Theaccent，gesture，andlookwithwhichthewordsweresaidmadethisansweroneofthosesublimethingswhichonlyneedawiderstagetomakethemfamous。
Afewmomentslateroldd’HauteserrewassayingtotheMarquisdeChargeboeuf:\"WhateffortsIhavemadeformytwounfortunatesons！I
havealreadylaidbyintheFundsenoughtogivethemeightthousandfrancsayear。Iftheyhadonlybeenwillingtoserveinthearmytheywouldhavereachedthehighergradesbythistime，andcouldnowhavemarriedtoadvantage。Insteadofthat，allmyplansarescatteredtothewinds！\"
\"Howcanyou，\"saidhiswife，\"thinkoftheirinterestswhenitisaquestionoftheirhonorandtheirlives？\"
\"Monsieurd’Hauteserrethinksofeverything，\"saidthemarquis。
CHAPTERXVI
MARTHEINVEIGLED
WhilethemastersofCinq-CygnewerewaitingatTroyesfortheopeningofthetrialbeforetheCriminalcourtandvainlysolicitingpermissiontoseetheprisoners，aneventoftheutmostimportancehadtakenplaceatthechateau。
MarthereturnedtoCinq-Cygneassoonasshehadgivenhertestimonybeforetheindictingjury。ThistestimonywassoinsignificantthatitwasnotthoughtnecessarytosummonherbeforetheCriminalcourt。
Likeallpersonsofextremesensibility，thepoorwomansatsilentinthesalon，whereshekeptcompanywithMademoiselleGoujet，inapitiablestateofstupefaction。Toher，astotheabbe，andindeedtoallotherswhodidnotknowhowtheaccusedhadbeenemployedonthatday，theirinnocenceseemeddoubtful。ThereweremomentswhenMarthebelievedthatMichuandhismastersandLaurencehadexecutedvengeanceonthesenator。TheunhappywomannowknewMichu’sdevotionwellenoughtobecertainthathewastheonewhowouldbemostindanger，notonlybecauseofhisantecedents，butbecauseoftheparthewassuretohavetakenintheexecutionofthescheme。
TheAbbeGoujetandhissisterandMarthewerebewilderedamongthepossibilitiestowhichthisopiniongaverise；andyet，intheprocessofthinkingthemover，theirmindsinsensiblytookholdoftheminacertainway。TheabsolutedoubtwhichDescartesdemandscannomoreexistinthebrainofamanthanavacuumcanexistinnature，andthementaloperationrequiredtoproduceitwould，liketheeffectofapneumaticmachine，beexceptionalandanomalous。Whateveracasemaybe，themindbelievesinsomething。NowMarthewassoafraidthattheaccusedwereguiltythatherfearbecameequivalenttobelief；andthisconditionofhermindprovedfataltoher。
Fivedaysafterthearrests，justasshewasintheactofgoingtobedaboutteno’clockatnight，shewascalledfromthecourtyardbyhermother，whohadcomefromthefarmonfoot。
\"AlaboringmanfromTroyeswantstospeaktoyou；heissentbyMichu，andiswaitinginthecoveredway，\"shesaidtoMarthe。
Theypassedthroughthebreachsoastotaketheshortestpath。InthedarknessitwasimpossibleforMarthetodistinguishanythingmorethantheformofapersonwhichloomedthroughtheshadows。
\"Speak，madame；sothatImaybecertainyouarereallyMadameMichu，\"
saidtheperson，inaratheranxiousvoice。
\"IamMadameMichu，\"saidMarthe；\"whatdoyouwantofme？\"
\"Verygood，\"saidtheunknown，\"givemeyourhand；donotfearme。I
come，\"headded，leaningtowardsherandspeakinglow，\"fromMichuwithanoteforyou。Iamemployedattheprison，andifmysuperiorsdiscovermyabsenceweshallallbelost。Trustme；yourgoodfatherplacedmewhereIam。ForthatreasonMichucountedonmyhelpinghim。\"
HeputtheletterintoMarthe’shandanddisappearedtowardtheforestwithoutwaitingforananswer。Marthetrembledatthethoughtthatshewasnowtohearthesecretofthemystery。Sherantothefarmwithhermotherandshutherselfuptoreadthefollowingletter:——
MydearMarthe，——Youcanrelyonthediscretionofthemanwhowillgiveyouthisletter；hedoesnotknowhowtoreadortowrite。HeisastanchRepublican，andsharedinBaboeuf’sconspiracy；yourfatheroftenmadeuseofhim，andheregardsthesenatorasatraitor。Now，mydearwife，attendtomydirections。
Thesenatorhasbeenshutupbyusinthecavewhereourmasterswerehidden。Thepoorcreaturehadprovisionsforonlyfivedays，andasitisourinterestthatheshouldlive，Iwishyou，assoonasyoureceivethisletter，totakehimfoodforatleastfivedaysmore。Theforestisofcoursewatched；thereforetakeasmanyprecautionsasweformerlydidforouryoungmasters。Don’tsayawordtoMalin；don’tspeaktohim；andputononeofourmaskswhichyouwillfindonthestepswhichleaddowntothecave。
UnlessyouwishtocompromiseourheadsyoumustbeabsolutelysilentaboutthisletterandthesecretIhavenowconfidedtoyou。Don’tsayawordtoMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，whomighttellofit。Don’tfearforme。Wearecertainthatthematterwillturnoutwell；whenthetimecomesMalinhimselfwillsaveus。I
don’tneedtotellyoutoburnthisletterassoonasyouhavereadit，foritwouldcostmemyheadifalineofitwereseen。I
kissyoufornowandalways，Michu。
TheexistenceofthecavewasknownonlytoMarthe，herson，Michu，thefourgentlemen，andLaurence；orrather，Marthe，towhomherhusbandhadnotrelatedtheincidentofhismeetingwithPeyradeandCorentin，believeditwasknownonlytothem。Hadsheconsultedhermistressandthetwolawyers，whoknewtheinnocenceoftheprisoners，theshrewdBordinwouldhavegainedsomelightupontheperfidioustrapwhichwasevidentlylaidforhisclients。ButMarthe，actinglikemostwomenunderafirstimpulse，wasconvincedbythisproofwhichcametoherowneyes，andflungtheletterintothefireasdirected。
Nevertheless，movedbyasingulargleamofcaution，shecaughtaportionofitfromtheflames，toreoffthefivefirstlines，whichcompromisednoone，andsewedthemintothehemofherdress。
Terrifiedatthethoughtthattheprisonerhadbeenwithoutfoodfortwenty-fourhours，sheresolvedtocarrybread，meat，andwinetohimatonce；curiositywaswellashumanitypermittingnodelay。
Accordingly，sheheatedherovenandmade，withhermother’shelp，a/pate/ofhareandducks，aricecake，roastedtwofowls，selectedthreebottlesofwine，andbakedtwoloavesofbread。Abouttwointhemorningshestartedfortheforest，carryingtheloadonherback，accompaniedbyCouraut，whoinallsuchexpeditionsshowedwonderfulsagacityasaguide。Hescentedstrangersatimmensedistances，andassoonashewascertainoftheirpresencehereturnedtohismistresswithalowgrowl，lookingatherfixedlyandturninghismuzzleinthedirectionofthedanger。
Marthereachedthepondaboutthreeinthemorning，andleftthedogassentinelonthebank。Afterhalfanhour’slaborinclearingtheentranceshecamewithadarklanterntothedoorofthecave，herfacecoveredwithamask，whichshehadfound，asdirected，onthesteps。Theimprisonmentofthesenatorseemedtohavebeenlongpremeditated。Aholeaboutafootsquare，whichMarthehadneverseenbefore，wasroughlycutintheupperpartoftheirondoorwhichclosedthecave；butinordertopreventMalinfromusingthetimeandpatienceallprisonershaveattheircommandinlooseningtheironbarwhichheldthedoor，itwassecurelyfastenedwithapadlock。
Thesenator，whohadrisenfromhisbedofmoss，sighedwhenhesawthemaskedfaceandfeltthattherewasnochancethenofhisdeliverance。HeexaminedMarthe，asmuchashecouldbytheunsteadylightofherdarklantern，andherecognizedherbyherclothes，herstoutness，andhermotions。Whenshepassedthe/pate/throughthedoorhedroppedittoseizeherhandandthen，withgreatswiftness，hetriedtopulltheringsfromherfingers，——oneherwedding-ring，theotheragiftfromMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。
