第1章

ToMonsieurdeMargone。

Ingratefulremembrance，fromhisguestattheChateaudeSache。

DeBalzac。

ANHISTORICALMYSTERY

PARTI

CHAPTERI

JUDAS

Theautumnoftheyear1803wasoneofthefinestintheearlypartofthatperiodofthepresentcenturywhichwenowcall"Empire。"RainhadrefreshedtheearthduringthemonthofOctober，sothatthetreeswerestillgreenandleafyinNovember。TheFrenchpeoplewerebeginningtoputfaithinasecretunderstandingbetweentheskiesandBonaparte，thendeclaredConsulforlife，——abeliefinwhichthatmanowespartofhisprestige；strangetosay，onthedaythesunfailedhim，in1812，hisluckceased！

AboutfourintheafternoononthefifteenthofNovember，1803，thesunwascastingwhatlookedlikescarletdustuponthevenerabletopsoffourrowsofelmsinalongbaronialavenue，andsparklingonthesandandgrassyplacesofanimmense/rond-point/，suchasweoftenseeinthecountrywherelandischeapenoughtobesacrificedtoornament。Theairwassopure，theatmospheresotemperedthatafamilywassittingoutofdoorsasifitweresummer。Amandressedinahunting-jacketofgreendrillingwithgreenbuttons，andbreechesofthesamestuff，andwearingshoeswiththinsolesandgaiterstotheknee，wascleaningagunwiththeminutecareaskilfulhuntsmangivestotheworkinhisleisurehours。Thismanhadneithergamenorgame-

bag，noranyoftheaccoutrementswhichdenoteeitherdepartureforahuntorthereturnfromit；andtwowomensittingnearwerelookingathimasthoughbesetbyaterrortheycouldill-conceal。Anyoneobservingthescenetakingplaceinthisleafynookwouldhaveshuddered，astheoldmother-in-lawandthewifeofthemanwespeakofwerenowshuddering。Ahuntsmandoesnottakesuchminuteprecautionswithhisweapontokillsmallgame，neitherdoesheuse，inthedepartmentoftheAube，aheavyrifledcarbine。

"Shallyoukillaroe-buck，Michu？"saidhishandsomeyoungwife，tryingtoassumealaughingair。

Beforereplying，Michulookedathisdog，whichhadbeenlyinginthesun，itspawsstretchedoutanditsnoseonitspaws，inthecharmingattitudeofatrainedhunter。Theanimalhadjustraiseditsheadandwassnuffingtheair，firstdowntheavenuenearlyamilelongwhichstretchedbeforethem，andthenupthecrossroadwhereitenteredthe/rond-point/totheleft。

"No，"answeredMichu，"butabruteIdonotwishtomiss，alynx。"

Thedog，amagnificentspaniel，whitewithbrownspots，growled。

"Hah！"saidMichu，talkingtohimself，"spies！thecountryswarmswiththem。"

MadameMichulookedappealinglytoheaven。Abeautifulfairwomanwithblueeyes，composedandthoughtfulinexpressionandmadelikeanantiquestatue，sheseemedtobeapreytosomedarkandbittergrief。

Thehusband’sappearancemayexplaintoacertainextenttheevidentfearofthetwowomen。Thelawsofphysiognomyareprecise，notonlyintheirapplicationtocharacter，butalsoinrelationtothedestiniesoflife。Thereissuchathingaspropheticphysiognomy。Ifitwerepossible(andsuchavitalstatisticwouldbeofvaluetosociety)toobtainexactlikenessesofthosewhoperishonthescaffold，thescienceofLavatarandalsothatofGallwouldproveunmistakablythattheheadsofallsuchpersons，eventhosewhoareinnocent，showpropheticsigns。Yes，fatesetsitsmarkonthefacesofthosewhoaredoomedtodieaviolentdeathofanykind。Now，thissign，thisseal，visibletotheeyeofanobserver，wasimprintedontheexpressivefaceofthemanwiththerifledcarbine。Shortandstout，abruptandactiveinhismotionsasamonkey，thoughcalmintemperament，Michuhadawhitefaceinjectedwithblood，andfeaturessetclosetogetherlikethoseofaTartar，——alikenesstowhichhiscrinkledredhairconveyedasinisterexpression。Hiseyes，clearandyellowasthoseofatiger，showeddepthsbehindtheminwhichtheglanceofwhoeverexaminedthemanmightloseitselfandneverfindeitherwarmthormotion。Fixed，luminous，andrigid，thoseeyesterrifiedwhoevergazedintothem。ThesingularcontrastbetweentheimmobilityoftheeyesandtheactivityofthebodyincreasedthechillingimpressionconveyedbyafirstsightofMichu。Action，alwayspromptinthisman，wastheoutcomeofasinglethought；justasthelifeofanimalsis，withoutreflection，theoutcomeofinstinct。Since1793hehadtrimmedhisredbeardtotheshapeofafan。Evenifhehadnotbeen(ashewasduringtheTerror)presidentofaclubofJacobins，thispeculiarityofhisheadwouldinitselfhavemadehimterribletobehold。HisSocraticfacewithitsbluntnosewassurmountedbyafineforehead，soprojecting，however，thatitoverhungtherestofthefeatures。Theears，welldetachedfromthehead，hadthesortofmobilitywhichwefindinthoseofwildanimals，whichareeveronthequi-vive。Themouth，half-open，asthecustomusuallyisamongcountry-people，showedteeththatwerestrongandwhiteasalmonds，butirregular。Gleamingredwhiskersframedthisface，whichwaswhiteandyetmottledinspots。Thehair，croppedcloseinfrontandallowedtogrowlongatthesidesandonthebackofthehead，broughtintorelief，byitssavageredness，allthestrangeandfatefulpeculiaritiesofthissingularface。Theneckwhichwasshortandthick，seemedtotempttheaxe。

Atthismomentthesunbeams，fallinginlonglinesathwartthegroup，lightedupthethreeheadsatwhichthedogfromtimetotimeglancedup。Thespotonwhichthisscenetookplacewasmagnificentlyfine。

The/rond-point/isattheentranceoftheparkofGondreville，oneofthefinestestatesinFrance，andbyfarthefinestinthedepartmentsoftheAube；itboastsoflongavenuesofelms，acastlebuiltfromdesignsbyMansart，aparkoffifteenhundredacresenclosedbyastonewall，ninelargefarms，aforest，mills，andmeadows。ThisalmostregalpropertybelongedbeforetheRevolutiontothefamilyofSimeuse。XimeusewasafeudalestateinLorraine；thenamewaspronouncedSimeuse，andincourseoftimeitcametobewrittenaspronounced。

ThegreatfortuneoftheSimeusefamily，adherentsoftheHouseofBurgundy，datesfromthetimewhentheGuiseswereinconflictwiththeValois。Richelieufirst，andafterwardsLouisXIV。rememberedtheirdevotiontothefactioushouseofLorraine，andrebuffedthem。

ThentheMarquisdeSimeuse，anoldBurgundian，oldGuiser，oldleaguer，old/frondeur/(heinheritedthefourgreatrancorsofthenobilityagainstroyalty)，cametoliveatCinq-Cygne。Theformercourtier，rejectedattheLouvre，marriedthewidowoftheComtedeCinq-Cygne，youngerbranchofthefamousfamilyofChargeboeuf，oneofthemostillustriousnamesinChampagne，andnowascelebratedandopulentastheelder。Themarquis，amongtherichestmenofhisday，insteadofwastinghissubstanceatcourt，builtthechateauofGondreville，enlargedtheestatebythepurchaseofothers，andunitedtheseveraldomains，solelyforthepurposesofahunting-ground。HealsobuilttheSimeusemansionatTroyes，notfarfromthatoftheCinq-Cygnes。Thesetwooldhousesandthebishop’spalacewerelongtheonlystonemansionsatTroyes。ThemarquissoldSimeusetotheDucdeLorraine。Hissonwastedthefather’ssavingsandsomepartofhisgreatfortuneunderthereignofLouisXV。，buthesubsequentlyenteredthenavy，becameavice-admiral，andredeemedthefolliesofhisyouthbybrilliantservices。TheMarquisdeSimeuse，sonofthisnavalworthy，perishedwithhiswifeonthescaffoldatTroyes，leavingtwinsons，whoemigratedandwere，atthetimeourhistoryopens，stillinforeignpartsfollowingthefortunesofthehouseofConde。

