第4章

Atthetimeofthecreationofthegendarmerie，theComtede，Soulanges，whobythattimehadbecomeacolonel，askedforabrigade，forhisformerprotector，andlaterstillhesolicitedthepostwe，havenamedfortheyoungerSoudry。Besidesalltheseinfluences，the，marriageofMademoiselleGaubertinwithawealthybankerofthequai，Bethumemadetheunjuststewardfeelthathewasfarstrongerinthe，communitythanalieutenant-generaldrivenintoretirement。

Ifthishistoryprovidednootherinstructionthatthatofferedbythe，quarrelbetweenthegeneralandhissteward，itwouldstillbeuseful，tomanypersonsasalessonfortheirconductinlife。Hewhoreads，Machiavelliprofitably，knowsthathumanprudenceconsistsinnever，threatening;indoingbutnotsaying;inpromotingtheretreatofan，enemyandneverstepping，asthesayingis，onthetailofthe，serpent;andinavoiding，asonewouldmurder，theinflictionofa，blowtotheself-loveofanyonelowerthanone’sself。Aninjurydone，toaperson’sinterest，nomatterhowgreatitmaybeatthetime，is，forgivenorexplainedinthelongrun;butself-love，vanity，never，ceasestobleedfromawoundgiven，andneverforgivesit。Themoral，beingisactuallymoresensitive，morelivingasitwere，thanthe，physicalbeing。Theheartandthebloodarelessimpressiblethanthe，nerves。Inshort，ourinwardbeingrulesus，nomatterwhatwedo。You，mayreconciletwofamilieswhohavehalf-killedeachother，asin，BrittanyandinLaVendeeduringthecivilwars，butyoucannomore，reconcilethecalumniatorsandthecalumniatedthanyoucanthe，spoilersandthedespoiled。Itisonlyinepicpoemsthatmencurse，eachotherbeforetheykill。Thesavage，andthepeasantwhoismuch，likeasavage，seldomspeakunlesstodeceiveanenemy。Eversince，1789Francehasbeentryingtomakemanbelieve，againstallevidence，thattheyareequal。Tosaytoaman，“Youareaswindler，“maybe，takenasajoke;buttocatchhimintheactandproveittohimwith，acaneonhisback，tothreatenhimwithapolice-courtandnotfollow，upthethreat，istoremindhimoftheinequalityofconditions。If，themasseswillnotbrookanyspeciesofsuperiority，isitlikely，thataswindlerwillforgivethatofanhonestman？

Montcornetmighthavedismissedhisstewardunderpretextofpaying，offamilitaryobligationbyputtingsomeoldsoldierinhisplace;

Gaubertinandthegeneralwouldhaveunderstoodthematter，andthe，latter，bysparingthesteward’sself-lovewouldhavegivenhima，chancetowithdrawquietly。Gaubertin，inthatcase，wouldhaveleft，hislateemployerinpeace，andpossiblyhemighthavetakenhimself，andhissavingstoParisforinvestment。Butbeing，ashewas，ignominiouslydismissed，themanconceivedagainsthislatemasterone，ofthosebitterhatredswhichareliterallyapartofexistencein，provinciallife，thepersistency，duration，andplotsofwhichwould，astonishdiplomatistswhoaretrainedtoletnothingastonishthem。A

burningdesireforvengeanceledhimtosettleatVille-aux-Fayes，and，totakeapositionwherehecouldinjureMontcornetandstirup，sufficientenmityagainsttoforcehimtosellLesAigues。

Thegeneralwasdeceivedbyappearances;forGaubertin’sexternal，behaviorwasnotofanaturetowarnortoalarmhim。Thelatesteward，followedhisoldcustomofpretending，notexactlypoverty，but，limitedmeans。Foryearshehadtalkedofhiswifeandthreechildren，andtheheavyexpensesofalargefamily。MademoiselleLaguerre，to，whomhehaddeclaredhimselftoopoortoeducatehissoninParis，paidthecostsherself，andallowedherdeargodson(forshewas，ClaudeGaubertin’ssponsor)twothousandfrancsayear。

Thedayafterthequarrel，Gaubertincame，withakeepernamed，Courtecuisse，anddemandedwithmuchinsolencehisreleaseinfullof，allclaims，showingthegeneraltheonehehadobtainedfromhislate，mistressinsuchflatteringterms，andasking，ironically，thata，searchshouldbemadefortheproperty，realandotherwise，whichhe，wassupposedtohavestolen。Ifhehadreceivedfeesfromthewood-

merchantsontheirpurchasesandfromthefarmersontheirleases，MademoiselleLaguerre，hesaid，hadalwaysallowedit;notonlydid，shegainbythebargainshemade，buteverythingwentonsmoothly，withouttroublingher。Thecountry-peoplewouldhavedied，he，remarked，forMademoiselle，whereasthegeneralwaslayingupfor，himselfastoreofdifficulties。

Gaubertin——andthistraitisfrequentlytobeseeninthemajorityof，thoseprofessionsinwhichthepropertyofotherscanbetakenby，meansnotforeseenbytheCode——consideredhimselfaperfectlyhonest，man。Inthefirstplace，hehadsolonghadpossessionofthemoney，extortedfromMademoiselleLaguerre’sfarmersthroughfear，andpaid，inassignats，thatheregardeditaslegitimatelyacquired。Itwasa，merematterofexchange。Hethoughtthatintheendheshouldhave，quiteasmuchriskwithcoinaswithpaper。Besides，legally，Mademoisellehadnorighttoreceiveanypaymentexceptinassignats。

“Legally“isafine，robustadverb，whichbolstersupmanyafortune！

Moreover，hereflectedthateversincegreatestatesandland-agents，hadexisted，thatis，eversincetheoriginofsociety，thesaid，agentshadsetup，fortheirownuse，anargumentsuchaswefindour，cooksusinginthispresentday。Hereitis，initssimplicity：——

“Ifmymistress，“saysthecook，“wenttomarketherself，shewould，havetopaymoreforherprovisionsthanIchargeher;sheisthe，gainer，andtheprofitsImakedomoregoodinmyhandsthaninthose，ofthedealers。”

“IfMademoiselle，“thoughtGaubertin，“weretomanageLesAigues，herself，shewouldnevergetthirtythousandfrancsayearoutofit;

thepeasants，thedealers，theworkmenwouldrobheroftherest。It，ismuchbetterthatIshouldhaveit，andsoenablehertolivein，peace。”

TheCatholicreligion，anditalone，isabletopreventthese，capitulationsofconscience。But，eversince1789religionhasno，influenceontwothirdsoftheFrenchpeople。Thepeasants，whose，mindsarekeenandwhosepovertydrivesthemtoimitation，had，reached，speciallyinthevalleyofLesAigues，afrightfulstateof，demoralization。TheywenttomassonSundays，butonlyattheoutside，ofthechurch，whereitwastheircustomtomeetandtransactbusiness，andmaketheirweeklybargains。

Wecannowestimatetheextentoftheevildonebythecareless，indifferenceofthegreatsingertothemanagementofherproperty。

MademoiselleLaguerrebetrayed，throughmereselfishness，the，interestsofthosewhoownedproperty，whoareheldinperpetual，hatredbythosewhoownnone。Since1792theland-ownersofParishave，becomeofnecessityacombinedbody。If，alas，thefeudalfamilies，lessnumerousthanthemiddle-classfamilies，didnotperceivethe，necessityofcombiningin1400underLouisXI。norin1600under，Richelieu，canweexpectthatinthisnineteenthcenturyofprogress，themiddleclasseswillprovetobemorepermanentlyandsolidly，combinedthattheoldnobility？Anoligarchyofahundredthousand，richmenpresentsallthedangersofademocracywithnoneofits，advantages。Theprincipleof“everymanforhimselfandforhisown，“

theselfishnessofindividualinterests，willkilltheoligarchical，selfishnesssonecessarytotheexistenceofmodernsociety，andwhich，Englandhaspractisedwithsuchsuccessforthelastthreecenturies。

Whatevermaybesaidordone，land-ownerswillneverunderstandthe，necessityofthesortofinternaldisciplinewhichmadetheChurch，suchanadmirablemodelofgovernment，until，toolate，theyfind，themselvesindangerfromoneanother。Theaudacitywithwhich，communism，thatlivingandactinglogicofdemocracy，attackssociety，fromthemoralside，showsplainlythattheSamsonofto-day，grown，prudent，isunderminingthefoundationsofthecellar，insteadof，shakingthepillarsofthehall。

CHAPTERVII

CERTAINLOSTSOCIALSPECIES

TheestateofLesAiguescouldnotdowithoutasteward;forthe，generalhadnointentionofrenouncinghiswinterpleasuresinParis，whereheownedafinehouseintherueNeuve-des-Mathurines。He，thereforelookedaboutforasuccessortoGaubertin;butitisvery，certainthathissearchwasnotaseagerasthatofGaubertinhimself，whowasseekingfortherightpersontoputinhisway。