\"Youcannotdenythatitisyou，mydearMadameMichu，\"hesaid。
Martheclosedherfistthemomentshefelthisfingers，andgavehimavigorousblowinthechest。Then，withoutaword，sheturnedawayandcutastick，attheendofwhichsheheldouttothesenatortherestoftheprovisions。
\"Whatdotheywantofme？\"heasked。
Marthedepartedgivinghimnoanswer。Byfiveo’clockshehadreachedtheedgeoftheforestandwaswarnedbyCourautofthepresenceofstrangers。Sheretracedherstepsandmadeforthepavilionwhereshehadlivedsolong；butjustassheenteredtheavenueshewasseenfromafarbytheforesterofGondreville，andshequicklyreflectedthatherbestplanwastogostraightuptohim。
\"Youareoutearly，MadameMichu，\"hesaid，accostingher。
\"Wearesounfortunate，\"shereplied，\"thatIamobligedtodoaservant’sworkmyself。IamgoingtoBellacheforsomegrain。\"
\"Haven’tyouanyatCinq-Cygne？\"saidtheforester。
Marthemadenoanswer。ShecontinuedonherwayandreachedthefarmatBellache，wheresheaskedBeauvisagetogivehersomeseed-grain，sayingthatMonsieurd’Hauteserreadvisedhertogetitfromhimtorenewhercrop。AssoonasMarthehadleftthefarm，theforesterwenttheretofindoutwhatsheaskedfor。
Sixdayslater，Marthe，determinedtobeprudent，wentatmidnightwithherprovisionssoastoavoidthekeeperswhowereevidentlypatrollingtheforest。Aftercarryingathirdsupplytothesenatorshesuddenlybecameterrifiedonhearingtheabbereadaloudthepublicexaminationoftheprisoners，——forthetrialwasbythattimebegun。Shetooktheabbeaside，andafterobliginghimtoswearthathewouldkeepthesecretshewasabouttorevealasthoughitwassaidtohimintheconfessional，sheshowedhimthefragmentsofMichu’sletter，toldhimthecontentsofit，andalsothesecretofthehiding-placewherethesenatorthenwas。
Theabbeatonceinquiredifshehadotherlettersfromherhusbandthathemightcomparethewriting。Marthewenttoherhometofetchthemandtherefoundasummonstoappearincourt。Bythetimeshereturnedtothechateautheabbeandhissisterhadreceivedasimilarsummonsonbehalfofthedefence。TheywereobligedthereforetostartforTroyesimmediately。Thusallthepersonagesofourdrama，eventhosewhowereonly，asitwere，supernumeraries，werecollectedonthespotwherethefateofthetwofamilieswasabouttobedecided。
CHAPTERXVII
THETRIAL
TherearebutfewlocalitiesinFrancewhereLawderivesfromoutwardappearancethedignitywhichoughtalwaystoaccompanyit。Yetitsurelyis，afterreligionandroyalty，thegreatestengineofsociety。
Everywhere，eveninParis，themeannessofitssurroundings，thewretchedarrangementofthecourtrooms，theirbarrennessandwantofdecorationinthemostornateandshowynationuponearthinthematterofitspublicmonuments，lessenstheactionofthelaw’smightypower。Atthefartherendofsomeoblongroommaybeseenadeskwithagreenbaizecoveringraisedonaplatform；behinditsitthejudgesonthecommonestofarm-chairs。Totheleft，istheseatofthepublicprosecutor，andbesidehim，closetothewall，isalongpenfilledwithchairsforthejury。Oppositetothejuryisanotherpenwithabenchfortheprisonersandthegendarmeswhoguardthem。Theclerkofthecourtsitsbelowtheplatformatatablecoveredwiththepapersofthecase。Beforetheimperialchangesintheadministrationofjusticewereinstituted，acommissaryofthegovernmentandthedirectorofthejuryeachhadaseatandatable，onetotheright，theothertotheleftofthebaize-covereddesk。Twosheriffshoveredaboutinthespaceleftinfrontofthedeskforthestationofwitnesses。Facingthejudgesandagainstthewallabovetheentrance，thereisalwaysashabbygalleryreservedforofficialsandforwomen，towhichadmittanceisgrantedonlybythepresidentofthecourt，towhomthepropermanagementofthecourtroombelongs。Thenon-
privilegedpublicarecompelledtostandintheemptyspacebetweenthedoorofthehallandthebar。ThisnormalappearanceofallFrenchlawcourtsandassize-roomswasthatoftheCriminalcourtofTroyes。
InApril，1806，neitherthefourjudgesnorthepresidentorchief-
justicewhomadeupthecourt，northepublicprosecutor，thedirectorofthejury，thecommissaryofthegovernment，northesheriffsorlawyers，infactnooneexceptthegendarmes，woreanyrobesorotherdistinctivesignwhichmighthaverelievedthenakednessofthesurroundingsandthesomewhatmeagreaspectofthefigures。Thecrucifixwassuppressed；itsexamplewasnolongerheldupbeforetheeyesofjusticeandofguilt。Allwasdullandvulgar。
Theparaphernaliasonecessarytoexcitesocialinterestisperhapsaconsolationtocriminals。Onthisoccasiontheeagernessofthepublicwaswhatithaseverbeenandeverwillbeintrialsofthiskind，solongasFrancerefusestorecognizethattheadmissionofthepublictothecourtsinvolvespublicity，andthatthepublicitygiventotrialsisaterriblepenaltywhichwouldneverhavebeeninflictedhadlegislatorsreflectedonit。Customsareoftenmorecruelthanlaws。
Customsarethedeedsofmen，butlawsarethejudgmentofanation。
Customsinwhichthereisoftennojudgmentarestrongerthanlaws。
Crowdssurroundedthecourtroom；thepresidentwasobligedtostationsquadsofsoldierstoguardthedoors。Theaudience，standingbelowthebar，wassocrowdedthatpersonssuffocated。MonsieurdeGrandville，defendingMichu，Bordin，defendingtheSimeusebrothers，andalawyerofTroyeswhoappearedforthed’Hauteserres，wereintheirseatsbeforetheopeningofthecourt；theirfacesworealookofconfidence。Whentheprisonerswerebroughtin，sympatheticmurmurswereheardattheappearanceoftheyoungmen，whosefaces，intwentydays’imprisonmentandanxiety，hadsomewhatpaled。Theperfectlikenessofthetwinsexcitedthedeepestinterest。PerhapsthespectatorsthoughtthatNaturewouldexercisesomespecialprotectioninthecaseofherownanomalies，andfeltreadytojoininrepairingtheharmdonetothembydestiny。Theirnoble，simplefaces，showingnosignsofshame，stilllessofbravado，touchedthewomen’shearts。
ThefourgentlemenandGothardworetheclothesinwhichtheyhadbeenarrested；butMichu，whosecoatandtrouserswereamongthe\"articlesoftestimony，\"so-called，hadputonhisbestclothes，——abluesurtout，abrownvelvetwaistcoat/ala/Robespierre，andawhitecravat。Thepoormanpaidthepenaltyofhisdangerous-lookingface。
Whenhecastaglanceofhisyelloweye，soclearandsoprofoundupontheaudience，amurmurofrepulsionansweredit。TheassemblychosetoseethefingerofGodbringinghimtothedockwherehisfather-in-lawhadsacrificedsomanyvictims。Thisman，trulygreat，lookedathismasters，repressingasmileofscorn。Heseemedtosaytothem，\"Iaminjuringyourcause。\"Fiveoftheprisonersexchangedgreetingswiththeircounsel。Gothardstillplayedthepartofanidiot。
Afterseveralchallenges，madewithmuchsagacitybythedefenceunderadviceoftheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，whoboldlytookaseatbesideBordinanddeGrandville，thejurywereempanelled，theindictmentwasread，andtheprisonerswerebroughtupseparatelytobeexamined。
