CHAPTERVI
THEFORESTANDTHEHARVEST
ThesceneatConcheshad，apparently，agoodeffectonthepeasantry;
ontheotherhand，thecount’sfaithfulkeepersweremorethanever，watchfulthatonlydeadwoodshouldbegatheredintheforestofLes，Aigues。Butforthelasttwentyyearsthewoodshadbeensothoroughly，clearedoutthatverylittleelsethanlivewoodwasnowthere;and，thisthepeasantrysetaboutkilling，inpreparationforwinter，bya，simpleprocess，theresultsofwhichcouldonlybediscoveredinthe，courseoftime。Tonsard’smotherwentdailyintotheforest;the，keeperssawherenter;knewwhereshewouldcomeout;watchedforher，andmadeheropenherbundle，where，tobesure，wereonlyfallen，branches，driedchips，andbrokenandwitheredtwigs。Theoldwoman，wouldwhineandcomplainatthedistanceshehadtogoatherageto，gathersuchamiserablebunchoffagots。Butshedidnottellthatshe，hadbeeninthethickestpartofthewoodandhadremovedtheearthat，thebaseofcertainyoungtrees，roundwhichshehadthencutoffa，ringofbark，replacingtheearth，moss，anddeadleavesjustasthey，werebeforeshetouchedthem。Itwasimpossiblethatanyonecould，discoverthisannularincision，made，notlikeacut，butmorelike，therippingorgnawingofanimalsorthosedestructiveinsectscalled，indifferentregionsborers，orturks，orwhiteworms，whicharethe，firststageofcockchafers。Thesedestructivepestsarefondofthe，barkoftrees;theygetbetweenthebarkandthesap-woodandeat，theirwayround。Ifthetreeislargeenoughfortheinsecttopass，intoitssecondstateoflarvae，inwhichitremainsdormantuntil，itssecondmetamorphosebeforeithasgoneroundthetrunk，thetree，lives，becausesolongasevenasmallbitofthesap-woodremains，coveredbythebark，thetreewillstillgrowandrecoveritself。To，realizetowhatadegreeentomologyaffectsagriculture，horticulture，andallearthproducts，wemustknowthatnaturalistslikeLatreille，theComteDejean，KluggofBerlin，GeneofTurin，etc。findthatthe，vastmajorityofallknowninsectsliveatthesacrificeof，vegetation;thatthecoleopteraacatalogueofwhichhaslatelybeen，publishedbyMonsieurDejeanhavetwenty-seventhousandspecies，and，that，inspiteofthemostearnestresearchonthepartof，entomologistsofallcountries，thereisanenormousnumberofspecies，ofwhomtheycannottracethetripletransformationswhichbelongto，allinsects;thatthereis，inshort，notonlyaspecialinsectto，everyplant，butthatallterrestrialproducts，howevermuchtheymay，bemanipulatedbyhumanindustry，havetheirparticularparasite。Thus，flax，aftercoveringthehumanbodyandhangingthehumanbeing，after，roamingtheworldonthebackofanarmy，becomeswriting-paper;and，thosewhowriteorwhoreadarefamiliarwiththehabitsandmoralsof，aninsectcalledthe“paper-louse，“aninsectofreallymarvellous，celerityandbehavior;itundergoesitsmysterioustransformationsin，areamofwhitepaperwhichyouhavecarefullyputaway;youseeit，glidingandfriskingalonginitsshiningrobe，thatlookslike，isinglassormica，——trulyalittlefishofanotherelement。
Theboreristhedespairoftheland-owner;heworksunderground;no，Sicilianvespersforhimuntilhebecomesacockchafer！Ifthe，populationsonlyrealizedwithwhatuntolddisasterstheyare，threatenedincasetheyletthecockchafersandthecaterpillarsget，theupperhand，theywouldpaymoreattentionthantheydoto，municipalregulations。
Hollandcamenearperishing;itsdikeswereunderminedbytheteredo，andscienceisunabletodiscovertheinsectfromwhichthatmollusk，derives，justassciencestillremainsignorantofthemetamorphoses，ofthecochineal。Theergot，orspur，ofryeisapparentlya，populationofinsectswherethegeniusofsciencehasbeenable，so，far，todiscoveronlyoneslightmovement。Thus，whileawaitingthe，harvestandgleaning，fiftyoldwomenimitatedtheboreratthefeet，offiveorsixhundredtreeswhichwerefatedtobecomeskeletonsand，toputforthnomoreleavesinthespring。Theywerecarefullychosen，intheleastaccessibleplaces，sothatthesurroundingbranches，concealedthem。
Whoconveyedthesecretinformationbywhichthiswasdone？Noone。
CourtecuissehappenedtocomplaininTonsard’stavernofhavingfound，atreewiltinginhisgarden;itseemedhesaid，tohaveadisease，andhesuspectedaborer;forhe，Courtecuisse，knewwhatborerswere，andiftheyoncecircledatreejustbelowtheground，thetreedied。
Thereuponheexplainedtheprocess。Theoldwomenatoncesettowork，atthesamedestruction，withthemysteryandclevernessofgnomes;
andtheireffortsweredoubledbytherulesnowenforcedbythemayor，ofBlangyandnecessarilyfollowedbythemayorsoftheadjoining，districts。
Thegreatland-ownersofthedepartmentapplaudedGeneralde，Montcornet’scourse;andtheprefectinhisprivatedrawing-room，declaredthatif，insteadoflivinginParis，otherland-ownerswould，comeandliveontheirestatesandfollowsuchacoursetogether，a，solutionofthedifficultycouldbeobtained;forcertainmeasures，addedtheprefect，oughttobetaken，andtakeninconcert，modified，bybenefactionsandbyanenlightenedphilanthropy，suchaseveryone，couldseeactuatedinGeneralMontcornet。
Thegeneralandhiswife，assistedbytheabbe，triedtheeffectsof，suchbenevolence。Theystudiedthesubject，andendeavoredtoshowby，incontestableresultstothosewhopillagedthemthatmoremoneycould，bemadebylegitimatetoil。Theysuppliedflaxandpaidforthe，spinning;thecountesshadthethreadwovenintolinensuitablefor，towels，aprons，andcoarsenapkinsforkitchenuse，andfor，underclothingfortheverypoor。Thegeneralbeganimprovementswhich，neededmanylaborers，andheemployednonebutthoseintheadjoining，districts。SibiletwasinchargeoftheworksandtheAbbeBrossette，gavethecountesslistsofthemostneedy，andoftenbroughtthemto，herhimself。MadamedeMontcornetattendedtothesematterspersonally，inthegreatantechamberwhichopenedupontheportico。Itwasa，beautifulwaiting-room，flooredwithsquaresofwhiteandredmarble，warmedbyaporcelainstove，andfurnishedwithbenchescoveredwith，redplush。
Itwastherethatonemorning，justbeforeharvest，oldMotherTonsard，broughthergranddaughterCatherine，whohadtomake，shesaid，a，dreadfulconfession，——dreadfulforthehonorofapoorbuthonest，family。WhiletheoldwomanaddressedthecountessCatherinestoodin，anattitudeofconsciousguilt。Thensherelatedonherownaccount，theunfortunate“situation“inwhichshewasplaced，whichshehad，confidedtononebuthergrandmother;forhermother，sheknew，would，turnherout，andherfather，anhonorableman，mightkillher。Ifshe，onlyhadathousandfrancsshecouldbemarriedtoapoorlaborer，namedGodain，whoKNEWALL，andwholovedherlikeabrother;hecould，buyapoorbitofgroundandbuildacottageifshehadthatsum。It，wasverytouching。Thecountesspromisedthemoney;resolvingto，devotethepriceofsomefancytothismarriage。Thehappymarriages，ofMichaudandGroisonencouragedher。Besides，suchaweddingwould，beagoodexampletothepeopleoftheneighborhoodandstimulateto，virtuousconduct。ThemarriageofCatherineTonsardandGodainwas，accordinglyarrangedbymeansofthecountess’sthousandfrancs。
Anothertimeahorribleoldwoman，MotherBonnebault，wholivedina，hutbetweenthegateofConchesandthevillage，broughtbackagreat，bundleofskeinsoflinenthread。
“Madamelacomtessehasdonewonders，“saidtheabbe，fullofhopeas，tothemoralprogressofhissavages。“Thatoldwomandidimmense，damagetoyourwoods，butnowshehasnotimeforit;shestaysat，homeandspinsfrommorningtillnight;hertimeisalltakenupand，wellpaidfor。”
Peacereignedeverywhere。Groisonmadeverysatisfactoryreports;
depredationsseemedtohaveceased，anditisevenpossiblethatthe，stateoftheneighborhoodandthefeelingoftheinhabitantsmight，reallyhavechangedifithadnotbeenfortherevengefuleagernessof，Gaubertin，thecabalsoftheleadingsocietyofSoulanges，andthe，intriguesofRigou，whooneandall，with“theaffair“inview，blew，theembersofhatredandcrimeintheheartsofthepeasantryofthe，valleydesAigues。
