第18章

"MonsieurBonnet，"saidthearchbishop，lookingattherector，"youhaveaccomplishedamiracle。"

"NotI，butGod，Monseigneur，"hereplied。

"Theysaidshewasdying，"saidMonsieurGrossetete，"butsheisdead;

thereisnothingleftofherbutspirit。"

"Asoul，"saidGerard。

"Andyetsheisstillthesame，"criedthe/procureur—general/。

"AstoicafterthemannerofthePorchphilosophers，"saidthetutor。

Theywalkedinsilencethewholelengthofthebalustrade，lookingatthelandscapestillredwiththedeclininglight。

"Tomewhosawthisscenethirteenyearsago，"saidthearchbishop，pointingtothefertileplain，thevalley，andthemountainsofMontegnac，"thismiracleisasextraordinaryasthatwehavejustwitnessed。ButhowcomesitthatyouallowMadameGraslintowalkabout？Sheoughttobeinherbed。"

"Shewasthere，"saidMadameSauviat;"fortendaysshedidnotleaveit;butto—daysheinsistedongettinguptotakealastlookatthelandscape。"

"Icanunderstandthatshewantedtobidfarewelltohergreatcreation，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville;"butsheriskedexpiringonthisterrace。"

"MonsieurRoubaudtoldusnottothwarther，"saidMadameSauviat。

"Whatastupendouswork！whatamiraclehasbeenaccomplished！"saidthearchbishop，whoseeyeswererovingoverthescenebeforehim。"Shehasliterallysownthedesert！Butweknow，monsieur，"headded，turningtoGerard，"thatyourscientificknowledgeandyourlaborshavealargeshareinit。"

"Theyhavebeenonlytheworkmen，"repliedthemayor。"Yes，thehandsonly;shehasbeenthethought。"

MadameSauviathereleftthegroup，tohear，ifpossible，thedecisionofthedoctors。

"Weneedsomeheroismourselves，"saidMonsieurdeGrandvilletotherectorandthearchbishop，"toenableustowitnessthisdeath。"

"Yes，"saidMonsieurGrossetete，whooverheardhim，"butweoughttodomuchforsuchafriend。"

Afterseveralturnsupanddowntheterrace，thesepersons，fullofsolemnthoughts，sawtwofarmersapproachingthem，sentasadeputationfromthevillage，wheretheinhabitantswereinastateofpainfulanxietytoknowthesentencepronouncedbythephysicianfromParis。

"Theyarestillconsulting，andasyetweknownothing，myfriends，"

saidthearchbishop。

Ashespoke，MonsieurRoubaudappearedcomingtowardthem，andtheyallhurriedtomeethim。

"Well？"saidthemayor。

"Shecannotliveforty—eighthourslonger，"repliedMonsieurRoubaud。

"Duringmyabsencethediseasehasfullydeveloped;MonsieurBianchondoesnotunderstandhowitwaspossibleforhertohavewalked。Suchphenomenalexhibitionsofstrengtharealwayscausedbygreatmentalexaltation。So，gentlemen，"saidthedoctortothepriests，"shebelongstoyounow;scienceisuseless，andmyillustriousfellow—

physicianthinksyouhavebarelytimeenoughforyourlastoffices。"

"Letusgonowandsaytheprayersforthefortyhours，"saidtherectortohisparishioners，turningtoleavetheterrace。"HisGracewilldoubtlessadministerthelastsacraments。"

Thearchbishopbowedhishead;hecouldnotspeak;hiseyeswerefulloftears。Everyonesatdown，orleanedagainstthebalustrade，absorbedinhisownthought。Thechurchbellspresentlysentforthafewsadcalls，andthenthewholepopulationwereseenhurryingtowardtheporch。ThegleamofthelightedtapersshonethroughthetreesinMonsieurBonnet’sgarden;thechantsresounded。Nocolorwasleftinthelandscapebutthedullredhueofthedusk;eventhebirdshadhushedtheirsongs;thetree—frogalonesentforthitslong，clear，melancholynote。

"Iwillgoanddomyduty，"saidthearchbishop，turningawaywithaslowsteplikeamanovercomewithemotion。

Theconsultationhadtakenplaceinthegreatsalonofthechateau。

Thisvastroomcommunicatedwithastatebedchamber，furnishedinreddamask，inwhichGraslinhaddisplayedacertainopulentmagnificence。

Veroniquehadnotentereditsixtimesinfourteenyears;thegrandapartmentswerequiteuselesstoher，andsheneverreceivedherfriendsthere。Butnowtheeffortshehadmadetoaccomplishherlastobligation，andtoovercomeherlastrepugnancehadexhaustedherstrength，andshewaswhollyunabletomountthestairstoherownrooms。

