第8章
"Lifeisherereduced，yousee，toitssimplestexpression，"saidtherector，smiling，thoughhisfacedidnotlosethelookwhichthesadnessofhisheartconveyedtoit。"Ifwehadknownofyourarrival（butwhocouldhaveforeseenyourerrand？）Ursulewouldhavehadsomemountaintroutforyou;there’sabrookintheforestwheretheyareexcellent。Iforget，however，thatthisisAugustandtheGabouisdry。Myheadisconfusedwithallthesetroubles。"
"Thenyoulikeyourlifehere？"saidtheyoungabbe。
"Yes，monsieur;ifGodwills，IshalldierectorofMontegnac。Icouldhavewishedthatmyexamplewerefollowedbycertaindistinguishedmenwhohavethoughttheydidbetterthingsinbecomingphilanthropists。
Butmodernphilanthropyisaneviltosociety;theprinciplesoftheCatholicreligioncanalonecurethediseaseswhichpermeatesocialbodies。Insteadofdescribingthosediseasesandextendingtheirravagesbycomplainingelegies，theyshouldputtheirhandtotheworkandentertheLord’svineyardassimplelaborers。Mytaskisfarfrombeingaccomplishedhere，monsieur。Itisnotenoughtoreformthepeople，whomIfoundinafrightfulconditionofimpietyandwickedness;Iwishtodieinthemidstofagenerationoftruebelievers。"
"Youhaveonlydoneyourduty，monsieur，"saidtheyoungman，stillcoldly，forhisheartwasstirredwithenvy。
"Yes，monsieur，"repliedtherector，modestly，givinghiscompanionaglancewhichseemedtosay:Isthisafurthertest？"Ipraythatallmaydotheirdutythroughoutthekingdom。"
Thisremark，fullofdeepmeaning，wasstillfurtheremphasizedbyatoneofutterance，whichprovedthatin1829thispriest，asgrandinthoughtashewasnobleinhumilityofconduct，andwhosubordinatedhisthoughtstothoseofhissuperiors，sawclearlyintothedestiniesofbothchurchandmonarchy。
Whenthetwoafflictedwomencametheyoungabbe，veryimpatienttogetbacktoLimoges，lefttheparsonagetoseeifthehorseswereharnessed。Afewmomentslaterhereturnedtosaythatallwasready。
AllfourthenstartedundertheeyesofthewholepopulationofMontegnac，whichwasgatheredintheroadwaybeforethepost—house。
Themotherandsisterkeptsilence。Thetwopriests，seeingrocksaheadinmanysubjects，couldneithertalkindifferentlynorallowthemselvestobecheerful。Whileseekingforsomeneutralsubjectthecarriagecrossedtheplain，theaspectofwhichdrearyregionseemedtoinfluencethedurationoftheirmelancholysilence。
"Howcameyoutoadopttheecclesiasticalprofession？"askedtheAbbeGabriel，suddenly，withanimpulsivecuriositywhichseizedhimassoonasthecarriageturnedintothehigh—road。
"Ididnotlookuponthepriesthoodasaprofession，"repliedtherector，simply。"Icannotunderstandhowamancanbecomeapriestforanyotherreasonthantheundefinablepowerofvocation。IknowthatmanymenhaveservedintheLord’svineyardwhohavepreviouslywornouttheirheartsintheserviceofpassion;somehavelovedhopelessly，othershavehadtheirlovebetrayed;menhavelostthefloweroftheirlivesinburyingapreciouswifeoranadoredmistress;somehavebeendisgustedwithsociallifeataperiodwhenuncertaintyhoversovereverything，evenoverfeelings，anddoubtmockstendercertaintiesbycallingthembeliefs;othersabandonpoliticsataperiodwhenpowerseemstobeanexpiationandwhenthegovernedregardobedienceasfatality。Manyleaveasocietywithoutbanners;whereopposingforcesonlyunitetooverthrowgood。IdonotthinkthatanymanwouldgivehimselftoGodfromacovetousmotive。
