第9章
CHAPTERIII
THECAFEDELAPAIX
Itwasaboutseveno’clockwhenRigoudrovebytheCafedelaPaix。
Thesettingsun，slantingitsbeamsacrossthelittletown，was，diffusingitsruddytints，andtheclearmirrorofthelakecontrasted，withtheflashingoftheresplendentwindow-panes，whichoriginated，thestrangestandmostimprobablecolors。
Thedeepschemer，whohadgrownpensiveasherevolvedhisplots，let，hishorseproceedsoslowlythatinpassingtheCafedelaPaixhe，heardhisownnamebandedaboutinoneofthosenoisydisputeswhich，accordingtotheAbbeTaupin，madethenameoftheestablishmenta，gain-sayingofitscustomarycondition。
Foraclearunderstandingofthefollowingscenewemustexplainthe，topographyofthisregionofplentyandofmisrule，whichbeganwith，thecafeonthesquare，andendedonthecountryroadwiththefamous，Tivoliwheretheconspiratorsproposedtoentrapthegeneral。The，ground-floorofthecafe，whichstoodattheangleofthesquareand，theroad，andwasbuiltinthestyleofRigou’shouse，hadthree，windowsontheroadandtwoonthesquare，thelatterbeingseparated，byaglassdoorthroughwhichthehousewasentered。Thecafehad，moreover，adoubledoorwhichopenedonasidealleythatseparatedit，fromtheneighboringhouse(thatofVallettheSoulangesmercer)，whichledtoaninsidecourtyard。
Thehouse，whichwaspaintedwhollyinyellow，excepttheblinds，whichweregreen，isoneofthefewhousesinthelittletownwhich，hastwostoriesandanattic。Andthisiswhy：Beforetheastonishing，riseintheprosperityofVille-aux-Fayesthefirstfloorofthis，house，whichhadfourchambers，eachcontainingabedandthemeagre，furniturethoughtnecessarytojustifytheterm“furnishedlodgings，“
waslettostrangerswhowereobligedtocometoSoulangesonmatters，connectedwiththecourts，ortovisitorswhodidnotsleepatthe，chateau;butforthelasttwenty-fiveyearstheseroomshadhadno，otheroccupantsthanthemountebanks，themerchants，thevendorsof，quackmedicineswhocametothefair，orelsecommercialtravellers。
Duringthefair-timetheywereletforfourfrancsaday;andbrought，Socquardabouttwohundredandfiftyfrancs，nottospeakofthe，profitsontheconsumptionoffoodwhichthegueststookinhiscafe。
Thefrontofthehouseonthesquarewasadornedwithpaintedsigns;
onthespacesthatseparatedthewindowsfromtheglassdoorbilliard-
cueswererepresented，lovinglytiedtogetherwithribbons，andabove，thesebowsweredepictedsmokingbowlsofpunch，thebowlsbeingin，theformofGreekvases。Thewords“CafedelaPaix“wereoverthe，door，brilliantlypaintedinyellowonagreenground，ateachendof，whichrosepyramidsoftricoloredbilliard-balls。Thewindow-sashes，paintedgreen，hadsmallpanesofthecommonestglass。
Adozenarbor-vitae，whichoughttobecalledcafe-trees，stoodtothe，leftandrightinpots，andpresentedtheirusualpretensionsand，sicklyappearance。Awnings，withwhichshopkeepersofthelargecities，protecttheirwindowsfromtheheadofthesun，wereasyetanunknown，luxuryinSoulanges。Thebeneficentliquidsinthebottleswhichstood，onboardsjustbehindthewindow-paneswentthroughaperiodic，cooking。Whenthesunconcentrateditsraysthroughthelenticular，knobsintheglassitboiledtheMadeira，thesyrups，theliqueurs，thepreservedplums，andthecherry-brandysetoutforshow;forthe，heatwassogreatthatAglae，herfather，andthewaiterwereforced，tositoutsideonbenchespoorlyshadedbythewiltedshrubs，——which，Mademoisellekeptalivewithwaterthatwasalmosthot。Allthree，father，daughter，andservant，mightbeseenatcertainhoursofthe，daystretchedoutthere，fastasleep，likedomesticanimals。
In1804，theperiodwhen“PaulandVirginia“wastherage，theinside，ofthecafewashungwithapaperwhichrepresentedthechiefscenes，ofthatromance。TherecouldbeseenNegroesgatheringthecoffee-
crop，thoughcoffeewasseldomseenintheestablishment，nottwenty，cupsofthatbeveragebeingservedinthemonth。Colonialproducts，wereofsolittleaccountintheconsumptionoftheplacethatifa，strangerhadaskedforacupofchocolateSocquardwouldhavebeen，hardputtoittoservehim。Still，hewouldhavedonesowitha，nauseousbrownbrothmadefromtabletsinwhichthereweremoreflour，crushedalmonds，andbrownsugarthanpuresugarandcacao，concoctionswhichweresoldattwosousacakebyvillagegrocers，and，manufacturedforthepurposeofruiningthesaleoftheSpanish，commodity。
Asforcoffee，PereSocquardsimplyboileditinautensilknownto，allsuchhouseholdsasthe“bigbrownpot“;heletthedregs(that，werehalfchicory)settle，andservedthedecoction，withacoolness，worthyofaParisianwaiter，inachinacupwhich，ifflungtothe，ground，wouldnothavecracked。
AtthisperiodthesacredrespectfeltforsugarundertheEmperorwas，notyetdispelledinthetownofSoulanges，andAglaeSocquardboldly，servedthreebitsofitofthesizeofhazel-nutstoaforeign，merchantwhohadrashlyaskedfortheliterarybeverage。
Thewalldecorationofthecafe，relievedbymirrorsingiltframes，andbracketsonwhichthehatswerehung，hadnotbeenchangedsince，thedayswhenallSoulangescametoadmiretheromanticpaper，alsoa，counterpaintedlikemahoganywithaSaint-Annemarbletop，onwhich，shonevesselsofplatedmetalandlampswithdouble-burners，which，were，rumorsaid，giventothebeautifulMadameSocquardbyGaubertin。
Astickycoatingofdirtcoveredeverything，likethatfoundonold，picturesputawayandlongforgotteninagarret。Thetablespainted，toresemblemarble，thebenchescoveredinredUtrechtvelvet，the，hangingglasslampfullofoil，whichfedtwolights，fastenedbya，chaintotheceilingandadornedwithglasspendants，werethe，beginningofthecelebrityofthethenCafedelaGuerre。
There，from1802to1804，allthebourgeoisofSoulangesplayedat，dominoesandagameofcardscalled“brelan，“dranktinyglassesof，liqueurorboiledwine，andatebrandiedfruitsandbiscuits;forthe，dearnessofcolonialproductshadbanishedcoffee，sugar，and，chocolate。Punchwasagreatluxury;sowas“bavaroise。”These，infusionsweremadewithasugarysubstanceresemblingmolasses，the，nameofwhichisnowlost，butwhich，atthetime，madethefortuneof，itsinventor。
Thesesuccinctdetailswillrecalltothememoryofalltravellers，manyothersthatareanalogous;andthosepersonswhohaveneverleft，Pariscanimaginetheceilingblackenedwithsmokeandthemirrors，speckedwithmillionsofspots，showinginwhatfreedomand，independencethewholeorderofdipteralivedintheCafedelaPaix。
ThebeautifulMadameSocquard，whosegallantadventuressurpassed，thoseofthemistressoftheGrand-I-Vert，satthere，enthroned，dressedinthelastfashion。Sheaffectedthestyleofasultana，and，woreaturban。Sultanas，undertheEmpire，enjoyedavogueequalto，thatofthe“angel“ofto-day。Thewholevalleytookpatternfromthe，turbans，thepoke-bonnets，thefurcaps，theChinesehead-gearofthe，handsomeSocquard，towhoseluxurythebig-wigsofSoulanges，contributed。Withawaistbeneathherarm-pits，afterthefashionof，ourmothers，whowereproudoftheirimperialgraces，Junie(shewas，namedJunie！)madethefortuneofthehouseofSocquard。Herhusband，owedtohertheownershipofavineyard，ofthehousetheylivedin，andalsotheTivoli。ThefatherofMonsieurLupinwassaidtohave，committedsomefolliesforthehandsomeMadameSocquard;and，Gaubertin，whohadtakenherfromhim，certainlyowedhimthelittle，Bournier。
