseofsatisfiedpassionsandcomfortablehappinesswhich，certainwingedcreaturesfedinStrasbourgsoperfectlyrepresent，when，withtheirheadssunkbehindtheirprotrudinggizzards，they，neitherseenorwishtoseethemostappetizingfood。So，whenthe，formidableletterwasfinished，thewriterfelttheneedofgetting，awayfromthegardensofArmidaanddoingsomethingtoenliventhe，deadlyvoidofthemorninghours;forthehoursbetweenbreakfastand，dinnerbelongedtothemistressofthehouse，whoknewverywellhow，tomakethempassquickly。Tokeep，asMadamedeMontcornetdid，aman，oftalentinthecountrywithouteverseeingonhisfacethefalse，smileofsatiety，ordetectingtheyawnofawearinessthatcannotbe，concealed，isagreattriumphforawoman。Theaffectionwhichis，equaltosuchatestcertainlyoughttobeeternal。Itistobe，wonderedatthatwomendonotofteneremployittojudgeoftheir，lovers;afool，anegoist，orapettynaturecouldneverstandit。
PhiliptheSecondhimself，theAlexanderofdissimulation，wouldhave，toldhissecretsifcondemnedtoamonth’stete-a-teteinthecountry。
Perhapsthisiswhykingsseektoliveinperpetualmotion，andallow，noonetoseethemmorethanfifteenminutesatatime。
Notwithstandingthathehadreceivedthedelicateattentionsofoneof，themostcharmingwomeninParis，EmileBlondetwasabletofeelonce，morethelongforgottendelightsofatruantschoolboy;andonthe，morningofthedayafterhisletterwaswrittenhehadhimselfcalled，byFrancois，theheadvalet，whowasspeciallyappointedtowaiton，him，forthepurposeofexploringthevalleyoftheAvonne。
TheAvonneisalittleriverwhich，beingswollenaboveConchesby，numerousrivulets，someofwhichriseinLesAigues，fallsatVille-
aux-FayesintooneofthelargeaffluentsoftheSeine。The，geographicalpositionoftheAvonne，navigableforovertwelvemiles，had，eversinceJeanBouvetinventedrafts，givenfullmoneyvalueto，theforestsofLesAigues，Soulanges，andRonquerolles，standingon，thecrestofthehillsbetweenwhichthischarmingriverflows。The，parkofLesAiguescoversthegreaterpartofthevalley，betweenthe，riverborderedonbothsidesbytheforestcalleddesAiguesandthe，royalmailroad，definedbyalineofoldelmsinthedistancealong，theslopesoftheAvonnemountains，whichareinfactthefoot-hills，ofthatmagnificentampitheatrecalledtheMorvan。
Howevervulgarthecomparisonmaybe，thepark，lyingthusatthe，bottomofthevalley，islikeanenormousfishwithitsheadat，ConchesanditstailinthevillageofBlangy;foritwidensinthe，middletonearlythreehundredacres，whiletowardsConchesitcounts，lessthanfifty，andsixtyatBlangy。Thepositionofthisestate，betweenthreevillages，andonlythreemilesfromthelittletownof，Soulanges，fromwhichthedescentisrapid，mayperhapshaveledto，thestrifeandcausedtheexcesseswhicharethechiefinterest，attachingtotheplace。If，whenseenfromthemailroadorfromthe，uplandsbeyondVille-aux-Fayes，theparadiseofLesAiguesinduces，merepassingtravellerstocommitthemortalsinofenvy，whyshould，therichburghersofSoulangesandVille-aux-Fayeswhohaditbefore，theireyesandadmirediteverydayoftheirlives，havebeenmore，virtuous？
Thislasttopographicaldetailwasneededtoexplainthesite，also，theuseofthefourgatesbywhichalonetheparkofLesAigueswas，entered;foritwascompletelysurroundedbywalls，exceptwhere，naturehadprovidedafineview，andatsuchpointssunkfencesorha-
