第1章

DEDICATION

ToHelene。

Thetiniestboatisnotlaunchedupontheseawithouttheprotectionofsomelivingemblemorreveredname，placeduponitbythemariners。Inaccordancewiththistime—honoredcustom，Madame，Iprayyoutobetheprotectressofthisbooknowlauncheduponourliteraryocean;andmaytheImperialnamewhichtheChurchhascanonizedandyourdevotionhasdoublysanctifiedformeguarditfromperils。

DeBalzac。

THEVILLAGERECTOR

I

THESAUVIATS

InthelowertownofLimoges，atthecorneroftheruedelaVieille—

PosteandtheruedelaCitemighthavebeenseen，agenerationago，oneofthoseshopswhichwerescarcelychangedfromtheperiodofthemiddle—ages。Largetilesseamedwithathousandcrackslayonthesoilitself，whichwasdampinplaces，andwouldhavetrippedupthosewhofailedtoobservethehollowsandridgesofthissingularflooring。

Thedustywallsexhibitedacuriousmosaicofwoodandbrick，stonesandiron，weldedtogetherwithasolidityduetotime，possiblytochance。Formorethanahundredyearstheceiling，formedofcolossalbeams，bentbeneaththeweightoftheupperstories，thoughithadnevergivenwayunderthem。Built/encolombage/，thatistosay，withawoodenfrontage，thewholefacadewascoveredwithslates，soputonastoformgeometricalfigures，——thuspreservinganaiveimageoftheburgherhabitationsoftheoldentime。

Noneofthewindows，casedinwoodandformerlyadornedwithcarvings，nowdestroyedbytheactionoftheweather，hadcontinuedplumb;somebobbedforward，otherstippedbackward，whileafewseemeddisposedtofallapart;allhadacompostofearth，broughtfromheavenknowswhere，inthenooksandcrannieshollowedbytherain，inwhichthespring—tidebroughtforthfragileflowers，timidcreepingplants，andsparseherbage。Mosscarpetedtheroofanddrapeditssupports。Thecornerpillar，withitscompositemasonryofstoneblocksmingledwithbrickandpebbles，wasalarmingtotheeyebyreasonofitscurvature;

itseemedonthepointofgivingwayundertheweightofthehouse，thegableofwhichoverhungitbyatleasthalfafoot。Themunicipalauthoritiesandthecommissionerofhighwaysdid，eventually，pulltheoldbuildingdown，afterbuyingit，toenlargethesquare。

Thepillarwehavementioned，placedattheangleoftwostreets，wasatreasuretotheseekersforLimousinantiquities，onaccountofitslovelysculpturednicheinwhichwasaVirgin，mutilatedduringtheRevolution。Allvisitorswitharchaeologicalproclivitiesfoundtracesofthestonesocketsusedtoholdthecandelabrainwhichpublicpietylightedtapersorplacedits/ex—votos/andflowers。

Atthefartherendoftheshop，aworm—eatenwoodenstaircaseledtothetwoupperfloorswhichwereinturnsurmountedbyanattic。Thehouse，backingagainsttwoadjoininghouses，hadnodepthandderivedallitslightfromthefrontandsidewindows。Eachfloorhadtwosmallchambersonly，lightedbysinglewindows，onelookingoutontheruedelaCite，theotherontheruedelaVieille—Poste。

Inthemiddle—agesnoartisanwasbetterlodged。Thehousehadevidentlybelongedinthosetimestomakersofhalberdsandbattle—

axes，armorersinshort，artificerswhoseworkwasnotinjuredbyexposuretotheopenair;foritwasimpossibletoseeclearlywithin，unlesstheironshutterswereraisedfromeachsideofthebuilding;

wherewerealsotwodoors，oneoneithersideofthecornerpillar，asmaybeseeninmanyshopsatthecornersofstreets。Fromthesillofeachdoor——offinestonewornbythetreadofcenturies——alowwallaboutthreefeethighbegan;inthiswallwasagrooveorslot，repeatedaboveinthebeambywhichthewallofeachfacadewassupported。Fromtimeimmemorialtheheavyshuttershadbeenrolledalongthesegrooves，heldtherebyenormousironbars，whilethedoorswereclosedandsecuredinthesamemanner;sothatthesemerchantsandartificerscouldbarthemselvesintotheirhousesasintoafortress。