Thesedetails，togetherwiththedeepmysterywithwhichSocquard，manufacturedhisboiledwine，aresufficienttoexplainwhyhisname，andthatoftheCafedelaPaixwerepopular;buttherewereother，reasonsfortheirrenown。Nothingbetterthanwinecouldbegotat，Tonsard’sandtheothertavernsinthevalley;fromConchestoVille-
aux-Fayes，inacircumferenceoftwentymiles，theCafeSocquardwas，theonlyplacewheretheguestscouldplaybilliardsanddrinkthe，punchsoadmirablyconcoctedbytheproprietor。Therealonecouldbe，foundadisplayofforeignwines，fineliqueurs，andbrandiedfruits。
Itsnameresoundeddailythroughoutthevalley，accompaniedbyideas，ofsuperfinesensualpleasuressuchasmenwhosestomachsaremore，sensitivethantheirheartsdreamabout。Toallthesecausesof，popularitywasaddedthatofbeinganintegralpartofthegreat，festivalofSoulanges。TheCafedelaPaixwastothetown，ina，superiordegree，whatthetavernoftheGrand-I-Vertwastothe，peasantry，——acentreofvenom;itwasthepointofcontactand，transmissionbetweenthegossipofVille-aux-Fayesandthatofthe，valley。TheGrand-I-VertsuppliedthemilkandtheCafedelaPaixthe，cream，andTonsard’stwodaughterswereindailycommunicationbetween，thetwo。
ToSocquard’smindthesquareofSoulangeswasmerelyanappendageto，hiscafe。Herculeswentfromdoortodoor，talkingwiththisoneand，thatone，andwearinginsummernoothergarmentthanapairof，trousersandahalf-buttonedwaistcoat。Ifanyoneenteredthetavern，thepeoplewithwhomhegossipedwarnedhim，andheslowlyand，reluctantlyreturned。
Rigoustoppedhishorse，andgettingoutofthechaise，fastenedthe，bridletooneofthepostsnearthegateoftheTivoli。Thenhemadea，pretexttolistentowhatwasgoingonwithoutbeingnoticed，and，placedhimselfbetweentwowindowsthroughoneofwhichhecould，by，advancinghishead，seethepersonsintheroom，watchtheirgestures，andcatchtheloudertoneswhichcamethroughtheglassofthewindows，andwhichthequietofthestreetenabledhimtohear。
“IfIweretotelloldRigouthatyourbrotherNicolasisafterLa，Pechina，“criedanangryvoice，“andthathewaylaysher，he’dripthe，entrailsoutofeveryoneofyou，——packofscoundrelsthatyouareat，theGrand-I-Vert！”
“Ifyouplaymesuchatrickasthat，Aglae，“saidtheshrillvoiceof，MarieTonsard，“yousha’n’ttellanythingmoreexcepttothewormsin，yourcoffin。Don’tmeddlewithmybrother’sbusinessorwithmineand，Bonnebault’seither。”
Marie，instigatedbyhergrandmother，had，aswesee，followed，Bonnebault;shehadwatchedhimthroughtheverywindowwhereRigou，wasnowstanding，andhadseenhimdisplayinghisgracesandpaying，complimentssoagreeabletoMademoiselleSocquardthatshewasforced，tosmileuponhim。Thatsmilehadbroughtaboutthesceneinthemidst，ofwhichtherevelationthatinterestedRigoucameout。
“Well，well，PereRigou，whatareyoudoinghere？”saidSocquard，slappingtheusurerontheshoulder;hewascomingfromabarnatthe，endofthegarden，wherehekeptvariouscontrivancesforthepublic，games，suchasweighing-machines，merry-go-rounds，see-saws，allin，readinessfortheTivoliwhenopened。Socquardsteppednoiselessly，forhewaswearingapairofthoseyellowleather-slipperswhichcost，solittlebythegrossthattheyhaveanenormoussaleinthe，provinces。
“Ifyouhaveanyfreshlemons，I’dlikeaglassoflemonade，“said，Rigou;“itisawarmevening。”
“Whoismakingthatracket？”saidSocquard，lookingthroughthewindow，andseeinghisdaughterandMarieTonsard。
“TheyarequarrellingforBonnebault，“saidRigou，sardonically。
Theangerofthefatherwasatoncecontrolledbytheinterestofthe，tavern-keeper。Thetavern-keeperjudgeditprudenttolistenoutside，asRigouwasdoing;thefatherwasinclinedtoenteranddeclarethat，Bonnebault，possessedofadmirablequalitiesintheeyesofatavern-
keeper，hadnoneatallasson-in-lawtooneofthenotablesof，Soulanges。AndyetPereSocquardhadreceivedbutfewoffersforhis，daughter。Attwenty-twoAglaealreadyrivalledinsizeandweight，MadameVermichel，whoseagilityseemedphenomenal。Sittingbehinda，counterincreasedtheadiposetendencywhichshederivedfromher，father。
“Whatdevilisitthatgetsintogirls？”saidSocquardtoRigou。
“Ha！”repliedtheex-Benedictine，“ofallthedevils，that’stheone，theChurchhasmosttodowith。”
JustthenBonnebaultcameoutofthebilliard-roomwithacueinhis，hand，andstruckMariesharply，saying：——
“You’vemadememissmystroke;butI’llnotmissyou，andI’llgive，ittoyoutillyoumufflethatclapperofyours。”
SocquardandRigou，whonowthoughtitwisetointerfere，enteredthe，cafebythefrontdoor，raisingsuchacrowdoffliesthatthelight，fromthewindowswasobscured;thesoundwaslikethatofthedistant，practisingofadrum-corps。Aftertheirfirstexcitementwasover，the，bigflieswiththebluishbellies，accompaniedbythestinginglittle，ones，returnedtotheirquartersinthewindows，whereonthreetiers，ofplanks，thepaintofwhichwasindistinguishableunderthefly-
specks，wererowsofviscousbottlesrangedlikesoldiers。
Mariewascrying。Tobestruckbeforearivalbythemanshelovesis，oneofthosehumiliationsthatnowomancanendure，nomatterwhather，placeonthesocialladdermaybe;andthelowerthatplaceis，the，moreviolentistheexpressionofherwrath。TheTonsardgirltookno，noticeofRigouorofSocquard;sheflungherselfonabench，in，gloomyandsullensilence，whichtheex-monkcarefullywatched。
“Getafreshlemon，Aglae，“saidPereSocquard，“andgoandrinsethat，glassyourself。”
“Youdidrighttosendheraway，“whisperedRigou，“orshemighthave，beenhurt“;andheglancedsignificantlyatthehandwithwhichMarie，graspedastoolshehadcaughtuptothrowatAglae’shead。
“Now，Marie，“saidSocquard，standingbeforeher，“peopledon’tcome，heretoflingstools;ifyouweretobreakoneofmymirrors，themilk，ofyourcowswouldn’tpayforthedamage。”
“PereSocquard，yourdaughterisareptile;I’mworthadozenofher，I’dhaveyouknow。Ifyoudon’twantBonnebaultforason-in-law，it，ishightimeforyoutotellhimtogoandplaybilliardssomewhere，else;he’slosingahundredsouseveryminute。”
Inthemiddleofthisfluxofwords，screamedratherthansaid，SocquardtookMarieroundthewaistandflungheroutofthedoor，in，spiteofhercriesandresistance。Itwasnonetoosoon;for，Bonnebaultrushedoutofthebilliard-room，hiseyesblazing。
“Itsha’n’tendso！”criedMarieTonsard。
“Begone！”shoutedBonnebault，whomViolletheldbackroundthebody，lestheshoulddothegirlsomehurt。“Gotothedevil，orIwill，neverspeaktoyouorlookatyouagain！”
“You！”saidMarie，flinginghimafuriousglance。“Givemebackmy，money，andI’llleaveyoutoMademoiselleSocquardifsheisrich，enoughtokeepyou。”
ThereuponMarie，frightenedwhenshesawthatevenSocquard-Alcides，couldscarcelyholdBonnebault，whosprangafterherlikeatiger，tooktoflightalongtheroad。
Rigoufollowed，andtoldhertogetintohiscarrioletoescape，Bonnebault，whoseshoutsreachedthehotelSoudry;then，afterhiding，Marieundertheleathercurtains，hecamebacktothecafetodrink，hislemonadeandexaminethegroupitnowcontained，composedof，Plissoud，Amaury，Viollet，andthewaiter，whowerealltryingto，pacifyBonnebault。
“Come，hussar，it’syourturntoplay，“saidAmaury，asmall，fair，youngman，withadulleye。