Ofallconfidentialpositionsthereisnonethatrequiresmoretrained，knowledgeofitskind，ormoreactivity，thanthatofland-stewardto，agreatestate。Thedifficultyoffindingtherightmanisonlyfully，knowntothosewealthylandlordswhosepropertyliesbeyondacertain，circlearoundParis，beginningatadistanceofaboutonehundredand，fiftymiles。Atthatpointagriculturalproductionsforthemarketsof，Paris，whichwarrantrentalsonlongleases(collectedoftenbyother，tenantswhoarerichthemselves)，ceasetobecultivated。Thefarmers，whoraisethemdrivetothecityintheirowncabrioletstopaytheir，rentsingoodbank-bills，unlesstheysendthemoneythroughtheir，agentsinthemarkets。Forthisreason，thefarmsoftheSeine-et-

Oise，Seine-et-Marne，theOise，theEure-et-Loir，theLowerSeine，and，theLoiretaresodesirablethatcapitalcannotalwaysbeinvested，thereatoneandahalfpercent。Comparedtothereturnsonestates，inHolland，England，andBelgium，thisresultisenormous。Butatone，hundredmilesfromParisanestaterequiressuchvarietyofworking，itsproductsaresodifferentinkind，thatitbecomesabusiness，withalltherisksattendantonmanufacturing。Thewealthyowneris，reallyamerchant，forcedtolookforamarketforhisproducts，like，theownerofironworksorcottonfactories。Hedoesnotevenescape，competition;thepeasant，thesmallproprietor，isathisheelswith，anaviditywhichleadstotransactionstowhichwell-bredpersons，cannotcondescend。

Aland-stewardmustunderstandsurveying，thecustomsofthelocality，themethodsofsaleandoflabor，togetherwithalittlequibblingin，theinterestsofthoseheserves;hemustalsounderstandbook-keeping，andcommercialmatters，andbeinperfecthealth，withalikingfor，activelifeandhorseexercise。Hisdutybeingtorepresenthismaster，andtobealwaysincommunicationwithhim，thestewardoughtnotto，beamanofthepeople。Asthesalaryofhisofficeseldomexceeds，threethousandfrancs，theproblemseemsinsoluble。Howisitpossible，toobtainsomanyqualificationsforsuchaverymoderateprice，——ina，region，moreover，wherethemenwhoareprovidedwiththemare，admissibletoallotheremployments？Bringdownastrangertofillthe，place，andyouwillpaydearfortheexperiencehemustacquire。Train，ayoungmanonthespot，andyouaremorethanlikelytogetathorn，ofingratitudeinyourside。Itthereforebecomesnecessarytochoose，betweenincompetenthonesty，whichinjuresyourpropertythroughits，blindnessandinertia，andtheclevernesswhichlooksoutforitself。

Hencethesocialnomenclatureandnaturalhistoryofland-stewardsas，definedbyagreatPolishnoble。

“Thereare，“hesaid，“twokindsofstewards：hewhothinksonlyof，himself，andhewhothinksofhimselfandofus;happytheland-owner，wholayshishandsonthelatter！Asforthestewardwhowouldthink，onlyofus，heisnottobemetwith。”

Elsewherecanbefoundastewardwhothoughtofthismaster’s，interestsaswellasofhisown。(“UnDebutdanslavie，““Scenesde，lavieprivee。”)Gaubertinisthestewardwhothinksofhimselfonly。

Torepresentthethirdfigureoftheproblemwouldbetoholdupto，publicadmirationaveryunlikelypersonage，yetonethatwasnot，unknowntotheoldnobility，thoughhehas，alas！disappearedwith，them。(See“LeCabinetdesAntiques，““Scenesdelaviedeprovince。”)

Throughtheendlesssubdivisionoffortunesaristocratichabitsand，customsareinevitablychanged。IftherebenotnowinFrancetwenty，greatfortunesmanagedbyintendants，infiftyyearsfromnowthere，willnotbeahundredestatesinthehandsofstewards，unlessagreat，changeismadeinthelaw。Everyland-ownerwillbebroughtbythat，timetolookafterhisowninterests。

Thistransformation，alreadybegun，suggestedthefollowinganswerof，acleverwomanwhenaskedwhy，since1830，shestayedinParisduring，thesummer。“Because，“shesaid，“Idonotcaretovisitchateaux，whicharenowturnedintofarms。”Whatistobethefutureofthis，question，gettingdailymoreandmoreimperative，——thatofmantoman，thepoormanandtherichman？Thisbookiswrittentothrowsome，lightuponthatterriblesocialquestion。

Itiseasytounderstandtheperplexitieswhichassailedthegeneral，afterhehaddismissedGaubertin。Whilesayingtohimself，vaguely，likeotherpersonsfreetodoornottodoathing，“I’lldismissthat，scamp“;hehadoverlookedtheriskandforgottentheexplosionofhis，boilinganger，——theangerofacholericfire-eateratthemomentwhen，aflagrantimpositionforcedhimtoraisethelidsofhiswilfully，blindeyes。

Montcornet，aland-ownerforthefirsttimeandadenizenofParis，hadnotprovidedhimselfwithastewardbeforecomingtoLesAigues;

butafterstudyingtheneighborhoodcarefullyhesawitwas，indispensabletoamanlikehimselftohaveanintermediarytomanage，somanypersonsoflowdegree。

Gaubertin，whodiscoveredduringtheexcitementofthescene(which，lastedmorethantwohours)thedifficultiesinwhichthegeneral，wouldsoonbeinvolved，jumpedonhisponyafterleavingtheroom，wherethequarreltookplace，andgallopedtoSoulangestoconsultthe，Soudrys。Athisfirstwords，“ThegeneralandIhaveparted;whomcan，weputinmyplacewithouthissuspectingit？”theSoudrysunderstood，theirfriend’swishes。DonotforgetthatSoudry，forthelast，seventeenyearschiefofpoliceofthecanton，wasdoublyshrewd，throughhiswife，anadeptintheparticularwilinessofawaiting-

maidofanOperadivinity。

“Wemaygofar，“saidMadameSoudry，“beforewefindanyonetosuit，theplaceaswellasourpoorSibilet。”

“Madetoorder！”exclaimedGaubertin，stillscarletwith，mortification。“Lupin，“headded，turningtothenotary，whowas，present，“gotoVille-aux-FayesandwhisperittoMarechal，incase，thatbigfire-eateraskshisadvice。”

Marechalwasthelawyerwhomhisformerpatron，whenbuyingLesAigues，forthegeneral，hadrecommendedtoMonsieurdeMontcornetaslegal，adviser。

Sibilet，eldestsonoftheclerkofthecourtatVille-aux-Fayes，a，notary’sclerk，withoutapennyofhisown，andtwenty-fiveyearsold，hadfalleninlovewiththedaughterofthechief-magistrateof，Soulanges。Thelatter，namedSarcus，hadasalaryoffifteenhundred，francs，andwasmarriedtoawomanwithoutfortune，theeldestsister，ofMonsieurVermut，theapothecaryofSoulanges。Thoughanonly，daughter，MademoiselleSarcus，whosebeautywasheronlydowry，could，scarcelyhavelivedonthesalarypaidtoanotary’sclerkinthe，provinces。YoungSibilet，arelativeofGaubertin，byaconnection，ratherdifficulttotracethroughfamilyramificationswhichmake，membersofthemiddleclassesinallthesmallertownscousinstoeach，other，owedamodestpositioninagovernmentofficetotheassistance，ofhisfatherandGaubertin。Theunluckyfellowhadtheterrible，happinessofbeingthefatheroftwochildreninthreeyears。Hisown，father，blessedwithfive，wasunabletoassisthim。Hiswife’sfather，ownednothingbesidehishouseatSoulangesandanincomeoftwo，thousandfrancs。MadameSibilettheyoungerspentmostofhertimeat，herfather’shomewithhertwochildren，whereAdolpheSibilet，whose，officialdutyobligedhimtotravelthroughthedepartment，cameto，seeherfromtimetotime。

Gaubertin’sexclamation，thougheasytounderstandfromthissummary，ofyoungSibilet’slife，needsafewmoreexplanatorydetails。

AdolpheSibilet，supremelyunlucky，aswehaveshownbytheforegoing，sketchofhim，wasoneofthosemenwhocannotreachtheheartofa，womanexceptbywayofthealtarandthemayor’soffice。Endowedwith，thesupplenessofasteel-spring，heyieldedtopressure，certainto，reverttohisfirstthought。Thistreacheroushabitispromptedby，cowardice;butthebusinesstrainingwhichSibiletunderwentinthe，officeofaprovincialnotaryhadtaughthimtheartofconcealing，thisdefectunderagruffmannerwhichsimulatedastrengthhedidnot，possess。Manyfalsenaturesmasktheirhollownessinthisway;be，roughwiththeminreturnandtheeffectproducedisthatofaballoon，collapsedbyaprick。SuchwasSibilet。Butasmostmenarenot，observers，andasamongobserversthreefourthsobserveonlyaftera，thinghastakenplace，AdolpheSibilet’sgrumblingmannerwas，consideredtheresultofanhonestfrankness，ofacapacitymuch，praisedbyhismaster，andofastubbornuprightnesswhichno，temptationcouldshake。Somemenareasmuchbenefitedbytheir，defectsasothersbytheirgoodqualities。

