ThemarquiswentalonetoTroyesandtoldthewholemattertoLaurence。SheobtainedpermissionfromtheauthoritiestoseeMichu，andthemarquisaccompaniedhertothegatesoftheprison，wherehewaitedforher。Whenshecameoutherfacewasbathedintears。
\"Poorman！\"shesaid；\"hetriedtokneeltome，prayingthatIwouldnotthinkofhim，andforgettingtheshacklesthatwereonhisfeet！
Ah，marquis，I/will/pleadhiscause。Yes，I’llkissthebootoftheirEmperor。IfIfail——well，thememoryofthatmanshallliveeternallyhonoredinourfamily。Presenthispetitionformercysoastogaintime；meantimeIamresolvedtohavehisportrait。Come，letusgo。\"
Thenextday，whenTalleyrandwasinformedbyasignagreeduponthatLaurencewasatherpost，herangthebell；hisorderlycametohim，andreceivedorderstoadmitMonsieurCorentin。
\"Myfriend，youareaverycleverfellow，\"saidTalleyrand，\"andI
wishtoemployyou。\"
\"Monsiegneur——\"
\"Listen。InservingFoucheyouwillgetmoney，butneverhonornoranypositionyoucanacknowledge。Butinservingme，asyouhavelatelydoneatBerlin，youcanwincreditandrepute。\"
\"Monseigneurisverygood。\"
\"YoudisplayedgeniusinthatlateaffairatGondreville。\"
\"TowhatdoesMonseigneurallude？\"saidCorentin，withamannerthatwasneithertooreservednortoosurprised。
\"Ah，Monsieur！\"observedtheminister，dryly，\"youwillnevermakeasuccessfulman；youfear——\"
\"What，monseigneur？\"
\"Death！\"repliedTalleyrand，inhisfine，deepvoice。\"Adieu，mygoodfriend。\"
\"Thatistheman，\"saidtheMarquisdeChargeboeufenteringtheroomafterCorentinwasdismissed；\"butwehavenearlykilledthecountess。\"
\"HeistheonlymanIknowcapableofplayingsuchatrick，\"repliedtheminister。\"Monsieurlemarquis，youareindangerofnotsucceedinginyourmission。StartostensiblyforStrasburg；I’llsendyoudoublepassportsinblanktobefilledout。Provideyourselfwithsubstitutes；changeyourrouteandaboveallyourcarriage；letyoursubstitutesgoontoStrasburg，anddoyoureachPrussiathroughSwitzerlandandBavaria。Notaword——prudence！Thepoliceareagainstyou；andyoudonotknowwhatthepoliceare——\"
MademoiselledeCinq-CygneofferedthethencelebratedRobertLefebvreasufficientsumtoinducehimtogotoTroyesandtakeMichu’sportrait。MonsieurdeGrandvillepromisedtoaffordthepaintereverypossiblefacility。MonsieurdeChargeboeufthenstartedintheold/berlingot/，withLaurenceandaservantwhospokeGerman。NotfarfromNancytheyovertookMademoiselleGoujetandGothard，whohadprecededtheminanexcellentcarriage，whichthemarquistook，givingtheminexchangethe/berlingot/。
Talleyrandwasright。AtStrasburgthecommissary-generalofpolicerefusedtocountersignthepassportofthetravellers，andgavethempositiveorderstoreturn。BythattimethemarquisandLaurencewereleavingFrancebywayofBesanconwiththediplomaticpassport。
LaurencecrossedSwitzerlandinthefirstdaysofOctober，withoutpayingtheslightestattentiontothatgloriousland。Shelaybackinthecarriageinthetorporwhichovertakesacriminalontheeveofhisexecution。Tohereyesallnaturewasshroudedinaseethingvapor；evencommonthingsassumedfantasticshapes。Theonethought，\"IfIdonotsucceedtheywillkillthemselves，\"felluponhersoulwithreiteratedblows，asthebaroftheexecutionerfelluponthevictim’smemberswhentorturedonthewheel。Shefeltherselfbreaking；shelostherenergyinthisterriblewaitingforthecruelmoment，shortanddecisive，whensheshouldfindherselffacetofacewiththatmanonwhomthefateofthecondemneddepended。Shechosetoyieldtoherdepressionratherthanwasteherstrengthuselessly。Themarquis，whowasincapableofunderstandingthisresolveoffirmminds，whichoftenassumesquitediverseaspectsforinsuchmomentsoftensioncertainsuperiormindsgivewaytosurprisinggaiety，begantofearthathemightneverbringLaurencealivetothemomentousinterview，solemntothemonly，andyetbeyondtheordinarylimitsofprivatelife。ToLaurence，thenecessityofhumiliatingherselfbeforethatman，theobjectofherhatredandcontempt，meantthesacrificeofallhernoblestfeelings。
\"Afterthis，\"shesaid，\"theLaurencewhosurviveswillbearnolikenesstoherwhoisnowtoperish。\"
ThetravellerscouldnotfailtobeawareofthevastmovementofmenandmaterialwhichsurroundedthemthemomenttheyenteredPrussia。
ThecampaignofJenahadjustbegun。LaurenceandthemarquisbeheldthemagnificentdivisionsoftheFrencharmydeployingandparadingasifattheTuileries。Inthisdisplayofmilitarypower，whichcanbeadequatelydescribedonlywiththewordsandimagesoftheBible，theproportionsoftheManwhosespiritmovedthesemassesgrewgigantictoLaurence’simagination。Soon，thecryofvictoryresoundedinherears。TheImperialarmshadjustobtainedtwosignaladvantages。ThePrinceofPrussiahadbeenkilledtheeveningbeforethedayonwhichthetravellersarrivedatSaalfeldontheirendeavortoovertakeNapoleon，whowasmarchingwiththerapidityoflightning。
Atlast，onthe13thofOctoberdateofill-omenMademoiselledeCinq-CygnewasskirtingariverinthemidstoftheGrandArmy，seeingnoughtbutconfusion，senthitherandthitherfromonevillagetoanother，fromdivisiontodivision，frightenedatfindingherselfalonewithoneoldmantossedaboutinanoceanofahundredandfiftythousandarmedmenfacingahundredandfiftythousandmore。Wearyofwatchingtheriverthroughthehedgesofthemuddyroadwhichshewasfollowingalongahillside，sheaskeditsnameofapassingsoldier。