Theyansweredeveryquestionwithremarkableunanimity。AfterridingabouttheforestallthemorningtheyhadreturnedtoCinq-Cygneforbreakfastatoneo’clock。Afterthatmeal，fromthreetohalf-pastfiveintheafternoon，theyhadreturnedtotheforest。Thatwasthebasisofeachtestimony；anyvariationsweremerelyindividualcircumstances。WhenthepresidentaskedtheMessieursdeSimeusewhytheyhadriddenoutsoearly，theybothdeclaredthatwishing，sincetheirreturn，tobuybackGondrevilleandintendingtomakeanoffertoMalinwhohadarrivedthenightbefore，theyhadgoneoutearlywiththeircousinandMichutomakecertainexaminationsofthepropertyonwhichtobasetheiroffer。DuringthattimetheMessieursd’Hauteserre，theircousin，andGothardhadchasedawolfwhichwasreportedintheforestbythepeasantry。Ifthedirectorofthejuryhadsoughtfortheprintsoftheirhorses’feetintheforestascarefullyasintheparkofGondreville，hewouldhavefoundproofoftheirpresenceatlongdistancesfromthehouse。
TheexaminationoftheMessieursd’Hauteserrecorroboratedthistestimony，andwasinharmonywiththeirpreliminarydispositions。Thenecessityofsomereasonfortheirridesuggestedtoeachofthemtheexcuseofhunting。Thepeasantshadgivenwarning，afewdaysearlier，ofawolfintheforest，andonthattheyhadfastenedasapretext。
Thepublicprosecutor，however，pointedoutadiscrepancybetweenthefirststatementsoftheMessieursd’Hauteserre，inwhichtheymentionedthatthewholepartyhuntedtogether，andthedefencenowmadebytheMessieursdeSimeusethattheirpurposeonthatdaywasthevaluationoftheforest。
MonsieurdeGrandvilleherecalledattentiontothefactthatasthecrimewasnotcommitteduntilaftertwoo’clockintheafternoon，theprosecutionhadnogroundtoquestiontheirwordwhentheystatedthemannerinwhichtheyhademployedtheirmorning。
Theprosecutorrepliedthattheprisonershadaninterestinconcealingtheirpreparationsfortheabductionofthesenator。
Theremarkableabilityofthedefencewasnowfelt。Judges，jurors，andaudiencebecameawarethatvictorywouldbehotlycontested。
BordinandMonsieurdeGrandvillehadstudiedtheirgroundandforeseeneverything。Innocenceisrequiredtorenderaclearandplausibleaccountofitsactions。Thedutyofthedefenceistopresentaconsistentandprobabletaleinoppositiontoaninsufficientandimprobableaccusation。Tocounselwhoregardtheirclientasinnocent，anaccusationisfalse。Thepublicexaminationofthefourgentlemensufficientlyexplainedthematterintheirfavor。
Sofarallwaswell。ButtheexaminationofMichuwasmoreserious；
theretherealstrugglebegan。ItwasnowcleartoeveryonewhyMonsieurdeGrandvillehadpreferredtotakechargeoftheservant’sdefenceratherthanthatofhismasters。
MichuadmittedhisthreatsagainstMarion；butdeniedthathehadmadethemviolently。Asfortheambushinwhichhewassupposedtohavewatchedforhisenemy，hesaidhewasmerelymakinghisroundsinhispark；thesenatorandMonsieurGrevinmightperhapshavebeenalarmedatthesightofhisgunandhavethoughthisintentionshostilewhentheywerereallyinoffensive。Hecalledattentiontothefactthatintheduskamanwhowasnotinthehabitofhuntingmighteasilyfancyagunwaspointedathim，whereas，inpointoffact，itwasheldinhishandathalf-cock。Toexplaintheconditionofhisclotheswhenarrested，hesaidhehadslippedandfalleninthebreachonhiswayhome。\"Icouldscarcelyseemyway，\"hesaid，\"andtheloosestonesslippedfromundermeasIclimbedthebank。\"AsfortheplasterwhichGothardwasbringinghim，herepliedashehaddoneinallpreviousexaminations，thathewantedittosecureoneofthestonepostsofthecoveredway。
Thepublicprosecutorandthepresidentaskedhimtoexplainhowhecouldhavebeenatthetopofthecoveredwayengagedinmendingastonepostandatthesametimeinthebreachofthemoatleadingtothechateau；moreespeciallyasthejusticeofpeace，thegendarmesandtheforesteralldeclaredtheyhadheardhimapproachthemfromthelowerroad。TothisMichurepliedthatMonsieurd’Hauteserrehadblamedhimfornothavingmendedthepost，——whichhewasanxioustohavefinishedbecausethereweredifficultiesaboutthatroadwiththetownship，——andhehadthereforegoneuptothechateautoreportthattheworkwasdone。
Monsieurd’Hauteserrehad，infact，putupafenceabovethecoveredwaytopreventthetownshipfromtakingpossessionofit。Michuseeingtheimportantpartwhichthestateofhisclotheswaslikelytoplay，inventedthissubterfuge。If，inlaw，truthisoftenlikefalsehood，falsehoodontheotherhandhasaverygreatresemblancetotruth。Thedefenceandtheprosecutionbothattachedmuchimportancetothistestimony，whichbecameoneoftheleadingpointsofthetrialonaccountofthevigorofthedefenceandthesuspicionsoftheprosecution。
Gothard，instructednodoubtbyMonsieurdeGrandville，foruptothattimehehadonlyweptwhentheyquestionedhim，admittedthatMichuhadtoldhimtocarrytheplaster。
\"WhydidneitheryounorGothardtakethejusticeofpeaceandtheforestertothestonepostandshowthemyourwork？\"saidthepublicprosecutor，addressingMichu。
\"Because，\"repliedtheman，\"Ididn’tbelievetherewasanyseriousaccusationagainstus。\"
AlltheprisonersexceptGothardwerenowremovedfromthecourtroom。
WhenGothardwasleftalonethepresidentadjuredhimtospeakthetruthforhisownsake，pointingoutthathispretendedidiocyhadcometoanend；noneofthejurorsbelievedhimimbecile；ifherefusedtoanswerthecourtherantheriskofseriouspenalty；
whereasbytellingthetruthatoncehewouldprobablybereleased。
Gothardwept，hesitated，andfinallyendedbysayingthatMichuhadtoldhimtocarryseveralsacksofplaster；butthateachtimehehadmethimnearthefarm。Hewasaskedhowmanysackshehadcarried。
\"Three，\"hereplied。
AnargumenthereuponensuedastowhetherthethreesacksincludedtheonewhichGothardwascarryingatthetimeofthearrestwhichreducedthenumberoftheothersackstotwoorwhethertherewerethreewithoutthelast。Thedebateendedinfavorofthefirstproposition，thejuryconsideringthatonlytwosackshadbeenused。
Theyappearedtohaveaforegoneconvictiononthatpoint，butBordinandMonsieurdeGrandvillejudgeditbesttosurfeitthemwithplaster，andwearythemsothoroughlywiththeargumentthattheywouldnolongercomprehendthequestion。MonsieurdeGrandvillemadeitappearthatexpertsoughttohavebeensenttoexaminethestoneposts。
\"Thedirectorofthejury，\"hesaid，\"hascontentedhimselfwithmerelyvisitingtheplace，lessforthepurposeofmakingacarefulexaminationthantotrapMichuinalie；this，inouropinion，wasafailureofduty，buttheblunderistoouradvantage。\"
OnthistheCourtappointedexpertstoexaminethepostsandseeifoneofthemhadbeenreallymendedandreset。Thepublicprosecutor，onhisside，endeavoredtomakecapitaloftheaffairbeforetheexpertscouldtestify。
\"Youseemtohavechosen，\"hesaidtoMichu，whowasnowbroughtbackintothecourtroom，\"anhourwhenthedaylightwaswaning，fromhalf-
pastfivetohalf-pastsixo’clock，tomendthispostandtocementitallalone。\"
\"Monsieurd’Hauteserrehadblamedmefornotdoingit，\"repliedMichu。
