第8章
Astoaccessories，inthefirstplace，MadameSoudrywassurroundedby，themagnificentgiftsaccumulatedbyherlatemistress，whichtheex-
Benedictinecalled“fructusbelli。”Thenshemadethemostofher，uglinessbyexaggeratingit，andbyassumingthatindescribableair，andmannerwhichbelongsonlytoParisianwomen，thesecretofwhich，isknowneventothemostvulgaramongthem，——whoarealwaysmoreor，lessmimics。Shelacedtight，woreanenormousbustle，alsodiamond，earrings，andherfingerswerecoveredwithrings。Atthetopofher，corsage，betweentwomoundsoffleshwellplasteredwithpearl-white，shoneabeetlemadeoftopazwithadiamondhead，thegiftofdear，mistress，——ajewelrenownedthroughoutthedepartment。Likethelate，dearmistress，sheworeshortsleevesandbarearms，andflirtedan，ivoryfan，paintedbyBoucherwithtwolittlerose-diamondsinthe，handle。
WhenshewentoutMadameSoudrycarriedaparasolofthetrue，eighteenth-centurystyle;thatistosay，atallcaneattheendof，whichopenedagreensun-shadewithagreenfringe。Whenshewalked，abouttheterraceastrangeronthehigh-road，seeingherfromafar，mighthavethoughtheroneofWatteau’sdames。
Inhersalon，hungwithreddamask，withcurtainsofthesamelined，withsilk，afireonthehearth，amantel-shelfadornedwithbibelots，ofthegoodtimeofLouisXV。andbearingcandelabraintheformof，liliesupheldbyCupids——inthissalon，filledwithfurniturein，gildedwoodofthe“pieddebiche“pattern，itisnotimpossibleto，understandwhythepeopleofSoulangescalledthemistressofthe，house，“ThebeautifulMadameSoulanges。”Themansionhadactually，becomethecivicprideofthiscapitalofacanton。
Iftheleadingsocietyofthelittletownbelievedinitsqueen，the，queenassurelybelievedinherself。Byaphenomenonnotintheleast，rare，whichthevanityofmothersandauthorscarriesonatall，momentsunderourveryeyesinbehalfoftheirliteraryworksortheir，marriageabledaughters，thelateMademoiselleCochetwas，attheend，ofsevenyears，socompletelyburiedunderMadameSoudry，the，mayoress，thatshenotonlydidnotrememberherpast，butshe，actuallybelievedherselfawell-bredwoman。Shehadstudiedtheairs，andgraces，thedulcettones，thegestures，thewaysofhermistress，solongthatwhenshefoundherselfinthemidstofanopulenceofher，ownshewasabletopracticethenaturalinsolenceofit。Sheknewher，eighteenthcentury，andthetalesofitsgreatlordsandalltheir，belongings，byheart。Thisback-stairseruditiongavetoher，conversationaflavorof“oeil-de-boeuf“;hersoubrettegossippassed，musterforcourtlywit。Morally，themayoresswas，ifyouwishtosay，so，tinsel;buttosavagespastediamondsareasgoodasrealones。
Thewomanfoundherselfcourtedandworshippedbythesocietyinwhich，shelived，justashermistresshadbeenworshippedinformerdays。
Shegaveweeklydinners，withcoffeeandliqueurstothosewhocamein，afterthedessert。Nofemaleheadcouldhaveresistedtheexhilarating，forceofsuchcontinualadulation。Inwinterthewarmsalon，always，well-lightedwithwaxcandles，waswell-filledwiththerichestpeople，ofSoulanges，whopaidforthegoodliqueursandthefinewineswhich，camefromdearmistress’scellars，withflatteriestotheirhostess。
Thesevisitorsandtheirwiveshadalife-interest，asitwere，in，thisluxury;whichwastothemasavingoflightsandfuel。Thusit，cametopassthatinacircuitoffifteenmilesandevenasfaras，Ville-aux-Fayes，everyvoicewasreadytodeclare：“MadameSoudrydoes，thehonorsadmirably。Shekeepsopenhouse;everyoneenjoysher，salon;sheknowshowtocarryherselfandherfortune;shealwayssays，thewittything，shemakesyoulaugh。Andwhatsplendidsilver！There，isnotanotherhouselikeitshortofParis——“
ThesilverhadbeengiventoMademoiselleLaguerrebyBouret。Itwasa，magnificentservicemadebythefamousGermain，andMadameSoudryhad，literallystolenit。AtMademoiselleLaguerre’sdeathshemerelytook，itintoherownroom，andtheheirs，whoknewnothingofthevalueof，theirinheritance，neverclaimedit。
Forsometimepastthetwelveorfifteenpersonageswhocomposedthe，leadingsocietyofSoulangesspokeofMadameSoudryastheINTIMATE
FRIENDofMademoiselleLaguerre，recoilingattheterm“waiting-
woman，“andmakingbelievethatshehadsacrificedherselftothe，singerasherfriendandcompanion。
Strangeyettrue！alltheseillusionsbecamerealities，andspread，eventotheactualregionsoftheheart;MadameSoudryreigned，supreme，inaway，overherhusband。
Thegendarme，requiredtoloveawomantenyearsolderthanhimself，whokeptthemanagementofherfortuneinherownhands，behavedto，herinthespiritoftheideasshehadendedbyadoptingabouther，beauty。Butsometimes，whenpersonsenviedhimortalkedtohimofhis，happiness，hewishedtheywereinhisplace，for，tohidehis，peccadilloes，hewasforcedtotakeasmanyprecautionsasthehusband，ofayoungandadoringwife;anditwasnotuntilveryrecentlythat，hehadbeenabletointroduceintothefamilyaprettyservant-girl。
ThisportraitoftheQueenofSoulangesmayseemalittlegrotesque，butmanyspecimensofthesamekindcouldbefoundintheprovincesat，thatperiod，——somemoreorlessnobleinblood，othersbelongingto，thehigherbanking-circles，likethewidowofareceiver-generalin，Tourainewhostillputsslicesofvealuponhercheeks。Thisportrait，drawnfromnature，wouldbeincompletewithoutthediamondsinwhich，itisset;withoutthesurroundingcourtiers，asketchofwhomis，necessary，ifonlytoexplainhowformidablesuchLilliputiansare，andwhoarethemakersofpublicopinioninremotelittletowns。Let，noonemistakeme，however;therearemanylocalitieswhich，like，Soulanges，areneitherhamlets，villages，norlittletowns，which，have，nevertheless，thecharacteristicsofall。Theinhabitantsare，verydifferentfromthoseofthelargeandbusyandviciousprovincial，cities。Countrylifeinfluencesthemannersandmoralsofthesmaller，places，andthismixtureoftintswillbefoundtoproducesometruly，originalcharacters。
ThemostimportantpersonageafterMadameSoudrywasLupin，the，notary。Thoughforty-fivespringshadbloomedforLupin，hewasstill，freshandrosy，thankstotheplumpnesswhichfillsouttheskinof，sedentarypersons;andhestillsangballads。Also，heretainedthe，eleganteveningdressofsocietywarblers。HelookedalmostParisian，inhiscarefully-varnishedboots，hissulphur-yellowwaistcoats，his，tight-fittingcoats，hishandsomesilkcravats，hisfashionable，trousers。HishairwascurledbythebarberofSoulanges(thegossip，ofthetown)，andhemaintainedtheattitudeofaman“abonne，fortunes“byhisliaisonwithMadameSarcus，wifeofSarcustherich，whowastohislife，withouttoocloseacomparison，whatthe，campaignsofItalyweretoNapoleon。Healoneoftheleadingsociety，ofSoulangeswenttoParis，wherehewasreceivedbytheSoulanges，family。Itwasenoughtohearhimtalktoimaginethesupremacyhe，wieldedinhiscapacityasdandyandjudgeofelegance。Hepassed，judgmentonallthingsbytheuseofthreeterms：“outofdate，“
“antiquated，““superannuated。”[*]Aman，awoman，orapieceof，furnituremightbe“outofdate“;next，byagreaterdegreeof，imperfection，“antiquated“;butastothelastterm，itwasthe，superlativeofcontempt。Thefirstmightberemedied，thesecondwas，hopeless，butthethird，——oh，betterfarnevertohaveleftthevoid，ofnothingness！Astopraise，asinglewordsufficedhim，doublyand，treblyuttered：“Charming！”wasthepositiveofhisadmiration。