The/rond-point/wasthesceneofthemeetinthetimeofthe"GrandMarquis"——anamegiveninthefamilytotheSimeusewhobuiltGondreville。Since1789Michulivedinthehuntinglodgeattheentrancetothepark，builtinthereignofLouisXIV。，andcalledthepavilionofCinq-Cygne。ThevillageofCinq-CygneisattheendoftheforestofNodesme(acorruptionofNotre-Dame)whichwasreachedthroughthefineavenueoffourrowsofelmswhereMichu’sdogwasnowsuspectingspies。AfterthedeathoftheGrandMarquisthispavilionfellintodisuse。Thevice-admiralpreferredthecourtandtheseatoChampagne，andhissongavethedilapidatedbuildingtoMichuforadwelling。

Thisnoblestructureisofbrick，withvermiculatedstone-workattheanglesandonthecasingsofthedoorsandwindows。Oneithersideisagatewayoffinelywroughtiron，eatenwithrustandconnectedbyarailing，beyondwhichisawideanddeepha-ha，fullofvigoroustrees，itsparapetsbristlingwithironarabesques，theinnumerablesharppointsofwhichareawarningtoevil-doers。

Theparkwallsbeginoneachsideofthecircumferenceofthe/rond-

point/；ontheonehandthefinesemi-circleisdefinedbyslopesplantedwithelms；ontheother，withinthepark，acorrespondinghalf-circleisformedbygroupsofraretrees。Thepavilion，therefore，standsatthecentreofthisroundopenspace，whichextendsbeforeitandbehinditintheshapeoftwohorseshoes。Michuhadturnedtheroomsonthelowerfloorintoastable，akitchen，andawood-shed。Theonlytraceremainingoftheirancientsplendorwasanantechamberpavedwithmarbleinsquaresofblackandwhite，whichwasenteredontheparksidethroughadoorwithsmallleadedpanes，suchasmightstillbeseenatVersaillesbeforeLouis-PhilippeturnedthatChateauintoanasylumforthegloriesofFrance。Thepavilionisdividedinsidebyanoldstaircaseofworm-eatenwood，fullofcharacter，whichleadstothefirststory。Abovethatisanimmensegarret。Thisvenerableedificeiscoveredbyoneofthosevastroofswithfoursides，aridgepoledecoratedwithleadenornaments，andaroundprojectingwindowoneachside，suchasMansartveryjustlydelightedin；forinFrance，theItalianatticsandflatroofsareafollyagainstwhichourclimateprotests。Michukepthisfodderinthisgarret。ThatportionoftheparkwhichsurroundstheoldpavilionisEnglishinstyle。Ahundredfeetfromthehouseaformerlake，nowamerepondwellstockedwithfish，makesknownitsvicinityasmuchbyathinmistrisingabovethetree-topsasbythecroakingofathousandfrogs，toads，andotheramphibiousgossipswhodiscourseatsunset。Thetime-wornlookofeverything，thedeepsilenceofthewoods，thelongperspectiveoftheavenue，theforestinthedistance，therustyiron-work，themassesofstonedrapedwithvelvetmosses，allmadepoetryofthisoldstructure，whichstillexists。

AtthemomentwhenourhistorybeginsMichuwasleaningagainstamossyparapetonwhichhehadlaidhispowder-horn，cap，handkerchief，screw-driver，andrags，——infact，alltheutensilsneededforhissuspiciousoccupation。Hiswife’schairwasagainstthewallbesidetheouterdoorofthehouse，abovewhichcouldstillbeseenthearmsoftheSimeusefamily，richlycarved，withtheirnoblemotto，"Cymeurs。"Theoldmother，inpeasantdress，hadmovedherchairinfrontofMadameMichu，sothatthelattermightputherfeetupontherungsandkeepthemfromdampness。

"Where’stheboy？"saidMichutohiswife。

"Roundthepond；heiscrazyaboutthefrogsandtheinsects，"

answeredthemother。

Michuwhistledinawaythatmadehishearerstremble。TherapiditywithwhichhissonranuptohimprovedplainlyenoughthedespoticpowerofthebailiffofGondreville。Since1789，butmoreespeciallysince1793，Michuhadbeenwell-nighmasteroftheproperty。Theterrorheinspiredinhiswife，hismother-in-law，aservant-ladnamedGaucher，andthecooknamedMarianne，wassharedthroughoutaneighborhoodoftwentymilesincircumference。Itmaybewelltogive，withoutfurtherdelay，thereasonsforthisfear，——allthemorebecauseanaccountofthemwillcompletethemoralportraitoftheman。

TheoldMarquisdeSimeusetransferredthegreaterpartofhispropertyin1790；but，overtakenbycircumstances，hehadnotbeenabletoputtheestateofGondrevilleintosurehands。AccusedofcorrespondingwiththeDukeofBrunswickandthePrinceofCobourg，themarquisandhiswifewerethrustintoprisonandcondemnedtodeathbytherevolutionarytribunalofTroyes，ofwhichMadameMichu’sfatherwasthenpresident。ThefinedomainofGondrevillewassoldasnationalproperty。Thehead-keeper，tothehorrorofmany，waspresentattheexecutionofthemarquisandhiswifeinhiscapacityaspresidentoftheclubofJacobinsatArcis。Michu，theorphansonofapeasant，showeredwithbenefactionsbythemarquise，whobroughthimupinherownhomeandgavehimhisplaceaskeeper，wasregardedasaBrutusbyexciteddemagogues；butthepeopleoftheneighborhoodceasedtorecognizehimafterthisactofbaseingratitude。ThepurchaseroftheestatewasamanfromArcisnamedMarion，grandsonofaformerbailiffintheSimeusefamily。Thisman，alawyerbeforeandaftertheRevolution，wasafraidofthekeeper；hemadehimhisbailiffwithasalaryofthreethousandfrancs，andgavehimaninterestinthesalesoftimber；Michu，whowasthoughttohavesometenthousandfrancsofhisownlaidby，marriedthedaughterofatanneratTroyes，anapostleoftheRevolutioninthattown，wherehewaspresidentoftherevolutionarytribunal。Thistanner，amanofprofoundconvictions，whoresembledSaint-Justastocharacter，wasafterwardsmixedupinBaboeuf’sconspiracyandkilledhimselftoescapeexecution。MarthewasthehandsomestgirlinTroyes。InspiteofhershrinkingmodestyshehadbeenforcedbyherformidablefathertoplaythepartofGoddessofLibertyinsomerepublicanceremony。

ThenewproprietorcameonlythreetimestoGondrevilleinthecourseofsevenyears。HisgrandfatherhadbeenbailiffoftheestateundertheSimeusefamily，andallArcistookforgrantedthatthecitizenMarionwasthesecretrepresentativeofthepresentMarquisandhistwinbrother。AslongastheTerrorlasted，Michu，stillbailiffofGondreville，adevotedpatriot，son-in-lawofthepresidentoftherevolutionarytribunalofTroyesandflatteredbyMalin，representativefromthedepartmentoftheAube，wastheobjectofacertainsortofrespect。ButwhentheMountainwasoverthrownandafterhisfather-in-lawcommittedsuicide，hefoundhimselfascape-

goat；everybodyhastenedtoaccusehim，incommonwithhisfather-in-

law，ofactstowhich，sofarashewasconcerned，hewasatotalstranger。Thebailiffresentedtheinjusticeofthecommunity；hestiffenedhisbackandtookanattitudeofhostility。Hetalkedboldly。Butafterthe18thBrumairehemaintainedanunbrokensilence，thephilosophyofthestrong；hestrugglednolongeragainstpublicopinion，andcontentedhimselfwithattendingtohisownaffairs，——

wiseconduct，whichledhisneighborstopronouncehimsly，forheowned，itwassaid，afortuneofnotlessthanahundredthousandfrancsinlandedproperty。Inthefirstplace，hespentnothing；next，thispropertywaslegitimatelyacquired，partlyfromtheinheritanceofhisfather-in-law’sestate，andpartlyfromthesavingsofsix-

thousandfrancsayear，thesalaryhederivedfromhisplacewithitsprofitsandemoluments。HehadbeenbailiffofGondrevilleforthelasttwelveyearsandeveryonehadestimatedtheprobableamountofhissavings，sothatwhen，aftertheConsulatewasproclaimed，heboughtafarmforfiftythousandfrancs，thesuspicionsattachingtohisformeropinionslessened，andthecommunityofArcisgavehimcreditforintendingtorecoverhimselfinpublicestimation。