\"But，\"saidtheprosecutor，\"ifyouusedthatplasteronthepostyoumusthavehadatroughandatrowel。Now，ifyouwenttothechateautotellMonsieurd’Hauteserrethatyouhaddonethework，howdoyouexplainthefactthatGothardwasbringingyoumoreplaster。Youmusthavepassedyourfarmonyourwaytothechateau，andyouwouldnaturallyhaveleftyourtoolsathomeandstoppedGothard。\"
Thisoverwhelmingargumentproducedapainfulsilenceinthecourtroom。
\"Come，\"saidtheprosecutor，\"youhadbetteradmitatoncethatwhatyouburiedwas/notastonepost/。\"
\"Doyouthinkitwasthesenator？\"saidMichu，sarcastically。
MonsieurdeGrandvillehereupondemandedthatthepublicprosecutorshouldexplainhismeaning。Michuwasaccusedofabductionandtheconcealmentofaperson，butnotofmurder。Suchaninsinuationwasaseriousmatter。ThecodeofBrumaire，yearIV。，forbadethepublicprosecutorfrompresentinganyfreshcountatthetrial；hemustkeepwithintheindictmentortheproceedingswouldbeannulled。
ThepublicprosecutorrepliedthatMichu，thepersonchieflyconcernedintheabductionandwho，intheinterestsofhismasters，hadtakentheresponsibilityonhisownshoulders，mighthavethoughtitnecessarytoplasteruptheentranceofthehiding-place，stillundiscovered，wherethesenatorwasnowimmured。
Pressedwithquestions，hamperedbythepresenceofGothard，andbroughtintocontradictionwithhimself，Michustruckhisfistupontheedgeofthedockwitharesoundingblowandsaid:\"Ihavehadnothingwhatevertodowiththeabductionofthesenator。Ihopeandbelievehisenemieshavemerelyimprisonedhim；whenhereappearsyou’llfindoutthattheplasterwasputtonosuchuse。\"
\"Good！\"saiddeGrandville，addressingthepublicprosecutor；\"youhavedonemoreformyclient’scausethananythingIcouldhavesaid。\"
Thefirstday’ssessionendedwiththisbolddeclaration，whichsurprisedthejudgesandgaveanadvantagetothedefence。ThelawyersofthetownandBordinhimselfcongratulatedtheyoungadvocate。Theprosecutor，uneasyattheassertion，fearedthathehadfallenintosometrap；infacthewasreallycaughtinasnarethatwascleverlysetforhimbythedefenceandadmirablyplayedoffbyGothard。Thewitsofthetowndeclaredthathehadwhite-washedtheaffairandsplashedhisowncause，andhadmadetheaccusedaswhiteastheplasteritself。Franceisthedomainofsatire，whichreignssupremeinourland；Frenchmenjestonascaffold，attheBeresina，atthebarricades，andsomewilldoubtlessappearwithaquirkupontheirlipsatthegrandassizesoftheLastJudgment。
CHAPTERXVIII
TRIALCONTINUED:CRUELVICISSITUDES
Onthemorrowthewitnessesfortheprosecutionwereexamined，——MadameMarion，MadameGrevin，Grevinhimself，thesenator’svalet，andViolette，whosetestimonycanreadilybeimaginedfromthefactsalreadytold。Theyallidentifiedthefiveprisoners，withmoreorlesshesitationastothefourgentlemen，butwithabsolutecertaintyastoMichu。BeauvisagerepeatedRobertd’Hauteserre’sspeechwhenhemetthematdaybreakinthepark。ThepeasantwhohadboughtMonsieurd’Hauteserre’scalftestifiedtooverhearingthatofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。Theexperts，whohadcomparedthehoof-printswiththeshoesonthehorsesriddenbythefiveprisonersandfoundthemabsolutelyalike，confirmedtheirpreviousdepositions。ThispointwasnaturallyoneofvehementcontentionbetweenMonsieurdeGrandvilleandtheprosecutingofficer。ThedefencecalledtheblacksmithatCinq-Cygneandsucceededinprovingthathehadsoldseveralhorseshoesofthesamepatterntostrangerswhowerenotknownintheplace。Theblacksmithdeclared，moreover，thathewasinthehabitofshoeinginthisparticularmannernotonlythehorsesofthechateaudeCinq-Cygne，butthosefromotherplacesinthecanton。ItwasalsoprovedthatthehorsewhichMichuhabituallyrodewasalwaysshodatTroyes，andthemarkofthatshoewasnotamongthehoof-printsfoundinthepark。
\"Michu’sdoublewasnotawareofthiscircumstance，orhewouldhaveprovidedforit，\"saidMonsieurdeGrandville，lookingatthejury。
\"Neitherhastheprosecutionshownwhathorsesourclientsrode。\"
HeridiculedthetestimonyofViolettesofarasitconcernedarecognitionofthehorses，seenfromalongdistance，frombehind，andafterdusk。Still，inspiteofallhisefforts，thebodyoftheevidencewasagainstMichu；andtheprosecutor，judge，jury，andaudiencewereimpressedwithafeelingasthelawyersforthedefencehadforeseenthattheguiltoftheservantcarriedwithitthatofthemasters。SothevitalinterestcentredonallthatconcernedMichu。Hisbearingwasnoble。Heshowedinhisanswersthesagacitywithwhichnaturehadendowedhim；andthepublic，seeinghimonhismettle，recognizedhissuperiority。Andyet，strangetosay，themoretheyunderstoodhimthemorecertaintytheyfeltthathewastheinstigatoroftheoutrage。
Thewitnessesforthedefence，alwayslessimportantintheeyesofajuryandofthelawthanthewitnessesfortheprosecution，seemedtotestifyasindutybound，andwerelistenedtowiththatallowance。InthefirstplaceneitherMarthe，norMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserretooktheoath。CatherineandtheDurieus，intheircapacityasservants，didnottakeit。Monsieurd’HauteserrestatedthathehadorderedMichutoreplaceandmendthestonepostwhichhadbeenthrowndown。Thedepositionoftheexpertssenttoexaminethefence，whichwasnowread，confirmedhistestimony；buttheyhelpedtheprosecutionbydeclaringtheycouldnotfixtheexacttimeatwhichtherepairshadbeenmade；itmighthavebeenseveralweeksornomorethantwentydays。
TheappearanceofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneexcitedtheliveliestcuriosity；butthesightofhercousinsintheprisoners’dockafterthreeweeks’separationaffectedhersomuchthatheremotionsgavetheaudienceanimpressionofguilt。Shefeltanoverwhelmingdesiretostandbesidethetwins，andwasobliged，assheafterwardsadmitted，touseallherstrengthtorepressthelongingthatcameintohermindtokilltheprosecutorsoastostandintheeyesoftheworldasacriminalbesidethem。Shetestified，withsimplicity，thatridingfromCinq-CygneandseeingsmokeintheparkofGondreville，shehadsupposedtherewasafire；atfirstshethoughttheywereburningweedsorbrush；\"butlater，\"sheadded，\"IobservedacircumstancewhichIoffertotheattentionoftheCourt。Ifoundinthefroggingofmyhabitandinthefoldsofmycollarsmallfragmentsofwhatappearedtobeburnedpaperwhichwerefloatingintheair。\"
\"Wastheremuchsmoke？\"askedBordin。
\"Yes，\"repliedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，\"Ifearedaconflagration。\"
\"Thisisenoughtochangethewholeinquiry，\"remarkedBordin。\"I
requesttheCourttoorderanimmediateexaminationofthatregionoftheparkwherethefireoccurred。\"
Thepresidentorderedtheinquiry。
Grevin，recalledbythedefenceandquestionedonthiscircumstance，declaredheknewnothingaboutit。ButBordinandheexchangedlookswhichmutuallyenlightenedthem。
\"Thegistofthecaseisthere，\"thoughttheoldnotary。
\"They’velaidtheirfingeronit，\"thoughtthenotary。
Buteachshrewdheadconsideredthefollowingupofthispointuseless。BordinreflectedthatGrevinwouldbesilentasthegrave；
andGrevincongratulatedhimselfthateverysignofthefirehadbeeneffaced。