“Besides，she’stakenherselfoff，“saidViollet。
IfanyoneeverbetrayedastonishmentitwasPlissoudwhenhebeheld，theusurerofBlangysittingatoneofthetables，andmoreoccupied，inwatchinghim，Plissoud，thaninnoticingthequarrelthatwasgoing，on。Inspiteofhimself，thesheriffallowedhisfacetoshowthe，speciesofbewildermentwhichamanfeelsatanunexpectedmeeting，withapersonwhomhehatesandisplottingagainst，andhespeedily，withdrewintothebilliard-room。
“Adieu，PereSocquard，“saidRigou。
“I’llgetyourcarriage，“saidtheinnkeeper;“takeyourtime。”
“HowshallIfindoutwhatthosefellowshavebeensayingovertheir，pool？”Rigouwasaskinghimself，whenhehappenedtoseethewaiter’s，faceinthemirrorbesidehim。
Thewaiterwasajackatalltrades;hecultivatedSocquard’svines，sweptoutthecafeandthebilliard-room，keptthegardeninorder，andwateredtheTivoli，allforfiftyfrancsayear。Hewasalways，withoutajacket，exceptongrandoccasions;usuallyhissolegarments，wereapairofbluelinentrousers，heavyshoes，andastripedvelvet，waistcoat，overwhichheworeanapronofhomespunlinenwhenatwork，inthecafeorbilliard-room。Thisapron，withstrings，wasthebadge，ofhisfunctions。ThefellowhadbeenhiredbySocquardatthelast，annualfair;forinthisvalley，asthroughoutBurgundy，servantsare，hiredinthemarket-placebytheyear，exactlyasonebuyshorses。
“What’syourname？”saidRigou。
“Michel，atyourservice，“repliedthewaiter。
“Doesn’toldFourchoncomeheresometimes？”
“Twoorthreetimesaweek，withMonsieurVermichel，whogivesmea，coupleofsoustowarnhimifhiswife’safterthem。”
“He’safineoldfellow，PereFourchon;knowsagreatdealandisfull，ofgoodsense，“saidRigou，payingforhislemonadeandleavingthe，evil-smellingplacewhenhesawPereSocquardleadinghishorseround。
Justashewasabouttogetintothecarriage，Rigounoticedthe，chemistcrossingthesquareandhailedhimwitha“Ho，there，Monsieur，Vermut！”Recognizingtherichman，Vermuthurriedup。Rigoujoined，him，andsaidinalowvoice：——
“Arethereanydrugsthatcaneatintothetissueoftheskinsoasto，producearealdisease，likeawhitlowonthefinger，forinstance？”
“IfMonsieurGourdonwouldhelp，yes，“answeredthelittlechemist。
“Vermut，notawordofallthis，oryouandIwillquarrel;butspeak，ofthemattertoMonsieurGourdon，andtellhimtocomeandseemethe，dayafterto-morrow。Imaybeabletoprocurehimthedelicate，operationofcuttingoffaforefinger。”
Then，leavingthelittlemanthoroughlybewildered，Rigougotintothe，carriolebesideMarieTonsard。
“Well，youlittleviper，“hesaid，takingherbythearmwhenhehad，fastenedthereinstoahookinfrontoftheleathernapronwhich，closedthecarrioleandthehorsehadstartedonatrot，“doyouthink，youcankeepBonnebaultbygivingwaytosuchviolence？Ifyouwerea，wisegirlyouwouldpromotehismarriagewiththathogsheadof，stupidityandtakeyourrevengeafterwards。”
Mariecouldnothelpsmilingassheanswered：——
“Ah，howbadyouare！youarethemasterofusallinwickedness。”
“Listentome，Marie;Ilikethepeasants，butitwon’tdoforanyone，ofyoutocomebetweenmyteethandamouthfulofgame。Yourbrother，Nicolas，asAglaesaid，isafterLaPechina。Thatmustnotbe;I
protecther，thatgirl。Sheistobemyheiressforthirtythousand，francs，andIintendtomarryherwell。IknowthatNicolas，helpedby，yoursisterCatherine，camenearkillingthelittlethingthis，morning。Youaretoseeyourbrotherandsisteratonce，andsayto，them：’IfyouletLaPechinaalone，PereRigouwillsaveNicolasfrom，theconscription。’“
“Youarethedevilincarnate！”criedMarie。“Theydosayyou’vesigned，acompactwithhim。Isthattrue？”
“Yes，“repliedRigou，gravely。
“Iheardit，butIdidn’tbelieveit。”
“Hehasguaranteedthatnoattacksaimedatmeshallhurtme;thatI
shallneverberobbed;thatIshallliveahundredyearsandsucceed，ineverythingIundertake，andbeasyoungtothedayofmydeathasa，two-yearoldcockerel——“
“Well，ifthat’sso，“saidMarie，“itmustbeDEVILISHLYeasyforyou，tosavemybrotherfromtheconscription——“
“Ifhechooses，that’stosay。He’llhavetoloseafinger，“returned，Rigou。“I’lltellhimhow。”
“Lookout，youaretakingtheupperroad！”exclaimedMarie。
“Inevergobytheloweratnight，“saidtheex-monk。
“Onaccountofthecross？”saidMarie，naively。
“That’sit，sly-boots，“repliedherdiabolicalcompanion。
Theyhadreachedaspotwherethehigh-roadcutsthroughaslight，elevationofground，makingoneachsideofitarathersteepslope，suchasweoftenseeonthemail-roadsofFrance。Attheendofthis，littlegorge，whichisaboutahundredfeetlong，theroadsto，RonquerollesandtoCerneuxmeetandformanopenspace，inthecentre，ofwhichstandsacross。Fromeitherslopeamancouldaimatavictim，andkillhimatclosequarters，withallthemoreeasebecausethe，littlehilliscoveredwithvines，andtheevil-doercouldliein，ambushamongthebriersandbramblesthatovergrowthem。Wecan，readilyimaginewhytheusurerdidnottakethatroadafterdark。The，Thuneflowsroundthelittlehill;andtheplaceiscalledtheClose，oftheCross。Nospotwasevermoreadaptedforrevengeormurder，for，theroadtoRonquerollescontinuestothebridgeovertheAvonnein，frontofthepavilionoftheRendezvous，whilethattoCerneuxleads，offabovethemail-road;sothatbetweenthefourroads，——toLes，Aigues，Ville-aux-Fayes，Ronquerolles，andCerneux，——amurderercould，choosehislineofretreatandleavehispursuersinuncertainty。
“Ishalldropyouattheentranceofthevillage，“saidRigouwhen，theynearedthefirsthousesofBlangy。
“BecauseyouareafraidofAnnette，oldcoward！”criedMarie。“When，areyougoingtosendheraway？youhavehadhernowthreeyears。What，amusesmeisthatyouroldwomanstilllives;thegoodGodknowshow，torevengehimself。”
CHAPTERIV
THETRIUMVIRATEOFVILLE-AUX-FAYES
ThecautioususurercompelledhiswifeandJeantogotobedandto，risebydaylight;assuringthemthatthehousewouldneverbeattacked，ifhesatuptillmidnight，andheneverhimselfrosetilllate。Not，onlyhadhethussecuredhimselffrominterruptionbetweensevenat，nightandfivethenextmorningbuthehadaccustomedhiswifeand，JeantorespecthismorningsleepandthatofHagar，whoseroomwas，directlybehindhis。
So，onthefollowingmorning，abouthalfpastsix，MadameRigou，who，herselftookcareofthepoultry-yardwithsomeassistancefromJean，knockedtimidlyatherhusband’sdoor。
“MonsieurRigou，“shesaid，“youtoldmetowakeyou。”
Thetonesofthatvoice，theattitudeofthewoman，herfrightenedair，assheobeyedanordertheexecutionofwhichmightbeill-received，showedtheutterself-abnegationinwhichthepoorcreaturelived，and，theaffectionshestillboretoherpettytyrant。
“Verygood，“repliedRigou。
“ShallIwakeAnnette？”sheasked。
“No，lethersleep;shehasbeenuphalfthenight，“hereplied，gravely。
Themanwasalwaysgrave，evenwhenheallowedhimselftojest。
AnnettehadinfactopenedthedoorsecretlytoSibilet，Fourchon，and，CatherineTonsard，whoallcameatdifferenthoursbetweenelevenand，twoo’clock。
TenminuteslaterRigou，dressedwithmorecarethanusual，came，downstairsandgreetedhiswifewitha“Good-morning，myoldwoman，“
whichmadeherhappierthanifcountshadkneltatherfeet。
“Jean，“hesaidtotheex-lay-brother，“don’tleavethehouse;ifany，onerobsmeitwillbeworseforyouthanforme。”
