第3章
"Whilealltheworldissleeping，heisawake——likeGod!"thoughtshe。
Theeducationofgirlsbringswithitsuchseriousproblems——forthefutureofanationisinthemother——thattheUniversityofFrancelongsincesetitselfthetaskofhavingnothingtodowithit。Hereisoneoftheseproblems:Oughtgirlstobeinformedonallpoints？
Oughttheirmindstobeunderrestraint？Itneednotbesaidthatthereligioussystemisoneofrestraint。Ifyouenlightenthem，youmakethemdemonsbeforetheirtime；ifyoukeepthemfromthinking，youendinthesuddenexplosionsowellshownbyMoliereinthecharacterofAgnes，andyouleavethissuppressedmind，sofreshandclear-seeing，asswiftandaslogicalasthatofasavage，atthemercyofanaccident。ThisinevitablecrisiswasbroughtoninMademoiselledeWattevillebytheportraitwhichoneofthemostprudentAbbesoftheChapterofBesanconimprudentlyallowedhimselftosketchatadinnerparty。
Nextmorning，MademoiselledeWatteville，whiledressing，necessarilylookedoutatAlbertSavaronwalkinginthegardenadjoiningthatoftheHoteldeRupt。
"Whatwouldhavebecomeofme，"thoughtshe，"ifhehadlivedanywhereelse？HereIcan，atanyrate，seehim——Whatishethinkingabout？"
Havingseenthisextraordinaryman，thoughatadistance，theonlymanwhosecountenancestoodforthincontrastwithcrowdsofBesanconfacesshehadhithertometwith，Rosalieatoncejumpedattheideaofgettingintohishouse，ofascertainingthereasonofsomuchmystery，ofhearingthateloquentvoice，ofwinningaglancefromthosefineeyes。Allthisshesetherhearton，buthowcouldsheachieveit？
Allthatdayshedrewherneedlethroughherembroiderywiththeobtuseconcentrationofagirlwho，likeAgnes，seemstobethinkingofnothing，butwhoisreflectingonthingsingeneralsodeeply，thatherartificeisunfailing。Asaresultofthisprofoundmeditation，Rosaliethoughtshewouldgotoconfession。Nextmorning，afterMass，shehadabriefinterviewwiththeAbbeGiroudatSaint-Pierre，andmanagedsoingeniouslythatthehourofherconfessionwasfixedforSundaymorningathalf-pastseven，beforetheeighto"clockMass。Shecommittedherselftoadozenfibsinordertofindherself，justforonce，inthechurchatthehourwhenthelawyercametoMass。Thenshewasseizedwithanimpulseofextremeaffectionforherfather；shewenttoseehiminhisworkroom，andaskedhimforallsortsofinformationontheartofturning，endingbyadvisinghimtoturnlargerpieces，columns。Afterpersuadingherfathertosettoworkonsometwistedpillars，oneofthedifficultiesoftheturner"sart，shesuggestedthatheshouldmakeuseofalargeheapofstonesthatlayinthemiddleofthegardentoconstructasortofgrottoonwhichhemighterectalittletempleorBelvedereinwhichhistwistedpillarscouldbeusedandshownofftoalltheworld。
Attheclimaxofthepleasurethepoorunoccupiedmanderivedfromthisscheme，Rosaliesaid，asshekissedhim，"Aboveall，donottellmammawhogaveyouthenotion；shewouldscoldme。"
"Donotbeafraid!"repliedMonsieurdeWatteville，whogroanedasbitterlyashisdaughterunderthetyrannyoftheterribledescendantoftheRupts。
SoRosaliehadacertainprospectofseeingerelongacharmingobservatorybuilt，whencehereyewouldcommandthelawyer"sprivateroom。Andtherearemenforwhosesakeyounggirlscancarryoutsuchmasterstrokesofdiplomacy，while，forthemostpart，likeAlbertSavaron，theyknowitnot。
TheSundaysoimpatientlylookedforarrived，andRosaliedressedwithsuchcarefulnessasmadeMariette，theladies"-maid，smile。
"ItisthefirsttimeIeverknewmademoiselletobesofidgety，"saidMariette。