hashadbeenplaced。Thefourgates，calledthegateofConches，the，gateofAvonne，thegateofBlangy，andthegateoftheAvenue，showed，thestylesofthedifferentperiodsatwhichtheywereconstructedso，admirablythatabriefdescription，intheinterestofarchaeologists，willpresentlybegiven，asbriefastheoneBlondethasalready，writtenaboutthegateoftheAvenue。
Aftereightdaysofstrollingaboutwiththecountess，theillustrious，editorofthe“JournaldesDebats“knewbyhearttheChinesekiosk，thebridges，theisles，thehermitage，thedairy，theruinedtemple，theBabylonianice-house，andalltheotherdelusionsinventedby，landscapearchitectswhichsomeninehundredacresoflandcanbemade，toserve。HenowwishedtofindthesourcesoftheAvonne，whichthe，generalandthecountessdailyextolledintheevening，makingplans，tovisitthemwhichweredailyforgottenthenextmorning。AboveLes，AiguestheAvonnereallyhadtheappearanceofanalpinetorrent。
Sometimesithollowedabedamongtherocks，sometimesitwent，underground;onthissidethebrookscamedownincascades，therethey，flowedliketheLoireonsandyshallowswhereraftscouldnotpasson，accountoftheshiftingchannels。Blondettookashortcutthroughthe，labyrinthsoftheparktoreachthegateofConches。Thisgatedemands，afewwords，whichgive，moreover，certainhistoricaldetailsabout，theproperty。
TheoriginalfounderofLesAigueswasayoungersonoftheSoulanges，family，enrichedbymarriage，whosechiefambitionwastomakehis，elderbrotherjealous，——asentiment，bythebye，towhichweowethe，fairy-landofIsolaBellaintheLagoMaggiore。Inthemiddleagesthe，castleofLesAiguesstoodonthebanksoftheAvonne。Ofthisold，buildingnothingremainsbutthegateway，whichhasaporchlikethe，entrancetoafortifiedtown，flankedbytworoundtowerswithconical，roofs。Abovethearchoftheporchareheavystonecourses，nowdraped，withvegetation，showingthreelargewindowswithcross-barsashes。A
windingstairwayinoneofthetowersleadstotwochambers，anda，kitchenoccupiestheothertower。Theroofoftheporch，ofpointed，shapelikealloldtimber-work，isnoticeablefortwoweathercocks，perchedateachendofaridge-poleornamentedwithfantasticiron-
work。Manyanimportantplacecannotboastofsofineatownhall。On，theoutsideofthisgateway，thekeystoneofthearchstillbearsthe，armsofSoulanges，preservedbythehardnessofthestoneonwhichthe，chiseloftheartistcarvedthem，asfollows：Azure，onapale，argent，threepilgrim’sstaff’ssable;afessbronchant，gules，chargedwithfourgrossespatee，fitched，or;withtheheraldicform，ofashieldawardedtoyoungersons。Blondetdecipheredthemotto，“Je，souleagir，“——oneofthosepunsthatcrusadersdelightedtomakeupon，theirnames，andwhichbringstomindafinepoliticalmaxim，which，asweshallseelater，wasunfortunatelyforgottenbyMontcornet。The，gate，whichwasopenedforBlondetbyaveryprettygirl，wasoftime-
wornwoodclampedwithiron。Thekeeper，wakenedbythecreakingof，thehinges，puthisnoseoutofthewindowandshowedhimselfinhis，night-shirt。
“Soourkeeperssleeptillthistimeofday！”thoughttheParisian，whothoughthimselfveryknowinginruralcustoms。
Afterawalkofaboutquarterofanhour，hereachedthesourcesof，theriveraboveConches，wherehisravishedeyesbeheldoneofthose，landscapesthatoughttobedescribed，likethehistoryofFrance，in，athousandvolumesorinonlyone。Wemustherecontentourselveswith，twoparagraphs。
