CHAPTERV
ENEMIESFACETOFACE
Whilebreakfastwasinprogressatthechateau，Francois，thehead，footman，whisperedtoBlondet，butloudenoughforthegeneralto，overhearhim，——
“Monsieur，PereFourchon’sboyishere;hesaystheyhavecaughtthe，otter，andwantstoknowifyouwouldlikeit，orwhethertheyshall，takeittothesub-prefectatVille-aux-Fayes。”
EmileBlondet，thoughhimselfapast-masterofhoaxing，couldnotkeep，hischeeksfromblushinglikethoseofavirginwhohearsan，indecorousstoryofwhichsheknowsthemeaning。
“Ha！ha！soyouhavehuntedtheotterthismorningwithPere，Fourchon？”criedthegeneral，witharoaroflaughter。
“Whatisit？”askedthecountess，uneasyatherhusband’slaugh。
“WhenamanofwitandintelligenceistakeninbyoldFourchon，“
continuedthegeneral，“aretiredcuirassierneednotblushforhaving，huntedthatotter;whichbearsanenormousresemblancetothethird，posthorsewearemadetopayforandneversee。”Withthathewentoff，intofurtherexplosionsoflaughter，inthemidstofwhichhe，contrivedtosay：“Iamnotsurprisedyouhadtochangeyourboots——
andyourtrousers;Ihavenodoubtyouhavebeenwading！Thejoke，didn’tgoasfarasthatwithme，——Istayedonthebank;butthen，you，know，youaresomuchmoreintelligentthanI——“
“Butyouforget，“interruptedMadamedeMontcornet，“thatIdonot，knowwhatyouaretalkingof。”
Atthesewords，saidwithsomepique，thegeneralgrewserious，and，Blondettoldthestoryofhisfishingfortheotter。
“Butiftheyreallyhaveanotter，“saidthecountess，“thosepoor，peoplearenottoblame。”
“Oh，butitistenyearssinceanotterhasbeenseenabouthere，“
saidthepitilessgeneral。
“Monsieurlecomte，“saidFrancois，“theboyswearsbyallthat’s，sacredthathehasgotone。”
“IftheyhaveoneI’llbuyit，“saidthegeneral。
“Idon’tsuppose，“remarkedtheAbbeBrossette，“thatGodhas，condemnedLesAiguestoneverhaveotters。”
“Ah，Monsieurlecure！”criedBlondet，“ifyoubringtheAlmighty，againstme——“
“Butwhatisallthis？Whoishere？”saidthecountess，hastily。
“Mouche，madame，——theboywhogoesaboutwitholdFourchon，“saidthe，footman。
“Bringhimin——thatis，ifMadamewillallowit？”saidthegeneral;
“hemayamuseyou。”
Mouchepresentlyappeared，inhisusualstateofcomparativenudity。
Beholdingthispersonificationofpovertyinthemiddleofthis，luxuriousdining-room，thecostofonepanelofwhichwouldhavebeen，afortunetothebare-legged，bare-breasted，andbare-headedchild，it，wasimpossiblenottobemovedbyanimpulseofcharity。Theboy’s，eyes，likeblazingcoals，gazedfirstattheluxuriesoftheroom，and，thenatthoseonthetable。
“Haveyounomother？”askedMadamedeMontcornet，unableotherwiseto，explainthechild’snakedness。
“No，ma’am;m’madiedofgriefforlosingp’pa，whowenttothearmy，in1812withoutmarryingherwithpapers，andgotfrozen，savingyour，presence。ButI’vemyGrandpaFourchon，whoisagoodman，——thoughhe，doesbeatmebadsometimes。”
“Howisit，mydear，thatsuchwretchedpeoplecanbefoundonyour，estate？”saidthecountess，lookingatthegeneral。
“Madamelacomtesse，“saidtheabbe，“inthisdistrictwehavenone，butvoluntarypaupers。Monsieurlecomtedoesallhecan;butwehave，todowithaclassofpersonswhoarewithoutreligionandwhohave，butoneidea，thatoflivingatyourexpense。”
“But，mydearabbe，“saidBlondet，“youareheretoimprovetheir，morals。”
“Monsieur，“repliedtheabbe，“mybishopsentmehereasifona，missiontosavages;but，asIhadthehonoroftellinghim，the，savagesofFrancecannotbereached。Theymakeitalawunto，themselvesnottolistentous;whereasthechurchdoesgetsomehold，onthesavagesofAmerica。”
“M’sieurlecure，theydohelpmeabitnow，“remarkedMouche;“butif，IwenttoyourchurchtheyWOULDN’T，andtheotherfolkswouldmake，gameofmybreeches。”
“Religionoughttobeginbygivinghimtrousers，mydearabbe，“said，Blondet。“Inyourforeignmissionsdon’tyoubeginbycoaxingthe，savages？”
“Hewouldsoonsellthem，“answeredtheabbe，inalowtone;“besides，mysalarydoesnotenablemetobeginonthatline。”
“Monsieurlecureisright，“saidthegeneral，lookingatMouche。
Thepolicyofthelittlescampwastoappearnottohearwhatthey，weresayingwhenitwasagainsthimself。
“Theboyisintelligentenoughtoknowgoodfromevil，“continuedthe，count，“andheisoldenoughtowork;yethethinksofnothingbuthow，tocommitevilwithoutbeingfoundout。Allthekeepersknowhim。He，isverywellawarethatthemasterofanestatemaywitnessatrespass，onhispropertyandyethavenorighttoarrestthetrespasser。Ihave，knownhimkeephiscowsboldlyinmymeadows，thoughheknewIsaw，him;butnow，eversinceIhavebeenmayor，herunsawayfastenough。”
“Oh，thatisverywrong，“saidthecountess;“youshouldnottake，otherpeople’sthings，mylittleman。”
“Madame，wemusteat。Mygrandpagivesmemoreslapsthanfood，and，theydon’tfillmystomach，slapsdon’t。WhenthecowscomeinImilk，’emjustalittleandIliveonthat。Monseigneurisn’tsopoorbut，whathe’llletmedrinkadropo’milkthecowsgetfromhisgrass？”
“Perhapshehasn’teatenanythingto-day，“saidthecountess，touched，byhismisery。“Givehimsomebreadandtherestofthatchicken;let，himhavehisbreakfast，“sheadded，lookingatthefootman。“Wheredo，yousleep，mychild？”
“Anywhere，madame;underthestarsinsummer，andwhereverthey’lllet，usinwinter。”
“Howoldareyou？”
“Twelve。”
“Thereisstilltimetobringhimuptobetterways，“saidthe，countesstoherhusband。
“Hewillmakeagoodsoldier，“saidthegeneral，gruffly;“heiswell，toughened。Iwentthroughthatkindofthingmyself，andhereIam。”
“Excuseme，general，Idon’tbelongtonobody，“saidtheboy。“Ican’t，bedrafted。Mypoormotherwasn’tmarried，andIwasborninafield。
I’masonofthe’airth，’asgrandpasays。M’masavedmefromthe，army，thatshedid！Mynameain’tnomoreMouchethannothingatall。
Grandpakeepstellingmeallmyadvantages。I’mnotontheregister，andwhenI’moldenoughtobedraftedIcangoalloverFranceand，theycan’ttakeme。”
“Areyoufondofyourgrandfather？”saidthecountess，tryingtolook，intothechild’sheart。
“My！doesn’theboxmyearswhenhefeelslikeit！butthen，after，all，he’ssuchfun;he’ssuchgoodcompany！Hesayshepayshimself，thatwayforhavingtaughtmetoreadandwrite。”
“Canyouread？”askedthecount。
“Yah，Ishouldthinkso，Monsieurlecomte，andfinewritingtoo——just，astrueaswe’vegotthatotter。”
“Readthat，“saidthecount，givinghimanewspaper。
“TheQu-o-ti-dienne，“readMouche，hesitatingonlythreetimes。
Everyone，eventheabbe，laughed。
“Whydoyoumakemereadthatnewspaper？”criedMouche，angrily。“My，grandpasaysitismadeuptopleasetherich，andeverybodyknows，laterjustwhat’sinit。”
“Thechildisright，general，“saidBlondet;“andhemakesmelongto，seemyhoaxingfriendagain。”
Moucheunderstoodperfectlythathewasposingfortheamusementof，thecompany;thepupilofPereFourchonwasworthyofhismaster，and，heforthwithbegantocry。
“Howcanyouteaseachildwithbarefeet？”saidthecountess。
“Andwhothinksitquitenaturalthathisgrandfathershouldrecoup，himselfforhiseducationbyboxinghisears，“saidBlondet。
“Tellme，mypoorlittlefellow，haveyoureallycaughtanotter？”
“Yes，madame;astrueasthatyouaretheprettiestladyIhaveseen，orevershallsee，“saidthechild，wipinghiseyes。
“Thenshowmetheotter，“saidthegeneral。
“OhM’sieurlecomte，mygrandpahashiddenit;butitwaskicking，stillwhenwewereatworkattherope-walk。Sendformygrandpa，please;hewantstosellittoyouhimself。”
“Takehimintothekitchen，“saidthecountesstoFrancois，“andgive，himhisbreakfast，andsendCharlestofetchPereFourchon。Findsome，shoes，andapairoftrousersandawaistcoatforthepoorchild;
thosewhocomeherenakedmustgoawayclothed。”
“MayGodblessyou，mybeautifullady，“saidMouche，departing。
“M’sieurlecuremayfeelquitesurethatI’llkeepthethingsand，wear’emfete-days，becauseyougive’emtome。”