Tosettlethispoint，whichseemedamereaccessorytothetrialandsomewhatpuerilebutwhichisreallyessentialinthejustificationwhichhistoryowestotheseyoungmen，theexpertsandPigoult，whoweredespatchedbythepresidenttoexaminethepark，reportedthattheycouldfindnotracesofabonfire。
Bordinsummonedtwolaborers，whotestifiedtohavingdugover，underthedirectionoftheforester，atractofgroundintheparkwherethegrasshadbeenburned；buttheydeclaredtheyhadnotobservedthenatureoftheashestheyhadburied。
Theforester，recalledbythedefence，saidhehadreceivedfromthesenatorhimself，ashewaspassingthechateauofGondrevilleonhiswaytothemasqueradeatArcis，anordertodigoverthatparticularpieceofgroundwhichthesenatorhadremarkedasneedingit。
\"Hadpapers，orherbagebeenburnedthere？\"
\"Icouldnotsay。Isawnothingthatmademethinkthatpapershadbeenburnedthere，\"repliedtheforester。
\"Atanyrate，\"saidBordin，\"if，asitappears，afirewaskindledonthatpieceofgroundsomeonebroughttothespotwhateverwasburnedthere。\"
ThetestimonyoftheabbeandthatofMademoiselleGoujetmadeafavorableimpression。Theysaidthatastheyleftthechurchaftervespersandwerewalkingtowardshome，theymetthefourgentlemenandMichuleavingthechateauonhorsebackandmakingtheirwaytotheforest。Thecharacter，position，andknownuprightnessoftheAbbeGoujetgaveweighttohiswords。
Thesummingupofthepublicprosecutor，whofeltsureofobtainingaverdict，wasinthenatureofallsuchspeeches。TheprisonersweretheincorrigibleenemiesofFrance，herinstitutionsandlaws。Theythirstedfortumultandconspiracy。ThoughtheyhadbelongedtothearmyofCondeandhadsharedinthelateattemptsagainstthelifeoftheEmperor，thatmagnanimoussovereignhaderasedtheirnamesfromthelistof/emigres/。Thiswasthereturntheymadeforhisclemency！
Inshort，alltheoratoricaldeclamationsoftheBourbonsagainsttheBonapartists，whichinourdayarerepeatedagainsttherepublicansandthelegitimistsbytheYoungerBranch，flourishedinthespeech。
Thesetritecommonplaces，whichmighthavesomemeaningunderafixedgovernment，seemfarcicalinthemouthofadministratorsofallepochsandopinions。Asayingofthetroubloustimesofyoreisstillapplicable:\"Thelabelischanged，butthewineisthesameasever。\"
Thepublicprosecutor，oneofthemostdistinguishedlegalmenundertheEmpire，attributedthecrimetoafixeddeterminationonthepartofreturned/emigres/toprotestagainstthesaleoftheirestates。Hemadetheaudienceshudderattheprobableconditionofthesenator；
thenhemassedtogetherproofs，half-proofs，andprobabilitieswithaclevernessstimulatedbyasensethathiszealwascertainofitsreward，andsatdowntranquillytoawaitthefireofhisopponents。
MonsieurdeGrandvilleneverarguedbutthisonecriminalcase；anditmadehisreputation。Inthefirstplace，hespokewiththesameglowingeloquencewhichto-dayweadmireinBerryer。Hewasprofoundlyconvincedoftheinnocenceofhisclients，andthatinitselfisamostpowerfulauxiliaryofspeech。Thefollowingarethechiefpointsofhisdefence，whichwasreportedinfullbyalltheleadingnewspapersoftheperiod。InthefirstplaceheexhibitedthecharacterandlifeofMichuinitstruelight。Hemadeitanobletale，ringingwithloftysentiments，anditawakenedthesympathiesofmany。WhenMichuheardhimselfvindicatedbythateloquentvoice，tearssprangfromhisyelloweyesandrolleddownhisterribleface。
Heappearedthenforwhathereallywas，——amanassimpleandaswilyasachild；abeingwhosewholeexistencehadbutonethought，oneaim。Hewassuddenlyexplainedtothemindsofallpresent，moreespeciallybyhistears，whichproducedagreateffectuponthejury。
Hisabledefenderseizedthatmomentofstronginteresttoenteruponadiscussionofthecharges:——
\"Whereisthebodyofthepersonabducted？Whereisthesenator？\"heasked。\"Youaccuseusofwallinghimupwithstonesandplaster。Ifso，wealoneknowwhereheis；youhavekeptustwenty-threedaysinprison，andthesenatormustbedeadbythistimeforwantoffood。Wearethereforemurderers，butyouhavenotaccusedusofmurder。Ontheotherhand，ifhestilllives，wemusthaveaccomplices。Ifwehavethem，andifthesenatorisliving，weshouldassuredlyhavesethimatliberty。TheschemeinrelationtoGondrevillewhichyouattributetousisafailure，andonlyaggravatesourpositionuselessly。Wemightperhapsobtainapardonforanabortiveattemptbyreleasingourvictim；insteadofthatwepersistindetainingamanfromwhomwecanobtainnobenefitwhatever。Itisabsurd！Takeawayyourplaster；theeffectisafailure，\"hesaid，addressingthepublicprosecutor。\"Weareeitheridioticcriminalswhichyoudonotbelieveortheinnocentvictimsofcircumstancesasinexplicabletousastheyaretoyou。YououghtrathertosearchforthemassofpaperswhichwereburnedatGondreville，whichwillrevealmotivesstrongerfarthanyoursoroursandputyouonthetrackofthecausesofthisabduction。\"
Thespeakerdiscussedthesehypotheseswithmarvellousability。Hedweltonthemoralcharacterofthewitnessesforthedefence，whosereligiousfaithwasalivingone，whobelievedinafuturelifeandineternalpunishment。Herosetograndeurinthispartofhisspeechandmovedhishearersdeeply:——
\"Remember！\"hesaid；\"thesecriminalsweretranquillydiningwhentoldoftheabductionofthesenator。Whentheofficerofgendarmesintimatedtothemthebestmeansofendingthewholeaffairbygivingupthesenator，theyrefused，fortheydidnotunderstandwhatwasaskedofthem！\"
Then，revertingtothemysteryofthematter，hedeclaredthatitssolutionwasinthehandsoftime，whichwouldeventuallyrevealtheinjusticeofthecharge。Onceonthisground，heboldlyandingeniouslysupposedhimselfajuror；relatedhisdeliberationswithhiscolleagues；imaginedhisdistresslest，havingcondemnedtheinnocent，theerrorshouldbeknowntoolate，anddrewsuchapictureofhisremorse，dwellingonthegravedoubtswhichthecasepresented，thathebroughtthejurytoaconditionofintenseanxiety。
Jurieswerenotinthosedayssoblasetothissortofallocutionastheyarenow；MonsieurdeGrandville’sappealhadthepowerofthingsnew，andthejurorswereevidentlyshaken。Afterthispassionateoutbursttheyhadtolistentothewilyandspeciousprosecutor，whowentoverthewholecase，broughtoutthedarkestpointsagainsttheprisonersandmadetherestinexplicable。HisaimwastoreachthemindsandthereasoningfacultiesofhishearersjustasMonsieurdeGrandvillehadaimedattheheartandtheimagination。Thelatter，however，hadseriouslyentangledtheconvictionsofthejury，andthepublicprosecutorfoundhiswell-laidargumentsineffectual。ThiswassoplainthatthecounselfortheMessieursd’HauteserreandGothardappealedtothejudgmentofthejury，askingthatthecaseagainsttheirclientsbeabandoned。Theprosecutordemandedapostponementtillthenextdayinorderthathemightprepareananswer。Bordin，whosawacquittalintheeyesofthejuryiftheydeliberatedonthecaseatonce，opposedthedelayofevenonenightbyargumentsoflegalrightandjusticetohisinnocentclients；butinvain，——thecourtallowedit。
\"Theinterestsofsocietyareasgreatasthoseoftheaccused，\"saidthepresident。\"Thecourtwouldbelackinginequityifitdeniedalikerequestwhenmadebythedefence；itoughtthereforetograntthatoftheprosecution。\"