"Itstrikesme，"saidRosalie，withaglanceatMariette，whichbroughtpoppiestohercheeks，"thatyoutooaremoreparticularonsomedaysthanonothers。"
Asshewentdownthesteps，acrossthecourtyard，andthroughthegates，Rosalie"sheartbeat，aseverybody"sdoesinanticipationofagreatevent。Hitherto，shehadneverknownwhatitwastowalkinthestreets；foramomentshehadfeltasthoughhermothermustreadherschemesonherbrow，andforbidhergoingtoconfession，andshenowfeltnewbloodinherfeet，sheliftedthemasthoughshetrodonfire。Shehad，ofcourse，arrangedtobewithherconfessorataquarter-pasteight，tellinghermothereight，soastohaveaboutaquarterofanhournearAlbert。ShegottochurchbeforeMass，andafterashortprayer，wenttoseeiftheAbbeGiroudwereinhisconfessional，simplytopassthetime；andshethusplacedherselfinsuchawayastoseeAlbertashecameintochurch。
ThemanmusthavebeenatrociouslyuglywhodidnotseemhandsometoMademoiselledeWattevilleintheframeofmindproducedbyhercuriosity。AndAlbertSavaron，whowasreallyverystriking，madeallthemoreimpressiononRosaliebecausehismien，hiswalk，hiscarriage，everythingdowntohisclothing，hadtheindescribablestampwhichcanonlybeexpressedbythewordMystery。
Hecamein。Thechurch，tillnowgloomy，seemedtoRosalietobeilluminated。Thegirlwasfascinatedbyhisslowandsolemndemeanor，asofamanwhobearsaworldonhisshouldersandwhosedeepgaze，whoseverygestures，combinetoexpressadevastatingorabsorbingthought。RosalienowunderstoodtheVicar-General"swordsintheirfullestextent。Yes，thoseeyesoftawnybrown，shotwithgoldenlights，coveredardorwhichrevealeditselfinsuddenflashes。
Rosalie，witharecklessnesswhichMariettenoted，stoodinthelawyer"sway，soastoexchangeglanceswithhim；andthisglanceturnedherblood，foritseethedandboiledasthoughitswarmthweredoubled。
AssoonasAlberthadtakenaseat，MademoiselledeWattevillequicklyfoundaplacewhenceshecouldseehimperfectlyduringallthetimetheAbbemightleaveher。WhenMariettesaid，"HereisMonsieurGiroud，"itseemedtoRosaliethattheinterviewhadlastednomorethanafewminutes。Bythetimeshecameoutfromtheconfessional，Masswasover。Alberthadleftthechurch。
"TheVicar-Generalwasright，"thoughtshe。"/He/isunhappy。Whyshouldthiseagle——forhehastheeyesofaneagle——swoopdownonBesancon？Oh，Imustknoweverything!Buthow？"
UnderthesmartofthisnewdesireRosaliesetthestitchesofherworsted-workwithexquisiteprecision，andhidhermeditationsunderalittleinnocentair，whichshammedsimplicitytodeceiveMadamedeWatteville。
FromthatSunday，whenMademoiselledeWattevillehadmetthatlook，or，ifyouplease，receivedthisbaptismoffire——afineexpressionofNapoleon"swhichmaybewellappliedtolove——sheeagerlypromotedtheplanfortheBelvedere。
"Mamma，"saidsheonedaywhentwocolumnswereturned，"myfatherhastakenasingularideaintohishead；heisturningcolumnsforaBelvedereheintendstoerectontheheapofstonesinthemiddleofthegarden。Doyouapproveofit？Itseemstome——"
"Iapproveofeverythingyourfatherdoes，"saidMadamedeWattevilledrily，"anditisawife"sdutytosubmittoherhusbandevenifshedoesnotapproveofhisideas。WhyshouldIobjecttoathingwhichisofnoimportanceinitself，ifonlyitamusesMonsieurdeWatteville？"
"Well，becausefromthenceweshallseeintoMonsieurdeSoulas"
rooms，andMonsieurdeSoulaswillseeuswhenwearethere。Perhapsremarksmaybemade——"
"Doyoupresume，Rosalie，toguideyourparents，andthinkyouknowmorethantheydooflifeandtheproprieties？"
"Isaynomore，mamma。Besides，myfathersaidthattherewouldbearoominthegrotto，whereitwouldbecool，andwherewecantakecoffee。"