Whentheillustriousphysicianhadtakenthepatient’shandandfeltherpulsehelookedatMonsieurRoubaudandmadehimasign;thentogethertheyliftedherandcarriedherintothechamber。Alinehastilyopenedthedoors。Likeallstatebedstheoneinthisroomhadnosheets，andthetwodoctorslaidMadameGraslinonthedamaskcoverlet。Roubaudopenedthewindows，pushedbacktheouterblinds，andcalled。TheservantsandMadameSauviatwentin。Thetapersinthecandelabrawerelighted。

"Itisordained，"saidthedyingwoman，smiling，"thatmydeathshallbewhatthatofaChristianshouldbe——afestival！"

Duringtheconsultationshesaid:——

"The/procureur—general/hasdonehisprofessionalduty;Iwasgoing，andhehaspushedmeon。"

Theoldmotherlookedatherandlaidafingeronherlips。

"Mother，Ishallspeak，"repliedVeronique。"See！thehandofGodisinallthis;Iamdyinginaredroom——"

MadameSauviatwentout，unabletobearthosewords。

"Aline，"shesaid，"shewillspeak！shewillspeak！"

"Ah！madameisoutofhermind，"criedthefaithfulmaid，whowasbringingsheets。"Fetchtherector，madame。"

"Yourmistressmustbeundressed，"saidBianchontothemaid。

"Itwillbeverydifficulttodoit，monsieur;madameiswrappedinahair—clothgarment。"

"What！inthenineteenth—centurycansuchhorrorsberevived？"saidthegreatdoctor。

"MadameGraslinhasneverallowedmetotouchherstomach，"saidRoubaud。"Ihavebeenabletojudgeoftheprogressofthediseaseonlyfromherfaceandherpulse，andthelittleinformationIcouldgetfromhermotherandthemaid。"

Veroniquewasnowplacedonasofawhilethebedwasbeingmade。Thedoctorsspoketogetherinalowvoice。MadameSauviatandAlinemadethebed。Thefacesofthetwowomenwerefullofanguish;theirheartswerewrungbythethought，"Wearemakingherbedforthelasttime——

shewilldiehere！"

Theconsultationwasnotlong。ButBianchonexactedattheoutsetthatAlineshould，inspiteofthepatient’sresistance，cutoffthehairshirtandputonanight—dress。Thedoctorsreturnedtothesalonwhilethiswasbeingdone。WhenAlinepassedthemcarryingtheinstrumentoftorturewrappedinanapkin，shesaid:——

"Madame’sbodyisonegreatwound。"

Thedoctorsreturnedtothebedroom。

"YourwillisstrongerthanthatofNapoleon，madame，"saidBianchon，afteraskingafewquestions，towhichVeroniquerepliedveryclearly。

"YoukeepyourmindandyourfacultiesinthelaststagesofadiseasewhichrobbedtheEmperorofhisbrilliantintellect。FromwhatIknowofyouIthinkIoughttotellyouthetruth。"

"Iimploreyoutodoso，"shesaid。"Youareabletoestimatewhatstrengthremainstome;andIhaveneedofallmyvigorforafewhours。"

"Thinkonlyofyoursalvation，"repliedBianchon。

"IfGodhasgivenmegracetodieinpossessionofallmyfaculties，"

shesaidwithacelestialsmile，"besurethatthisfavorwillbeusedtothegloryofhisChurch。ThepossessionofmymindandsensesisnecessarytofulfilacommandofGod，whereasNapoleonhadaccomplishedallhisdestiny。"

Thedoctorslookedateachotherinastonishmentathearingthesewords，saidwithasmucheaseasthoughMadameGraslinwerestillpresidinginhersalon。

"Ah！hereisthedoctorwhoistocureme，"shesaidpresently，whenthearchbishop，summonedbyRoubaud，enteredtheroom。

Shecollectedallherstrengthandrosetoasittingposture，inordertobowgraciouslytoMonsieurBianchon，andbeghimtoacceptsomethingelsethanmoneyforthegoodnewshegaveher。Shesaidafewwordsinhermother’sear，andMadameSauviatimmediatelyledawaythedoctors;thenVeroniquerequestedthearchbishoptopostponetheirinterviewtilltherectorcouldcometoher，expressingawishtorestforawhile。Alinewatchedbesideher。

AtmidnightMadameGraslinawoke，andaskedforthearchbishopandrector，whomAlinesilentlyshowedhercloseathand，prayingforher。

Shemadeasigndismissinghermotherandthemaid，and，atanothersign，thetwopriestscametothebedside。

"Monseigneur，andyou，mydearrector，"shesaid，"willhearnothingyoudonotalreadyknow。Youwerethefirst，Monseigneur，tocastyoureyesintomyinnerself;youreadtherenearlyallmypast;andwhatyoureadsufficedyou。Myconfessor，thatguardianangelwhomheavenplacednearme，knowsmore;Ihavetoldhimall。You，whosemindsareenlightenedbythespiritoftheChurch，IwishtoconsultyouastothemannerinwhichIoughtasatrueChristiantoleavethislife。