Unfortunately，attheverymomentwhenpublicopinionwascondoninghispastafoolishaffair，envenomedbythegossipofthecountry-

side，revivedthelatentandverygeneralbeliefintheferocityofhischaracter。

Oneevening，comingawayfromTroyesincompanywithseveralpeasants，amongwhomwasthefarmeratCinq-Cygne，heletfallapaperonthemainroad；thefarmer，whowaswalkingbehindhim，stoopedandpickeditup。Michuturnedround，sawthepaperintheman’shands，pulledapistolfromhisbeltandthreatenedthefarmer(whoknewhowtoread)

toblowhisbrainsoutifheopenedthepaper。Michu’sactionwassosuddenandviolent，thetoneofhisvoicesoalarming，hiseyesblazedsosavagely，thatthemenabouthimturnedcoldwithfear。ThefarmerofCinq-Cygnewasalreadyhisenemy。MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，theman’semployer，wasacousinoftheSimeusebrothers；shehadonlyonefarmleftforhermaintenanceandwasnowresidingatherchateauofCinq-Cygne。Shelivedforhercousinsthetwins，withwhomshehadplayedinchildhoodatTroyesandatGondreville。Heronlybrother，JulesdeCinq-Cygne，whoemigratedbeforethetwins，diedatMayence，butbyaprivilegewhichwassomewhatrareandwillbementionedlater，thenameofCinq-Cygnewasnottoperishthroughlackofmaleheirs。

ThisaffairbetweenMichuandthefarmermadeagreatnoiseinthearrondissementanddarkenedthealreadymysteriousshadowswhichseemedtoveilhim。Norwasittheonlycircumstancewhichmadehimfeared。AfewmonthsafterthisscenethecitizenMarion，presentowneroftheGondrevilleestate，cametoinspectitwiththecitizenMalin。RumorsaidthatMarionwasabouttosellthepropertytohiscompanion，whohadprofitedbypoliticaleventsandhadjustbeenappointedontheCouncilofStatebytheFirstConsul，inreturnforhisservicesonthe18thBrumaire。TheshrewdheadsofthelittletownofArcisnowperceivedthatMarionhadbeentheagentofMalininthepurchaseoftheproperty，andnotofthebrothersSimeuse，aswasfirstsupposed。Theall-powerfulCouncillorofStatewasthemostimportantpersonageinArcis。HehadobtainedforoneofhispoliticalfriendstheprefectureofTroyes，andforafarmeratGondrevilletheexemptionofhissonfromthedraft；infact，hehaddoneservicestomany。Consequently，thesalemetwithnooppositionintheneighborhoodwhereMalinthenreigned，andwherehestillreignssupreme。

TheEmpirewasjustdawning。ThosewhointhesedaysreadthehistoriesoftheFrenchRevolutioncanformnoconceptionofthevastspaceswhichpublicthoughttraversedbetweeneventswhichnowseemtohavebeensoneartogether。ThestrongneedofpeaceandtranquillitywhicheveryonefeltaftertheviolenttumultsoftheRevolutionbroughtaboutacompleteforgetfulnessofimportantanteriorfacts。

Historymaturedrapidlyundertheadvanceofnewandeagerinterests。

Noone，therefore，exceptMichu，lookedintothepastofthisaffair，whichthecommunityacceptedasasimplematter。Marion，whohadboughtGondrevilleforsixhundredthousandfrancsinassignats，solditforthevalueofacoupleofmillionincoin；buttheonlypaymentsactuallymadebyMalinwereforthecostsofregistration。Grevin，aseminarycomradeofMalin，assistedthetransaction，andtheCouncillorrewardedhishelpwiththeofficeofnotaryatArcis。Whenthenewsofthesalereachedthepavilion，broughttherebyafarmerwhosefarm，atGrouage，wassituatedbetweentheforestandtheparkontheleftofthenobleavenue，Michuturnedpaleandleftthehouse。

HelayinwaitforMarion，andfinallymethimaloneinoneoftheshrubberiesofthepark。

"IsmonsieurabouttosellGondreville？"askedthebailiff。

"Yes，Michu，yes。Youwillhaveamanofpowerfulinfluenceforyourmaster。HeisthefriendoftheFirstConsul，andveryintimatewithalltheministers；hewillprotectyou。"

"Thenyouwereholdingtheestateforhim？"

"Idon’tsaythat，"repliedMarion。"AtthetimeIboughtitIwaslookingforaplacetoputmymoney，andIinvestedinnationalpropertyasthebestsecurity。Butitdoesn’tsuitmetokeepanestateoncebelongingtoafamilyinwhichmyfatherwas——"

"——aservant，"saidMichu，violently。"Butyoushallnotsellit！I

wantit；andIcanpayforit。"

"You？"

"Yes，I；seriously，ingoodgold，——eighthundredthousandfrancs。"

"Eighthundredthousandfrancs！"exclaimedMarion。"Wheredidyougetthem？"

"That’snoneofyourbusiness，"repliedMichu；then，softeninghistone，headdedinalowvoice:"Myfather-in-lawsavedthelivesofmanypersons。"

"Youaretoolate，Michu；thesaleismade。"

"Youmustputitoff，monsieur！"criedthebailiff，seizinghismasterbythehandwhichheheldasinavice。"Iamhated，butIchoosetoberichandpowerful，andImusthaveGondreville。Listentome；I

don’tclingtolife；sellmethatplaceorI’llblowyourbrainsout！——"

"ButdogivemetimetogetoffmybargainwithMalin；he’stroublesometodealwith。"

"I’llgiveyoutwenty-fourhours。IfyousayawordaboutthismatterI’llchopyourheadoffasIwouldchopaturnip。"

MarionandMalinleftthechateauinthecourseofthenight。Marionwasfrightened；hetoldMalinofthemeetingandbeggedhimtokeepaneyeonthebailiff。ItwasimpossibleforMariontoavoiddeliveringthepropertytothemanwhohadbeentherealpurchaser，andMichudidnotseemlikelytoadmitanysuchreason。Moreover，thisservicedonebyMariontoMalinwastobe，andinfactendedbybeing，theoriginoftheformer’spoliticalfortune，andalsothatofhisbrother。In1806Malinhadhimappointedchiefjusticeofanimperialcourt，andafterthecreationoftax-collectorshisbrotherobtainedthepostofreceiver-generalforthedepartmentoftheAube。TheStateCouncillortoldMariontostayinParis，andhewarnedtheministerofpolice，whogaveordersthatMichushouldbesecretlywatched。Notwishingtopushthemantoextremes，Malinkepthimonasbailiff，undertheironruleofGrevinthenotaryofArcis。

FromthatmomentMichubecamemoreabsorbedandtaciturnthanever，andobtainedthereputationofamanwhowascapableofcommittingacrime。Malin，theCouncillorofState(afunctionwhichtheFirstConsulraisedtothelevelofaministry)，andamakeroftheCode，playedagreatpartinParis，whereheboughtoneofthefinestmansionsintheFaubuorgSaint-GermainaftermarryingtheonlydaughterofarichcontractornamedSibuelle。HenevercametoGondreville；leavingallmattersconcerningthepropertytothemanagementofGrevin，theArcisnotary。Afterall，whathadhetofear？——he，aformerrepresentativeoftheAube，andpresidentofaclubofJacobins。Andyet，theunfavorableopinionofMichuheldbythelowerclasseswassharedbythebourgeoisie，andMarion，Grevin，andMalin，withoutgivinganyreasonorcompromisingthemselvesonthesubject，showedthattheyregardedhimasanextremelydangerousman。

Theauthorities，whowereunderinstructionsfromtheministerofpolicetowatchthebailiff，didnotofcourselessenthisbelief。Theneighborhoodwonderedthathekepthisplace，butsupposeditwasinconsequenceoftheterrorheinspired。Itiseasynow，aftertheseexplanations，tounderstandtheanxietyandsadnessexpressedinthefaceofMichu’swife。

Inthefirstplace，Marthehadbeenpiouslybroughtupbyhermother。

Both，beinggoodCatholics，hadsufferedmuchfromtheopinionsandbehaviorofthetanner。MarthecouldneverthinkwithoutablushofhavingmarchedthroughthestreetofTroyesinthegarbofagoddess。

HerfatherhadforcedhertomarryMichu，whosebadreputationwasthenincreasing，andshefearedhimtoomuchtobeabletojudgehim。

Nevertheless，sheknewthathelovedher，andatthebottomofherheartlaythetruestaffectionforthisawe-inspiringman；shehadneverknownhimtodoanythingthatwasnotjust；neverdidhesayabrutalword，toheratleast；infact，heendeavoredtoforestallhereverywish。Thepoorpariah，believinghimselfdisagreeabletohiswife，spentmostofhistimeoutofdoors。MartheandMichu，distrustfulofeachother，livedinwhatiscalledinthesedaysan"armedpeace。"Marthe，whosawnoone，sufferedkeenlyfromtheostracismwhichforthelastsevenyearshadsurroundedherasthedaughterofarevolutionarybutcher，andthewifeofaso-calledtraitor。Morethanonceshehadoverheardthelaborersoftheadjoiningfarm(heldbyamannamedBeauvisage，greatlyattachedtotheSimeusefamily)sayastheypassedthepavilion，"That’swhereJudaslives！"Thesingularresemblancebetweenthebailiff’sheadandthatofthethirteenthapostle，whichhisconductappearedtocarryout，wonhimthatodiousnicknamethroughouttheneighborhood。Itwasthisdistressofmind，addedtovaguebutconstantfearsforthefuture，whichgaveMartheherthoughtfulandsubduedair。Nothingsaddenssodeeplyasunmeriteddegradationfromwhichthereseemsnoescape。ApaintercouldhavemadeafinepictureofthisfamilyofpariahsinthebosomoftheirprettynookinChampagne，wherethelandscapeisgenerallysad。