Thekeepersstillcomplainedoffindingagreatmanybranchescutwith，shearsinthedeeperpartsofthewoodandlefttodry，evidentlyasa，provisionforwinter。Theywatchedforthedelinquentswithoutever，beingabletocatchthem。Thecount，assistedbyGroison，hadgiven，certificatesofpauperismtoonlythirtyorfortyoftherealpoorof，thedistrict;buttheothertwomayorshadbeenlessstrict。Themore，clementthecountshowedhimselfintheaffairatConchesthemore，determinedhewastoenforcethelawsaboutgleaning，whichhadnow，degeneratedintotheft。Hedidnotinterferewiththemanagementof，threeofhisfarmswhichwereleasedtotenants，norwiththosewhose，tenantsworkedforhisprofit，ofwhichhehadanumber;buthe，managedsixfarmshimself，eachofabouttwohundredacres，andhenow，publishedanoticethatitwasforbidden，underpainofbeingarrested，andmadetopaythefineimposedbythecourts，toenterthosefields，beforethecropwascarriedaway。Theorderconcernedonlyhisown，immediateproperty。Rigou，whoknewthecountrywell，hadlethis，farm-landsinportionsandonshortleasestomenwhoknewhowtoget，intheirowncrops，andwhopaidhimingrain;thereforegleaningdid，notaffecthim。Theotherproprietorswerepeasants，andnonefarious，gleaningwasattemptedontheirland。
WhentheharvestbeganthecountwenthimselftoMichaudtoseehow，thingsweregoingon。Groison，whoadvisedhimtodothis，wastobe，presenthimselfatthegleaningofeachparticularfield。The，inhabitantsofcitiescanhavenoideawhatgleaningistothe，inhabitantsofthecountry;thepassionofthesesonsofthesoilfor，itseemsinexplicable;therearewomenwhowillgiveupwell-paid，employmentstoglean。Thewheattheypickupseemstothemsweeter，thananyother;andtheprovisiontheythusmakefortheirchiefand，mostsubstantialfoodhastothemanextraordinaryattraction。Mothers，taketheirbabesandtheirlittlegirlsandboys;thefeeblestoldmen，dragthemselvesintothewheat-fields;andeventhosewhoownproperty，arepaupersforthenonce。Allgleanersappearinrags。
ThecountandMichaudwerepresentonhorsebackwhenthefirst，tatteredbatchenteredthefirstfieldsfromwhichthewheathadbeen，carried。Itwasteno’clockinthemorning。Augusthadbeenahot，month，theskywascloudless，blueasaperiwinkle;theearthwas，baked，thewheatflamed，theharvestmenworkedwiththeirfaces，scorchedbythereflectionofthesun-raysonthehardandaridearth。
Allweresilent，theirshirtswetwithperspiration;whilefromtime，totime，theyslakedtheirthirstwithwaterfromround，earthenware，jugs，furnishedwithtwohandlesandamouth-piecestopperedwitha，willowstick。
Atthefatherendofthestubble-fieldstoodthecartswhichcontained，thesheaves，andnearthemagroupofatleastahundredbeingswho，farexceededthehideousconceptionsofMurilloandTeniers，the，boldestpaintersofsuchscenes，orofCallot，thatpoetofthe，fantasticinpoverty。Thepicturedbronzelegs，thebareheads，the，raggedgarmentssocuriouslyfaded，sodampwithgrease，sodarnedand，spottedanddiscolored，inshort，thepainters’idealofthematerial，ofabjectpovertywasfarsurpassedbythisscene;whilethe，expressiononthosefaces，greedy，anxious，doltish，idiotic，savage，showedtheeverlastingadvantagewhichnaturepossessesoverartby，itscomparisonwiththeimmortalcompositionsofthoseprincesof，color。Therewereoldwomenwithnecksliketurkeys，andhairless，scarleteyelids，whostretchedtheirheadsforwardlikesettersbefore，apartridge;therewerechildren，silentassoldiersunderarms，littlegirlswhostampedlikeanimalswaitingfortheirfood;the，naturesofchildhoodandoldagewerecrushedbeneaththefierceness，ofasavagegreed，——greedforthepropertyofothersnowtheirownby，longabuse。Alleyesweresavage，allgesturesmenacing;buteveryone，keptsilenceinpresenceofthecount，thefield-keeper，andthe，bailiff。Atthismomentallclasseswererepresented，——thegreatland-
owners，thefarmers，theworkingmen，thepaupers;thesocialquestion，wasdefinedtotheeye;hungerhadconvokedtheactorsinthescene。
Thesunthrewintoreliefthehardandhollowfeaturesofthosefaces;
itburnedthebarefeetdustywiththesoil;childrenwerepresent，withnoclothingbutatornblouse，theirblondhairtangledwith，strawandchips;somewomenbroughttheirbabesjustabletowalk，and，leftthemrollinginthefurrows。
Thegloomyscenewasharrowingtotheoldsoldier，whoseheartwas，kind，andhesaidtoMichaud：“Itpainsmetoseeit。Onemustknow，theimportanceofthesemeasurestobeabletoinsistuponthem。”
“Ifeveryland-ownerfollowedyourexample，livedonhisproperty，and，didthegoodthatyouandyoursaredoing，general，therewouldbe，I
won’tsaynopoor，fortheyarealwayswithus，butnopoormanwho，couldnotlivebyhislabor。”
“ThemayorsofConches，Cerneux，andSoulangeshavesentusalltheir，paupers，“saidGroison，whohadnowlookedatthecertificates;“they，hadnorighttodoso。”
“No，butourpeoplewillgototheirdistricts，“saidthegeneral。
“Forthetimebeingwehavedoneenoughbypreventingthegleaning，beforethesheavesweretakenaway;wehadbettergostepbystep，“he，added，turningtoleavethefield。
“Didyouhearhim？”saidMotherTonsardtotheoldBonnebaultwoman，forthegeneral’slastwordsweresaidinaratherloudertonethan，therest，andreachedtheearsofthetwooldwomenwhowerepostedin，theroadwhichledbesidethefield。
“Yes，yes！wehaven’tgottotheendyet，——atoothto-dayandto-
morrowanear;iftheycouldfindasauceforourliversthey’deat，’emastheydoacalf’s！”saidoldBonnebault，whosethreateningface，wasturnedinprofiletothegeneralashepassedher，thoughinthe，twinklingofaneyeshechangeditsexpressiontooneofhypocritical，softnessandsubmissionasshehastenedtomakehimaprofound，curtsey。
“Soyouaregleaning，areyou，thoughmywifehelpsyoutoearnso，muchmoney？”
“Hey！mydeargentleman，mayGodpreserveyouingoodhealth！but，don’tyousee，mygrandsonsquandersallIearn，andI’mforcedto，scratchupalittlewheattogetbreadinthewinter，——yes，yes，I
gleanjustabit;itallhelps。”
Thegleaningprovedoflittleprofittothegleaners。Thefarmersand，tenant-farmers，findingthemselvesbackedup，tookcarethattheir，wheatwaswellreaped，andsuperintendedthemakingofthesheavesand，theirsaferemoval，sothatlittleornoneofthepillageofformer，yearscouldtakeplace。
Accustomedtogetagoodproportionofwheatintheirgleaning，the，falseaswellasthetruepoor，forgettingthecount’spardonat，Conches，nowfeltadeepbutsilentangeragainsthim，whichwas，aggravatedbytheTonsards，Courtecuisse，Bonnebault，Laroche，Vaudoyer，Godain，andtheiradherents。Matterswentworsestillafter，thevintage;forthegatheringoftherefusegrapewasnotallowed，untilSibilethadexaminedthevineswithextremecare。Thislast，restrictionexasperatedthesesonsofthesoiltothehighestpitch;
butwhensogreatasocialdistanceseparatestheangeredclassfrom，thethreatenedclass，wordsandthreatsarelost;nothingcomestothe，surfaceorisperceivedbutfacts;meantimethemalcontentswork，undergroundlikemoles。
ThefairofSoulangestookplaceasusualquitepeacefully，exceptfor，certainjarringsbetweentheleadingsocietyandthesecond-class，societyofSoulanges，broughtaboutbythedespotismofthequeen，who，couldnottoleratetheempirefoundedandestablishedovertheheart，ofthebrilliantLupinbythebeautifulEuphemiePlissoud，forshe，herselflaidpermanentclaimtohisficklefervors。
ThecountandcountessdidnotappearatthefairnorattheTivoli，fete;andthat，again，wascountedawrongbytheSoudrys，the，Gaubertins，andtheiradherents;itwaspride，itwasdisdain，said，theSoudrysalon。Duringthistimethecountesswasfillingthevoid，causedbyEmile’sreturntoPariswiththeimmenseinterestand，pleasureallfinesoulstakeinthegoodtheyaredoing，orthinkthey，do;andthecount，forhispart，appliedhimselfnolesszealouslyto，changesandameliorationsinthemanagementofhisestate，whichhe，expectedandbelievedwouldmodifyandbenefittheconditionofthe，peopleandhencetheircharacters。MadamedeMontcornet，assistedby，theadviceandexperienceoftheAbbeBrossette，came，littleby，little，tohaveathoroughandstatisticalknowledgeofallthepoor，familiesofthedistrict，theirrespectivecondition，theirwants，theirmeansofsubsistence，andthesortofhelpshemustgivetoeach，toobtainworksoasnottomakethemlazyoridle。