EmileandMadameMontcornetlookedateachotherwithsomesurprise，andseemedtosaytotheabbe，“Theboyisnotafool！”
“Itisquitetrue，madame，“saidtheabbeafterthechildhadgone，“thatwecannotreckonwithPoverty。Ibelieveithashiddenexcuses，ofwhichGodalonecanjudge，——physicalexcuses，oftencongenital;
moralexcuses，borninthecharacter，producedbyanorderofthings，thatareoftentheresultofqualitieswhich，unhappilyforsociety，havenovent。Deedsofheroismperformeduponthebattle-fieldought，toteachusthattheworstscoundrelsmaybecomeheroes。Butherein，thisplaceyouarelivingunderexceptionalcircumstances;andifyour，benevolenceisnotcontrolledbyreflectionandjudgmentyourunthe，riskofsupportingyourenemies。”
“Ourenemies？”exclaimedthecountess。
“Cruelenemies，“saidthegeneral，gravely。
“PereFourchonandhisson-in-lawTonsard，“saidtheabbe，“arethe，strengthandtheintelligenceofthelowerclassesofthisvalley，who，consultthemonalloccasions。TheMachiavelismofthesepeopleis，beyondbelief。Tenpeasantsmeetinginatavernarethesmallchange，ofgreatpoliticalquestions。”
JustthenFrancoisannouncedMonsieurSibilet。
“Heismyministeroffinance，“saidthegeneral，smiling;“askhim，in。Hewillexplaintoyouthegravityofthesituation，“headded，lookingathiswifeandBlondet。
“Becausehehasreasonsofhisownfornotconcealingit，“saidthe，cure，inalowtone。
Blondetthenbeheldapersonageofwhomhehadheardmucheversince，hisarrival，andwhomhedesiredtoknow，theland-stewardofLes，Aigues。Hesawamanofmediumheight，aboutthirtyyearsofage，with，asulkylookandadiscontentedface，onwhichasmilesatill。
Beneathananxiousbrowapairofgreenisheyesevadedtheeyesof，others，andsodisguisedtheirthought。Sibiletwasdressedinabrown，surtoutcoat，blacktrousersandwaistcoat，andworehishairlongand，flattothehead，whichgavehimaclericallook。Histrousersbarely，concealedthathewasknock-kneed。Thoughhispallidcomplexionand，flabbyfleshgavetheimpressionofanunhealthyconstitution，Sibilet，wasreallyrobust。Thetonesofhisvoice，whichwerealittlethick，harmonizedwiththisunflatteringexterior。
Blondetgaveahastylookattheabbe，andtheglancewithwhichthe，youngpriestanswereditshowedthejournalistthathisownsuspicions，aboutthestewardwerecertaintiestothecurate。
“Didyounottellme，mydearSibilet，“saidthegeneral，“thatyou，estimatethevalueofwhatthepeasantsstealfromusataquarterof，thewholerevenue？”
“Muchmorethanthat，Monsieurlecomte，“repliedthesteward。“The，pooraboutheregetmorefromyourpropertythantheStateexactsin，taxes。AlittlescamplikeMouchecangleanhistwobushelsaday。Old，women，whomyouwouldreallythinkattheirlastgasp，becomeatthe，harvestandvintagetimesasactiveandhealthyasgirls。Youcan，witnessthatphenomenonverysoon，“saidSibilet，addressingBlondet，“fortheharvest，whichwasputbackbytherainsinJulywillbegin，nextweek，whentheycuttherye。Thegleanersmusthaveacertificate，ofpauperismfromthemayorofthedistrict，andnodistrictshould，allowanyonetogleanexceptthepaupers;butthedistrictsofone，cantondogleaninthoseofanotherwithoutcertificate。Ifwehave，sixtyrealpaupersinourdistrict，thereareatleastfortyothers，whocouldsupportthemselvesiftheywerenotsoidle。Evenpersons，whohaveabusinessleaveittogleaninthefieldsandinthe，vineyards。Allthesepeople，takentogether，gatherinthis，neighborhoodsomethinglikethreehundredbushelsaday;theharvest，laststwoweeks，andthatmakesfourthousandfivehundredbushelsin，thisdistrictalone。Thegleaningtakesmorefromanestatethanthe，taxes。Astotheabuseofpasturage，itrobsusoffullyone-sixththe，produceofthemeadows;andastothatofthewoods，itis，incalculable，——theyhaveactuallycometocuttingdownsix-year-old，trees。Thelosstoyou，Monsieurlecomte，amountstofullytwenty-odd，thousandfrancsayear。”
“Doyouhearthat，madame？”saidthegeneraltohiswife。
“Isitnotexaggerated？”askedMadamedeMontcornet。
“No，madame，unfortunatelynot，“saidtheabbe。“PoorNiseron，that，oldfellowwiththewhitehead，whocombinesthefunctionsofbell-
ringer，beadle，grave-digger，sexton，andclerk，indefianceofhis，republicanopinions，——ImeanthegrandfatherofthelittleGenevieve，whomyouplacedwithMadameMichaud——“
“LaPechina，“saidSibilet，interruptingtheabbe。
“Pechina！”saidthecountess，“whomdoyoumean？”
“Madamelacomtesse，whenyoumetlittleGenevieveontheroadina，miserablecondition，youcriedoutinItalian，’Piccina！’Theword，becameanickname，andisnowcorruptedallthroughthedistrictinto，Pechina，“saidtheabbe。“ThepoorgirlcomestochurchwithMadame，MichaudandMadameSibilet。”
“Andsheisnonethebetterforit，“saidSibilet，“fortheothers，ill-treatheronaccountofherreligion。”
“Well，thatpooroldmanofseventygleans，honestly，aboutabushel，andahalfaday，“continuedthepriest;“buthisnaturaluprightness，preventshimfromsellinghisgleaningsasothersdo，——hekeepsthem，forhisownconsumption。MonsieurLanglume，yourmiller，grindshis，flourgratisatmyrequest，andmyservantbakeshisbreadwithmine。”
“Ihadquiteforgottenmylittleprotegee，“saidthecountess，troubledatSibilet’sremark。“Yourarrival，“sheaddedtoBlondet，“hasquiteturnedmyhead。ButafterbreakfastIwilltakeyoutothe，gateoftheAvonneandshowyouthelivingimageofthosewomenwhom，thepaintersofthefifteenthcenturydelightedtoperpetuate。”
ThesoundofPereFourchon’sbrokensabotswasnowheard;after，depositingthemintheantechamber，hewasbroughttothedoorofthe，dining-roombyFrancois。Atasignfromthecountess，Francoisallowed，himtopassin，followedbyMouchewithhismouthfullandcarrying，theotter，hangingbyastringtiedtoitsyellowpaws，webbedlike，thoseofapalmiped。Hecastuponhisfoursuperiorssittingattable，andalsouponSibilet，thatlookofmingleddistrustandservility，whichservesasaveiltothethoughtsofthepeasantry;thenhe，brandishedhisamphibianwithatriumphantair。
“Hereitis！”hecried，addressingBlondet。
“Myotter！”returnedtheParisian，“andwellpaidfor。”
“Oh，mydeargentleman，“repliedPereFourchon，“yoursgotaway;she，isnowinherburrow，andshewon’tcomeout，forshe’safemale，——
thisisamale;Mouchesawhimcomingjustasyouwentaway。Astrue，asyoulive，astrueasthatMonsieurlecomtecoveredhimselfandhis，cuirassierswithgloryatWaterloo，theotterismine，justasmuchas，LesAiguesbelongstoMonseigneurthegeneral。ButtheotterisYOURS
fortwentyfrancs;ifnotI’lltakeittothesub-prefect。IfMonsieur，Gourdonthinksittoodear，thenI’llgiveyouthepreference;that’s，onlyfair，aswehuntedtogetherthismorning！”
“Twentyfrancs！”saidBlondet。“IngoodFrenchyoucan’tcallthat，GIVINGthepreference。”
“Hey，mydeargentleman，“criedtheoldfellow。“PerhapsIdon’tknow，French，andI’llaskitingoodBurgundian;aslongasIgetthe，money，Idon’tcare，I’lltalkLatin：’latinus，latina，latinum’！
Besides，twentyfrancsiswhatyoupromisedmethismorning。My，childrenhavealreadystolenthesilveryougaveme;Iweptaboutit，comingalong，——askCharlesifIdidn’t。NotthatI’darrest’emfor，thevalueoftenfrancsandhave’emupbeforethejudge，no！Butjust，assoonasIearnafewpennies，theymakemedrinkandget’emoutof，me。Ah！itishard，hardtobereducedtogoandgetmywine，elsewhere。Butjustseewhatchildrenarethesedays！That’swhatwe，gotbytheRevolution;itisallforthechildrennow-a-days，and，parentsaresuppressed。I’mbringingupMoucheonanothertack;he，lovesme，thelittlescamp，“——givinghisgrandsonapoke。
“Itseemstomeyouaremakinghimalittlethief，likealltherest，“
saidSibilet;“heneverliesdownatnightwithoutsomesinonhis，conscience。”
“Ha！MonsieurSibilet，hisconscienceisascleanasyoursanyday！