"Francois！"calledthebailiff，tohastenhisson。

FrancoisMichu，achildoften，playedintheparkandforest，andleviedhislittletitheslikeamaster；heatethefruits；hechasedthegame；heatleasthadneithercaresnortroubles。Ofallthefamily，Francoisalonewashappyinahomethusisolatedfromtheneighborhoodbyitspositionbetweentheparkandtheforest，andbythestillgreatermoralsolitudeofuniversalrepulsion。

"Pickupthesethings，"saidhisfather，pointingtotheparapet，"andputthemaway。Lookatme！Youloveyourfatherandyourmother，don’tyou？"Thechildflunghimselfonhisfatherasiftokisshim，butMichumadeamovementtoshiftthegunandpushedhimback。"Verygood。Youhavesometimeschatteredaboutthingsthataredonehere，"

continuedthefather，fixinghiseyes，dangerousasthoseofawild-

cat，ontheboy。"Nowrememberthis；ifyoutelltheleastlittlethingthathappensheretoGaucher，ortotheGrouageandBellachepeople，oreventoMariannewholovesus，youwillkillyourfather。

Nevertattleagain，andIwillforgivewhatyousaidyesterday。"Thechildbegantocry。"Don’tcry；butwhenanyonequestionsyou，say，asthepeasantsdo，’Idon’tknow。’TherearepersonsroamingaboutwhomIdistrust。Runalong！Asforyoutwo，"headded，turningtothewomen，"youhaveheardwhatIsaid。Keepaclosemouth，bothofyou。"

"Husband，whatareyougoingtodo？"

Michu，whowascarefullymeasuringachargeofpowder，poureditintothebarrelofhisgun，restedtheweaponagainsttheparapetandsaidtoMarthe:——

"NooneknowsIownthatgun。Standinfrontofit。"

Couraut，whohadsprungtohisfeet，wasbarkingfuriously。

"Good，intelligentfellow！"criedMichu。"Iamcertaintherearespiesabout——"

Manandbeastfeelaspy。CourautandMichu，whoseemedtohaveoneandthesamesoul，livedtogetherastheArabandhishorseinthedesert。Thebailiffknewthemodulationsofthedog’svoice，justasthedogreadhismaster’smeaninginhiseyes，orfeltitexhalingintheairfromhisbody。

"Whatdoyousaytothat？"saidMichu，inalowvoice，callinghiswife’sattentiontotwostrangerswhoappearedinaby-pathmakingforthe/rond-point/。

"Whatcanitmean？"criedtheoldmother。"TheyareParisians。"

"Heretheycome！"saidMichu。"Hidemygun，"hewhisperedtohiswife。

Thetwomenwhonowcrossedthewideopenspaceofthe/rond-point/

weretypicalenoughforapainter。One，whoappearedtobethesubaltern，woretop-boots，turneddownratherlow，showingwell-madecalves，andcoloredsilkstockingsofdoubtfulcleanliness。Thebreeches，ofribbedcloth，apricotcolorwithmetalbuttons，weretoolarge；theywerebaggyaboutthebody，andthelinesoftheircreasesseemedtoindicateasedentaryman。Amarseilleswaistcoat，overloadedwithembroidery，open，andheldtogetherbyonebuttononlyjustabovethestomach，gavetotheweareradissipatedlook，——allthemoreso，becausehisjetblackhair，incorkscrewcurls，hidhisforeheadandhungdownhischeeks。Twosteelwatch-chainswerefestooneduponhisbreeches。Theshirtwasadornedwithacameoinwhiteandblue。Thecoat，cinnamon-colored，wasatreasuretocaricaturistsbyreasonofitslongtails，which，whenseenfrombehind，boresoperfectaresemblancetoacodthatthenameofthatfishwasgiventothem。Thefashionofcodfishtailslastedtenyears；almostthewholeperiodoftheempireofNapoleon。Thecravat，looselyfastened，andwithnumeroussmallfolds，allowedthewearertoburyhisfaceinituptothenostrils。Hispimpledskin，hislong，thick，brick-dustcolorednose，hishighcheek-bones，hismouth，lackinghalfitsteethbutgreedyforallthatandmenacing，hisearsadornedwithhugegoldrings，hislowforehead，——allthesepersonaldetails，whichmighthaveseemedgrotesqueinmanymen，wererenderedterribleinhimbytwosmalleyessetinhisheadlikethoseofapig，expressiveofinsatiablecovetousness，andofinsolent，half-jovialcruelty。Theseferretingandperspicaciousblueeyes，glassyandglacial，mightbetakenforthemodelofthatfamousEye，theformidableemblemofthepolice，inventedduringtheRevolution。Blacksilkgloveswereonhishandsandhecarriedaswitch。Hewascertainlysomeofficialpersonage，forheshowedinhisbearing，inhiswayoftakingsnuffandrammingitintohisnose，thebureaucraticimportanceofanofficesubordinate，onewhosignsforhissuperiorsandacquiresapassingsovereigntybyenforcingtheirorders。

Theotherman，whosedresswasinthesamestyle，butelegantandelegantlyputonandcarefulinitssmallestdetail，woreboots/ala/

Suwaroffwhichcamehighuponthelegaboveapairoftighttrousers，andcreakedashewalked。Abovehiscoatheworeaspencer，anaristocraticgarmentadoptedbytheClichiensandtheyoungbloodsofParis，whichsurvivedboththeClichiensandthefashionableyouths。

Inthosedaysfashionssometimeslastedlongerthanparties，——asymptomofanarchywhichtheyearofourLord1830hasagainpresentedtous。Thisaccomplisheddandyseemedtobethirtyyearsofage。Hismannerswerethoseofgoodsociety；heworejewelsofvalue；thecollarofhisshirtcametothetopsofhisears。Hisconceitedandevenimpertinentairbetrayedaconsciousnessofhiddensuperiority。

Hispallidfaceseemedbloodless，histhinflatnosehadthesardonicexpressionwhichweseeinadeath’shead，andhisgreeneyeswereinscrutable；theirglancewasdiscreetinmeaningjustasthethinclosedmouthwasdiscreetinwords。Thefirstmanseemedonthewholeagoodfellowcomparedwiththisyoungerman，whowasslashingtheairwithacane，thetopofwhich，madeofgold，glitteredinthesunshine。Thefirstmanmighthavecutoffaheadwithhisownhand，butthesecondwascapableofentanglinginnocence，virtue，andbeautyinthenetsofcalumnyandintrigue，andthenpoisoningthemordrowningthem。Therubicundstrangerwouldhavecomfortedhisvictimwithajest；theotherwasincapableofasmile。Thefirstwasforty-

fiveyearsold，andheloved，undoubtedly，bothwomenandgoodcheer。

Suchmenhavepassionswhichkeepthemslavestotheircalling。Buttheyoungmanwasplainlywithoutpassionsandwithoutvices。Ifhewasaspyhebelongedtodiplomacy，anddidsuchworkfromapureloveofart。Heconceived，theotherexecuted；hewastheidea，theotherwastheform。

"ThismustbeGondreville，isitnot，mygoodwoman？"saidtheyoungman。

"Wedon’tsay’mygoodwoman’here，"saidMichu。"Wearestillsimpleenoughtosay’citizen’and’citizeness’intheseparts。"

"Ah！"exclaimedtheyoungman，inanaturalway，andwithoutseemingatallannoyed。

Playersofecarteoftenhaveasenseofinwarddisasterwhensomeunknownpersonsitsdownatthesametablewiththem，whosemanners，look，voice，andmethodofshufflingthecards，all，totheirfancy，foretelldefeat。TheinstantMichulookedattheyoungmanhefeltaninwardandpropheticcollapse。Hewasstruckbyafatalpresentiment；

hehadasuddenconfusedforebodingofthescaffold。Avoicetoldhimthatthatdandywoulddestroyhim，althoughtherewasnothingwhateverincommonbetweenthem。Forthisreasonhisanswerwasrude；hewasandhewishedtobeforbidding。

"Don’tyoubelongtotheCouncillorofState，Malin？"saidtheyoungerman。

"Iammyownmaster，"answeredMalin。

"Mesdames，"saidtheyoungman，assumingamostpoliteair，"arewenotatGondreville？WeareexpectedtherebyMonsieurMalin。"

