第18章

CHAPTERXXVIII

MODESTEBEHAVESWITHDIGNITY

Onre—enteringthesalonErnestdeLaBrierefoundayoungofficerofthecompanyoftheguardd’Havre，theVicomtedeSerizy，whohadjustarrivedfromRosnytoannouncethatMADAMEwasobligedtobepresentattheopeningoftheChambers。Weknowtheimportancethenattachedtothisconstitutionalsolemnity，atwhichCharlesX。deliveredhisspeech，surroundedbytheroyalfamily，——MadamelaDauphineandMADAME

beingpresentintheirgallery。Thechoiceoftheemissarychargedwiththedutyofexpressingtheprincess’sregretswasanattentiontoDiane，whowasthenanobjectofadorationtothischarmingyoungman，sonofaministerofstate，gentlemaninordinaryofthechamber，onlysonandheirtoanimmensefortune。TheDuchessedeMaufrigneusepermittedhisattentionssolelyforthepurposeofattractingnoticetotheageofhismother，MadamedeSerizy，whowassaid，inthosechroniclesthatarewhisperedbehindthefans，tohavedeprivedheroftheheartofthehandsomeLuciendeRubempre。

"Youwilldousthepleasure，Ihope，toremainatRosembray，"saidthesevereduchesstotheyoungofficer。

Whilegivingeartoeveryscandal，thedevoutladyshuthereyestothederelictionsofherguestswhohadbeencarefullyselectedbytheduke;indeed，itissurprisinghowmuchtheseexcellentwomenwilltolerateunderpretenceofbringingthelostsheepbacktothefoldbytheirindulgence。

"Wereckonedwithoutourconstitutionalgovernment，"saidthegrandequerry;"andRosembray，Madameladuchesse，willloseagreathonor。"

"Weshallbemoreatourease，"saidatallthinoldman，aboutseventy—fiveyearsofage，dressedinbluecloth，andwearinghishunting—capbypermissionoftheladies。Thispersonage，whocloselyresembledtheDucdeBourbon，wasnolessthanthePrincedeCadignan，MasteroftheHunt，andoneofthelastofthegreatFrenchlords。

JustasLaBrierewasendeavoringtoslipbehindthesofaandobtainamoment’sintercoursewithModeste，amanofthirty—eight，short，fat，andverycommoninappearance，enteredtheroom。

"Myson，thePrincedeLoudon，"saidtheDuchessedeVerneuiltoModeste，whocouldnotrestraintheexpressionofamazementthatoverspreadheryoungfaceonseeingthemanwhoborethehistoricalnamethattheheroofLaVendeehadrenderedfamousbyhisbraveryandthemartyrdomofhisdeath。

"Gaspard，"saidtheduchess，callinghersontoher。Theyoungprincecameatonce，andhismothercontinued，motioningtoModeste，"MademoiselledeLaBastie，myfriend。"

Theheirpresumptive，whosemarriagewithDesplein’sonlydaughterhadlatelybeenarranged，bowedtotheyounggirlwithoutseemingstruck，ashisfatherhadbeen，withherbeauty。Modestewasthusenabledtocomparetheyouthofto—daywiththeoldageofapastepoch;fortheoldPrincedeCadignanhadalreadysaidafewwordswhichmadeherfeelthatherenderedastrueahomagetowomanhoodastoroyalty。TheDucdeRhetore，theeldestsonoftheDuchessedeChaulieu，chieflyremarkableformannersthatwereequallyimpertinentandfreeandeasy，bowedtoModesterathercavalierly。Thereasonofthiscontrastbetweenthefathersandthesonsistobefound，probably，inthefactthatyoungmennolongerfeelthemselvesgreatbeings，astheirforefathersdid，andtheydispensewiththedutiesofgreatness，knowingwellthattheyarenowbuttheshadowofit。Thefathersretaintheinherentpolitenessoftheirvanishedgrandeur，likethemountain—topsstillgildedbythesunwhenallistwilightinthevalley。

ErnestwasatlastabletoslipawordintoModeste’sear，andsheroseimmediately。

"Mydear，"saidtheduchesse，thinkingshewasgoingtodress，andpullingabell—rope，"theyshallshowyouyourapartment。"