\"That’stheSaale，\"hesaid，showingherthePrussianarmy，groupedingreatmassesontheothersideofthestream。
Nightcameon。Laurencebeheldthecamp-fireslightedandtheglitterofstackedarms。Theoldmarquis，whosecouragewaschivalric，drovethehorseshimselftwostrongbeastsboughttheeveningbefore，hisservantsittingbesidehim。Heknewverywellheshouldfindneitherhorsesnorpostilionswithinthelinesofthearmy。Suddenlytheboldequipage，anobjectofgreatastonishmenttothesoldiers，wasstoppedbyagendarmeofthemilitarygendarmerie，whogallopeduptothecarriage，callingouttothemarquis:\"Whoareyou？whereareyougoing？whatdoyouwant？\"
\"TheEmperor，\"repliedtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf；\"IhaveanimportantdispatchfortheGrand-marechalDuroc。\"
\"Well，youcan’tstayhere，\"saidthegendarme。
MademoiselledeCinq-Cygneandthemarquiswere，however，compelledtoremainwheretheywereonaccountofthedarkness。
\"Wherearewe？\"sheasked，stoppingtwoofficerswhomshesawpassing，whoseuniformswereconcealedbyclothovercoats。
\"YouareamongtheadvancedguardoftheFrencharmy，\"answeredoneoftheofficers。\"Youcannotstayhere，foriftheenemymakesamovementandtheartilleryopensyouwillbebetweentwofires。\"
\"Ah！\"shesaid，withanindifferentair。
Hearingthat\"Ah！\"theotherofficerturnedandsaid:\"Howdidthatwomancomehere？\"
\"Wearewaiting，\"saidLaurence，\"foragendarmewhohasgonetofindGeneralDuroc，aprotectorwhowillenableustospeaktotheEmperor。\"
\"SpeaktotheEmperor！\"exclaimedthefirstofficer；\"howcanyouthinkofsuchathing——ontheeveofadecisivebattle？\"
\"True，\"shesaid；\"Ioughttospeaktohimonthemorrow——victorywouldmakehimkind。\"
Thetwoofficersstationedthemselvesatalittledistanceandsatmotionlessontheirhorses。Thecarriagewasnowsurroundedbyamassofgenerals，marshals，andotherofficers，allextremelybrilliantinappearance，whoappearedtopaydeferencetothecarriagemerelybecauseitwasthere。
\"GoodGod！\"saidthemarquistoMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne；\"IamafraidyouspoketotheEmperor。\"
\"TheEmperor？\"saidacolonel，besidethem，\"whythereheis！\"
pointingtotheofficerwhohadsaid，\"Howdidthatwomangethere？\"
Hewasmountedonawhitehorse，richlycaparisoned，andworethecelebratedgraytop-coatoverhisgreenuniform。Hewasscanningwithafield-glassthePrussianarmymassedbeyondtheSaale。Laurenceunderstoodthenwhythecarriageremainedthere，andwhytheEmperor’sescortrespectedit。Shewasseizedwithaconvulsivetremor——thehourhadcome！Sheheardtheheavysoundofthetrampofmenandtheclangoftheirarmsastheyarrivedataquickstepontheplateau。Thebatterieshadalanguage，thecaissonsthundered，thebrassglittered。
\"MarechalLanneswilltakepositionwithhiswholecorpsintheadvance；MarechalLefebvreandtheGuardwilloccupythishill，\"saidtheotherofficer，whowasMajor-generalBerthier。
TheEmperordismounted。AthisfirstmotionRoustan，hisfamousmameluke，hastenedtoholdhishorse。Laurencewasstupefiedwithamazement；shehadneverdreamedofsuchsimplicity。
\"Ishallpassthenightontheplateau，\"saidtheEmperor。
JustthentheGrand-marechalDuroc，whomthegendarmehadfinallyfound，cameuptotheMarquisdeChargeboeufandaskedthereasonofhiscoming。ThemarquisrepliedthataletterfromthePrincedeTalleyrand，ofwhichhewasthebearer，wouldexplaintothemarshalhowurgentitwasthatMademoiselledeCinq-CygneandhimselfshouldobtainanaudienceoftheEmperor。
\"HisMajestywillnodoubtdineathisbivouac，\"saidDuroc，takingtheletter，\"andwhenIfindoutwhatyourobjectis，Iwillletyouknowifyoucanseehim。Corporal，\"hesaidtothegendarme，\"accompanythiscarriage，andtakeitclosetothathutattherear。\"
MonsieurdeChargeboeuffollowedthegendarmeandstoppedhishorsesbehindamiserablecabin，builtofmudandbranches，surroundedbyafewfruit-trees，andguardedbypicketsofinfantryandcavalry。
Itmaybesaidthatthemajestyofwarappearedhereinallitsgrandeur。Fromthisheightthelinesofthetwoarmieswerevisibleinthemoonlight。Afteranhour’swaiting，thetimebeingoccupiedbytheincessantcomingandgoingoftheaides-de-camp，DurochimselfcameforMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneandthemarquis，andmadethementerthehut，thefloorofwhichwasofbattenedearthlikethatofastable。
Beforeatablewiththeremainsofdinner，andbeforeafiremadeofgreenwoodwhichsmoked，Napoleonwasseatedinaclumsychair。Hismuddybootsgaveevidenceofalongtrampacrosscountry。Hehadtakenoffthefamoustop-coat；andhisequallyfamousgreenuniform，crossedbytheredcordonoftheLegionofhonorandheightenedbythewhiteofhiskerseymerebreechesandofhiswaistcoat，broughtoutvividlyhispaleandterribleCaesarianface。Onehandwasonamapwhichlayunfoldedonhisknees。Berthierstoodnearhiminthebrilliantuniformofthevice-constableoftheEmpire。Constant，thevalet，wasofferingtheEmperorhiscoffeefromatray。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"saidNapoleon，withashowofroughness，dartinghiseyelikeaflashthroughLaurence’shead。\"Youarenolongerafraidtospeaktomebeforethebattle？Whatisitabout？\"
\"Sire，\"shesaid，lookingathimwithasfirmaneye，\"IamMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。\"