"There’sthepark，"saidMichu，pointingtotheopengate。

"Whyareyouhidingthatgun，myfinegirl？"saidtheelder，catchingsightofthecarbineashepassedthroughthegate。

"Youneverletachanceescapeyou，eveninthecountry！"criedhiscompanion。

Theybothturnedbackwithasenseofdistrustwhichthebailiffunderstoodatonceinspiteoftheirimpassiblefaces。Martheletthemlookatthegun，tothetuneofCouraut’sbark；shewassoconvincedthatherhusbandwasmeditatingsomeevildeedthatshewasthankfulforthecuriosityofthestrangers。

Michuflungalookathiswifewhichmadehertremble；hetookthegunandbegantoloadit，acceptingquietlythefatalill-luckofthisencounterandthediscoveryoftheweapon。Heseemednolongertocareforlife，andhiswifefathomedhisinwardfeeling。

"Soyouhavewolvesintheseparts？"saidtheyoungman，watchinghim。

"Therearealwayswolveswheretherearesheep。YouareinChampagne，andthere’saforest；wehavewild-boars，largeandsmallgameboth，alittleofeverything，"repliedMichu，inatruculentmanner。

"I’llbet，Corentin，"saidtheelderofthetwomen，afterexchangingaglancewithhiscompanion，"thatthisismyfriendMichu——"

"WeneverkeptpigstogetherthatIknowof，"saidthebailiff。

"No，butwebothpresidedoverJacobins，citizen，"repliedtheoldcynic，——"youatArcis，Ielsewhere。Iseeyou’vekeptyourCarmagnolecivility，butit’snolongerinfashion，mygoodfellow。"

"Theparkstrikesmeasratherlarge；wemightloseourway。Ifyouarereallythebailiffshowusthepathtothechateau，"saidCorentin，inaperemptorytone。

Michuwhistledtohissonandcontinuedtoloadhisgun。CorentinlookedatMarthewithindifference，whilehiscompanionseemedcharmedbyher；buttheyoungmannoticedthesignsofherinwarddistress，whichescapedtheoldlibertine，whohad，however，noticedandfearedthegun。Thenaturesofthetwomenweredisclosedinthistriflingyetimportantcircumstance。

"I’veanappointmenttheothersideoftheforest，"saidthebailiff。

"Ican’tgowithyou，butmysonherewilltakeyoutothechateau。

HowdidyougettoGondreville？didyoucomebyCinq-Cygne？"

"Wehad，likeyourself，businessintheforest，"saidCorentin，withoutapparentsarcasm。

"Francois，"criedMichu，"takethesegentlementothechateaubythewoodpath，sothatnooneseesthem；theydon’tfollowthebeatentracks。Comehere，"headded，asthestrangersturnedtowalkaway，talkingtogetherastheydidsoinalowvoice。Michucaughttheboyinhisarms，andkissedhimalmostsolemnlywithanexpressionwhichconfirmedhiswife’sfears；coldchillsrandownherback；sheglancedathermotherwithhaggardeyes，forshecouldnotweep。

"Go，"saidMichu；andhewatchedtheboyuntilhewasentirelyoutofsight。CourautwasbarkingontheothersideoftheroadinthedirectionofGrouage。"Oh，that’sViolette，"remarkedMichu。"Thisisthethirdtimethatoldfellowhaspassedhereto-day。What’sinthewind？Hush，Couraut！"

Afewmomentslaterthetrotofaponywasheardapproaching。

CHAPTERII

ACRIMERELINQUISHED

Violette，mountedononeofthoselittlenagswhichthefarmersintheneighborhoodofParisusesomuch，soonappeared，wearingaroundhatwithabroadbrim，beneathwhichhiswood-coloredface，deeplywrinkled，appearedinshadow。Hisgrayeyes，mischievousandlively，concealedinameasurethetreacheryofhisnature。Hisskinnylegs，coveredwithgaitersofwhitelinenwhichcametotheknee，hungratherthanrestedinthestirrups，seeminglyheldinplacebytheweightofhishob-nailedshoes。Abovehisjacketofblueclothheworeacloakofsomecoarsewoollenstuffwoveninblackandwhitestripes。

Hisgrayhairfellincurlsbehindhisears。Thisdress，thegrayhorsewithitsshortlegs，themannerinwhichViolettesathim，stomachprojectingandshouldersthrownback，thebigchappedhandswhichheldtheshabbybridle，alldepictedhimplainlyasthegrasping，ambitiouspeasantwhodesirestoownlandandbuysitatanyprice。Hismouth，withitsbluishlipspartedasifasurgeonhadpriedthemopenwithascalpel，andtheinnumerablewrinklesofhisfaceandforeheadhinderedtheplayoffeatureswhichwereexpressiveonlyintheiroutlines。Thosehard，fixedlinesseemedmenacing，inspiteofthehumilitywhichcountry-folksassumeandbeneathwhichtheyconcealtheiremotionsandschemes，assavagesandEasternshidetheirsbehindanimperturbablegravity。Firstamerelaborer，thenthefarmerofGrouagethroughalongcourseofpersistentill-doing，hecontinuedhisevilpracticesafterconqueringapositionwhichsurpassedhisearlyhopes。Hewishedharmtoallmenandwisheditvehemently。Whenhecouldassistindoingharmhediditeagerly。Hewasopenlyenvious；but，nomatterhowmalignanthemightbe，hekeptwithinthelimitsofthelaw，——neitherbeyonditnorbehindit，likeaparliamentaryopposition。Hebelievedhisprosperitydependedontheruinofothers，andthatwhoeverwasabovehimwasanenemyagainstwhomallweaponsweregood。Acharacterlikethisisverycommonamongthepeasantry。

Violette’spresentbusinesswastoobtainfromMalinanextensionoftheleaseofhisfarm，whichhadonlysixyearslongertorun。Jealousofthebailiff’smeans，hewatchedhimnarrowly。Theneighborsreproachedhimforhisintimacywith"Judas"；buttheslyoldfarmer，wishingtoobtainatwelveyears’lease，wasreallylyinginwaitforanopportunitytoserveeitherthegovernmentorMalin，whodistrustedMichu。Violette，bythehelpofthegame-keeperofGondrevilleandothersbelongingtotheestate，keptMalininformedofallMichu’sactions。Malinhadendeavored，fruitlessly，towinoverMarianne，theMichus’servant-woman；butVioletteandhissatellitesheardeverythingfromGaucher，——aladonwhosefidelityMichurelied，butwhobetrayedhimforcast-offclothing，waistcoats，buckles，cottonsocksandsugar-plums。Theboyhadnosuspicionoftheimportanceofhisgossip。VioletteinhisreportsblackenedallMichu’sactionsandgavethemacriminalaspectbyabsurdsuggestions，——unknown，ofcourse，tothebailiff，whowasaware，however，ofthebasepartplayedbythefarmer，andtookdelightinmystifyinghim。

"YoumusthaveadealofbusinessatBellachetobehereagain，"saidMichu。

"Again！isthatmeantasareproach，MonsieurMichu？——Hey！Ididnotknowyouhadthatgun。Youarenotgoingtowhistleforthesparrowsonthatpipe，Isuppose——"

"Itgrewinafieldofminewhichbearsguns，"repliedMichu。"Look！

thisishowIsowthem。"

Thebailifftookaimataviperthirtyfeetawayandcutitintwo。

"Haveyougotthatbandit’sweapontoprotectyourmaster？"saidViolette。"Perhapshegaveittoyou。"

"HecamefromParisexpresslytobringittome，"repliedMichu。

"Peoplearetalkingallroundtheneighborhoodofthisjourneyofhis；

somesayheisindisgraceandhastoretirefromoffice；othersthathewantstoseethingsforhimselfdownhere。Butanyway，whydoeshecome，liketheFirstConsul，withoutgivingwarning？Didyouknowhewascoming？"

"Iamnotonsuchtermswithhimastobeinhisconfidence。"

"Thenyouhavenotseenhim？"

"IdidnotknowhewasheretillIgotbackfrommyroundsintheforest，"saidMichu，reloadinghisgun。

"HehassenttoArcisforMonsieurGrevin，"saidViolette；"theyareschemingsomething。"

"IfyouaregoingroundbyCinq-Cygne，takemeupbehindyou，"saidthebailiff。"I’mgoingthere。"

ViolettewastootimidtohaveamanofMichu’sstrengthonhiscrupper，andhespurredhisbeast。Judasslunghisgunoverhisshoulderandwalkedrapidlyuptheavenue。

"WhocanitbethatMichuisangrywith？"saidMarthetohermother。

"EversinceheheardofMonsieurMalin’sarrivalhehasbeengloomy，"

repliedtheoldwoman。"Butitisgettingdamphere，letusgoin。"