Poorchild！whatcanhesteal？Alittlegrass！that’sbetterthan，throttlingaman！Hedon’tknowmathematicslikeyou，norsubtraction，noraddition，normultiplication，——youareveryunjusttous，thatyou，are！Youcallusanestofbrigands，butyouarethecauseofthe，misunderstandingsbetweenourgoodlandlordhere，whoisaworthyman，andtherestofus，whoareallworthymen，——thereain’tanhonester，partofthecountrythanthis。Come，whatdoyoumean？doIown，property？don’tIgohalf-naked，andMouchetoo？Finesheetsweslept，in，washedbythedeweverymorning！andunlessyouwanttheairwe，breatheandthesunshinewedrink，Ishouldliketoknowwhatwehave，thatyoucantakeawayfromus！Therichfolksrobastheysitin，theirchimney-corners，——andmoreprofitably，too，thanbypickingupa，fewsticksinthewoods。Idon’tseenogame-keepersorpatrolsafter，MonsieurGaubertin，whocamehereasnakedasawormandisnowworth，hismillions。It’seasysaid，’Robbers！’Here’sfifteenyearsthatold，Guerbet，thetax-gathereratSoulanges，carrieshismoneyalongthe，roadsbythedeadofnight，andnobodyevertookafarthingfromhim;
isthatlikealandofrobbers？hasrobberymadeusrich？Showme，whichofustwo，yourclassormine，livetheidlestlivesandhave，themosttoliveonwithoutearningit。”
“Ifyouweretowork，“saidtheabbe，“youwouldhaveproperty。God，blesseslabor。”
“Idon’twanttocontradictyou，M’sieurl’abbe，foryouarewiser，thanI，andperhapsyou’llknowhowtoexplainsomethingthatpuzzles，me。Nowsee，hereIam，ain’tI？——thatdrunken，lazy，idle，good-for-
nothingoldFourchon，whohadaneducationandwasafarmer，andgot，downinthemudandnevergotupagain，——well，whatdifferenceis，therebetweenmeandthathonestandworthyoldNiseron，seventyyears，oldandthat’smyagewhohasdugthesoilforsixtyyearsandgot，upeverydaybeforeitwaslighttogotohiswork，andhasmade，himselfanironbodyandafinesoul？Well，isn’theasbadoffasI
am？Hislittlegranddaughter，Pechina，isatservicewithMadame，Michaud，whereasmylittleMoucheisasfreeasair。Sothatpoorgood，mangetsrewardedforhisvirtuesinexactlythesamewaythatIget，punishedformyvices。Hedon’tknowwhataglassofgoodwineis，he’sassoberasanapostle，heburiesthedead，andI——Iplayforthe，livingtodance。Heisalwaysinapecko’troubles，whileIslip，alonginadevil-may-careway。Wehavecomealongabouteveninlife;
we’vegotthesamesnowonourheads，thesamefundsinourpockets，andIsupplyhimwithropetoringhisbell。He’sarepublicanandI’m，notevenapublican，——that’sallthedifferenceasfarasIcansee。A
peasantmaydogoodordoevilaccordingtoyourideasandhe’llgo，outoftheworldjustashecameintoit，inrags;whileyouwearthe，fineclothes。”
NooneinterruptedPereFourchon，whoseemedtoowehiseloquenceto，hispotations。AtfirstSibilettriedtocuthimshort，butdesisted，atasignfromBlondet。Theabbe，thegeneral，andthecountess，all，understoodfromtheexpressionofthewriter’seyethathewantedto，studythequestionofpauperismfromlife，andperhapstakehis，revengeonPereFourchon。
“WhatsortofeducationareyougivingMouche？”askedBlondet。“Doyou，expecttomakehimanybetterthanyourdaughters？”
“DoesheeverspeaktohimofGod？”saidthepriest。
“Oh，no，no！Monsieurlecure，Idon’ttellhimtofearGod，butmen。
Godisgood;hehaspromiseduspoorfolks，soyousay，thekingdomof，heaven，becausetherichpeoplekeeptheearthtothemselves。Itell，him：’Mouche！feartheprison，andkeepoutofit，——forthat’stheway，tothescaffold。Don’tstealanything，makepeoplegiveittoyou。
Theftleadstomurder，andmurderbringsdownthejusticeofmen。The，razorofjustice，——THAT’Swhatyou’vegottofear;itletstherich，sleepeasyandkeepsthepoorawake。Learntoread。Educationwill，teachyouwaystograbmoneyundercoverofthelaw，likethatfine，MonsieurGaubertin;why，youcanevenbealand-stewardlikeMonsieur，Sibilethere，whogetshisrationsoutofMonsieurlecomte。Thething，todoistokeepwellwiththerich，andpickupthecrumbsthatfall，fromtheirtables。’That’swhatIcallgivinghimagood，solid，education;andyou’llalwaysfindthelittlerascalonthesideofthe，law，——he’llbeagoodcitizenandtakecareofme。”
“Whatdoyoumeantomakeofhim？”askedBlondet。
“Aservant，tobeginwith，“returnedFourchon，“becausethenhe’llsee，hismasterscloseby，andlearnsomething;he’llcompletehis，education，I’llwarrantyou。Goodexamplewillbeafortunetohim，withthelawonhissideliketherestofyou。IfM’sieurlecomte，wouldonlytakehiminhisstablesandlethimlearntogroomthe，horses，theboywillbemightypleased，forthoughI’vetaughthimto，fearmen，hedon’tfearanimals。”
“Youareacleverfellow，PereFourchon，“saidBlondet;“youknowwhat，youaretalkingabout，andthere’ssenseinwhatyousay。”
“Oh，sense？no;IleftmysenseattheGrand-I-VertwhenIlostthose，silverpieces。”
“Howisitthatamanofyourcapacityshouldhavedroppedsolow？As，thingsarenow，apeasantcanonlyblamehimselfforhispoverty;he，isafreeman，andhecanbecomearichone。Itisnotasitusedto，be。Ifapeasantlaysbyhismoney，hecanalwaysbuyabitofland，andbecomehisownmaster。”
“I’veseentheoldentimeandI’veseenthenew，mydearwise，gentleman，“saidFourchon;“thesignoverthedoorhaschanged，that’s，true，butthewineisthesame，——to-dayistheyoungerbrotherof，yesterday，that’sall。Putthatinyournewspaper！Arewepoorfolks，free？Westillbelongtothesameparish，anditslordisalways，there，——IcallhimToil。Thehoe，oursoleproperty，hasneverleft，ourhands。Letitbetheoldlordsorthepresenttaxeswhichtakethe，bestofourearnings，thefactremainsthatwesweatourlivesoutin，toil。”
“Butyoucouldundertakeabusiness，andtrytomakeyourfortune，“
saidBlondet。
“Trytomakemyfortune！AndwhereshallItry？IfIwishtoleavemy，ownprovince，Imustgetapassport，andthatcostsfortysous。Here’s，fortyyearsthatI’veneverhadaslutofaforty-souspiecejingling，againstanotherinmypocket。Ifyouwanttotravelyouneedasmany，crownsastherearevillages，andtherearemightyfewFourchonswho，haveenoughtogettosixof’em。Itisonlythedraftthatgivesusa，chancetogetaway。Andwhatgooddoesthearmydous？Thecolonels，livebythesolider，justastherichfolkslivebythepeasant;and，outofeveryhundredof’emyouwon’tfindmorethanoneofourbreed。
Itisjustasitistheworldover，onerollinginriches，fora，hundreddowninthemud。Whyareweinthemud？AskGodandthe，usurers。Thebestwecandoistostayinourownparts，whereweare，pennedlikesheepbytheforceofcircumstances，asourfatherswere，bytheruleofthelords。Asforme，whatdoIcarewhatshacklesthey，arethatkeepmehere？letitbethelawofpublicnecessityorthe，tyrannyoftheoldlords，itisallthesame;wearecondemnedtodig，thesoilforever。There，whereweareborn，therewedigit，that，earth！andspadeit，andmanureit，anddelveinit，foryouwhoare，bornrichjustaswearebornpoor。Themasseswillalwaysbewhat，theyare，andstaywhattheyare。Thenumberofuswhomanagetorise，isnothinglikethenumberofyouwhotoppledown！Weknowthatwell，enough，ifwehavenoeducation！Youmustn’tbeafteruswithyour，sheriffallthetime，——notifyou’rewise。Weletyoualone，andyou，mustletusalone。Ifnot，andthingsgetworse，you’llhavetofeed，usinyourprisons，wherewe’dbemuchbetteroffthaninourhomes。
Youwanttoremainourmasters，andweshallalwaysbeenemies，just，aswewerethirtyyearsago。Youhaveeverything，wehavenothing;you，can’texpectweshouldeverbefriends。”
“That’swhatIcalladeclarationofwar，“saidthegeneral。
“Monseigneur，“retortedFourchon，“whenLesAiguesbelongedtothat，poorMadameGodkeephersoulandforgiveherthesinsofheryouth！