\"Well？\"hereplied，inanangryvoice，thinkingherlookbravedhim。
\"Doyounotunderstand？IamtheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，cometoaskmercy，\"shesaid，fallingonherkneesandholdingouttohimthepetitiondrawnupbyTalleyrand，endorsedbytheEmpress，byCambaceresandbyMalin。
TheEmperorraisedhergraciously，andsaidwithakeenlook:\"Haveyoucometoyoursenses？DoyounowunderstandwhattheFrenchEmpireisandmustbe？\"
\"Ah！atthismomentIunderstandonlytheEmperor，\"shesaid，vanquishedbythekindlymannerwithwhichthemanofdestinyhadsaidthewordsthatforetoldtoherearssuccess。
\"Aretheyinnocent？\"askedtheEmperor。
\"Yes，allofthem，\"shesaidwithenthusiasm。
\"All？No，thatbailiffisadangerousman，whowouldhavekilledmysenatorwithouttakingyouradvice。\"
\"Ah，Sire，\"shesaid，\"ifyouhadafrienddevotedtoyou，wouldyouabandonhim？Wouldyounotrather——\"
\"Youareawoman，\"hesaid，interruptingherinafainttoneofridicule。
\"Andyou，amanofiron！\"sherepliedwithapassionatesternnesswhichpleasedhim。
\"Thatmanhasbeencondemnedtodeathbythelawsofhiscountry，\"hecontinued。
\"Butheisinnocent！\"
\"Child！\"hesaid。
HetookMademoiselledeCinq-Cygnebythehandandledherfromthehuttotheplateau。
\"See，\"hecontinued，withthateloquenceofhiswhichchangedevencowardstobravemen，\"seethosethreehundredthousandmen——allinnocent。Andyetto-morrowthirtythousandofthemwillbelyingdead，deadfortheircountry！AmongthosePrussiansthereis，perhaps，somegreatmathematician，amanofgenius，anidealist，whowillbemowndown。Onoursideweshallassuredlylosemanyagreatmanneverknowntofame。PerhapsevenIshallseemybestfrienddie。ShallI
blameGod？No。Ishallbearitsilently。Learnfromthis，mademoiselle，thatamanmustdieforthelawsofhiscountryjustasmendiehereforherglory。\"Sosaying，heledherbackintothehut。
\"ReturntoFrance，\"hesaid，lookingatthemarquis；\"myordersshallfollowyou。\"
LaurencebelievedinacommutationofMichu’spunishment，andinhergratitudeshekneltagainbeforetheEmperorandkissedhishand。
\"YouaretheMarquisdeChargeboeuf？\"saidNapoleon，addressingthemarquis。
\"Yes，Sire。\"
\"Youhavechildren？\"
\"Manychildren。\"
\"Whynotgivemeoneofyourgrandsons？heshallbemypage。\"
\"Ah！\"thoughtLaurence，\"there’sthesub-lieutenantafterall；hewantstobepaidforhismercy。\"
Themarquisbowedwithoutreplying。HappilyatthismomentGeneralRapprushedintothehut。
\"Sire，thecavalryoftheGuard，andthatoftheGrand-ducdeBergcannotbesetupbeforemiddayto-morrow。\"
\"Nevermind，\"saidNapoleon，turningtoBerthier，\"we，too，getourreprieves；letusprofitbythem。\"
AtasignofhishandthemarquisandLaurenceretiredandagainenteredtheircarriage；thecorporalshowedthemtheirroadandaccompaniedthemtoavillagewheretheypassedthenight。Thenextdaytheyleftthefieldofbattlebehindthem，followedbythethunderofthecannon，——eighthundredpieces，——whichpursuedthemfortenhours。WhilestillontheirwaytheylearnedoftheamazingvictoryofJena。
Eightdayslater，theyweredrivingthroughthefaubourgofTroyes，wheretheylearnedthatanorderofthechiefjustice，transmittedthroughthe/procureurimperial/ofTroyes，commandedthereleaseofthefourgentlemenonbailduringtheEmperor’spleasure。ButMichu’ssentencewasconfirmed，andthewarrantforhisexecutionhadbeenforwardedfromtheministryofpolice。TheseordershadreachedTroyesthatverymorning。Laurencewentatoncetotheprison，thoughitwastwointhemorning，andobtainedpermissiontostaywithMichu，whowasabouttoundergothemelancholyceremonycalled\"thetoilet。\"Thegoodabbe，whohadaskedpermissiontoaccompanyhimtothescaffold，hadjustgivenabsolutiontotheman，whoseonlydistressindyingwashisuncertaintyastothefateofhisyoungmasters。WhenLaurenceenteredhiscellheutteredacryofjoy。
\"Icandienow，\"hesaid。
\"Theyarepardoned，\"shesaid；\"Idonotknowonwhatconditions，buttheyarepardoned。IdidallIcouldforyou，dearfriend——againsttheadviceofothers。IthoughtIhadsavedyou；buttheEmperordeceivedmewithhisgraciousness。\"
\"Itwaswrittenabove，\"saidMichu，\"thatthewatch-dogshouldbekilledonthespotwherehisoldmastersdied。\"
Thelasthourpassedrapidly。Michu，atthemomentofparting，askedtokissherhand，butLaurenceheldhercheektothelipsofthenoblevictimthathemightsacredlykissit。Michurefusedtomountthecart。
\"Innocentmenshouldgoafoot，\"hesaid。
Hewouldnotlettheabbegivehimhisarm；resolutelyandwithdignityhewalkedalonetothescaffold。Ashelaidhisheadontheplankhesaidtotheexecutioner，afteraskinghimtoturndownthecollarofhiscoat，\"Myclothesbelongtoyou；trynottospotthem。\"
*****
ThefourgentlemenhadhardlytimetoevenseeMademoiselledeCinq-
Cygne。Anorderlyofthegeneralcommandingthedivisiontowhichtheywereassigned，broughtthemtheircommissionsassub-lieutenantsinthesameregimentofcavalry，withorderstoproceedatoncetoBayonne，thebaseofsuppliesforitsparticulararmy-corps。Afterasceneofheart-rendingfarewells，fortheyallforebodedwhatthefutureshouldbringforth，MademoiselledeCinq-Cygnereturnedtoherdesolatehome。
ThetwobrotherswerekilledtogetherundertheeyesoftheEmperoratSommo-Sierra，theonedefendingtheother，bothbeingalreadyincommandoftheirtroop。Thelastwordsofeachwere，\"Laurence，/cymeurs/！\"