\"Allisluckorill-luck！\"saidBordintohisclientswhenthesessionwasover。\"Almostacquittedtonightyoumaybecondemnedto-morrow。\"
\"Ineithercase，\"saidtheelderdeSimeuse，\"wecanonlyadmireyourskill。\"
MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’seyeswerefulloftears。Afterthedoubtsandfearsofthecounselforthedefence，shehadnotexpectedthissuccess。Thosearoundhercongratulatedherandpredictedtheacquittalofhercousins。Butalas！thematterwasdestinedtoendinastartlingandalmosttheatricalevent，themostunexpectedanddisastrouscircumstancewhicheverchangedthefaceofacriminaltrial。
AtfiveinthemorningofthedayafterMonsieurdeGrandville’sspeech，thesenatorwasfoundonthehighroadtoTroyes，deliveredfromcaptivityduringhissleep，unawareofthetrialthatwasgoingonoroftheexcitementattachingtohisnameinEurope，andsimplyhappyinbeingoncemoreabletobreathethefreshair。ThemanwhowasthepivotofthedramawasquiteasamazedatwhatwasnowtoldtohimasthepersonswhomethimonhiswaytoTroyeswereastoundedathisreappearance。AfarmerlenthimacarriageandhesoonreachedthehouseoftheprefectatTroyes。Theprefectnotifiedthedirectorofthejury，thecommissaryofthegovernment，andthepublicprosecutor，who，afterastatementmadetothembyMalin，arrestedMarthe，whileshewasstillinbedattheDurieu’shouseinthesuburbs。
MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，whowasonlyatlibertyunderbail，wasalsosnatchedfromoneofthefewhoursofslumbershehadbeenabletoobtainatrareintervalsinthecourseofherceaselessanxiety，andtakentotheprefecturetoundergoanexamination。Anordertokeeptheaccusedfromholdinganycommunicationwitheachotherorwiththeircounselwassenttotheprison。Atteno’clockthecrowdwhichassembledaroundthecourtroomwereinformedthatthetrialwaspostponeduntiloneo’clockintheafternoonofthesameday。
Thischangeofhour，followingonthenewsofthesenator’sdeliverance，Marthe’sarrest，andthatofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，togetherwiththedenialoftherighttocommunicatewiththeprisonerscarriedterrortothehoteldeChargeboeuf。ThewholetownandthespectatorswhohadcometoTroyestobepresentatthetrial，theshort-handwritersforthedailyjournals，eventhepopulacewereinafermentwhichcanreadilybeimagined。TheAbbeGoujetcameatteno’clocktoseeMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreandthecounselforthedefence，whowerebreakfasting——aswellastheycouldunderthecircumstances。TheabbetookBordinandMonsieurGrandvilleapart，toldthemwhatMarthehadconfidedtohimthedaybefore，andgavethemthefragmentofthelettershehadreceived。Thetwolawyersexchangedalook，afterwhichBordinsaidtotheabbe:\"Notawordofallthis！Thecaseislost；butatanyrateletusshowafirmfront。\"
Marthewasnotstrongenoughtoevadethecross-questioningofthedirectorofthejuryandthepublicprosecutor。Moreovertheproofagainstherwastoooverwhelming。Lechesneauhadsentfortheundercrustofthelastloafofbreadshehadcarriedtothecavern，alsofortheemptybottlesandvariousotherarticles。Duringthesenator’slonghoursofcaptivityhehadformedconjecturesinhisownmindandhadlookedforindicationswhichmightputhimonthetrackofhisenemies。Thesehenowcommunicatedtotheauthorities。Michu’sfarmhouse，latelybuilt，had，hesupposed，anewoven；thetilesorbricksonwhichthebreadwasbakedwouldshowtheirjointedlinesonthebottomoftheloaves，andthusaffordaproofthatthebreadsuppliedtohimwasbakedonthatparticularoven。Sowiththewinebroughtinbottlessealedwithgreenwax，whichwouldprobablybefoundidenticalwithotherbottlesinMichu’scellar。Theseshrewdobservations，whichMalinimpartedtothejusticeofpeace，whomadethefirstexaminationtakingMarthewithhim，ledtotheresultsforeseenbythesenator。
Marthe，deceivedbytheapparentfriendlinessofLechesneauandthepublicprosecutor，whoassuredherthatcompleteconfessioncouldalonesaveherhusband’slife，admittedthatthecavernwherethesenatorhadbeenhiddenwasknownonlytoherhusbandandtheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserre，andthatsheherselfhadtakenprovisionstothesenatoronthreeseparateoccasionsatmidnight。
Laurence，questionedaboutthecavern，wasforcedtoacknowledgethatMichuhaddiscovereditandhadshownittoheratthetimewhenthefouryoungmenevadedthepoliceandwerehiddeninit。
Assoonasthesepreliminaryexaminationswereended，thejury，lawyers，andaudiencewerenotifiedthatthetrialwouldberesumed。
Atthreeo’clockthepresidentopenedthesessionbyannouncingthatthecasewouldbecontinuedunderanewaspect。HeexhibitedtoMichuthreebottlesofwineandaskedhimifherecognizedthemasbottlesfromhisowncellar，showinghimatthesametimetheidentitybetweenthegreenwaxontwoemptybottleswiththegreenwaxonafullbottletakenfromhiscellarthatmorningbythejusticeofpeaceinpresenceofhiswife。Michurefusedtorecognizeanythingashisown。Buttheseproofsfortheprosecutionwereunderstoodbythejurors，towhomthepresidentexplainedthattheemptybottleswerefoundintheplacewherethesenatorwasimprisoned。
Eachprisonerwasquestionedastothecavernorcellarbeneaththeruinsoftheoldmonastery。Itwasprovedbyallwitnessesfortheprosecution，andalsoforthedefence，thattheexistenceofthishiding-placediscoveredbyMichuwasknownonlytohimandhiswife，andtoLaurenceandthefourgentlemen。Wemayjudgeoftheeffectinthecourtroomwhenthepublicprosecutormadeknownthefactthatthiscavern，knownonlytotheaccusedandtotheirtwowitnesses，wastheplacewherethesenatorhadbeenimprisoned。
Marthewassummoned。Herappearancecausedmuchexcitementamongthespectatorsandkeenanxietytotheprisoners。MonsieurdeGrandvillerosetoprotestagainstthetestimonyofawifeagainstherhusband。
ThepublicprosecutorrepliedthatMarthebyherownconfessionwasanaccompliceintheoutrage；thatshehadneitherswornnortestified，andwastobeheardsolelyintheinterestsoftruth。
\"Weneedonlysubmitherpreliminaryexaminationtothejury，\"
remarkedthepresident，whonoworderedtheclerkofthecourttoreadthesaidtestimonyaloud。
\"Doyounowconfirmyourownstatement？\"saidthepresident，addressingMarthe。
Michulookedathiswife，andMarthe，whosawherfatalerror，faintedawayandfelltothefloor。Itmaybetrulysaidthatathunderbolthadfallenupontheprisonersandtheircounsel。
\"Ineverwrotetomywifefromprison，andIknownoneofthepersonsemployedthere，\"saidMichu。
BordinpassedtohimthefragmentsoftheletterMarthehadreceived。
Michugavebutoneglanceatit。\"Mywritinghasbeenimitated，\"hesaid。
\"Denialisyourlastresource，\"saidthepublicprosecutor。
Thesenatorwasintroducedintothecourtroomwithalltheceremoniesduetohisposition。Hisentrancewaslikeastagescene。MalinnowcalledComtedeGondreville，withoutregardtothefeelingsofthelateownersofthepropertywasrequestedbythepresidenttolookattheprisoners，anddidsowithgreatattentionandforalongtime。Hestatedthattheclothingofhisabductorswasexactlylikethatwornbythefourgentlemen；buthedeclaredthatthetroubleofhismindhadbeensuchthathecouldnotbepositivethattheaccusedwerereallytheguiltyparties。