Examiningtheinterior，which，duringthefirsttwentyyearsofthiscentury，wasencumberedwitholdironandbrass，tiresofwheels，springs，bells，anythinginshortwhichthedestructionofbuildingsaffordedofoldmetals，personsinterestedintherelicsoftheoldtownnoticedsignsoftheflueofaforge，shownbyalongtrailofsoot，——aminordetailwhichconfirmedtheconjectureofarchaeologistsastotheoriginalusetowhichthebuildingwasput。Onthefirstfloor（abovetheground—floor）wasoneroomandthekitchen;onthefloorabovethatweretwobedrooms。Thegarretwasusedtoputawayarticlesmorechoiceanddelicatethanthosethatlaypell—mellabouttheshop。

Thishouse，hiredinthefirstinstance，wassubsequentlyboughtbyamannamedSauviat，ahawkerorpeddlerwho，from1786to1793，travelledthecountryoveraradiusofahundredandfiftymilesaroundAuvergne，exchangingcrockeryofacommonkind，plates，dishes，glasses，——inshort，thenecessaryarticlesofthepooresthouseholds，——foroldiron，brass，andlead，oranymetalunderanyshapeitmightlurkin。TheAuvergnatwouldgive，forinstance，abrownearthenwaresaucepanworthtwosousforapoundoflead，twopoundsofiron，abrokenspadeorhoeoracrackedkettle;andbeinginvariablythejudgeofhisowncause，hedidtheweighing。

AtthecloseofhisthirdyearSauviataddedthehawkingoftinandcopperwaretothatofhispottery。In1793hewasabletobuyachateausoldaspartoftheNationaldomain，whichheatoncepulledtopieces。Theprofitsweresuchthatherepeatedtheprocessatseveralpointsofthesphereinwhichheoperated;later，thesefirstsuccessfulessaysgavehimtheideaofproposingsomethingofalikenatureonalargerscaletooneofhiscompatriotswholivedinParis。

Thusithappenedthatthe"BandeNoire，"socelebratedforitsdevastations，haditsbirthinthebrainofoldSauviat，thepeddler，whomallLimogesafterwardsawandknewfortwenty—sevenyearsinthericketyoldshopamonghiscrackedbellsandrustybars，chainsandscales，histwistedleadengutters，andmetalrubbishofallkinds。Wemustdohimthejusticetosaythatheknewnothingofthecelebrityortheextentoftheassociationheoriginated;heprofitedbyhisownideaonlyinproportiontothecapitalheentrustedtothesincefamousfirmofBresac。

Tiredoffrequentingfairsandroamingthecountry，theAuvergnatsettledatLimoges，wherehemarried，in1797，thedaughterofacoppersmith，awidower，namedChampagnac。Whenhisfather—in—lawdiedheboughtthehouseinwhichhehadbeencarryingonhistradeofold—

irondealer，afterceasingtoroamthecountryasapeddler。SauviatwasfiftyyearsofagewhenhemarriedoldChampagnac’sdaughter，whowasherselfnotlessthanthirty。Neitherhandsomenorpretty，shewasneverthelessborninAuvergne，andthe/patois/seemedtobethemutualattraction;alsoshehadthesturdyframewhichenableswomentobearhardwork。InthefirstthreeyearsoftheirmarriedlifeSauviatcontinuedtodosomepeddling，andhiswifeaccompaniedhim，carryingironorleadonherback，andleadingthemiserablehorseandcartfullofcrockerywithwhichherhusbandpliedadisguisedusury。