Theelderd’HauteserrediedacolonelattheattackontheredoubtatMoscow，wherehisbrothertookhisplace。
Adriend’Hauteserre，appointedbrigadier-generalatthebattleofDresden，wasdangerouslywoundedthereandwassenttoCinq-Cygneforpropernursing。Whileendeavoringtosavethisrelicofthefourgentlemenwhoforafewbriefmonthshadbeensohappyaroundher，Laurence，thenthirty-twoyearsofage，marriedhim。Sheofferedhimawitheredheart，butheacceptedit；thosewhotrulylovedoubtnothingordoubtall。
TheRestorationfoundLaurencewithoutenthusiasm。TheBourbonsreturnedtoolateforher。Nevertheless，shehadnocauseforcomplaint。Herhusband，madepeerofFrancewiththetitleofMarquisdeCinq-Cygne，becamelieutenant-generalin1816，andwasrewardedwiththeblueribbonfortheeminentserviceswhichhethenperformed。
Michu’sson，ofwhomLaurencetookcareasthoughhewereherownchild，wasadmittedtothebarin1817。Afterpractisingtwoyearshewasmadeassistant-judgeatthecourtofAlencon，andfromtherehebecame/procureur-du-roi/atArcisin1827。Laurence，whohadalsotakenchargeofMichu’sproperty，madeovertotheyoungmanonthedayofhismajorityaninvestmentinthepublicFundswhichyieldedhimanincomeoftwelvethousandfrancsayear。Later，shearrangedamarriageforhimwithMademoiselleGirel，anheiressatTroyes。
TheMarquisdeCinq-Cygnediedin1829，inthearmsofhiswife，surroundedbyhisfatherandmother，andhischildrenwhoadoredhim。
Atthetimeofhisdeathnoonehadeverfathomedthemysteryofthesenator’sabduction。LouisXVIII。didnotneglecttorepair，asfaraspossible，thewrongsdonebythataffair；buthewassilentastothecausesofthedisaster。FromthattimeforththeMarquisedeCinq-
Cygnebelievedhimtohavebeenanaccompliceinthecatastrophe。
CHAPTERXX
THEMYSTERYSOLVED
ThelateMarquisdeCinq-Cygnehadusedhissavings，aswellasthoseofhisfatherandmother，inthepurchaseofafinehouseintheruedeFaubourg-du-Roule，entailingitonheirsmaleforthesupportofthetitle。Thesordideconomyofthemarquisandhisparents，whichhadoftentroubledLaurence，wasthenexplained。Afterthispurchasethemarquise，wholivedatCinq-Cygneandeconomizedonherownaccountforherchildren，spentherwintersinParis，——allthemorewillinglybecauseherdaughterBertheandhersonPaulwerenowofanagewhentheireducationrequiredtheresourcesofParis。
MadamedeCinq-Cygnewentbutlittleintosociety。Herhusbandcouldnotbeignorantoftheregretswhichlayinhertenderheart；butheshowedheralwaysthemostexquisitedelicacy，anddiedhavinglovednootherwoman。Thisnoblesoul，notfullyunderstoodforaperiodoftimebuttowhichthegenerousdaughteroftheCinq-Cygnesreturnedinhislastyearsastruealoveasthathegavetoher，wascompletelyhappyinhismarriedlife。Laurencelivedforthejoysofhome。Nowomanhaseverbeenmorecherishedbyherfriendsormorerespected。
Tobereceivedinherhouseisanhonor。Gentle，indulgent，intellectual，aboveallthingssimpleandnatural，shepleaseschoicesoulsanddrawsthemtoherinspiteofhersaddenedaspect；eachlongstoprotectthiswoman，inwardlysostrong，andthatsentimentofsecretprotectioncountsformuchinthewondrouscharmofherfriendship。Herlife，sopainfulduringheryouth，isbeautifulandserenetowardsevening。Hersufferingsareknown，andnooneaskswhowastheoriginalofthatportraitbyLefebvrewhichisthechiefandsacredornamentofhersalon。Herfacehasthematurityoffruitsthathaveripenedslowly；ahallowedpridedignifiesthatlong-triedbrow。
AttheperiodwhenthemarquisecametoParistoopenthenewhouse，herfortune，increasedbythelawofindemnities，gavehersometwohundredthousandfrancsayear，notcountingherhusband’ssalary；
besidesthis，LaurencehadinheritedthemoneyguardedbyMichuforhisyoungmasters。FromthattimeforthshemadeapracticeofspendinghalfherincomeandoflayingbytherestforherdaughterBerthe。
Bertheisthelivingimageofhermother，butwithoutherwarriornerve；sheishermotherindelicacy，inintellect，——\"moreawoman，\"
Laurencesays，sadly。Themarquisewasnotwillingtomarryherdaughteruntilshewastwentyyearsofage。Hersavings，judiciouslyinvestedintheFundsbyoldMonsieurd’Hauteserreatthemomentwhenconsolsfellin1830，gaveBertheadowryofeightythousandfrancsayearin1833，whenshewastwenty。
AboutthattimethePrincessedeCadignan，whowasseekingtomarryherson，theDucdeMaufrigneuse，broughthimintointimaterelationswithMadamedeCinq-Cygne。GeorgesdeMaufrigneusedinedwiththemarquisethreetimesaweek，accompaniedthemotheranddaughtertotheOpera，andcurvettedintheBoisaroundtheircarriagewhentheydroveout。ItwasevidenttoalltheworldoftheFaubourgSaint-
GermainthatGeorgeslovedBerthe。ButnoonecoulddiscovertoacertaintywhetherMadamedeCinq-Cygnewasdesirousofmakingherdaughteraduchess，tobecomeaprincesslater，orwhetheritwasonlytheprincesswhocovetedforhersonthesplendiddowry。DidthecelebratedDianecourtthenobleprovincialhouse？andwasthedaughteroftheCinq-CygnesfrightenedbythecelebrityofMadamedeCadignan，hertastesandherruinousextravagance？Inherstrongdesirenottoinjureherson’sprospectstheprincessgrewdevout，shutthedooronherformerlife，andspentthesummerseasonatGenevainavillaonthelake。