ErnestaccompaniedModestetothefootofthegrandstaircase，presentingtherequestofthelucklesspoet，andendeavoringtotouchherfeelingsbydescribingMelchior’sagony。

"Yousee，heloves——heisacaptivewhothoughthecouldbreakhischain。"

"Loveinsucharapidseekerafterfortune！"retortedModeste。

"Mademoiselle，youareattheentranceoflife;youdonotknowitsdefiles。Theinconsistenciesofamanwhofallsunderthedominionofawomanmucholderthanhimselfshouldbeforgiven，forheisreallynotaccountable。ThinkhowmanysacrificesCanalishasmadetoher。Hehassowntoomuchseedofthatkindtoresigntheharvest;theduchessrepresentstohimtenyearsofdevotionandhappiness。Youmadehimforgetallthat，andunfortunately，hehasmorevanitythanpride;hedidnotreflectonwhathewaslosinguntilhemetMadameChaulieuhereto—day。Ifyoureallyunderstoodhim，youwouldhelphim。Heisachild，alwaysmismanaginghislife。Youcallhimaseekerafterfortune，butheseeksverybadly;likeallpoets，heisavictimofsensations;heischildish，easilydazzledlikeachildbyanythingthatshines，andpursuingitsglitter。Heusedtolovehorsesandpictures，andhecravedfame，——well，hesoldhispicturestobuyarmorandoldfurnitureoftheRenaissanceandLouisXV。;justnowheisseekingpoliticalpower。Admitthathishobbiesarenoblethings。"

"Youhavesaidenough，"repliedModeste;"come，"sheadded，seeingherfather，whomshecalledwithamotionofherheadtogiveherhisarm;

"comewithme，andIwillgiveyouthatscrapofpaper;youshallcarryittothegreatmanandassurehimofmycondescensiontohiswishes，butononecondition，——youmustthankhiminmynameforthepleasureIhavetakeninseeingoneofthefinestoftheGermanplaysperformedinmyhonor。IhavelearnedthatGoethe’smasterpieceisneitherFaustnorEgmont——"andthen，asErnestlookedatthemaliciousgirlwithapuzzledair，sheadded:"ItisTorquatoTasso！

TellMonsieurdeCanalistore—readit，"sheaddedsmiling;"I

particularlydesirethatyouwillrepeattoyourfriendwordforwordwhatIsay;foritisnotanepigram，itisthejustificationofhisconduct，——withthistriflingdifference，thathewill，Itrust，becomemoreandmorereasonable，thankstothefollyofhisEleonore。"

Theduchess’shead—womanconductedModesteandherfathertotheirapartment，whereFrancoiseCochethadalreadyputeverythinginorder，andthechoiceeleganceofwhichastoundedthecolonel，moreespeciallyafterheheardfromFrancoisethattherewerethirtyotherapartmentsinthechateaudecoratedwiththesametaste。

"ThisiswhatIcallapropercountry—house，"saidModeste。

"TheComtedeLaBastiemustbuildyouonelikeit，"repliedherfather。

"Here，monsieur，"saidModeste，givingthebitofpapertoErnest;

"carryittoourfriendandputhimoutofhismisery。"

ThewordOURfriendstrucktheyoungman’sheart。HelookedatModestetoseeiftherewasanythingrealinthecommunityofinterestswhichsheseemedtoadmit，andshe，understandingperfectlywhathislookmeant，added，"Come，goatonce，yourfriendiswaiting。"

LaBrierecoloredexcessively，andlefttheroominastateofdoubtandanxietylessendurablethandespair。Thepaththatapproacheshappinessis，tothetruelover，likethenarrowwaywhichCatholicpoetryhascalledtheentrancetoParadise，——expressingthusadarkandgloomypassage，echoingwiththelastcriesofearthlyanguish。

Anhourlaterthisillustriouscompanywereallassembledinthesalon;somewereplayingwhist，othersconversing;thewomenhadtheirembroideriesinhand，andallwerewaitingtheannouncementofdinner。

ThePrincedeCadignanwasdrawingMonsieurMignonoutuponChina，andhiscampaignsundertheempire，andmakinghimtalkaboutthePortendueres，theL’Estorades，andtheMaucombes，Provencalfamilies;

heblamedhimfornotseekingservice，andassuredhimthatnothingwouldbeeasierthantorestorehimtohisrankascoloneloftheGuard。