Dark—skinned，high—colored，enjoyingrobusthealth，andshowingwhenshelaughedabrilliantsetofteeth，white，long，andbroadasalmonds，MadameSauviathadthehipsandbosomofawomanmadebyNatureexpresslyformaternity。

Ifthisstronggirlwerenotearliermarried，thefaultmustbeattributedtotheHarpagon"nodowry"herfatherpractised，thoughheneverreadMoliere。Sauviatwasnotdeterredbythelackofdowry;

besides，amanoffiftycan’tmakedifficulties，nottospeakofthefactthatsuchawifewouldsavehimthecostofaservant。Headdednothingtothefurnitureofhisbedroomwhere，fromthedayofhisweddingtothedayheleftthehouse，twentyyearslater，therewasneveranythingbutasinglefour—postbed，withvalanceandcurtainsofgreenserge，achest，abureau，fourchairs，atable，andalooking—glass，allcollectedfromdifferentlocalities。Thechestcontainedinitsuppersectionpewterplates，dishes，etc。，eacharticledissimilarfromtherest。Thekitchencanbeimaginedfromthebedroom。

Neitherhusbandnorwifeknewhowtoread，——aslightdefectofeducationwhichdidnotpreventthemfromcipheringadmirablyanddoingamostflourishingbusiness。Sauviatneverboughtanyarticlewithoutthecertaintyofbeingabletosellitforonehundredpercentprofit。Torelievehimselfofthenecessityofkeepingbooksandaccounts，heboughtandsoldforcashonly。Hehad，moreover，suchaperfectmemorythatthecostofanyarticle，wereitonlyafarthing，remainedinhismindyearafteryear，togetherwithitsaccruedinterest。

Exceptduringthetimerequiredforherhouseholdduties，MadameSauviatwasalwaysseatedinaricketywoodenchairplacedagainstthecornerpillarofthebuilding。Theresheknittedandlookedatthepassers，watchedovertheoldiron，soldandweighedit，andreceivedpaymentifSauviatwasawaymakingpurchases。Whenathomethehusbandcouldbeheardatdaybreakpushingopenhisshutters;thehouseholddogrushedoutintothestreet;andMadameSauviatpresentlycameouttohelphermaninspreadinguponthenaturalcountermadebythelowwallsoneithersideofthecornerofthehouseonthetwostreets，themultifariouscollectionofbells，springs，brokengunlocks，andtheotherrubbishoftheirbusiness，whichgaveapoverty—strickenlooktotheestablishment，thoughitusuallycontainedasmuchastwentythousandfrancs’worthoflead，steel，iron，andothermetals。

Neverweretheformerpeddlerandhiswifeknowntospeakoftheirfortune;theyconcealeditsamountascarefullyasacriminalhidesacrime;andforyearstheyweresuspectedofshavingbothgoldandsilvercoins。WhenChampagnacdiedtheSauviatsmadenoinventoryofhisproperty;buttheyrummaged，withtheintelligenceofrats，intoeverynookandcorneroftheoldman’shouse，leftitasnakedasacorpse，andsoldthewaresitcontainedintheirownshop。

Onceayear，inDecember，SauviatwenttoParisinoneofthepublicconveyances。Thegossipsoftheneighborhoodconcludedthatinordertoconcealfromotherstheamountofhisfortune，heinvestedithimselfontheseoccasions。Itwasknownlaterthat，havingbeenconnectedinhisyouthwithoneofthemostcelebrateddealersinmetal，anAuvergnatlikehimself，whowaslivinginParis，SauviatplacedhisfundswiththefirmofBresac，themainspringandspineofthatfamousassociationknownbythenameofthe"BandeNoire，"which，aswehavealreadysaid，tookitsrisefromasuggestionmadebySauviathimself。