OneeveningtherewerepresentinthesalonofthePrincessedeCadignan，theMarquised’Espard，anddeMarsay，thenpresidentoftheCouncilonthisoccasiontheprincesssawherformerloverforthelasttime，forhediedthefollowingyear，EugenedeRastignac，under-secretaryofStateattachedtodeMarsay’sministry，twoambassadors，twocelebratedoratorsfromtheChamberofPeers，theolddukesofLenoncourtanddeNavarreins，theComtedeVandenesseandhisyoungwife，andd’Arthez，——whoformedarathersingularcircle，thecompositionofwhichcanbethusexplained。TheprincesswasanxioustoobtainfromtheprimeministerofthecrownapermitforthereturnofthePrincedeCadignan。DeMarsay，whodidnotchoosetotakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofgrantingitcametotelltheprincessthematterhadbeenentrustedtosafehands，andthatacertainpoliticalmanagerhadpromisedtobringhertheresultinthecourseofthatevening。
MadameandMademoiselledeCinq-Cygnewereannounced。Laurence，whoseprincipleswereunyielding，wasnotonlysurprisedbutshockedtoseethemostillustriousrepresentativesofLegitimacytalkingandlaughinginafriendlymannerwiththeprimeministerofthemanwhomshenevercalledanythingbutMonsieurleDucd’Orleans。DeMarsay，likeanexpiringlamp，shonewithalastbrilliancy。Helaidasideforthemomenthispoliticalanxieties，andMadamedeCinq-Cygneenduredhim，astheysaytheCourtofAustriaendureddeSaint-Aulaire；themanoftheworldeffacedtheministerofthecitizen-king。Butsherosetoherfeetasthoughherchairwereofred-hotironwhenthenamewasannouncedof\"MonsieurleComtedeGondreville。\"
\"Adieu，madame，\"shesaidtotheprincessinacurttone。
ShelefttheroomwithBerthe，measuringherstepstoavoidencounteringthatfatalbeing。
\"YoumayhavecausedthelossofGeorges’marriage，\"saidtheprincesstodeMarsay，inalowvoice。\"Whydidyounottellmeyouragent’sname？\"
TheformerclerkofArcis，formerConventional，formerThermidorien，tribune，CouncillorofState，countoftheEmpireandsenator，peeroftheRestoration，andnowpeerofthemonarchyofJuly，madeaservilebowtotheprincess。
\"Fearnothing，madame，\"hesaid；\"wehaveceasedtomakewaronprinces。Ibringyouanassuranceofthepermit，\"headded，seatinghimselfbesideher。
MalinwaslongintheconfidenceofLouisXVIII。，towhomhisvariedexperiencewasuseful。HehadgreatlyaidedinoverthrowingDecazes，andhadgivenmuchgoodadvicetotheministryofVillele。ColdlyreceivedbyCharlesX。，hehadadoptedalltherancorsofTalleyrand。
Hewasnowinhighfavorunderthetwelfthgovernmenthehadservedsince1789，andwhichinturnhewoulddoubtlessbetray。Forthelastfifteenmonthshehadbrokenthelongfriendshipwhichhadboundhimforthirty-sixyearstoourgreatestdiplomat，thePrincedeTalleyrand。ItwasinthecourseofthisveryeveningthathemadeanswertosomeonewhoaskedwhythePrinceshowedsuchhostilitytotheDucdeBordeaux，\"ThePretenderistooyoung！\"
\"Singularadvicetogiveyoungmen，\"remarkedRastignac。
DeMarsay，whogrewthoughtfulafterMadamedeCadignan’sreproachfulspeech，tooknonoticeofthesejests。HelookedaskanceatGondrevilleandwasevidentlybidinghistimeuntilthatnowoldman，whowenttobedearly，hadtakenleave。Allpresent，whohadwitnessedtheabruptdepartureofMadamedeCinq-Cygnewhosereasonswerewell-
knowntothem，imitateddeMarsay’sconductandkeptsilence。
Gondreville，whohadnotrecognizedthemarquise，wasignorantofthecauseofthegeneralreticence，butthehabitofdealingwithpublicmattershadgivenhimacertaintact；hewasmoreoveracleverman；hesawthathispresencewasembarrassingtothecompanyandhetookleave。DeMarsay，standingwithhisbacktothefire，watchedtheslowdepartureoftheoldmaninamannerwhichrevealedthegravityofhisthoughts。
\"Ididwrong，madame，nottotellyouthenameofmynegotiator，\"saidtheprimeminister，listeningforthesoundofMalin’swheelsastheyrolledaway。\"ButIwillredeemmyfaultandgiveyouthemeansofmakingyourpeacewiththeCinq-Cygnes。ItisnowthirtyyearssincetheaffairIamabouttospeakoftookplace；itisasoldtothepresentdayasthedeathofHenriIV。whichbetweenourselvesandinspiteoftheproverbisstillamystery，likesomanyotherhistoricalcatastrophes。Ican，however，assureyouthatevenifthisaffairdidnotconcernMadamedeCinq-Cygneitwouldbenonethelesscuriousandinteresting。Moreover，itthrowslightonacelebratedexploitinourmodernannals，——ImeanthatoftheMontSaint-Bernard。MessieurslesAmbassadeurs，\"headded，bowingtothetwodiplomats，\"willseethatintheelementofprofoundintriguethepoliticalmenofthepresentdayarefarbehindtheMachiavelliswhomthewavesofthepopularwilllifted，in1793，abovethestorm，——someofwhomhave’found，’astheoldsongsays，’ahaven。’TobeanythinginFranceinthesedaysamanmusthavebeentossedinthosetempests。\"
\"Itseemstome，\"saidtheprincess，smiling，\"thatfromthatpointofviewthepresentstateofthingsunderyourregimeleavesnothingtobedesired。\"
Awell-bredlaughwentroundtheroom，andeventheprimeministerhimselfcouldnothelpsmiling。Theambassadorsseemedimpatientforthetale；deMarsaycougheddrylyandsilencewasobtained。