AdelineSarcus，aprettyyoungwoman，broughtupbyamother(whodied，threeyearsbeforehermarriage)aswellasamothercaneducatean，onlydaughterinaremotecountrytown，wasinlovewiththehandsome，sonofLupin，theSoulangesnotary。Atthefirstsignsofthis，romance，oldLupin，whointendedtomarryhissontoMademoiselle，EliseGaubertin，lostnotimeinsendingyoungAmauryLupintoParis，tothecareofhisfriendandcorrespondentCrottat，thenotary，where，underpretextofdrawingdeedsandcontracts，Amaurycommitted，avarietyoffoolishacts，andmadedebts，beingledtheretobya，certainGeorgesMarest，aclerkinthesameoffice，butarichyoung，man，whorevealedtohimthemysteriesofParisianlife。Bythetime，LupintheelderwenttoParistobringbackhisson，AdelineSarcus，hadbecomeMadameSibilet。Infact，whentheadoringAdolpheoffered，himself，herfather，theoldmagistrate，promptedbyyoungLupin’s，father，hastenedthemarriage，towhichAdelineyieldedinsheer，despair。

Thesituationofclerkinagovernmentregistrationofficeisnota，career。Itis，likeothersuchplaceswhichadmitofnorise，oneof，themanyholesofthegovernmentsieve。Thosewhostartinlifein，theseholes(thetopographical，theprofessorial，thehighway-and-

canaldepartments)areapttodiscover，invariablytoolate，that，cleverermenthenthey，seatedbesidethem，arefed，astheOpposition，writerssay，onthesweatofthepeople，everytimethesievedips，downintothetaxation-potbymeansofamachinecalledthebudget。

Adolphe，workingearlyandlateandearninglittle，soonfoundoutthe，barrendepthsofhishole;andhisthoughtsbusiedthemselves，ashe，trottedfromtownshiptotownship，spendinghissalaryinshoe-leather，andcostsoftravelling，withhowtofindapermanentandmore，profitableplace。

Noonecanimagine，unlesshehappenstosquintandtohavetwo，legitimatechildren，whatambitionsthreeyearsofmiseryandlovehad，developedinthisyoungman，whosquintedbothinmindandvision，and，whosehappinesshalted，asitwere，ononeleg。Thechiefcauseof，secretevildeedsandhiddenmeannessis，perhaps，anincompleted，happiness。Mancanbetterbearastateofhopelessmiserythanthose，terriblealternationsofloveandsunshinewithcontinualrain。Ifthe，bodycontractsdisease，themindcontractstheleprosyofenvy。In，pettymindsthatleprosybecomesabaseandbrutalcupidity，both，insolentandshrinking;incultivatedmindsitfostersanti-social，doctrines，whichserveamanasfootholdsbywhichtoriseabovehis，superiors。Maywenotdignifywiththetitleofproverbthepregnant，saying，“Tellmewhatthouhast，andIwilltelltheeofwhatthouart，thinking“？

ThoughAdolphelovedhiswife，hishourlythoughtwas：“Ihavemadea，mistake;Ihavethreeballsandchains，butIhaveonlytwolegs。I

oughttohavemademyfortunebeforeImarried。Icouldhavefoundan，Adelineanyday;butAdelinestandsinthewayofmygettingafortune，now。”

AdolphehadbeentoseehisrelationGaubertinthreetimesinthree，years。AfewwordsexchangedbetweenthemletGaubertinseethemuck，ofasoulreadytofermentunderthehottemptationsoflegalrobbery。

Hewarilysoundedanaturethatcouldbewarpedtotheexigenciesof，anyplan，provideditwasprofitable。Ateachofthethreevisits，Sibiletgrumbledathisfate。

“Employme，cousin，“hesaid;“takemeasaclerkandmakemeyour，successor。YoushallseehowIwork。Iamcapableofoverthrowing，mountainstogivemyAdeline，Iwon’tsayluxury，butamodest，competence。YoumadeMonsieurLeclercq’sfortune;whywon’tyouputme，inabankinParis？”

“Someday，lateron，I’llfindyouaplace，“Gaubertinwouldsay;

“meantimemakefriendsandacquaintance;suchthingshelp。”

UnderthesecircumstancestheletterwhichMadameSoudryhastily，dispatchedbroughtSibilettoSoulangesthrougharegionofcastlesin，theair。Hisfather-in-law，Sarcus，whomtheSoudrysadvisedtotake，stepsintheinterestofhisdaughter，hadgoneinthemorningtosee，thegeneralandtoproposeAdolpheforthevacantpost。Byadviceof，MadameSoudry，whowastheoracleofthelittletown，theworthyman，hadtakenhisdaughterwithhim;andthesightofherhadhada，favorableeffectupontheComtedeMontcornet。

“Ishallnotdecide，“heanswered，“withoutthoroughlyinforming，myselfaboutallapplicants;butIwillnotlookelsewhereuntilI

haveexaminedwhetherornotyourson-in-lawpossessesthe，requirementsfortheplace。”Then，turningtoMadameSibiletheadded，“ThesatisfactionofsettlingsocharmingapersonatLesAigues——“

“Themotheroftwochildren，general，“saidAdeline，adroitly，to，evadethegallantryoftheoldcuirassier。

Allthegeneral’sinquirieswerecleverlyanticipatedbytheSoudrys，Gaubertin，andLupin，whoquietlyobtainedfortheircandidatethe，influenceoftheleadinglawyersinthecapitalofthedepartment，wherearoyalcourtheldsessions，——suchasCounsellorGendrin，a，distantrelativeofthejudgeatVille-aux-Fayes;BaronBourlac，attorney-general;andanothercounsellornamedSarcus，acousinthrice，removedofthecandidate。Theverdictofeveryonetowhomthegeneral，applieswasfavorabletothepoorclerk，——“sointeresting，“asthey，calledhim。HismarriagehadmadeSibiletasirreproachableasanovel，ofMissEdgeworth’s，andpresentedhim，moreover，inthelightofa，disinterestedman。

ThetimewhichthedismissedstewardremainedatLesAiguesuntilhis，successorcouldbeappointedwasemployedincreatingtroublesand，annoyancesforhislatemaster;oneofthelittlesceneswhichhethus，playedoffwillgiveanideaofseveralothers。

Themorningofhisfinaldeparturehecontrivedtomeet，asitwere，accidentally，Courtecuisse，theonlykeeperthenemployedatLes，Aigues，thegreatextentofwhichreallyneededatleastthree。

“Well，MonsieurGaubertin，“saidCourtecuisse，“soyouhavehad，troublewiththecount？”

“Whotoldyouthat？”answeredGaubertin。“Well，yes;thegeneral，expectedtoorderusaboutashedidhiscavalry;hedidn’tknow，Burgundians。Thecountisnotsatisfiedwithmyservices，andasIam，notsatisfiedwithhisways，wehavedismissedeachother，almostwith，fisticuffs，forheragedlikeawhirlwind。Takecareofyourself，Courtecuisse！Ah！mydearfellow，Iexpectedtogiveyouabetter，master。”

“Iknowthat，“saidthekeeper，“andI’dhaveservedyouwell。Hang，it，whenfriendshaveknowneachotherfortwentyyears，youknow！You，putmehereinthedaysofthepoordearsaintedMadame。Ah，whata，goodwomanshewas！nonelikehernow！Theplacehaslostamother。”

“Lookhere，Courtecuisse，ifyouarewilling，youmighthelpustoa，finestroke。”

“Thenyouaregoingtostayhere？IheardyouwereofftoParis。”

“No;Ishallwaittoseehowthingsturnout;meantimeIshalldo，businessatVille-aux-Fayes。Thegeneraldoesn’tknowwhatheis，dealingwithintheseparts;he’llmakehimselfhated，don’tyousee？

Ishallwaitforwhatturnsup。Doyourworkheregently;he’lltell，youtomanagethepeoplewithahighhand，forhebeginstoseewhere，hiscropsandhiswoodsarerunningto;butyou’llnotbesuchafool，astoletthecountry-folkmaulyou，andperhapsworse，forthesake，ofhistimber。”

“Buthewouldsendmeaway，dearMonsieurGaubertin，hewouldgetrid，ofme！andyouknowhowhappyIamlivingthereatthegateofthe，Avonne。”

“Thegeneralwillsoongetsickofthewholeplace，“replied，Gaubertin;“youwouldn’tbelongoutevenifhedidhappentosendyou，away。Besides，youknowthosewoods，“headded，wavinghishandatthe，landscape;“Iamstrongertherethanthemasters。”

Thisconversationtookplaceinanopenfield。

“Those’Arminac’Parisianfellowsoughttostayintheirownmud，“

saidthekeeper。

Eversincethequarrelsofthefifteenthcenturytheword’Arminac’

(Armagnacs，Parisians，enemiesoftheDukesofBurgundy)hascontinued，tobeaninsultingtermalongthebordersofUpperBurgundy，whereit，isdifferentlycorruptedaccordingtolocality。

“He’llgobacktoitwhenbeaten，“saidGaubertin，“andwe’llplough，upthepark;foritisrobbingthepeopletoallowamantokeepnine，hundredacresofthebestlandinthevalleyforhisownpleasure。”