“Charming，charming！”madeyoufeelyouweresafe;butafter，“Charming，charming，charming！”theladdermightbediscarded，forthe，heavenofperfectionwasattained。
[*]“Croute，““crouton，“and“croute-au-pot，“untranslatable，and，withoutequivalentinEnglish。A“croute“istheslangtermfora，manbehindtheage——Tr。
Thetabellion，——hecalledhimself“tabellion，“pettynotary，and，keeperofnotes(makingfunofhiscallinginordertoseemaboveit)，——thetabellionwasontermsofspokengallantrywithMadameSoudry，whohadaweaknessforLupin，thoughhewasblondandworespectacles。
HithertothelateCochethadlovednonebutdarkmen，withmoustachios，andhairyhands，oftheAlcidestype。Butshemadeanexceptionin，favorofLupinonaccountofhiselegance，and，moreover，becauseshe，thoughthergloryatSoulangeswasnotcompletewithoutanadorer;
but，toSoudry’sdespair，thequeen’sadorersnevercarriedtheir，adorationsofarastothreatenhisrights。
Lupinhadmarriedanheiressinwoodenshoesandbluewoollen，stockings，theonlydaughterofasalt-dealer，whomadehismoney，duringtheRevolution，——aperiodwhencontrabandsalt-tradersmade，enormousprofitsbyreasonofthereactionthatsetinagainstthe，gabelle。Heprudentlylefthiswifeathome，whereBebelle，ashe，calledher，wassupportedunderhisabsencebyaplatonicpassionfor，ahandsomeclerkwhohadnoothermeansthanhissalary，——ayoungman，namedBonnac，belongingtothesecond-classsociety，whereheplayed，thesamerolethathismaster，thenotary，playedinthefirst。
MadameLupin，awomanwithoutanyeducationwhatever，appearedon，greatoccasionsonly，undertheformofanenormousBurgundianbarrel，dressedinvelvetandsurmountedbyalittleheadsunkeninshoulders，ofaquestionablecolor。Noeffortscouldretainherwaist-beltinits，naturalplace。“Bebelle“candidlyadmittedthatprudenceforbadeher，wearingcorsets。Theimaginationofapoetor，betterstill，thatof，aninventor，couldnothavefoundonBebelle’sbacktheslightest，traceofthatseductivesinuositywhichthevertebraeofallwomenwho，arewomenusuallyproduce。Bebelle，roundasatortoise，belongedto，thegenusofinvertebratefemales。Thisalarmingdevelopmentof，cellulartissuenodoubtreassuredLupinonthesubjectofthe，platonicpassionofhisfatwife，whomheboldlycalledBebelle，withoutraisingalaugh。
“Yourwife，whatisshe？”saidSarcustherich，oneday，whenunable，todigestthefatalword“superannuated，“appliedtoapieceof，furniturehehadjustboughtatabargain。
“Mywifeisnotlikeyours，“repliedLupin;“sheisnotdefinedas，yet。”
Beneathhisrosyexteriorthenotarypossessedasubtlemind，andhe，hadthesensetosaynothingabouthisproperty，whichwasfullyas，largeasthatofRigou。
MonsieurLupin’sson，Amaury，wasagreattroubletohisfather。An，onlyson，andoneoftheDonJuansofthevalley，heutterlyrefused，tofollowthepaternalprofession。Hetookadvantageofhisposition，asonlysontobleedthestrong-boxcruelly，without，however，exhaustingthepatienceofhisfather，whowouldsayafterevery，escapade，“Well，Iwaslikethatinmyyoungdays。”Amaurynevercame，toMadameSoudry’s;hesaidsheboredhim;for，witharecollectionof，herearlydays，sheattemptedto“educate“him，asshecalledit，whereashemuchpreferredthepleasuresandbilliardsoftheCafede，laPaix。HefrequentedtheworstcompanyofSoulanges，evendownto，Bonnebault。Hecontinuedsowinghiswildoats，asMadameSoudry，remarked，andrepliedtoallhisfather’sremonstranceswithone，perpetualrequest：“SendmebacktoParis，forIamboredtodeath，here。”
Lupinended，alas！likeothergallants，byanattachmentthatwas，semi-conjugal。Hisknownpassion，inspiteofhisformerliaisonwith，MadameSarcus，wasforthewifeoftheunder-sheriffofthemunicipal，court，——MadameEuphemiePlissoud，daughterofWattebledthegrocer，whoreignedinthesecond-classsocietyasMadameSoudrydidinthe，first。MonsieurPlissoud，acompetitorofBrunet，belongedtothe，under-worldofSoulangesonaccountofhiswife’sconduct，whichit，wassaidheauthorized，——areportthatdrewuponhimthecontemptof，theleadingsociety。
IfLupinwasthemusicianoftheleadingsociety，MonsieurGourdon，thedoctor，wasitsmanofscience。Thetownsaidofhim，“Wehave，hereinourmidstascientificmanofthefirstorder。”MadameSoudry，(whobelievedsheunderstoodmusicbecauseshehadusheredinPiccini，andGluckandhaddressedMademoiselleLaguerrefortheOpera)
persuadedsociety，andevenLupinhimself，thathemighthavemadehis，fortunebyhisvoice，and，inlikemanner，shewasalwaysregretting，thatthedoctordidnotpublishhisscientificideas。
MonsieurGourdonmerelyrepeatedtheideasofCuvierandBuffon，which，mightnothaveenabledhimtoposeasascientistbeforetheSoulanges，world;butbesidesthishewasmakingacollectionofshells，andhe，possessedanherbarium，andheknewhowtostuffbirds。Helivedupon，thegloryofhavingbequeathedhiscabinetofnaturalhistorytothe，townofSoulanges。Afterthiswasknownhewasconsideredthroughout，thedepartmentasagreatnaturalistandthesuccessorofBuffon。Like，acertainGenevesebanker，whosepedantry，coldness，andpuritan，proprietyhecopied，withoutpossessingeitherhismoneyorhis，shrewdness，MonsieurGourdonexhibitedwithgreatcomplacencythe，famouscollection，consistingofabearandamonkey(bothofwhich，haddiedontheirwaytoSoulanges)，alltherodentsofthe，department，miceandfield-miceanddormice，rats，muskrats，and，moles，etc。;alltheinterestingbirdsevershotinBurgundy，andan，AlpineeaglecaughtintheJura。Gourdonalsopossessedacollection，oflepidoptera，——awordwhichledsocietytohopeformonstrosities，andtosay，whenitsawthem，“Why，theyareonlybutterflies！”
Besidesthesethingshehadafinearrayoffossilshells，mostlythe，collectionsofhisfriendswhichtheybequeathedtohim，andallthe，mineralsofBurgundyandtheJura。
Thesetreasures，laidoutonshelveswithglassdoors(thedrawers，beneathcontainingtheinsects)，occupiedthewholeofthefirstfloor，ofthedoctor’shouse，andproducedacertaineffectthroughthe，oddityofthenamesonthetickets，themagiceffectofthecolors，andthegatheringtogetherofsomanythingswhichnoonepaysthe，slightestattentiontowhenseeninnature，thoughmuchadmiredunder，glass。SocietytookaregulardaytogoandlookatMonsieurGourdon’s，collection。
“Ihave，“hesaidtoallinquirers，“fivehundredornithological，objects，twohundredmammifers，fivethousandinsects，threethousand，shells，andseventhousandspecimensofminerals。”
“Whatpatienceyouhavehad！”saidtheladies。
“Onemustdosomethingforone’scountry，“repliedthecollector。
Hedrewanenormousprofitfromhiscarcassesbythemererepetition，ofthewords，“Ihavebequeathedeverythingtothetownbymywill。”
Visitorslaudedhisphilanthropy;theauthoritiestalkedofdevoting，thesecondfloorofthetownhalltothe“GourdonMuseum，“afterthe，collector’sdeath。
“Irelyuponthegratitudeofmyfellow-citizenstoattachmynameto，thegift，“hereplied;“forIdarenothopetheywouldplaceamarble，bustofme——“
“Itwouldbetheveryleastwecoulddoforyou，“theyrejoined;“are，younotthegloryofourtown？”
Thusthemanactuallycametoconsiderhimselfoneofthecelebrities，ofBurgundy。Thesurestincomesarenotfromconsolsafterall;those，ourvanityobtainsforushavebettersecurity。Thismanofscience，was，toemployLupin’ssuperlatives，happy！happy！！happy！！！