Somemenhavelookeduponthepriesthoodasameansofregeneratingourcountry;but，accordingtomypoorlights，apriest—patriotisameaninglessthing。ThepriestcanonlybelongtoGod。IdidnotwishtoofferourFather——whoneverthelessacceptsall——thewreckofmyheartandthefragmentsofmywill;Igavemyselftohimwhole。Inoneofthosetouchingtheoriesofpaganreligion，thevictimsacrificedtothefalsegodsgoestothealtardeckedwithflowers。Thesignificanceofthatcustomhasalwaysdeeplytouchedme。Asacrificeisnothingwithoutgrace。Mylifeissimpleandwithouttheveryslightestromance。Myfather，whohasmadehisownwayintheworld，isastern，inflexibleman;hetreatshiswifeandhischildrenashetreatshimself。Ihaveneverseenasmileuponhislips。Hisironhand，hissternface，hisgloomy，roughactivity，oppressedusall——wife，children，clerksandservants——underanalmostsavagedespotism。I
could——Ispeakformyselfonly——Icouldhaveaccommodatedmyselftothislifeifthepowerthusexercisedhadhadanequalrepression;
but，captiousandvacillating，hetreatedusallwithintolerablealternations。Wewerealwaysignorantwhetherweweredoingrightorwhetherheconsideredustoblame;andthehorribleexpectancywhichresultsfromthatistortureindomesticlife。Astreetlifeseemsbetterthanahomeundersuchcircumstances。HadIbeenaloneinthehouseIwouldhaveborneallfrommyfatherwithoutmurmuring;butmyheartwastornbythebitter，unceasinganguishofmydearmother，whomIardentlylovedandwhosetearsputmesometimesintoafuryinwhichInearlylostmyreason。Myschooldays，whenboysareusuallysofullofmiseryandhardwork，weretomeagoldenperiod。Idreadedholidays。Mymotherherselfpreferredtocomeandseeme。WhenIhadfinishedmyphilosophicalcourseandwasforcedtoreturnhomeandbecomemyfather’sclerk，Icouldnotendureitmorethanafewmonths;mymind，bewilderedbythefeverofadolescence，threatenedtogiveway。OnasadautumneveningasIwaswalkingalonewithmymotheralongtheBoulevardBourdon，thenoneofthemostmelancholypartsofParis，Ipouredmyheartintohers，andItoldherthatIsawnopossiblelifebeforemeexceptintheChurch。Mytastes，myideas，allthatImostlovedwouldbecontinuallythwartedsolongasmyfatherlived。Underthecassockofapriesthewouldbeforcedtorespectme，andImightthusoncertainoccasionsbecometheprotectorofmyfamily。Mymotherweptmuch。Justatthisperiodmyeldestbrother（sinceageneralandkilledatLeipzig）hadenteredthearmyasaprivatesoldier，drivenfromhishomeforthesamereasonsthatmademewishtobeapriest。Ishowedmymotherthatherbestmeansofprotectionwouldbetomarrymysister，assoonasshewasoldenough，tosomemanofstrongcharacter，andtolookforhelptothisnewfamily。Underpretenceofavoidingtheconscriptionwithoutcostingmyfatherapennytobuymeoff，IenteredtheseminaryofSaint—Sulpiceattheageofnineteen。WithinthosecelebratedoldbuildingsIfoundapeaceandhappinessthatweretroubledonlybythethoughtofmymotherandmysister’ssufferings。Theirdomesticmisery，nodoubt，wentonincreasing;forwhenevertheysawmetheysoughttostrengthenmyresolution。PerhapsIhadbeeninitiatedintothesecretsofcharity，suchasourgreatSaintPauldefinesit，bymyowntrials。Atanyrate，Ilongedtostanchthewoundsofthepoorinsomeforgottencorneroftheearth，andtoprovebymyexample，ifGodwoulddeigntoblessmyefforts，thattheCatholicreligion，judgedbyitsactionsforhumanity，istheonlytrue，theonlybeneficentandnoblecivilizingforce。Duringthelastdaysofmydiaconate，grace，nodoubt，enlightenedme。Ihavefullyforgivenmyfather，regardinghimastheinstrumentofmydestiny。Mymother，thoughIwroteheralongandtenderletter，explainingallthingsandprovingtoherthatthefingerofGodwasguidingme，mypoormotherweptmanytearsasshesawmyhaircutoffbythescissorsoftheChurch。SheknewherselfhowmanypleasuresIrenounced，butshedidnotknowthesecretgloriestowhichIaspired。