第2章

Forthelastthreequartersofanhourtheman’sdemeanorandglancewereofdespoticauthority，all-powerful，irresistible，drawnfromthesamemysterioussourcefromwhichgreatgeneralsonfieldsofbattlewhoinflameanarmy，greatoratorsinspiringvastaudiences，and(itmustbesaid)greatcriminalsperpetratingboldcrimesderivetheirinspiration。Atsuchtimesinvincibleinfluenceseemstoexhalefromtheheadandissuefromthetongue；thegestureevencaninjectthewilloftheonemanintoothers。Thethreewomenknewthatsomedreadfulcrisiswasathand；withoutwarningofitsnaturetheyfeltitintherapidactionsoftheman，whosecountenanceshone，whoseforeheadspoke，whosebrillianteyesglitteredlikestars；theysawitinthesweatthatcoveredhisbrowtotherootsofhishair，whilemorethanoncehisvoicevibratedwithimpatienceandfury。Martheobeyedpassively。ArmedtotheteethandwithhisgunoverhisshoulderMichudashedintotheavenue，followedbyhiswife。Theysoonreachedthecross-roadswhereFrancoiswasinwaitinghiddenamongthebushes。

"Theboyisintelligent，"saidMichu，whenhecaughtsightofhim。

Thesewerehisfirstwords。Hiswifehadrushedafterhim，unabletospeak。

"Gobacktothehouse，hideinathicktree，andwatchthecountryandthepark，"hesaidtohisson。"Wehaveallgonetobed，nooneisstirring。Yourgrandmotherwillnotopenthedooruntilyouaskhertoletyouin。RemembereverywordIsaytoyou。Thelifeofyourfatherandmotherdependsonit。Noonemustknowwedidnotsleepathome。"

Afterwhisperingthesewordstotheboy，whoinstantlydisappearedintheforestlikeaneelinthemud，Michuturnedtohiswife。

"Mountbehindme，"hesaid，"andpraythatGodbewithus。Sitfirm，thebeastmaydieofit。"Sosayinghekickedthehorsewithbothheels，pressinghimwithhispowerfulknees，andtheanimalsprangforwardwiththerapidityofahunter，seemingtounderstandwhathismasterwantedofhim，andcrossedtheforestinfifteenminutes。ThenMichu，whohadnotswervedfromtheshortestway，pulledup，foundaspotattheedgeofthewoodsfromwhichhecouldseetheroofsofthechateauofCinq-Cygnelightedbythemoon，tiedhishorsetoatree，andfollowedbyhiswife，gainedalittleeminencewhichoverlookedthevalley。

Thechateau，whichMartheandMichulookedattogetherforamoment，makesacharmingeffectinthelandscape。Thoughithaslittleextentandisofnoimportancewhateverasarchitecture，yetarchaeologicallyitisnotwithoutacertaininterest。Thisoldedificeofthefifteenthcentury，placedonaneminence，surroundedonallsidesbyamoat，orratherbydeep，wideditchesalwaysfullofwater，isbuiltincobble-stonesburiedincement，thewallsbeingsevenfeetthick。

Itssimplicityrecallstheroughandwarlikelifeoffeudaldays。Thechateau，plainandunadorned，hastwolargereddishtowersateitherend，connectedbyalongmainbuildingwithcasementwindows，thestonemullionsofwhich，beingroughlycarved，bearsomeresemblancetovine-shoots。Thestairwayisoutsidethehouse，atthemiddle，inasortofpentagonaltowerenteredthroughasmallarcheddoor。Theinterioroftheground-floortogetherwiththeroomsonthefirststoreyweremodernizedinthetimeofLouisXIV。，andthewholebuildingissurmountedbyanimmenseroofbrokenbycasementwindowswithcarvedtriangularpediments。Beforethecastleliesavastgreenswardthetreesofwhichhadrecentlybeencutdown。Oneithersideoftheentrancebridgearetwosmalldwellingswherethegardenerslive，connectedacrosstheroadbyapaltryironrailingwithoutcharacter，evidentlymodern。Torightandleftofthelawn，whichisdividedintwobyapavedroad-way，arethestables，cow-sheds，barns，wood-

house，bakery，poultry-yard，andtheoffices，placedinwhatweredoubtlesstheremainsoftwowingsoftheoldbuildingsimilartothosethatwerestillstanding。Thetwolargetowers，withtheirpepper-potroofswhichhadnotbeenrased，andthebelfryofthemiddletower，gaveanairofdistinctiontothevillage。Thechurch，alsoveryold，showednearbyitspointedsteeple，whichharmonizedwellwiththesolidmassesofthecastle。Themoonbroughtoutinfullreliefthevariousroofsandtowersonwhichitplayedandsparkled。