Gourdon，theclerkofthecourt，brotherofthedoctor，wasapitiful，littlecreature，whosefeaturesallgatheredabouthisnose，sothat，thenoseseemedthepointofdeparturefortheforehead，thecheeks，andthemouth，allofwhichwereconnectedwithitjustastheravines，ofamountainbeginatthesummit。Thispinchedlittlemanwasthought，tobeoneofthegreatestpoetsinBurgundy，——aPiron，itwasthe，fashiontosay。Thedualmeritsofthetwobrothersgaverisetothe，remark：“WehavethebrothersGourdonatSoulanges——twovery，distinguishedmen;menwhocouldholdtheirowninParis。”
Devotedtothegameofcup-and-ball，theclerkofthecourtbecame，possessedbyanothermania，——thatofcomposinganodeinhonorofan，amusementwhichamountedtoapassionintheeighteenthcentury。
Maniasamongmediocratsoftenrunincouples。Gourdonjuniorgave，birthtohispoemduringthereignofNapoleon。Thatfactis，sufficienttoshowthesoundandhealthyschoolofpoesytowhichhe，belonged;LucedeLancival，Parny，Saint-Lambert，Rouche，Vigee，Andrieux，Berchouxwerehisheroes。Delillewashisgod，untiltheday，whentheleadingsocietyofSoulangesraisedthequestionasto，whetherGourdonwerenotsuperiortoDelille;afterwhichtheclerkof，thecourtalwayscalledhiscompetitor“Monsieurl’AbbeDelille，“with，exaggeratedpoliteness。
Thepoemsmanufacturedbetween1780and1814wereallofonepattern，andtheonewhichGourdoncomposedupontheCup-and-Ballwillgivean，ideaofthem。Theyrequiredacertainknackorproficiencyintheart。
“TheChorister“istheSaturnofthisabortivegenerationofjocular，poems，allinfourcantosorthereabouts，foritwasgenerally，admittedthatsixwouldwearthesubjectthreadbare。
Gourdon’spoementitled“OdetotheCup-and-Ball“obeyedthepoetic，ruleswhichgovernedtheseworks，rulesthatwereinvariableintheir，application。Eachpoemcontainedinthefirstcantoadescriptionof，the“objectsung，“preceded(asinthecaseofGourdon)byaspecies，ofinvocation，ofwhichthefollowingisamodel：——
Isingthegoodgamethatbelongethtoall，Thegame，beitknown，oftheCupandtheBall;
Deartolittleandgreat，tothefoolsandthewise;
Charminggame！wherethecureofalltediumlies;
Whenwetossuptheballonthepointofastick，Palamedushimselfmighthaveenviedthetrick;
OMuseoftheLovesandtheLaughsandtheGames，Comedownandassistme，for，truetoyouraims，Ihaveruledoffthispaperinsyllablesquares。
Come，helpme——
Afterexplainingthegameanddescribingthehandsomestcup-and-balls，recordedinhistory，afterrelatingwhatfabulouscustomithad，formerlybroughttotheSinge-Vertandtoalldealersintoysand，turnedivories，andfinally，afterprovingthatthegameattainedto，thedignityofstatics，Gourdonendedthefirstcantowiththe，followingconclusion，whichwillremindtheeruditereaderofallthe，conclusionsofthefirstcantosofallthesepoems：——
’Tisthusthattheartsandthesciences，too，Findwisdominthingsthatseemedsillytoyou。
Thesecondcanto，invariablyemployedtodepictthemannerofusing，“theobject，“explaininghowtoexhibititinsocietyandbefore，women，andthebenefittobederivedtherefrom，willbereadily，conceivedbythefriendsofthisvirtuousliteraturefromthe，followingquotation，whichdepictstheplayergoingthroughhis，performanceundertheeyesofhischosenlady：——
Nowlookattheplayerwhositsinyourmidst，Onthativoryballhowhissharpeyeisfixt;
Hewaitsandhewatcheswithkeenestattention，Itsleastlittlemovementinallitsprecision;
Theballitsparabolathricehasgoneround，Attheendofthestringtowhichitisbound。
Upitgoes！buttheplayerhistriumphhasmissed，Forthedischascomedownonhismaladroitwrist;
Butlittlehecaresforthestingoftheball，Asmilefromhismistressconsolesforitall。
Itwasthisdelineation，worthyofVirgil，whichfirstraisedadoubt，astoDelille’ssuperiorityoverGourdon。Theword“disc，“contested，bytheopinionatedBrunet，gavematterfordiscussionswhichlasted，elevenmonths;infact，untilGourdonthescientist，oneeveningwhen，allpresentwereonthepointofgettingseriouslyangry，annihilated，theanti-discersbyobserving：——
“Themoon，calledaDISCbypoets，isundoubtedlyaball。”
“Howdoyouknowthat？”retortedBrunet。“Wehaveneverseenbutone，side。”
Thethirdcantotoldtheregulationstory，——inthisinstance，the，famousanecdoteofthecup-and-ballwhichalltheworldknowsby，heart，concerningacelebratedministerofLouisXVI。Accordingtothe，sacredformuladeliveredbythe“Debats“from1810to1814，inpraise，ofthesegloriouswords，Gourdon’sode“borrowedfreshcharmsfrom，poesytoembellishthetale。”
Thefourthcantosummedupthewhole，andconcludedwiththesedaring，words，——notpublished，beitremarked，from1810to1814;infact，theydidnotseethelighttill1824，afterNapoleon’sdeath。
’TwasthusthatIsanginthetimeofalarms。
Oh，ifkingswouldconsenttobearnootherarms，Andpeopleenjoyedwhatwasbestforthemall，ThesweetlittlegameoftheCupandtheBall，OurBurgundythenmightbefreeofallfear，AndreturntothegooddaysofSaturnandRhea。
Thesefineverseswerepublishedinafirstandonlyeditionfromthe，pressofBournier，printerofVille-aux-Fayes。Onehundred，subscribers，inthesumofthreefrancs，guaranteedthedangerous，precedentofimmortalitytothepoem，——aliberalitythatwasallthe，greaterbecausethesehundredpersonshadheardthepoemfrom，beginningtoendahundredtimesover。
MadameSoudryhadlatelysuppressedthecup-and-ball，whichusually，layonapier-tableinthesalonandforthelastsevenyearshad，givenrisetoendlessquotations，forshefinallydiscoveredinthe，toyarivaltoherownattractions。
Astotheauthor，whoboastedoffuturepoemsinhisdesk，itis，enoughtoquotethetermsinwhichhementionedtotheleadingsociety，ofSoulangesarivalcandidateforliteraryhonors。
“Haveyouheardacuriouspieceofnews？”hehadsaid，twoyears，earlier。“ThereisanotherpoetinBurgundy！Yes，“headded，remarking，theastonishmentonallfaces，“hecomesfromMacon。Butyoucould，neverimaginethesubjectshetakesup，——aperfectjumble，absolutely，unintelligible，——lakes，stars，waves，billows！notasingle，philosophicalimage，notevenadidacticeffort！heisignorantofthe，verymeaningofpoetry。Hecallstheskybyitsname。Hesays’moon，’
bluntly，insteadofnamingit’theplanetofnight。’That’swhatthe，desiretobethoughtoriginalbringsmento，“addedGourdon，mournfully。“Pooryoungman！ABurgundian，andsingsuchstuffas，that！——thepityofit！Ifhehadonlyconsultedme，Iwouldhave，pointedouttohimthenoblestofallthemes，wine，——apoemtobe，calledtheBaccheide;forwhich，alas！Inowfeelmyselftooold。”
Thisgreatpoetisstillignorantofhisfinesttriumph(thoughhe，owesittothefactofbeingaBurgundian)，namely，thatoflivingin，thetownofSoulanges，soroundedandperfectedwithinitselfthatit，knowsnothingofthemodernPleiades，noteventheirnames。
AhundredGourdonsmadepoetryundertheEmpire，andyettheytellus，itwasaperiodthatneglectedliterature！Examinethe“Journaldela，Libraire“andyouwillfindpoemsonthegameofdraughts，on，backgammon，ontrickswithcards，ongeography，typography，comedy，etc——nottomentionthevauntedmasterpiecesofDelilleonPiety，Imagination，Conversation;andthoseofBerchouxonGastromaniaand，Dansomania，etc。Whocanforeseethechancesandchangesoftaste，the，capricesoffashion，thetransformationsofthehumanmind？The，generationsastheypassalongsweepoutofsightthelastfragments，oftheidolstheyfoundontheirpathandsetupothergods，——tobe，overthrownliketherest。