You，austereandsaintlyspirits，thinkyouthatifGoddeignstopardononewhoserepentanceisthedeepest，themostabsolute，thatevershookahumansoul，thinkyouthateventhenIhavemademyfullexpiationherebelow？"

"Yes，"saidthearchbishop;"yes，mydaughter。"

"No，myfather，no！"shesaidrisinginherbed，thelightningflashingfromhereyes。"Notfarfromherethereisagrave，whereanunhappymanislyingbeneaththeweightofadreadfulcrime;hereinthissumptuoushomeisawoman，crownedwiththefameofbenevolenceandvirtue。Thiswomanisblessed;thatpooryoungmaniscursed。Thecriminaliscoveredwithobloquy;Ireceivetherespectofall。Ihadthelargestshareinthesin;hehasashare，alargeshareinthegoodwhichhaswonformesuchgloryandsuchgratitude。FraudthatI

am，Ihavethehonor;he，themartyrtohisloyalty，hastheshame。I

shalldieinafewhours，andthecantonwillmournme;thewholedepartmentwillringwithmygooddeeds，mypiety，myvirtue;buthediedcoveredwithinsults，insightofawholepopulationrushing，withhatredtoamurderer，toseehimdie。You，myjudges，youareindulgenttome;yetIhearwithinmyselfanimperiousvoicewhichwillnotletmerest。Ah！thehandofGod，lesstenderthanyours，strikesmefromdaytoday，asiftowarnmethatallisnotexpiated。

Mysinscannotberedeemedexceptbyapublicconfession。Heishappy！

criminal，hegavehislifewithignominyinfaceofearthandheaven;

andI，IcheattheworldasIcheatedhumanjustice。ThehomageI

receivehumiliatesme;praisesearsmyheart。Doyounotsee，intheverycomingofthe/procureur—general/，acommandfromheavenechoingthevoiceinmyownsoulwhichcriestome:Confess！"

Thetwopriests，theprinceoftheChurchaswellasthehumblerector，thesetwogreatlights，eachinhisownway，stoodwiththeireyesloweredandweresilent。Deeplymovedbythegrandeurandtheresignationoftheguiltywoman，thejudgescouldnotpronouncehersentence。

"Mychild，"saidthearchbishopatlast，raisinghisnoblehead，maceratedbythecustomsofhisausterelife，"youaregoingbeyondthecommandmentsoftheChurch。ThegloryoftheChurchistomakeherdogmaconformtothehabitsandmannersofeachage;fortheChurchgoesonfromagetoageincompanywithhumanity。Accordingtoherpresentdecisionsecretconfessionhastakentheplaceofpublicconfession。Thissubstitutionhasmadethenewlaw。Thesufferingsyouhaveenduredsuffice。Dieinpeace:Godhasheardyou。"

"ButisnotthisdesireofaguiltywomaninconformitywiththelawofthefirstChurch，whichhasenrichedheavenwithasmanysaintsandmartyrsandconfessingsoulsastherearestarsinthefirmament？"

persistedVeronique，vehemently。"Whosaid:/Confessyourselvestooneanother/？Wasitnotthedisciples，wholivedwiththeSaviour？Letmeconfessmyshamepubliclyonmyknees。Itwillredeemmysintotheworld，tothatfamilyexiledandalmostextinctthroughme。Theworldoughttoknowthatmybenefactionsarenotanoffering，butthepaymentofadebt。Supposethatlater，aftermydeath，somethingtorefrommymemorythelyingveilwhichcoversme。Ah！thatideaismorethanIcanbear，itisdeathindeed！"

"Iseeinthistoomuchofcalculation，mychild，"saidthearchbishop，gravely。"Passionsarestilltoostronginyou;theoneI

thoughtextinctis——"

"Oh！Isweartoyou，Monseigneur，"shesaid，interruptingtheprelateandfixinghereyes，fullofhorror，uponhim，"myheartisaspurifiedasthatofaguiltyandrepentantwomancanbe;thereisnothingnowwithinmebutthethoughtofGod。"

"Monseigneur，"saidtherectorinatendervoice，"letusleavecelestialjusticetotakeitscourse。ItisnowfouryearssinceI

havestronglyopposedthiswish;itistheonlydifferencethathasevercomebetweenmypenitentandmyself。Ihaveseentothedepthsofthatsoul，andIknowthisearthhasnolongeranyholdthere。Thoughthetears，theremorse，thecontritionoffifteenyearsrelatetothemutualsinofthosetwopersons，believemetherearenoremainsofearthlypassioninthislongandterriblebewailing。Memorynolongerminglesitsflameswiththoseofanardentpenitence。Yes，tearshaveatlastextinguishedthatgreatfire。Iguarantee，"hesaid，stretchinghishandoverMadameGraslin’shead，andlettinghismoistenedeyesbeseen，"Iguaranteethepurityofthatangelicsoul。

AndalsoIseeinthisdesirethethoughtofreparationtoanabsentfamily，amemberofwhichGodhasbroughtbackherebyoneofthoseeventswhichrevealHisprovidence。"