ThecountesshadplacedGenevieveNiseron，LaPechina，inaconventat，Auxerre，underpretextofhavinghertaughttosewthatshemight，employherinherownhouse，butreallytosaveherfromtheshameful，attemptsofNicolasTonsard，whomRigouhadmanagedtosavefromthe，conscription。Thecountessalsobelievedthatareligiouseducation，thecloister，andmonasticsupervision，wouldsubduetheardent，passionsoftheprecociouslittlegirl，whoseMontenegrinbloodseemed，toherlikeathreateningflamewhichmightonedaysetfiretothe，domestichappinessofherfaithfulOlympe。
SoallwasatpeaceatthechateaudesAigues。Thecount，misledby，Sibilet，reassuredbyMichaud，congratulatedhimselfonhisfirmness，andthankedhiswifeforhavingcontributedbyherbenevolencetothe，immensecomfortoftheirtranquillity。Thequestionofthesaleofhis，timberwaslaidasidetillheshouldgotoParisandarrangewiththe，dealers。Hehadnottheslightestnotionofhowtodobusiness，andhe，wasintotalignoranceofthepowerwieldedbyGaubertinoverthe，currentoftheYonne，——themainlineofconveyancewhichsuppliedthe，timberoftheParismarket。
CHAPTERVII
THEGREYHOUND
TowardsthemiddleofSeptemberEmileBlondet，whohadgonetoParis，topublishabook，returnedtorefreshhimselfatLesAiguesandto，thinkovertheworkhewasplanningforthewinter。AtLesAigues，the，lovingandsincerequalitieswhichsucceedadolescenceinayoung，man’ssoulreappearedintheused-upjournalist。
“Whatafinesoul！”wasthecommentofthecountandthecountesswhen，theyspokeofhim。
Menwhoareaccustomedtomoveamongtheabyssesofsocialnature，to，understandallandtorepressnothing，makethemselvesanoasisinthe，heart，wheretheyforgettheirperversitiesandthoseofothers;they，becomewithinthatnarrowandsacredcircle，——saints;there，they，possessthedelicacyofwomen，theygivethemselvesuptoamomentary，realizationoftheirideal，theybecomeangelicforsomeonebeingwho，adoresthem，andtheyarenotplayingcomedy;theyjointheirsoulto，innocence，sotospeak;theyfeeltheneedtobrushoffthemud，to，healtheirsores，tobathetheirwounds。AtLesAiguesEmileBlondet，waswithoutbitterness，withoutsarcasm，almostwithoutwit;hemade，noepigrams，hewasgentleasalamb，andplatonicallytender。
“HeissuchagoodyoungfellowthatImisshimterriblywhenheis，nothere，“saidthegeneral。“Idowishhecouldmakeafortuneand，notleadthatParislifeofhis。”
NeverdidthegloriouslandscapeandparkofLesAiguesseemas，luxuriantlybeautifulasitdidjustthen。Thefirstautumndayswere，beginning，whentheearth，languidfromherprocreationsanddelivered，ofherproducts，exhalesthedelightfulodorsofvegetation。Atthis，timethewoods，especially，aredelicious;theybegintotakethe，russetwarmthofSiennaearth，andthegreen-bronzetoneswhichform，thelovelytapestrybeneathwhichtheyhidefromthecoldofwinter。
Nature，havingshownherselfinspringtimejauntyandjoyousasa，brunetteglowingwithhope，becomesinautumnsadandgentleasa，blondefullofpensivememories;theturfyellows，thelastflowers，unfoldtheirpalecorollas，thewhite-eyeddaisiesarefewerinthe，grass，onlytheircrimsoncalicesareseen。Yellowsabound;theshady，placesarelighterforlackofleafage，butdarkerintone;thesun，alreadyoblique，slidesitsfurtiveorangeraysathwartthem，leaving，longluminoustraceswhichrapidlydisappear，likethetrainofa，woman’sgownasshebidsadieu。
Onthemorningoftheseconddayafterhisarrival，Emilewasata，windowofhisbedroom，whichopeneduponaterracewithabalustrade，fromwhichanobleviewcouldbeseen。Thisbalconyranthewhole，lengthoftheapartmentsofthecountess，onthesideofthechateau，towardstheforestsandtheBlangylandscape。Thepond，whichwould，havebeencalledalakewereLesAiguesnearerParis，waspartlyin，view，sowasthelongcanal;theSilver-spring，comingfromacrossthe，pavilionoftheRendezvous，crossedthelawnwithitssheenyribbon，reflectingtheyellowsand。
Beyondthepark，betweenthevillageandthewalls，laythecultivated，partsofBlangy，——meadowswherethecowsweregrazing，small，propertiessurroundedbyhedges，filledwithfruitofallkinds，nut，andappletrees。Bywayofframe，theheightsonwhichthenoble，forest-treeswereranged，tierabovetier，closedinthescene。The，countesshadcomeoutinherslipperstolookattheflowersinher，balcony，whichweresendinguptheirmorningfragrance;sheworea，cambricdressing-gown，beneathwhichtherosytintsofherwhite，shoulderscouldbeseen;acoquettishlittlecapwasplacedina，bewitchingmanneronherhair，whichescapeditrecklessly;herlittle，feetshowedtheirwarmfleshcolorthroughthetransparentstockings;
thecambricgown，unconfinedatthewaist，floatedopenasthebreeze，tookit，andshowedanembroideredpetticoat。
“Oh！areyouthere？”shesaid。
“Yes。”
“Whatareyoulookingat？”
“Aprettyquestion！YouhavetornmefromthecontemplationofNature。
Tellme，countess，willyougoforawalkinthewoodsthismorning，beforebreakfast？”
“Whatanidea！YouknowIhaveahorrorofwalking。”
“Wewillonlywalkalittleway;I’lldriveyouinthetilburyand，takeJosephtoholdthehorses。Youhaveneveroncesetfootinyour，forest;andIhavejustnoticedsomethingverycurious，aphenomenon;
therearespotswherethetree-topsarethecolorofFlorentine，bronze，theleavesaredried——“
“Well，I’lldress。”
“Oh，ifyoudo，wecan’tgetofffortwohours。Takeashawl，putona，bonnet，andboots;that’sallyouwant。Ishalltellthemtoharness。”
“Youalwaysmakemedowhatyouwant;I’llbereadyinaminute。”
“General，“saidBlondet，wakingthecount，whogrumbledandturned，over，likeamanwhowantshismorningsleep。“Wearegoingfora，drive;won’tyoucome？”
Aquarterofanhourlaterthetilburywasslowlyrollingalongthe，parkavenue，followedbyaliveriedgroomonhorseback。
ThemorningwasaSeptembermorning。Thedarkblueoftheskyburst，forthhereandtherefromthegrayoftheclouds，whichseemedthesky，itself，theetherseemingtobetheaccessory;longlinesof，ultramarinelayuponthehorizon，butinstrata，whichalternatedwith，otherlineslikesand-bars;thesetoneschangedandgrewgreenatthe，leveloftheforests。Theearthbeneaththisoverhangingmantlewas，moistlywarm，likeawomanwhensherises;itexhaledsweet，luscious，odors，whichyetwerewild，notcivilized，——thescentofcultivation，wasaddedtothescentsofthewoods。JustthentheAngeluswas，ringingatBlangy，andthesoundsofthebell，minglingwiththewild，concertoftheforest，gaveharmonytothesilence。Hereandthere，wererisingvapors，white，diaphanous。
SeeingtheselovelypreparationsofNature，thefancyhadseized，OlympeMichaudtoaccompanyherhusband，whohadtogiveanordertoa，keeperwhosehousewasnotfaroff。TheSoulangesdoctoradvisedher，towalkaslongasshecoulddosowithoutfatigue;shewasafraidof，themiddayheatandwentoutonlyintheearlymorningorevening。
Michaudnowtookherwithhim，andtheywerefollowedbythedoghe，lovedbest，——ahandsomegreyhound，mouse-coloredwithwhitespots，greedy，likeallgreyhounds，andasfullofvicesasmostanimalswho，knowtheyarelovedandpetted。
So，thenthetilburyreachedthepavilionoftheRendezvous，the，countess，whostoppedtoaskhowMadameMichaudfelt，wastoldshehad，goneintotheforestwithherhusband。
“Suchweatherinspireseverybody，“saidBlondet，turninghishorseat，hazardintooneofthesixavenuesoftheforest;“Joseph，youknow，thewoods，don’tyou？”
“Yes，monsieur。”