\"Morethanthat，\"hesaid，\"itismyconvictionthatthesefourgentlemenhadnothingtodowithit。Thehandsthatblindfoldedmeintheforestwerecoarseandrough。Ishouldrathersuppose，\"headded，lookingatMichu，\"thatmyoldenemytookchargeofthatduty；butI
begthegentlemenofthejurynottogivetoomuchweighttothisremark。Mysuspicionsareveryslight，andIfeelnocertaintywhatever——forthisreason。Thetwomenwhoseizedmeputmeonhorsebackbehindthemanwhoblindfoldedme，andwhosehairwasredlikeMichu’s。HoweversingularyoumayconsidertheobservationIamabouttomake，itisnecessarytomakeitbecauseitisthegroundofanopinionfavorabletotheaccused——who，Ihope，willnotfeeloffendedbyit。Fastenedtotheman’sbackIwouldnaturallyhavebeenaffectedbyhisodor——yetIdidnotperceivethatwhichispeculiartoMichu。Astothepersonwhobroughtmeprovisionsonthreeseveraloccasions，IamcertainitwasMarthe，thewifeofMichu。Irecognizedherthefirsttimeshecamebyaringshealwayswore，whichshehadforgottentoremove。TheCourtandjurywillpleaseallowforthecontradictionswhichappearinthefactsIhavestated，whichImyselfamwhollyunabletoreconcile。\"
Amurmurofapprovalfollowedthistestimony。BordinaskedpermissionoftheCourttoaddressafewquestionstothewitness。
\"Doesthesenatorthinkthathisabductionwasduetoothercausesthantheinterestsrespectingpropertywhichtheprosecutionattributestotheprisoners？\"
\"Ido，\"repliedthesenator，\"butIamwhollyignorantofwhattherealmotiveswere；forduringacaptivityoftwentydaysIsawandheardnoone。\"
\"Doyouthink，\"saidthepublicprosecutor，\"thatyourchateauatGondrevillecontainsinformation，title-deeds，orotherpapersofvaluewhichwouldinduceasearchonthepartoftheMessieursdeSimeuse？\"
\"Idonotthinkso，\"repliedMalin；\"Ibelievethosegentlementobeincapableofattemptingtogetpossessionofsuchpapersbyviolence。
Theyhadonlytoaskmeforthemtoobtainthem。\"
\"Youburnedcertainpapersinthepark，didyounot？\"saidMonsieurdeGondreville，abruptly。
MalinlookedatGrevin。Afterexchangingarapidglancewiththenotary，whichBordinintercepted，herepliedthathehadnotburnedanypapers。Thepublicprosecutorhavingaskedhimtodescribetheambushtowhichhehadsonearlyfallenavictimtwoyearsearlier，thesenatorrepliedthathehadseenMichuwatchinghimfromtheforkofatree。Thisanswer，whichagreedwithGrevin’stestimony，producedagreatimpression。
Thefourgentlemenremainedimpassibleduringtheexaminationoftheirenemy，whoseemeddeterminedtooverwhelmthemwithgenerosity。
Laurencesufferedhorribleagony。FromtimetotimetheMarquisdeChargeboeufheldherbythearm，fearingshemightdartforwardtotherescue。TheComtedeGondrevilleretiredfromthecourtroomandashedidsohebowedtothefourgentlemen，whodidnotreturnthesalutation。Thistriflingmattermadethejuryindignant。
\"Theyarelostnow，\"whisperedBordintotheMarquisdeChargeboeuf。
\"Alas，yes！andalwaysthroughthenobilityoftheirsentiments，\"
repliedthemarquis。
\"Mytaskisnowonlytooeasy，gentlemen，\"saidtheprosecutor，risingtoaddressthejury。
Heexplainedtheuseofthecementbythenecessityofsecuringanironframeonwhichtofastenapadlockwhichheldtheironbarwithwhichthegateofthecavernwasclosed；adescriptionofwhichwasgiveninthe/proces-verbal/madethatmorningbyPigoult。Heputthefalsehoodsoftheaccusedintothestrongestlight，andpulverizedtheargumentsofthedefencewiththenewevidencesomiraculouslyobtained。In1806FrancewasstilltooneartheSupremeBeingof1793
totalkaboutdivinejustice；hethereforesparedthejuryallreferencetotheinterventionofheaven；buthesaidthatearthlyjusticewouldbeonthewatchforthemysteriousaccompliceswhohadsetthesenatoratliberty，andhesatdown，confidentlyawaitingtheverdict。
Thejurybelievedtherewasamystery，buttheywereallpersuadedthatitcamefromtheprisoners，whowereprobablyconcealingsomematterofaprivateinterestofgreatimportancetothem。
MonsieurdeGrandville，towhomaplotormachinationofsomekindwasquiteevident，rose；butheseemeddiscouraged，——less，however，bythenewevidencethanbythemanifestopinionofthejury。Hesurpassed，ifanything，hisspeechofthepreviousevening；hisargumentwasmorecompactandlogical；buthefelthisfervorrepelledbythecoldnessofthejury；hespokeineffectually，andheknewit，——achillingsituationforanadvocate。Hecalledattentiontothefactthatthereleaseofthesenator，asifbymagicandclearlywithouttheaidofanyoftheaccusedorofMarthe，corroboratedhispreviousargument。
Yesterdaytheprisonerscouldmostsurelyrelyonacquittal，andiftheyhad，astheprosecutionclaimed，thepowertoholdortoreleasethesenator，theycertainlywouldnothavereleasedhimuntilaftertheiracquittal。HeendeavoredtobringbeforethemindsoftheCourtandjurythefactthatmysteriousenemies，undiscoveredasyet，couldalonehavestrucktheaccusedthisfinalblow。
Strangetosay，theonlymindsMonsieurdeGrandvillereachedwiththisargumentwerethoseofthepublicprosecutorandthejudges。Thejurylistenedperfunctorily；theaudience，usuallysofavorabletoprisoners，wereconvincedoftheirguilt。Inacourtofjusticethesentimentsofthecrowddounquestionablyweighuponthejudgesandthejury，and/viceversa/。Seeingthisconditionofthemindsabouthim，whichcouldbefeltifnotdefined，thecounselutteredhislastwordsinatoneofpassionateexcitementcausedbyhisconviction:——
\"Inthenameoftheaccused，\"hecried，\"Iforgiveyouforthefatalerroryouareabouttocommit，andwhichnothingcanrepair！WearethevictimsofsomemysteriousandMachiavellianpower。MartheMichuwasinveigledbyvileperfidy。Youwilldiscoverthistoolate，whentheevilyounowdowillbeirreparable。\"
Bordinsimplyclaimedtheacquittaloftheprisonersonthetestimonyofthesenatorhimself。
Thepresidentsummedupthecasewithallthemoreimpartialitybecauseitwasevidentthatthemindsofthejurorswerealreadymadeup。Heeventurnedthescalesinfavoroftheprisonersbydwellingonthesenator’sevidence。Thisclemency，however，didnotintheleastendangerthesuccessoftheprosecution。Ateleveno’clockthatnight，afterthejuryhadrepliedthroughtheirforemantotheusualquestions，theCourtcondemnedMichutodeath，theMessieursdeSimeusetotwenty-fouryears’andtheMessieursd’Hauteserretotenyears，penalservitudeathardlabor。Gothardwasacquitted。
Thewholeaudiencewaseagertoobservethebearingofthefiveguiltymeninthissuprememomentoftheirlives。ThefourgentlemenlookedatLaurence，whoreturnedthem，withdryeyes，theardentlookofthemartyrs。
\"Shewouldhavewepthadwebeenacquitted，\"saidtheyoungerdeSimeusetohisbrother。
Neverdidconvictedmenmeetanunjustfatewithserenerbrowsorcountenancesmoreworthyoftheirmanhoodthanthesefivevictimsofacruelplot。
\"Ourcounselhasforgivenyou，\"saidtheeldestdeSimeusetotheCourt。