AfterthetwowomenhadsettledthemselvesinthechimneycornertheyheardCouraut’sbark。

"There’smyhusbandreturning！"criedMarthe。

Michupassedupthestairs；hiswife，uneasy，followedhimtotheirbedroom。

"Seeifanyoneisabout，"hesaidtoher，inavoiceofsomeemotion。

"Noone，"shereplied。"Marianneisinthefieldwiththecow，andGaucher——"

"WhereisGaucher？"heasked。

"Idon’tknow。"

"Idistrustthatlittlescamp。Goupinthegarret，lookinthehay-

loft，lookeverywhereforhim。"

Marthelefttheroomtoobeytheorder。WhenshereturnedshefoundMichuonhisknees，praying。

"Whatisthematter？"shesaid，frightened。

Thebailifftookhiswiferoundthewaistanddrewhertohim，sayinginavoiceofdeepfeeling:"Ifweneverseeeachotheragainremember，mypoorwife，thatIlovedyouwell。Followminutelytheinstructionswhichyouwillfindinaletterburiedatthefootofthelarchinthatcopse。Itisenclosedinatintube。Donottouchituntilaftermydeath。Andremember，Marthe，whateverhappenstome，thatinspiteofman’sinjustice，myarmhasbeentheinstrumentofthejusticeofGod。"

Marthe，whoturnedpalebydegrees，becamewhiteasherownlinen；shelookedatherhusbandwithfixedeyeswidenedbyfear；shetriedtospeak，butherthroatwasdry。Michudisappearedlikeashadow，havingtiedCourauttothefootofhisbedwherethedog，afterthemannerofalldogs，howledindespair。

Michu’sangeragainstMonsieurMarionhadseriousgrounds，butitwasnowconcentratedonanotherman，farmorecriminalinhiseyes，——onMalin，whosesecretswereknowntothebailiff，hebeinginabetterpositionthanotherstounderstandtheconductoftheStateCouncillor。Michu’sfather-in-lawhadhad，politicallyspeaking，theconfidenceoftheformerrepresentativetotheConvention，throughGrevin。

PerhapsitwouldbewellheretorelatethecircumstanceswhichbroughttheSimeuseandtheCinq-CygnefamiliesintoconnectionwithMalin，——circumstanceswhichweighedheavilyonthefateofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’stwincousins，butstillmoreheavilyonthatofMartheandMichu。

TheCinq-CygnemansionatTroyesstandsoppositetothatofSimeuse。

Whenthepopulace，incitedbymindsthatwereasshrewdastheywerecautious，pillagedthehotelSimeuse，discoveredthemarquisandmarchioness，whowereaccusedofcorrespondingwiththenation’senemies，anddeliveredthemtothenationalguardswhotookthemtoprison，thecrowdshouted，"NowfortheCinq-Cygnes！"TotheirmindstheCinq-Cygneswereasguiltyasotheraristocrats。ThebraveandworthyMonsieurdeSimeuseintheendeavortosavehistwosons，theneighteenyearsofage，whosecouragewaslikelytocompromisethem，hadconfidedthem，afewhoursbeforethestormbroke，totheiraunt，theComtessedeCinq-Cygne。TwoservantsattachedtotheSimeusefamilyaccompaniedtheyoungmentoherhouse。Theoldmarquis，whowasanxiousthathisnameshouldnotdieout，requestedthatwhatwashappeningmightbeconcealedfromhissons，evenintheeventofdiredisaster。Laurence，theonlydaughteroftheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，wasthentwelveyearsofage；hercousinsbothlovedherandshelovedthemequally。LikeothertwinstheSimeusebrothersweresoalikethatforalongwhiletheirmotherdressedthemindifferentcolorstoknowthemapart。Thefirstcomer，theeldest，wasnamedPaul-Marie，theotherMarie-Paul。LaurencedeCinq-Cygne，towhomtheirdangerwasrevealed，playedherwoman’spartwellthoughstillamerechild。ShecoaxedandpettedhercousinsandkeptthemoccupieduntiltheverymomentwhenthepopulacesurroundedtheCinq-Cygnemansion。Thetwobrothersthenknewtheirdangerforthefirsttime，andlookedateachother。Theirresolutionwasinstantlytaken；theyarmedtheirownservantsandthoseoftheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，barricadedthedoors，andstoodguardatthewindows，afterclosingthewoodenblinds，withthefivemen-servantsandtheAbbed’Hauteserre，arelativeoftheCinq-Cygnes。Theseeightcourageouschampionspouredadeadlyfireintothecrowd。Everyshotkilledorwoundedanassailant。

Laurence，insteadofwringingherhands，loadedthegunswithextraordinarycoolness，andpassedtheballsandpowdertothosewhoneededthem。TheComtessedeCinq-Cygnewasonherknees。

"Whatareyoudoing，mother？"saidLaurence。

"Iampraying，"sheanswered，"forthemandforyou。"

Sublimewords，——saidalsobythemotherofGodoy，princeofthePeace，inSpain，undersimilarcircumstances。

Inamomentelevenpersonswerekilledandlyingonthegroundamonganumberofwounded。Suchresultseithercoolorexciteapopulace；

eitheritgrowssavageattheworkordiscontinuesit。Onthepresentoccasionthoseinadvancerecoiled；butthecrowdbehindthemweretheretokillandrob，andwhentheysawtheirowndead，theycriedout:"Murder！Murder！Revenge！"ThewiserheadswentinsearchoftherepresentativetotheConvention，Malin。Thetwins，bythistimeawareofthedisastrouseventsoftheday，suspectedMalinofdesiringtheruinoftheirfamily，andofcausingthearrestoftheirparents，andthesuspicionsoonbecameacertainty。Theypostedthemselvesbeneaththeporte-cochere，guninhand，intendingtokillMalinassoonashemadehisappearance；butthecountesslostherhead；sheimaginedherhouseinashesandherdaughterassassinated，andsheblamedtheyoungmenfortheirheroicdefenceandcompelledthemtodesist。ItwasLaurencewhoopenedthedoorslightlywhenMalinsummonedthehouseholdtoadmithim。Seeingher，therepresentativereliedupontheaweheexpectedtoinspireinamerechild，andheenteredthehouse。

Tohisfirstwordsofinquiryastowhythefamilyweremakingsucharesistance，thegirlreplied:"IfyoureallydesiretogivelibertytoFrancehowisitthatyoudonotprotectusinourhomes？Theyaretryingtoteardownthishouse，monsieur，tomurderus，andyousaywehavenorighttoopposeforcetoforce！"

Malinstoodrootedtotheground。

"You，thesonofamasonemployedbytheGrandMarquistobuildhiscastle！"exclaimedMarie-Paul，"youhaveletthemdragourfathertoprison——youhavebelievedcalumnies！"

"Heshallbereleasedatonce，"saidMalin，whothoughthimselflostwhenhesaweachyouthclutchhisweaponconvulsively。

"Youoweyourlifetothatpromise，"saidMarie-Paul，solemnly。"Ifitisnotfulfilledto-nightweshallfindyouagain。"

"Astothathowlingpopulace，"saidLaurence，"Ifyoudonotsendthemaway，thenextbloodwillbeyours。Now，MonsieurMalin，leavethishouse！"

TheConventionalistdidleaveit，andheharanguedthecrowd，dwellingonthesacredrightsofthedomestichearth，thehabeascorpusandtheEnglish"home。"Hetoldthemthatthelawandthepeopleweresovereigns，thatthelaw/was/thepeople，andthatthepeoplecouldonlyactthroughthelaw，andthatpowerwasvestedinthelaw。Theparticularlawofpersonalnecessitymadehimeloquent，andhemanagedtodispersethecrowd。Butheneverforgotthecontemptuousexpressionofthetwobrothers，northe"Leavethishouse！"ofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。Therefore，whenitwasaquestionofsellingtheestatesoftheComtedeCinq-Cygne，Laurence’sbrother，asnationalproperty，thesalewasrigorouslymade。TheagentsleftnothingforLaurencebutthechateau，theparkandgardens，andonefarmcalledthatofCinq-

Cygne。MalininstructedtheappraisersthatLaurencehadnorightsbeyondherlegalshare，——thenationtakingpossessionofallthatbelongedtoherbrother，whohademigratedand，aboveall，hadbornearmsagainsttheRepublic。

Theeveningafterthisterribletumult，Laurencesoentreatedhercousinstoleavethecountry，fearingtreacheryonthepartofMalin，orsometrapintowhichtheymightfall，thattheytookhorsethatnightandgainedthePrussianoutposts。TheyhadscarcelyreachedtheforestofGondrevillebeforethehotelCinq-Cygnewassurrounded；