Bythusminglingmildnessandseverity，hopesandrebuffs，theclever，egoistkepthisthreeslavesfaithfulandcloseathisheels，like，dogs。
Takingtheupper-road，so-called，toavoidtheCloseoftheCross，RigoureachedthesquareofSoulangesabouteighto’clock。
Justashewasfasteninghisreintothepostnearestthelittledoor，withthreesteps，ablindopenedandSoudryshowedhisface，pitted，withthesmall-pox，whichtheexpressionofhissmallblackeyes，renderedcrafty。
“Let’sbeginbytakingacrustherebeforewestart，“hesaid;“we，sha’n’tgetbreakfastatVille-aux-Fayesbeforeoneo’clock。”
Thenhesoftlycalledaservant-girl，asyoungandprettyasAnnette，whocamedownnoiselessly，andreceivedhisorderforhamandbread;
afterwhichhewenthimselftothecellarandfetchedsomewine。
Rigoucontemplatedforthehundredthtimethewell-knowndining-room，flooredinoak，withstuccoedceilingandcornice，itshighwainscot，andhandsomecupboardsfinelypainted，itsporcelainstoneand，magnificenttallclock，——allthepropertyofMademoiselleLaguerre。
Thechair-backswereintheformoflyres，paintedwhiteandhighly，varnished;theseatswereofgreenmoroccowithgiltnails。Amassive，mahoganytablewascoveredwithgreenoilcloth，withlargesquaresof，adeepershadeofgreen，andaplainborderofthelighter。Thefloor，laidinHungarianpoint，wascarefullywaxedbyUrbainandshowedthe，carewhichex-waiting-womenknowhowtoexactoutoftheirservants。
“Bah！itcosttoomuch，“thoughtRigouforthehundredthtime。“Ican，eatasgoodadinnerinmyroomashere，andIhavetheincomeofthe，moneythisuselesssplendorwouldhavewasted。WhereisMadame，Soudry？”heasked，asthemayorreturnedarmedwithavenerable，bottle。
“Asleep。”
“Andyounolongerdisturbherslumbers？”saidRigou。
Theex-gendarmewinkedwithaknowingair，andpointedtotheham，whichJeannette，theprettymaid，wasjustbringingin。
“Thatwillpickyouup，aprettybitlikethat，“hesaid。“Itwas，curedinthehouse;wecutintoitonlyyesterday。”
“Wheredidyoufindher？”saidtheex-BenedictineinSoudry’sear。
“Sheisliketheham，“repliedtheex-gendarme，winkingagain;“Ihave，hadheronlyaweek。”
Jeannette，stillinhernight-cap，withashortpetticoatandherbare，feetinslippers，hadslippedonabodicemadewithstrapsoverthe，armsintruepeasantfashion，overwhichshehadcrossedaneckerchief，whichdidnotentirelyhideherfreshandyouthfulattractions，which，wereatleastasappetizingasthehamshecarried。Shortandplump，withbarearmsmottledred，endinginlarge，dimpledhandswithshort，butwell-madefingers，shewasapictureofhealth。Thefacewasthat，ofatrueBurgundian，——ruddy，butwhiteaboutthetemples，throat，and，ears;thehairwaschestnut;thecornersoftheeyesturneduptowards，thetopoftheears;thenostrilswerewide，themouthsensual，anda，littledownlayalongthecheeks;allthis，togetherwithajaunty，expression，temperedhoweverbyadeceitfullymodestattitude，made，herthemodelofaroguishservant-girl。
“Onmyhonor，Jeannetteisasgoodastheham，“saidRigou。“IfI
hadn’tanAnnetteIshouldwantaJeannette。”
“Oneisasgoodastheother，“saidtheex-gendarme，“foryourAnnette，isfairanddelicate。HowisMadameRigou，——issheasleep？”added，Soudry，roughly，toletRigouseeheunderstoodhisjoke。
“Shewakeswiththecock，butshegoestoroostwiththehens，“
repliedRigou。“Asforme，Isitupandreadthe’Constitutionnel。’My，wifeletsmesleepatnightandinthemorningtoo;shewouldn’tcome，intomyroomforalltheworld。”
“It’sjusttheotherwayhere，“repliedJeanette。“Madamesitsupwith，thecompanyplayingcards;sometimestherearesixteenoftheminthe，salon;Monsieurgoestobedateighto’clock，andwegetupat，daylight——“
“Youthinkthat’sdifferent，“saidRigou，“butitcomestothesame，thingintheend。Well，mydear，youcometomeandI’llsendAnnette，here，andthatwillbethesamethinganddifferenttoo。”
“Oldscamp，you’llmakeherashamed，“saidSoudry。
“Ha！gendarme;youwantyourfieldtoyourself！Well，weallgetour，happinesswherewecanfindit。”
Jeanette，byhermaster’sorder，disappearedtolayouthisclothes。
“Youmusthavepromisedtomarryherwhenyourwifedies，“saidRigou。
“Atyourageandmine，“repliedSoudry，“there’snootherway。”
“Withgirlsofanyambitionitwouldbeonewaytobecomeawidower，“
addedRigou;“especiallyifMadameSoudryfoundfaultwithJeannette，forherwayofscrubbingthestaircase。”
Theremarkmadethetwohusbandspensive。WhenJeannettereturnedand，announcedthatallwasready，Soudrysaidtoher，“Comeandhelpme！”——
aprecautionwhichmadetheex-monksmile。
“There’sadifference，indeed！”saidhe。“Asforme，I’dleaveyou，alonewithAnnette，mygoodfriend。”
AquarterofanhourlaterSoudry，inhisbestclothes，gotintothe，wickercarriage，andthetwofriendsdroveroundthelakeofSoulanges，toVille-aux-Fayes。
“Lookatit！”saidRigou，astheyreachedaneminencefromwhichthe，chateauofSoulangescouldbeseeninprofile。
Theoldrevolutionaryputintothetoneofhiswordsallthehatred，whichtheruralmiddleclassesfeeltothegreatchateauxandthe，greatestates。
“Yes，butIhopeitwillneverbedestroyedaslongasIlive，“said，Soudry。“TheComtedeSoulangeswasmygeneral;hedidmekindness;he，gotmypension，andheallowsLupintomanagetheestate。AfterLupin，someofuswillhaveit，andaslongastheSoulangesfamilyexists，theyandtheirpropertywillberespected。Suchfolksarelarge-
minded;theyleteveryonemakehisprofit，andtheyfinditpays。”
“Yes，buttheComtedeSoulangeshasthreechildren，who，athis，death，maynotagree，“repliedRigou。“Thehusbandofhisdaughterand，hissonsmaygotolaw，andendbysellingtheleadandironminesto，manufacturers，fromwhomweshallmanagetogetthemback。”
Thechateaujustthenshowedupinprofile，asiftodefytheex-monk。
“Ah！lookatit;inthosedaystheybuiltwell，“criedSoudry。“But，justnowMonsieurleComteiseconomizing，soastomakeSoulangesthe，entailedestateofhispeerage。”
“Mydearfriend，“saidRigou，“entailedestateswon’texistmuch，longer。”
Whenthetopicofpublicmatterswasexhausted，theworthypairbegan，todiscussthemeritsoftheirprettymaidsintermstooBurgundianto，beprintedhere。Thatinexhaustiblesubjectcarriedthemsofarthat，beforetheyknewittheysawthecapitalofthearrondissementover，whichGaubertinreigned，andwhichwehopeexcitesenoughcuriosityin，thereader’smindtojustifyashortdigression。
ThenameofVille-aux-Fayes，singularasitis，isexplainedasthe，corruptionofthewords(inlowLatin)“VillainFago，“——themanorof，thewoods。Thisnameindicatesthataforestoncecoveredthedelta，formedbytheAvonnebeforeitjoinsitsconfluenttheYonne。Some，Frankdoubtlessbuiltafortressonthehillwhichslopesgentlyto，thelongplain。Thesavageconquerorseparatedhisvantage-groundfrom，thedeltabyawideanddeepmoatandmadethepositionaformidable，one，essentiallyseignorial，convenientforenforcingtollsacrossthe，bridgesandforprotectinghisrightsofprofitonallgrainsground，inthemills。