"Yourfatherhashadanexcellentidea，"saidMadamedeWatteville，whoforthwithwenttolookatthecolumns。
ShegaveherentireapprobationtotheBarondeWatteville"sdesign，whilechoosingfortheerectionofthismonumentaspotatthebottomofthegarden，whichcouldnotbeseenfromMonsieurdeSoulas"
windows，butwhencetheycouldperfectlyseeintoAlbertSavaron"srooms。Abuilderwassentfor，whoundertooktoconstructagrotto，ofwhichthetopshouldbereachedbyapaththreefeetwidethroughtherock-work，whereperiwinkleswouldgrow，iris，clematis，ivy，honeysuckle，andVirginiacreeper。TheBaronessdesiredthattheinsideshouldbelinedwithrusticwood-work，suchaswasthenthefashionforflower-stands，withalooking-glassagainstthewall，anottomanformingabox，andatableofinlaidbark。MonsieurdeSoulasproposedthatthefloorshouldbeofasphalt。Rosaliesuggestedahangingchandelierofrusticwood。
"TheWattevillesarehavingsomethingcharmingdoneintheirgarden，"
wasrumoredinBesancon。
"Theyarerich，andcanaffordathousandcrownsforawhim——"
"Athousandcrowns!"exclaimedMadamedeChavoncourt。
"Yes，athousandcrowns，"criedyoungMonsieurdeSoulas。"AmanhasbeensentforfromParistorusticatetheinteriorbutitwillbeverypretty。MonsieurdeWattevillehimselfismakingthechandelier，andhasbeguntocarvethewood。"
"Berquetistomakeacellarunderit，"saidanAbbe。
"No，"repliedyoungMonsieurdeSoulas，"heisraisingthekioskonaconcretefoundation，thatitmaynotbedamp。"
"Youknowtheveryleastthingsthataredoneinthathouse，"saidMadamedeChavoncourtsourly，asshelookedatoneofhergreatgirlswaitingtobemarriedforayearpast。
MademoiselledeWatteville，withalittleflushofprideinthinkingofthesuccessofherBelvedere，discernedinherselfavastsuperiorityovereveryoneabouther。Nooneguessedthatalittlegirl，supposedtobeawitlessgoose，hadsimplymadeuphermindtogetacloserviewofthelawyerSavaron"sprivatestudy。
AlbertSavaron"sbrilliantdefenceoftheCathedralChapterwasallthesoonerforgottenbecausetheenvyoftheotherlawyerswasaroused。Also，Savaron，faithfultohisseclusion，wentnowhere。
Havingnofriendstocryhimup，andseeingnoone，heincreasedthechancesofbeingforgottenwhicharecommontostrangersinBesancon。
Nevertheless，hepleadedthreetimesattheCommercialTribunalinthreeknottycaseswhichhadtobecarriedtothesuperiorCourt。Hethusgainedasclientsfourofthechiefmerchantsoftheplace，whodiscernedinhimsomuchgoodsenseandsoundlegalpurviewthattheyplacedtheirclaimsinhishands。
OnthedaywhentheWattevillefamilyinauguratedtheBelvedere，Savaronalsowasfoundingamonument。ThankstotheconnectionshehadobscurelyformedamongtheupperclassofmerchantsinBesancon，hewasstartingafortnightlypaper，calledthe/EasternReview/，withthehelpoffortysharesoffivehundredfrancseach，takenupbyhisfirsttenclients，onwhomhehadimpressedthenecessityforpromotingtheinterestsofBesancon，thetownwherethetrafficshouldmeetbetweenMulhouseandLyons，andthechiefcentrebetweenMulhouseandRhone。
TocompetewithStrasbourg，wasitnotneedfulthatBesanconshouldbecomeafocusofenlightenmentaswellasoftrade？TheleadingquestionsrelatingtotheinterestsofEasternFrancecouldonlybedealtwithinareview。WhataglorioustasktorobStrasbourgandDijonoftheirliteraryimportance，tobringlighttotheEastofFrance，andcompetewiththecentralizinginfluenceofParis!Thesereflections，putforwardbyAlbert，wererepeatedbythetenmerchants，whobelievedthemtobetheirown。