Veroniquetookthetremblinghandoftherectorandkissedit。

"Youhaveoftenbeenverysterntome，dearpastor，butatthismomentIseewhereyoukeepyourapostolicgentleness。You，"shesaid，lookingatthearchbishop，"you，thesupremeheadofthiscornerofGod’skingdom，betome，inthismomentofignominy，asupport。Imustbowdownasthelowestofwomen，butyouwillliftmeuppardonedand——possibly——theequalofthosewhoneversinned。"

Thearchbishopwassilent，weighingnodoubtalltheconsiderationshispractisedeyeperceived。

"Monseigneur，"saidtherector，"religionhashadsomeheavyblows。

Thisreturntoancientcustoms，broughtaboutbythegreatnessofthesinanditsrepentance，mayitnotbeatriumphwehavenorighttorefuse？"

"Buttheywillsaywearefanatics！Theywilldeclarewehaveexactedthiscruelscene！"

Andagainthearchbishopwassilentandthoughtful。

AtthismomentHoraceBianchonandRoubaudenteredtheroom，afterknocking。AsthedooropenedVeroniquesawhermother，herson，andalltheservantsofthehouseholdontheirkneespraying。TherectorsofthetwoadjacentparisheshadcometoassistMonsieurBonnet，andalso，perhaps，topaytheirrespectstothegreatprelate，forwhomtheFrenchclergynowdesiredthehonorsofthecardinalate，hopingthattheclearnessofhisintellect，whichwasthoroughlyGallican，wouldenlightentheSacredCollege。

HoraceBianchonreturnedtoParis;beforedeparting，hecametobidfarewelltothedyingwomanandthankherforhermunificence。Slowlyheapproached，perceivingfromthefacesoftheprieststhatthewoundsofthesoulhadbeenthedeterminingcauseofthoseofthebody。HetookMadameGraslin’shand，laiditonthebedandfeltthepulse。Thedeepsilence，thatofasummernightinacountrysolitude，gaveadditionalsolemnitytothescene。Thegreatsalon，seenthroughthedoubledoors，waslightedupforthelittlecompanyofpersonswhowereprayingthere;allwereontheirkneesexceptthetwopriestswhowereseatedandreadingtheirbrevaries。Oneithersideofthegrandstatebedweretheprelateinhisvioletrobes，therector，andthetwophysicians。

"Sheisagitatedalmostuntodeath，"saidHoraceBianchon，who，likeallmenofgreattalent，sometimesusedspeechasgrandastheoccasionthatcalleditforth。

Thearchbishoproseasifsomeinwardimpulsedrovehim;hecalledtoMonsieurBonnet，andtogethertheycrossedtheroom，passedthroughthesalon，andwentoutupontheterrace，wheretheywalkedupanddownforsomemoments。Whentheyreturned，afterdiscussingthiscaseofecclesiasticaldiscipline，Roubaudmetthem。

XXI

CONFESSIONATTHEGATESOFTHETOMB

Atteno’clockinthemorningthearchbishop，wearinghispontificalrobes，cameintoMadameGraslin’schamber。Theprelate，aswellastherector，hadsuchconfidenceinthiswomanthattheygavehernoadviceorinstructionsastothelimitswithinwhichsheoughttomakeherconfession。

Veroniquenowsawanassemblageofclergyfromalltheneighboringdistricts。Monseigneurwasassistedbyfourvicars。Themagnificentvesselsshehadbestoweduponherdearparishchurchwerebroughttothehouseandgavesplendortotheceremony。Eightchoristersintheirwhiteandredsurplicesstoodintworowsfromthebedtothedoorofthesalon，eachholdingoneofthelargebronze—giltcandelabrawhichVeroniquehadorderedfromParis。Thecrossandthechurchbannerwereheldoneithersideofthebedbywhite—hairedsacristans。Thankstothedevotionofherservants，awoodenaltarbroughtfromthesacristyhadbeenerectedclosetothedoorofthesalon，andsopreparedanddecoratedthatMonseigneurcouldsaymassuponit。

MadameGraslinwasdeeplytouchedbytheseattentions，whichtheChurch，asageneralthing，grantsonlytoroyalpersonages。Thefoldingdoorsbetweenthesalonandthedining—roomwereopen，andshecouldseeavistaoftheground—floorroomsfilledwiththevillagepopulation。Herfriendshadthoughtofeverything;thesalonwasoccupiedexclusivelybythemselvesandtheservantsofthehousehold。

Inthefrontrankandgroupedbeforethedoorofthebedroomwerehernearestfriends，thoseonwhosediscretionreliancecouldbeplaced。

MM。Grossetete，deGrandville，Roubaud，Gerard，Clousier，Ruffin，tookthefirstplaces。Theyhadarrangedamongthemselvesthattheyshouldriseandstandinagroup，thuspreventingthewordsoftherepentantwomanfrombeingheardinthefartherrooms;buttheirtearsandsobswould，inanycase，havedrownedhervoice。