Sarcus，ahandsomelittlemanwithadapple-grayhead，devotedhimself，inturntoThemisandtoFlora，——inotherwords，tolegislationanda，greenhouse。Forthelasttwelveyearshehadbeenmeditatingabookon，theHistoryoftheInstitutionofJusticesofthePeace，“whose，politicalandjudiciaryrole，“hesaid，“hadalreadypassedthrough，severalphases，allderivedfromtheCodeofBrumaire，yearIV。;and，to-daythatinstitution，soprecioustothenation，hadlostitspower，becausethesalarieswerenotinkeepingwiththeimportanceofits，functions，whichoughttobeperformedbyirremovableofficials。”
Ratedinthecommunityasanableman，Sarcuswastheaccepted，statesmanofMadameSoudry’ssalon;youcanreadilyimaginethathe，wastheleadingbore。Theysaidhetalkedlikeabook。Gaubertin，prophesiedhewouldreceivethecrossoftheLegionofhonor，butnot，untilthedaywhen，asLeclercq’ssuccessor，heshouldtakehisseat，onthebenchesoftheLeftCentre。
Guerbet，thecollector，amanofparts，aheavy，fat，individualwith，abutteryface，atoupetonhisbaldspot，goldearrings，whichwere，alwaysindifficultywithhisshirt-collar，hadthehobbyofpomology。
Proudofpossessingthefinestfruit-gardeninthearrondissement，he，gatheredhisfirstcropsamonthlaterthanthoseofParis;hishot-
bedssuppliedhimwithpine-apples，nectarines，andpeas，outof，season。HebroughtbunchesofstrawberriestoMadameSoudrywithpride，whenthefruitcouldbeboughtfortensousabasketinParis。
SoulangespossessedapharmaceutistnamedVermut，achemist，whowas，moreofachemistthanSarcuswasastatesman，orLupinasinger，or，Gourdontheelderascientist，orhisbrotherapoet。Nevertheless，theleadingsocietyofSoulangesdidnottakemuchnoticeofVermut，andthesecond-classsocietytooknoneatall。Theinstinctofthe，firstmayhaveledthemtoperceivetherealsuperiorityofthis，thinker，whosaidlittlebutsmiledattheirabsurditiesso，satiricallythattheyfirstdoubtedhiscapacityandthenwhispered，talesagainstit;asfortheotherclasstheytooknonoticeofhim，onewayortheother。
VermutwasthebuttofMadameSoudry’ssalon。Nosocietyiscomplete，withoutavictim，——withoutanobjecttopity，ridicule，despise，and，protect。Vermut，fullofhisscientificproblems，oftencamewithhis，cravatuntied，hiswaistcoatunbuttoned，andhislittlegreensurtout，spotted。
Thelittleman，giftedwiththepatienceofachemist，couldnotenjoy，(thatisthetermemployedintheprovincestoexpresstheabolition，ofdomesticrule)MadameVermut，——acharmingwoman，alivelywoman，capitalcompany(forshecouldlosefortysousatcardsandsay，nothing)，awomanwhorailedatherhusband，annoyedhimwith，epigrams，anddeclaredhimtobeanimbecileunabletodistilanything，butdulness。MadameVermutwasoneofthosewomenwhointhesociety，ofasmalltownarethelifeandsoulofamusementandwhosetthings，going。Shesuppliedthesaltofherlittleworld，kitchen-salt，itis，true;herjokesweresomewhatbroad，butsocietyforgavethem;though，shewascapableofsayingtothecureTaupin，amanofseventyyears，ofage，withwhitehair，“Holdyourtongue，mylad。”
ThemillerofSoulanges，possessinganincomeoffiftythousand，francs，hadanonlydaughterwhomLupindesiredforhissonAmaury，sincehehadlostthehopeofmarryinghimtoGaubertin’sdaughter。
Thismiller，aSarcus-Taupin，wastheNucingenofthelittletown。He，wassupposedtobethriceamillionaire;buthenevertransacted，businesswithothers，andthoughtonlyofgrindinghiswheatand，keepingamonopolyofit;hismostnoticeablepointwasatotal，absenceofpolitenessandgoodmanners。
TheelderGuerbet，brotherofthepost-masteratConches，possessedan，incomeoftenthousandfrancs，besideshissalaryascollector。The，Gourdonswererich;thedoctorhadmarriedtheonlydaughterofold，MonsieurGendrin-Vatebled，keeperoftheforestsandstreams，whomthe，familywerenowEXPECTINGTODIE，whilethepoethadmarriedtheniece，andsoleheiressoftheAbbeTaupin，thecurateofSoulanges，astout，priestwholivedinhiscurelikearatinhischeese。
Thiscleverecclesiastic，devotedtotheleadingsociety，kindand，obligingtothesecond，apostolictothepoorandunfortunate，made，himselfbelovedbythewholetown。Hewascousinofthemillerand，cousinoftheSarcuses，andbelongedthereforetotheneighborhoodand，toitsmediocracy。Healwaysdinedoutandsavedexpenses;hewentto，weddingsbutcameawaybeforetheball;hepaidthecostsofpublic，worship，saying，“Itismybusiness。”Andtheparishlethimdoit，withtheremark，“Wehaveanexcellentpriest。”Thebishop，whoknew，theSoulangespeopleandwasnotatallmisledastothetruevalueof，theabbe，wasgladenoughtokeepinsuchatownamanwhomade，religionacceptable，andwhoknewhowtofillhischurchandpreachto，sleepyheads。
Itisunnecessarytoremarkthatnotonlyeachoftheseworthy，burgherspossessedsomeoneofthespecialqualificationswhichare，necessarytoexistenceintheprovinces，butalsothateachcultivated，hisfieldinthedomainofvanitywithoutarival。PereGuerbet，understoodfinance，Soudrymighthavebeenministerofwar;ifCuvier，hadpassedthatwayincognito，theleadingsocietyofSoulangeswould，haveprovedtohimthatheknewnothingincomparisonwithMonsieur，Gourdonthedoctor。“AdolpheNourritwithhisthreadofavoice，“
remarkedthenotarywithpatronizingindulgence，“wasscarcelyworthy，toaccompanythenightingaleofSoulanges。”Astotheauthorofthe，“Cup-and-Ball“(whichwasthenbeingprintedatBournier’s)，society，wassatisfiedthatapoetofhisforcecouldnotbemetwithinParis，forDelillewasnowdead。
Thisprovincialbourgeoisie，socomfortablysatisfiedwithitself，tooktheleadthroughthevarioussuperioritiesofitsmembers。
Thereforetheimaginationofthosewhoeverresided，evenforashort，time，inalittletownofthiskindcanconceivetheairofprofound，satisfactionuponthefacesofthesepeople，whobelievedthemselves，thesolarplexusofFrance，allofthemarmedwithincredible，dexterityandshrewdnesstodomischief，——all，intheirwisdom，declaringthattheheroofEsslingwasacoward，MadamedeMontcornet，amanoeuvringParisian，andtheAbbeBrossetteanambitiouslittle，priest。
IfRigou，Soudry，andGaubertinhadlivedatVille-aux-Fayes，they，wouldhavequarrelled;theirvariouspretensionswouldhaveclashed;
butfateordainedthattheLucullusofBlangyfelttoostronglythe，needofsolitude，inwhichtowallowathiseaseinusuryand，sensuality，toliveanywherebutatBlangy;thatMadameSoudryhad，senseenoughtoseethatshecouldreignnowhereelseexceptat，Soulanges;andthatVille-aux-FayeswasGaubertin’splaceofbusiness。
ThosewhoenjoystudyingsocialnaturewilladmitthatGeneral，Montcornetwaspursuedbyspecialill-luckinthisaccidental，separationofhisdangerousenemies，whothusaccomplishedthe，evolutionsoftheirindividualpowerandvanityatsuchdistancesfrom，eachotherthatneitherstarinterferedwiththeorbitoftheother，——
afactwhichdoubledandtrebledtheirpowersofmischief。