MonsieurSavarondidnotcommittheblunderofputtinghisnameinfront；heleftthefinanceoftheconcerntohischiefclient，MonsieurBoucher，connectedbymarriagewithoneofthegreatpublishersofimportantecclesiasticalworks；buthekepttheeditorship，withashareoftheprofitsasfounder。ThecommercialinterestappealedtoDole，toDijon，toSalins，toNeufchatel，totheJura，Bourg，Nantua，Lous-le-Saulnier。TheconcurrencewasinvitedofthelearningandenergyofeveryscientificstudentinthedistrictsofleBugey，laBresse，andFrancheComte。Bytheinfluenceofcommercialinterestsandcommonfeeling，fivehundredsubscriberswerebookedinconsiderationofthelowprice；the/Review/costeightfrancsaquarter。
Toavoidhurtingtheconceitoftheprovincialsbyrefusingtheirarticles，thelawyerhitonthegoodideaofsuggestingadesirefortheliterarymanagementofthis/Review/toMonsieurBoucher"seldestson，ayoungmanoftwo-and-twenty，veryeagerforfame，towhomthesnaresandwoesofliteraryresponsibilitieswereutterlyunknown。
AlbertquietlykepttheupperhandandmadeAlfredBoucherhisdevotedadherent。AlfredwastheonlymaninBesanconwithwhomthekingofthebarwasonfamiliarterms。AlfredcameinthemorningtodiscussthearticlesforthenextnumberwithAlbertinthegarden。Itisneedlesstosaythatthetrialnumbercontaineda"Meditation"byAlfred，whichSavaronapproved。InhisconversationswithAlfred，Albertwouldletdropsomegreatideas，subjectsforarticlesofwhichAlfredavailedhimself。Andthusthemerchant"ssonfanciedhewasmakingcapitaloutofthegreatman。ToAlfred，Albertwasamanofgenius，ofprofoundpolitics。Thecommercialworld，enchantedatthesuccessofthe/Review/，hadtopayuponlythree-tenthsoftheirshares。Twohundredmoresubscribers，andtheperiodicalwouldpayadividendtotheshare-holdersoffivepercent，theeditorremainingunpaid。Thisediting，indeed，wasbeyondprice。
Afterthethirdnumberthe/Review/wasrecognizedforexchangebyallthepaperspublishedinFrance，whichAlberthenceforthreadathome。
Thisthirdnumberincludedatalesigned"A。S。，"andattributedtothefamouslawyer。InspiteofthesmallattentionpaidbythehighercircleofBesancontothe/Review/whichwasaccusedofLiberalviews，this，thefirstnovelproducedinthecounty，cameunderdiscussionthatmid-winteratMadamedeChavoncourt"s。
"Papa，"saidRosalie，"a/Review/ispublishedinBesancon；yououghttotakeitin；andkeepitinyourroom，formammawouldnotletmereadit，butyouwilllendittome。"
MonsieurdeWatteville，eagertoobeyhisdearRosalie，whoforthelastfivemonthshadgivenhimsomanyproofsoffilialaffection，——
MonsieurdeWattevillewentinpersontosubscribeforayeartothe/EasternReview/，andlentthefournumbersalreadyouttohisdaughter。InthecourseofthenightRosaliedevouredthetale——thefirstshehadeverreadinherlife——butshehadonlyknownlifefortwomonthspast。Hencetheeffectproducedonherbythisworkmustnotbejudgedbyordinaryrules。WithoutprejudiceofanykindastothegreaterorlessmeritofthiscompositionfromthepenofaParisianwhohadthusimportedintotheprovincethemanner，thebrilliancy，ifyouwill，ofthenewliteraryschool，itcouldnotfailtobeamasterpiecetoayounggirlabandoningallherintelligenceandherinnocenthearttoherfirstreadingofthiskind。
Also，fromwhatshehadheardsaid，Rosaliehadbyintuitionconceivedanotionofitwhichstrangelyenhancedtheinterestofthisnovel。
Shehopedtofindinitthesentiments，andperhapssomethingofthelifeofAlbert。Fromthefirstpagesthisopiniontooksostrongaholdonher，thatafterreadingthefragmenttotheendshewascertainthatitwasnomistake。Here，then，isthisconfession，inwhich，accordingtothecriticsofMadamedeChavoncourt"sdrawing-