wewerehappy。SHEletusgetourfoodfromthefieldsandourfuel，fromtheforest;andwassheanythepoorerforit？Andyou，whoare，atleastasrichasshe，youhuntuslikewildbeasts，neithermore，norless，anddragthepoorbeforethecourts。Well，evilwillcomeof，it！you’llbethecauseofsomegreatcalamity。Haven’tIjustseen，yourkeeper，thatshufflingVatel，halfkillapooroldwomanfora，stickofwood？Itissuchfellowsasthatwhomakeyouanenemytothe，poor;andthetalkisverybitteragainstyou。Theycurseyouevery，bitashardastheyusedtoblessthelateMadame。Thecurseofthe，poor，monseigneur，isaseedthatgrows，——growstallerthanyourtall，oaks，andoak-woodbuildsthescaffold。Nobodyheretellsyouthe，truth;andhereitis，yes，thetruth！Iexpecttodiebeforelong，andIriskverylittleintellingittoyou，theTRUTH！I，whoplay，forthepeasantstodanceatthegreatfetesatSoulanges，Iheedwhat，thepeoplesay。Well，they’reallagainstyou;andthey’llmakeit，impossibleforyoutostayhere。IfthatdamnedMichaudofyours，doesn’tchange，they’llforceyoutochangehim。There！that，informationANDtheotterareworthtwentyfrancs，andmoretoo。”
Astheoldfellowutteredthelastwordsaman’sstepwasheard，and，theindividualjustthreatenedbyFourchonenteredunannounced。Itwas，easytoseefromtheglancehethrewattheoldmanthatthethreat，hadreachedhisears，andallFourchon’sinsolencesankinamoment。
Thelookproducedpreciselythesameeffectuponhimthattheeyeofa，policemanproducesonathief。Fourchonknewhewaswrong，andthat，Michaudmightverywellaccusehimofsayingthesethingsmerelyto，terrifytheinhabitantsofLesAigues。
“Thisistheministerofwar，“saidthegeneraltoBlondet，noddingat，Michaud。
“Pardonme，madame，forhavingenteredwithoutaskingifyouwere，willingtoreceiveme，“saidthenewcomertothecountess;“butIhave，urgentreasonsforspeakingtothegeneralatonce。”
Michaud，ashesaidthis，tooknoticeofSibilet，whoseexpressionof，keendelightinFourchon’sdaringwordswasnotseenbythefour，personsseatedatthetable，becausetheyweresopreoccupiedbythe，oldman;whereasMichaud，whoforsecretreasonswatchedSibilet，constantly，wasstruckwithhisairandmanner。
“Hehasearnedhistwentyfrancs，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet;
“theotterisfullyworthit。”
“Givehimtwentyfrancs，“saidthegeneraltothefootman。
“Doyoumeantotakemyotterawayfromme？”saidBlondettothe，general。
“Ishallhaveitstuffed，“repliedthelatter。
“Ah！butthatgoodgentlemansaidImightkeeptheskin，“cried，Fourchon。
“Well，then，“exclaimedthecountess，hastily，“youshallhavefive，francsmorefortheskin;butgoawaynow。”
Thepowerfulodoremittedbythepairmadethedining-roomsohorribly，offensivethatMadamedeMontcornet，whosesenseswereverydelicate，wouldhavebeenforcedtoleavetheroomifFourchonandMouchehad，remained。Tothiscircumstancetheoldmanwasindebtedforhis，twenty-fivefrancs。HelefttheroomwithatimidglanceatMichaud，makinghimaninterminableseriesofbows。
“WhatIwassayingtomonseigneur，MonsieurMichaud，“headded，“was，reallyforyourgood。”
“Orforthatofthosewhopayyou，“repliedMichaud，withasearching，look。
“Whenyouhaveservedthecoffee，leavetheroom，“saidthegeneralto，theservants，“andseethatthedoorsareshut。”
Blondet，whohadnotyetseenthebailiffofLesAigues，was，conscious，ashenowsawhim，ofatotallydifferentimpressionfrom，thatconveyedbySibilet。Justasthestewardinspireddistrustand，repulsion，soMichaudcommandedrespectandconfidence。Thefirst，attractionofhispresencewasahappyface，ofafineoval，purein，outline，inwhichthenoseborepart，——aregularitywhichislacking，inthemajorityofFrenchfaces。Thoughthefeatureswerecorrectin，drawing，theywerenotwithoutexpression，due，perhaps，tothe，harmoniouscoloringofthewarmbrownandochretints，indicativeof，physicalhealthandstrength。Theclearbrowneyes，whichwerebright，andpiercing，keptnoreservesintheexpressionofhisthought;they，lookedstraightintotheeyesofothers。Thebroadwhiteforeheadwas，thrownstillfurtherintoreliefbyhisabundantblackhair。Honesty，decision，andasaintlyserenityweretheanimatingpointsofthis，nobleface，whereafewdeeplinesuponthebrowweretheresultof，theman’smilitarycareer。Doubtandsuspicioncouldtherebereadthe，momenttheyhadenteredhismind。Hisfigure，likethatofallmen，selectedfortheeliteofthecavalryservice，thoughshapelyand，elegant，wasvigorouslybuilt。Michaud，whoworemoustachios，whiskers，andachinbeard，recalledthatmartialtypeoffacewhicha，delugeofpatrioticpaintingsandengravingscameveryneartomaking，ridiculous。ThistypehadthedefectofbeingcommonintheFrench，army;perhapsthecontinuanceofthesameemotions，thesamecamp，sufferingsfromwhichnonewereexempt，neitherhighnorlow，andmore，especiallythesameeffortsofofficersandmenuponthebattle-
fields，mayhavecontributedtoproducethisuniformityof，countenance。Michaud，whowasdressedindarkbluecloth，stillwore，theblacksatinstockandhighbootsofasoldier，whichincreasedthe，slightstiffnessandrigidityofhisbearing。Theshoulderssloped，thechestexpanded，asthoughthemanwerestillunderarms。Thered，ribbonoftheLegionofhonorwasinhisbuttonhole。Inshort，togive，alasttouchinonewordaboutthemoralqualitiesbeneaththispurely，physicalpresentment，itmaybesaidthatwhilethesteward，fromthe，timehefirstentereduponhisfunctions，neverfailedtocallhis，master“Monsieurlecomte，“Michaudneveraddressedhimotherwisethan，as“General。”
BlondetexchangedanotherlookwiththeAbbeBrossette，whichmeant，“Whatacontrast！”ashesignedtohimtoobservethetwomen。Then，asiftoknowwhetherthecharacterandmindandspeechofthebailiff，harmonizedwithhisformandcountenance，heturnedtoMichaudand，said：——
“Iwasoutearlythismorning，andfoundyourunder-keepersstill，sleeping。”
“Atwhathour？”saidthelatesoldier，anxiously。
“Half-pastseven。”
Michaudgaveahalf-roguishglanceatthegeneral。
“Bywhatgatedidmonsieurleavethepark？”heasked。
“BythegateofConches。Thekeeper，inhisnight-shirt，lookedatme，throughthewindow，“repliedBlondet。
“Gaillardhadprobablyjustgonetobed，“answeredMichaud。“Yousaid，youwereoutearly，andIthoughtyoumeantday-break。Ifmymanwere，athomeatthattime，hemusthavebeenill;butathalf-pastsevenhe，wassuretobeinbed。Weareupallnight，“addedMichaud，aftera，slightpause，replyingtoasurprisedlookonthecountess’sface，“butourwatchfulnessisoftenwasted。Youhavejustgiventwenty-five，francstoamanwho，notanhourago，wasquietlyhelpingtohidethe，tracesofarobberycommitteduponyouthisverymorning。Icameto，speaktoyouaboutit，general，whenyouhavefinishedbreakfast;for，somethingwillhavetobedone。”
“Youarealwaysformaintainingtheright，mydearMichaud，and，’summumjus，summuminjuria。’Ifyouarenotmoretolerant，youwill，getintotrouble，soSibiletheretellsme。Iwishyoucouldhave，heardPereFourchonjustnow;thewinehehadbeendrinkingmadehim，speakout。”
“Hefrightenedme，“saidthecountess。
“HesaidnothingIdidnotknowlongago，“repliedthegeneral。
“Oh！therascalwasn’tdrunk;hewasplayingapart;forwhosebenefit，Ileaveyoutoguess。Perhapsyouknow？”returnedMichaud，fixingan，eyeonSibiletwhichcausedthelattertoturnred。
“Orus！”criedBlondet，withanotherlookattheabbe。
“Butthesepoorcreaturessuffer，“saidthecountess，“andthereisa，greatdealoftruthinwhatoldFourchonhasjustscreamedatus，——for，Icannotcallitspeaking。”
“Madame，“repliedMichaud，“doyousupposethatforfourteenyearsthe，soldiersoftheEmperorsleptonabedofroses？Mygeneralisa，count，heisagrandofficeroftheLegionofhonor，hehashad，perquisitesandendowmentsgiventohim;amIjealousofhim，Iwho，foughtashedid？DoIwishtocheathimofhisglory，tostealhis，perquisites，todenyhimthehonorduetohisrank？Thepeasantshould，obeyasthesoldierobeys;heshouldfeeltheloyaltyofasoldier，hisrespectforacquiredrights，andstrivetobecomeanofficer，himself，honorably，bylaborandnotbytheft。Thesabreandthe，plougharetwins;thoughthesoldierhassomethingmorethanthe，peasant，——hehasdeathhangingoverhimatanyminute。”