"AmanofyourbirthandyourfortuneoughtnottobelongtothepresentOpposition，"saidtheprince，smiling。

ThissocietyofdistinguishedpersonsnotonlypleasedModeste，butitenabledhertoacquire，duringherstay，aperfectionofmannerswhichwithoutthisrevelationshewouldhavelackedallherlife。Showaclocktoanembryomechanic，andyourevealtohimthewholemechanism;hethusdevelopsthegermsofhisfacultywhichliedormantwithinhim。InlikemannerModestehadtheinstincttoappropriatethedistinctivequalitiesofMadamedeMaufrigneuseandMadamedeChaulieu。Forher，thesightofthesewomenwasaneducation;whereasabourgeoiswouldmerelyhaveridiculedtheirwaysormadethemabsurdbyclumsyimitation。Awell—born，well—educated，andright—mindedyoungwomanlikeModestefellnaturallyintoconnectionwiththesepeople，andsawatoncethedifferencesthatseparatethearistocraticworldfromthebourgeoisworld，theprovincesfromthefaubourgSaint—

Germain;shecaughtthealmostimperceptibleshadings;inshort，sheperceivedthegraceofthe"grandedame"withoutdoubtingthatshecouldherselfacquireit。ShenoticedalsothatherfatherandLaBriereappearedinfinitelybetterinthisOlympusthanCanalis。Thegreatpoet，abdicatinghisrealandincontestablepower，thatofthemind，becamenothingmorethanacourtierseekingaministry，intriguingforanorder，andforcedtopleasethewholegalaxy。ErnestdeLaBriere，withoutambitions，wasabletobehimself;whileMelchiorbecame，touseavulgarexpression，ameretoady，andcourtedthePrincedeLoudon，theDucdeRhetore，theVicomtedeSerizy，ortheDucdeMaufrigneuse，likeamannotfreetoasserthimself，asdidColonelMignon，whowasjustlyproudofhiscampaigns，andoftheconfidenceoftheEmperorNapoleon。Modestetooknoteofthestrainedeffortsofthemanofrealtalent，seekingsomewitticismthatshouldraisealaugh，somecleverspeech，somecomplimentwithwhichtoflatterthesegrandpersonages，whomitwashisinteresttoplease。Inaword，toModeste’seyesthepeacockpluckedouthistail—feathers。

Towardthemiddleoftheeveningtheyounggirlsatdownwiththegrandequerryinacornerofthesalon。Sheledhimtherepurposelytoendasuitwhichshecouldnolongerencourageifshewishedtoretainherself—respect。

"Monsieurleduc，ifyoureallyknewme，"shesaid，"youwouldunderstandhowdeeplyIamtouchedbyyourattentions。ItisbecauseoftheprofoundrespectIfeelforyourcharacter，andthefriendshipwhichasoullikeyoursinspiresinmine，thatIcannotenduretowoundyourself—love。BeforeyourarrivalinHavreIlovedsincerely，deeply，andforever，onewhoisworthyofbeingloved，andmyaffectionforwhomisstillasecret;butIwishyoutoknow——andinsayingthisIammoresincerethanmostyounggirls——thathadInotalreadyformedthisvoluntaryattachment，youwouldhavebeenmychoice，forIrecognizeyournobleandbeautifulqualities。Afewwordswhichyourauntandsisterhavesaidtomeastoyourintentionsleadmetomakethisfrankavowal。Ifyouthinkitdesirable，aletterfrommymothershallrecallme，onpretenceofherillness，to—morrowmorningbeforethehuntbegins。WithoutyourconsentIdonotchoosetobepresentatafetewhichIowetoyourkindness，andwhere，ifmysecretshouldescapeme，youmightfeelhurtanddefrauded。YouwillaskmewhyIhavecomehereatall。Icouldnotwithstandtheinvitation。Begenerousenoughnottoreproachmeforwhatwasalmostanecessarycuriosity。Butthisisnotthechief，notthemostdelicatethingIhavetosaytoyou。Youhavefirmfriendsinmyfatherandmyself，——moresothanperhapsyourealize;andasmyfortunewasthefirstcausethatbroughtyoutome，Iwishtosay——butwithoutintendingtouseitasasedativetocalmthegriefwhichgallantryrequiresyoutotestify——thatmyfatherhasthoughtovertheaffairofthemarshes，hisfriendDumaythinksyourprojectfeasible，andtheyhavealreadytakenstepstoformacompany。Gobenheim，Dumay，andmyfatherhavesubscribedfifteenhundredthousandfrancs，andundertaketogettherestfromcapitalists，whowillfeelitintheirinteresttotakeupthematter。IfIhavenotthehonorofbecomingtheDuchessed’Herouville，Ihavealmostthecertaintyofenablingyoutochooseher，freefromalltrammelsinyourchoice，andinahigherspherethanmine。Oh！letmefinish，"shecried，atagesturefromtheduke。