*****
Madamed’Hauteserrefellill，andwasthreemonthsinherbedatthehoteldeChargeboeuf。Monsieurd’HauteserrereturnedpatientlytoCinq-Cygne，inwardlygnawedbyoneofthosesorrowsofoldagewhichhavenoneofyouth’sdistractions；oftenhewassoabsent-mindedthattheabbe，whowatchedhim，knewthepoorfatherwaslivingoveragainthesceneofthefatalverdict。Marthepassedawayfromallblame；shediedthreeweeksafterthecondemnationofherhusband，confidinghersontoLaurence，inwhosearmsshedied。
Thetrialonceover，politicaleventsoftheutmostimportanceeffacedeventhememoryofit，andnothingfurtherwasdiscovered。Societyisliketheocean；itreturnstoitslevelanditsspeciouscalmnessafteradisaster，effacingalltracesofitinthetideofitseagerinterests。
Withouthernaturalfirmnessofmindandherknowledgeofhercousins’
innocence，Laurencewouldhavesuccumbed；butshegavefreshproofofthegrandeurofhercharacter；sheastonishedMonsieurdeGrandvilleandBordinbytheapparentserenitywhichtheseterriblemisfortunescalledforthinhernoblesoul。ShenursedMadamed’Hauteserreandwentdailytotheprison，sayingopenlythatshewouldmarryoneofthecousinswhentheyweretakentothegalleys。
\"Tothegalleys！\"criedBordin，\"Mademoiselle！ourfirstendeavormustbetowringtheirpardonfromtheEmperor。\"
\"Theirpardon！——/fromaBonaparte/？\"criedLaurenceinhorror。
Thespectaclesoftheoldlawyerjumpedfromhisnose；hecaughtthemastheyfellandlookedattheyounggirlwhowasnowindeedawoman；
heunderstoodhercharacteratlastinallitsbearings；thenhetookthearmoftheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，saying:——
\"MonsieurleMarquis，letusgotoParisinstantlyandsavethemwithouther！\"
TheappealoftheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’HauteserreandthatofMichuwasthefirstcasetobebroughtbeforethenewcourt。Itsdecisionwasfortunatelydelayedbytheceremoniesattendingitsinstallation。
CHAPTERXIX
THEEMPEROR’SBIVOUAC
TowardstheendofSeptember，afterthreesessionsoftheCourtofAppealsinwhichthelawyersforthedefencepleaded，andtheattorney-generalMerlinhimselfspokefortheprosecution，theappealwasrejected。TheImperialCourtofPariswasbythistimeinstituted。
MonsieurdeGrandvillewasappointedassistantattorney-general，andthedepartmentoftheAubecomingunderthejurisdictionofthiscourt，itbecamepossibleforhimtotakecertainstepsinfavoroftheconvictedprisoners，amongthemthatofimportuningCambaceres，hisprotector。BordinandMonsieurdeChargeboeufcametohishouseintheMaraisthedayaftertheappealwasrejected，wheretheyfoundhiminthemidstofhishoneymoon，forhehadmarriedintheinterval。Inspiteofallthesechangesinhiscondition，MonsieurdeChargeboeufsawveryplainlythattheyounglawyerwasfaithfultohislateclients。Certainlawyers，theartistsoftheirprofession，treattheircauseslikemistresses。Thisisrare，however，andmustnotbedependedon。
Assoonastheywerealoneinhisstudy，MonsieurdeGrandvillesaidtothemarquis:\"Ihavenotwaitedforyourvisit；Ihavealreadyemployedallmyinfluence。Don’tattempttosaveMichu；ifyoudo，youcannotobtainthepardonoftheMessieursdeSimeuse。Thelawwillinsistononevictim。\"
\"GoodGod！\"criedBordin，showingtheyoungmagistratethethreepetitionsformercy；\"howcanItakeuponmyselftowithdrawtheapplicationforthatman。IfIsuppressthepaperIcutoffhishead。\"
Heheldoutthepetition；deGrandvilletookit，lookeditover，andsaid:——
\"Wecan’tsuppressit；butbesureofonething，ifyouaskallyouwillobtainnothing。\"
\"HavewetimetoconsultMichu？\"askedBordin。
\"Yes。Theorderforexecutioncomesfromtheofficeoftheattorney-
general；Iwillseethatyouhavesomedays。Wekillmen，\"hesaidwithsomebitterness，\"butatleastwedoitformally，especiallyinParis。\"
MonsieurdeChargeboeufhadalreadyreceivedfromthechiefjusticecertaininformationwhichaddedweighttothesesadwordsofMonsieurdeGrandville。
\"Michuisinnocent，Iknow，\"continuedtheyounglawyer，\"butwhatcanwedoagainstsomany？Remember，too，thatmypresentinfluencedependsonmykeepingsilent。Imustorderthescaffoldtobeprepared，ormylateclientiscertaintobebeheaded。\"
MonsieurdeChargeboeufknewLaurencewellenoughtobecertainshewouldneverconsenttosavehercousinsattheexpenseofMichu；hethereforeresolvedonmakingonemoreeffort。Heaskedanaudienceoftheministerofforeignaffairstolearnifsalvationcouldbelookedforthroughtheinfluenceofthegreatdiplomat。HetookBordinwithhim，forthelatterknewtheministerandhaddonehimsomeservice。
ThetwooldmenfoundTalleyrandsittingwithhisfeetstretchedout，absorbedincontemplationofhisfire，hisheadrestingonhishand，hiselbowonthetable，anewspaperlyingathisfeet。TheministerhadjustreadthedecisionoftheCourtofAppeals。
\"Praysitdown，Monsieurlemarquis，\"saidTalleyrand，\"andyou，Bordin，\"headded，pointingtoaplaceatthetable，\"writeasfollows:——\"
Sire，——Fourinnocentgentlemen，declaredguiltybyajuryhavejusthadtheircondemnationconfirmedbyyourCourtofAppeals。
YourImperialMajestycannowonlypardonthem。Thesegentlemenaskthispardonofyouraugustclemency，inthehopethattheymayenteryourarmyandmeettheirdeathinbattlebeforeyoureyes；
andthuspraying，theyare，ofyourImperialandRoyalMajesty，withreverence，etc。
\"Nonebutprincescandosuchpromptandgracefulkindness，\"saidtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，takingthepreciousdraftofthepetitionfromthehandsofBordinthathemighthaveitsignedbythefourgentlemen；resolvinginhisownmindthathewouldalsoobtainthesignaturesofseveralaugustnames。
\"Thelifeofyouryoungrelatives，Monsieurlemarquis，\"saidtheminister，\"nowdependsontheturnofabattle。EndeavortoreachtheEmperoronthemorningafteravictoryandtheyaresaved。\"
HetookapenandhimselfwroteaprivateandconfidentiallettertotheEmperor，andanotheroftenlinestoMarechalDuroc。Thenherangthebell，askedhissecretaryforadiplomaticpassport，andsaidtranquillytotheoldlawyer，\"Whatisyourhonestopinionofthattrial？\"
\"Doyouknow，monseigneur，whowasatthebottomofthiscruelwrong？\"
\"IpresumeIdo；butIhavereasonstowishforcertainty，\"repliedTalleyrand。\"ReturntoTroyes；bringmetheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，here，to-morrowatthesamehour，butsecretly；asktobeusheredintoMadamedeTalleyrand’ssalon；Iwilltellheryouarecoming。IfMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，whoshallbeplacedwhereshecanseeamanwhowillbestandingbeforeme，recognizesthatmanasanindividualwhocametoherhouseduringtheconspiracyofdePolignacandRiviere，tellhertorememberthat，nomatterwhatIsayorwhatheanswersme，shemustnotutterawordnormakeagesture。Onethingmore，thinkonlyofsavingthedeSimeusebrothers；don’tembarrassyourselfwiththatscoundrelofabailiff——\"
\"Asublimeman，monseigneur！\"exclaimedBordin。
\"Enthusiasm！inyou，Bordin！Themanmustberemarkable。Oursovereignhasanimmenseself-love，Monsieurlemarquis，\"hesaid，changingtheconversation。\"Heisabouttodismissmethathemaycommitfollieswithoutwarning。TheEmperorisagreatsoldierwhocanchangethelawsoftimeanddistance，buthecannotchangemen；yethepersistsintryingtoruntheminhisownmould！Now，rememberthis；theyoungmen’spardoncanbeobtainedbyonepersononly——MademoiselledeCinq-
Cygne。\"