“Iwanttosaythatfromthepulpit，“criedtheabbe。
“Tolerant！”continuedthekeeper，replyingtothegeneral’sremark，aboutSibilet，“Iwouldtoleratealossoftenpercentuponthegross，returnsofLesAigues;butasthingsarenowthirtypercentiswhat，youlose，general;and，ifMonsieurSibilet’saccountsshowit，I
don’tunderstandhistolerance，forhebenevolentlygivesupa，thousandortwelvehundredfrancsayear。”
“MydearMonsieurMichaud，“repliedSibilet，inasnappishtone，“I
havetoldMonsieurlecomtethatIwouldratherlosetwelvehundred，francsayearthanmylife。Thinkofitseriously;Ihavewarnedyou，oftenenough。”
“Life！”exclaimedthecountess;“youcan’tmeanthatanybody’slifeis，indanger？”
“Don’tletusargueaboutstateaffairshere，“saidthegeneral，laughing。“Allthis，mydear，merelymeansthatSibilet，inhis，capacityoffinancier，istimidandcowardly，whiletheministerof，warisbraveand，likehisgeneral，fearsnothing。”
“Callmeprudent，Monsieurlecomte，“interposedSibilet。
“Well，well！”criedBlondet，laughing，“sohereweare，likeCooper’s，heroesintheforestsofAmerica，inthemidstofsiegesandsavages。”
“Come，gentlemen，itisyourbusinesstogovernwithoutlettingme，hearthewheelsoftheadministration，“saidMadamedeMontcornet。
“Ah！madame，“saidthecure，“butitmayberightthatyoushouldknow，thetoilfromwhichthoseprettycapsyouweararederived。”
“Well，then，Icangowithoutthem，“repliedthecountess，laughing。
“Iwillbeveryrespectfultoatwenty-francpiece，andgrowas，miserlyasthecountrypeoplethemselves。Come，mydearabbe，giveme，yourarm。Leavethegeneralwithhistwoministers，andletusgoto，thegateoftheAvonnetoseeMadameMichaud，forIhavenothadtime，sincemyarrivaltopayheravisit，andIwanttoinquireaboutmy，littleprotegee。”
Andtheprettywoman，alreadyforgettingtheragsandtattersof，MoucheandFourchon，andtheireyesfullofhatred，andSibilet’s，warnings，wenttohaveherselfmadereadyforthewalk。
TheabbeandBlondetobeyedthebehestofthemistressofthehouse，andfollowedherfromthedining-room，waitingtillshewasreadyon，theterracebeforethechateau。
“Whatdoyouthinkofallthis？”saidBlondettotheabbe。
“Iamapariah;theydogmeastheywouldacommonenemy。Iamforced，tokeepmyeyesandearsperpetuallyopentoescapethetrapstheyare，constantlylayingtogetmeoutoftheplace，“repliedtheabbe。“Iam，evendoubtful，betweenourselves，astowhethertheywillnotshoot，me。”
“Whydoyoustay？”saidBlondet。
“Wecan’tdesertGod’scauseanymorethanthatofanemperor，“
repliedthepriest，withasimplicitythataffectedBlondet。Hetook，theabbe’shandandshookitcordially。
“Youseehowitis，therefore，thatIknowverylittleoftheplots，thataregoingon，“continuedtheabbe。“Still，Iknowenoughtofeel，surethatthegeneralisunderwhatinArtoisandinBelgiumiscalled，an’evilgrudge。’“
AfewwordsareherenecessaryaboutthecurateofBlangy。
Thispriest，thefourthsonofaworthymiddle-classfamilyofAutun，wasanintelligentmancarryinghisheadhighinhiscollar。Smalland，slight，heredeemedhisratherpunyappearancebythepreciseand，carefullydressedairthatbelongstoBurgundians。Heacceptedthe，second-ratepostofBlangyoutofpuredevotion，forhisreligious，convictionswerejoinedtopoliticalopinionsthatwereequally，strong。Therewassomethingofthepriestoftheoldentimeabouthim;
heheldtotheChurchandtotheclergypassionately;sawthebearings，ofthings，andnoselfishnessmarredhisoneambition，whichwasTO
SERVE。Thatwashismotto，——toservetheChurchandthemonarchy，whereveritwasmostthreatened;toserveinthelowestranklikea，soldierwhofeelsthatheisdestined，soonerorlater，toattain，commandthroughcourageandtheresolvetodohisduty。Hemadeno，compromiseswithhisvowsofchastity，andpoverty，andobedience;he，fulfilledthem，ashedidtheotherdutiesofhisposition，withthat，simplicityandcheerfulgood-humorwhicharethesureindicationsof，anhonestheart，constrainedtodorightbynaturalimpulsesasmuch，asbythepowerandconsistencyofreligiousconvictions。
ThepriesthadseenatfirstsightBlondet’sattachmenttothe，countess;hesawthatbetweenaTroisvilleandamonarchical，journalisthecouldsafelyshowhimselftobeamanofbroad，intelligence，becausehiscallingwascertaintoberespected。He，usuallycametothechateauveryeveningtomakethefourthatagame，ofwhist。Thejournalist，abletorecognizetheabbe’srealmerits，showedhimsomuchdeferencethatthepairgrewintosympathywith，eachother;asusuallyhappenswhenmenofintelligencemeettheir，equals，or，ifyoupreferit，theearsthatareabletohearthem。
Swordsarefondoftheirscabbards。
“Buttowhatdoyouattributethisstateofthings，Monsieurl’abbe，youwhoareable，throughyourdisinterestedness，tolookoverthe，headsofthings？”
“Ishallnottalkplatitudesaftersuchaflatteringspeechasthat，“
saidtheabbe，smiling。“Whatisgoingoninthisvalleyisspreading，moreorlessthroughoutFrance;itistheoutcomeofthehopeswhich，theupheavalof1789causedtoinfiltrate，ifImayusethat，expression，themindsofthepeasantry，thesonsofthesoil。The，Revolutionaffectedcertainlocalitiesmorethanothers。Thissideof，Burgundy，nearesttoParis，isoneofthoseplaceswherethe，revolutionaryideasspreadliketheoverrunningoftheFranksbythe，Gauls。Historically，thepeasantsarestillonthemorrowofthe，Jacquerie;thatdefeatisburntinupontheirbrain。Theyhavelong，forgottenthefactswhichhavenowpassedintotheconditionofan，instinctiveidea。Thatideaisbredinthepeasantblood，justasthe，ideaofsuperioritywasoncebredinnobleblood。Therevolutionof，1789wastheretaliationofthevanquished。Thepeasantsthensetfoot，inpossessionofthesoilwhichthefeudallawhaddeniedthemfor，overtwelvehundredyears。Hencetheirdesireforland，whichtheynow，cutupamongthemselvesuntilactuallytheydivideafurrowintotwo，parts;which，bythebye，oftenhindersorpreventsthecollectionof，taxes，forthevalueofsuchfractionsofpropertyisnotsufficient，topaythelegalcostsofrecoveringthem。”
“Verytrue，fortheobstinacyofthesmallowners——their，aggressiveness，ifyouchoose——onthispointissogreatthatinat，leastonethousandcantonsofthethreethousandofFrenchterritory，itisimpossibleforarichmantobuyaninchoflandfroma，peasant，“saidBlondet，interruptingtheabbe。“Thepeasantswhoare，willingtodivideuptheirscrapsoflandamongthemselveswouldnot，sellafractiononanyconditionoratanypricetothemiddle，classes。Themoremoneytherichmanoffers，themorethevague，uneasinessofthepeasantincreases。Legaldispossessionaloneisable，tobringthelandedpropertyofthepeasantintothemarket。Many，personshavenoticedthisfactwithoutbeingabletofindareasonfor，it。”
“Thisisthereason，“saidtheabbe，rightlybelievingthatapause，withBlondetwasequivalenttoaquestion：“twelvecenturieshavedone，nothingforacastewhomthehistoricspectacleofcivilizationhas，neveryetdivertedfromitsonepredominatingthought，——acastewhich，stillwearsproudlythebroad-brimmedhatofitsmasters，eversince，anabandonedfashionplaceditupontheirheads。Thatall-pervading，thought，therootsofwhichareinthebowelsofthepeople，andwhich，attachedthemsovehementlytoNapoleonwhowaspersonallylessto，themthanhethoughthewasandwhichexplainsthemiracleofhis，returnin1815，——thatdesireforlandisthesolemotivepowerofthe，peasant’sbeing。IntheeyesofthemassesNapoleon，everonewith，themthroughhismillionofsoldiers，isstillthekingbornofthe，Revolution;themanwhogavethempossessionofthesoilandsoldto，themthenationaldomains。Hisanointingwassaturatedwiththat，idea。”