\"OnaJunenightin1800，\"begantheminister，\"aboutthreeinthemorning，justasdaylightwasbeginningtopalethebrilliancyofthewaxcandles，twomentiredofplayingat/bouillotte/orwhowereplayingmerelytokeepothersemployedleftthesalonoftheministryofforeignaffairs，thensituatedintherueduBac，andwentapartintoaboudoir。Thesetwomen，ofwhomoneisdeadandtheotherhas/one/footinthegrave，were，eachinhisownway，equallyextraordinary。Bothhadbeenpriests；bothhadabjuredreligion；bothweremarried。OnehadbeenmerelyanOratorian，theotherhadwornthemitreofabishop。ThefirstwasnamedFouche；Ishallnottellyouthenameofthesecond；[*]bothwerethenmeresimplecitizens——withverylittlesimplicity。Whentheywereseentoleavethesalonandentertheboudoir，therestofthecompanypresentshowedacertaincuriosity。Athirdpersonfollowedthem，——amanwhothoughthimselffarstrongerthantheothertwo。HisnamewasSieyes，andyouallknowthathetoohadbeenapriestbeforetheRevolution。Theonewho/walkedwithdifficulty/wasthentheministerofforeignaffairs；
Fouchewasministerofpolice；Sieyeshadresignedtheconsulate。
[*]TalleyrandwasstilllivingwhendeMarsayrelatedthesecircumstances。
\"Asmallman，coldandsterninappearance，lefthisseatandfollowedthethreeothers，sayingaloudinthehearingofthepersonfromwhomIhavetheinformation，’Imistrustthegamblingofpriests。’ThismanwasCarnot，ministerofwar。Hisremarkdidnottroublethetwoconsulswhowereplayingcardsinthesalon。CambaceresandLebrunwerethenatthemercyoftheirministers，menwhowereinfinitelystrongerthanthey。
\"Nearlyallthesestatesmenaredead，andnosecrecyisduetothem。
Theybelongtohistory；andthehistoryofthatnightanditsconsequenceshasbeenterrible。ItellittoyounowbecauseIaloneknowit；becauseLouisXVIII。neverrevealedthetruthtothatpoorMadamedeCinq-Cygne；andbecausethepresentgovernmentwhichIserveiswhollyindifferentastowhetherthetruthbeknowntotheworldornot。
\"Allfourofthesepersonagessatdownintheboudoir。Thelamemanundoubtedlyclosedthedoorbeforeawordwassaid；itiseventhoughtthatheranthebolt。Itisonlypersonsofhighrankwhopayattentiontosuchtrifles。Thethreepriestshadthelivid，impassiblefaceswhichyouallremember。Carnotalonewasruddy。Hewasthefirsttospeak。’Whatisthepointtobediscussed？’heasked。’France，’
musthavebeentheanswerofthePrincewhomIadmireasoneofthemostextraordinarymenofourtime。’TheRepublic，’undoubtedlysaidFouche。’Power，’probablysaidSieyes。\"
Allpresentlookedateachother。Withvoice，look，andgesturedeMarsayhadwonderfullyrepresentedthethreemen。
\"Thethreepriestsfullyunderstoodoneanother，\"hecontinued，resuminghisnarrative。\"Carnotnodoubtlookedathiscolleaguesandtheex-consulinadignifiedmanner。Hemust，however，havefeltbewilderedinhisownmind。
\"’Doyoubelieveinthesuccessofthearmy？’Sieyessaidtohim。
\"’WemayexpecteverythingfromBonaparte，’repliedtheministerofwar；’hehascrossedtheAlps。’
\"’Atthismoment，’saidtheministerofforeignaffairs，withdeliberateslowness，’heisplayinghislaststake。’
\"’Come，let’sspeakout，’saidFouche；’whatshallwedoiftheFirstConsulisdefeated？Isitpossibletocollectanotherarmy？Mustwecontinuehishumbleservants？’
\"’Thereisnorepublicnow，’remarkedSieyes；’Bonaparteisconsulfortenyears。’
\"’HehasmorepowerthaneverCromwellhad，’saidtheformerbishop，’andhedidnotvoteforthedeathoftheking。’
\"’Wehaveamaster，’saidFouche；’thequestionis，shallwecontinuetokeephimifhelosesthebattleorshallwereturntoapurerepublic？’
\"’France，’repliedCarnot，sententiously，’cannotresistexceptsherevertstotheoldConventional/energy/。’
\"’IagreewithCarnot，’saidSieyes；’ifBonapartereturnsdefeatedwemustputanendtohim；hehasletusknowhimtoowellduringthelastsevenmonths。’
\"’Thearmyisforhim，’remarkedCarnot，thoughtfully。
\"’Andthepeopleforus！’criedFouche。
\"’Yougofast，monsieur，’saidthePrince，inthatdeepbassvoicewhichhestillpreservesandwhichnowdroveFouchebackintohimself。
\"’Befrank，’saidavoice，asaformerConventionalrosefromacorneroftheboudoirandshowedhimself；’ifBonapartereturnsavictor，weshalladorehim；ifvanquished，we’llburyhim！’
\"’Soyouwerethere，Malin，wereyou？’saidthePrince，withoutbetrayingtheleastfeeling。’Thenyoumustbeoneofus；sitdown’；
andhemadehimasigntobeseated。
\"ItistothisonecircumstancethatMalin，aConventionalofsmallrepute，owesthepositionheafterwardsobtainedand，ultimately，thatinwhichweseehimatthepresentmoment。Heproveddiscreet，andtheministerswerefaithfultohim；buttheymadehimthepivotofthemachineandthecat’s-pawofthemachination。Toreturntomytale。
\"’Bonapartehasneveryetbeenvanquished，’criedCarnot，inatoneofconviction，’andhehasjustsurpassedHannibal。’
\"’Iftheworsthappens，hereistheDirectory，’saidSieyes，artfully，indicatingwithawaveofhishandthefivepersonspresent。
\"’And，’addedthePrince，’weareallcommittedtothemaintenanceoftheFrenchrepublic；wethreepriestshaveliterallyunfrockedourselves；thegeneral，here，votedforthedeathoftheking；andyou，’hesaid，turningtoMalin，’havegotpossessionofthepropertyof/emigres/。’
\"’Yes，wehaveallthesameinterests，’saidSieyes，dictatorially，’andourinterestsareonewiththoseofthenation。’
\"’Ararething，’saidthePrince，smiling。
\"’Wemustact，’interruptedFouche。’Inallprobabilitythebattleisnowgoingon；theAustriansoutnumberus；Genoahassurrendered；
MassenahascommittedthegreatmistakeofembarkingforAntibes；itisverydoubtfulifhecanrejoinBonaparte，whowillthenbereducedtohisownresources。’
\"’Whogaveyouthatnews？’askedCarnot。
\"’Itissure，’repliedFouche。’YouwillhavethecourierwhentheBourseopens。’