Andawaytheywent。Theavenuetheytookhappenedtobeoneofthe，mostdelightfulintheforest;itsoonturnedandgrewnarrower，and，presentlybecameawindingway，onwhichthesunshineflickered，throughriftsintheleafyroof，andwherethebreezebroughtodorsof，lavender，andthyme，andthewildmint，andthatoffallingleaves，whichsighedastheyfell。Dew-dropsonthetreesandonthegrass，werescatteredlikeseedsbythepassingofthelightcarriage;the，occupantsastheyrolledalongcaughtglimpsesofthemysterious，visionsofthewoods，——thosecooldepths，wheretheverdureismoist，anddark，wherethelightsoftensasitfades;thosewhite-birch，gladeso’ertoppedbysomecentennialtree，theHerculesoftheforest;
thosegloriousassemblagesofknotted，mossytrunks，whitenedand，furrowed，andthebanksofdelicatewildplantsandfragileflowers，whichgrowbetweenawoodlandroadandtheforest。Thebrookssang。
Trulythereisanamelesspleasureindrivingawomanalongtheups，anddownsofaslipperywaycarpetedwithmoss，whereshepretendsto，beafraidorreallyisso，andyouareconsciousthatsheisdrawing，closertoyou，lettingyoufeel，voluntarilyorinvoluntarily，the，coolmoistureofherarm，theweightofherround，whiteshoulder，thoughshemerelysmileswhentoldthatshehindersyouindriving。
Thehorseseemstoknowthesecretoftheseinterruptions，andhe，looksabouthimfromrighttoleft。
Itwasanewsighttothecountess;thisnaturesovigorousinits，effects，solittleseenandyetsogrand，threwherintoalanguid，revery;sheleanedbackinthetilburyandyieldedherselfuptothe，pleasureofbeingtherewithEmile;hereyeswerecharmed，herheart，spoke，sheansweredtotheinwardvoicethatharmonizedwithhers。He，too，glancedatherfurtively;heenjoyedthatdreamymeditation，whiletheribbonsofthebonnetfloatedonthemorningbreezewiththe，silkycurlsofthegoldenhair。Inconsequenceofgoingtheyknewnot，where，theypresentlycametoalockedgate，ofwhichtheyhadnotthe，key。Josephwascalledup，butneitherhadheakey。
“Nevermind，letuswalk;Josephcantakecareofthetilbury;we，shalleasilyfinditagain。”
Emileandthecountessplungedintotheforest，andsoonreacheda，smallinteriorclearedspace，suchasisoftenmetwithinthewoods。
Twentyyearsearlierthecharcoal-burnershadmadeittheirkiln，and，theplacestillremainedopen，quitealargecircumferencehavingbeen，burnedover。ButduringthosetwentyyearsNaturehadmadeherselfa，gardenofflowers，ablooming“parterre“forherownenjoyment，just，asanartistgiveshimselfthedelightofpaintingapictureforhis，ownhappiness。Theenchantingspotwassurroundedbyfinetrees，whose，topshungoverlikevastfringesandmadeadaisabovethisflowery，couchwheresleptthegoddess。Thecharcoal-burnershadfolloweda，pathtoapond，alwaysfullofwater。Thepathistherestill;it，invitesyoutostepintoitbyaturnfullofmystery;thensuddenly，itstopsshortandyoucomeuponabankwhereathousandrootsrun，downtothewaterandmakeasortofcanvasintheair。Thishidden，pondhasanarrowgrassyedge，whereafewwillowsandpoplarslend，theirfickleshadetoabankofturfwhichsomelazyorpensive，charcoal-burnermusthavemadeforhisenjoyment。Thefrogshopabout，thetealbatheinthepond，thewater-fowlcomeandgo，aharestarts;
youarethemasterofthisdeliciousbath，decoratedwithirisand，bulrushes。Aboveyourheadthetreestakemanyattitudes;herethe，trunkstwinedownlikeboa-constrictors，therethebeechesstanderect，asaGreekcolumn。Thesnailsandtheslugsmovepeacefullyabout。A
tenchshowsitsgills，asquirrellooksatyou;andatlast，after，Emileandthecountess，tiredwithherwalk，wereseated，abird，but，Iknownotwhatbirditwas，sangitsautumnsong，itsfarewellsong，towhichtheothersongsterslistened，——asongwelcometolove，and，heardbyeveryorganofthebeing。
“Whatsilence！”saidthecountess，withemotionandinawhisper，as，ifnottotroublethisdeeppeace。
Theylookedatthegreenpatchesonthewater，——worldswherelifewas，organizing;theypointedtothelizardplayinginthesunandescaping，attheirapproach，——behaviorwhichhaswonhimthetitleof“the，friendofman。”“Proving，too，howwellheknowshim，“saidEmile。
Theywatchedthefrogs，who，lessdistrustful，returnedtothesurface，ofthepond，winkingtheircarbuncleeyesastheysatuponthewater-
cresses。ThesweetandsimplepoetryofNaturepermeatedthesetwo，soulssurfeitedwiththeconventionalthingsoflife，andfilledthem，withcontemplativeemotion。SuddenlyBlondetshuddered。Turningtothe，countesshesaid，——
“Didyouhearthat？”
“What？”sheasked。
“Acuriousnoise。”
“Ah，youliterarymenwholiveinyourstudiesandknownothingofthe，country！thatisonlyawoodpeckertappingatree。Idaresayyou，don’tevenknowthemostcuriousfactinthehistoryofthatbird。As，soonashehasgivenhistap，andhegivesmillionstopierceanoak，hefliesbehindthetreetoseeifheisyetthroughit;andhedoes，thiseveryinstant。”
“ThenoiseIheard，dearinstructressofnaturalhistory，wasnota，noisemadebyananimal;therewasevidenceofmindinit，andthat，proclaimsaman。”
Thecountesswasseizedwithpanic，andshedartedbackthroughthe，wildflower-garden，seekingthepathbywhichtoleavetheforest。
“Whatisthematter？”criedBlondet，rushingafterher。
“IthoughtIsaweyes，“shesaid，whentheyregainedthepaththrough，whichtheyhadreachedthecharcoal-burner’sopen。
Justthentheyheardthelowdeath-rattleofacreaturewhosethroat，wassuddenlycut，andthecountess，withherfearsredoubled，fledso，quicklythatBlondetcouldscarcelyfollowher。Sheranlikeawill-
o’-the-wisp，anddidnotlistentoBlondetwhocalledtoher，“Youare，mistaken。”Onsheran，andEmilewithher，tilltheysuddenlycame，uponMichaudandhiswife，whowerewalkingalongarm-in-arm。Emile，waspantingandthecountessoutofbreath，anditwassometime，beforetheycouldspeak;thentheyexplained。MichaudjoinedBlondet，inlaughingatthecountess’sterror;thenthebailiffshowedthetwo，wanderersthewaytofindthetilbury。Whentheyreachedthegate，MadameMichaudcalled，“Prince！”
“Prince！Prince！”calledthebailiff;thenhewhistled，——butno，greyhound。
Emilementionedthecuriousnoisethatbegantheiradventure。
“Mywifeheardthatnoise，“saidMichaud，“andIlaughedather。”
“TheyhavekilledPrince！”exclaimedthecountess。“Iamsureofit;
theykilledhimbycuttinghisthroatatoneblow。WhatIheardwas，thegroanofadyinganimal。”
“Thedevil！”criedMichaud;“themattermustbeclearedup。”
EmileandthebailiffleftthetwoladieswithJosephandthehorses，andreturnedtothewildgardenoftheopen。Theywentdownthebank，tothepond;lookedeverywherealongtheslope，butfoundnoclue。
Blondetjumpedbackfirst，andashedidsohesaw，inathicketwhich，stoodonhigherground，oneofthosetreeshehadnoticedinthe，morningwithwitheredheads。HeshowedittoMichaud，andproposedto，gotoit。Thetwosprangforwardinastraightlineacrosstheforest，avoidingthetrunksandgoingroundthemattedtanglesofbrierand，hollyuntiltheyfoundthetree。
“Itisafineelm，“saidMichaud，“butthere’saworminit，——aworm，whichgnawsroundthebarkclosetotheroots。”
Hestoppedandtookupabitofthebark，saying：“Seehowtheywork。”
“Youhaveagreatmanywormsinthisforest，“saidBlondet。
JustthenMichaudnoticedaredspot;amomentmoreandhesawthe，headofhisgreyhound。Hesighed。
“Thescoundrels！”hesaid。“Madamewasright。”
MichaudandBlondetexaminedthebodyandfound，justasthecountess，hadsaid，thatsomeonehadcutthegreyhound’sthroat。Topreventhis，barkinghehadbeendecoyedwithabitofmeat，whichwasstill，betweenhistongueandhispalate。
“Poorbrute;hediedofself-indulgence。”
“Likeallprinces，“saidBlondet。
“Someone，whoeveritis，hasjustgone，fearingthatwemightcatch，himorher，“saidMichaud。“Aseriousoffencehasbeencommitted。But，forallthat，Iseenobranchesaboutandnoloppedtrees。”
Blondetandthebailiffbeganacautioussearch，lookingateachspot，wheretheysettheirfeetbeforesettingthem。PresentlyBlondet，pointedtoatreebeneathwhichthegrasswasflatteneddownandtwo，hollowsmade。
“Someonekneltthere，anditmusthavebeenawoman，foramanwould，nothaveleftsuchaquantityofflattenedgrassaroundtheimpression，ofhistwoknees;yes，see！thatistheoutlineofapetticoat。”