“Fourhundredfamiliescouldgettheirlivingfromit，“said，Courtecuisse。

“Ifyouwanttwoacresforyourselfyoumusthelpustodrivethatcur，out，“remarkedGaubertin。

AttheverymomentthatGaubertinwasfulminatingthissentenceof，excommunication，theworthySarcuswaspresentinghisson-in-law，SibilettotheComtedeMontcornet。TheyhadcomewithAdelineandthe，childreninawickercarryall，lentbySarcus’sclerk，aMonsieur，Gourdon，brotheroftheSoulangesdoctor，whowasricherthanthe，magistratehimself。Thegeneral，pleasedwiththecandoranddignity，ofthejusticeofthepeace，andwiththegracefulbearingofAdeline，(bothgivingpledgesingoodfaith，fortheyweretotallyignorantof，theplansofGaubertin)，atoncegrantedallrequestsandgavesuch，advantagestothefamilyofthenewland-stewardastomakethe，positionequaltothatofasub-prefectofthefirstclass。

Alodge，builtbyBouretasanobjectinthelandscapeandalsoasa，homeforthesteward，anelegantlittlebuilding，thearchitectureof，whichwassufficientlyshowninthedescriptionofthegateofBlangy，waspromisedtotheSibiletsfortheirresidence。Thegeneralalso，concededthehorsewhichMademoiselleLaguerrehadprovidedfor，Gaubertin，inconsiderationofthesizeoftheestateandthedistance，hehadtogotothemarketswherethebusinessofthepropertywas，transacted。Heallowedtwohundredbushelsofwheat，threehogsheads，ofwine，woodinsufficientquantity，oatsandbarleyinabundance，andthreepercentonallreceiptsofincome。Wherethelatterin，MademoiselleLaguerre’stimehadamountedtofortythousandfrancs，thegeneralnow，in1818，inviewofthepurchasesoflandwhich，Gaubertinhadmadeforher，expectedtoreceiveatleastsixty，thousand。Thenewland-stewardmightthereforereceivebeforelong，sometwothousandfrancsinmoney。Lodged，fed，warmed，relievedof，taxes，thecostsofahorseandapoultry-yarddefrayedforhim，and，allowedtoplantakitchen-garden，withnoquestionsaskedastothe，day’sworkofthegardener，certainlysuchadvantagesrepresentedmuch，morethananothertwothousandfrancs;foramanwhowasearninga，miserablesalaryoftwelvehundredfrancsinagovernmentofficeto，stepintothestewardshipofLesAigueswasachangefrompovertyto，opulence。

“Befaithfultomyinterests，“saidthegeneral，“andIshallhave，moretosaytoyou。DoubtlessIcouldgetthecollectionoftherents，ofConches，Blangy，andCerneuxtakenawayfromthecollectionof，thoseofSoulangesandgiventoyou。Inshort，whenyoubringmeina，clearsixtythousandayearfromLesAiguesyoushallbestillfurther，rewarded。”

Unfortunately，theworthyjusticeandhisdaughter，intheflushof，theirjoy，toldMadameSoudrythepromisethegeneralhadmadeabout，thesecollections，withoutreflectingthatthepresentcollectorof，Soulanges，amannamedGuerbet，brotherofthepostmasterofConches，wascloselyallied，asweshallseelater，withGaubertinandthe，Gendrins。

“Itwon’tbesoeasytodoit，mydear，“saidMadameSoudry;“but，don’tpreventthegeneralfrommakingtheattempt;itiswonderfulhow，easilydifficultthingsaredoneinParis。IhaveseentheChevalier，GluckatdearMadame’sfeettogethertosinghismusic，andshedid，——shewhosoadoredPiccini，oneofthefinestmenofhisday;never，didHEcomeintoMadame’sroomwithoutcatchingmeroundthewaistand，callingmeadearrogue。”

“Ha！”criedSoudry，whenhiswifereportedthisnews，“doeshethink，heisgoingtoleadthenotarybythenose，andupseteverythingto，pleasehimselfandmakethewholevalleymarchinline，ashedidhis，cuirassiers？Thesemilitaryfellowshaveahabitofcommand！——but，let’shavepatience;MonsieurdeSoulangesandMonsieurde，Ronquerolleswillbeonourside。PoorGuerbet！helittlesuspectswho，istryingtopluckthebestrosesoutofhisgarland！”

PereGuerbet，thecollectorofSoulanges，wasthewit，thatistosay，thejovialcompanionofthelittletown，andaheroinMadameSoudry’s，salon。Soudry’sspeechgivesafairideaoftheopinionwhichnowgrew，upagainstthemasterofLesAiguesfromConchestoVille-aux-Fayes，andwhereverelsethepublicmindcouldbereachedandpoisonedby，Gaubertin。

TheinstallationofSibilettookplaceintheautumnof1817。Theyear，1818wentbywithoutthegeneralbeingabletosetfootatLesAigues，forhisapproachingmarriagewithMademoiselledeTroisville，which，wascelebratedinJanuary，1819，kepthimthegreaterpartofthe，summernearAlencon，inthecountry-houseofhisprospectivefather-

in-law。GeneralMontcornetpossessed，besidesLesAiguesanda，magnificenthouseinParis，somesixtythousandfrancsayearinthe，Fundsandthesalaryofaretiredlieutenant-general。ThoughNapoleon，hadmadehimacountoftheEmpireandgivenhimthefollowingarms，a，fieldquarterly，thefirst，azure，bordureor，threepyramidsargent;

thesecond，vert，threehuntinghornsargent;thethird，gules，a，cannonoronagun-carriagesable，and，inchief，acrescentor;the，fourth，or，acrownvert，withthemotto(eminentlyofthemiddle，ages！)，“Soundthecharge，“——Montcornetknewverywellthathewasthe，sonofacabinet-makerinthefaubourgSaint-Antoine，thoughhewas，quitereadytoforgetit。Hewaseatenupwiththedesiretobeapeer，ofFrance，anddreamedofhisgrandcordonoftheLegionofhonor，his，Saint-Louiscross，andhisincomeofonehundredandfortythousand，francs。Bittenbythedemonofaristocracy，thesightoftheblue，ribbonputhimbesidehimself。ThegallantcuirassierofEsslingwould，havelickedupthemudonthePont-Royaltobeinvitedtothehouseof，aNavarreins，aLenoncourt，aGrandlieu，aMaufrigneuse，ad’Espard，a，Vandenesse，aVerneuil，aHerouville，oraChaulieu。

From1818，whentheimpossibilityofachangeinfavorofthe，Bonapartefamilywasmadecleartohim，Montcornethadhimself，trumpetedinthefaubourgSaint-Germainbythewivesofsomeofhis，friends，whoofferedhishandandheart，hismansionandhisfortune，inreturnforanalliancewithsomegreatfamily。

Afterseveralattempts，theDuchessedeCariglianofoundamatchfor，thegeneralinoneofthethreebranchesoftheTroisvillefamily，——

thatoftheviscountintheserviceofRussiaeversince1789，whohad，returnedtoFrancein1815。Theviscount，poorasayoungerson，had，marriedaPrincessScherbellof，worthaboutamillion，butthearrival，oftwosonsandthreedaughterskepthimpoor。Hisfamily，ancientand，formerlypowerful，nowconsistedoftheMarquisdeTroisville，peerof，France，headofthehouseandscutcheon，andtwodeputies，with，numerousoffspring，whowerebusy，fortheirpart，withthebudgetand，theministriesandthecourt，likefishesroundbitsofbread。

Therefore，whenMontcornetwaspresentedbyMadamedeCarigliano，——the，Napoleonicduchess，whowasnowamostdevotedadherentofthe，Bourbons，hewasfavorablyreceived。Thegeneralasked，inreturnfor，hisfortuneandtenderindulgencetohiswife，tobeappointedtothe，RoyalGuard，withtherankofmarquisandpeerofFrance;butthe，branchesoftheTroisvillefamilywoulddonomorethanpromisehim，theirsupport。

“Youknowwhatthatmeans，“saidtheduchesstoheroldfriend，who，complainedofthevaguenessofthepromise。“Theycannotobligethe，kingtodoastheywish;theycanonlyinfluencehim。”

MontcornetmadeVirginiedeTroisvillehisheirinthemarriage，settlements。Completelyunderthecontrolofhiswife，asBlondet’s，letterhasalreadyshown，hewasstillwithoutchildren，butLouis，XVIII。hadreceivedhim，andgivenhimthecordonofSaint-Louis，allowinghimtoquarterhisridiculousarmswiththoseofthe，Troisvilles，andpromisinghimthetitleofmarquisassoonashehad，deservedthepeeragebyhisservices。

Afewdaysaftertheaudienceatwhichthispromisehadbeengiven，theDucdeBarrywasassassinated;theMarsancliquecarriedtheday;

theVilleleministrycameintopower，andallthewireslaidbythe，Troisvillesweresnapped;itbecamenecessarytofindnewwaysof，fasteningthemupontheministry。

“Wemustbideourtime，“saidtheTroisvillestoMontcornet，whowas，alwaysoverwhelmedwithpolitenessinthefaubourgSaint-Germain。