Atthismomentandbeforeallelseinthataudience，twopersonspresented，toanobserver，apowerfullyaffectingsight。OnewasDeniseTascheron。Herforeigngarments，ofQuakersimplicity，madeherunrecognizablebyherformervillageacquaintance。Theotherwasquiteanotherpersonage，anacquaintancenottobeforgotten，andhisapparitiontherewaslikeastreakofluridlight。The/procureur—

general/camesuddenlytoaperceptionofthetruth;thepartthathehadplayedtoMadameGraslinunrolleditselfbeforehim;hedivinedittoitsfullestextent。Lessinfluenced，asasonofthenineteenthcentury，bythereligiousaspectofthematter，MonsieurdeGrandville’sheartwasfilledwithanawfuldread;forhesawbeforehim，hecontemplatedthedramaofthatwoman’shiddenselfatthehotelGraslinduringthetrialofJean—FrancoisTascheron。Thattragicperiodcamebackdistinctlytohismemory，——lightedevennowbythemother’seyes，shiningwithhatred，whichfelluponhimwherehestood，likedropsofmoltenlead。Thatoldwoman，standingtenfeetfromhim，forgavenothing。Thatman，representinghumanjustice，trembled。Pale，strucktotheheart，hedarednotcasthiseyesuponthebedwherelaythewomanhehadlovedsowell，nowlividbeneaththehandofdeath，gatheringstrengthtoconqueragonyfromthegreatnessofhersinanditsrepentance。ThemeresightofVeronique’sthinprofile，sharplydefinedinwhiteuponthecrimsondamask，causedhimavertigo。

Ateleveno’clockthemassbegan。AftertheepistlehadbeenreadbytherectorofVizaythearchbishopremovedhisdalmaticandadvancedtothethresholdofthebedroomdoor。

"Christians，gatherheretoassistintheceremonyofextremeunctionwhichweareabouttoadministertothemistressofthishouse，"hesaid，"youwhojoinyourprayerstothoseoftheChurchandintercedewithGodtoobtainfromHimhereternalsalvation，youarenowtolearnthatshedoesnotfeelherselfworthy，inthis，herlasthour，toreceivetheholyviaticumwithouthavingmade，fortheedificationofherfellows，apublicconfessionofthegreatestofhersins。Wehaveresistedherpiouswish，althoughthisactofcontritionwaslonginuseduringtheearlyagesofChristianity。But，asthispoorwomantellsusthatherconfessionmayservetorehabilitateanunfortunatesonofthisparish，weleaveherfreetofollowtheinspirationsofherrepentance。"

Afterthesewords，saidwithpastoralunctionanddignity，thearchbishopturnedasidetogiveplacetoVeronique。Thedyingwomancameforward，supportedbyheroldmotherandtherector，——themotherfromwhomshederivedherbody，theChurch，thespiritualmotherofhersoul。Shekneltdownonacushion，claspedherhands，andseemedtocollectherselfforafewmoments，asiftogatherfromsomesourcedescendingfromheaventhepowertospeak。Atthismomentthesilencewasalmostterrifying。Nonedaredlookattheirneighbor。Alleyeswerelowered。AndyettheeyesofVeronique，whensheraisedthem，encounteredthoseofthe/procureur—general/，andtheexpressiononthatblanchedfacebroughtthecolortohers。

"Icouldnotdieinpeace，"saidVeronique，inavoiceofdeepemotion，"ifIsufferedthefalseimpressionyouallhaveofmetoremain。Youseeinmeaguiltywoman，whoasksyourprayers，andwhoseekstomakeherselfworthyofpardonbythispublicconfessionofhersin。Thatsinwassogreat，itsconsequencesweresofatal，thatperhapsnopenancecanatoneforit。ButthemorehumiliationIsubmittohereonearth，thelessImayhavetodreadthewrathofGodintheheavenlykingdomtowhichIamgoing。Myfather，whohadgreatconfidenceinme，commendedtomycare（nowtwentyyearsago）asonofthisparish，inwhomhehadseenagreatdesiretoimprovehimself，anaptitudeforstudy，andfinecharacteristics。ImeantheunfortunateJean—FrancoisTascheron，whothenceforthattachedhimselftomeashisbenefactress。HowdidtheaffectionIfeltforhimbecomeaguiltyone？Ithinkmyselfexcusedfromexplainingthis。Perhapsitcouldbeshownthatthepurestsentimentsbywhichweactinthisworldwereinsensiblydivertedfromtheircoursebyuntoldsacrifices，byreasonsarisingfromourhumanfrailty，bymanycauseswhichmightappeartodismisstheevilofmysin。Butevenifthenoblestaffectionsmovedme，wasIlessguilty？RatherletmeconfessthatI，whobyeducation，bypositionintheworld，mightconsidermyselfsuperiortotheyouthmyfatherconfidedtome，andfromwhomIwasseparatedbythenaturaldelicacyofoursex，——Ilistened，fatally，tothepromptingsofthedevil。Isoonfoundmyselftoomuchthemotherofthatyoungmantobeinsensibletohismuteanddelicateadmiration。Healone，hefirst，recognizedmytruevalue。Butperhapsahorriblecalculationenteredmymind。Ithoughthowdiscreetayouthwouldbewhoowedhisalltome，andwhomthechancesoflifehadputsofarawayfromme，thoughwewerebornequals。Imadeevenmyreputationforbenevolence，mypiousoccupations，acloaktoscreenmyconduct。Alas！——andthisisdoubtlessoneofmygreatestsins——Ihidmypassionundercoverofthealtar。Themostvirtuousofmyactions——theloveIboremymother，theactsofdevotionwhichweresincereandtrueinthemidstofmywrong—