Womenaresotender！AfterIoncebelongedtoGodIfeltaboundlesspeace;Ifeltnoneeds，novanities，noneofthosecareswhichtroublemensomuch。IknewthatProvidencewouldtakecareofmeasathingofitsown。Ienteredaworldfromwhichallfearisbanished;wherethefutureiscertain;whereallthingsaredivine，eventhesilence。Thisquietudeisoneofthebenefactionsofgrace。Mymothercouldnotconceivethatamancouldespouseachurch。Nevertheless，seeingmehappy，withacloudlessbrow，shegrewhappierherself。AfterIwasordainedIcametotheLimousintovisitoneofmypaternalrelations，whochancedtospeaktomeofthethenconditionofMontegnac。Athoughtdartedintomymindwiththevividnessoflightning，andIsaidtomyselfinwardly:’Hereisthyvineyard！’Icamehere，andyousee，monsieur，thatmyhistoryisverysimpleanduneventful。"
AtthisinstantLimogescameintosight，bathedinthelastraysofthesettingsun。Whenthewomensawittheycouldnotrestraintheirtears;theyweptaloud。
IX
DENISE
Theyoungmanwhomthesetwodifferentloveswerenowontheirwaytocomfort，whoexcitedsomuchartlesscuriosity，somuchspurioussympathyandtruesolicitude，waslyingonhisprisonpalletinoneofthecondemnedcells。Aspywatchedbesidethedoortocatch，ifpossible，anywordsthatmightescapehim，eitherinsleeporinoneofhisviolentfuries;soanxiousweretheofficersofjusticetoexhaustallhumanmeansofdiscoveringJean—FrancoisTascheron’saccompliceandrecoverthesumsstolen。
ThedesVanneaulxhadpromisedarewardtothepolice，andthepolicekeptconstantwatchontheobstinatesilenceoftheprisoner。Whenthemanondutylookedthroughaloopholemadeforthepurposehesawtheconvictalwaysinthesameposition，boundinthestraight—jacket，hisheadsecuredbyaleatherthongeversincehehadattemptedtotearthestuffofthejacketwithhisteeth。
Jean—Francoisgazedsteadilyattheceilingwithafixedanddespairingeye，aburningeye，asifreddenedbytheterriblethoughtsbehindit。HewasalivingimageoftheantiquePrometheus;thememoryofsomelosthappinessgnawedathisheart。Whenthesolicitor—generalhimselfwenttoseehimthatmagistratecouldnothelptestifyinghissurpriseatacharactersoobstinatelypersistent。NosoonerdidanyoneenterhiscellthanJean—Francoisflewintoafrenzywhichexceededthelimitsknowntophysiciansforsuchattacks。Themomentheheardthekeyturninthelockortheboltsofthebarreddoorslide，alightfoamwhitenedhislips。
Jean—FrancoisTascheron，thentwenty—fiveyearsofage，wassmallbutwell—made。Hiswiry，crinkledhair，growinglowonhisforehead，indicatedenergy。Hiseyes，ofaclearandluminousyellow，weretooneartherootofthenose，——adefectwhichgavehimsomeresemblancetobirdsofprey。Thefacewasround，ofthewarmbrowncoloringwhichmarkstheinhabitantsofmiddleFrance。OnefeatureofhisphysiognomyconfirmedanassertionofLavaterastopersonswhoaredestinedtocommitmurder;hisfrontteethlappedeachother。Neverthelesshisfaceboreallthecharacteristicsofintegrityandasweetandartlessmoralnature;therewasnothingsurprisinginthefactthatawomanhadlovedhimpassionately。Hisfreshmouthwithitsdazzlingteethwascharming，butthevermilionofthelipswasofthered—leadtintwhichindicatesrepressedferocity，and，inmanyhumanbeings，afreeabandonmenttopleasure。Hisdemeanorshowednoneofthelowhabitsofaworkman。Intheeyesofthewomenwhowerepresentatthetrialitseemedevidentthatoneoftheirsexhadsoftenedthosemusclesusedtotoil，hadennobledthecountenanceoftherustic，andgivengracetohisperson。Womencanalwaysdetectthetracesofloveinaman，justasmencanseeinawomanwhether，asthesayingis，lovehaspassedthatway。