ThiswillexplainhowitwasthatthegeneraldidnotreturntoLes，AiguesuntilMay，1820。

Theineffablehappinessofthesonofashop-keeperofthefaubourg，Saint-Antoineinpossessingayoung，elegant，intelligent，andgentle，wife，aTroisville，whohadgivenhimanentranceintoallthesalons，ofthefaubourgSaint-Germain，andthedelightofmakingherenjoythe，pleasuresofParis，hadkepthimfromLesAiguesandmadehimforget，aboutGaubertin，eventohisveryname。In1820hetookthecountess，toBurgundytoshowhertheestate，andheacceptedSibilet’saccounts，andleaseswithoutlookingcloselyintothem;happinessnevercavils。

Thecountess，wellpleasedtofindthesteward’swifeacharmingyoung，woman，madepresentstoherandtothechildren，withwhomshe，occasionallyamusedherself。SheorderedafewchangesatLesAigues，havingsenttoParisforanarchitect;proposing，tothegeneral’s，greatdelight，tospendsixmonthsofeveryyearonthismagnificent，estate。Montcornet’ssavingsweresoonspentonthearchitecturalwork，andtheexquisitenewfurnituresentfromParis。LesAiguesthus，receivedthelasttouchwhichmadeitachoiceexampleofallthe，diverseeleganciesoffourcenturies。

In1821thegeneralwasalmostperemptorilyurgedbySibilettobeat，LesAiguesbeforethemonthofMay。Importantmattershadtobe，decided。Aleaseofnineyears，totheamountofthirtythousand，francs，grantedbyGaubertinin1812toawood-merchant，fellinon，the15thofMayofthecurrentyear。Sibilet，anxioustoprovehis，rectitude，wasunwillingtoberesponsiblefortherenewalofthe，lease。“Youknow，Monsieurlecomte，“hewrote，“thatIdonotchoose，toprofitbysuchmatters。”Thewood-merchantclaimedanindemnity，extortedfromMadameLaguerre，throughherhatredoflitigation，and，sharedbyhimwithGaubertin。Thisindemnitywasbasedontheinjury，donetothewoodsbythepeasants，whotreatedtheforestofLes，Aiguesasiftheyhadarighttocutthetimber。Messrs。Gravelot，Brothers，wood-merchantsinParis，refusedtopaytheirlastquarter，dues，offeringtoprovebyanexpertthatthewoodswerereducedone-

fifthinvalue，through，theysaid，theinjuriousprecedent，establishedbyMadameLaguerre。

“Ihavealready，“wroteSibilet，“suedthesemeninthecourtsat，Ville-aux-Fayes，fortheyhavetakenlegalresidencethere，onaccount，ofthislease，withmyoldemployer，MaitreCorbinet。Ifearweshall，losethesuit。”

“Itisaquestionofincome，mydear，“saidthegeneral，showingthe，lettertohiswife。“WillyougodowntoLesAiguesalittleearlier，thisyearthanlast？”

“Goyourself，andIwillfollowyouwhentheweatheriswarmer，“said，thecountess，notsorrytoremaininParisalone。

Thegeneral，whoknewverywellthecankerthatwaseatingintohis，revenues，departedwithouthiswife，resolvedtotakevigorous，measures。Insodoinghereckoned，asweshallsee，withouthis，Gaubertin。

CHAPTERVIII

THEGREATREVOLUTIONSOFALITTLEVALLEY

“Well，MaitreSibilet，“saidthegeneraltohissteward，themorning，afterhisarrival，givinghimafamiliartitlewhichshowedhowmuch，heappreciatedhisservices，“soweare，touseaministerialphrase，atacrisis？”

“Yes，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，followingthegeneral。

ThefortunatepossessorofLesAigueswaswalkingupanddowninfront，ofthesteward’shouse，alongalittleterracewhereMadameSibilet，grewflowers，attheendofwhichwasawidestretchofmeadow-land，wateredbythecanalwhichBlondethasdescribed。Fromthispointthe，chateauofLesAigueswasseeninthedistance，andinlikemannerthe，profile，asitwere，ofthesteward’slodgewasseenfromLesAigues。

“But，“resumedthegeneral，“what’sthedifficulty？IfIdolosethe，suitagainsttheGravelots，amoneywoundisnotmortal，andI’llhave，theleasingofmyforestsowelladvertisedthattherewillbe，competition，andIshallsellthetimberatitstruevalue。”

“Businessisnotdoneinthatway，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet。

“Supposeyougetnolessees，whatwillyoudo？”

“Cutthetimbermyselfandsellit——“

“You，awoodmerchant？”saidSibilet。“Well，withoutlookingat，mattershere，howwoulditbeinParis？Youwouldhavetohireawood-

yard，payforalicenseandthetaxes，alsofortherightof，navigation，andduties，andthecostsofunloading;besidesthesalary，ofatrustworthyagent——“

“Yes，itisimpracticable，“saidthegeneralhastily，alarmedatthe，prospect。“Butwhycan’tIfindpersonstoleasetherightofcutting，timberasbefore？”

“Monsieurlecomtehasenemies。”

“Whoarethey？”

“Well，inthefirstplace，MonsieurGaubertin。”

“Doyoumeanthescoundrelwhoseplaceyoutook？”

“Notsoloud，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，showingfear;“Ibeg，ofyou，notsoloud，——mycookmighthearus。”

“DoyoumeantotellmethatIamnottospeakonmyownestateofa，villainwhorobbedme？”criedthegeneral。

“Forthesakeofyourownpeaceandcomfort，comefurtheraway，Monsieurlecomte。MonsieurGaubertinismayorofVille-aux-Fayes。”

“Ha！IcongratulateVille-aux-Fayes。Thunder！whatanoblygoverned，town！——“

“Domethehonortolisten，Monsieurlecomte，andtobelievethatI

amtalkingofseriousmatterswhichmayaffectyourfuturelifein，thisplace。”

“Iamlistening;letussitdownonthisbenchhere。”

“Monsieurlecomte，whenyoudismissedGaubertin，hehadtofindsome，employment，forhewasnotrich——“

“Notrich！whenhestoletwentythousandfrancsayearfromthis，estate？”

“Monsieurlecomte，Idon’tpretendtoexcusehim，“repliedSibilet。

“IwanttoseeLesAiguesprosperous，ifitwereonlytoprove，Gaubertin’sdishonest;butweoughtnottoabusehimopenlyforheis，oneofthemostdangerousscoundrelstobefoundinallBurgundy，and，heisnowinapositiontoinjureyou。”

“Inwhatway？”askedthegeneral，soberingdown。

“Gaubertinhascontrolofnearlyonethirdofthesuppliessentto，Paris。Asgeneralagentofthetimberbusiness，heordersallthework，oftheforests，——thefelling，chopping，floating，andsendingto，market。Beingincloserelationswiththeworkmen，heisthearbiter，ofprices。Ithastakenhimthreeyearstocreatethisposition，but，heholdsitnowlikeafortress。Heisessentialtoalldealers，never，favoringonemorethananother;heregulatesthewholebusinessin，theirinterests，andtheiraffairsarebetterandmorecheaplylooked，afterbyhimthantheywereintheoldtimebyseparateagentsfor，eachfirm。Forinstance，hehassocompletelyputastopto，competitionthathehasabsolutecontroloftheauctionsales;the，crownandtheStatearebothdependentonhim。Theirtimberissold，underthehammerandfallsinvariablytoGaubertin’sdealers;infact，noothersattemptnowtobidagainstthem。LastyearMonsieur，Mariotte，ofAuxerre，urgedbythecommissionerofdomains，did，attempttocompetewithGaubertin。Atfirst，Gaubertinlethimbuythe，standingwoodattheusualprices;butwhenitcametocuttingit，the，AvonnaisworkmenaskedsuchenormouspricesthatMonsieurMariottewas，obligedtobringlaborersfromAuxerre，whomtheVille-aux-Fayes，workmenattackedanddroveaway。Theheadofthecoalition，andthe，ringleaderofthebrawlwerebroughtbeforethepolicecourt，andthe，suitscostMonsieurMariotteagreatdealofmoney;for，besidesthe，odiumofhavingconvictedandpunishedpoormen，hewasforcedtopay，allcosts，becausethelosingsidehadnotafarthingtodoitwith。A

suitagainstlaboringmenissuretoresultinhatredtothosewho，liveamongthem。Letmewarnyouofthis;forifyoufollowthecourse，youpropose，youwillhavetofightagainstthepoorofthisdistrict，atleast。Butthat’snotall。Countingitover，MonsieurMariotte，a，worthyman，foundhewastheloserbyhisoriginallease。Forcedto，payreadymoney，hewasneverthelessobligedtosellontime;

Gaubertindeliveredhistimberatlongcreditsforthepurposeof，ruininghiscompetitor。Heundersoldhimbyatleastfivepercent，andtheendofitisthatpoorMariotte’screditisbadlyshaken。

Gaubertinisnowpressingandharassingthepoormansothatheis，driven，theytellme，toleavenotonlyAuxerre，butevenBurgundy，itself;andheisright。Inthiswayland-ownershavelongbeen，sacrificedtodealerswhonowsetthemarket-prices，justasthe，furniture-dealersinParisdictatevaluestoappraisers。ButGaubertin，savestheownerssomuchtroubleandworrythattheyarereally，gainers。”