“Anideatowhich1814dealtablow，anideawhichmonarchyshould，holdsacred，“saidBlondet，quickly;“forthepeoplemaysomedayfind，onthestepsofthethroneaprincewhosefatherbequeathedtohimthe，headofLouisXVI。asanheirloom。”
“Hereismadame;don’tsayanymore，“saidtheabbe，inalowvoice。
“Fourchonhasfrightenedher;anditisverydesirabletokeepher，hereintheinterestsofreligionandofthethrone，and，indeed，in，thoseofthepeoplethemselves。”
Michaud，thebailiffofLesAigues，hadcometothechateauin，consequenceoftheassaultonVatel’seyes。Butbeforewerelatethe，consultationwhichthenandtheretookplace，thechainofevents，requiresasuccinctaccountofthecircumstancesunderwhichthe，generalpurchasedLesAigues，theseriouscauseswhichledtothe，appointmentofSibiletasstewardofthatmagnificentproperty，and，thereasonswhyMichaudwasmadebailiff，withalltheother，antecedentstowhichwereduethetensionofthemindsofall，andthe，fearsexpressedbySibilet。
Thisrapidsummarywillhavethemeritofintroducingsomeofthe，principalactorsinthisdrama，andofexhibitingtheirindividual，interests;weshallthusbeenabledtoshowthedangerswhich，surroundedtheGeneralcomtedeMontcornetatthemomentwhenthis，historyopens。
CHAPTERVI
ATALEOFTHIEVES
WhenMademoiselleLaguerrefirstvisitedherestate，in1791，shetook，asstewardthesonoftheex-bailiffofSoulanges，namedGaubertin。
ThelittletownofSoulanges，atpresentnothingmorethanthechief，townofacanton，wasoncethecapitalofaconsiderablecounty，in，thedayswhentheHouseofBurgundymadewaruponFrance。Ville-aux-
Fayes，nowtheseatofthesub-prefecture，thenamerefief，wasa，dependencyofSoulanges，likeLesAigues，Ronquerolles，Cerneux，Conches，andascoreofotherparishes。TheSoulangeshaveremained，counts，whereastheRonquerollesarenowmarquisesbythewillofthat，power，calledtheCourt，whichmadethesonofCaptainduPlessisduke，overtheheadsofthefirstfamiliesoftheConquest。Allofwhich，servestoprovethattowns，likefamilies，arevariableintheir，destiny。
Gaubertin，ayoungmanwithoutpropertyofanykind，succeededa，stewardenrichedbyamanagementofthirtyyears，whopreferredto，becomeapartnerinthefamousfirmofMinoretratherthancontinueto，administerLesAigues。Inhisowninterestsheintroducedintohis，placeasland-stewardFrancoisGaubertin，hisaccountantforfive，years，whomhenowreliedontocoverhisretreat，andwho，outof，gratitudeforhisinstructions，promisedtoobtainforhimarelease，infullofallclaimsfromMadameLaguerre，whobythistimewas，terrifiedattheRevolution。Gaubertin’sfather，theattorney-general，ofthedepartment，henceforthprotectedthetimidwoman。This，provincialFouquier-Tinvilleraisedafalsealarmofdangerinthe，mindoftheopera-divinityonthegroundofherformerrelationsto，thearistocracy，soastogivehissontheequallyfalsecreditof，savingherlife;onthestrengthofwhichGaubertintheyounger，obtainedveryeasilythereleaseofhispredecessor。Mademoiselle，LaguerrethenmadeFrancoisGaubertinherprimeminister，asmuch，throughpolicyasfromgratitude。Thelatestewardhadnotspoiled，her。Hesenther，everyyear，aboutthirtythousandfrancs，thoughLes，Aiguesbroughtinatthattimeatleastfortythousand。The，unsuspectingopera-singerwasthereforemuchdelightedwhenthenew，stewardGaubertinpromisedherthirty-sixthousand。
Toexplainthepresentfortuneoftheland-stewardofLesAigues，beforethejudgment-seatofprobability，itisnecessarytostateits，beginnings。Pushedbyhisfather’sinfluence，hebecamemayorof，Blangy。Thushewasable，contrarytolaw，tomakethedebtorspayin，coin，by“terrorizing“aphraseofthedaysuchofthemasmight，in，hisopinion，besubjectedtothecrushingdemandsoftheRepublic。He，himselfpaidthecitizensinassignatsaslongasthesystemofpaper，moneylasted，——asystemwhich，ifitdidnotmakethenation，prosperous，atleastmadethefortunesofprivateindividuals。From，1793to1795，thatis，forthreeyears，FrancoisGaubertinwrungone，hundredandfiftythousandfrancsoutofLesAigues，withwhichhe，speculatedonthestock-marketinParis。Withherpursefullof，assignatsMademoisellewasactuallyobligedtoobtainreadymoneyfrom，herdiamonds，nowuselesstoher。ShegavethemtoGaubertin，whosold，them，andfaithfullyreturnedtohertheirfullprice。Thisproofof，honestytouchedherheart;henceforthshebelievedinGaubertinasshe，didinPiccini。
In1796，atthetimeofhismarriagewiththecitoyenneIsaure，Mouchon，daughterofanold“conventional，“afriendofhisfather，Gaubertinpossessedaboutthreehundredandfiftythousandfrancsin，money。AstheDirectoryseemedtohimlikelytolast，hedetermined，beforemarrying，tohavetheaccountsofhisfiveyears’stewardship，ratifiedbyMademoiselle，underpretextofanewdeparture。
“Iamtobetheheadofafamily，“hesaidtoher;“youknowthe，reputationofland-stewards;myfather-in-lawisarepublicanofRoman，austerity，andamanofinfluenceaswell;Iwanttoprovetohimthat，Iamasuprightashe。”
MademoiselleLaguerreacceptedhisaccountsatonceinveryflattering，terms。
Inthoseearlierdaysthestewardhadendeavored，inordertowinthe，confidenceofMadamedesAiguesasMademoisellewasthencalledto，repressthedepredationsofthepeasantry;fearing，andnotwithout，reason，thattherevenueswouldsuffertooseverely，andthathis，privatebonusfromthebuyersofthetimberwouldsensiblydiminish。
Butinthosedaysthesovereignpeoplefeltthesoilwastheirown，everywhere;Madamewasafraidofthesurroundingkingsandtoldher，Richelieuthatthefirstdesireofhersoulwastodieinpeace。The，revenuesofthelatesingerweresofarinexcessofherexpensesthat，sheallowedalltheworst，and，asitproved，fatalprecedentstobe，established。Toavoidalawsuit，sheallowedtheneighborstoencroach，uponherland。Knowingthattheparkwallsweresufficientprotection，shedidnotfearanyinterruptionofherpersonalcomfort，andcared，fornothingbutherpeacefulexistence，truephilosopherthatshewas！
Afewthousandayearmoreorless，theindemnitiesexactedbythe，wood-merchantsforthedamagescommittedbythepeasants，——whatwere，theytoacarelessandextravagantOpera-girl，whohadgainedher，hundredthousandfrancsayearatthecostofpleasureonly，andwho，hadjustsubmitted，withoutawordofremonstrance，toareductionof，twothirdsofanincomeofsixtythousandfrancs？
“Dearme！”shesaid，intheeasytoneofthewantonsoftheoldtime，“peoplemustlive，eveniftheyarerepublicans。”
TheterribleMademoiselleCochet，hermaidandfemalevizier，had，triedtoenlightenhermistresswhenshesawtheascendencyGaubertin，wasobtainingoveronewhomhebeganbycalling“Madame“indefiance，oftherevolutionarylawsaboutequality;butGaubertin，inhisturn，enlightenedMademoiselleCochetbyshowingheraso-called，denunciationsenttohisfather，theprosecutingattorney，inwhich，shewasvehementlyaccusedofcorrespondingwithPittandCoburg。From，thattimeforwardthetwopowerswentonshares——sharesala，Montgomery。CochetpraisedGaubertintoMadame，andGaubertinpraised，Cochet。Thewaiting-maidhadalreadymadeherownbed，andknewshe，wasdownforsixtythousandfrancsinthewill。Madamecouldnotdo，withoutCochet，towhomshewasaccustomed。Thewomanknewthesecrets，ofdearmistress’stoilet;shealonecouldputdearmistresstosleep，atnightwithhergossip，andgetherupinthemorningwithher，flattery;tothedayofdearmistress’sdeaththemaidnevercouldsee，theslightestchangeinher，andwhendearmistresslayinhercoffin，shedoubtlessthoughtshehadneverseenherlookingsowell。