TowardeveningofthedaywearenowrelatingJean—Francoisheardtheslidingofboltsandthenoiseofthekeyinthelock。Heturnedhisheadviolentlyandgaveventtothehorriblegrowlwithwhichhisfrenziesbegan;buthetrembledalloverwhenthebelovedheadsofhissisterandhismotherstoodoutagainstthefadinglight，andbehindthemthefaceoftherectorofMontegnac。
"Thewretches！isthiswhytheykeepmealive？"hesaid，closinghiseyes。
Denise，whohadlatelybeenconfinedinaprison，wasdistrustfulofeverything;thespyhadnodoubthiddenhimselfmerelytoreturninafewmoments。Thegirlflungherselfonherbrother，benthertearfulfacetohisandwhispered:——
"Theymaybelisteningtous。"
"Otherwisetheywouldnothaveletyoucomehere，"herepliedinaloudvoice。"Ihavelongaskedthefavorthatnoneofmyfamilyshouldbeadmittedhere。"
"Oh！howtheyhaveboundhim！"criedthemother。"Mypoorchild！mypoorboy！"andshefellonherkneesbesidethepallet，hidingherheadinthecassockofthepriest，whowasstandingbyher。
"IfJeanwillpromisemetobequiet，"saidtherector，"andnotattempttoinjurehimself，andtobehaveproperlywhilewearewithhim，Iwillasktohavehimunbound;buttheleastviolationofhispromisewillreflectonme。"
"IdosowanttomoveasIplease，dearMonsieurBonnet，"saidthecriminal，hiseyesmoisteningwithtears，"thatIgiveyoumywordtodoasyouwish。"
Therectorwentout，andreturnedwiththejailer，andthejacketwastakenoff。
"Youwon’tkillmeto—night，willyou？"saidtheturnkey。
Jeanmadenoanswer。
"Poorbrother！"saidDenise，openingabasketwhichhadjustpassedthrougharigorousexamination。"Herearesomeofthethingsyoulike;
Idaresaytheydon’tfeedyoufortheloveofGod。"
Sheshowedhimsomefruit，gatheredassoonastherectorhadtoldhershecouldgotothejail，anda/galette/hismotherhadimmediatelybakedforhim。Thisattention，whichremindedhimofhisboyhood，thevoiceandgesturesofhissister，thepresenceofhismotherandtherector，broughtonareactionandheburstintotears。
"Ah！Denise，"hesaid，"Ihavenothadagoodmealforsixmonths。I
eatonlywhendriventoitbyhunger。"
Themotherandsisterwentoutandthenreturned;withthenaturalhousekeepingspiritofsuchwomen，whowanttogivetheirmenmaterialcomfort，theysoonhadasupperfortheirpoorchild。Inthistheofficialshelpedthem;foranorderhadbeengiventodoallthatcouldwithsafetybedoneforthecondemnedman。ThedesVanneaulxhadcontributed，withmelancholyhope，towardthecomfortofthemanfromwhomtheystillexpectedtorecovertheirinheritance。ThuspoorJean—
Francoishadalastglimpseoffamilyjoys，ifjoystheycouldbecalledundersuchcircumstances。
"Ismyappealrejected？"hesaidtoMonsieurBonnet。
"Yes，mychild;nothingisleftforyoutodobuttomakeaChristianend。Thislifeisnothingincomparisontothatwhichawaitsyou;youmustthinknowofyoureternalhappiness。Youcanpayyourdebttomanwithyourlife，butGodisnotcontentwithsuchalittlethingasthat。"
"Giveupmylife！Ah！youdonotknowallthatIamleaving。"
Deniselookedatherbrotherasiftowarnhimthateveninmattersofreligionhemustbecautious。
"Letussaynomoreaboutit，"heresumed，eatingthefruitwithanaviditywhichtoldofhisinwardfire。"WhenamI——"
"No，no！saynothingofthatbeforeme！"saidthemother。
"ButIshouldbeeasierinmindifIknew，"hesaid，inalowvoicetotherector。
"Alwaysthesamenature，"exclaimedMonsieurBonnet。Thenhebentdowntotheprisoner’searandwhispered，"IfyouwillreconcileyourselfthisnightwithGodsothatyourrepentancewillenablemetoabsolveyou，itwillbeto—morrow。Wehavealreadygainedmuchincalmingyou，"hesaid，aloud。
Hearingtheselastwords，Jean’slipsturnedpale，hiseyesrolledupinaviolentspasm，andanangryshudderpassedthroughhisframe。