Nevertheless，thoughalltheseworthybourgeois，proudoftheir，accomplishments，consideredtheirsocietyasfarsuperiorin，attractionstothatofVille-aux-Fayes，andrepeatedwithcomic，pompositythelocaldictum，“Soulangesisatownofsocietyandsocial，pleasures，“itmustnotbesupposedthatVille-aux-Fayesacceptedthis，supremacy。TheGaubertinsalonridiculed(“inpetto“)thesalon，Soudry。BythemannerinwhichGaubertinremarked，“Weareafinancial，community，engagedinactualbusiness;wehavethefollytofatigue，ourselvesinmakingfortunes，“itwaseasytoperceivealatent，antagonismbetweentheearthandthemoon。Themoonbelievedherself，usefultotheearth，andtheearthgovernedthemoon。Earthandmoon，however，livedintheclosestintimacy。Atthecarnivaltheleading，societyofSoulangeswentinabodytofourballsgivenbyGaubertin，Gendrin，Leclercq，andSoudry，junior。EverySundaythelatter，his，wife，Monsieur，Madame，andMademoiselleEliseGaubertindinedwith，theSoudrysatSoulanges。Whenthesub-prefectwasinvited，andwhen，thepostmasterofConchesarrivedtotakepot-luck，Soulangesenjoyed，thesightoffourofficialequipagesdrawnupatthedoorofthe，Soudrymansion。
CHAPTERII
THECONSPIRATORSINTHEQUEEN’SSALON
ReachingSoulangesabouthalf-pastfiveo’clock，Rigouwassureof，findingtheusualpartyassembledattheSoudrys’。There，as，everywhereelseintown，thedinner-hourwasthreeo’clock，according，tothecustomofthelastcentury。Fromfivetoninethenotablesof，SoulangesmetinMadameSoudry’ssalontoexchangethenews，make，theirpoliticalspeeches，commentupontheprivatelivesofeveryone，inthevalley，andtalkaboutLesAigues，whichlattertopickeptthe，conversationgoingforatleastanhoureveryday。Itwaseverybody’s，businesstolearnatleastsomethingofwhatwasgoingon，andalsoto，paytheircourttothemistressofthehouse。
Afterthispreliminarytalktheyplayedatboston，theonlygamethe，queenunderstood。WhenthefatoldGuerbethadmimickedMadameIsaure，Gaubertin’swife，laughedatherlanguishingairs，imitatedherthin，voice，herpinchedmouth，andherjuvenileways;whentheAbbeTaupin，hadrelatedoneofthetalesofhisrepertory;whenLupinhadtoldof，someeventatVille-aux-Fayes，andMadameSoudryhadbeendelugedwith，complimentsadnauseum，thecompanywouldsay：“Wehavehadacharming，gameofboston。”
Tooself-indulgenttobeatthetroubleofdrivingovertothe，Soudrys’merelytohearthevapidtalkofitsvisitorsandtoseea，Parisianmonkeyintheguiseofanoldwoman，Rigou，farsuperiorin，intelligenceandeducationtothispettysociety，nevermadehis，appearanceunlessbusinessbroughthimovertomeetthenotary。He，excusedhimselffromvisitingonthegroundofhisoccupations，his，habits，andhishealth，whichlatterdidnotallowhim，hesaid，to，returnatnightalongaroadwhichledbythefoggybanksofthe，Thune。
Thetall，stiffusureralwayshadanimposingeffectuponMadame，Soudry’scompany，whoinstinctivelyrecognizedinhisnaturethe，crueltyofthetigerwithsteelclaws，thecraftofasavage，the，wisdomofoneborninacloisterandripenedbythesunofgold，——a，mantowhomGaubertinhadneveryetbeenwillingtofullycommit，himself。
ThemomentthelittlegreencarrioleandthebayhorsepassedtheCafe，delaPaix，Urbain，Soudry’sman-servant，whowasseatedonabench，underthedining-roomwindows，andwasgossippingwiththetavern-
keeper，shadeshiseyeswithhishandtoseewhowascoming。
“It’sPereRigou，“hesaid。“Imustgoroundandopenthedoor。Take，hishorse，Socquard。”AndUrbain，aformertrooper，whocouldnotget，intothegendarmerieandhadthereforetakenservicewithSoudry，went，roundthehousetoopenthegatesofthecourtyard。
Socquard，afamouspersonagethroughoutthevalley，wastreated，as，yousee，withverylittleceremonybythevalet。Butsoitiswith，manyillustriouspeoplewhoaresokindastowalkandtosneezeand，tosleepandtoeatpreciselylikecommonmortals。
Socquard，bornaHercules，couldcarryaweightofelevenhundred，pounds;ablowofhisfistappliedonaman’sbackwouldbreakthe，vertebralcolumnintwo;hecouldbendanironbar，orholdbacka，carriagedrawnbyonehorse。AMiloofCrotonainthevalley，hisfame，hadspreadthroughoutthedepartment，whereallsortsoffoolish，storieswerecurrentabouthim，asaboutallcelebrities。Itwastold，howhehadoncecarriedapoorwomanandherdonkeyandherbasketon，hisbacktomarket;howhehadbeenknowntoeatawholeoxanddrink，thefourthofahogsheadofwineinoneday，etc。Gentleasa，marriageablegirl，Socquard，whowasastout，shortman，withaplacid，face，broadshoulders，andadeepchest，wherehislungsplayedlike，thebellowsofaforge，possessedaflute-likevoice，thelimpidtones，ofwhichsurprisedallthosewhoheardthemforthefirsttime。
LikeTonsard，whoserenownreleasedhimfromthenecessityofgiving，proofsofhisferocity，infact，likeallothermenwhoarebackedby，publicopinionofonekindoranother，Socquardneverdisplayedhis，extraordinarymuscularforceunlessaskedtodosobyfriends。Henow，tookthehorseastheusurerdrewupatthestepsoftheportico。
“Areyouallwellathome，MonsieurRigou？”saidtheillustrious，innkeeper。
“Prettywell，mygoodfriend，“repliedRigou。“DoPlissoudand，BonnebaultandViolletandAmaurystillcontinuegoodcustomers？”
Thisquestion，utteredinatoneofgood-naturedinterest，wasbyno，meansoneofthoseemptyspeecheswhichsuperiorsareapttobestow，uponinferiors。InhisleisuremomentsRigouthoughtoverthesmallest，detailsof“theaffair，“andFourchonhadalreadywarnedhimthat，therewassomethingsuspiciousintheintimacybetweenPlissoud，Bonnebault，andthebrigadier，Viollet。
Bonnebault，inpaymentofafewfrancslostatcards，mightvery，likelytellthesecretsheheardatTonsard’stoViollet;orhemight，letthemoutoverhispunchwithoutrealizingtheimportanceofsuch，gossip。Butastheinformationoftheoldottermanmightbe，instigatedbythirst，Rigoupaidnoattentionexceptsofarasit，concernedPlissoud，whosesituationwaslikelytoinspirehimwitha，desiretocounteractthecoalitionagainstLesAigues，ifonlytoget，hispawsgreasedbyoneortheotherofthetwoparties。
Plissoudcombinedwithhisdutiesofunder-sheriffotheroccupations，whichwerepoorlyremunerated，thatofagentofinsurance(anewform，ofenterprisejustbeginningtoshowitselfinFrance)，agent，also，ofasocietyprovidingagainstthechancesofrecruitment。His，insufficientpayandaloveofbilliardsandboiledwinemadehis，futuredoubtful。LikeFourchon，hecultivatedtheartofdoing，nothing，andexpectedhisfortunethroughsomeluckybutproblematic，chance。Hehatedtheleadingsociety，buthehadmeasureditspower。
Healoneknewthemiddle-classcoalitionorganizedbyGaubertintoits，depths;andhecontinuedtosneerattherichmenofSoulangesand，Ville-aux-Fayes，asifhealonerepresentedtheopposition。Without，moneyandnotrespected，hedidnotseemapersontobefeared，professionally，andsoBrunet，gladtohaveadespisedcompetitor，protectedhimandhelpedhimalong，topreventhimsellinghis，businesstosomeeageryoungman，likeBonnacforinstance，whomight，forcehim，Brunet，todividethepatronageofthecantonbetweenthem。
“Thankstothosefellows，wekeeptheballa-rolling，“saidSocquard。
“Butfolksaretryingtoimitatemyboiledwine。”
“Suethem，“saidRigou，sententiously。
“Thatwouldleadtoofar，“repliedtheinnkeeper。
“Doyourclientsgetonwelltogether？”
“Tolerably，yes;sometimesthey’llhavearow，butthat’sonlynatural，forplayers。”
AllheadswereatthewindowoftheSoudrysalonwhichlookedtothe，square。Recognizingthefatherofhisdaughter-in-law，Soudrycameto，theporticotoreceivehim。
“Well，comrade，“saidthemayorofSoulanges，“isAnnetteill，that，yougiveusyourcompanyofanevening？”