Aprojectingrock，coveredwithdwarftreesandabradedatitsbaseby，theAvonne，towhichcircumstanceitowesaslightresemblancetoan，enormousturtlelyingacrosstheriver，formsanarchthroughwhich，theeyetakesinalittlesheetofwater，clearasamirror，wherethe，streamseemstosleepuntilitreachesinthedistanceaseriesof，cascadesfallingamonghugerocks，wherelittleweepingwillowswith，elasticmotionswaybackandforthtotheflowofwaters。
Beyondthesecascadesisthehillside，risingsheer，likeaRhinerock，clothedwithmossandheather，gulliedlikeit，again，bysharpridges，ofschistandmicasendingdown，hereandthere，whitefoaming，rivuletstowhichalittlemeadow，alwayswateredandalwaysgreen，servesasacup;fartheron，beyondthepicturesquechaosandin，contrasttothiswild，solitarynature，thegardensofConchesare，seen，withthevillageroofsandtheclock-towerandtheoutlying，fields。
Therearethetwoparagraphs，buttherisingsun，thepurityofthe，air，thedewysheen，themelodyofwoodsandwaters——imaginethem！
“AlmostascharmingasattheOpera，“thoughtBlondet，makinghisway，alongthebanksoftheunnavigableportionoftheAvonne，whose，capricescontrastwiththestraightanddeepandsilentstreamofthe，lowerriver，flowingbetweenthetalltreesoftheforestofLes，Aigues。
Blondetdidnotproceedfaronhismorningwalk，forhewaspresently，broughttoastand-stillbythesightofapeasant，——oneofthosewho，inthisdrama，aresupernumerariessoessentialtoitsactionthatit，maybedoubtedwhethertheyarenotinfactitsleadingactors。
Whenthecleverjournalistreachedagroupofrockswherethemain，streamisimprisoned，asitwere，betweentwoportals，hesawaman，standingsomotionlessastoexcitehiscuriosity，whiletheclothes，andgeneralairofthislivingstatuegreatlypuzzledhim。
Thehumblepersonagebeforehimwasalivingpresentmentoftheold，mendeartoCharlet’spencil;resemblingthetroopersofthatHomerof，soldieryinastrongframeabletoendurehardship，andhisimmortal，skirmishersinafiery，crimson，knottedface，showingsmallcapacity，forsubmission。Acoarsefelthat，thebrimofwhichwasheldtothe，crownbystitches，protectedanearlybaldheadfromtheweather;
belowitfellaquantityofwhitehairwhichapainterwouldgladly，havepaidfourfrancsanhourtocopy，——adazzlingmassofsnow，worn，likethatinalltheclassicalrepresentationsofDeity。Itwaseasy，toguessfromthewayinwhichthecheekssankin，continuingthe，linesofthemouth，thatthetoothlessoldfellowwasmoregivento，thebottlethanthetrencher。Histhinwhitebeardgaveathreatening，expressiontohisprofilebythestiffnessofitsshortbristles。The，eyes，toosmallforhisenormousface，andslopinglikethoseofa，pig，betrayedcunningandalsolaziness;butatthisparticularmoment，theyweregleamingwiththeintentlookhecastupontheriver。The，solegarmentsofthiscuriousfigurewereanoldblouse，formerly，blue，andtrousersofthecoarseburlapusedinParistowrapbales。
Allcitypeoplewouldhaveshudderedatthesightofhisbroken，sabots，withoutevenawispofstrawtostopthecracks;anditis，verycertainthattheblouseandthetrousershadnomoneyvalueat，allexcepttoapaper-maker。
AsBlondetexaminedthisruralDiogenes，headmittedthepossibility，ofatypeofpeasantryhehadseeninoldtapestries，oldpictures，oldsculptures，andwhich，uptothistime，hadseemedtohim，imaginary。Heresolvedforthefuturenottoutterlycondemnthe，schoolofugliness，perceivingapossibilitythatinmanbeautymaybe，buttheflatteringexception，achimerainwhichtheracestrugglesto，believe。