"AmIcalm？"heaskedhimself。HappilyhiseyesencounteredthetearfulfaceofDenise，andherecoveredhisself—control。"Sobeit，"
hesaidtotherector;"thereisnoonebutyoutowhomIwouldlisten;theyhaveknownhowtoconquerme。"
Andheflunghimselfonhismother’sbreast。
"Myson，"saidthemother，weeping，"listentoMonsieurBonnet;heriskshislife，thedearrector，ingoingtoyouto——"shehesitated，andthensaid，"tothegateofeternallife。"
ThenshekissedJean’sheadandheldittoherbreastforsomemoments。
"Willhe，indeed，gowithme？"askedJean，lookingattherector，whobowedhisheadinassent。"Well，yes，Iwilllistentohim;Iwilldoallheasksofme。"
"Youpromiseit？"saidDenise。"Thesavingofyoursouliswhatweseek。Besides，youwouldnothaveallLimogesandthevillagesaythataTascheronknowsnothowtodieanobledeath？Andthen，too，thinkthatallyoulosehereyouwillregaininheaven，wherepardonedsoulswillmeetagain。"
Thissuperhumaneffortparchedthethroatoftheheroicgirl。Shewassilentafterthis，likehermother，butshehadtriumphed。Thecriminal，furiousatseeinghishappinesstornfromhimbythelaw，nowquiveredatthesublimeCatholictruthsosimplyexpressedbyhissister。Allwomen，evenyoungpeasant—womenlikeDenise，knowhowtotouchthesedelicatechords;fordoesnoteverywomanseektomakeloveeternal？Denisehadtouchedtwochords，eachmostsensitive。
Awakenedpridecalledontheothervirtueschilledbymiseryandhardenedbydespair。Jeantookhissister’shandandkissedit，andlaiditonhisheartinadeeplysignificantmanner;heapplieditbothgentlyandforcibly。
"Yes，"hesaid，"Imustrenounceall;thisisthelastbeatingofmyheart，itslastthought。Keepthem，Denise。"
Andhegaveheroneofthoseglancesbywhichamanincrucialmomentstriestoputhissoulintothesoulofanotherhumanbeing。
Thisthought，thisword，was，intruth，alasttestament，anunspokenlegacy，tobeasfaithfullytransmittedasitwastrustfullygiven。Itwassofullyunderstoodbymother，sister，andpriest，thattheyallwithoneaccordturnedtheirfacesfromeachother，tohidetheirtearsandkeepthesecretoftheirthoughtsintheirownbreasts。
Thosefewwordswerethedyingagonyofapassion，thefarewellofasoultothegloriousthingsofearth，inaccordancewithtrueCatholicrenunciation。Therector，comprehendingthemajestyofallgreathumanthings，evencriminalthings，judgedofthismysteriouspassionbytheenormityofthesin。HeraisedhiseyestoheavenasiftoinvokethemercyofGod。Thencecometheconsolations，theinfinitetendernessesoftheCatholicreligion，——sohumane，sogentlewiththehandthatdescendstoman，showinghimthelawofhigherspheres;soawful，sodivine，withthatotherhandheldouttoleadhimintoheaven。
Denisehadnowsignificantlyshowntherectorthespotbywhichtostrikethatrockandmakethewatersofrepentanceflow。Butsuddenly，asthoughthememoriesevokedweredragginghimbackwards，Jean—
Francoisgavetheharrowingcryofthehyenawhenthehuntersovertakeit。
"No，no！"hecried，fallingonhisknees，"Iwilllive！Mother，givemeyourclothes;Icanescape！Mercy，mercy！Goseetheking;tellhim——"
Hestopped，gaveahorribleroar，andclungconvulsivelytotherector’scassock。
"Go，"saidMonsieurBonnet，inalowvoice，totheagitatedwomen。
Jeanheardthewords;heraisedhishead，gazedathismotherandsister，thenhestoppedandkissedtheirfeet。
"Letussayfarewellnow;donotcomeback;leavemealonewithMonsieurBonnet。Youneednotbeuneasyaboutmeanylonger，"hesaid，pressinghismotherandhissistertohimwithastrengthinwhichheseemedtoputallhislife。
"Howisitwedonotdieofthis？"saidDenisetohermotherastheypassedthroughthewicket。