TheannualpickingsofGaubertinandMademoiselleCochet，theirwages，andperquisites，becamesolargethatthemostaffectionaterelative，couldnotpossiblyhavebeenmoredevotedthantheytotheirkindly，mistress。Thereisreallynodescribinghowaswindlercossetshis，dupe。Amotherisnotsotendernorsosolicitousforabeloved，daughterasthepractitioneroftartuferieforhismilchcow。What，brilliantsuccessattendstheperformanceofTartufebehindtheclosed，doorsofahome！Itisworthmorethanfriendship。Molierediedtoo，soon;hewouldotherwisehaveshownusthemiseryofOrgon，weariedby，hisfamily，harassedbyhischildren，regrettingtheblandishmentsof，Tartufe，andthinkingtohimself，“Ah，thosewerethegoodtimes！”
DuringthelasteightyearsofherlifethemistressofLesAigues，receivedonlythirtythousandfrancsofthefiftythousandreally，yieldedbytheestate。Gaubertinhadreachedthesameadministrative，resultsashispredecessor，thoughfarmrentsandterritorialproducts，werenotablyincreasedbetween1791and1815，——nottospeakof，Madame’scontinualpurchases。ButGaubertin’sfixedideaofacquiring，LesAiguesattheoldlady’sdeathledhimtodepreciatethevalueof，themagnificentestateinthematterofitsostensiblerevenues。
MademoiselleCochet，asharerinthescheme，wasalsotosharethe，profits。Astheex-divinityinherdecliningyearsreceivedanincome，oftwentythousandfrancsfromtheFundscalledconsolidatedhow，readilythetongueofpoliticscanjest！，andwithdifficultyspent，thesaidsumyearly，shewasmuchsurprisedattheannualpurchases，madebyherstewardtouseuptheaccumulatingrevenues，remembering，howinformertimesshehadalwaysdrawntheminadvance。Theresult，ofhavingfewwantsinheroldageseemed，tohermind，aproofofthe，honestyanduprightnessofGaubertinandMademoiselleCochet。
“Twopearls！”shesaidtothepersonswhocametoseeher。
Gaubertinkepthisaccountswithapparenthonesty。Heenteredall，rentalsduly。Everythingthatcouldstrikethefeeblemindofthelate，singer，sofarasarithmeticwent，wasclearandprecise。Thesteward，tookhiscommissiononalldisbursements，——onthecostsofworkingthe，estate，onrentalsmade，onsuitsbrought，onworkdone，onrepairsof，everykind，——detailswhichMadameneverdreamedofverifying，andfor，whichhesometimeschargedtwiceoverbycollusionwiththe，contractors，whosesilencewasboughtbypermissiontochargethe，highestprices。Thesemethodsofdealingconciliatedpublicopinionin，favorofGaubertin，whileMadame’spraisewasoneverylip;for，besidesthepaymentsshedisbursedforwork，shegaveawaylargesums，ofmoneyinalms。
“MayGodpreserveher，thedearlady！”washeardonallsides。
Thetruthwas，everybodygotsomethingoutofher，eitherindirectly，orasadownrightgift。Inreprisals，asitwere，ofheryouththeold，actresswaspillaged;sodiscreetlypillaged，however，thatthosewho，throveuponherkepttheirdepredationswithincertainlimitslest，evenhereyesmightbeopenedandsheshouldsellLesAiguesand，returntoParis。
Thissystemof“pickings“was，alas！thecauseofPaul-LouisCarter’s，assassination;hecommittedthemistakeofadvertisingthesaleofhis，estateandallowingittobeknownthatheshouldtakeawayhiswife，onwhomanumberoftheTonsardsofLorrainewerebattening。Fearing，toloseMadamedesAigues，themaraudersontheestateforboretocut，theyoungtrees，unlesspushedtoextremitiesbyfindingnobranches，withinreachofshearsfastenedtolongpoles。Intheinterestsof，robbery，theydidaslittleharmastheycould;although，duringthe，lastyearsofMadame’slife，thehabitofcuttingwoodbecamemoreand，morebarefaced。Oncertainclearnightsnotlessthantwohundred，bundlesweretaken。Astothegleaningoffieldsandvineyards，Les，Aigueslost，asSibilethadpointedout，notlessthanonequarterof，itsproducts。
MadamedesAigueshadforbiddenCochettomarryduringherlifetime，withtheselfishnessoftenshowninallcountriesbyamistresstoa，maid;whichisnotmoreirrationalthanthemaniaforkeeping，possession，untilourlastgasp，ofpropertythatisutterlyuseless，toourmaterialcomfort，attheriskofbeingpoisonedbyimpatient，heirs。Twentydaysaftertheoldlady’sburialMademoiselleCochet，marriedthebrigadierofthegendarmerieofSoulanges，namedSoudry，a，handsomeman，forty-twoyearsofage，who，eversince1800inwhich，yearthegendarmeriewasformedhadcomeeverydaytoLesAiguesto，seethewaiting-maid，anddinedwithheratleastthreetimesaweek，attheGaubertins’。
DuringMadame’slifetimedinnerwasservedtoherandtohercompany，bythemselves。NeitherCochetnorGaubertin，inspiteoftheirgreat，familiaritywiththemistress，waseveradmittedtohertable;the，leadingladyoftheAcademieRoyaleretained，toherlasthour，her，senseofetiquette，herstyleofdress，herrougeandherheeled，slippers，hercarriage，herservants，andthemajestyofher，deportment。AdivinityattheOpera，adivinitywithinherrangeof，Parisiansociallife，shecontinuedadivinityinthecountry，solitudes，wherehermemoryisstillworshipped，andstillholdsits，ownagainstthatoftheoldmonarchyinthemindsofthe“best，society“ofSoulanges。
Soudry，whohadpaidhisaddressestoMademoiselleCochetfromthe，timehefirstcameintotheneighborhood，ownedthefinesthousein，Soulanges，anincomeofsixthousandfrancs，andtheprospectofa，retiringpensionwheneverheshouldquittheservice。Assoonas，CochetbecameMadameSoudryshewastreatedwithgreatconsideration，inthetown。Thoughshekeptthestrictestsecrecyastotheamountof，hersavings，——whichwereintrusted，likethoseofGaubertin，tothe，commissaryofwine-merchantsofthedepartmentinParis，acertain，Leclercq，anativeofSoulanges，towhomGaubertinsuppliedfundsas，sleepingpartnerinhisbusiness，——publicopinioncreditedtheformer，waiting-maidwithoneofthelargestfortunesinthelittletownof，twelvehundredinhabitants。
Tothegreatastonishmentofeveryone，MonsieurandMadameSoudry，acknowledgedaslegitimate，intheirmarriagecontract，anaturalson，ofthegendarme，towhom，infuture，MadameSoudry’sfortunewasto，descend。Atthetimewhenthissonwaslegallysuppliedwithamother，hehadjustendedhislawstudiesinParisandwasabouttoenterinto，practice，withtheintentionoffittinghimselfforthemagistracy。
Itisscarcelynecessarytoremarkthatamutualunderstandingof，twentyyearshadproducedtheclosestintimacybetweenthefamiliesof，GaubertinandSoudry。Bothreciprocallydeclaredthemselves，tothe，endoftheirdays，“urbietorbi，“tobethemostuprightand，honorablepersonsinallFrance。Suchcommunityofinterests，basedon，themutualknowledgeofthesecretspotsonthewhitegarmentof，conscience，isoneofthetiesleastrecognizedandhardesttountie，inthislowworld。Youwhoreadthissocialdrama，haveyouneverfelt，aconvictionastotwopersonswhichhasledyoutosaytoyourself，inordertoexplainthecontinuanceofafaithfuldevotionwhichmade，yourownegotismblush，“Theymustsurelyhavecommittedsomecrime，together“？
Afteranadministrationoftwenty-fiveyears，Gaubertin，theland-
steward，foundhimselfinpossessionofsixhundredthousandfrancsin，money，andCochethadaccumulatednearlytwohundredandfifty，thousand。Therapidandconstantturningoverandoveroftheirfunds，inthehandsofLeclercqandCompanyonthequaiBethume，IleSaint，Louis，rivalsofthefamoushouseofGrandetwasagreatassistance，tothefortunesofallparties。OnthedeathofMademoiselleLaguerre，Jenny，thesteward’seldestdaughterwasaskedinmarriageby，Leclercq。GaubertinexpectedatthattimetobecomeownerofLes，AiguesbymeansofaplotlaidintheprivateofficeofLupin，the，notary，whomthestewardhadsetupandmaintainedinbusinesswithin，thelasttwelveyears。
Lupin，asonoftheformerstewardoftheestateofSoulanges，had，lenthimselftovariousslightpeculations，——investmentsatfiftyper，centbelowpar，noticespublishedsurreptitiously，andalltheother，manoeuvres，unhappilycommonintheprovinces，towrapamantle，as，thesayingis，overtheclandestinemanipulationsofproperty。Lately，acompanyhasbeenformedinParis，sotheysay，tolevycontributions，uponsuchplottersunderathreatofoutbiddingthem。Butin1816