ThatisthehistoryofthebeginningofVille-aux-Fayes。Wherever，feudalorecclesiasticaldominionestablishedtherewefindgathered，togetherinterests，inhabitants，and，later，townswhenthelocalities，wereinapositiontomaintainthemandtofoundanddevelopgreat，industries。ThemethodoffloatingtimberdiscoveredbyJeanRouvetin，1549，whichrequiredcertainconvenientstationstointerceptit，was，themakingofVille-aux-Fayes，which，uptothattime，hadbeen，comparedtoSoulanges，amerevillage。Ville-aux-Fayesbecamea，storageplacefortimber，whichcoveredtheshoresofthetworivers，foradistanceofoverthirtymiles。Theworkoftakingoutofthe，water，computingthelostlogs，andmakingtheraftswhichtheYonne，carrieddowntotheSeine，broughttogetheralargeconcourseof，workmen。Suchapopulationincreasedconsumptionandencouragedtrade。
ThusVille-aux-Fayes，whichhadbutsixhundredinhabitantsattheend，oftheseventeenthcentury，hadtwothousandin1790，andGaubertin，hadnowraisedthenumbertofourthousand，bythefollowingmeans。
Whenthelegislativeassemblydecreedthenewlayingoutofterritory，Ville-aux-Fayes，whichwassituatedwhere，geographically，asub-
prefecturewasneeded，waschoseninsteadofSoulangesaschieftown，orcapitalofthearrondissement。TheincreasedpopulationofParis，byincreasingthedemandforandthevalueofwoodasfuel，necessarilyincreasedthecommerceofVille-aux-Fayes。Gaubertinhad，foundedhisfortune，afterlosinghisstewardship，onthisgrowing，business，estimatingtheeffectofpeaceonthepopulationofParis，whichdidactuallyincreasebyoverone-thirdbetween1815and1825。
TheshapeofVille-aux-Fayesfollowedtheconformationoftheground。
Eachsideofthepromontorywaslinedwithwharves。Thedamtostop，thetimberfromfloatingfurtherdownwasjustbelowahillcoveredby，theforestofSoulanges。Betweenthedamandthetownlayasuburb。
Thelowertown，coveringthegreaterpartofthedelta，camedownto，theshoresofthelakeoftheAvonne。
Abovethelowertownsomefivehundredhouseswithgardens，standing，ontheheights，weregroupedroundthreesidesofthepromontory，and，enjoyedthevariedsceneofthediamondwatersofthelake，therafts，inconstructionalongitsedge，andthepilesofwoodupontheshores。
Thewaters，ladenwithtimberfromtheriverandtherapidswhichfed，themill-racesandthesluicesofafewmanufactories，presentedan，animatedscene，allthemorecharmingbecauseinclosedinthegreenery，offorests，whilethelongvalleyofLesAiguesofferedaglorious，contrasttothedarkfoiloftheheightsabovethetownitself。
Gaubertinhadbuilthimselfahouseonthelevelofthedelta，intendingtomakeaplacewhichshouldimprovethelocalityandrender，thelowertownasdesirableastheupper。Itwasamodernhousebuilt，ofstone，withabalconyofironrailings，outsideblinds，painted，windows，andnoornamentbutalineoffret-workundertheeaves，a，slateroof，onestoryinheightwithagarret，afinecourtyard，and，behinditanEnglishgardenbathedbythewatersoftheAvonne。The，eleganceoftheplacecompelledthedepartmenttobuildafineedifice，nearlyoppositetoitforthesub-prefecture，provisionallylodgedin，amerekennel。Thetownitselfalsobuiltatown-hall。Thelaw-courts，hadlatelybeeninstalledinanewedifice;sothatVille-aux-Fayes，owedtotheactiveinfluenceofitspresentmayoranumberofreally，imposingpublicbuildings。Thegendarmeriehadalsobuiltbarracks，whichcompletedthesquareformedbythemarketplace。
Thesechanges，onwhichtheinhabitantspridedthemselves，weredueto，theimpetusgivenbyGaubertin，whowithinadayortwohadreceived，thecrossoftheLegionofhonor，inanticipationofthecoming，birthdayoftheking。Inatownsosituatedandsomoderntherewasof，course，neitheraristocracynornobility。Consequently，therich，merchantsofVille-aux-Fayes，proudoftheirownindependence，willinglyespousedthecauseofthepeasantryagainstacountofthe，EmpirewhohadtakensideswiththeRestoration。Tothemthe，oppressorsweretheoppressed。Thespiritofthiscommercialtownwas，sowellknowntothegovernmentthattheysendthereassub-prefecta，manwithaconciliatorytemper，apupilofhisuncle，thewell-known，desLupeaulx，oneofthosemen，accustomedtocompromise，whoare，familiarwiththedifficultiesandnecessitiesofadministration，but，whompuritanpoliticians，doinginfinitelyworsethings，callcorrupt。
TheinteriorofGaubertin’shousewasdecoratedwiththeunmeaning，commonplacesofmodernluxury。Richpaperswithgoldborders，bronze，chandeliers，mahoganyfurnitureofanewpattern，astrallamps，round，tableswithmarbletops，whitechinawithgiltlinesfordessert，red，moroccochairsandmezzo-tintengravingsinthedining-room，andblue，cashmerefurnitureinthesalon，——alldetailsofachillingand，perfectlyunmeaningcharacter，butwhichtotheeyesofVille-aux-
FayesseemedthelasteffortsofSardanapalianluxury。Madame，Gaubertinplayedtheroleofelegancewithgreateffect;sheassumed，littleairsandwaslackadaisicalatforty-fiveyearsofage，as，thoughcertainofthehomageofhercourt。
WeaskthosewhoreallyknowFrance，ifthesehouses——thoseofRigou，Soudry，andGaubertin——arenotaperfectpresentationofthevillage，thelittletown，andtheseatofasub-prefecture？
Withoutbeingamanofmind，oramanoftalent，Gaubertinhadthe，appearanceofbeingboth。Heowedtheaccuracyofhisperceptionand，hisconsummatearttoanextremekeennessaftergain。Hedesired，wealth，notforhiswife，notforhischildren，notforhimself，not，forhisfamily，notforthereputationthatmoneygives;afterthe，gratificationofhisrevenge(thehopeofwhichkepthimalive)he，lovedthetouchofmoney，likeNucingen，who，itwassaid，kept，fingeringthegoldinhispockets。Therushofbusinesswas，Gaubertin’swine;andthoughhehadhisbellyfullofit，hehadall，theeagernessofonewhowasempty。Aswithvaletsofthedrama，intrigues，trickstoplay，mischieftoorganize，deceptions，commercialover-reachings，accountstorenderandreceive，disputes，andquarrelsofself-interest，exhilaratedhim，kepthisbloodin，circulation，andhisbileflowing。Hewentandcameonfoot，on，horseback，inacarriage，bywater;hewasatallauctionsandtimber，salesinParis，thinkingofeverything，keepinghundredsofwiresin，hishandsandnevergettingthemtangled。
Quick，decidedinhismovementsasinhisideas，shortandsquatin，figure，withathinnose，afieryeye，anearonthe“quivive，“there，wassomethingofthehunting-dogabouthim。Hisbrownface，veryround，andsunburned，fromwhichthetannedearsstoodoutpredominantly，——
forhealwaysworeacap，——wasinkeepingwiththatcharacter。His，noseturnedup;histightly-closedlipscouldneverhaveopenedtosay，akindlything。Hisbushywhiskersformedapairofblackandshiny，tuftsbeneaththehighly-coloredcheek-bones，andwerelostinhis，cravat。Hairthatwaspepper-and-saltincolorandfrizzlednaturally，instageslikethoseofajudge’swig，seemingscorchedbythefuryof，thefirewhichheatedhisbrownskullandgleamedinhisgrayeyes，surroundedbycircularwrinkles(nodoubtfromahabitofalways，blinkingwhenhelookedacrossthecountryinfullsunlight)，completedthecharacteristicsofhisphysiognomy。Hisleanand，vigoroushandswerehairy，knobbed，andclaw-like，likethoseofmen，whodotheirshareoflabor。Hispersonalitywasagreeabletothose，withwhomhehadtodo，forhewrappeditinamisleadinggayety;he，knewhowtotalkagreatdealwithoutsayingawordofwhathemeant，tokeepunsaid。Hewrotelittle，soastodenyanythingthatescaped，himwhichmightproveunfavorableinitsaftereffectsuponhis，interests。Hisbooksandpaperswerekeptbyacashier，——anhonest，man，whommenofGaubertin’sstampalwaysseektogetholdof，and，whomtheymake，intheirownselfishinterests，theirfirstdupe。