"Judgingbymynephew’semotion，"whisperedMademoiselled’Herouvilletoherniece，"itiseasytoseeyouhaveasister。"

"Monsieurleduc，allthiswassettledinmymindthedayofourfirstride，whenIheardyoudeploreyoursituation。ThisiswhatIhavewishedtosaytoyou。Thatdaydeterminedmyfuturelife。Thoughyoudidnotmaketheconquestofawoman，youhaveatleastgainedfaithfulfriendsatIngouville——ifyouwilldeigntoaccordusthattitle。"

Thislittlediscourse，whichModestehadcarefullythoughtover，wassaidwithsomuchcharmofsoulthatthetearscametothegrandequerry’seyes;heseizedherhandandkissedit。

"Stayduringthehunt，"hesaid;"mywantofmerithasaccustomedmetotheserefusals;butwhileacceptingyourfriendshipandthatofthecolonel，youmustletmesatisfymyselfbythejudgmentofcompetentscientificmen，thatthedrainingofthosemarsheswillbenorisktothecompanyyouspeakof，beforeIagreetothegenerousofferofyourfriends。Youareanoblegirl，andthoughmyheartachestothinkI

canonlybeyourfriend，Iwillgloryinthattitle，andproveittoyouatalltimesandinallseasons。"

"Inthatcase，Monsieurleduc，letuskeepoursecret。Mychoicewillnotbeknown，atleastIthinknot，untilaftermymother’scompleterecovery。Ishouldlikeourfirstblessingtocomefromhereyes。"

CHAPTERXXIX

CONCLUSION

"Ladies，"saidthePrincedeCadignan，astheguestswereabouttoseparateforthenight，"Iknowthatseveralofyouproposetofollowthehoundswithusto—morrow，anditbecomesmydutytotellyouthatifyouwillbeDianasyoumustrise，likeDiana，withthedawn。Themeetisforhalf—pasteighto’clock。Ihaveinthecourseofmylifeseenmanywomendisplaygreatercouragethanmen，butforafewsecondsonly;andyouwillneedastrongdoseofresolutiontokeepyouonhorsebackthewholeday，barringahaltforbreakfast，whichweshalltake，liketruehuntersandhuntresses，onthenail。Areyoustilldeterminedtoshowyourselvestrainedhorse—women？"

"Prince，itisnecessaryformetodoso，"saidModeste，adroitly。

"Ianswerformyself，"saidtheDuchessedeChaulieu。

"AndIformydaughterDiane;sheisworthyofhername，"addedtheprince。"So，then，youallpersistinyourintentions？However，I

shallarrange，forthesakeofMadameandMademoiselledeVerneuilandothersofthepartywhostayathome，todrivethestagtothefurtherendofthepond。"

"Makeyourselfquiteeasy，mesdames，"saidthePrincedeLoudon，whentheRoyalHuntsmanhadlefttheroom;"thatbreakfast’onthenail’

willtakeplaceunderacomfortabletent。"

Thenextday，atdawn，allsignsgavepromiseofagloriousday。Theskies，veiledbyaslightgrayvapor，showedspacesofpurestblue，andwouldsurelybesweptclearbeforemid—daybythenorthwestwind，whichwasalreadyplayingwiththefleecycloudlets。Asthehuntingpartyleftthechateau，theMasteroftheHunt，theDucdeRhetore，andthePrincedeLoudon，whohadnoladiestoescort，rodeintheadvance，noticingthewhitemassesofthechateau，withitsrisingchimneysrelievedagainstthebrilliantred—brownfoliagewhichthetreesinNormandyputonatthecloseofafineautumn。