Thebailiff，afterexaminingthebaseofthetree，foundthebeginning，ofaholebeneaththebark;buthedidnotfindthewormwiththe，toughskin，shinyandsquamous，coveredwithbrownspecks，endingina，tailnotunlikethatofacockchafer，andhavingalsothelatter’s，head，antennae，andthetwovigoroushooksorshearswithwhichthe，creaturecutsintothewood。
“Mydearfellow，“saidBlondet，“nowIunderstandtheenormousnumber，ofDEADtreesthatInoticedthismorningfromtheterraceofthe，chateau，andwhichbroughtmeheretofindoutthecauseofthe，phenomenon。Wormsareatwork;buttheyarenootherthanyour，peasants。”
Thebailiffgaveventtoanoathandrushedoff，followedbyBlondet，torejointhecountess，whomherequestedtotakehiswifehomewith，her。ThenhejumpedonJoseph’shorse，leavingthemantoreturnon，foot，anddisappearedwithgreatrapiditytocutofftheretreatof，thewomanwhohadkilledhisdog，hopingtocatchherwiththebloody，bill-hookinherhandandthetoolusedtomaketheincisionsinthe，barkofthetree。
“Letusgoandtellthegeneralatonce，beforehebreakfasts，“cried，thecountess;“hemightdieofanger。”
“I’llpreparehim，“saidBlondet。
“Theyhavekilledthedog，“saidOlympe，intears。
“Youlovedthepoorgreyhound，dear，enoughtoweepforhim？”saidthe，countess。
“IthinkofPrinceasawarning;Ifearsomedangertomyhusband。”
“Howtheyhaveruinedthisbeautifulmorningforus，“saidthe，countess，withanadorablelittlepout。
“Howtheyhaveruinedthecountry，“saidOlympe，gravely。
Theymetthegeneralnearthechateau。
“Wherehaveyoubeen？”heasked。
“Youshallknowinaminute，“saidBlondet，mysteriously，ashehelped，thecountessandMadameMichaudtoalight。Amomentmoreandthetwo，gentlemenwerealoneontheterraceoftheapartments。
“Youhaveplentyofmoralstrength，general;youwon’tputyourselfin，apassion，willyou？”
“No，“saidthegeneral;“butcometothepointorIshallthinkyou，aremakingfunofme。”
“Doyouseethosetreeswithdeadleaves？”
“Yes。”
“Doyouseethoseothersthatarewilting？”
“Yes。”
“Well，everyoneofthemhasbeenkilledbythepeasantsyouthinkyou，havewonoverbyyourbenefits。”
AndBlondetrelatedtheeventsofthemorning。
ThegeneralwassopalethatBlondetwasfrightened。
“Come，curse，swear，befurious！yourself-controlmayhurtyoumore，thananger！”
“I’llgoandsmoke，“saidthegeneral，turningtowardthekiosk。
DuringbreakfastMichaudcamein;hehadfoundnoone。Sibilet，whom，thecounthadsentfor，camealso。
“MonsieurSibilet，andyou，MonsieurMichaud，aretomakeitknown，cautiously，thatIwillpayathousandfrancstowhoeverwillarrest，INTHEACTthepersonorpersonswhoarekillingmytrees;theymust，alsodiscovertheinstrumentwithwhichtheworkisdone，andwhereit，wasbought。Ihavesettleduponaplan。”
“Thosepeopleneverbetrayoneanother，“saidSibilet，“ifthecrime，doneisfortheirbenefitandpremeditated。Thereisnodenyingthat，thisdiabolicalbusinesshasbeenplanned，carefullyplannedand，contrived。”
“Yes，butathousandfrancsmeansacoupleofacresofland。”
“Wecantry，“saidSibilet;“fifteenhundredfrancsmightbuyyoua，traitor，especiallyifyoupromisesecrecy。”
“Verygood;butletusactasifwesuspectednothing，Iespecially;
ifnot，weshallbethevictimsofsomecollusion;onehastobeas，warywiththesebrigandsaswiththeenemyinwar。”
“Buttheenemyishere，“saidBlondet。
Sibiletthrewhimthefurtiveglanceofamanwhounderstoodthe，meaningofthewords，andthenhewithdrew。
“Idon’tlikeyourSibilet，“saidBlondet，whenhehadseenthe，stewardleavethehouse。“Thatmanisplayingfalse。”
“UptothistimehehasdonenothingIcouldcomplainof，“saidthe，general。
Blondetwentofftowriteletters。Hehadlostthecarelessgayetyof，hisfirstarrival，andwasnowuneasyandpreoccupied;buthehadno，vaguepresentimentslikethoseofMadameMichaud;hewas，rather，in，fullexpectationofcertainforeseenmisfortunes。Hesaidtohimself，“Thisaffairwillcometosomebadend;andifthegeneraldoesnot，takedecisiveactionandwillnotabandonabattle-fieldwhereheis，overwhelmedbynumberstheremustbeacatastrophe;andwhoknowswho，willcomeoutsafeandsound，——perhapsneitherhenorhiswife。Good，God！thatadorablelittlecreature！sodevoted，soperfect！howcanhe，exposeherthus！Hethinkshelovesher！Well，I’llsharetheir，danger，andifIcan’tsavethemI’llsufferwiththem。”
CHAPTERVIII
RURALVIRTUE
ThatnightMarieTonsardwasstationedontheroadtoSoulanges，sittingontherailofaculvertwaitingforBonnebault，whohadspent，theday，asusual，attheCafedelaPaix。Sheheardhimcomingat，somedistance，andhissteptoldherthathewasdrunk，andsheknew，alsothathehadlostmoney，forhealwayssangifhewon。
“Isthatyou，Bonnebault？”
“Yes，mygirl。”
“What’sthematter？”
“Iowetwenty-fivefrancs，andtheymaywringmynecktwenty-five，timesbeforeIcanpaythem。”
“Well，Iknowhowyoucangetfivehundred，“shesaidinhisear。
“Oh！bykillingaman;butIprefertolive。”
“Holdyourtongue。Vaudoyerwillgiveusfivehundredfrancsifyou，willlethimcatchyourmotheratatree。”
“I’dratherkillamanthansellmymother。There’syourold，grandmother;whydon’tyousellher？”
“IfItriedto，myfatherwouldgetangryandstopthetrick。”
“That’strue。Well，anyhow，mymothersha’n’tgotoprison，poorold，thing！Shecooksmyfoodandkeepsmeinclothes，I’msureIdon’t，knowhow。Gotoprison，——andthroughme！Ishouldn’thaveanybowels，withinme;no，no！Andforfearanyoneelseshouldsellher，I’ll，tellherthisverynightnottokillanymoretrees。”
“Well，myfathermaysayanddowhathelikes，butIshalltellhim，therearefivehundredfrancstobehad，andperhapshe’llaskmy，grandmotherifshe’llearnthem。They’llneverputanoldwoman，seventy-eightyearsofageinprison，——though，tobesure，she’dbe，betterofftherethaninhergarret。”
“Fivehundredfrancs！well，yes;I’llspeaktomymother，“said，Bonnebault，“andifitsuitshertogive’emtome，I’llletherhave，parttotaketoprison。Shecouldknit，andamuseherself;andshe’d，bewellfedandlodged，andhavelesstroublethanshehasatConches。
Well，to-morrow，mygirl，I’llseeyouaboutit;Ihaven’ttimeto，stopnow。”
ThenextmorningatdaybreakBonnebaultandhisoldmotherknockedat，thedooroftheGrand-I-Vert。MotherTonsardwastheonlypersonup。
“Marie！”calledBonnebault，“thatmatterissettled。”
“Youmeanaboutthetrees？”saidMotherTonsard;“yes，itisall，settled;I’vetakenit。”
“Nonsense！”criedMotherBonnebault，“mysonhasgotthepromiseofan，acreoflandfromMonsieurRigou——“
Thetwooldwomensquabbledastowhichofthemshouldbesoldbyher，children。Thenoiseofthequarrelwokeupthehousehold。Tonsardand，Bonnebaulttooksidesfortheirrespectivemothers。
“Pullstraws，“suggestedTonsard’swife。
Theshortstrawgaveitinfavorofthetavern。
Threedayslater，intheforestofVille-aux-Fayesatdaybreak，the，gendarmesarrestedoldMotherTonsardcaught“inflagrantedelicto“by，thebailiff，hisassistants，andthefield-keeper，witharustyfile，whichservedtotearthetree，andachisel，usedbythedelinquentto，scooproundthebarkjustastheinsectboresitsway。Theindictment，statedthatsixtytreesthusdestroyedwerefoundwithinaradiusof，fivehundredfeet。TheoldwomanwassenttoAuxerre，thecasecoming，underthejurisdictionoftheassize-court。
MichaudcouldnotrefrainfromsayingwhenhediscoveredMother，Tonsardatthefootofthetree：“Thesearethepersonsonwhomthe，generalandMadamelacomtessehaveshoweredbenefits！Faith，if，Madamewouldonlylistentome，shewouldn’tgivethatdowrytothe，Tonsardgirl，whoismoreworthlessthanhergrandmother。”
Theoldwomanraisedhergrayeyesanddartedavenomouslookat，Michaud。Whenthecountlearnedwhotheguiltypersonwas，heforbade，hiswifetogivethemoneytoCatherineTonsard。
“Monsieurlecomteisperfectlyright，“saidSibilet。“Iknowthat，GodainboughtthatlandthreedaysbeforeCatherinecametospeakto，Madame。Sheisquitecapable，thatgirl，ofpretendingsheiswith，child，togetthemoney;verylikelyGodainhashadnothingtodowith，it。”
“Whatacommunity！”saidBlondet;“thescoundrelsofParisaresaints，bycomparison。”
“Ah，monsieur，“saidSibilet，“self-interestmakespeopleguiltyof，horrorseverywhere。Doyouknowwhobetrayedtheoldwoman？”
“No。”
“HergranddaughterMarie;shewasjealousofhersister’smarriage，andtogetthemoneyforherown——“