“Howso？”askedthegeneral。

“Inthefirstplace，becausethelesscomplicatedabusinessis，the，greatertheprofitstotheowners，“answeredSibilet。“Besideswhich，theirincomeismoresecure;andinallmattersofruralimprovement，anddevelopmentthatisthemainthing，asyouwillfindout。Then，too，MonsieurGaubertinisthefriendandpatronofworking-men;he，paysthemwellandkeepsthemalwaysatwork;therefore，thoughtheir，familiesliveontheestates，thewoodsleasedtodealersand，belongingtotheland-ownerswhotrustthecareoftheirpropertyto，Gaubertin(suchasMM。deSoulangesanddeRonquerolles)arenot，devastated。Thedeadwoodisgatheredup，butthatisall——“

“ThatrascalGaubertinhaslostnotime！”criedthegeneral。

“Heisaboldman，“saidSibilet。“Hereallyis，ashecallshimself，thestewardofthebesthalfofthedepartment，insteadofbeing，merelythestewardofLesAigues。Hemakesalittleoutofeverybody，andthatlittleoneverytwomillionsbringshiminfortytofifty，thousandfrancsayear。Hesayshimself，’ThefiresontheParisian，hearthspayitall。’Heisyourenemy，Monsieurlecomte。Myadviceto，youistocapitulateandbereconciledwithhim。Heisintimate，as，youknow，withSoudry，theheadofthegendarmerieatSoulanges;with，MonsieurRigou，ourmayoratBlangy;thepatrolsareunderhis，influence;thereforeyouwillfinditimpossibletorepressthe，pilferingswhichareeatingintoyourestate。Duringthelasttwo，yearsyourwoodshavebeendevastated。ConsequentlytheGravelotsare，morethanlikelytowintheirsuit。Theysay，verytruly：’According，tothetermsofthelease，thecareofthewoodsislefttotheowner;

hedoesnotprotectthem，andweareinjured;theownerisboundto，payusdamages。’That’sfairenough;butitdoesn’tfollowthatthey，shouldwintheircase。”

“Wemustbereadytodefendthissuitatallcosts，“saidthegeneral，“andthenweshallhavenomoreofthem。”

“YoushallgratifyGaubertin，“remarkedSibilet。

“Howso？”

“SuingtheGravelotsisthesameasahandtohandfightwith，Gaubertin，whoistheiragent，“answeredSibilet。“Heasksnothing，betterthansuchasuit。Hedeclares，soIhear，thathewillbring，youifnecessarybeforetheCourtofAppeals。”

“Therascal！the——“

“Ifyouattempttoworkyourownwoods，“continuedSibilet，turning，theknifeinthewound，“youwillfindyourselfatthemercyof，workmenwhowillforceyoutopayrichmen’spricesinsteadofmarket-

prices。Inshort，they’llputyou，astheydidthatpoorMariotte，in，apositionwhereyoumustsellataloss。Ifyouthentrytoleasethe，woodsyouwillgetnotenants，foryoucannotexpectthatanyone，shouldtakerisksforhimselfwhichMariotteonlytookforthecrown，andtheState。Supposeamantalksofhislossestothegovernment！

Thegovernmentisagentlemanwhois，likeyourobedientservantwhen，hewasinitsemploy，aworthymanwithafrayedovercoat，whoreads，thenewspapersatadesk。Lethissalarybetwelvehundredortwelve，thousandfrancs，hisdispositionisthesame，itisnotawhitsofter。

Talkofreductionsandreleasesfromthepublictreasuryrepresented，bythesaidgentleman！He’llonlypooh-poohyouashemendshispen。

No，thelawisthewrongroadforyou，Monsieurlecomte。”

“Thenwhat’stobedone？”criedthegeneral，hisbloodboilingashe，trampedupanddownbeforethebench。

“Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，abruptly，“whatIsaytoyouisnot，formyowninterests，certainly;butIadviseyoutosellLesAigues，andleavetheneighborhood。”

Onhearingthesewordsthegeneralsprangbackasifacannon-ballhad，struckhim;thenhelookedatSibiletwithashrewd，diplomaticeye。

“AgeneraloftheImperialGuardrunningawayfromtherascals，when，MadamelacomtesselikesLesAigues！”hesaid。“No，I’llsoonerbox，Gaubertin’searsonthemarket-placeofVille-aux-Fayes，andforcehim，tofightmethatImayshoothimlikeadog。”

“Monsieurlecomte，Gaubertinisnotsuchafoolastolethimselfbe，broughtintocollisionwithyou。Besides，youcouldnotopenlyinsult，themayorofsoimportantaplaceasVille-aux-Fayes。”

“I’llhavehimturnedout;theTroisvillescandothatforme;itisa，questionofincome。”

“Youwon’tsucceed，Monsieurlecomte;Gaubertin’sarmsarelong;you，willgetyourselfintodifficultiesfromwhichyoucannotescape。”

“Letusthinkofthepresent，“interruptedthegeneral。“Aboutthat，suit？”

“That，Monsieurlecomte，Icanmanagetowinforyou，“replied，Sibilet，withaknowingglance。

“Bravo，Sibilet！”saidthegeneral，shakinghissteward’shand;“how，areyougoingtodoit？”

“Youwillwinitonawritoferror，“repliedSibilet。“Inmyopinion，theGravelotshavetherightofit。Butitisnotenoughtobeinthe，right，theymustalsobeinorderastolegalforms，andthatthey，haveneglected。TheGravelotsoughttohavesummonedyoutohavethe，woodsbetterwatched。Theycan’taskforindemnity，atthecloseofa，lease，fordamageswhichtheyknowhavebeengoingonfornineyears;

thereisaclauseintheleaseastothis，onwhichwecanfileabill，ofexceptions。YouwilllosethesuitatVille-aux-Fayes，possiblyin，theuppercourtaswell，butwewillcarryittoParisandyouwill，winattheCourtofAppeals。Thecostswillbeheavyandtheexpenses，ruinous。Youwillhavetospendfromtwelvetofifteenthousandfrancs，merelytowinthesuit，——butyouwillwinit，ifyoucareto。Thesuit，willonlyincreasetheenmityoftheGravelots，fortheexpenseswill，beevenheavieronthem。Youwillbetheirbugbear;youwillbecalled，litigiousandcalumniatedineveryway;still，youcanwin——“

“Then，what’stobedone？”repeatedthegeneral，onwhomSibilet’s，argumentswerebeginningtoproducetheeffectofaviolentpoison。

JustthentheremembranceoftheblowshehadgivenGaubertinwithhis，canecrossedhismind，andmadehimwishhehadbestowedthemon，himself。HisflushedfacewasenoughtoshowSibilettheirritation，thathefelt。

“Youaskmewhatcanbedone，Monsieurlecomte？Why，onlyonething，compromise;butofcourseyoucan’tnegotiatethatyourself。Imustbe，thoughttocheatyou！We，poordevils，whoseonlyfortuneandcomfort，isinourgoodname，itishardonustoevenseemtodoa，questionablething。Wearealwaysjudgedbyappearances。Gaubertin，himselfsavedMademoiselleLaguerre’slifeduringtheRevolution，but，itseemedtoothersthathewasrobbingher。Sherewardedhiminher，willwithadiamondworthtenthousandfrancs，whichMadameGaubertin，nowwearsonherhead。”

ThegeneralgaveSibiletanotherglancestillmorediplomaticthanthe，first;butthestewardseemedtotakenonoticeofthechallengeit，expressed。

“IfIweretoappeardishonest，MonsieurGaubertinwouldbeso，overjoyedthatIcouldinstantlyobtainhishelp，“continuedSibilet。

“HewouldlistenwithallhisearsifIsaidtohim：’SupposeIwere，toextorttwentythousandfrancsfromMonsieurlecomteforMessrs。

Gravelot，onconditionthattheysharedthemwithme？’Ifyour，adversariesconsentedtothat，Monsieurlecomte，Ishouldreturnyou，tenthousandfrancs;youloseonlytheotherten，yousave，appearances，andthesuitisquashed。”

“Youareafinefellow，Sibilet，“saidthegeneral，takinghishand，andshakingit。“Ifyoucanmanagethefutureaswellasyoudothe，present，I’llcallyoutheprinceofstewards。”

“Astothefuture，“saidSibilet，“youwon’tdieofhungerifno，timberiscutfortwoorthreeyears。Letusbeginbyputtingproper，keepersinthewoods。Betweennowandthenthingswillflowasthe，waterdoesintheAvonne。Gaubertinmaydie，orgetrichenoughto，retirefrombusiness;atanyrate，youwillhavesufficienttimeto，findhimacompetitor。Thecakeistoorichnottobeshared。Lookfor，anotherGaubertintoopposetheoriginal。”

“Sibilet，“saidtheoldsoldier，delightedwiththisvarietyof，solutions。“I’llgiveyouthreethousandfrancsifyou’llsettlethe，matterasyoupropose。Fortherest，we’llthinkaboutit。”

“Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，“firstandforemosthavetheforest，properlywatched。Seeforyourselftheconditioninwhichthe，peasantryhaveputitduringyourtwoyears’absence。WhatcouldIdo？

Iamsteward;Iamnotabailiff。ToguardLesAiguesproperlyyou，needamountedpatrolandthreekeepers。”

“Icertainlyshallhavetheestateproperlyguarded。Soitistobe，war，isit？Verygood，thenweshallmakewar。Thatdoesn’tfrighten，me，“saidMontcornet，rubbinghishands。