Sauviatwasafatlittlemanwithawearyface，endowedbyNaturewithalookofhonestywhichattractedcustomersandfacilitatedthesaleofgoods。Hisstraightforwardassertions，andtheperfectindifferenceofhistoneandmanner，increasedthisimpression。Inperson，hisnaturallyruddycomplexionwashardlyperceptibleundertheblackmetallicdustwhichpowderedhiscurlyblackhairandtheseamsofafacepittedwiththesmall—pox。Hisforeheadwasnotwithoutdignity;

infact，itresembledthewell—knownbrowgivenbyallpainterstoSaintPeter，themanofthepeople，theroughest，butwithaltheshrewdest，oftheapostles。Hishandswerethoseofanindefatigableworker，——large，thick，square，andwrinkledwithdeepfurrows。Hischestwasofseeminglyindestructiblemuscularity。Heneverrelinquishedhispeddler’scostume，——thick，hobnailedshoes;bluestockingsknitbyhiswifeandhiddenbyleathergaiters;bottle—greenvelveteentrousers;acheckedwaistcoat，fromwhichdependedthebrasskeyofhissilverwatchbyanironchainwhichlongusagehadpolishedtillitshonelikesteel;ajacketwithshorttails，alsoofvelveteen，likethatofthetrousers;andaroundhisneckaprintedcottoncravatmuchfrayedbytherubbingofhisbeard。

OnSundaysandfete—daysSauviatworeafrock—coatofmarooncloth，sowelltakencareofthattwonewoneswereallheboughtintwentyyears。Thelivingofgalley—slaveswouldbethoughtsumptuousincomparisonwiththatoftheSauviats，whoneveratemeatexceptonthegreatfestivalsoftheChurch。Beforepayingoutthemoneyabsolutelyneededfortheirdailysubsistence，MadameSauviatwouldfeelinthetwopocketshiddenbetweenhergownandpetticoat，andbringforthasinglewell—scrapedcoin，——acrownofsixfrancs，orperhapsapieceoffifty—fivesous，——whichshewouldgazeatforalongtimebeforeshecouldbringherselftochangeit。AsageneralthingtheSauviatsateherrings，driedpeas，cheese，hardeggsinsalad，vegetablesseasonedinthecheapestmanner。Neverdidtheylayinprovisions，exceptperhapsabunchofgarlicoronions，whichcouldnotspoilandcostbutlittle。Thesmallamountofwoodtheyburnedinwintertheyboughtofitinerantsellersdaybyday。Byseveninwinter，bynineinsummer，thehouseholdwasinbed，andtheshopwasclosedandguardedbyahugedog，whichgotitslivingfromthekitchensintheneighborhood。MadameSauviatusedaboutthreefrancs’worthofcandlesinthecourseoftheyear。

Thesober，toilsomelifeofthesepersonswasbrightenedbyonejoy，butthatwasanaturaljoy，andforittheymadetheironlyknownoutlays。InMay，1802，MadameSauviatgavebirthtoadaughter。Shewasconfinedallalone，andwentaboutherhouseholdworkfivedayslater。Shenursedherchildintheopenair，seatedasusualinherchairbythecornerpillar，continuingtoselloldironwhiletheinfantsucked。Hermilkcostnothing，andsheletherlittledaughterfeedonitfortwoyears，neitherofthembeingtheworseforthelongnursing。

Veronique（thatwastheinfant’sname）becamethehandsomestchildintheLowertown，andeveryonewhosawherstoppedtolookather。TheneighborsthennoticedforthefirsttimeatraceoffeelingintheoldSauviats，ofwhichtheyhadsupposedthemdevoid。Whilethewifecookedthedinnerthehusbandheldthelittleone，orrockedittothetuneofanAuvergnatsong。TheworkmenastheypassedsometimessawhimmotionlessgazingatVeroniqueasleeponhermother’sknees。Hesoftenedhisharshvoicewhenhespoketoher，andwipedhishandsonhistrousersbeforetakingherup。WhenVeroniquetriedtowalk，thefatherbenthislegsandstoodatalittledistanceholdingouthisarmsandmakinglittlegrimaceswhichcontrastedfunnilywiththerigidfurrowsofhisstern，hardface。Themanofiron，brass，andleadbecameabeingoffleshandbloodandbones。Ifhehappenedtobestandingwithhisbackagainstthecornerpillarmotionless，acryfromVeroniquewouldagitatehimandsendhimflyingoverthemoundsofironfragmentstofindher;forshespentherchildhoodplayingwiththewreckofancientcastlesheapedinthedepthsofthatoldshop。Therewereotherdaysonwhichshewenttoplayinthestreetorwiththeneighboringchildren;buteventhenhermother’seyewasalwaysonher。