WhenRigou’slittlegreenchaiseappeared，towardstwelveo’clock，in，thebroadavenuewhichskirtstheriver，Gaubertin，incap，boots，and，jacket，wasreturningfromthewharves。Hehastenedhissteps，——
feelingverysurethatRigou’sobjectincomingovercouldonlybe，“thegreataffair。”
“Goodmorning，gendarme;goodmorning，paunchofgallandwisdom，“he，said，givingalittleslaptothestomachsofhistwovisitors。“We，havebusinesstotalkover，and，faith！we’lldoitglassinhand;
that’sthetruewaytotakethings。”
“Ifyoudoyourbusinessthatway，yououghttobefatterthanyou，are，“saidRigou。
“Iworktoohard;I’mnotlikeyoutwo，confinedtothehouseand，bewitchedthere，likeolddotards。Well，well，afterallthat’sthe，bestway;youcandoyourbusinesscomfortablyinanarm-chair，with，yourbacktothefireandyourbellyattable;customgoestoyou，I
havetogoafterit。Butnow，comein，comein！thehouseisyoursfor，thetimeyoustay。”
Aservant，inblueliveryedgedwithscarlet，tookthehorsebythe，bridleandledhimintothecourtyard，whereweretheofficesandthe，stable。
Gaubertinlefthisgueststowalkaboutthegardenforamoment，while，hewenttogivehisordersandarrangeaboutthebreakfast。
“Well，mywolves，“hesaid，ashereturned，rubbinghishands，“the，gendarmerieofSoulangeswereseenthismorningatdaybreak，marching，towardsConches;nodoubttheymeantoarrestthepeasantsfor，depredations;ha，ha！thingsaregettingwarm，warm！Bythistime，“he，added，lookingathiswatch，“thosefellowsmayhavebeenarrested。”
“Probably，“saidRigou。
“Well，whatdoyouallsayoverthere？Hasanythingbeendecided？”
“Whatistheretodecide？”askedRigou。“Wehavenopartinit，“he，added，lookingatSoudry。
“Howdoyoumeannothingtodecide？IfLesAiguesissoldasthe，resultofourcoalition，whoistogainfiveorsixhundredthousand，francsoutofit？Doyouexpectmeto，allalone？No，myinsideisnot，strongenoughtosplituptwomillions，withthreechildrento，establish，andawifewhohasn’tthefirstideaaboutthevalueof，money;no，Imusthaveassociates。Here’sthegendarme，hehasplenty，offundsallready。Iknowhedoesn’tholdasinglemortgagethat，isn’treadytomature;heonlylendsnowonnotesatsightofwhichI
endorse。I’llgointothisthingbytheamountofeighthundred，thousandfrancs;myson，thejudge，twohundredthousand;andIcount，onthegendarmefortwohundredthousandmore;now，howmuchwillyou，putin，skull-cap？”
“Alltherest，“repliedRigou，stiffly。
“Thedevil！well，IwishIhadmyhandwhereyourheartis！”exclaimed，Gaubertin。“Nowwhatareyougoingtodo？”
“Whateveryoudo;tellyourplan。”
“Myplan，“saidGaubertin，“istotakedouble，andsellhalftothe，Conches，andCerneux，andBlangyfolkswhowanttobuy。Soudryhashis，clients，andyouyours，andI，mine。That’snotthedifficulty。The，thingis，howarewegoingtoarrangeamongourselves？Howshallwe，divideupthegreatlots？”
“Nothingeasier，“saidRigou。“We’lleachtakewhatwelikebest。I，forone，shallstandinnobody’sway;I’lltakethewoodsincommon，withSoudryandmyson-in-law;thetimberhasbeensoinjuredthatyou，won’tcareforitnow，andyoumayhavealltherest。Faith，itis，worththemoneyyou’llputintoit！”
“Willyousignthatagreement？”saidSoudry。
“Awrittenagreementisworthnothing，“repliedGaubertin。“Besides，youknowIamplayingaboveboard;Ihaveperfectconfidencein，Rigou，andheshallbethepurchaser。”
“Thatwillsatisfyme，“saidRigou。
“Iwillmakeonlyonecondition，“addedGaubertin。“Imusthavethe，pavilionoftheRendezvous，withallitsappurtenances，andfifty，acresofthesurroundingland。Ishallmakeitmycountry-house，and，itshallbenearmywoods。MadameGaubertin——MadameIsaure，forthat’s，whatshewantspeopletocallher——sayssheshallmakeithervilla。”
“I’mwilling，“saidRigou。
“Well，now，betweenourselves，“continuedGaubertin，afterlooking，abouthimonallsidesandmakingsurethatnoonecouldoverhearhim，“doyouthinktheyarecapableofstrikingablow？”
“Suchas？”askedRigou，whoneverallowedhimselftounderstanda，hint。
“Well，iftheworstoftheband，thebestshot，sentaballwhistling，roundtheearsofthecount——justtofrightenhim？”
“He’samantorushatanassailantandcollarhim。”
“Michaud，then。”
“Michaudwoulddonothingatthemoment，buthe’dwatchandspytill，hefoundoutthemanandthosewhoinstigatedhim。”
“Youareright，“saidGaubertin;“thosepeasantsmustmakeariotand，afewmustbesenttothegalleys。Well，somuchthebetterforus;
theauthoritieswillcatchtheworst，whomweshallwanttogetridof，afterthey’vedonethework。Therearethoseblackguards，theTonsards，andBonnebault——“
“Tonsardisreadyformischief，“saidSoudry，“Iknowthat;andwe’ll，workhimupbyVaudoyerandCourtecuisse。”
“I’llanswerforCourtecuisse，“saidRigou。
“AndIholdVaudoyerinthehollowofmyhand。”
“Becautious！”saidRigou;“beforeeverythingelsebecautious。”
“Now，papaskull-cap，doyoumeantotellmethatthere’sanyharmin，speakingofthingsastheyare？Isitwewhoareindictingand，arresting，orgleaningordepredating？IfMonsieurlecomteknowswhat，he’saboutandleasesthewoodstothereceiver-generalitisallup，withourschemes，——’Farewellbaskets，thevintageiso’er’;inthat，caseyouwilllosemorethanI。Whatwesayhereisbetweenourselves，andforourselves;forIcertainlywouldn’tsayawordtoVaudoyer，thatIcouldn’trepeattoGodandman。Butitisnotforbidden，I
suppose，toprofitbyanyeventsthatmaytakeplace。Thepeasantryof，thiscantonarehot-headed;thegeneral’sexactions，hisseverity，Michaud’spersecutions，andthoseofhiskeepershaveexasperated，them;to-daythingshavecometoacrisisandI’llbetthere’sa，rumpusgoingonnowwiththegendarmerie。Andso，let’sgoand，breakfast。”
MadameGaubertincameintothegardenjustthen。Shewasaratherfair，womanwithlongcurls，calledEnglish，hangingdownhercheeks，who，playedthestyleofsentimentalvirtue，pretendednevertohaveknown，love，talkedplatonicstoallthemenabouther，andkeptthe，prosecuting-attorneyatherbeckandcall。Shewasgiventocapswith，largebows，butpreferredtowearonlyherhair。Shedanced，andat，forty-fiveyearsofagehadthemincingmannerofagirl;herfeet，however，werelargeandherhandsfrightful。Shewishedtobecalled，Isaure，becauseamongherotherodditiesandabsurditiesshehadthe，tastetorepudiatethenameofGaubertinasvulgar。Hereyeswere，lightandherhairofanundecidedcolor，somethinglikedirty，nankeen。Suchasshewas，shewastakenasamodelbyanumberof，youngladies，whostabbedtheskieswiththeirglances，andposedas，angels。
“Well，gentlemen，“shesaid，bowing，“Ihavesomestrangenewsfor，you。Thegendarmeriehavereturned。”
“Didtheymakeanyprisoners？”
“None;thegeneral，itseems，hadpreviouslyobtainedthepardonof，thedepredators。Itwasgiveninhonorofthishappyanniversaryof，theking’srestorationtoFrance。”
Thethreeassociateslookedateachother。
“HeisclevererthanIthoughtfor，thatbigcuirassier！”said，Gaubertin。“Well，cometobreakfast。Afterall，thegameisnotlost，onlypostponed;itisyouraffairnow，Rigou。”