“Itisawful！”saidthecount。“Why！they’dmurder！”
“Ohyes，“saidSibilet，“foraverysmallsum。Theycaresolittlefor，life，thosepeople;theyhatetohavetoworkalltheirlives。Ah，monsieur，queerthingshappenincountryplaces，asqueerasthoseof，Paris，——butyouwillneverbelieveit。”
“Letusbekindandbenevolent，“saidthecountess。
TheeveningafterthearrestBonnebaultcametothetavernofthe，Grand-I-Vert，wherealltheTonsardfamilywereingreatjubilation。
“Ohyes，yes！”saidhe，“makethemostofyourrejoicing;butI’ve，justheardfromVaudoyerthatthecountess，topunishyou，withdraws，thethousandfrancspromisedtoGodain;herhusbandwon’tlethergive，them。”
“It’sthatvillainofaMichaudwhohasputhimuptoit，“said，Tonsard。“Mymotherheardhimsayhewould;shetoldmeatVille-aux-
FayeswhereIwenttocarryhersomemoneyandherclothes。Well;let，thatcountesskeephermoney！ourfivehundredfrancsshallhelp，Godainbuytheland;andwe’llrevengeourselvesforthisthing。Ha！
Michaudmeddleswithourprivatematters，doeshe？itwillbringhim，moreharmthangood。Whatbusinessisitofhis，I’dliketoknow？let，himkeeptothewoods！It’shewhoisatthebottomofallthis，trouble——hefoundthecluethatdaymymothercutthethroatofhis，dog。SupposeIweretomeddleintheaffairsofthechateau？SupposeI
weretotellthegeneralthathiswifeisoffwalkinginthewoods，beforeheisupinthemorning，withayoungman。”
“Thegeneral，thegeneral！”sneeredCourtecuisse;“theycandowhat，theylikewithhim。Butit’sMichaudwhostirshimup，themischief-
maker！afellowwhodon’tknowhisbusiness;inmyday，thingswent，differently。”
“Ah！”saidTonsard，“thosewerethegooddaysforallofus——weren’t，they，Vaudoyer？”
“Yes，“saidthelatter，“andthefactisthatifMichaudweregotrid，ofweshouldbeleftinpeace。”
“Enoughsaid，“repliedTonsard。“We’lltalkofthislater——by，moonlight——intheopenfield。”
TowardstheendofOctoberthecountessreturnedtoParis，leavingthe，generalatLesAigues。Hewasnottorejoinhertillsometimelater，butshedidnotwishtolosethefirstnightoftheItalianOpera，and，moreovershewaslonelyandbored;shemissedEmile，whowasrecalled，byhisavocations，forhehadhelpedhertopassthehourswhenthe，generalwasscouringthecountryorattendingtobusiness。
Novemberwasatruewintermonth，grayandgloomy，amixtureofsnow，andrain，frostandthaw。ThetrialofMotherTonsardhadrequired，witnessesatAuxerre，andMichaudhadgivenhistestimony。Monsieur，Rigouhadinterestedhimselffortheoldwoman，andemployedalawyer，onherbehalfwhoreliedinhisdefenceontheabsenceof，disinterestedwitnesses;butthetestimonyofMichaudandhis，assistantsandthefield-keeperwasfoundtooutweighthisobjection。
Tonsard’smotherwassentencedtofiveyears’imprisonment，andthe，lawyersaidtoherson：——
“ItwasMichaud’stestimonywhichgotherthat。”
CHAPTERIX
THECATASTROPHE
OneSaturdayevening，Courtecuisse，Bonnebault，Godain，Tonsard，his，daughters，wife，andPereFourchon，alsoVaudoyerandseveral，mechanicsweresuppingatthetavern。Themoonwasathalf-full，the，firstsnowhadmelted，andfrosthadjuststiffenedthegroundsothat，aman’sstepleftnotraces。Theywereeatingastewofharecaughtin，atrap;allweredrinkingandlaughing。Itwasthedayafterthe，weddingofCatherineandGodain，andtheweddedpairweretobe，conductedtotheirnewhome，whichwasnotfarfromthatof，Courtecuisse;forwhenRigousoldanacreoflanditwassuretobe，isolatedandclosetothewoods。CourtecuisseandVaudoyerhadbrought，theirgunstoaccompanythebride。Theneighborhoodwasotherwisefast，asleep;notalightwastobeseen;nonebuttheweddingpartywere，awake，buttheymadenoiseenough。Inthemidstofittheold，Bonnebaultwomanentered，andeveryonelookedather。
“Ithinksheisgoingtolie-in，“shewhisperedinTonsard’sear。“HE
hassaddledhishorseandisgoingforthedoctoratSoulanges。”
“Sitdown，“saidTonsard，givingherhisplaceatthetable，andgoing，himselftolieonabench。
Justthenthegallopofahorsepassingrapidlyalongtheroadwas，heard。Tonsard，Courtecuisse，andVaudoyerwentouthurriedly，andsaw，Michaudonhiswaytothevillage。
“Heknowswhathe’sabout，“saidCourtecuisse;“hecamedownbythe，terraceandhemeanstogobyBlangyandtheroad，——it’sthesafest，way。”
“Yes，“saidTonsard，“buthewillbringthedoctorbackwithhim。”
“Hewon’tfindhim，“saidCourtecuisse，“thedoctorhasbeensentfor，toConchesforthepostmistress。”
“Thenhe’llgofromSoulangestoConchesbythemail-road;that’s，shortest。”
“Andsafesttoo，forus，“saidCourtecuisse，“there’safinemoon，and，therearenokeepersontheroadsasthereareinthewoods;onecan，hearmuchfarther;anddownthere，bythepavilions，behindthe，hedges，justwheretheyjointhelittlewood，onecanaimataman，frombehind，likearabbit，atfivehundredfeet。”
“Itwillbehalf-pastelevenbeforehecomespastthere，“said，Tonsard，“itwilltakehimhalfanhourtogotoSoulangesandasmuch，moretogetback，——butlookhere！supposeMonsieurGourdonwereonthe，road？”
“Don’ttroubleaboutthat，“saidCourtecuisse，“I’llstandtenminutes，awayfromyoutotherightontheroadtowardsBlangy，andVaudoyer，willbetenminutesawayonyourlefttowardsConches;ifanything，comesalong，themail，orthegendarmes，orwhateveritis，we’llfire，ashotintotheground，——amuffledsound，you’llknowit。”
“ButsupposeImisshim？”saidTonsard。
“He’sright，“saidCourtecuisse，“I’mthebestshot;Vaudoyer，I’llgo，withyou;Bonnebaultmaywatchinmyplace;hecangiveacry;that’s，easierheardandlesssuspicious。”
Allthreereturnedtothetavernandtheweddingfestivitieswenton;
butabouteleveno’clockVaudoyer，Courtecuisse，Tonsard，and，Bonnebaultwentout，carryingtheirguns，thoughnoneofthewomen，tookanynoticeofthem。Theycamebackinaboutthree-quartersofan，hour，andsatdrinkingtillpastoneo’clock。Tonsard’sgirlsand，theirmotherandtheoldBonnebaultwomanhadpliedthemiller，the，mechanics，andthetwopeasants，aswellasFourchon，withsomuch，drinkthattheywereallonthegroundandsnoringwhenthefourmen，leftthetavern;ontheirreturn，thesleeperswereshakenandroused，andeveryoneseemedtothem，asbefore，inhisplace。
WhilethisorgywasgoingonMichaud’shouseholdwasinasceneof，mortalanxiety。Olympehadfeltfalsepains，andherhusband，thinking，shewasabouttobedelivered，rodeoffinstantlyinhasteforthe，doctor。Butthepoorwoman’spainsceasedassoonassherealizedthat，Michaudwasgone;forhermindwassopreoccupiedbythedangerher，husbandranatthathourofthenight，inalawlessregionfilledwith，determinedfoes，thattheanguishofhersoulwaspowerfulenoughto，deadenandmomentarilysubduethoseofthebody。Invainherservant-
womandeclaredherfearswereimaginary;sheseemednottocomprehend，awordthatwassaidtoher，andsatbythefireinherbed-chamber，listeningtoeverysound。Inherterror，whichincreasedeverymoment，shehadthemanwakened，meaningtogivehimsomeorderwhichstill，shedidnotgive。Atlast，thepoorwomanwanderedupanddown，coming，andgoinginfeverishagitation;shelookedoutofallthewindowsand，openedtheminspiteofthecold;thenshewentdownstairsandopened，thedoorintothecourtyard，lookingoutandlistening。“Nothing！
nothing！”shesaid。Thenshewentupagainindespair。Aboutaquarter，pasttwelve，shecriedout：“Hereheis！Ihearthehorse！”Againshe，wentdown，followedbythemanwhowenttoopentheirongateofthe，courtyard。“Itisstrange，“shesaid，“thatheshouldreturnbythe，Concheswoods！”
Asshespokeshestoodstill，horrorstruck，motionless，voiceless。The，mansharedherterror，for，inthefuriousgallopofthehorse，the，clangoftheemptystirrups，theneighofthefrightenedanimal，there，wassomething，theyscarcelyknewwhat，ofunspeakablewarning。Soon，toosoonfortheunhappywife，thehorsereachedthegate，pantingand，sweating，butalone;hehadbrokenthebridle，nodoubtbyentangling，it。Olympegazedwithhaggardeyesattheservantasheopenedthe，gate;shesawthehorse，andthen，withoutaword，sherantothe，chateaulikeamadwoman;whenshereacheditshefelltotheground，beneaththegeneral’swindowscryingout：“Monsieur，theyhave，murderedhim！”