“Whatcanbetheideas，themorals，thehabits，ofsuchabeing？What，ishethinkingof？”thoughtBlondet，seizedwithcuriosity。“Ishemy，fellow-creature？Wehavenothingincommonbutshape，andeven，that！——“
Henoticedintheoldman’slimbsthepeculiarrigidityofthetissues，ofpersonswholiveintheopenair，accustomedtotheinclemenciesof，theweatherandtotheenduranceofheatandcold，——hardenedto，everything，inshort，——whichmakestheirleathernskinalmostahide，andtheirnervesanapparatusagainstphysicalpainalmostaspowerful，asthatoftheRussiansortheArabs。
“Here’soneofCooper’sRed-skins，“thoughtBlondet;“oneneedn’tgo，toAmericatostudysavages。”
ThoughtheParisianwaslessthantenpacesoff，theoldmandidnot，turnhishead，butkeptlookingattheoppositebankwithafixity，whichthefakirsofIndiagivetotheirvitrifiedeyesandtheir，stiffenedjoints。Compelledbythepowerofaspeciesofmagnetism，morecontagiousthanpeoplehaveanyideaof，Blondetendedbygazing，atthewaterhimself。
“Well，mygoodman，whatdoyouseethere？”heasked，afterthelapse，ofaquarterofanhour，duringwhichtimehesawnothingtojustify，thisintentcontemplation。
“Hush！”whisperedtheoldman，withasigntoBlondetnottoruffle，theairwithhisvoice;“Youwillfrightenit——“
“What？”
“Anotter，mygoodgentleman。Ifithearsusit’llgoquickunder，water。I’mcertainitjumpedthere;see！see！there，wherethewater，bubbles！Ha！itseesafish，itisafterthat！Butmyboywillgrabit，asitcomesback。Theotter，don’tyouknow，isveryrare;itis，scientificgame，andgoodeating，too。Igettenfrancsforeveryone，IcarrytoLesAigues，fortheladyfastsFridays，andto-morrowis，Friday。Yearsagonethedeceasedmadameusedtopaymetwentyfrancs，andgavemetheskintoboot！Mouche，“hecalled，inalowvoice，“watchit！”
Blondetnowperceivedontheothersideoftherivertwobrighteyes，likethoseofacat，beneathatuftofalders;thenhesawthetanned，foreheadandtangledhairofaboyabouttenyearsofage，whowas，lyingonhisstomachandmakingsignstowardstheottertolethis，masterknowhekeptitwellinsight。Blondet，completelymasteredby，theeagernessoftheoldmanandboy，allowedthedemonofthechase，togetthebetterofhim，——thatdemonwiththedoubleclawsofhope，andcuriosity，whocarriesyouwhithersoeverhewill。
“Thehat-makersbuytheskin，“continuedtheoldman;“it’ssosoft，sohandsome！Theycovercapswithit。”
“Doyoureallythinkso，myoldman？”saidBlondet，smiling。
“Welltruly，mygoodgentleman，yououghttoknowmorethanI，though，Iamseventyyearsold，“repliedtheoldfellow，veryhumblyand，respectfully，fallingintotheattitudeofagiverofholywater;
“perhapsyoucantellmewhyconductorsandwine-merchantsaresofond，ofit？”
Blondet，amasterofirony，alreadyonhisguardfromtheword，“scientific，“recollectedtheMarechaldeRichelieuandbeganto，suspectsomejestonthepartoftheoldman;buthewasreassuredby，hisartlessattitudeandtheperfectlystupidexpressionofhisface。
“Inmyyoungdayswehadlotsofotters，“whisperedtheoldfellow;
“butthey’vehunted’emsothatifweseethetailofoneinseven，yearsitisasmuchaseverwedo。Andthesub-prefectatVille-aux-