Francewasnot，asitisnow，lightedbyaflamingpublicity;the，accomplicesmightsafelycountondividingLesAiguesamongthem，that，is，betweenCochet，thenotary，andGaubertin，thelatterofwhom，reservedtohimself，“inpetto，“theintentionofbuyingtheothers，outforasumdown，assoonasthepropertyfairlystoodinhisown，name。Thelawyeremployedbythenotarytomanagethesaleofthe，estatewasunderpersonalobligationstoGaubertin，sothathefavored，thespoliationoftheheirs，unlessanyoftheelevenfarmersof，Picardyshouldtakeitintotheirheadstothinktheywerecheated，andinquireintotherealvalueoftheproperty。
Justasthoseinterestedexpectedtofindtheirfortunesmade，a，lawyercamefromParisontheeveningbeforethefinalsettlement，and，employedanotaryatVille-aux-Fayes，whohappenedtobeoneofhis，formerclerks，tobuytheestateofLesAigues，whichhedidfor，elevenhundredthousandfrancs。Noneoftheconspiratorsdaredoutbid，anofferofelevenhundredthousandfrancs。Gaubertinsuspectedsome，treacheryonSoudry’spart，andSoudryandLupinthoughttheywere，trickedbyGaubertin。Butastatementonthepartofthepurchasing，agent，thenotaryofVille-aux-Fayes，disabusedthemofthese，suspicions。Thelatter，thoughsuspectingtheplanformedby，Gaubertin，Lupin，andSoudry，refrainedfrominformingthelawyerin，Paris，forthereasonthatifthenewownersindiscreetlyrepeatedhis，words，hewouldhavetoomanyenemiesathisheelstobeabletostay，wherehewas。Thisreticence，peculiartoprovincials，wasinthis，particularcaseamplyjustifiedbysucceedingevents。Ifthedwellers，intheprovincesaredissemblers，theyareforcedtobeso;their，excuseliesinthedangerexpressedintheoldproverb，“Wemusthowl，withthewolves，“ameaningwhichunderliesthecharacterof，Phillinte。
WhenGeneralMontcornettookpossessionofLesAigues，Gaubertinwas，nolongerrichenoughtogiveuphisplace。Inordertomarryhis，daughtertoarichbankerhewasobligedtogiveheradowryoftwo，hundredthousandfrancs;hehadtopaythirtythousandforhisson’s，practice;andallthatremainedofhisaccumulationswasthreehundred，andseventythousand，outofwhichhewouldbeforced，sooneror，later，topaythedowryofhisremainingdaughter，Elise，forwhomhe，hopedtoarrangeamarriageatleastasgoodasthatofhersister。
Thestewarddeterminedtostudythegeneral，inordertofindoutif，hecoulddisgusthimwiththeplace，——hopingstilltobeabletocarry，outhisdefeatedplaninhisowninterests。
Withthepeculiarinstinctwhichcharacterizesthosewhomaketheir，fortunesbycraft，Gaubertinbelievedinaresemblanceofnature，whichwasnotimprobablebetweenanoldsoldierandanOpera-singer。
Anactress，andageneraloftheEmpire，——surelytheywouldhavethe，sameextravaganthabits，thesamecarelessprodigality？Totheoneas，totheother，richescamecapriciouslyandbyluckychances。Ifsome，soldiersarewilyandastuteandcleverpoliticians，theyare，exceptions;asoldieris，usually，especiallyanaccomplishedcavalry，officerlikeMontcornet，guileless，confident，anoviceinbusiness，andlittlefittedtounderstanddetailsinthemanagementofan，estate。Gaubertinflatteredhimselfthathecouldcatchandholdthe，generalwiththesamenetinwhichMademoiselleLaguerrehadfinished，herdays。ButitsohappenedthattheEmperorhadonce，intentionally，allowedMontcornettoplaythesamegameinPomeraniathatGaubertin，wasplayingatLesAigues;consequently，thegeneralfullyunderstood，asystemofplundering。
Inplantingcabbages，tousetheexpressionofthefirstDucdeBiron，theoldcuirassiersoughttodiverthismind，byoccupation，from，dwellingonhisfall。Thoughhehadyieldedhis“corpsd’armee“tothe，Bourbons，thatdutyperformedbyothergeneralsandtermedthe，disbandingofthearmyoftheLoirecouldnotatoneforthecrimeof，havingfollowedthemanoftheHundred-Daystohislastbattle-field。
Inpresenceofthealliedarmyitwasimpossibleforthepeerof1815
toremainintheservice，stilllessattheLuxembourg。Accordingly，Montcornetbetookhimselftothecountrybyadviceofadismissed，marshal，toplunderNatureherself。Thegeneralwasnotdeficientin，thespecialcunningofanoldmilitaryfox;andafterhehadspenta，fewdaysinexamininghisnewproperty，hesawthatGaubertinwasa，stewardoftheoldsystem，——aswindler，suchasthedukesandmarshals，oftheEmpire，thosemushroomsbredfromthecommonearth，werewell，acquaintedwith。
Thewilygeneral，soonawareofGaubertin’sgreatexperienceinrural，administration，feltitwaspolitictokeepwellwithhimuntilhehad，himselflearnedthesecretsofit;accordingly，hepassedhimselfoff，asanotherMademoiselleLaguerre，acoursewhichlulledthesteward，intofalsesecurity。Thisapparentsimple-mindednesslastedallthe，timeittookthegeneraltolearnthestrengthandweaknessofLes，Aigues，tomasterthedetailsofitsrevenuesandthemannerof，collectingthem，andtoascertainhowandwheretherobberies，occurred，togetherwiththebettermentsandeconomieswhichoughtto，beundertaken。Then，onefinemorning，havingcaughtGaubertinwith，hishandinthebag，asthesayingis，thegeneralflewintooneof，thoseragespeculiartotheimperialconquerorsofmanylands。In，doingsohecommittedacapitalblunder，——onethatwouldhaveruined，thewholelifeofamanoflesswealthandlessconsistencythan，himself，andfromwhichcametheevils，bothsmallandgreat，with，whichthepresenthistoryteems。Broughtupintheimperialschool，accustomedtodealwithmenasadictator，andfullofcontemptfor，“civilians，“Montcornetdidnottroublehimselftoweargloveswhenit，cametoputtingarascalofaland-stewardoutofdoors。Civillife，anditsprecautionswerethingsunknowntothesoldieralready，embitteredbyhislossofrank。HehumiliatedGaubertinruthlessly，thoughthelatterdrewtheharshtreatmentuponhimselfbyacynical，replywhichrousedMontcornet’sanger。
“Youarelivingoffmyland，“saidthegeneral，withjestingseverity。
“DoyouthinkIcanliveoffthesky？”returnedGaubertin，witha，sneer。
“Outofmysight，blackguard！Idismissyou！”criedthegeneral，strikinghimwithhiswhip，——blowswhichthestewardalwaysdenied，havingreceived，fortheyweregivenbehindcloseddoors。
“Ishallnotgowithoutmyreleaseinfull，“saidGaubertin，coldly，keepingatadistancefromtheenragedsoldier。
“Wewillseewhatisthoughtofyouinapolicecourt，“replied，Montcornet，shrugginghisshoulders。
Hearingthethreat，Gaubertinlookedatthegeneralandsmiled。The，smilehadtheeffectofrelaxingMontcornet’sarmsasthoughthe，sinewshadbeencut。Wemustexplainthatsmile。
Forthelasttwoyears，Gaubertin’sbrother-in-law，amannamed，Gendrin，longajusticeofthemunicipalcourtofVille-aux-Fayes，had，becomethepresidentofthatcourtthroughtheinfluenceoftheComte，deSoulanges。ThelatterwasmadepeerofFrancein1814，andremained，faithfultotheBourbonsduringtheHundred-Days，thereforetheKeeper，oftheSealsreadilygrantedanappointmentathisrequest。This，relationshipgaveGaubertinacertainimportanceinthecountry。The，presidentofthecourtofalittletownis，relatively，agreater，personagethanthepresidentofoneoftheroyalcourtsofagreat，city，whohasvariousequals，suchasgenerals，bishops，andprefects;
whereasthejudgeofthecourtofasmalltownhasnone，——the，attorney-generalandthesub-prefectbeingremovableatwill。Young，Soudry，acompanionofGaubertin’ssoninParisaswellasatLes，Aigues，hadjustbeenappointedassistantattorneyinthecapitalof，thedepartment。BeforetheelderSoudry，aquartermasterinthe，artillery，becameabrigadierofgendarmes，hehadbeenwoundedina，skirmishwhiledefendingMonsieurdeSoulanges，thenadjutant-general。