“Awaroffrancs，“saidSibilet;“andyoumayfindthatmoredifficult，thantheotherkind;mencanbekilledbutyoucan’tkillself-

interest。Youwillfightyourenemyonthebattle-fieldwhereall，landlordsarecompelledtofight，——Imeancashresults。Itisnot，enoughtoproduce，youmustsell;andinordertosell，youmustbeon，goodtermswitheverybody。”

“Ishallhavethecountrypeopleonmyside。”

“Bywhatmeans？”

“Bydoinggoodamongthem。”

“Doinggoodtothevalleypeasants！tothepettyshopkeepersof，Soulanges！”exclaimedSibilet，squintinghorribly，byreasonofthe，ironywhichflamedbrighterinoneeyethanintheother。“Monsieurle，comtedoesn’tknowwhatheundertakes。OurLordJesusChristwoulddie，againuponthecrossinthisvalley！Ifyouwishaneasylife，follow，theexampleofthelateMademoiselleLaguerre;letyourselfberobbed，orelsemakepeopleafraidofyou。Women，children，andthemassesare，allgovernedbyfear。ThatwasthegreatsecretoftheConvention，and，oftheEmperor，too。”

“Goodheavens！isthistheforestofBondy？”criedthegeneral。

“Mydear，“saidSibilet’swife，appearingatthismoment，“your，breakfastisready。Prayexcusehim，Monsieurlecomte;hehaseaten，nothingsincemorningforhewasobligedtogotoRonquerollesto，deliversomebarley。”

“Go，go，Sibilet，“saidthegeneral。

Thenextmorningthecountroseearly，beforedaylight，andwentto，thegateoftheAvonne，intendingtotalkwiththeoneforesterwhom，heemployedandfindoutwhattheman’ssentimentsreallywere。

SomesevenoreighthundredacresoftheforestofLesAigueslie，alongthebanksoftheAvonne;andtopreservethemajesticbeautyof，theriverthelargetreesthatborderithavebeenleftuntouchedfor，adistanceofthreeleaguesonbothsidesinanalmoststraightline。

ThemistressofHenriIV。towhomLesAiguesformerlybelonged，was，asfondofhuntingasthekinghimself。In1593sheorderedabridge，tobebuiltofasinglearchwithshelvingroadwaybywhichtoride，fromthelowersideoftheforesttoamuchlargerportionofit，purchasedbyher，whichlayupontheslopesofthehills。Thegateof，theAvonnewasbuiltasaplaceofmeetingforthehuntsmen;andwe，knowthemagnificencebestowedbythearchitectsofthatdayuponall，buildingsintendedforthedelightofthecrownandthenobility。Six，avenuesbranchedawayfromit，theirplaceofmeetingformingahalf-

moon。Inthecentreofthesemi-circularspacestoodanobelisk，surmountedbyaroundshield，formerlygilded，bearingononesidethe，armsofNavarreandontheotherthoseoftheCountessdeMoret。

Anotherhalf-moon，onthesidetowardtheriver，communicatedwiththe，firstbyastraightavenue，attheoppositeendofwhichthesteep，riseoftheVenetian-shapedbridgecouldbeseen。Betweentwoelegant，ironrailingsofthesamecharacterasthatofthemagnificentrailing，whichformerlysurroundedthegardenofthePlaceRoyaleinParis，now，sounfortunatelydestroyed，stoodabrickpavilion，withstonecourses，hewninfacetslikethoseofthechateau，withaverypointedroofand，window-casingsofstonecutinthesamemanner。Thisoldstyle，which，gavethebuildingaregalair，issuitableonlytoprisonswhenused，incities;butstandingintheheartofforestsitderivesfromits，surroundingsasplendorofitsown。Agroupoftreesformedascreen，behindwhichthekennels，anoldfalconry，apheasantry，andthe，quartersofthehuntsmenwerefallingintoruins，afterbeingintheir，daythewonderandadmirationofBurgundy。

In1595，theroyalhunting-partiessetforthfromthismagnificent，pavilion，precededbythosefinedogssodeartoRubensandtoPaul，Veronese;thehuntsmenmountedonhigh-steepingsteedswithstoutand，blue-whitesatinyhaunches，seennolongerexceptinWouverman’s，amazingwork，followedbyfootmeninlivery;thesceneenlivenedby，whippers-in，wearingthehightop-bootswithfacingsandtheyellow，leathernbreecheswhichhavecomedowntothepresentdayonthe，canvasofVanderMeulen。Theobeliskwaserectedincommemorationof，thevisitoftheBearnais，andhishuntwiththebeautifulComtessede，Moret;thedateisgivenbelowthearmsofNavarre。Thatjealous，woman，whosesonwasafterwardslegitimatized，wouldnotallowthe，armsofFrancetofigureontheobelisk，regardingthemasarebuke。

Atthetimeofwhichwewrite，whenthegeneral’seyesrestedonthis，splendidruin，mosshadgatheredforcenturiesonthefourfacesof，theroof;thehewn-stonecourses，mangledbytime，seemedtocrywith，yawningmouthsagainsttheprofanation;disjointedleadensettingslet，falltheiroctagonalpanes，sothatthewindowsseemedblindofaneye，hereandthere。Yellowwallflowersbloomedaboutthecopings;ivyslid，itswhiterootletsintoeverycrevice。

Allthingsbespokeashamefulwantofcare，——thesealsetbymere，life-possessorsontheancientgloriesthattheypossess。Twowindows，onthefirstfloorwerestuffedwithhay。Throughanother，onthe，ground-floor，wasseenaroomfilledwithtoolsandlogsofwood;

whileacowpushedhermuzzlethroughafourth，provingthat，Courtecuisse，toavoidhavingtowalkfromthepaviliontothe，pheasantry，hadturnedthelargehallofthecentralbuildingintoa，stable，——ahallwithpanelledceiling，andinthecentreofeachpanel，thearmsofallthevariouspossessorsofLesAigues！

Blackanddirtypalingsdisgracedtheapproachtothepavilion，making，squareinclosureswithplankroofsforpigs，ducks，andhens，the，manureofwhichwastakenawayeverysixmonths。Afewraggedgarments，werehungtodryonthebrambleswhichboldlygrewuncheckedhereand，there。Asthegeneralcamealongtheavenuefromthebridge，Madame，Courtecuissewasscouringasaucepaninwhichshehadjustmadeher，coffee。Theforester，sittingonachairinthesun，consideredhis，wifeasasavageconsidershis。Whenheheardahorse’shoofshe，turnedround，sawthecount，andseemedtakenaback。

“Well，Courtecuisse，myman，“saidthegeneral，“I’mnotsurprised，thatthepeasantscutmywoodsbeforeMessrs。Gravelotcandoso。So，youconsideryourplaceasinecure？”

“Indeed，Monsieurlecomte，Ihavewatchedthewoodssomanynights，thatI’millfromit。I’vegotachill，andIsuffersuchpainthis，morningthatmywifehasjustmademeapoulticeinthatsaucepan。”

“Mygoodfellow，“saidthecount，“Idon’tknowofanypainthata，coffeepoulticecuresexceptthatofhunger。Listentome，yourascal！

Irodethroughmyforestyesterday，andthenthroughthoseofMonsieur，deSoulangesandMonsieurdeRonquerolles。Theirsarecarefully，watchedandpreserved，whilemineisinashamefulstate。”

“Ah，monsieur！buttheyaretheoldlordsoftheneighborhood;

everybodyrespectstheirproperty。Howcanyouexpectmetofight，againstsixdistricts？Icareformylifemorethanforyourwoods。A

manwhowouldundertaketowatchyourwoodsastheyoughttobe，watchedwouldgetaballinhisheadforwagesinsomedarkcornerof，theforest——“

“Coward！”criedthegeneral，tryingtocontroltheangertheman’s，insolentreplyprovokedinhim。“Lastnightwasasclearasday，yet，itcostmethreehundredfrancsinactualrobberyandoverathousand，infuturedamages。Youwillleavemyserviceunlessyoudobetter。All，wrong-doingdeservessomemercy;thereforethesearemyconditions：

Youmayhavethefines，andIwillpayyouthreefrancsforevery，indictmentyoubringagainstthesedepredators。IfIdon’tgetwhatI

expect，youknowwhatyouhavetoexpect，andnopensioneither。

Whereas，ifyouservemefaithfullyandcontrivetostopthese，depredations，I’llgiveyouanannuityofthreehundredfrancsfor，life。Youcanthinkitover。Herearesixways，“continuedthecount，pointingtothebranchingroads;“there’sonlyoneforyoutotake，——

asformealso，whoamnotafraidofballs;tryandfindtheright，one。”

Courtecuisse，asmallmanaboutforty-sixyearsofage，withafull-

moonface，foundhisgreatesthappinessindoingnothing。Heexpected，toliveanddieinthatpavilion，nowconsideredbyhimHISpavilion。

Histwocowswerepasturedintheforest，fromwhichhegothiswood;

andhespenthistimeinlookingafterhisgardeninsteadofafterthe，delinquents。SuchneglectofdutysuitedGaubertin，andCourtecuisse，knewitdid。Thekeeperchasedonlythosedepredatorswhowerethe，objectsofhispersonaldislike，——youngwomenwhowouldnotyieldto，hiswishes，orpersonsagainstwhomheheldagrudge;thoughforsome，timepasthehadreallyfeltnodislikes，foreveryoneyieldedtohim，onaccountofhiseasy-goingwayswiththem。