\"Thosemendidn’tmincetheirwords，\"saiddeMarsay，smiling，andstoppingshortforamoment。
\"’Remember，’continuedFouche，’itisnotwhenthenewsofadisastercomesthatwecanorganizeclubs，rousethepatriotismofthepeople，andchangetheconstitution。Our18thBrumaireoughttobepreparedbeforehand。’
\"’Letusleavethecareofthattotheministerofpolice，’saidthePrince，bowingtoFouche，’andbewareourselvesofLucien。’LucienBonapartewasthenministeroftheinterior。
\"’I’llarresthim，’saidFouche。
\"’Messieurs！’criedSieyes，’ourDirectoryoughtnottobesubjecttoanarchicalchanges。Wemustorganizeagovernmentofthefew，aSenateforlife，andanelectivechamberthecontrolofwhichshallbeinourhands；forweoughttoprofitbytheblundersofthepast。’
\"’Withsuchasystem，therewouldbepeaceforme，’remarkedtheex-
bishop。
\"’FindmeasuremantonegotiatewithMoreau；fortheArmyoftheRhinewillbeoursoleresource，’criedCarnot，whohadbeenplungedinmeditation。
\"Ah！\"saiddeMarsay，pausing，\"thosemenwereright。Theyweregrandinthiscrisis。Ishouldhavedoneastheydid\"；thenheresumedhisnarrative。
\"’Messieurs！’criedSieyes，inagraveandsolemntone。
\"Thatword’Messieurs！’wasperfectlyunderstoodbyallpresent；alleyesexpressedthesamefaith，thesamepromise，thatofabsolutesilence，andunswervingloyaltytoeachotherincasetheFirstConsulreturnedtriumphant。
\"’Weallknowwhatwehavetodo，’addedFouche。
\"Sieyessoftlyunboltedthedoor；hispriestlyearhadwarnedhim。
Lucienenteredtheroom。
\"’Goodnews！’hesaid。’AcourierhasjustbroughtMadameBonapartealinefromtheFirstConsul。ThecampaignhasopenedwithavictoryatMontebello。’
\"Thethreeministersexchangedlooks。
\"’Wasitageneralengagement？’askedCarnot。
\"’No，afight，inwhichLanneshascoveredhimselfwithglory。Theaffairwasbloody。Attackedwithtenthousandmenbyeighteenthousand，hewasonlysavedbyadivisionsenttohissupport。Ottisinfullretreat。TheAustrianlineisbroken。’
\"’Whendidthefighttakeplace？’askedCarnot。
\"’Onthe8th，’repliedLucien。
\"’Andthisisthe13th，’saidthesagaciousminister。’Well，ifthatisso，thedestiniesofFranceareinthescaleattheverymomentwearespeaking。’\"
Infact，thebattleofMarengodidbeginatdawnofthe14th。
\"’Fourdaysoffataluncertainty！’saidLucien。
\"’Fatal？’saidtheministerofforeignaffairs，coldlyandinterrogatively。
\"’Fourdays，’echoedFouche。
\"Aneye-witnesstoldme，\"saiddeMarsay，continuingthenarrativeinhisownperson，\"thattheconsuls，CambaceresandLebrun，knewnothingofthismomentousnewsuntilafterthesixpersonagesreturnedtothesalon。Itwasthenfourinthemorning。Foucheleftfirst。Thatmanofdarkandmysteriousgenius，extraordinary，profound，andlittleunderstood，butwhoundoubtedlyhadthegiftsofaPhiliptheSecond，aTiberiusandaBorgia，wentatoncetoworkwithaninfernalandsecretactivity。HisconductatthetimeoftheaffairatWalcherenwasthatofaconsummatesoldier，agreatpolitician，afar-seeingadministrator。HewastheonlyrealministerthatNapoleoneverhad。
Andyouallknowhowhethenalarmedhim。
\"Fouche，MassenaandthePrince，\"continueddeMarsay，reflectively，\"arethethreegreatestmen，thewisestheadsindiplomacy，war，andgovernment，thatIhaveeverknown。IfNapoleonhadfranklyalliedthemwithhisworktherewouldnolongerbeaEurope，onlyavastFrenchEmpire。FouchedidnotfinallydetachhimselffromNapoleonuntilhesawSieyesandthePrincedeTalleyrandshovedaside。
\"Henowwenttowork，andinthreedaysallthewhilehidingthehandthatstirredtheashesoftheMontagnehehadorganizedthatgeneralagitationwhichthenarosealloverFranceandrevivedtherepublicanismof1793。AsitisnecessarythatIshouldexplainthisobscurecornerofourhistory，Imusttellyouthatthisagitation，startingfromFouche’sownhandwhichheldthewiresoftheformerMontagne，producedrepublicanplotsagainstthelifeoftheFirstConsul，whichwasinperilfromthiscauselongafterthevictoryofMarengo。ItwasFouche’ssenseoftheevilhehadthusbroughtaboutwhichledhimtowarnNapoleon，whoheldacontraryopinion，thatrepublicansweremoreconcernedthanroyalistsinthevariousconspiracies。
\"Fouchewasanadmirablejudgeofmen；hereliedonSieyesbecauseofhisthwartedambition，onTalleyrandbecausehewasagreat/seigneur/，onCarnotforhisperfecthonesty；butthemanhedreadedwastheonewhomyouhaveseenherethisevening。Iwillnowtellhowheentangledthatmaninhismeshes。
\"MalinwasonlyMalininthosedays，——asecretagentandcorrespondentofLouisXVIII。Fouchenowcompelledhimtoreducetowritingalltheproclamationsoftheproposedrevolutionarygovernment，itswarrantsandedictsagainstthefactionsofthe18thBrumaire。Anaccompliceagainsthisownwill，Malinwasrequiredtohavethesedocumentssecretlyprinted，andthecopiesheldreadyinhisownhousefordistributionifBonaparteweredefeated。Theprinterwassubsequentlyimprisonedanddetainedtwomonths；hediedin1816，andalwaysbelievedhehadbeenemployedbyaMontagnardconspiracy。
\"OneofthemostsingularsceneseverplayedbyFouche’spolicewascausedbytheblunderofanagent，whodespatchedacouriertoafamousbankerofthatdaywiththenewsofadefeatatMarengo。