ThroughanoldhabitacquiredinthegendarmerieSoudryalwayswent，directtothepoint。
“No，——There’stroublebrewing，“repliedRigou，touchinghisright，fore-fingertothehandwhichSoudryheldouttohim。“Icametotalk，aboutit，foritconcernsourchildreninaway——“
Soudry，ahandsomemandressedinblue，asthoughhewerestilla，gendarme，withablackcollar，andspursathisheels，tookRigouby，thearmandledhimuptohisimposingbetter-half。Theglassdoorto，theterracewasopen，andtheguestswerewalkingaboutenjoyingthe，summerevening，whichbroughtoutthefullbeautyoftheglorious，landscapewhichwehavealreadydescribed。
“Itisalongtimesincewehaveseenyou，mydearRigou，“saidMadame，Soudry，takingthearmoftheex-Benedictineandleadinghimoutupon，theterrace。
“Mydigestionissotroublesome！”hereplied;“see！mycolorisalmost，ashighasyours。”
Rigou’sappearanceontheterracewasthesignforanexplosionof，jovialgreetingsonthepartoftheassembledcompany。
“AndhowmaythelordofBlangybe？”saidlittleSarcus，justiceof，thepeace。
“Lord！”repliedRigou，bitterly，“Iamnotevencockofmyownvillage，now。”
“Thehensdon’tsayso，scamp！”exclaimedMadameSoudry，tappingher，fanonhisarm。
“Allwell，mydearmaster？”saidthenotary，bowingtohischief，client。
“Prettywell，“repliedRigou，againputtinghisfore-fingerintohis，interlocutor’shand。
Thisgesture，bywhichRigoukeptdowntheprocessofhand-shakingto，thecoldestandstiffestofdemonstrationswouldhaverevealedthe，wholemantoanyobserverwhodidnotalreadyknowhim。
“Letusfindacornerwherewecantalkquietly，“saidtheex-monk，lookingatLupinandatMadameSoudry。
“Letusreturntothesalon，“repliedthequeen。
“WhathastheShopmandonenow？”askedSoudry，sittingdownbesidehis，wifeandputtinghisarmaboutherwaist。
MadameSoudry，likeotheroldwomen，forgaveagreatdealinreturn，forsuchpublicmarksoftenderness。
“Why，“saidRigou，inalowvoice，tosetanexampleofcaution，“he，hasgonetothePrefecturetodemandtheenforcementofthepenalties;
hewantsthehelpoftheauthorities。”
“Thenhe’slost，“saidLupin，rubbinghishands;“thepeasantswill，fight。”
“Fight！”criedSoudry，“thatdepends。Iftheprefectandthegeneral，whoarefriends，sendasquadronofcavalrythepeasantscan’tfight。
Theymightatapinchgetthebetterofthegendarmes，butasfor，resistingachargeofcavalry！——“
“Sibiletheardhimsaysomethingmuchmoredangerousthanthat，“said，Rigou;“andthat’swhatbringsmehere。”
“Oh，mypoorSophie！”criedMadameSoudry，sentimentally，alludingto，herFRIEND，MademoiselleLaguerre，“intowhathandsLesAigueshas，fallen！ThisiswhatwehavegainedbytheRevolution！——aparcelof，swaggeringepaulets！Wemighthaveforeseenthatwheneverthebottle，wasturnedupsidedownthedregswouldspoilthewine！”
“HemeanstogotoParisandcabalwiththeKeeperoftheSealsand，otherstogetthewholejudiciarychangeddownhere，“saidRigou。
“Ha！”criedLupin，“thenheseeshisdanger。”
“Iftheyappointmyson-in-lawattorney-generalwecan’thelp，ourselves;thegeneralwillgethimreplacedbysomeParisiandevoted，tohisinterests，“continuedRigou。“IfhegetsaplaceinParisfor，GendrinandmakesGuerbetchief-justiceofthecourtatAuxerre，he’ll，knockdownourskittles！Thegendarmerieisonhissidenow，andifhe，getsthecourtsaswell，andkeepssuchadvisersastheabbeand，Michaudwesha’n’tdanceatthewedding;he’llplayussomescurvy，trickorother。”
“Howisitthatinallthesefiveyearsyouhavenevermanagedtoget，ridofthatabbe？”saidLupin。
“Youdon’tknowhim;he’sassuspiciousasablackbird，“replied，Rigou。“Heisnotamanatall，thatpriest;hedoesn’tcarefor，women;Ican’tfindoutthathehasanypassion;there’snopointat，whichonecanattackhim。Thegenerallayshimselfopenbyhistemper。
Amanwithaviceistheservantofhisenemiesiftheyknowhowto，pullitsstring。Therearenostrongmenbutthosewholeadtheir，vicesinsteadofbeingledbythem。Thepeasantsareallright;their，hatredagainsttheabbekeepsup;butwecandonothingasyet。He’s，likeMichaud，inhisway;suchmenaretoogoodforthisworld，——God，oughttocallthemtohimself。”
“Itwouldbeagoodplantofindsomeprettyservant-girltoscrubhis，staircase，“remarkedMadameSoudry。ThewordscausedRigoutogivethe，littlejumpwithwhichcraftynaturesrecognizethecraftofothers。
“TheShopmanhasanothervice，“hesaid;“heloveshiswife;wemight，getholdofhimthatway。”
“Weoughttofindouthowfarshereallyinfluenceshim，“saidMadame，Soudry。
“There’stherub！”saidLupin。
“Asforyou，Lupin，“saidRigou，inatoneofauthority，“beoffto，thePrefectureandseethebeautifulMadameSarcusatonce！Youmust，gethertotellyoualltheShopmansaysanddoesatthePrefecture。”
“ThenIshallhavetostayallnight，“repliedLupin。
“SomuchthebetterforSarcustherich;he’llbethegainer，“said，Rigou。“Sheisnotyetoutofdate，MadameSarcus——“
“Oh！MonsieurRigou，“saidMadameSoudry，inamincingtone，“are，womeneveroutofdate？”
“YoumayberightaboutMadameSarcus;shedoesn’tpaintbeforethe，glass，“retortedRigou，whowasalwaysdisgustedbytheexhibitionof，theCochet’sancientcharms。
MadameSoudry，whothoughtsheusedonlya“suspicion“ofrouge，did，notperceivethesarcasmandhastenedtosay：——
“Isitpossiblethatwomenpaint？”
“Now，Lupin，“saidRigou，withoutreplyingtothisnaivete，“goover，toGaubertin’sto-morrowmorning。Tellhimthatmyfellow-mayorandI“
(strikingSoudryonthethigh)“willbreakbreadwithhimatbreakfast，somewhereaboutmidday。Tellhimeverything，sothatwemayallhave，thoughtitoverbeforewemeet，fornow’sthetimetomakeanendof，thatdamnedShopman。AsIdroveoverhereIcametotheconclusionit，wouldbebesttogetupaquarrelbetweenthecourtsandhim，sothat，theKeeperoftheSealswouldbewaryofmakingthechangeshemayask，intheirmembers。”
“BravoforthesonoftheChurch！”criedLupin，slappingRigouonthe，shoulder。
MadameSoudrywasherestruckbyanideawhichcouldcomeonlytoa，formerwaiting-maidofanOperadivinity。
“If，“shesaid，“onecouldonlygettheShopmantothefeteat，Soulanges，andthrowsomefinegirlinhiswaywhowouldturnhis，head，wecouldeasilysethiswifeagainsthimbylettingherknow，thatthesonofanupholstererhasgonebacktothestyleofhisearly，loves。”
“Ah，mybeauty！”saidSoudry，“youhavemoresenseinyourheadthan，thePrefectureofpoliceinParis。”
“That’sanideawhichprovesthatMadamereignsbymindaswellasby，beauty，“saidLupin，whowasrewardedbyagrimacewhichtheleading，societyofSoulangeswereinthehabitofacceptingwithoutprotest，forasmile。
“Onemightdobetterstill，“saidRigou，aftersomethought;“ifwe，couldonlyturnitintoadownrightscandal。”
“Complaintandindictment！affairinthepolicecourt！”criedLupin。
“Oh！thatwouldbegrand！”
“Glorious！”saidSoudry，candidly。“WhathappinesstoseetheComtede，Montcornet，grandcrossoftheLegionofhonor，commanderoftheOrder，ofSaintLouis，andlieutenant-general，accusedofhavingattempted，inapublicresort，thevirtue——justthinkofit！”
“Heloveshiswifetoowell，“saidLupin，reflectively。“Hecouldn’t，begottothat。”
“That’snoobstacle，“remarkedRigou;“butIdon’tknowasinglegirl，inthewholearrondissementwhoiscapableofmakingasinnerofa，saint。Ihavebeenlookingoutforonefortheabbe。”
“WhatdoyousaytothathandsomeGatienneGiboulard，ofAuxerre，whom，Sarcus，junior，ismadafter？”askedLupin。