Itwasnearlyeighto’clockwhenthispartingtookplace。AtthegateoftheprisonthetwowomenmettheAbbedeRastignac，whoaskedthemnewsoftheprisoner。
"HewillnodoubtbereconciledwithGod，"saidDenise。"Ifrepentancehasnotyetbegun，heisverynearit。"
Thebishopwassoonafterinformedthattheclergywouldtriumphonthisoccasion，andthatthecriminalwouldgotothescaffoldwiththemostedifyingreligioussentiments。Theprelate，withwhomwastheattorney—general，expressedawishtoseetherector。MonsieurBonnetdidnotreachthepalacebeforemidnight。TheAbbeGabriel，whomademanytripsbetweenthepalaceandthejail，judgeditnecessarytofetchtherectorintheepiscopalcoach;forthepoorpriestwasinastateofexhaustionwhichalmostdeprivedhimoftheuseofhislegs。
Theeffectofhisday，theprospectofthemorrow，thesightofthesecretstrugglehehadwitnessed，andthefullrepentancewhichhadatlastovertakenhisstubbornlambwhenthegreatreckoningofeternitywasbroughthometohim，——allthesethingshadcombinedtobreakdownMonsieurBonnet，whosenervous，electricalnatureenteredintothesufferingsofothersasthoughtheywerehisown。Soulsthatresemblethatnoblesoulespousesoardentlytheimpressions，miseries，passions，sufferingsofthoseinwhomtheyareinterested，thattheyactuallyfeelthem，andinahorriblemanner，too;fortheyareabletomeasuretheirextent，——aknowledgewhichescapesotherswhoareblindedbyselfishnessofheartortheparoxysmofgrief。ItisherethatapriestlikeMonsieurBonnetbecomesanartistwhofeels，ratherthananartistwhojudges。
Whentherectorenteredthebishop’ssalonandfoundtherethetwogrand—vicars，theAbbedeRastignac，MonsieurdeGrandville，andthe/procureur—general/，hefeltconvincedthatsomethingmorewasexpectedofhim。
"Monsieur，"saidthebishop，"haveyouobtainedanyfactswhichyoucan，withoutviolatingyourduty，confidetotheofficersofthelawfortheirguidance？"
"Monseigneur，inordertogiveabsolutiontothatpoor，wanderingchild，IwaitednotonlytillhisrepentancewasassincereandascompleteastheChurchcouldwish，butIhavealsoexactedfromhimtherestitutionofthemoney。"
"Thisrestitution，"saidthe/procureur—general/，"bringsmehereto—night;itwill，ofcourse，bemadeinsuchawayastothrowlightonthemysteriouspartsofthisaffair。Thecriminalcertainlyhadaccomplices。"
"Theinterestsofhumanjustice，"saidtherector，"arenotthoseforwhichIact。Iamignorantofhowtherestitutionwillbemade，butI
knowitwilltakeplace。Insendingformetoministertomyparishioner，MonseigneurplacedmeundertheconditionswhichgivetorectorsintheirparishesthesamepowerswhichMonseigneurexercisesinhisdiocese，——barring，ofcourse，allquestionsofdisciplineandecclesiasticalobedience。"
"Thatistrue，"saidthebishop。"Butthequestionhereishowtoobtainfromthecondemnedmanvoluntaryinformationwhichmayenlightenjustice。"
"MymissionistowinsoulstoGod，"saidMonsieurBonnet。
MonsieurdeGrancourshruggedhisshouldersslightly，buthiscolleague，theAbbeDutheilnoddedhisheadinsignofapproval。
"Tascheronisnodoubtendeavoringtoshieldsomeone，whomtherestitutionwillnodoubtbringtolight，"saidthe/procureur—
general/。
"Monsieur，"repliedtherector，"Iknowabsolutelynothingwhichwouldeitherconfuteorjustifyyoursuspicion。Besides，thesecretsofconfessionareinviolable。"
"Willtherestitutionreallytakeplace？"askedthemanoflaw。
"Yes，monsieur，"repliedthemanofGod。
"Thatisenoughforme，"saidthe/procureur—general/，whoreliedonthepolicetoobtaintherequiredinformation;asifpassionsandpersonalinterestswerenottenfoldmoreastutethanthepolice。