Fayes，——doesn’tmonsieurknowhim？thoughhebeaParisian，he’sa，fineyoungmanlikeyou，andhelovescuriosities，——so，asIwas，saying，hearingofmytalentforcatchingotters，forIknow’emas，youknowyouralphabet，hesaystomelikethis：’PereFourchon，’says，he，“whenyoufindanotterbringittome，andI’llpayyouwell;and，ifit’sspottedwhiteontheback，’sayshe，’I’llgiveyouthirty，francs。’That’sjustwhathedidsaytomeastrueasIbelieveinGod，theFather，Son，andHolyGhost。Andthere’salearnedmanat，Soulanges，MonsieurGourdon，ourdoctor，whoismaking，sotheytell，me，acollectionofnaturalhistorywhichhasn’titsmateatDijon，even;indeedheisfirstamongthelearnedmenintheseparts，and，he’llpaymeafineprice，too;hestuffsmenandbeasts。Nowmyboy，therestandsmeoutthatthatotterhasgotthewhitespots。’If，that’sso，’saysItohim，’thenthegoodGodwisheswelltousthis，morning！’Ha！didn’tyouseethewaterbubble？yes，thereitis！there，itis！Thoughitlivesinakindofaburrow，itsometimesstayswhole，daysunderwater。Ha，there！itheardyou，mygoodgentleman;it’son，itsguardnow;forthere’snotamoresuspiciousanimalonearth;it’s，worsethanawoman。”
“Soyoucallwomensuspicious，doyou？”saidBlondet。
“Faith，monsieur，ifyoucomefromParisyououghttoknowaboutthat，betterthanI。Butyou’dhavedonebetterformeifyouhadstayedin，yourbedandsleptallthemorning;don’tyouseethatwakethere？
that’swhereshe’sgoneunder。Getup，Mouche！theotterheard，monsieurtalking，andnowshe’sscaryenoughtokeepusatherheels，tillmidnight。Come，let’sbeoff！andgood-byetoourthirtyfrancs！”
Mouchegotupreluctantly;helookedatthespotwherethewater，bubbled，pointedtoitwithhisfingerandseemedunabletogiveup，allhope。Thechild，withcurlyhairandabrownface，liketheangels，inafifteenth-centurypicture，seemedtobeinbreeches，forhis，trousersendedatthekneeinaraggedfringeofbramblesanddead，leaves。Thisnecessarygarmentwasfasteneduponhimbycordsof，tarredoakuminguiseofbraces。Ashirtofthesameburlapwhichmade，theoldman’strousers，thickened，however，bymanydarns，openin，frontshowedasun-burntlittlebreast。Inshort，theattireofthe，beingcalledMouchewasevenmorestartlinglysimplethanthatofPere，Fourchon。
“Whatagood-naturedsetofpeopletheyarehere，“thoughtBlondet;
“ifamanfrightenedawaythegameofthepeopleofthesuburbsof，Paris，howtheirtongueswouldmaulhim！”
Ashehadneverseenanotter，eveninamuseum，hewasdelightedwith，thisepisodeofhisearlywalk。“Come，“saidhe，quitetouchedwhen，theoldmanwalkedawaywithoutaskinghimforacompensation，“you，sayyouareafamousottercatcher。Ifyouaresurethereisanotter，downthere——“
FromtheothersideofthewaterMouchepointedhisfingertocertain，air-bubblescomingupfromthebottomoftheAvonneandburstingon，itssurface。
“Ithascomeback！”saidPereFourchon;“don’tyouseeitbreathe，the，beggar？Howdoyousupposetheymanagetobreatheatthebottomofthe，water？Ah，thecreature’ssocleveritlaughsatscience。”
“Well，“saidBlondet，whosupposedthelastwordwasajestofthe，peasantryingeneralratherthanofthispeasantinparticular，“wait，andcatchtheotter。”
“Andwhatarewetodoaboutourday’swork，MoucheandI？”
“Whatisyourdayworth？”
“Forthepairofus，myapprenticeandme？——Fivefrancs，“saidtheold，man，lookingBlondetintheeyewithahesitationwhichbetrayedan，enormousovercharge。
Thejournalisttooktenfrancsfromhispocket，saying，“There’sten，andI’llgiveyoutenmorefortheotter。”
“Anditwon’tcostyoudearifthere’swhiteonitsback;forthesub-
prefecttoldmetherewasn’toneo’themmuseumsthathadthelike;