Victory，youwillremember，didnotdeclareitselfforNapoleonuntilseveno’clockintheeveningofthebattle。Atmiddaythebanker’sagent，consideringthedaylostandtheFrencharmyabouttobeannihilated，hastenedtodespatchthecourier。OnreceiptofthatnewsFouchewasabouttoputintomotionawholearmyofbill-postersandcries，withatruckfullofproclamations，whenthesecondcourierarrivedwiththenewsofthetriumphwhichputallFrancebesideitselfwithjoy。TherewereheavylossesattheBourse，ofcourse。ButthecriersandposterswhoweregatheredtoannouncethepoliticaldeathofBonaparteandtopostupthenewproclamationswereonlykeptwaitingawhiletillthenewsofthevictorycouldbestruckoff！
\"Malin，onwhomthewholeresponsibilityoftheplotofwhichhehadbeentheworkingagentwaslikelytofallifiteverbecameknown，wassoterrifiedthathepackedtheproclamationsandotherpapersincartsandtookthemdowntoGondrevilleinthenight-time，wherenodoubttheywerehiddeninthecellarsofthatchateau，whichhehadboughtinthenameofanotherman——whowasit，bythebye？hehadhimmadechief-justiceofanImperialcourt——Ah！Marion。HavingthusdisposedofthesedamningproofshereturnedtoParistocongratulatetheFirstConsulonhisvictory。Napoleon，asyouknow，rushedfromItalytoParisafterthebattleofMarengowithalarmingcelerity。
ThosewhoknowthesecrethistoryofthattimearewellawarethatamessagefromLucienbroughthimback。TheministeroftheinteriorhadforeseentheattitudeoftheMontagnardparty，andthoughhehadnoideaofthequarterfromwhichthewindreallyblew，hefearedastorm。IncapableofsuspectingthethreeministersandCarnot，heattributedthemovementwhichstirredallFrancetothehatredhisbrotherhadexcitedbythe18thBrumaire，andtotheconfidentbeliefofthemenof1793thatdefeatwascertaininItaly。
\"ThebattleofMarengodetainedNapoleonontheplainsofLombardyuntilthe25thofJune，buthereachedParisonthe2ndofJuly。
ImaginethefacesofthefiveconspiratorsastheymettheFirstConsulattheTuileries，andcongratulatedhimonthevictory。FoucheonthatveryoccasionatthepalacetoldMalintohavepatience，for/allwasnotoveryet/。Thetruthwas，TalleyrandandFouchebothheldthatBonapartewasnotasmuchboundtotheprinciplesoftheRevolutionastheywere，andasheoughttobe；andforthisreason，aswellasfortheirownsafety，theysubsequently，in1804，buckledhimirrevocably，astheybelieved，toitscausebytheaffairoftheDucd’Enghien。TheexecutionofthatprinceisconnectedbyaseriesofdiscoverableramificationswiththeplotwhichwaslaidonthatJuneeveningintheboudoiroftheministryofforeignaffairs，thenightbeforethebattleofMarengo。Thosewhohavethemeansofjudging，andwhohaveknownpersonswhowerewell-informed，arefullyawarethatBonapartewashandledlikeachildbyTalleyrandandFouche，whoweredeterminedtoalienatehimirrevocablyfromtheHouseofBourbon，whoseagentswereeventhen，atthelastmoment，endeavoringtonegotiatewiththeFirstConsul。\"
\"TalleyrandwasplayingwhistinthesalonofMadamedeLuynes，\"saidapersonagewhohadbeenlisteningattentivelytodeMarsay’snarrative。\"Itwasaboutthreeo’clockinthemorning，whenhepulledouthiswatch，lookedatit，stoppedthegame，andaskedhisthreecompanionsabruptlyandwithoutanyprefacewhetherthePrincedeCondehadanyotherchildrenthantheDucd’Enghien。SuchanabsurdinquiryfromthelipsofTalleyrandcausedtheutmostsurprise。’Whydoyouaskuswhatyouknowperfectlywellyourself？’theysaidtohim。’OnlytoletyouknowthattheHouseofCondecomestoanendatthismoment。’NowMonsieurdeTalleyrandhadbeenatthehoteldeLuynestheentireevening，andhemusthaveknownthatBonapartewasabsolutelyunabletograntthepardon。\"
\"But，\"saidEugenedeRastignac，\"Idon’tseeinallthisanyconnectionwithMadamedeCinq-Cygnesandhertroubles。\"
\"Ah，youweresoyoungatthattime，mydearfellow；Iforgottoexplaintheconclusion。YouallknowtheaffairoftheabductionoftheComtedeGondreville，thensenatoroftheEmpire，forwhichtheSimeusebrothersandthetwod’Hauteserreswerecondemnedtothegalleys，——anaffairwhichdid，infact，leadtotheirdeath。\"
DeMarsay，entreatedbyseveralpersonspresenttowhomthecircumstanceswereunknown，relatedthewholetrial，statingthatthemysteriousabductorswerefivesharksofthesecretserviceoftheministryofthepolice，whowereorderedtoobtaintheproclamationsofthewould-beDirectorywhichMalinhadsurreptitiouslytakenfromhishouseinParis，andwhichhehadhimselfcometoGondrevillefortheexpresspurposeofdestroying，beingconvincedatlastthattheEmpirewasonasurefoundationandcouldnotbeoverthrown。\"Ihavenodoubt，\"addeddeMarsay，\"thatFouchetooktheopportunitytohavethehousesearchedforthecorrespondencebetweenMalinandLouisXVIII。，whichwasalwayskeptup，evenduringtheTerror。Butinthiscruelaffairtherewasaprivateelement，apassionofrevengeinthemindoftheleaderoftheparty，amannamedCorentin，whoisstillliving，andwhoisoneofthosesubalternagentswhomnothingcanreplaceandwhomakeshimselffeltbyhisamazingability。ItappearsthatMadame，thenMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，hadill-treatedhimonaformeroccasionwhenheattemptedtoarresttheSimeusebrothers。Whathappenedafterwardsinconnectionwiththesenator’sabductionwastheresultofhisprivatevengeance。
\"Thesefactswereknown，ofcourse，toMalin，andthroughhimtoLouisXVIII。Youmaytherefore，\"addeddeMarsay，turningtothePrincessedeCadignan，\"explainthewholemattertotheMarquisedeCinq-Cygne，andshowherwhyLouisXVIII。thoughtfittokeepsilence。\"
End