Thecrywassoterribleitawokethecount;herangviolently，bringingthewholehouseholdtotheirfeet;andthegroansofMadame，Michaud，whoasshelayontheground，gavebirthtoachildthatdied，inbeingborn，broughtthegeneralandalltheservantsabouther。
Theyraisedthepoordyingwoman，whoexpired，sayingtothegeneral：
“Theyhavemurderedhim！”
“Joseph！”criedthecounttohisvalet，“goforthedoctor;theremay，yetbetimetosaveher。No，betterbringthecurate;thepoorwoman，isdead，andherchildtoo。MyGod！myGod！howthankfulIamthatmy，wifeisnothere。Andyou，“hesaidtothegardener，“goandfindout，whathashappened。”
“Icantellyou，“saidthepavilionservant，comingup，“Monsieur，Michaud’shorsehascomebackalone，thereinsbroke，hislegsbloody;
andthere’saspotofbloodonthesaddle。”
“Whatcanbedoneatthistimeofnight？”criedthecount。“Callup，Groison，sendforthekeepers，saddlethehorses;we’llbeatthe，country。”
Bydaybreak，eightpersons——thecount，Groison，thethreekeepers，and，twogendarmessentfromSoulangeswiththeirsergeant——searchedthe，country。Itwasnottillthemiddleofthemorningthattheyfoundthe，bodyofthebailiffinacopsebetweenthemail-roadandthesmaller，roadleadingtoVille-aux-Fayes，attheendoftheparkofLesAigues，notfarfromConches。Twogendarmesstarted，onetoVille-aux-Fayes，fortheprosecutingattorney，theothertoSoulangesforthejustice，ofthepeace。Meantimethegeneral，assistedbythesergeant，noted，downthefacts。Theyfoundontheroad，justabovethetwopavilions，theprintofthestampingofthehorse’sfeetasheroared，andthe，tracesofhisfrightenedgallopfromtheretothefirstopeninginthe，woodsabovethehedge。Thehorse，nolongerguided，turnedintothe，wood-path。Michaud’shatwasfoundthere。Theanimalevidentlytook，thenearestwaytoreachhisstable。Thebailiffhadaballthoughhis，backwhichbrokethespine。
Groisonandthesergeantstudiedthegroundaroundthespotwherethe，horserearedwhichmightbecalled，injudiciallanguage，thetheatre，ofthecrimewithremarkablesagacity，butwithoutobtainingany，clue。Theearthwastoofrozentoshowthefootprintsofthemurderer，andalltheyfoundwasthepaperofacartridge。Whentheattorneyand，thejudgeandMonsieurGourdon，thedoctor，arrivedandraisedthe，bodytomaketheautopsy，itwasfoundthattheball，which，correspondedwiththefragmentsofthewad，wasanammunitionball，evidentlyfromamilitarymusket;andnosuchmusketexistedinthe，districtofBlangy。ThejudgeandMonsieurSoudrytheattorney，who，camethateveningtothechateau，thoughtitbesttocollectallthe，factsandawaitevents。Thesameopinionwasexpressedbythesergeant，andthelieutenantofthegendarmerie。
“Itisimpossiblethatitcanbeanythingbutaplannedattackonthe，partofthepeasants，“saidthesergeant;“buttherearetwo，districts，ConchesandBlangy，ineachofwhichtherearefiveorsix，personscapableofbeingconcernedinthemurder。TheonethatI
suspectmost，Tonsard，passedthenightcarousingintheGrand-I-Vert;
butyourassistant，general，themillerLanglume，wasthere，andhe，saysthatTonsarddidnotleavethetavern。Theywereallsodrunk，theycouldnotstand;theytookthebridehomeathalf-pastone;and，thereturnofthehorseprovesthatMichaudwasmurderedbetween，eleveno’clockandmidnight。AtaquarterpasttenGroisonsawthe，wholecompanyassembledattable，andMonsieurMichaudpassedthereon，hiswaytoSoulanges，whichhereachedateleven。Hishorsereared，betweenthetwopavilionsonthemail-road;buthemayhavebeenshot，beforereachingBlangyandyethavestayedinthesaddleforsome，littletime。Weshouldhavetoissuewarrantsforatleasttwenty，personsandarrestthem;butIknowthesepeasants，andsodothese，gentlemen;youmightkeepthemayearinprisonandyouwouldget，nothingoutofthembutdenials。Whatcouldyoudowithallthosewho，wereatTonsard’s？”
TheysentforLanglume，themiller，andtheassistantofGeneral，Montcornetasmayor;herelatedwhathadtakenplaceinthetavern，andgavethenamesofallpresent;nonehadgoneoutexceptfora，minuteortwointothecourtyard。Hehadlefttheroomforamoment，withTonsardabouteleveno’clock;theyhadspokenofthemoonandthe，weather，andheardnothing。Attwoo’clockthewholepartyhadtaken，thebrideandbridegroomtotheirownhouse。
Thegeneralarrangedwiththesergeant，thelieutenant，andthecivil，authoritiestosendtoParisforthecleverestdetectiveinthe，serviceofthepolice，whoshouldcometothechateauasaworkman，andbehavesoillastobedismissed;heshouldthentaketodrinking，andfrequenttheGrand-I-Vertandremainintheneighborhoodinthe，characterofanill-wishertothegeneral。Thebestplantheycould，followwastowatchandwaitforamomentaryrevelation，andthenmake，themostofit。
“IfIhavetospendtwentythousandfrancsI’lldiscoverthemurderer，ofmypoorMichaud，“thegeneralwasneverwearyofsaying。
Hewentoffwiththatideainhishead，andreturnedfromParisinthe，monthofJanuarywithoneoftheshrewdestsatellitesofthechiefof，thedetectivepolice，whowasbroughtdownostensiblytodosomework，totheinteriorofthechateau。Themanwasdiscoveredpoaching。He，wasarrested，andturnedoff，andsoonafter——earlyinFebruary——the，generalrejoinedhiswifeinParis。
CHAPTERX
THETRIUMPHOFTHEVANQUISHED
OneeveninginthemonthofMay，whenthefineweatherhadcomeand，theParisianshadreturnedtoLesAigues，MonsieurdeTroisville，——who，hadbeenpersuadedtoaccompanyhisdaughter，——Blondet，theAbbe，Brossette，thegeneral，andthesub-prefectofVille-aux-Fayes，who，wasonavisittothechateau，wereallplayingeitherwhistorchess。
Itwasabouthalf-pasteleveno’clockwhenJosephenteredandtoldhis，masterthattheworthlesspoachingworkmanwhohadbeendismissed，wantedtoseehim，——somethingaboutabillwhichhesaidthegeneral，stillowedhim。“Heisverydrunk，“addedJoseph。
“Verygood，I’llgoandspeaktohim。”
Thegeneralwentoutuponthelawntosomedistancefromthehouse。
“Monsieurlecomte，“saidthedetective，“nothingwilleverbegotout，ofthesepeople。AllthatIhavebeenabletogatheristhatifyou，continuetostayinthisplaceandtrytomakethepeasantsrenounce，thepilferinghabitswhichMademoiselleLaguerreallowedthemto，acquire，theywillshootyouaswellasyourbailiff。Thereisnouse，inmystayinghere;fortheydistrustmeevenmorethantheydothe，keepers。”
Thecountpaidhisspy，wholefttheplacethenextday，andhis，departurejustifiedthesuspicionsentertainedabouthimbythe，accomplicesinthedeathofMichaud。
Whenthegeneralreturnedtothesalonthereweresuchsignsof，emotionuponhisfacethathiswifeaskedhim，anxiously，whatnewshe，hadjustheard。
“Dearwife，“hesaid，“Idon’twanttofrightenyou，andyetitis，rightyoushouldknowthatMichaud’sdeathwasintendedasawarning，forustoleavethispartofthecountry。”
“IfIwereinyourplace，“saidMonsieurdeTroisville，“Iwouldnot，leaveit。ImyselfhavehadjustsuchdifficultiesinNormandy，only，underanotherform;Ipersistedinmycourse，andnoweverythinggoes，well。”
“Monsieurlemarquis，“saidthesub-prefect，“NormandyandBurgundy，aretwoverydifferentregions。Thegrapeheatsthebloodfarmore，thantheapple。Weknowmuchlessoflawandlegalproceedings;we，liveamongthewoods;thelargeindustriesareunknownamongus;we，arestillsavages。IfImightgivemyadvicetoMonsieurlecomteit，wouldbetosellthisestateandputthemoneyintheFunds;hewould，doublehisincomeandhavenoanxieties。Ifhelikeslivinginthe，countryhecouldbuyachateaunearPariswithaparkasbeautifulas，thatofLesAigues，surroundedbywalls，wherenoonecanannoyhim，andwherehecanletallhisfarmsandreceivethemoneyingoodbank-
bills，andhavenolawsuitsfromoneyear’sendtoanother。Hecould，comeandgointhreeorfourhours，andMonsieurBlondetandMonsieur，lemarquiswouldnotbesooftenawayfromyou，Madamelacomtesse。”
“I，retreatbeforethepeasantrywhenIdidnotrecoilbeforethe，Danube！”criedthegeneral。
“Yes，butwhatbecameofyourcuirassiers？”askedBlondet。
“Suchafineestate！”