butheknowseverything，oursub-prefect，——nofoolhe！IfIhuntthe，otter，he，M’sieurdesLupeaulx，huntsMademoiselleGaubertin，whohas，afinewhite“dot“onherback。Comenow，mygoodgentleman，ifImay，makesobold，plungeintothemiddleoftheAvonneandgettothat，stonedownthere。Ifweheadtheotteroff，itwillcomedownstream;
forjustseetheirslyness，thebeggars！theyalwaysgoabovetheir，burrowtofeed，for，oncefulloffish，theyknowtheycaneasily，driftdown，theslythings！Ha！ifI’dbeentrainedintheirschoolI
shouldbelivingnowonanincome;butIwasalongtimefindingout，thatyoumustgoupstreamveryearlyinthemorningifyouwantto，bagthegamebeforeothers。Well，somebodythrewaspellovermewhen，Iwasborn。However，wethreetogetheroughttobeslyerthanthe，otter。”
“Howso，myoldnecromancer？”
“Why，blessyou！weareasstupidasthebeasts，andsowecometo，understandthebeasts。Now，see，thisiswhatwe’lldo。Whentheotter，wantstogethomeMoucheandI’llfrightenithere，andyou’ll，frightenitoverthere;frightenedbyusandfrightenedbyyouitwill，jumponthebank，andwhenittakestoearth，itislost！Itcan’t，run;ithaswebfeetforswimming。Ho，ho！itwillmakeyoulaugh，suchfloundering！youdon’tknowwhetheryouarefishingorhunting！
ThegeneralupatLesAigues，Ihaveknownhimtostayherethreedays，running，hewassobentongettinganotter。”
Blondet，armedwithabranchcutforhimbytheoldman，whorequested，himtowhipthewaterwithitwhenhecalledtohim，plantedhimself，inthemiddleoftheriverbyjumpingfromstonetostone。
“There，thatwilldo，mygoodgentleman。”
Blondetstoodwherehewastoldwithoutremarkingthelapseoftime，foreverynowandthentheoldfellowmadehimasignasmuchasto，saythatallwasgoingwell;andbesides，nothingmakestimegoso，fastastheexpectationthatquickactionistosucceedtheperfect，stillnessofwatching。
“PereFourchon，“whisperedtheboy，findinghimselfalonewiththeold，man，“there’sREALLYanotter！”
“Doyouseeit？”
“There，seethere！”
Theoldfellowwasdumb-foundedatbeholdingunderwaterthereddish-
brownfurofanactualotter。
“It’scomingmyway！”saidthechild。
“Hithimasharpblowontheheadandjumpintothewaterandholdhim，fastdown，butdon’tlethimgo！”
Mouchedoveintothewaterlikeafrightenedfrog。
“Come，come，mygoodgentleman，“criedPereFourchontoBlondet，jumpingintothewaterandleavinghissabotsonthebank，“frighten，him！frightenhim！Don’tyouseehim？heisswimmingfastyourway！”
TheoldmandashedtowardBlondetthroughthewater，callingoutwith，thegravitythatcountrypeopleretaininthemidstoftheirgreatest，excitements：——
“Don’tyouseehim，there，alongtherocks？”
Blondet，placedbydirectionoftheoldfellowinsuchawaythatthe，sunwasinhiseyes，thrashedthewaterwithmuchsatisfactionto，himself。
“Goon，goon！”criedPereFourchon;“ontherockside;theburrowis，there，toyourleft！”
Carriedawaybyexcitementandbyhislongwaiting，Blondetslipped，fromthestonesintothewater。
“Ha！braveyouare，mygoodgentleman！TwentygoodGods！Iseehim，betweenyourlegs！you’llhavehim！——Ah！there！he’sgone——he’s，gone！”criedtheoldman，indespair。
Then，inthefuryofthechase，theoldfellowplungedintothe，deepestpartofthestreaminfrontofBlondet。
“It’syourfaultwe’velosthim！”hecried，asBlondetgavehimahand，topullhimout，drippinglikeatriton，andavanquishedtriton。“The，rascal，Iseehim，underthoserocks！Hehasletgohisfish，“