MalincamehimselftoarresttheheirsofthehouseofSimeuse。HedarednotlayhandsontheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，whowasinbedwithanervousfever，noronLaurence，achildoftwelve。Theservants，fearingtheseverityoftheRepublic，haddisappeared。ThenextdaythenewsoftheresistanceofthebrothersandtheirflighttoPrussiawasknowntotheneighborhood。AcrowdofthreethousandpersonsassembledbeforethehoteldeCinq-Cygne，whichwasdemolishedwithincrediblerapidity。MadamedeCinq-Cygne，carriedtothehotelSimeuse，diedtherefromtheeffectsofthefeveraggravatedbyterror。

Michudidnotappearinthepoliticalarenauntilaftertheseevents，forthemarquisandhiswiferemainedinprisonoverfivemonths。

DuringthistimeMalinwasawayonamission。ButwhenMonsieurMarionsoldGondrevilletotheCouncillorofState，Michuunderstoodthelatter’sgame，——orrather，hethoughthedid；forMalinwas，likeFouche，oneofthosepersonageswhoareofsuchdepthinalltheirdifferentaspectsthattheyareimpenetrablewhentheyplayapart，andareneverunderstooduntillongaftertheirdramaisended。

InallthechiefcircumstancesofMalin’slifehehadneverfailedtoconsulthisfaithfulfriendGrevin，thenotaryofArcis，whosejudgmentonmenandthingswas，atadistance，clear-cutandprecise。

Thisfacultyisthewisdomandmakesthestrengthofsecond-ratemen。

Now，inNovember，1803，acombinationofevents(alreadyrelatedinthe"Deputed’Arcis")madematterssoseriousfortheCouncillorofStatethatalettermighthavecompromisedthetwofriends。Malin，whohopedtobeappointedsenator，wasafraidtoofferhisexplanationsinParis。HecametoGondreville，givingtheFirstConsulonlyoneofthereasonsthatmadehimwishtobethere；thatreasongavehimanappearanceofzealintheeyesofBonaparte；whereashisjourney，farfromconcerningtheinterestsoftheState，relatedtohisowninterestsonly。Onthisparticularday，asMichuwaswatchingtheparkandexpecting，afterthemannerofaredIndian，apropitiousmomentforhisvengeance，theastuteMalin，accustomedtoturnalleventstohisownprofit，wasleadinghisfriendGrevintoalittlefieldintheEnglishgarden，alonelyspotinthepark，favorableforasecretconference。There，standinginthecentreofthegrassplotandspeakinglow，thefriendswereattoogreatadistancetobeoverheardifanyonewerelurkingnearenoughtolistentothem；theywerealsosureoftimetochangetheconversationifothersunwarilyapproached。

"Whycouldn’twehavestayedinaroominthechateau？"askedGrevin。

"Didn’tyoutakenoticeofthosetwomenwhomtheprefectofpolicehassentheretome？"

ThoughFouchemadehimselfinthematterofthePichegru，Georges，Moreau，andPolignacconspiracythesouloftheConsularcabinet，hedidnotatthistimecontroltheministryofpolice，butwasmerelyacouncillorofStatelikeMalin。

"Thosemen，"continuedMalin，"areFouche’stwoarms。One，thatdandyCorentin，whosefaceislikeaglassoflemonade，vinegaronhislipsandverjuiceinhiseyes，putanendtotheinsurrectionattheWestintheyearVII。inlessthanfifteendays。TheotherisadiscipleofLenoir；heistheonlyonewhopreservesthegreattraditionsofthepolice。Ihadaskedforanagentofnogreataccount，backedbysomeofficialpersonage，andtheysendmethosepast-mastersofthebusiness！Ah，Grevin，Fouchewantstopryintomygame。That’swhyI

leftthosefellowsdiningatthechateau；theymaylookintoeverythingforallIcare；theywon’tfindLouisXVIII。noranysignofhim。"

"Butseehere，mydearfellow，whatgameareyouplaying？"criedGrevin。

"Ha，myfriend，adoublegameisadangerousone，butthis，takingFoucheintoaccount，isatripleone。HemayhavenosedthefactthatIaminthesecretsofthehouseofBourbon。"

"You？"

"I，"repliedMalin。

"HaveyouforgottenFavras？"

Thewordsmadeanimpressiononthecouncillor。

"Sincewhen？"askedGrevin，afterapause。

"SincetheConsulateforlife。"

"Ihopethere’snoproofofit？"

"Notthat！"saidMalin，clickinghisthumb-nailagainsthisteeth。

InfewwordstheCouncillorofStategaveaclearandsuccinctaccountofthecriticalpositioninwhichBonapartewasabouttoholdEngland，bythreateningherwithinvasionfromthecampatBoulogne；heexplainedtoGrevinthebearingsofthatproject，whichwasunobservedbyFranceandEuropebutsuspectedbyPitt；alsothecriticalpositioninwhichEnglandwasabouttoputBonaparte。Apowerfulcoalition，Prussia，Austria，andRussia，paidbyEnglishgold，waspledgedtofurnishsevenhundredthousandmenunderarms。AtthesametimeaformidableconspiracywasthrowinganetworkoverthewholeofFrance，includingamongitsmembersmontagnards，chouans，royalists，andtheirprinces。

"LouisXVIII。heldthataslongastherewerethreeConsulsanarchywascertain，andthathecouldatsomeopportunemomenttakehisrevengeforthe13thVendemiaireandthe18thFructidor，"saidMalin，"buttheConsulateforlifehasunmaskedBonaparte’sintentions——hewillsoonbeemperor。Thelatesub-lieutenantmeanstocreateadynasty！Thistimehislifeisinactualdanger；andtheplotisfarbetterlaidthanthatoftheRueSaint-Nicaise。Pichegru，Georges，Moreau，theDucd’Enghien，PolignacandRiviere，thetwofriendsoftheComted’Artoisareinit。"

"Whatanamalgamation！"criedGrevin。

"Franceisbeingsilentlyinvaded；nostoneisleftunturned；thethingwillbecarriedwitharush。Ahundredpickedmen，commandedbyGeorges，aretoattacktheConsularguardandtheConsulhandtohand。"

"Wellthen，denouncethem。"

"ForthelasttwomonthstheConsul，hisministerofpolice，theprefectandFouche，holdsomeofthecluesofthisvastconspiracy；

buttheydon’tknowitsfullextent，andatthisparticularmomenttheyareleavingnearlyalltheconspiratorsfree，soastodiscovermoreaboutit。"

"Astorights，"saidthenotary，"theBourbonshavemuchmorerighttoconceive，plan，andexecuteaschemeagainstBonaparte，thanBonapartehadonthe18thBrumaireagainsttheRepublic，whoseproducthewas。

Hemurderedhismotheronthatoccasion，buttheseroyalistsonlyseektorecoverwhatwastheirs。Icanunderstandthattheprincesandtheiradherents，seeingthelistsofthe/emigres/closed，mortgagessuppressed，theCatholicfaithrestored，anti-revolutionarydecreesaccumulating，shouldbegintoseethattheirreturnisbecomingdifficult，nottosayimpossible。Bonapartebeingthesoleobstaclenowintheirway，theywanttogetridofhim——nothingsimpler。

Conspiratorsifdefeatedarebrigands，ifsuccessful，heroes；andyourperplexityseemstomeverynatural。"

"Thematternowis，"saidMalin，"tomakeBonaparteflingtheheadoftheDucd’EnghienattheBourbons，justastheConventionflungtheheadofLouisXVI。atthekings，soastocommithimasfullyaswearetotheRevolution；/orelse/，wemustupsettheidoloftheFrenchpeopleandtheirfutureemperor，andseatthetruethroneuponhisruins。Iamatthemercyofsomeevent，somefortunatepistol-shot，someinfernalmachinewhichdoesitswork。EvenIdon’tknowthewholeconspiracy；theydon’ttellmeall；buttheyhaveaskedmetocalltheCouncilofStateatthecriticalmomentanddirectitsactiontowardstherestorationoftheBourbons。"

"Wait，"saidthenotary。

"Impossible！Iamcompelledtomakemydecisionatonce。"

"Why？"

"Well，theSimeusebrothersareintheconspiracy；theyarehereintheneighborhood；Imusteitherhavethemwatched，letthemcompromisethemselves，andsoberidofthem，orelseImustprivatelyprotectthem。Iaskedtheprefectforunderlingsandhehassentmelynxes，whocamethroughTroyesandhavegotthegendarmerietosupportthem。"

"Gondrevilleisyourrealobject，"saidGrevin，"andthisconspiracyyourbestchanceofkeepingit。Fouche，Talleyrand，andthosetwofellowshavenothingtodowiththat。Thereforeplayfairwiththem。