doing——all，allweremadetoservetheendsofadesperatepassion，andwerelinksinthechainthatheldme。Mypoorbelovedmother，whohearsmenow，wasforalongtime，ignorantly，anaccompliceinmysin。Whenhereyeswereopened，toomanydangerousfactsexistednottogivehermother’sheartthestrengthtobesilent。Silencewithherhasbeenthehighestvirtue。HerloveforherdaughterhasgonebeyondherlovetoGod。Ah！Iheredischargehersolemnlyfromtheheavyburdenofsecrecywhichshehasborne。Sheshallendherdayswithoutcompellingeithereyesorbrowtolie。Lethermotherhoodstandclearofblame;letthatnoble，sacredoldage，crownedwithvirtue，shinewithitsnaturallustre，freedofthatlinkwhichboundherindirectlytoinfamy！"

Tearscheckedthedyingwoman’svoiceforaninstant;Alinegavehersaltstoinhale。

"ThereisnoonewhohasnotbeenbettertomethanIdeserve，"shewenton，——"eventhedevotedservantwhodoesthislastservice;shehasfeignedignoranceofwhatsheknew，butatleastshewasinthesecretofthepenancesbywhichIhavedestroyedthefleshthatsinned。IherebegpardonoftheworldforthelongdeceptiontowhichIhavebeenledbytheterriblelogicofsociety。Jean—FrancoisTascheronwasnotasguiltyasheseemed。Ah！youwhohearme，I

imploreyoutorememberhisyouth，andthemadnessexcitedinhimpartlybytheremorsethatseizeduponme，partlybyinvoluntaryseductions。Morethanthat！itwasasenseofhonor，thoughamistakenhonor，whichcausedthemostawfuloftheseevils。Neitherofuscouldendureourperpetualdeceit。Heappealed，unhappyman，tomyownrightfeeling;hesoughttomakeourfatalloveaslittlewoundingtoothersasitcouldbe。Wemeanttohideourselvesawayforever。ThusIwasthecause，thesolecause，ofhiscrime。Drivenbynecessity，theunhappyman，guiltyoftoomuchdevotiontoanidol，chosefromallevilactstheonewhichmightbehereafterreparable。Iknewnothingofittillthemomentofexecution。AtthatmomentthehandofGodthrewdownthatscaffoldingoffalsecontrivances——Iheardthecries;

theyechoinmyears！Idivinedthestruggle，whichIcouldnotstop，——I，thecauseofit！Tascheronwasmaddened;Iswearit。"

HereVeroniqueturnedhereyesuponMonsieurdeGrandville，andasobwasheardtoissuefromDeniseTascheron’sbreast。

"Helosthismindwhenhesawwhathethoughthishappinessdestroyedbyunforeseencircumstances。Theunhappyman，misledbyhislove，wentheadlongfromadelinquentacttocrime——fromrobberytoadoublemurder。Heleftmymother’shouseaninnocentman，hereturnedaguiltyone。Ialoneknewthattherewasneitherpremeditationnoranyoftheaggravatingcircumstancesonwhichhewassentencedtodeath。A

hundredtimesIthoughtofbetrayingmyselftosavehim;ahundredtimesahorribleandnecessaryrestraintstoppedthewordsuponmylips。Undoubtedly，mypresencenearthescenehadcontributedtogivehimtheodious，infamous，ignoblecourageofamurderer。Wereitnotforme，hewouldhavefled。Ihadformedthatsoul，trainedthatmind，enlargedthatheart;Iknewit;hewasincapableofcowardiceormeanness。Dojusticetothatinvoluntarilyguiltyarm，dojusticetohim，whomGod，inhismercy，hasallowedtosleepinhisquietgrave，whereyouhaveweptforhim，suspecting，itmaybe，theextenuatingtruth。Punish，cursetheguiltycreaturebeforeyou！Horrifiedbythecrimewhenoncecommitted，Ididmybesttohidemyshareinit。

Trustedbymyfather——I，whowaschildless——toleadachildtoGod，I

ledhimtothescaffold！Ah！punishme，curseme，thehourhascome！"