ItisnotunimportanttosayherethattheSauviatswereeminentlyreligious。AttheveryheightoftheRevolutiontheyobservedbothSundayandfete—days。TwiceSauviatcamenearhavinghisheadcutoffforhearingmassfromanunswornpriest。Hewasputinprison，beingjustlyaccusedofhelpingabishop，whoselifehesaved，toflythecountry。Fortunatelytheold—irondealer，whoknewthewaysofboltsandbars，wasabletoescape;neverthelesshewascondemnedtodeathbydefault，andas，bythebye，heneverpurgedhimselfofthatcontempt，hemaybesaidtohavedieddead。

Hiswifesharedhispiety。Theavariciousnessofthehouseholdyieldedtothedemandsofreligion。Theold—irondealersgavetheiralmspunctuallyatthesacramentandtoallthecollectionsinchurch。WhenthevicarofSaint—Etiennecalledtoaskhelpforhispoor，Sauviatorhiswifefetchedatoncewithoutreluctanceorsourfacesthesumtheythoughttheirfairshareoftheparishduties。ThemutilatedVirginontheircornerpillarneverfailed（after1799）tobewreathedwithhollyatEaster。Inthesummerseasonshewasfetedwithbouquetskeptfreshintumblersofblueglass;thiswasparticularlythecaseafterthebirthofVeronique。OnthedaysoftheprocessionstheSauviatsscrupulouslyhungtheirhousewithsheetscoveredwithflowers，andcontributedmoneytotheerectionandadornmentofthealtar，whichwastheprideandgloryofthewholesquare。

VeroniqueSauviatwas，therefore，broughtupinaChristianmanner。

FromthetimeshewassevenyearsoldshewastaughtbyaGraysisterfromAuvergnetowhomtheSauviatshaddonesomekindnessinformertimes。Bothhusbandandwifewereobligingwhenthematterdidnotaffecttheirpocketsorconsumetheirtime，——likeallpoorfolkwhoarecordiallyreadytobeserviceabletoothersintheirownway。TheGraysistertaughtVeroniquetoreadandwrite;shealsotaughtherthehistoryofthepeopleofGod，thecatechism，theOldandtheNewTestaments，andaverylittlearithmetic。Thatwasall;theworthysisterthoughtitenough;itwasinfacttoomuch。

AtnineyearsofageVeroniquesurprisedthewholeneighborhoodwithherbeauty。Everyoneadmiredherface，whichpromisedmuchtothepencilofartistswhoarealwaysseekinganobleideal。Shewascalled"theLittleVirgin"andshowedsignsalreadyofafinefigureandgreatdelicacyofcomplexion。HerMadonna—likeface——forthepopularvoicehadwellnamedher——wassurroundedbyawealthoffairhair，whichbroughtoutthepurityofherfeatures。WhoeverhasseenthesublimeVirginofTitianinhisgreatpictureofthe"Presentation"atVenice，willknowthatVeroniquewasinhergirlhood，——thesameingenuouscandor，thesameseraphicastonishmentinhereyes，thesamesimpleyetnobleattitude，thesamemajestyofchildhoodinherdemeanor。