room，Alberthadimitatedsomemodernwriterswho，forlackofinventiveness，relatetheirprivatejoys，theirprivategriefs，orthemysteriouseventsoftheirownlife。
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AMBITIONFORLOVE"SSAKE
In1823twoyoungmen，havingagreedasaplanforaholidaytomakeatourthroughSwitzerland，setoutfromLucerneonefinemorninginthemonthofJulyinaboatpulledbythreeoarsmen。TheystartedforFluelen，intendingtostopateverynotablespotonthelakeoftheFourCantons。TheviewswhichshutinthewatersonthewayfromLucernetoFluelenoffereverycombinationthatthemostexactingfancycandemandofmountainsandrivers，lakesandrocks，brooksandpastures，treesandtorrents。Hereareausteresolitudesandcharmingheadlands，smilingandtrimlykeptmeadows，forestscrowningperpendiculargranitecliffs，likeplumes，desertedbutverdantreachesopeningout，andvalleyswhosebeautyseemsthelovelierinthedreamydistance。
AstheypassedtheprettyhamletofGersau，oneofthefriendslookedforalongtimeatawoodenhousewhichseemedtohavebeenrecentlybuilt，enclosedbyapaling，andstandingonapromontory，almostbathedbythewaters。Astheboatrowedpast，awoman"sheadwasraisedagainstthebackgroundoftheroomontheupperstoryofthishouse，toadmiretheeffectoftheboatonthelake。Oneoftheyoungmenmettheglancethusindifferentlygivenbytheunknownfair。
"Letusstophere，"saidhetohisfriend。"WemeanttomakeLucerneourheadquartersforseeingSwitzerland；youwillnottakeitamiss，Leopold，ifIchangemymindandstayheretotakechargeofourpossessions。Thenyoucangowhereyouplease；myjourneyisended。
Pulltoland，men，andputusoutatthisvillage；wewillbreakfasthere。IwillgobacktoLucernetofetchallourluggage，andbeforeyouleaveyouwillknowinwhichhouseItakealodging，whereyouwillfindmeonyourreturn。"
"HereoratLucerne，"repliedLeopold，"thedifferenceisnotsogreatthatIneedhinderyoufromfollowingyourwhim。"
Thesetwoyouthswerefriendsinthetruestsenseoftheword。Theywereofthesameage；theyhadlearnedatthesameschool；andafterstudyingthelaw，theywerespendingtheirholidayintheclassicaltourinSwitzerland。Leopold，byhisfather"sdetermination，wasalreadypledgedtoaplaceinanotary"sofficeinParis。Hisspiritofrectitude，hisgentleness，andthecoolnessofhissensesandhisbrain，guaranteedhimtobeadocilepupil。LeopoldcouldseehimselfanotaryinParis；hislifelaybeforehimlikeoneofthehighroadsthatcrosstheplainsofFrance，andhelookedalongitswholelengthwithphilosophicalresignation。
Thecharacterofhiscompanion，whomwewillcallRodolphe，presentedastrongcontrastwithLeopold"s，andtheirantagonismhadnodoubthadtheresultoftighteningthebondthatunitedthem。Rodolphewasthenaturalsonofamanofrank，whowascarriedoffbyaprematuredeathbeforehecouldmakeanyarrangementsforsecuringthemeansofexistencetoawomanhefondlylovedandtoRodolphe。Thuscheatedbyastrokeoffate，Rodolphe"smotherhadrecoursetoaheroicmeasure。
Shesoldeverythingsheowedtothemunificenceofherchild"sfatherforasumofmorethanahundredthousandfrancs，boughtwithitalifeannuityforherselfatahighrate，andthusacquiredanincomeofaboutfifteenthousandfrancs，resolvingtodevotethewholeofittotheeducationofherson，soastogivehimallthepersonaladvantagesthatmighthelptomakehisfortune，whilesaving，bystricteconomy，asmallcapitaltobehiswhenhecameofage。Itwasbold；itwascountingonherownlife；butwithoutthisboldnessthegoodmotherwouldcertainlyhavefounditimpossibletoliveandtobringherchildupsuitably，andhewasheronlyhope，herfuture，thespringofallherjoys。