SoudryandRigoudrovebackdisappointed，notbeingableasyetto，plananyothercatastrophetoservetheirendsandrelying，as，Gaubertinadvised，onwhatmightturnup。LikecertainJacobinsatthe，outsetoftheRevolutionwhowerefuriouswithLouisXVI。’s，conciliations，andwhoprovokedseveremeasuresatcourtinthehope，ofproducinganarchy，whichtothemmeantfortuneandpower，the，formidableenemiesofGeneralMontcornetstakedtheirpresenthopeson，theseveritywhichMichaudandhiskeeperswerelikelytoemploy，againstfuturedepredators。Gaubertinpromisedthemhisassistance，withoutexplainingwhowerehisco-operators，forhedidnotwishthem，toknowabouthisrelationswithSibilet。Nothingcanequalthe，prudenceofamanofGaubertin’sstamp，unlessitbethatofanex-
gendarmeoranunfrockedpriest。Thisplotcouldnothavebeenbrought，toasuccessfulissue，——asuccessfullyevilissue，——unlessbythree，suchmenasthese，steepedinhatredandself-interest。
CHAPTERV
VICTORYWITHOUTAFIGHT
MadameMichaud’sfearsweretheeffectofthatsecondsightwhich，comesoftruepassion。Exclusivelyabsorbedbyoneonlybeing，the，soulfinallygraspsthewholemoralworldwhichsurroundsthatbeing;
itseesclearly。Awomanwhenshelovesfeelsthesamepresentiments，whichdisquietherlaterwhenamother。
Whilethepooryoungwomanlistenedtotheconfusedvoicescomingfrom，afaracrossanunknownspace，ascenewasreallyhappeninginthe，tavernoftheGrand-I-Vertwhichthreatenedherhusband’slife。
Aboutfiveo’clockthatmorningearlyrisershadseenthegendarmerie，ofSoulangesonitswaytoConches。Thenewscirculatedrapidly;and，thosewhomitchieflyinterestedweremuchsurprisedtolearnfrom，others，wholivedonhighground，thatadetachmentcommandedbythe，lieutenantofVille-aux-FayeshadmarchedthroughtheforestofLes，Aigues。AsitwasaMonday，therewerealreadygoodreasonswhythe，peasantsshouldbeatthetavern;butitwasalsotheeveofthe，anniversaryoftherestorationoftheBourbons，andthoughthe，frequentersofTonsard’sdenhadnoneedofthat“augustcause“(as，theysaidinthosedays)toexplaintheirpresenceattheGrand-I-
Vert，theydidnotfailtomakethemostofitifthemereshadowof，anofficialfunctionaryappeared。
Vaudoyer，Courtecuisse，Tonsardandhisfamily，Godain，andanold，vine-dressernamedLaroche，werethereearlyinthemorning。The，latterwasamanwhoscratchedalivingfromdaytoday;hewasoneof，thedelinquentscollectedinBlangyunderthesortofsubscription，inventedbySibiletandCourtecuissetodisgustthegeneralbythe，resultsofhisindictments。Blangyhadsuppliedthreemen，twelve，women，alsoeightgirlsandfiveboysforwhomparentwereanswerable，allofwhomwereinaconditionofpauperism;buttheyweretheonly，oneswhocouldbefoundthatwereso。Theyear1823hadbeenavery，profitableonetothepeasantry，and1826aslikely，throughthe，enormousquantityofwineyielded，tobringtheminagooddealof，money;addtothistheworksatLesAigues，undertakenbythegeneral，whichhadputagreatdealmoreincirculationthroughoutthethree，districtswhichborderedontheestate。Ithadthereforebeenquite，difficulttofindinBlangy，Conches，andCerneux，onehundredand，twentyindigentpersonsagainstwhomtobringthesuits;andinorder，todoso，theyhadtakenoldwomen，mothers，andgrandmothersofthose，whoownedpropertybutwhopossessednothingoftheirown，like，Tonsard’smother。Laroche，anoldlaborer，possessedabsolutely，nothing;hewasnot，likeTonsard，hot-bloodedandvicious，——his，motivepowerwasacold，dullhatred;hetoiledinsilencewitha，sullenface;workwasintolerabletohim，buthehadtoworktolive;
hisfeatureswerehardandtheirexpressionrepulsive。Thoughsixty，yearsold，hewasstillstrong，exceptthathisbackwasbent;hesaw，nofuturebeforehim，nospotthathecouldcallhisown，andhe，enviedthosewhopossessedtheland;forthisreasonhehadnopityon，theforestsofLesAigues，andtookpleasureindespoilingthem，uselessly。
“Willtheybeallowedtoputusinprison？”hewassaying。“After，Conchesthey’llcometoBlangy。I’manoldoffender，andIshallget，threemonths。”
“Whatcanwedoagainstthegendarmerie，olddrunkard？”saidVaudoyer。
“Why！cutthelegsoftheirhorseswithourscythes。That’llbring，themdown;theirmusketsarenotloaded，andwhentheyfindustento，oneagainstthemthey’lldecamp。Ifthethreevillagesallroseand，killedtwoorthreegendarmes，theycouldn’tguillotinethewholeof，us。They’dhavetogiveway，astheydidontheothersideof，Burgundy，wheretheysentaregiment。Bah！thatregimentcameback，again，andthepeasantscutthewoodsjustasmuchastheyeverdid。”
“Ifwekill，“saidVaudoyer;“itisbettertokilloneman;the，questionis，howtodoitwithoutdangerandfrightenthoseArminacs，sothatthey’llbedrivenoutoftheplace。”
“Whichoneshallwekill？”askedLaroche。
“Michaud，“saidCourtecuisse。“Vaudoyerisright，he’sperfectly，right。You’llseethatwhenakeeperissenttotheshadestherewon’t，beoneofthemwillingtostayeveninbroaddaylighttowatchus。Now，they’retherenightandday，——demons！”
“Whereveronegoes，“saidoldMotherTonsard，——whowasseventy-eight，yearsold，andpresentedaparchmentfacehoney-combedwiththesmall-
pox，lightedbyapairofgreeneyes，andframedwithdirty-white，hair，whichescapedinstrandsfromaredhandkerchief，——“whereverone，goes，theretheyare！theystopus，theyopenourbundles，andif，there’sasinglebranch，asingletwigofamiserablehazel，they，seizethewholebundle，andtheysaythey’llarrestus。Ha，the，villains！there’snodeceivingthem;iftheysuspectyou，you’vegot，toundothebundle。Dogs！allthreearenotworthafarthing！Yes，kill’em，anditwon’truinFrance，Itellyou。”
“LittleVatelisnotsobad，“saidMadameTonsard。
“He！”saidLaroche，“hedoeshisbusiness，liketheothers;when，there’sajokegoinghe’lljokewithyou，butyouarenonethebetter，withhimforthat。He’sworsethantherest，——heartlesstopoorfolks，likeMichaudhimself。”
“Michaudhasgotaprettywife，though，“saidNicolasTonsard。
“She’swithyoung，“saidtheoldwoman;“andifthisthinggoeson，there’llbeaqueerkindofbaptismforthelittleonewhenshe，calves。”
“Oh！thoseArminacs！”criedMarieTonsard;“there’snolaughingwith，them;andifyoudid，they’dthreatentoarrestyou。”
“You’vetriedyourhandatcajolingthem，haveyou？”said，Courtecuisse。
“Youmaybetonthat。”
“Well，“saidTonsardwithadeterminedair，“theyaremenlikeother，men，andtheycanbegotridof。”
“ButItellyou，“saidMarie，continuinghertopic，“theywon’tbe，cajoled;Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwiththem;thatbullyatthe，pavilion，he’smarried，butVatel，Gaillard，andSteingelarenot;
they’venotawomanbelongingtothem;indeed，there’snotawomanin，theplacewhowouldmarrythem。”
“Well，weshallseehowthingsgoattheharvestandthevintage，“
saidTonsard。
“Theycan’tstopthegleaning，“saidtheoldwoman。
“Idon’tknowthat，“remarkedMadameTonsard。“Groisonsaidthatthe，mayorwasgoingtopublishanoticethatnooneshouldgleanwithouta，certificateofpauperism;andwho’stogivethatcertificate？Himself，ofcourse。Hewon’tgivemany，Itellyou！Andtheysayheisgoingto，issueanorderthatnooneshallenterthefieldstillthecartsare，allloaded。”
“Why，thefellow’sapestilence！”criedTonsard，besidehimselfwith，rage。
“Iheardthatonlyyesterday，“saidMadameTonsard。“IofferedGroison，aglassofbrandytogetsomethingoutofhim。”
“Groison！there’sanotherluckyfellow！”saidVaudoyer，“they’vebuilt，himahouseandgivenhimagoodwife，andhe’sgotanincomeand，clothesfitforaking。TherewasI，field-keeperfortwentyyears，andallIgotwastherheumatism。”