Sayingthesewords，hereyesshonewiththestoicprideofasavage。

Thearchbishop，standingbehindher，andasifprotectingherwiththepastoralcross，abandonedhisimpassibledemeanorandcoveredhiseyeswithhisrighthand。Amuffledcrywasheard，asthoughsomeoneweredying。Twopersons，GerardandRoubaud，receivedandcarriedawayintheirarms，DeniseTascheron，unconscious。ThatsightseemedforaninstanttoquenchthefireinVeronique’seyes;shewasevidentlyuneasy;butsoonherself—controlandserenityofmartyrdomresumedtheirsway。

"Younowknow，"shecontinued，"thatIdeserveneitherpraiseorblessingformyconducthere。IhaveledinsightofHeaven，asecretlifeofbitterpenancewhichHeavenwillestimate。MylifebeforemenhasbeenanimmensereparationfortheevilsIhavecaused;Ihavemarkedmyrepentanceineffaceablyontheearth;itwilllastalmosteternallyherebelow。Itiswrittenonthosefertilefields，intheprosperousvillage，intherivuletsbroughtfromthemountainstowatertheplainoncebarrenandfruitless，nowgreenandfertile。Notatreewillbecutforahundredyearstocomebutthepeopleofthisregionwillknowoftheremorsethatmadeitgrow。Myrepentantsoulwillstilllivehereamongyou。Whatyouwillowetoitsefforts，toafortunehonorablyacquired，istheheritageofitsrepentance，——therepentanceofherwhocausedthecrime。Allhasbeenrepairedsofarassocietyisconcerned;butIamstillresponsibleforthatlife，crushedinitsbud，——alifeconfidedtomeandforwhichIamnowrequiredtorenderanaccount。"

Theflameofhereyeswasveiledintears。

"Thereishere，beforeme，aman，"shecontinued，"who，becausehedidhisdutystrictly，hasbeentomeanobjectofhatredwhichIthoughteternal。Hewasthefirstinflictorofmypunishment。Myfeetwerestilltoodeepinblood，Iwastoonearthedeed，nottohatejustice。

Solongasthatrootofangerlayinmyheart，Iknewtherewasstillalingeringremnantofcondemnablepassion。Ihadnothingtoforgivethatman，IhaveonlyhadtopurifythatcornerofmyheartwhereEvillurked。Howeverharditmayhavebeentowinthatvictory，itiswon。"

MonsieurdeGrandvilleturnedafacetoVeroniquethatwasbathedintears。Humanjusticeseemedatthatmomenttofeelremorse。Whentheconfessingwomanraisedherheadasiftocontinue，shemettheagonizinglookofoldmanGrossetete，whostretchedhissupplicatinghandstoherasiftosay，"Enough，enough！"Atthesameinstantasoundoftearsandsobswasheard。Movedbysuchsympathy，unabletobearthebalmofthisgeneralpardon，shewasseizedwithfaintness。

Seeingthatherdaughter’svitalforcewasgoneatlast，theoldmothersummonedthevigorofheryouthtocarryheraway。

"Christians，"saidthearchbishop，"youhaveheardtheconfessionofthatpenitentwoman;itconfirmsthesentenceofhumanjustice。YououghttoseeinthisfreshreasontojoinyourprayerstothoseoftheChurchwhichofferstoGodtheholysacrificeofthemass，toimplorehismercyinfavorofsodeeparepentance。"

Theserviceswenton。Veronique，lyingonthebed，followedthemwithalookofsuchinwardcontentmentthatsheseemed，toeveryeye，nolongerthesamewoman。Onherfacewasthecandidandvirtuousexpressionofthepureyounggirlsuchasshehadbeeninherparents’

home。Thedawnofeternallifewasalreadywhiteningherbrowandglorifyingherfacewithitscelestialtints。Doubtlesssheheardthemysticharmonies，andgatheredstrengthtolivefromherdesiretouniteherselfoncemorewithGodinthelastcommunion。Therectorcamebesidethebedandgaveherabsolution。Thearchbishopadministeredthesacredoilswithafatherlytendernessthatshowedtoalltherepresenthowdearthelostbutnowrecoveredlambhadbeentohim。Then，withthesacredanointing，heclosedtothethingsofearththoseeyeswhichhaddonesuchevil，andlaidthesealoftheChurchuponthelipsthatwereoncetooeloquent。Theears，bywhichsomanyevilinspirationshadpenetratedhermind，wereclosedforever。Allthesenses，deadenedbyrepentance，werethussanctified，andthespiritofevilcouldhavenofurtherpowerwithinhersoul。

NeverdidassistantsofthisceremonymorefullyunderstandthegrandeurandprofundityofthesacramentthanthosewhonowsawtheactsoftheChurchjustlyfollowingtheconfessionofthatdyingwoman。