Courtecuissehadaplacealwayskeptforhimatthetableofthe，Grand-I-Vert;thewood-pickersfearedhimnolonger;indeed，hiswife，andhereceivedmanygiftsinkindfromthem;hiswoodwasbroughtin;

hisvineyarddug;inshort，alldelinquentsatwhomheblinkeddidhim，service。

CountingonGaubertinforthefuture，andfeelingsureoftwoacres，wheneverLesAiguesshouldbebroughttothehammer，hewasroughly，awakenedbythecurtspeechofthegeneral，who，afterfourquiescent，years，wasnowrevealinghistruecharacter，——thatofabourgeoisrich，manwhowasdeterminedtobenolongerdeceived。Courtecuissetookhis，cap，hisgame-bag，andhisgun，putonhisgaitersandhisbelt(which，boretheveryrecentarmsofMontcornet)，andstartedforVille-aux-

Fayes，withthecareless，indifferentairandmannerunderwhich，country-peopleoftenconcealverydeepreflections，whilehegazedat，thewoodsandwhistledtothedogstofollowhim。

“What！youcomplainoftheShopmanwhenheproposestomakeyour，fortune？”saidGaubertin。“Doesn’tthefooloffertogiveyouthree，francsforeveryarrestyoumake，andthefinestoboot？Havean，understandingwithyourfriendsandyoucanbringasmanyindictments，asyouplease，——hundredsifyoulike！Withonethousandfrancsyoucan，buyLaBacheleriefromRigou，becomeapropertyowner，liveinyour，ownhouse，andworkforyourself，orrather，makeothersworkforyou，andtakeyourease。Only——nowlistentome——youmustmanagetoarrest，onlysuchashaven’tapennyintheworld。Youcan’tshearsheep，unlessthewoolisontheirbacks。TaketheShopman’sofferandleave，himtocollectthecosts，——ifhewantsthem;tastesdiffer。Didn’told，Mariottepreferlossestoprofits，inspiteofmyadvice？”

Courtecuisse，filledwithadmirationforthesewordsofwisdom，returnedhomeburningwiththedesiretobealand-owneranda，bourgeoisliketherest。

WhenthegeneralreachedLesAiguesherelatedhisexpeditionto，Sibilet。

“Monsieurlecomtedidveryright，“saidthesteward，rubbinghis，hands;“buthemustnotstopshorthalf-way。Thefield-keeperofthe，districtwhoallowsthecountry-peopletopreyuponthemeadowsand，robtheharvestsoughttobechanged。Monsieurlecomteshouldhave，himselfchosenmayor，andappointoneofhisoldsoldiers，whowould，havethecouragetocarryouthisorders，inplaceofVaudoyer。A

greatland-ownershouldbemasterinhisowndistrict。Justseewhat，difficultieswehavewiththepresentmayor！”

ThemayorofthedistrictofBlangy，formerlyaBenedictine，named，Rigou，hadmarried，inthefirstyearoftheRepublic，theservant-

womanofthelatepriestofBlangy。Inspiteoftherepugnancewhicha，marriedmonkexcitedatthePrefecture，hehadcontinuedtobemayor，after1815，forthereasonthattherewasno-oneelseatBlangywho，wascapableoffillingthepost。Butin1817，whenthebishopsentthe，AbbeBrossettetotheparishofBlangy(whichhadthenbeenvacant，overtwenty-fiveyears)，aviolentoppositionnotunnaturallybroke，outbetweentheoldapostateandtheyoungecclesiastic，whose，characterisalreadyknowntous。Thewarwhichwasthenandthere，declaredbetweenthemayor’sofficeandtheparsonageincreasedthe，popularityofthemagistrate，whohadhithertobeenmoreorless，despised。Rigou，whomthepeasantshaddislikedforusuriousdealings，nowsuddenlyrepresentedtheirpoliticalandfinancialinterests，supposedtobethreatenedbytheRestoration，andmoreespeciallyby，theclergy。

Acopyofthe“Constitutionnel，“thatgreatorganofliberalism，after，makingtheroundsoftheCafedelaPaix，camebacktoRigouonthe，seventhday，——thesubscription，standinginthenameofoldSocquard，thekeeperofthecoffee-house，beingsharedbytwentypersons。Rigou，passedthepaperontoLanglumethemiller，who，inturn，gaveitin，shredstoanyonewhoknewhowtoread。The“Parisitems，“andthe，anti-religionjokesoftheliberalsheetformedthepublicopinionof，thevalleydesAigues。Rigou，liketheVENERABLEAbbeGregoire，became，ahero。Forhim，asforcertainParisianbankers，politicsspreada，mantleofpopularityoverhisshamefuldishonesty。

Atthisparticulartimetheperjuredmonk，likeFrancoisKellerthe，greatorator，waslookeduponasadefenderoftherightsofthe，people，——hewho，notsoverylongbefore，darednotwalkinthefields，afterdark，lestheshouldstumbleintopitfallswherehewouldseem，tohavebeenkilledbyaccident！Persecuteamanpoliticallyandyou，notonlymagnifyhim，butyouredeemhispastandmakeitinnocent。

Theliberalpartywasagreatworkerofmiraclesinthisrespect。Its，dangerousjournal，whichhadthewittomakeitselfascommonplace，as，calumniating，ascredulous，andassillilyperfidiousasevery，audiencemadeupthegeneralmasses，didinallprobabilityasmuch，injurytoprivateinterestsasitdidtothoseoftheChurch。

RigouflatteredhimselfthatheshouldfindinaBonapartistgeneral，nowlaidontheshelf，inasonofthepeopleraisedfromnothingby，theRevolution，asoundenemytotheBourbonsandthepriests。Butthe，general，bearinginmindhisprivateambitions，soarrangedmattersas，toevadethevisitofMonsieurandMadameRigouwhenhefirstcameto，LesAigues。

Whenyouhavebecomebetteracquaintedwiththeterriblecharacterof，Rigou，thelynxofthevalley，youwillunderstandthefullextentof，thesecondcapitalblunderwhichthegeneral’saristocraticambitions，ledhimtocommit，andwhichthecountessmadeallthegreaterbyan，offencewhichwillbedescribedinthefurtherhistoryofRigou。

IfMontcornethadcourtedthemayor’sgood-will，ifhehadsoughthis，friendship，perhapstheinfluenceoftherenegademighthave，neutralizedthatofGaubertin。Farfromthat，threesuitswerenow，pendinginthecourtsofVille-aux-Fayesbetweenthegeneralandthe，ex-monk。Untilthepresenttimethegeneralhadbeensoabsorbedin，hispersonalinterestsandinhismarriagethathehadnever，rememberedRigou，butwhenSibiletadvisedhimtogethimselfmade，mayorinRigou’splace，hetookpost-horsesandwenttoseethe，prefect。

Theprefect，ComteMartialdelaRoche-Hugon，hadbeenafriendofthe，generalsince1804;anditwasawordfromhimsaidtoMontcornetina，conversationinParis，whichbroughtaboutthepurchaseofLesAigues。

ComteMartial，aprefectunderNapoleon，remainedaprefectunderthe，Bourbons，andcourtedthebishoptoretainhisplace。Nowithappened，thatMonseigneurhadseveraltimesrequestedhimtogetridofRigou。

Martial，towhomtheconditionofthedistrictwasperfectlywell，known，wasdelightedwiththegeneral’srequest;sothatinlessthan，amonththeComtedeMontcornetwasmayorofBlangy。

Byoneofthoseaccidentswhichcomeaboutnaturally，thegeneralmet，whileattheprefecturewherehisfriendputhimup，anon-

commissionedofficeroftheex-Imperialguard，whohadbeencheated，outofhisretiringpension。Thegeneralhadalready，underother，circumstances，doneaservicetothebravecavalryman，whosenamewas，Groison;theman，rememberingit，nowtoldhimhistroubles，admitting，thathewaspenniless。Thegeneralpromisedtogethimhispension，andproposedthatheshouldtaketheplaceoffield-keepertothe，districtofBlangy，asawayofpayingoffhisscoreofgratitudeby，devotiontothenewmayor’sinterests。Theappointmentsofmasterand，manweremadesimultaneously，andthegeneralgave，asmaybe，supposed，veryfirminstructionstohissubordinate。

Vaudoyer，thedisplacedkeeper，apeasantontheRonquerollesestate，wasonlyfit，likemostfield-keepers，tostalkabout，andgossip，and，lethimselfbepettedbythepoorofthedistrict，whoaskednothing，betterthantocorruptatsubalternauthority，——theadvancedguard，as，itwere，oftheland-owners。HeknewSoudry，thebrigadierat，Soulanges，forbrigadiersofgendarmerie，performingfunctionsthat，aresemi-judicialindrawingupcriminalindictments，havemuchtodo，withtheruralkeepers，whoare，infact，theirnaturalspies。Soudry，beingappealedto，sentVaudoyertoGaubertin，whoreceivedhisold，acquaintanceverycordially，andinvitedhimtodrinkwhilelistening，totherecitalofhistroubles。