“Yes，he’sverylucky，“saidGodain，“heownsproperty——“
“Andwegowithout，likethefoolsthatweare，“saidVaudoyer。“Come，let’sbeoffandfindoutwhat’sgoingonatConches;theyarenotso，patientoverthereasweare。”
“Comeon，“saidLaroche，whowasnonetoosteadyonhislegs。“IfI
don’texterminateoneoftwoofthosefellowsmayIlosemyname。”
“You！”saidTonsard，“you’dletthemputthewholedistrictinprison;
butI——iftheydaretotouchmyoldmother，there’smygunandit，nevermisses。”
“Well，“saidLarochetoVaudoyer，“Itellyouthatiftheymakea，singleprisoneratConchesonegendarmeshallfall。”
“Hehassaidit，oldLaroche！”criedCourtecuisse。
“Hehassaidit，“remarkedVaudoyer，“buthehasn’tdoneit，andhe，won’tdoit。Whatgoodwoulditdotogetyourselfguillotinedfor，somegendarmeorother？No，ifyoukill，Isay，killMichaud。”
DuringthissceneCatherineTonsardstoodsentinelatthedoortowarn，thedrinkerstokeepsilentifanyonepassed。Inspiteoftheirhalf-
drunkenlegstheysprangratherthanwalkedoutofthetavern，and，theirbellicosetemperstartedthematagoodpaceontheroadto，Conches，whichledforoveramilealongtheparkwallofLesAigues。
ConcheswasatrueBurgundianvillage，withonestreet，whichwas，crossedbythemainroad。Thehouseswerebuilteitherofbrickorof，cobblestones，andweresqualidinaspect。Followingthemail-roadfrom，Ville-aux-Fayes，thevillagewasseenfromtherearandthereit，presentedratherapicturesqueeffect。Betweentheroadandthe，Ronquerolleswoods，whichcontinuedthoseofLesAiguesandcrowned，theheights，flowedalittleriver，andseveralhouses，rather，prettilygrouped，enlivenedthescene。Thechurchandtheparsonage，stoodaloneandwereseenfromtheparkofLesAigues，whichcame，nearlyuptothem。Infrontofthechurchwasasquareborderedby，trees，wheretheconspiratorsoftheGrand-I-Vertsawthegendarmerie，andhastenedtheiralreadyhastysteps。Justthenthreemenon，horsebackroderapidlyoutoftheparkofLesAiguesandthepeasants，atoncerecognizedthegeneral，hisgroom，andMichaudthebailiff，whocameatagallopintothesquare。Tonsardandhispartyarriveda，minuteortwoafterthem。Thedelinquents，menandwomen，hadmadeno，resistance，andwerestandingbetweenfiveoftheSoulangesgendarmes，andfifteenofthosefromVille-aux-Fayes。Thewholevillagehad，assembled。Thefathers，mothers，andchildrenoftheprisonerswere，goingandcomingandbringingthemwhattheymightwantinprison。It，wasacuriousscene，thatofapopulationoneandallexasperated，but，nearlyallsilent，asthoughtheyhadmadeuptheirmindstoacourse，ofaction。Theoldwomenandtheyoungonesalonespoke。Thechildren，boysandgirls，wereperchedonpilesofwoodandheapsofstonesto，getabettersightofwhatwashappening。
“Theyhavechosentheirtime，thosehussarsoftheguillotine，“said，oneoldwoman;“theyaremakingafeteofit。”
“Areyougoingtolet’emcarryofyourmanlikethat？Howshallyou，managetoliveforthreemonths？——thebestoftheyear，too，whenhe，couldearnsomuch。”
“It’stheywhorobus，“repliedthewoman，lookingatthegendarmes，withathreateningair。
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat，oldwoman？”saidthesergeant。“Ifyou，insultusitwon’ttakelongtosettleyou。”
“Imeantnothing，“saidtheoldwoman，inahumbleandpiteoustone。
“Iheardyousaysomethingjustnowyoumayhavecausetorepentof。”
“Come，come，becalm，allofyou，“saidthemayorofConches，whowas，alsothepostmaster。“Whatthedevilistheuseoftalking？Thesemen，asyouknowverywell，areunderordersandmustobey。”
“That’strue;it’stheownerofLesAigueswhopersecutesus——But，patience！”
Justthenthegeneralrodeintothesquareandhisarrivalcauseda，fewgroanswhichdidnottroublehimintheleast。Herodestraightup，tothelieutenantincommand，andaftersayingafewwordsgavehima，paper;theofficerthenturnedtohismenandsaid：“Releaseyour，prisoners;thegeneralhasobtainedtheirpardon。”
GeneralMontcornetwasthenspeakingtothemayor;afterafew，moments’conversationinalowtone，thelatter，addressingthe，delinquents，whoexpectedtosleepinprisonandwereagooddeal，surprisedtofindthemselvesfree，saidtothem：——
“Myfriends，thankMonsieurlecomte。Youoweyourreleasetohim。He，wenttoParisandobtainedyourpardoninhonoroftheanniversaryof，theking’srestoration。Ihopethatinfutureyouwillconduct，yourselfproperlytoamanwhohasbehavedsowelltoyou，andthat，youwillinfuturerespecthisproperty。LonglivetheKing！”
Thepeasantsshouted“LonglivetheKing！”withenthusiasm，toavoid，shouting，“HurrahfortheComtedeMontcornet！”
Thescenewasabitofpolicyarrangedbetweenthegeneral，the，prefect，andtheattorney-general;fortheywereallanxious，while，showingenoughfirmnesstokeepthelocalauthoritiesuptotheirduty，andawethecountry-people，tobeasgentleaspossible，fully，realizingastheydidthedifficultiesofthequestion。Infact，if，resistancehadoccurred，thegovernmentwouldhavebeeninatight，place。AsLarochetrulysaid，theycouldnotguillotineoreven，convictawholecommunity。
ThegeneralinvitedthemayorofConches，thelieutenant，andthe，sergeanttobreakfast。TheconspiratorsoftheGrand-I-Vertadjourned，tothetavernofConches，wherethedelinquentsspentindrinkthe，moneytheirrelationshadgiventhemtotaketoprison，sharingit，withtheBlangypeople，whowerenaturallypartofthewedding，——the，word“wedding“beingappliedindiscriminatelyinBurgundytoallsuch，rejoicings。Todrink，quarrel，fight，eatandgohomedrunkandsick，——thatisaweddingtothesepeasants。
Thegeneral，whohadcomebythepark，tookhisguestsbackthrough，theforestthattheymightseeforthemselvestheinjurydonetothe，timber，andsojudgeoftheimportanceofthequestion。
JustasRigouandSoudrywereontheirwaybacktoBlangy，thecount，andcountess，EmileBlondet，thelieutenantofgendarmerie，the，sergeant，andthemayorofConcheswerefinishingtheirbreakfastin，thesplendiddining-roomwhereBouret’sluxuryhadleftthedelightful，tracesalreadydescribedbyBlondetinhislettertoNathan。
“Itwouldbeaterriblepitytoabandonthisbeautifulhome，“saidthe，lieutenant，whohadneverbeforebeenatLesAigues，andwhowas，glancingoveraglassofchampagneatthecirclingnymphsthat，supportedtheceiling。
“Weintendtodefendittothedeath，“saidBlondet。
“IfIsaythat，“continuedthelieutenant，lookingathissergeantas，iftoenjoinsilence，“itisbecausethegeneral’senemiesarenot，onlyamongthepeasantry——“
Theworthymanwasquitemovedbytheexcellenceofthebreakfast，the，magnificenceofthesilverservice，theimperialluxurythat，surroundedhim，andBlondet’sclevertalkexcitedhimasmuchasthe，champagnehehadimbibed。
“Enemies！haveIenemies？”saidthegeneral，surprised。
“He，sokind！”addedthecountess。
“Butyouareonbadtermswithourmayor，MonsieurGaubertin，“said，thelieutenant。“Itwouldbewise，forthesakeofthefuture，tobe，reconciledwithhim。”
“Withhim！”criedthecount。“Thenyoudon’tknowthathewasmy，formersteward，andaswindler！”
“Aswindlernolonger，“saidthelieutenant，“forheismayorof，Ville-aux-Fayes。”
“Ha，ha！”laughedBlondet，“thelieutenant’switiskeen;evidentlya，mayorisessentiallyanhonestman。”
Thelieutenant，convincedbythecount’swordsthatitwasuselessto，attempttoenlightenhim，saidnomoreonthatsubject，andthe，conversationchanged。