“That’stheonlyone，“answeredRigou，“butsheisnotsuitable;she，thinksshehasonlytobeseentobeadmired;she’snotcomplying，enough;wewantawitchandasly-boots，too。Nevermind，theright，onewillturnupsoonerorlater。”
“Yes，“saidLupin，“themoreprettygirlsheseesthegreaterthe，chancesare。”
“Butperhapsyoucan’tgettheShopmantothefair，“saidtheex-
gendarme。“Andifhedoescome，willhegototheTivoliball？”
“Thereasonthathasalwayskepthimawayfromthefairdoesn’texist，thisyear，mylove，“saidMadameSoudry。
“Whatreason，dearest？”askedSoudry。
“TheShopmanwantedtomarryMademoiselledeSoulanges，“saidthe，notary。“Thefamilyrepliedthatshewastooyoung，andthatmortified，him。ThatiswhyMonsieurdeSoulangesandMonsieurdeMontcornet，two，oldfriendswhobothservedintheImperialGuard，aresocooltoeach，otherthattheyneverspeak。TheShopmandoesn’twanttomeetthe，Soulangesatthefair;butthisyearthefamilyarenotcoming。”
UsuallytheSoulangespartystayedatthechateaufromJulyto，October，butthegeneralwasthenincommandoftheartilleryin，Spain，undertheDucd’Angouleme，andthecountesshadaccompanied，him。AtthesiegeofCadiztheComtedeSoulangesobtained，asevery，oneknows，themarshal’sbaton，whichhekepttill1826。
“Verytrue，“criedLupin。“Well，itisforyou，papa，“headded，addressingRigou，“tomanoeuvrethemattersothatwecangethimto，thefair;oncethere，weoughttobeabletoentraphim。”
ThefairofSoulanges，whichtakesplaceonthe15thofAugust，isone，ofthefeaturesofthetown，andcarriesthepalmoverallotherfairs，inacircuitofsixtymiles，eventhoseofthecapitalofthe，department。Ville-aux-Fayeshasnofair，foritsfete-day，theSaint-
Sylvestre，happensinwinter。
Fromthe12thtothe15thofAugustallsortsofmerchantsaboundedat，Soulanges，andsetuptheirboothsintwoparallellines，tworowsof，thewell-knowngraylinenhuts，whichgavealivelyappearancetothe，usuallydesertedstreets。Thetwoweeksofthefairbroughtinasort，ofharvesttothelittletown，forthefestivalhastheauthorityand，prestigeoftradition。Thepeasants，asoldFourchonsaid，flockedin，fromthedistrictstowhichlaborboundthemfortherestoftheyear。
Thewonderfulshowonthecountersoftheimprovisedshops，the，collectionofallsortsofmerchandise，thecovetedobjectsofthe，wantsorthevanitiesofthesesonsofthesoil，whohavenoother，showsorexhibitionstoenjoyexerciseaperiodicalseductionoverthe，mindsofall，especiallythewomenandchildren。So，afterthefirst，ofAugusttheauthoritiespostedadvertisementssignedbySoudry，throughoutthewholearrondissement，offeringprotectiontomerchants，jugglers，mountebanks，prodigiesofallkinds，andstatinghowlong，thefairwouldlast，andwhatwouldbeitsprincipalattractions。
Ontheseposters，aboutwhichitwillberememberedMadameTonsard，inquiredofVermichel，therewasalways，onthelastline，the，followingannouncement：
“Tivoliwillbeilluminatedwithcolored-glasslamps。”
Thetownhadadoptedastheplaceforpublicadance-groundcreatedby，Socquardoutofastonygarden(stony，liketherestofthehillon，whichSoulangesisbuilt，wherethegardensareofmadeland)，and，calledbyhimaTivoli。Thischaracterofthesoilexplainsthe，peculiarflavoroftheSoulangeswine，——awhitewine，dryand，spirituous，verylikeMadeiraortheVouvraywine，orJohannisberger，——threevintageswhichresembleoneanother。
ThepowerfuleffectproducedbytheSocquardballuponthe，imaginationsofthewholecountry-sidemadetheinhabitantsthereof，veryproudoftheirTivoli。SuchashadventuredasfarasParis，declaredthattheParisianTivoliwassuperiortothatofSoulanges，onlyinsize。Gaubertinboldlydeclaredthat，forhispart，he，preferredtheSocquardballtotheParisianball。
“Well，we’llthinkitallover，“continuedRigou。“ThatParisian，fellow，theeditorofanewspaper，willsoongettiredofhispresent，amusementandbegladofachange;perhapswecouldthroughthe，servantsgivehimtheideaofcomingtothefair，andhe’dbringthe，others;I’llconsiderit。Sibiletmight——although，tobesure，his，influenceisdevilishlydecreasedoflate——buthemightgetthe，generaltothinkhecouldcurrypopularitybycoming。”
“Findoutifthebeautifulcountesskeepsthegeneralatarm’s，length，“saidLupin;“that’sthepointifyouwanthimtofallinto，thefarceatTivoli。”
“Thatlittlewoman，“criedMadameSoudry，“istoomuchofaParisian，nottoknowhowtorunwiththehareandholdwiththehounds。”
“FourchonhasgothisgranddaughterCatherineongoodterms，hetells，me，withCharles，theShopman’sgroom。Thatgivesusoneearmorein，LesAigues——AreyousureoftheAbbeTaupin，“headded，asthepriest，enteredtheroomfromtheterrace。
“WeholdhimandtheAbbeMouchon，too，justasIholdSoudry，“said，thequeen，strokingherhusband’schin;“youarenotunhappy，dearest，areyou？”shesaidtoSoudry。
“IfIcanplanascandalagainstthatTartufeofaBrossettewecan，win，“saidRigou，inalowvoice。“ButIamnotsureifthelocal，spiritcansucceedagainsttheChurchspirit。Youdon’trealizewhat，thatis。I，myself，whoamnofool，Ican’tsaywhatI’lldowhenI
fallill。IbelieveIshalltrytobereconciledwiththeChurch。”
“Suffermetohopeit，“saidtheAbbeTaupin，forwhosebenefitRigou，hadraisedhisvoiceonthelastwords。
“Alas！thewrongIdidinmarryingpreventsit，“repliedRigou。“I
cannotkilloffMadameRigou。”
“Meantime，letusthinkofLesAigues，“saidMadameSoudry。
“Yes，“saidtheex-monk。“Doyouknow，Ibegintothinkthatour，associateatVille-aux-Fayesmaybeclevererthantherestofus。I
fancythatGaubertinwantsLesAiguesforhimself，andthathemeans，totrickusintheend。”
“ButLesAigueswillnotbelongtoanyoneofus;itwillhavetocome，down，fromrooftocellar，“saidSoudry。
“Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifthereweretreasureburiedinthose，cellars，“observedRigou，cleverly。
“Nonsense！”
“Well，inthewarsoftheoldentimethegreatlords，whowereoften，besiegedandsurprised，didburytheirgolduntiltheyshouldbeable，torecoverit;andyouknowthattheMarquisdeSoulanges-Hautemer(in，whomtheyoungerbranchcametoanend)wasoneofthevictimsofthe，Bironconspiracy。TheComtessedeMoretreceivedthepropertyfrom，HenriIV。whenitwasconfiscated。”
“SeewhatitistoknowthehistoryofFrance！”saidSoudry。“Youare，right。ItistimetocometoanunderstandingwithGaubertin。”
“Ifheshirks，“saidRigou，“wemustsmokehimout。”
“Heisrichenoughnow，“saidLupin，“tobeanhonestman。”
“I’llanswerforhimasIwouldformyself，“saidMadameSoudry;“he’s，themostloyalmaninthekingdom。”
“Weallbelieveinhisloyalty，“saidRigou，“butneverthelessnothing，shouldbeneglected，evenamongfriends——Bythebye，Ithinkthereis，someoneinSoulangeswhoishinderingmatters。”
“Who’sthat？”askedSoudry。
“Plissoud，“repliedRigou。
“Plissoud！”exclaimedSoudry。“Poorfool！Brunetholdshimbythe，halter，andhiswifebythegullet;askLupin。”
“Whatcanhedo？”saidLupin。
“HemeanstowarnMontcornet，“repliedRigou，“andgethisinfluence，andaplace——“
“Itwouldn’tbringhimmorethanhiswifeearnsforhimatSoulanges，“
saidMadameSoudry。
“Hetellseverythingtohiswifewhenheisdrunk，“remarkedLupin。
“Weshallknowitallingoodtime。”
“ThebeautifulMadamePlissoudhasnosecretsfromyou，“saidRigou;
“wemaybeeasyaboutthat。”
“Besides，she’sasstupidassheisbeautiful，“saidMadameSoudry。“I