Atelevenyearsofageshehadthesmall—pox，andowedherlifetothecareofSoeurMarthe。DuringthetwomonthsthattheirchildwasindangertheSauviatsbetrayedtothewholecommunitythedepthoftheirtenderness。Sauviatnolongerwentaboutthecountrytosales;hestayedintheshop，goingupstairsanddowntohisdaughter’sroom，sittingupwithhereverynightincompanywithhiswife。Hissilentanguishseemedsogreatthatnoonedaredtospeaktohim;hisneighborslookedathimwithcompassion，buttheyonlyaskednewsofVeroniquefromSoeurMarthe。Duringthedayswhenthechild’sdangerreachedacrisis，theneighborsandpasserssaw，forthefirstandonlytimeinSauviat’slife，tearsinhiseyesandrollingdownhishollowcheeks;hedidnotwipethem，butstoodforhoursasifstupefied，notdaringtogoupstairstohisdaughter’sroom，gazingbeforehimandseeingnothing，soobliviousofallthingsthatanyonemighthaverobbedhim。

Veroniquewassaved，butherbeautyperished。Herface，onceexquisitelycoloredwithatintinwhichbrownandrosewereharmoniouslymingled，cameoutfromthediseasewithamyriadofpitswhichthickenedtheskin，thefleshbeneathitbeingdeeplyindented。

Evenherforeheaddidnotescapetheravagesofthescourge;itturnedbrownandlookedasthoughitwerehammered，likemetal。Nothingcanbemorediscordantthanbricktonesoftheskinsurroundedbygoldenhair;theydestroyallharmony。Thesefissuresinthetissues，capriciouslyhollowed，injuredthepurityoftheprofileandthedelicacyofthelinesoftheface，especiallythatofthenose，theGrecianformofwhichwaslost，andthatofthechin，onceasexquisitelyroundedasapieceofwhiteporcelain。Thediseaseleftnothingunharmedexceptthepartsitwasunabletoreach，——theeyesandtheteeth。Shedidnot，however，losetheeleganceandbeautyofhershape，——neitherthefulnessofitslinesnorthegraceandsupplenessofherwaist。AtfifteenVeroniquewasstillafinegirl，andtothegreatconsolationofherfatherandmother，agoodandpiousgirl，busy，industrious，anddomestic。

Afterherconvalescenceandaftershehadmadeherfirstcommunion，herparentsgaveherthetwochambersonthesecondfloorforherownparticulardwelling。Sauviat，socourseinhiswayoflivingforhimselfandhiswife，nowhadcertainperceptionsofwhatcomfortmightbe;avagueideacametohimofconsolinghischildforhergreatloss，which，asyet，shedidnotcomprehend。ThedeprivationofthatbeautywhichwasoncetheprideandjoyofthosetwobeingsmadeVeroniquethemoredearandprecioustothem。Sauviatcamehomeoneday，bearingacarpethehadchanceduponinsomeofhisrounds，whichhenailedhimselfonVeronique’sfloor。Forherhesavedfromthesaleofanoldchateauthegorgeousbedofafinelady，upholsteredinredsilkdamask，withcurtainsandchairsofthesamerichstuff。Hefurnishedhertworoomswithantiquearticles，ofthetruevalueofwhichhewaswhollyignorant。Heboughtmignonetteandputthepotsontheledgeoutsideherwindow;andhereturnedfrommanyofhistripswithrosetrees，orpansies，oranykindofflowerwhichgardenersortavern—keeperswouldgivehim。

IfVeroniquecouldhavemadecomparisonsandknownthecharacter，pasthabits，andignoranceofherparentsshewouldhaveseenhowmuchtherewasofaffectionintheselittlethings;butasitwas，shesimplylovedthemfromherownsweetnatureandwithoutreflection。

Thegirlworethefinestlinenhermothercouldfindintheshops。

MadameSauviatleftherdaughteratlibertytobuywhatmaterialsshelikedforhergownsandothergarments;andthefatherandmotherwereproudofherchoice，whichwasneverextravagant。VeroniquewassatisfiedwithabluesilkgownforSundaysandfete—days，andonworking—dayssheworemerinoinwinterandstripedcottondressesinsummer。OnSundaysshewenttochurchwithherfatherandmother，andtookawalkaftervespersalongthebanksoftheVienneorabouttheenvirons。Onotherdaysshestayedathome，busyinfillingworsted—

workpatterns，thepaymentforwhichshegavetothepoor，——alifeofsimple，chaste，andexemplaryprinciplesandhabits。Shedidsomereadingtogetherwithhertapestry，butneverinanybooksexceptthoselenttoherbythevicarofSaint—Etienne，apriestwhomSoeurMarthehadfirstmadeknowntoherparents。