Thenextday，thisbeingmarket—day，Jean—FrancoisTascheronwasledtoexecutioninamannertosatisfyboththepiousandthepoliticalspiritsofthetown。Exemplaryinbehavior，piousandhumble，hekissedthecrucifix，whichMonsieurBonnetheldtohislipswithatremblinghand。Theunhappymanwaswatchedandexamined;hisglancewasparticularlyspiedupon;wouldhiseyesroveinsearchofsomeoneinthecrowdorinahouse？Hisdiscretiondid，asamatteroffact，holdfirmtothelast。HediedasaChristianshould，repentantandabsolved。
Thepoorrectorwascarriedawayunconsciousfromthefootofthescaffold，thoughhedidnotevenseethefatalknife。
Duringthefollowingnight，onthehigh—roadfifteenmilesfromLimoges，Denise，thoughnearlyexhaustedbyfatigueandgrief，beggedherfathertolethergoagaintoLimogesandtakewithherLouis—
MarieTascheron，oneofherbrothers。
"Whatmorehaveyoutodointhattown？"askedherfather，frowning。
"Father，"shesaid，"notonlymustwepaythelawyerwhodefendedhim，butwemustalsorestorethemoneywhichhehashidden。"
"Youareright，"saidthehonestman，pullingoutaleathernpouchhecarriedwithhim。
"No，no，"saidDenise，"heisnolongeryourson。Itisnotforthosewhocursedhim，butforthosewholovedhim，torewardthelawyer。"
"WewillwaitforyouatHavre，"saidthefather。
DeniseandherbrotherreturnedtoLimogesbeforedaylight。Whenthepoliceheard，later，ofthisreturntheywereneverabletodiscoverwherethebrotherandsisterhadhiddenthemselves。
DeniseandLouiswenttotheuppertowncautiously，aboutfouro’clockthatafternoon，glidingalongintheshadowofthehouses。Thepoorgirldarednotraisehereyes，fearingtomeettheglancesofthosewhohadseenherbrother’sexecution。AftercallingonMonsieurBonnet，whoinspiteofhisweakness，consentedtoserveasfatherandguardiantoDeniseinthematter，theyallwenttothelawyer’shouseintheruedelaComedie。
"Good—morning，mypoorchildren，"saidthelawyer，bowingtoMonsieurBonnet;"howcanIbeofservicetoyou？Perhapsyouwouldlikemetoclaimyourbrother’sbodyandsendittoyou？"
"No，monsieur，"repliedDenise，weepingatanideawhichhadneveryetoccurredtoher。"Icometopayhisdebttoyou——sofar，atleast，asmoneycanpayaneternaldebt。"
"Praysitdown，"saidthelawyer;noticingthatDeniseandtherectorwerestillstanding。
Deniseturnedawaytotakefromhercorsettwonotesoffivehundredfrancseach，whichwerefastenedbyapintoherchemise;thenshesatdownandofferedthemtoherbrother’sdefender。Therectorgavethelawyeraflashinglookwhichwasinstantlymoistenedbyatear。
"Keepthemoneyforyourself，mypoorgirl，"saidthelawyer。"Therichdonotpaysogenerouslyforalostcause。"
"Monsieur，"saidDenise，"Icannotobeyyou。"
"Thenthemoneyisnotyours？"saidthelawyer。
"Youaremistaken，"shereplied，lookingatMonsieurBonnetasiftoknowwhetherGodwouldbeangryatthelie。
Therectorkepthiseyeslowered。
"Well，then，"saidthelawyer，takingonenoteoffivehundredfrancsandofferingtheothertotherector，"Iwillshareitwiththepoor。
Now，Denise，changethisone，whichisreallymine，"hewenton，givingherthenote，"foryourvelvetribbonandyourgoldcross。I
willhangthecrossabovemymanteltoremindmeofthebestandpurestyounggirl’sheartIhaveeverknowninmywholeexperienceasalawyer。"
"Iwillgiveittoyouwithoutsellingit，"criedDenise，takingoffher/jeannette/andofferingittohim。
"Monsieur，"saidtherector，"Iacceptthefivehundredfrancstopayfortheexhumationofthepoorlad’sbodyanditstransportationtoMontegnac。Godhasnodoubtpardonedhim，andJeanwillrisewithmyflockonthatlastdaywhentherighteousandtherepentantwillbecalledtogethertotherighthandoftheFather。"
"Sobeit，"repliedthelawyer。