“Itwillsellto-dayforovertwomillions。”
“Thechateaualonemusthavecostthat，“remarkedMonsieurde，Troisville。
“Oneofthebestpropertiesinacircumferenceofsixtymiles，“said，thesub-prefect;“butyoucanfindabetternearParis。”
“Howmuchincomedoesonegetfromtwomillions？”askedthecountess。
“Now-a-days，abouteightythousandfrancs，“repliedBlondet。
“LesAiguesdoesnotbringin，alltold，morethanthirtythousand，“
saidthecountess;“andlatelyyouhavebeenatsuchimmenseexpenses，——youhavesurroundedthewoodsthisyearwithditches。”
“Youcouldget，“addedBlondet，“aroyalchateauforfourhundred，thousandfrancsnearParis。Inthesedayspeoplebuythefolliesof，others。”
“IthoughtyoucaredforLesAigues！”saidthecounttohiswife。
“Don’tyoufeelthatIcareathousandtimesmoreforyourlife？”she，replied。“Besides，eversincethedeathofmypoorOlympeand，Michaud’smurderthecountryisodioustome;allthefacesImeet，seemtowearatreacherousorthreateningexpression。”
Thenexteveningthesub-prefect，havingendedhisvisitatthe，chateau，waswelcomedinthesalonofMonsieurGaubertinatVille-aux-
Fayesinthesewords：——
“Well，MonsieurdesLupeaulx，soyouhavereturnedfromLesAigues？”
“Yes，“answeredthesub-prefectwithalittleairoftriumphanda，lookoftenderregardatMademoiselleElise，“andIamverymuch，afraidtosaywemaylosethegeneral;hetalksofsellinghis，property——“
“MonsieurGaubertin，Ispeakformypavilion。Icanonlongerendure，thenoise，thedustofVille-aux-Fayes;likeapoorimprisonedbirdI
gaspfortheairofthefields，thewoodlandbreezes，“saidMadame，Isaure，inalackadaisicalvoice，withhereyeshalf-closedandher，headbendingtoherleftshoulderassheplayedcarelesslywiththe，longcurlsofherblondhair。
“Praybeprudent，madame！”saidherhusbandinalowvoice;“your，indiscretionswillnothelpmetobuythepavilion。”Then，turningto，thesub-prefect，headded，“Haven’ttheyyetdiscoveredthemenwho，wereconcernedinthemurderofthebailiff？”
“Itseemsnot，“repliedthesub-prefect。
“ThatwillinjurethesaleofLesAigues，“saidGaubertintothe，companygenerally，“IknowverywellthatIwouldnotbuytheplace。
Thepeasantryovertherearesuchabadsetofpeople;eveninthe，daysofMademoiselleLaguerreIhadtroublewiththem，andGodknows，sheletthemdoastheyliked。”
AttheendofthemonthofMaythegeneralstillgavenosignthathe，intendedtosellLesAigues;infact，hewasundecided。Onenight，aboutteno’clock，hewasreturningfromtheforestthroughoneofthe，sixavenuesthatledtothepavilionoftheRendezvous。Hedismissed，thekeeperwhoaccompaniedhim，ashewasthensonearthechateau。At，aturnoftheroadamanarmedwithaguncamefrombehindabush。
“General，“hesaid，“thisisthethirdtimeIhavehadyouattheend，ofmybarrel，andthethirdtimethatIgiveyouyourlife。”
“Whydoyouwanttokillme，Bonnebault？”saidthegeneral，without，showingtheleastemotion。
“Faith，ifIdon’t，somebodyelsewill;butI，yousee，Ilikethemen，whoservedtheEmperor，andIcan’tmakeupmymindtoshootyoulike，apartridge。Don’tquestionme，forI’lltellyounothing;butyou’ve，gotenemies，powerfulenemies，clevererthanyou，andthey’llendby，crushingyou。IamtohaveathousandcrownsifIkillyou，andthenI
canmarryMarieTonsard。Well，givemeenoughtobuyafewacresof，landandabitofacottage，andI’llkeeponsaying，asIhavedone，thatI’vefoundnochances。Thatwillgiveyoutimetosellyour，propertyandgetaway;butmakehaste。I’manhonestladstill，scamp，asIam;butanotherfellowwon’tspareyou。”
“IfIgiveyouwhatyouask，willyoutellmewhoofferedyouthose，threethousandfrancs？”saidthegeneral。
“Idon’tknowmyself;andthepersonwhoisurgingmetodothething，issomeoneIlovetoowelltotellof。Besides，evenifyoudidknow，itwasMarieTonsard，thatwouldn’thelpyou;MarieTonsardwouldbe，assilentasthatwall，andIshoulddenyeverywordI’vesaid。”
“Comeandseemeto-morrow，“saidthegeneral。
“Enough，“repliedBonnebault;“andiftheybegintosayI’mtoo，dilatory，I’llletyouknowintime。”
Aweekafterthatsingularconversationthewholearrondissement，indeedthewholedepartment，wascoveredwithposters，advertisingthe，saleofLesAiguesattheofficeofMaitreCorbineau，thenotaryof，Soulanges。AllthelotswereknockeddowntoRigou，andthepricepaid，amountedtotwomillionsfivehundredthousandfrancs。Thenextday，Rigouhadthenameschanged;MonsieurGaubertintookthewoods，Rigou，andSoudrythevineyardsandthefarms。Thechateauandtheparkwere，soldoveragaininsmalllotsamongthesonsofthesoil，the，peasantry，——exceptingthepavilion，itsdependencies，andfifty，surroundingacres，whichMonsieurGaubertinretainedasagifttohis，poeticandsentimentalspouse。
*
Manyyearsaftertheseevents，duringtheyear1837，oneofthemost，remarkablepoliticalwritersoftheday，EmileBlondet，reachedthe，laststagesofapovertywhichhehadsofarhiddenbeneathanoutward，appearanceofeaseandelegance。Hewasthinkingoftakingsome，desperatestep，realizing，ashedid，thathiswritings，hismind，his，knowledge，hisabilityforthedirectionofaffairs，hadmadehim，nothingbetterthanamerefunctionary，mechanicallyservingtheends，ofothers;seeingthateveryavenuewasclosedtohimandallplaces，taken;feelingthathehadreachedmiddle-lifewithoutfameand，withoutfortune;thatfoolsandmiddle-classmenofnotraininghad，takentheplacesofthecourtiersandincapablesoftheRestoration，andthatthegovernmentwasreconstitutedsuchasitwasbefore1830。
Oneevening，whenhehadcomeverynearcommittingsuicideafollyhe，hadsooftenlaughedat，whilehismindtravelledbackoverhis，miserableexistencecalumniatedandworndownwithtoilfarmorethan，withthedissipationschargedagainsthim，thenobleandbeautiful，faceofawomanrosebeforehiseyes，likeastatuerisingpureand，unbrokenamidthesaddestruins。Justthentheporterbroughthima，lettersealedwithblackfromtheComtessedeMontcornet，tellinghim，ofthedeathofherhusband，whohadagaintakenserviceinthearmy，andcommandedadivision。Thecounthadleftherhisproperty，andshe，hadnochildren。Theletter，thoughdignified，showedBlondetvery，plainlythatthewomanoffortywhomhehadlovedinhisyouthoffered，himafriendlyhandandalargefortune。
AfewdaysagothemarriageoftheComtessedeMontcornetwith，MonsieurBlondet，appointedprefectinoneofthedepartments，was，celebratedinParis。Ontheirwaytotakepossessionofthe，prefecture，theyfollowedtheroadwhichledpastwhathadformerly，beenLesAigues。Theystoppedthecarriagenearthespotwherethetwo，pavilionshadoncestood，wishingtoseetheplacessofulloftender，memoriesforeach。Thecountrywasnolongerrecognizable。The，mysteriouswoods，theparkavenues，allwereclearedaway;the，landscapelookedlikeatailor’spattern-card。Thesonsofthesoil，hadtakenpossessionoftheearthasvictorsandconquerors。Itwas，cutupintoathousandlittlelots，andthepopulationhadtripled，betweenConchesandBlangy。Thelevellingandcultivationofthenoble，park，oncesocarefullytended，sodelightfulinitsbeauty，threw，intoisolatedreliefthepavilionoftheRendezvous，nowtheVilla，Buen-RetiroofMadameIsaureGaubertin;itwastheonlybuildingleft，standing，anditcommandedthewholelandscape，oraswemightbetter，callit，thestretchofcornfieldswhichnowconstitutedthe，landscape。Thebuildingseemedmagnifiedintoachateau，somiserable，werethelittlehouseswhichthepeasantshadbuiltaroundit。
“Thisisprogress！”criedEmile。“ItisapageoutofJean-Jacques’
’SocialCompact’！andI——Iamharnessedtothesocialmachinethat，worksit！GoodGod！whatwillthekingsbesoon？Morethanthat，what，willthenationsthemselvesbefiftyyearshenceunderthisstateof，things？”
“Butyouloveme;youarebesideme。Ithinkthepresentdelightful。
WhatdoIcareforsuchadistantfuture？”saidhiswife。
“Ohyes！byyourside，hurrahforthepresent！”criedthelover，gayly，“andthedeviltakethefuture。”
Thenhesignedtothecoachman，andasthehorsessprangforwardalong，theroad，theweddedpairreturnedtotheenjoymentoftheir，honeymoon。
1845。
End