AlltherulesoftheSauviat’sdomesticeconomyweresuspendedinfavorofVeronique。Hermotherdelightedingivingherdaintythingstoeat，andcookedherfoodseparately。Thefatherandmotherstillatetheirnutsanddrybread，theirherringsandparchedpeasfricasseedinsaltbutter，whileforVeroniquenothingwasthoughttoochoiceandgood。

"Veroniquemustcostyouaprettypenny，"saidahatmakerwholivedoppositetotheSauviatsandhaddesignsontheirdaughterforhisson，estimatingthefortuneoftheold—irondealeratahundredthousandfrancs。

"Yes，neighbor，yes，"PereSauviatwouldsay;"ifsheaskedmefortencrownsI’dletherhavethem。Shehasallshewants;butsheneverasksforanything;sheisasgentleasalamb。"

Veroniquewas，asamatteroffact，absolutelyignorantofthevalueofthings。Shehadneverwantedforanything;sheneversawapieceofgoldtillthedayofhermarriage;shehadnomoneyofherown;hermotherboughtandgavehereverythingsheneededandwishedfor;sothatevenwhenshewantedtogivealmstoabeggar，thegirlfeltinhermother’spocketforthecoin。

"Ifthat’sso，"remarkedthehatmaker，"shecan’tcostyoumuch。"

"Soyouthink，doyou？"repliedSauviat。"Youwouldn’tgetoffunderfortycrownsayear，Icantellyouthat。Why，herroom，shehasatleastahundredcrowns’worthoffurnitureinit！Butwhenamanhasbutonechild，hedoesn’tmind。Thelittleweownwillallgotoher。"

"Thelittle！Why，youmustberich，pereSauviat！Itisprettynighfortyyearsthatyouhavebeendoingabusinessinwhichtherearenolosses。"

"Ha！Isha’n’tgotothepoorhouseforwantofathousandfrancsorso！"repliedtheold—irondealer。

FromthedaywhenVeroniquelostthesoftbeautywhichmadehergirlishfacetheadmirationofallwhosawit，PereSauviatredoubledinactivity。HisbusinessbecamesoprosperousthathenowwenttoParisseveraltimesayear。Everyonefeltthathewantedtocompensatehisdaughterbyforceofmoneyforwhathecalledher"lossofprofit。"WhenVeroniquewasfifteenyearsoldachangewasmadeintheinternalmannersandcustomsofthehousehold。Thefatherandmotherwentupstairsintheeveningstotheirdaughter’sapartment，whereVeroniquewouldreadtothem，bythelightofalampplacedbehindaglassglobefullofwater，the"ViedesSaints，"the"LettresEdifiantes，"andotherbookslentbythevicar。MadameSauviatknittedstockings，feelingthatshethusrecoupedherselfforthecostofoil。

Theneighborscouldseethroughthewindowtheoldcoupleseatedmotionlessintheirarmchairs，likeChineseimages，listeningtotheirdaughter，andadmiringherwithallthepowersoftheircontractedminds，obtusetoeverythingthatwasnotbusinessorreligiousfaith。

II

VERONIQUE

Thereare，nodoubt，manyyounggirlsintheworldaspureasVeronique，butnonepurerormoremodest。HerconfessionsmighthavesurprisedtheangelsandrejoicedtheBlessedVirgin。