wouldn’tchangewithher;forifIwereamanI’dpreferanuglywoman，whohassomemind，toabeautywhocan’tsaytwowords。”
“Ah！”saidthenotary，bitinghislips，“butshecanmakeotherssay，three。”
“Puppy！”criedRigou，ashemadeforthedoor。
“Well，then，“saidSoudry，followinghimtotheportico，“to-morrow，early。”
“I’llcomeandfetchyou——Ha！Lupin，“hesaidtothenotary，whocame，outwithhimtoorderhishorse，“trytomakesurethatMadameSarcus，hearsalltheShopmansaysanddoesagainstusatthePrefecture。”
“Ifshedoesn’thearit，whowill？”repliedLupin。
“Excuseme，“saidRigou，smilingblandly，“buttherearesuchalotof，ninniesintherethatIforgottherewasonecleverman。”
“ThewonderisthatIdon’tgrowrustyamongthem，“repliedLupin，naively。
“IsittruethatSoudryhashiredaprettyservant？”
“Yes，“repliedLupin;“forthelastweekourworthymayorhassetthe，charmsofhiswifeinfullreliefbycomparingherwithalittle，peasant-girlabouttheageofanoldox;andwecan’tyetimaginehow，hesettlesitwithMadameSoudry，for，wouldyoubelieveit，hehas，theaudacitytogotobedearly。”
“I’llfindoutto-morrow，“saidthevillageSardanapalus，tryingto，smile。
Thetwoplottersshookhandsastheyparted。
Rigou，whodidnotliketobeontheroadafterdarkfor，notwithstandinghispresentpopularity，hewascautious，calledtohis，horse，“Getup，Citizen，“——ajokethissonof1793wasfondofletting，flyattheRevolution。Popularrevolutionshavenomorebitterenemies，thanthosetheyhavetrainedthemselves。
“PereRigou’svisitsareprettyshort，“saidGourdonthepoetto，MadameSoudry。
“Theyarepleasant，iftheyareshort，“sheanswered。
“Likehisownlife，“saidthedoctor;“hisabuseofpleasureswillcut，thatshort。”
“Somuchthebetter，“remarkedSoudry，“mysonwillstepintothe，property。”
“DidhebringyouanynewsaboutLesAigues？”askedtheAbbeTaupin。
“Yes，mydearabbe，“saidMadameSoudry。“Thosepeoplearethescourge，oftheneighborhood。Ican’tcomprehendhowitisthatMadamede，Montcornet，whoiscertainlyawell-bredwoman，doesn’tunderstand，theirinterestsbetter。”
“Andyetshehasamodelbeforehereyes，“saidtheabbe。
“Whoisthat？”askedMadameSoudry，smirking。
“TheSoulanges。”
“Ah，yes！”repliedthequeenafterapause。
“HereIam！”criedMadameVermut，comingintotheroom;“andwithout，myre-active，——forVermutissoinactiveinallthatconcernsmethat，Ican’tcallhimanactiveofanykind。”
“WhatthedevilisthatcursedoldRigoudoingthere？”saidSoudryto，Guerbet，astheysawthegreenchaisestopbeforethegateofthe，Tivoli。“Heisoneofthosetiger-catswhoseeverystephasan，object。”
“Youmaywellsaycursed，“repliedthefatlittlecollector。
“HehasgoneintotheCafedelaPaix，“remarkedGourdon，thedoctor。
“Andthere’ssometroublethere，“addedGourdonthepoet;“Icanhear，themyelpingfromhere。”
“Thatcafe，“saidtheabbe，“islikethetempleofJanus;itwas，calledtheCafedelaGuerreundertheEmpire，andthenitwaspeace，itself;themostrespectableofthebourgeoisiemettherefor，conversation——“
“Conversation！”interruptedthejusticeofthepeace。“Whatkindof，conversationwasitwhichproducedallthelittleBourniers？”
“——buteversinceithasbeencalled，inhonoroftheBourbons，the，CafedelaPaix，fightstakeplacethereeveryday，“saidAbbeTaupin，finishingthesentencewhichthemagistratehadtakenthelibertyof，interrupting。
Thisideaoftheabbewas，likethequotationsfrom“TheCup-and-
Ball，“offrequentrecurrence。
“DoyoumeanthatBurgundywillalwaysbethelandoffisticuffs？”
askedPereGuerbet。
“That’snotillsaid，“remarkedtheabbe;“notatall;infactit’s，almostanexacthistoryofourcountry。”
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthehistoryofFrance，“blurtedSoudry;
“andbeforeItrytolearnit，itismoreimportanttometoknowwhy，oldRigouhasgoneintotheCafedelaPaixwithSocquard。”
“Oh！”returnedtheabbe，“whereverhegoesandwhereverhestays，you，maybequitecertainitisfornocharitablepurpose。”
“Thatmangivesmegoose-fleshwheneverIseehim，“saidMadame，Vermut。
“Heissomuchtobefeared，“remarkedthedoctor，“thatifhehada，spiteagainstmeIshouldhavenopeacetillhewasdeadandburied;
hewouldgetoutofhiscoffintodoyouanill-turn。”
“IfanyonecanforcetheShopmantocometothefair，andmanageto，catchhiminatrap，it’llbeRigou，“saidSoudrytohiswife，ina，lowtone。
“Especially，“shereplied，inaloudone，“ifGaubertinandyou，my，love，helphim。”
“There！didn’tItellyouso？”criedGuerbet，pokingthejusticeof，thepeace。“IknewhewouldfindsomeprettygirlatSocquard’s，——
thereheis，puttingherintohiscarriage。”
“Youarequitewrong，gentlemen，“saidMadameSoudry;“MonsieurRigou，isthinkingofnothingbutthegreataffair;andifI’mnotmistaken，thatgirlisonlyTonsard’sdaughter。”
“Heislikethechemistwholaysinastockofvipers，“saidold，Guerbet。
“OnewouldthinkyouwereintimatewithMonsieurVermuttohearyou，talk，“saidthedoctor，pointingtothelittleapothecary，whowas，thencrossingthesquare。
“Poorfellow！”saidthepoet，whowassuspectedofoccasionally，sharpeninghiswitwithMadameVermut;“justlookatthatwaddleof，his！andtheysayheislearned！”
“Withouthim，“saidthejusticeofthepeace，“weshouldbehardput，toitaboutpost-mortems;hefoundpoisoninpoorPigeron’sstomachso，cleverlythatthechemistsofParistestifiedinthecourtatAuxerre，thattheycouldn’thavedonebetter——“
“Hedidn’tfindanythingatall，“saidSoudry;“but，asPresident，Gendrinsays，itisagoodthingtoletpeoplesupposethatpoison，willalwaysbefound——“
“MadamePigeronwasverywisetoleaveAuxerre，“saidMadameVermut;
“shewassillyandwickedboth。Asifitwerenecessarytohave，recoursetodrugstoannulahusband！Arenotthereotherwaysquite，assure，butinnocent，toridourselvesofthatincumbrance？Iwould，liketohaveamandaretoquestionmyconduct！TheworthyMonsieur，Vermutdoesn’thampermeintheleast，——buthehasneverbeenillyet。
AsforMadamedeMontcornet，justseehowshewalksaboutthewoods，andthehermitagewiththatjournalistwhomshebroughtfromParisat，herownexpense，andhowshepetshimundertheveryeyesofthe，general！”
“Atherownexpense！”criedMadameSoudry。“Areyousure？Ifwecould，onlygetproofofit，whatafinesubjectforananonymousletterto，thegeneral！”
“Thegeneral！”criedMadameVermut，“hewon’tinterferewiththings;
heplayshispart。”
“Whatpart，mydear？”askedMadameSoudry。
“Oh！thepaternalpart。”
“IfpoorlittlePigeronhadhadthewisdomtoplayit，insteadof，harassinghiswife，he’dbealivenow，“saidthepoet。
MadameSoudryleanedovertoherneighbor，MonsieurGuerbet，andmade，oneofthoseapishgrimaceswhichshehadinheritedfromdear，mistress，togetherwithhersilver，byrightofconquest，andtwisting，herfaceintoaseriesofthemshemadehimlookatMadameVermut，who，wascoquettingwiththeauthorof“TheCup-and-Ball。”
“Whatshockingstylethatwomanhas！whattalk，whatmanners！”she，said。“Ireallydon’tthinkIcanadmitheranylongerintoOUR
SOCIETY，——especially，“sheadded，“whenMonsieurGourdon，thepoet，is，present。”
“There’ssocialmorality！”saidtheabbe，whohadheardandobserved，allwithoutsayingaword。
Afterthisepigram，orrather，thissatireonthecompany，sotrueand，soconcisethatithiteveryone，theusualgameofbostonwas，proposed。
Isnotthisapictureoflifeasitisatallstagesofwhatweagree，tocallsociety？Changethestyle，andyouwillfindthatnothingmore，andnothinglessissaidinthegildedsalonsofParis。