"Theladiesarefortunateintheirweather，"remarkedtheDucdeRhetore。

"Oh，inspiteofalltheirboasting，"repliedthePrincedeCadignan，"Ithinktheywillletushuntwithoutthem！"

"Sotheymight，ifeachhadnotasquire，"saidtheduke。

Atthismomenttheattentionofthesedeterminedhuntsmen——forthePrincedeLoudonandtheDucdeRhetoreareoftheraceofNimrod，andthebestshotsofthefaubourgSaint—Germain——wasattractedbyaloudaltercation;andtheyspurredtheirhorsestoanopenspaceattheentrancetotheforestofRosembray，famousforitsmossyturf，whichwasappointedforthemeet。Thecauseofthequarrelwassoonapparent。ThePrincedeLoudon，afflictedwithanglomania，hadbroughtouthisownhuntingestablishment，whichwasexclusivelyBritannic，andplaceditunderordersoftheMasteroftheHunt。Now，oneofhismen，alittleEnglishman，——fair，pale，insolent，andphlegmatic，scarcelyabletospeakawordofFrench，anddressedwithaneatnesswhichdistinguishesallBritons，eventhoseofthelowerclasses，——hadpostedhimselfononesideofthisopenspace。JohnBarryworeashortfrock—coat，buttonedtightlyatthewaist，madeofscarletcloth，withbuttonsbearingtheDeVerneuilarms，whiteleatherbreeches，top—

boots，astripedwaistcoat，andacollarandcapeofblackvelvet。Heheldinhishandasmallhunting—whip，andhangingtohiswristbyasilkencordwasabrasshorn。Thisman，thefirstwhipper—in，wasaccompaniedbytwothorough—breddogs，——fox—hounds，white，withliverspots，longintheleg，fineinthemuzzle，withslenderheads，andlittleearsattheircrests。Thehuntsman——famousintheEnglishcountyfromwhichthePrincedeLoudonhadobtainedhimatgreatcost——wasinchargeofanestablishmentoffifteenhorsesandsixtyEnglishhounds，whichcosttheDucdeVerneuil，whowasnothingofahuntsman，butchosetoindulgehissoninthisessentiallyroyaltaste，anenormoussumofmoneytokeepup。

Now，whenJohnarrivedontheground，hefoundhimselfforestalledbythreeotherwhippers—in，inchargeoftwooftheroyalpacksofhoundswhichhadbeenbroughtthereincarts。TheywerethethreebesthuntsmenofthePrincedeCadignan，andpresented，bothincharacterandintheirdistinctivelyFrenchcostume，amarkedcontrasttotherepresentativeofinsolentAlbion。ThesefavoritesofthePrince，eachwearingfull—brimmed，three—corneredhats，veryflatandverywide—

spreading，beneathwhichgrinnedtheirswarthy，tanned，andwrinkledfaces，lightedbythreepairsoftwinklingeyes，werenoticeablylean，sinewy，andvigorous，likemeninwhomsporthadbecomeapassion。AllthreeweresuppliedwithimmensehornsofDampierre，woundwithgreenworstedcords，leavingonlythebrasstubesvisible;buttheycontrolledtheirdogsbytheeyeandvoice。Thosenobleanimalswerefarmorefaithfulandsubmissivesubjectsthanthehumanliegeswhomthekingwasatthatmomentaddressing;allweremarkedwithwhite，black，orliverspots，eachhavingasdistinctiveacountenanceasthesoldiersofNapoleon，theireyesflashinglikediamondsattheslightestnoise。Oneofthem，broughtfromPoitou，wasshortintheback，deepintheshoulder，low—jointed，andlop—eared;theother，fromEngland，white，fineasagreyhoundwithnobelly，smallears，andbuiltforrunning。Bothwereyoung，impatient，andyelpingeagerly，whiletheoldhounds，onthecontrary，coveredwithscars，layquietlywiththeirheadsontheirforepaws，andtheirearstotheearthlikesavages。