Atsixteenyearsofageshewasfullydeveloped，andappearedthewomanshewaseventuallytobecome。Shewasofmediumheight，neitherherfathernorhermotherbeingtall;butherfigurewascharminginitsgracefulsuppleness，andintheserpentinecurveslaboriouslysoughtbypaintersandsculptors，——curveswhichNatureherselfdrawssodelicatelywithherlissomoutlines，revealedtotheeyeofartistsinspiteofswathinglinenandthickclothes，whichmouldthemselves，inevitably，uponthenude。Sincere，simple，andnatural，Veroniquesetthesebeautiesofherformintoreliefbymovementsthatwerewhollyfreefromaffectation。Shebroughtouther"fullandcompleteeffect，"

ifwemayborrowthatstrongtermfromlegalphraseology。ShehadtheplumparmsoftheAuvergnatwomen，theredanddimpledhandofabarmaid，andherstrongbutwell—shapedfeetwereinkeepingwiththerestofherfigure。

AttimesthereseemedtopasswithinheramarvellousanddelightfulphenomenonwhichpromisedtoLoveawomanconcealedthusfarfromeveryeye。Thisphenomenonwasperhapsonecauseoftheadmirationherfatherandmotherfeltforherbeauty，whichtheyoftendeclaredtobedivine，——tothegreatastonishmentoftheirneighbors。Thefirsttoremarkitwerethepriestsofthecathedralandtheworshipperswithheratthesamealtar。WhenastrongemotiontookpossessionofVeronique，——andthereligiousexaltationtowhichsheyieldedherselfonreceivingthecommunionmustbecountedamongthestrongestemotionsofsopureandcandidayoungcreature，——aninwardlightseemedtoeffaceforthemomentalltracesofthesmall—pox。Thepureandradiantfaceofherchildhoodreappearedinitspristinebeauty。

Thoughslightlyveiledbythethickenedsurfacediseasehadlaidthere，itshonewiththemysteriousbrilliancyofaflowerbloomingbeneaththewateroftheseawhenthesunispenetratingit。Veroniquewaschangedforafewmoments;theLittleVirginreappearedandthendisappearedagain，likeacelestialvision。Thepupilsofhereyes，giftedwiththepowerofgreatexpansion，wideneduntiltheycoveredthewholesurfaceoftheblueirisexceptforatinycircle。Thusthemetamorphoseoftheeye，whichbecameaskeenandvividasthatofaneagle，completedtheextraordinarychangeintheface。Wasitthestormofrestrainedpassions;wasitsomepowercomingfromthedepthsofthesoul，whichenlargedthepupilsinfulldaylightastheysometimesinothereyesenlargebynight，darkeningtheazureofthosecelestialorbs？

Howeverthatmaybe，itwasimpossibletolookindifferentlyatVeroniqueasshereturnedtoherseatfromthealtarwhereshehadunitedherselfwithGod，——amomentwhensheappearedtoalltheparishinherprimitivesplendor。Atsuchmomentsherbeautyeclipsedthatofthemostbeautifulofwomen。Whatacharmwasthereforthemanwholovedher，guardingjealouslythatveiloffleshwhichhidthewoman’ssoulfromeveryeye，——aveilwhichthehandoflovemightliftforaninstantandthenletdropoverconjugaldelights！Veronique’slipswerefaultlesslycurvedandpaintedintheclearvermilionofherpurewarmblood。Herchinandthelowerpartofherfacewerealittleheavy，intheacceptationgivenbypainterstothatterm，——aheavinesswhichis，accordingtotherelentlesslawsofphysiognomy，theindicationofanalmostmorbidvehemenceinpassion。Shehadaboveherbrow，whichwasfinelymodelledandalmostimperious，amagnificentdiademofhair，voluminous，redundant，andnowofachestnutcolor。

FromtheageofsixteentothedayofhermarriageVeronique’sbearingwasalwaysthoughtful，andsometimesmelancholy。Livinginsuchdeepsolitude，shewasforced，likeothersolitarypersons，toexamineandconsiderthespectacleofthatwhichwentonwithinher，——theprogressofherthought，thevarietyoftheimagesinhermind，andthescopeoffeelingswarmedandnurturedinalifesopure。