Rodolphe，thesonofamostcharmingParisianwoman，andamanofmark，anoblemanofBrabant，wascursedwithextremesensitiveness。
Fromhisinfancyhehadineverythingshownamostardentnature。Inhimmeredesirebecameaguidingforceandthemotivepowerofhiswholebeing，thestimulustohisimagination，thereasonofhisactions。Notwithstandingthepainstakenbyaclevermother，whowasalarmedwhenshedetectedthispredisposition，Rodolphewishedforthingsasapoetimagines，asamathematiciancalculates，asapaintersketches，asamusiciancreatesmelodies。Tender-hearted，likehismother，hedashedwithinconceivableviolenceandimpetusofthoughtaftertheobjectofhisdesires；heannihilatedtime。Whiledreamingofthefulfilmentofhisschemes，healwaysoverlookedthemeansofattainment。"Whenmysonhaschildren，"saidhisother，"hewillwantthemborngrownup。"
Thisfinefrenzy，carefullydirected，enabledRodolphetoachievehisstudieswithbrilliantresults，andtobecomewhattheEnglishcallanaccomplishedgentleman。Hismotherwasthenproudofhim，thoughstillfearingacatastropheifeverapassionshouldpossessaheartatoncesotenderandsosusceptible，sovehementandsokind。Therefore，thejudiciousmotherhadencouragedthefriendshipwhichboundLeopoldtoRodolpheandRodolphetoLeopold，sinceshesawinthecoldandfaithfulyoungnotary，aguardian，acomrade，whomighttoacertainextenttakeherplaceifbysomemisfortunesheshouldbelosttoherson。Rodolphe"smother，stillhandsomeatthree-and-forty，hadinspiredLeopoldwithanardentpassion。Thiscircumstancemadethetwoyoungmenevenmoreintimate。
SoLeopold，knowingRodolphewell，wasnotsurprisedtofindhimstoppingatavillageandgivinguptheprojectedjourneytoSaint-
Gothard，onthestrengthofasingleglanceattheupperwindowofahouse。WhilebreakfastwaspreparedforthemattheSwanInn，thefriendswalkedroundthehamletandcametotheneighborhoodoftheprettynewhouse；here，whilegazingabouthimandtalkingtotheinhabitants，Rodolphediscoveredtheresidenceofsomedecentfolk，whowerewillingtotakehimasaboarder，averyfrequentcustominSwitzerland。Theyofferedhimabedroomlookingoverthelakeandthemountains，andfromwhencehehadaviewofoneofthoseimmensesweepingreacheswhich，inthislake，aretheadmirationofeverytraveler。Thishousewasdividedbyaroadwayandalittlecreekfromthenewhouse，whereRodolphehadcaughtsightoftheunknownfairone"sface。
ForahundredfrancsamonthRodolphewasrelievedofallthoughtforthenecessariesoflife。But，inconsiderationoftheoutlaytheStopfercoupleexpectedtomake，theybargainedforthreemonths"
residenceandamonth"spaymentinadvance。RubaSwisseversolittle，andyoufindtheusurer。Afterbreakfast，RodolpheatoncemadehimselfathomebydepositinginhisroomsuchpropertyashehadbroughtwithhimforthejourneytotheSaint-Gothard，andhewatchedLeopoldashesetout，movedbythespiritofroutine，tocarryouttheexcursionforhimselfandhisfriend。WhenRodolphe，sittingonafallenrockontheshore，couldnolongerseeLeopold"sboat，heturnedtoexaminethenewhousewithstolenglances，hopingtoseethefairunknown。Alas!hewentinwithoutitshavinggivenasignoflife。Duringdinner，inthecompanyofMonsieurandMadameStopfer，retiredcoopersfromNeufchatel，hequestionedthemastotheneighborhood，andendedbylearningallhewantedtoknowaboutthelady，thankstohishosts"loquacity；fortheywerereadytopourouttheirbudgetofgossipwithoutanypressing。