AstheEnglishmancameup，theroyaldogsandhuntsmenlookedateachotherasthoughtheysaid，"IfwecannothuntbyourselveshisMajesty’sserviceisinsulted。"

Beginningwithjests，thequarrelpresentlygrewfiercerbetweenMonsieurJacquinLaRoulie，theoldFrenchwhipper—in，andJohnBarry，theyoungislander。Thetwoprincesguessedfromafarthesubjectofthealtercation，andtheMasteroftheHunt，settingspurstohishorse，broughtittoanendbysaying，inavoiceofauthority:——

"Whodrewthewood？"

"I，monseigneur，"saidtheEnglishman。

"Verygood，"saidthePrincedeCadignan，proceedingtotakeBarry’sreport。

DogsandmenbecamesilentandrespectfulbeforetheRoyalHuntsman，asthougheachrecognizedhisdignityassupreme。Theprincelaidouttheday’swork;foritiswithahuntasitiswithabattle，andtheMasterofCharlesX。’shoundswastheNapoleonofforests。ThankstotheadmirablesystemwhichhehasintroducedintoFrenchvenery，hewasabletoturnhisthoughtsexclusivelytothescienceandstrategyofit。HenowquietlyassignedaspecialdutytothePrincedeLoudon’sestablishment，thatofdrivingthestagtowater，when，asheexpected，theroyalhoundshadsentitintotheCrownforestwhichoutlinedthehorizondirectlyinfrontofthechateau。Theprinceknewwellhowtosoothetheself—loveofhisoldhuntsmenbygivingthemthemostarduouspartofthework，andalsothatoftheEnglishman，whomheemployedathisownspeciality，affordinghimachancetoshowthefleetnessofhishorsesanddogsintheopen。Thetwonationalsystemswerethusfacetofaceandallowedtodotheirbestundereachother’seyes。

"Doesmonseigneurwishustowaitanylonger？"saidLaRoulie，respectfully。

"Iknowwhatyoumean，oldfriend，"saidtheprince。"Itislate，but——"

"Herecometheladies，"saidthesecondwhipper—in。

Atthatmomentthecavalcadeofsixteenriderswasseentoapproachattheheadofwhichwerethegreenveilsofthefourladies。Modeste，accompaniedbyherfather，thegrandequerry，andLaBriere，wasintheadvance，besidetheDuchessedeMaufrigneusewhomtheVicomtedeSerizyescorted。BehindthemrodetheDuchessedeChaulieu，flankedbyCanalis，onwhomshewassmilingwithoutatraceofrancor。Whentheyhadreachedtheopenspacewherethehuntsmenwiththeirredcoatsandbrassbugles，surroundedbythehounds，madeapictureworthyofVanderMeulen，theDuchessedeChaulieu，who，inspiteofherembonpoint，satherhorseadmirably，rodeuptoModeste，findingitmoreforherdignitynottoavoidthatyoungperson，towhomtheeveningbeforeshehadnotsaidasingleword。

WhentheMasteroftheHuntfinishedhiscomplimentstotheladiesontheiramazingpunctuality，EleonoredeignedtoobservethemagnificentwhipwhichsparkedinModeste’slittlehand，andgraciouslyaskedleavetolookatit。

"Ihaveneverseenanythingofthekindmorebeautiful，"shesaid，showingittoDianedeMaufrigneuse。"Itisinkeepingwithitspossessor，"sheadded，returningittoModeste。

"Youmustadmit，Madameladuchesse，"answeredMademoiselledeLaBastie，withatenderandmaliciousglanceatLaBriere，"thatitisaratherstrangegiftfromthehandofafuturehusband。"

"Ishouldtakeit，"saidMadamedeMaufrigneuse，"asadeclarationofmyrights，inremembranceofLouisXIV。"

LaBriere’seyesweresuffused，andforamomenthedroppedhisreins;

butasecondglancefromModesteorderedhimnottobetrayhishappiness。Thehuntnowbegan。

TheDucd’Herouvilletookoccasiontosayinalowvoicetohisfortunaterival;"Monsieur，Ihopethatyouwillmakeyourwifehappy;

ifIcanbeusefultoyouinanyway，commandmyservices;Ishouldbeonlytoogladtocontributetothehappinessofsocharmingapair。"