Whatnonsense！thosewhocutLouisXVI。’sheadoffareinthegovernment；Franceisfullofmenwhohaveboughtnationalproperty，andyetyoutalkofbringingbackthosewhowouldrequireyoutogiveupGondreville！IftheBourbonswerenotimbecilestheywouldpassaspongeoverallwehavedone。WarnBonaparte，that’smyadvice。"

"Amanofmyrankcan’tdenounce，"saidMalin，quickly。

"Yourrank！"exclaimedGrevin，smiling。

"TheyhaveofferedtomakemeKeeperoftheSeals。"

"Ah！NowIunderstandyourbewilderment，anditisformetoseeclearinthispoliticaldarknessandfindawayoutforyou。Now，itisquiteimpossibletoforeseewhateventsmayhappentobringbacktheBourbonswhenaGeneralBonaparteisinpossessionofeightylineofbattleshipsandfourhundredthousandmen。Themostdifficultthingofallinexpectantpoliticsistoknowwhenapowerthattotterswillfall；but，myoldman，Bonaparte’spowerisnottottering，itisintheascendant。Don’tyouthinkthatFouchemaybesoundingyousoastogettothebottomofyourmind，andthengetridofyou？"

"No；Iamsureofmygo-between。Besides，Fouchewouldnever，underthosecircumstances，sendmesuchfellowsasthese；hewouldknowtheywouldmakemesuspicious。"

"Theyalarmme，"saidGrevin。"IfFouchedoesnotdistrustyou，andisnotseekingtoprobeyou，whydoeshesendthem？Fouchedoesn’tplaysuchatrickasthatwithoutamotive；whatisit？"

"Whatdecidesme，"saidMalin，"isthatIshouldneverbeeasywiththosetwoSimeusebrothersinFrance。PerhapsFouche，whoknowshowI

amplacedtowardsthem，wantstomakesuretheydon’tescapehim，andhopesthroughthemtoreachtheCondes。"

"That’sright，oldfellow；itisnotunderBonapartethatthepresentpossessorofGondrevillecanbeousted。"

JustthenMalin，happeningtolookup，sawthemuzzleofagunthroughthefoliageofatalllinden。

"Iwasnotmistaken，IthoughtIheardtheclickofatrigger，"hesaidtoGrevin，aftergettingbehindthetrunkofalargetree，wherethenotary，uneasyathisfriend’ssuddenmovement，followedhim。

"ItisMichu，"saidGrevin；"Iseehisredbeard。"

"Don’tletusseemafraid，"saidMalin，whowalkedslowlyaway，sayingatintervals:"Whyisthatmansobitteragainsttheownersofthisproperty？Itwasnotyouhewascovering。Ifheoverheardushehadbetterasktheprayersofthecongregation！Whothedevilwouldhavethoughtoflookingupintothetrees！"

"There’salwayssomethingtolearn，"saidthenotary。"Buthewasagooddistanceoff，andwespokelow。"

"IshalltellCorentinaboutit，"repliedMalin。

CHAPTERIII

THEMASKTHROWNOFF

AfewmomentslaterMichureturnedhome，hisfacepale，hisfeaturescontracted。

"Whatisthematter？"saidhiswife，frightened。

"Nothing，"hereplied，seeingViolettewhosepresencesilencedhim。

Michutookachairandsatdownquietlybeforethefire，intowhichhethrewaletterwhichhedrewfromatintubesuchasaregiventosoldierstoholdtheirpapers。Thisact，whichenabledMarthetodrawalongbreathlikeonerelievedofagreatburden，greatlypuzzledViolette。Thebailifflaidhisgunonthemantel-shelfwithadmirablecomposure。Mariannetheservant，andMarthe’smotherwerespinningbythelightofalamp。

"Come，Francois，"saidthefather，presently，"itistimetogotobed。"

Heliftedtheboyroughlybythemiddleofhisbodyandcarriedhimoff。

"Rundowntothecellar，"hewhispered，whentheyreachedthestairs。

"EmptyonethirdoutoftwobottlesoftheMaconwine，andfillthemupwiththeCognacbrandywhichisontheshelf。Thenmixabottleofwhitewinewithonehalfbrandy。Doitneatly，andputthethreebottlesontheemptycaskwhichstandsbythecellardoor。Whenyouhearmeopenthewindowinthekitchencomeoutofthecellar，runtothestable，saddlemyhorse，mountit，andgoandwaitformeatPoteaudes-Gueux——Thatlittlescamphatestogotobed，"saidMichu，returning；"helikestodoasgrownpeopledo，seeall，hearall，andknowall。Youspoilmypeople，pereViolette。"

"Goodness！"criedViolette，"whathasloosenedyourtongue？Ineverheardyousayasmuchbefore。"

"DoyousupposeIletmyselfbespieduponwithouttakingnoticeofit？Youareonthewrongside，pereViolette。If，insteadofservingthosewhohateme，youwereonmysideIcoulddobetterforyouthanrenewthatleaseofyours。"

"How？"saidthepeasant，openingwidehisavariciouseyes。

"I’llsellyoumypropertycheap。"

"Nothingischeapwhenwehavetopay，"saidViolette，sententiously。

"Iwanttoleavetheneighborhood，andI’llletyouhavemyfarmofMousseau，thebuildings，granary，andcattleforfiftythousandfrancs。"

"Really？"

"Doesthatsuityou？"

"Hangit！Imustthink——"

"We’lltalkaboutit——Ishallwantearnestmoney。"

"Ihavenomoney。"

"Well，anote。"

"Can’tgiveit。"

"Tellmewhosentyouhereto-day。"

"IamonmywaybackfromwhereIspentthisafternoon，andIonlystoppedintosaygood-evening。"

"Backwithoutyourhorse？Whatafoolyoumusttakemefor！Youarelying，andyoushallnothavemyfarm。"

"Well，totellyouthetruth，itwasmonsieurGrevinwhosentme。Hesaid’Violette，wewantMichu；doyougoandgethim；ifheisn’tathome，waitforhim。’IsawIshouldhavetostayhereallthisevening。"

"ArethosesharksfromParisstillatthechateau？"

"Ah！thatIdon’tknow；buttherewerepeopleinthesalon。"

"Youshallhavemyfarm；we’llsettlethetermsnow。Wife，goandgetsomewinetowashdownthecontract。TakethebestRoussillon，thewineoftheex-marquis，——wearenotbabes。You’llfindacoupleofbottlesontheemptycasknearthedoor，andabottleofwhitewine。"

"Verygood，"saidViolette，whonevergotdrunk。"Letusdrink。"

"Youhavefiftythousandfrancsbeneaththefloorofyourbedroomunderyourbed，pereViolette；youwillgivethemtometwoweeksafterwesignthedeedofsalebeforeGrevin——"ViolettestaredatMichuandgrewlivid。"Ah！youcameheretospyuponaJacobinwhohadthehonortobepresidentoftheclubatArcis，andyouimaginehewillletyougetthebetterofhim！Ihaveeyes，Isawwhereyourtileshavebeenfreshlycemented，andIconcludedthatyoudidnotprythemuptoplantwheatthere。Come，drink。"

Violette，muchtroubled，drankalargeglassofwinewithoutnoticingthequality；terrorhadputahotironinhisstomach，thebrandywasnothotterthanhiscupidity。Hewouldhavegivenmanythingstobesafelyhomeandabletochangethehiding-placeofhistreasure。Thethreewomensmiled。

"Doyoulikethatwine？"saidMichu，refillinghisglass。

"Yes，Ido。"

Afteragoodhalf-hour’sdecisiononthetimewhenthebuyermighttakepossession，andonthevariouspunctilioswhichthepeasantrybringforwardwhenconcludingabargain，——inthemidstofassertionsandcounter-assertions，thefillingandemptyingofglasses，thegivingofpromisesanddenials，Violettesuddenlyfellforwardwithhisheadonthetable，nottipsy，butdead-drunk。TheinstantthatMichusawhiseyesblurheopenedthewindow。

"Where’sthatscamp，Gaucher？"hesaidtohiswife。

"Inbed。"

"You，Marianne，"saidthebailifftohisfaithfulservant，"standinfrontofhisdoorandwatchhim。You，mother，staydownhere，andkeepaneyeonthisspy；keepyoureyesandearsopenanddon’tunfastenthedoortoanyonebutFrancois。Itisaquestionoflifeordeath，"

headded，inadeepvoice。"EverycreaturebeneathmyroofmustrememberthatIhavenotquitteditthisnight；allofyoumustassertthat——eventhoughyourheadswereontheblock。Come，"hesaidtoMarthe，"come，wife，putonyourshoes，takeyourcoat，andletusbeoff！Noquestions——Igowithyou。"