Thusprepared，VeroniquereceivedthebodyofJesusChristwithanexpressionofhopeandjoywhichmeltedtheiceofunbeliefagainstwhichtherectorhadsooftenbruisedhimself。Roubaud，confoundedinallhisopinions，becameaCatholiconthespot。Thescenewastouchingandyetawesome;thesolemnityofitseveryfeaturewassogreatthatpaintersmighthavefoundtherethesubjectofamasterpiece。

Whenthisfuneralpartwasover，andthedyingwomanheardthepriestsbeginthereadingofthegospelofSaintJohn，shesignedtohermothertobringherson，whohadbeentakenfromtheroombyhistutor。WhenshesawFranciskneelingbythebedsidethepardonedmotherfeltshehadtherighttolayherhanduponhisheadandblesshim。Doingso，shedied。

OldMadameSauviatwasthere，atherpost，erectasshehadbeenfortwentyyears。Thiswoman，heroicafterherfashion，closedherdaughter’seyes——thoseeyesthathadweptsomuch——andkissedthem。

Allthepriests，followedbythechoristers，surroundedthebed。Bytheflaminglightofthetorchestheychantedtheterrible/DeProfundis/，theechoesofwhichtoldthepopulationkneelingbeforethechateau，thefriendsprayinginthesalon，theservantsintheadjoiningrooms，thatthemotherofthecantonwasdead。Thehymnwasaccompaniedwithmoansandtears。Theconfessionofthatgrandwomanhadnotbeenaudiblebeyondthethresholdofthesalon，andnonebutlovingearshadheardit。

Whenthepeasantsoftheneighborhood，joiningwiththoseofMontegnac，came，onebyone，tolayupontheirbenefactressthecustomarypalm，togetherwiththeirlastfarewellmingledwithprayersandtears，theysawthemanofjustice，crushedbygrief，holdingthehandofthewomanwhom，withoutintendingit，hehadsocruellybutsojustlystricken。

Twodayslaterthe/procureur—general/，Grossetete，thearchbishop，andthemayor，holdingthecornersoftheblackpall，conductedthebodyofMadameGraslintoitslastresting—place。Itwaslaidinthegraveindeepsilence;notawordwassaid;noonehadstrengthtospeak;alleyeswerefulloftears。"Sheisnowasaint！"wassaidbythepeasantsastheywentawayalongtheroadsofthecantontowhichshehadgivenprosperity，——sayingthewordstohercreationsasthoughtheywereanimatebeings。

NoonethoughtitstrangethatMadameGraslinwasburiedbesidethebodyofJean—FrancoisTascheron。Shehadnotaskedit;buttheoldmother，asthelastactofhertenderpity，hadrequestedthesextontomakethegravethere，——puttingtogetherthosewhomearthhadsoviolentlyparted，andwhosesoulswerenowreunitedthroughrepentanceinpurgatory。

MadameGraslin’swillwasfoundtobeallthatwasexpectedofit。ShefoundedscholarshipsandhospitalbedsatLimogessolelyforworking—

men;sheassignedaconsiderablesum——threehundredthousandfrancsinsixyears——forthepurchaseofthatpartofthevillagecalledLesTascherons，whereshedirectedthatahospitalshouldbebuilt。Thishospital，intendedfortheindigentoldpersonsofthecanton，forthesick，forlying—inwomenifpaupers，andforfoundlings，wastobecalledtheTascheronHospital。VeroniqueorderedittobeplacedinchargeoftheGraySisters，andfixedthesalariesofthesurgeonandthephysicianatfourthousandfrancsforeach。SherequestedRoubaudtobethefirstphysicianofthishospital，placinguponhimthechoiceofthesurgeon，andrequestinghimtosuperintendtheerectionofthebuildingwithreferencetosanitaryarrangements，conjointlywithGerard，whowastobethearchitect。ShealsogavetothevillageofMontegnacanextentofpasturelandsufficienttopayallitstaxes。Thechurch，sheendowedwithafundtobeusedforaspecialpurpose，namely:watchwastobekeptoveryoungworkmen，andcasesdiscoveredinwhichsomevillageyouthmightshowadispositionforart，orscience，ormanufactures;theinterestofthefundwasthentobeusedinfosteringit。Theintelligentbenevolenceofthetestatrixnamedthesumthatshouldbetakenforeachoftheseencouragements。

ThenewsofMadameGraslin’sdeath，receivedthroughoutthedepartmentasacalamity，wasnotaccompaniedbyanyrumorinjurioustothememoryofthiswoman。Thisdiscretionwasahomagerenderedtosomanyvirtuesbythehard—workingCatholicpopulation，whichrenewedinthislittlecornerofFrancethemiraclesofthe"LettresEdifiantes。"

Gerard，appointedguardianofFrancisGraslin，andobliged，bytermsofthewill，toresideatthechateau，movedthere。ButhedidnotmarryDeniseTascheronuntilthreemonthsafterVeronique’sdeath。Inher，Francisfoundasecondmother。