continuedFourchon，pointingtosomethingthatfloatedonthesurface。
“We’llhavethatatanyrate;it’satench，arealtench。”
Justthenagroominliveryonhorsebackandleadinganotherhorseby，thebridlegallopeduptheroadtowardConches。
“See！there’sthechateaupeoplesendingafteryou，“saidtheoldman。
“IfyouwanttocrossbackagainI’llgiveyouahand。Idon’tmind，aboutgettingwet;itsaveswashing！”
“Howaboutrheumatism？”
“Rheumatism！don’tyouseethesunhasbrownedourlegs，Moucheand，me，liketobacco-pipes。Here，leanonme，mygoodgentleman——you’re，fromParis;youdon’tknow，thoughyouDOknowsomuch，howtowalkon，ourrocks。Ifyoustayherelongenough，you’lllearnadealthat’s，writteninthebooko’nature，——youwhowrite，sotheytellme，inthe，newspapers。”
BlondethadreachedthebankbeforeCharles，thegroom，perceivedhim。
“Ah，monsieur！”hecried;“youdon’tknowhowanxiousMadamehasbeen，sincesheheardyouhadgonethroughthegateofConches;shewas，afraidyouweredrowned。Theyhaverungthegreatbellthreetimes，andMonsieurlecureishuntingforyouinthepark。”
“Whattimeisit，Charles？”
“Aquartertotwelve。”
“Helpmetomount。”
“Ha！”exclaimedthegroom，noticingthewaterthatdrippedfrom，Blondet’sbootsandtrousers，“hasmonsieurbeentakeninbyPere，Fourchon’sotter？”
Thewordsenlightenedthejournalist。
“Don’tsayawordaboutit，Charles，“hecried，“andI’llmakeitall，rightwithyou。”
“Oh，asforthat！”answeredtheman，“Monsieurlecomtehimselfhas，beentakeninbythatotter。WheneveravisitorcomestoLesAigues，PereFourchonsetshimselfonthewatch，andifthegentlemangoesto，seethesourcesoftheAvonnehesellshimtheotter;heplaysthe，tricksowellthatMonsieurlecomtehasbeenherethreetimesand，paidhimforsixdays’work，justtostareatthewater！”
“Heavens！”thoughtBlondet。“AndIimaginedIhadseenthegreatest，comediansofthepresentday！——Potier，theyoungerBaptiste，Michot，andMonrose。Whataretheycomparedtothatoldbeggar？”
“Heisveryknowingatthebusiness，PereFourchonis，“continued，Charles;“andhehasanotherstringtohisbow，besides。Hecalls，himselfarope-maker，andhasawalkundertheparkwallbythegate，ofBlangy。Ifyoumerelytouchhisropehe’llentangleyousocleverly，thatyouwillwanttoturnthewheelandmakeabitofityourself;
andforthatyouwouldhavetopayafeeforapprenticeship。Madame，herselfwastakenin，andgavehimtwentyfrancs。Ah！heistheking，oftricks，thatoldfellow！”
Thegroom’sgossipsetBlondetthinkingoftheextremecraftinessand，wilinessoftheFrenchpeasant，ofwhichhehadheardagreatdeal，fromhisfather，ajudgeatAlencon。Thenthesatiricalmeaninghidden，beneathPereFourchon’sapparentguilelessnesscamebacktohim，and，heownedhimself“gulled“bytheBurgundianbeggar。
“Youwouldneverbelieve，monsieur，“saidCharles，astheyreachedthe，porticoatLesAigues，“howmuchoneisforcedtodistrusteverybody，andeverythinginthecountry，——especiallyhere，wherethegeneralis，notmuchliked——“
“Whynot？”
“That’smorethanIknow，“saidCharles，withthestupidairservants，assumetoshieldthemselveswhentheywishnottoanswertheir，superiors，whichneverthelessgaveBlondetagooddealtothinkof。
“Hereyouare，truant！”criedthegeneral，comingoutontheterrace，whenheheardthehorses。“Hereheis;don’tbeuneasy！”hecalled，backtohiswife，whoselittlefootfallswereheardbehindhim。“Now，theAbbeBrossetteismissing。Goandfindhim，Charles，“hesaidto，thegroom。