Thisgreatday，inwhichsuchvastinterestsofheartandfortuneweredecided，causedbutoneanxietytotheMasteroftheHunt，——namely，whetherornotthestagwouldcrossthepondandbekilledonthelawnbeforethehouse;forhuntsmenofhiscalibrearelikegreatchess—

playerswhocanpredictacheckmateundercertaincircumstances。Thehappyoldmansucceededtotheheightofhiswishes;therunwasmagnificent，andtheladiesreleasedhimfromhisattendanceuponthemforthehuntofthenextdaybutone，——which，however，turnedouttoberainy。

TheDucdeVerneuil’sguestsstayedfivedaysatRosembray。OnthelastdaytheGazettedeFranceannouncedtheappointmentofMonsieurleBarondeCanalistotherankofcommanderoftheLegionofhonor，andtothepostofministeratCarlsruhe。

When，earlyinthemonthofDecember，MadamedeLaBastie，operateduponbyDesplein，recoveredhersightandsawErnestdeLaBriereforthefirsttime，shepressedModeste’shandandwhisperedinherear，"Ishouldhavechosenhimmyself。"

TowardthelastofFebruaryallthedeedsfortheestatesinProvenceweresignedbyLatournelle，andaboutthattimethefamilyofLaBastieobtainedthemarkedhonoroftheking’ssignaturetothemarriagecontractandtotheordinancetransmittingtheirtitleandarmstoLaBriere，whohenceforthtookthenameofLaBriere—LaBastie。TheestateofLaBastiewasentailedbyletters—patentissuedabouttheendofApril。LaBriere’switnessesontheoccasionofhismarriagewereCanalisandtheministerwhomhehadservedforfiveyearsassecretary。ThoseofthebrideweretheDucd’HerouvilleandDesplein，whomtheMignonslongheldingratefulremembrance，aftergivinghimmagnificentandsubstantialproofsoftheirregard。

Later，inthecourseofthislonghistoryofourmannersandcustoms，wemayagainmeetMonsieurandMadamedeLaBriere—LaBastie;andthosewhohavetheeyestosee，willthenbeholdhowsweet，howeasy，isthemarriageyokewithaneducatedandintelligentwoman;forModeste，whohadthewittoavoidthefolliesofpedantry，istheprideandhappinessofherhusband，assheisofherfamilyandofallthosewhosurroundher。

ADDENDUM

ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy。

Beaupre，FannyAStartinLifeTheMuseoftheDepartmentScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeBixiou，Jean—JacquesThePurseABachelor’sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheFirmofNucingenTheMuseoftheDepartmentCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBeatrixAManofBusinessGaudissartII。

TheUnconsciousHumoristsCousinPonsBlondet，EmileJealousiesofaCountryTownADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheFirmofNucingenThePeasantryBridau，JosephThePurseABachelor’sEstablishmentADistinguishedProvincialatParisAStartinLifeAnotherStudyofWomanPierreGrassouLettersofTwoBridesCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisCadignan，PrincedeTheSecretsofaPrincessCanalis，Constant—Cyr—Melchior，BarondeLettersofTwoBridesADistinguishedProvincialatParisTheMagicSkinAnotherStudyofWomanAStartinLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsTheMemberforArcisChatillonest，DeAWomanofThirtyChaulieu，Henri，DucdeLettersofTwoBridesABachelor’sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheThirteenDauriatADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeDespleinTheAtheist’sMassCousinPonsLostIllusionsTheThirteenTheGovernmentClerksPierretteABachelor’sEstablishmentTheSeamySideofHistoryScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHonorineEstourny，Charlesd’

ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeAManofBusinessFontaine，ComtedeTheChouansTheBallatSceauxCesarBirotteauTheGovernmentClerksGrandlieu，DucFerdinanddeTheGondrevilleMysteryTheThirteenABachelor’sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHerouville，Ducd’

TheHatedSonJealousiesofaCountryTownCousinBettyLaBastielaBriere，ErnestdeTheGovernmentClerksLaBastielaBriere，MadameErnestde（Modeste）

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