Michugazedatthisbaronialstructureinamannerthatupsetallhiswife’sideasabouthim；hisface，nowcalm，worealookofhopeandalsoasortofpride。Hiseyesscannedthehorizonwithaglanceofdefiance；helistenedforsoundsintheair。Itwasnownineo’clock；

themoonwasbeginningtocastitslightuponthemarginoftheforestandtoilluminethelittlebluffonwhichtheystood。Thepositionstruckhimasdangerousandheleftit，fearfulofbeingseen。ButnosuspiciousnoisetroubledthepeaceofthebeautifulvalleyencircledonthissidebytheforestofNodesme。Marthe，exhaustedandtrembling，wasawaitingsomeexplanationoftheirhurriedride。Whatwassheengagedin？Wasshetoaidinagooddeedoranevilone？AtthatinstantMichubenttohiswife’searandwhispered:——

"GothehouseandasktospeaktotheComtessedeCinq-Cygne；whenyouseeherbeghertospeaktoyoualone。Ifnoonecanoverhearyou，saytoher:’Mademoiselle，thelivesofyourtwocousinsareindanger，andhewhocanexplainthehowandwhyiswaitingtospeaktoyou。’Ifsheseemsafraid，ifshedistrustsyou，addthesewords:’TheyareconspiringagainsttheFirstConsulandtheconspiracyisdiscovered。’

Don’tgiveyourname；theydistrustustoomuch。"

Martheraisedherfacetowardsherhusbandandsaid:——

"Canitbethatyouservethem？"

"WhatifIdo？"hesaid，frowning，takingherwordsasareproach。

"Youdon’tunderstandme，"criedMarthe，seizinghislargehandandfallingonherkneesbesidehimasshekisseditandcovereditwithhertears。

"Go，go，youshallcrylater，"hesaid，kissinghervehemently。

Whenhenolongerheardherstephiseyesfilledwithtears。HehaddistrustedMartheonaccountofherfather’sopinions；hehadhiddenthesecretsofhislifefromher；butthebeautyofhersimplenaturehadsuddenlyappearedtohim，justasthegrandeurofhishad，assuddenly，revealeditselftoher。Marthehadpassedinamomentfromthedeephumiliationcausedbythedegradationofthemanwhosenameshebore，totheexaltationgivenbyasenseofhisnobleness。Thechangewasinstantaneous，withouttransition；itwasenoughtomakehertremble。Shetoldhimlaterthatshewent，asitwere，throughbloodfromthepaviliontotheedgeoftheforest，andtherewasliftedtoheaven，inamoment，amongtheangels。Michu，whohadknownhewasnotappreciated，andwhomistookhiswife’sgrievedandmelancholymannerforlackofaffection，andhadlefthertoherself，livingchieflyoutofdoorsandreservingallhistendernessforhisboy，instantlyunderstoodthemeaningofhertears。Shehadcursedthepartwhichherbeautyandherfather’swillhadforcedhertotake；

butnowhappiness，inthemidstofthisgreatstorm，played，withabeautifulflamelikeavividlightningaboutthem。Anditwaslightning！Eachthoughtofthelasttenyearsofmisconception，andtheyblamedthemselvesonly。Michustoodmotionless，hiselbowonhisgun，hischinonhishand，lostindeepreverie。Suchamomentinaman’slifemakeshimwillingtoacceptthesaddestmomentsofapainfulpast。

Marthe，agitatedbythesamethoughtsasthoseofherhusband，wasalsotroubledinheartbythedangeroftheSimeusebrothers；forshenowunderstoodall，eventhefacesofthetwoParisians，thoughshestillcouldnotexplaintoherselfherhusband’sgun。Shedartedforwardlikeadoe，andsoonreachedtheroadtothechateau。Thereshewassurprisedbythestepsofamanfollowingbehindher；sheturned，withacry，andherhusband’slargehandclosedhermouth。

"FromthehillupthereIsawthesilverlaceofthegendarmes’hats。

GoinbythebreachinthemoatbetweenMademoiselle’stowerandthestables。Thedogswon’tbarkatyou。Gothroughthegardenandcallthecountessbythewindow；orderthemtosaddleherhorse，andaskhertocomeoutthroughthebreach。I’llbethere，afterdiscoveringwhattheParisiansareplanning，andhowtoescapethem。"

Danger，whichseemedtoberollinglikeanavalancheuponthem，gavewingstoMarthe’sfeet。

CHAPTERIV

LAURENCEDECINQ-CYGNE

TheoldFranknameoftheCinq-CygnesandtheChargeboeufswasDuineff。Cinq-CygnebecamethatoftheyoungerbranchoftheChargeboeufsafterthedefenceofacastlemade，duringtheirfather’sabsence，byfivedaughtersofthatrace，allremarkablyfair，andofwhomnooneexpectedsuchheroism。OneofthefirstComtesdeChampagnewished，bybestowingthisprettyname，toperpetuatethememoryoftheirdeedaslongasthefamilyexisted。Laurence，thelastofherrace，was，contrarytoSaliclaw，heiressofthename，thearms，andthemanor。ShewasthereforeComtessedeCinq-Cygneinherownright；herhusbandwouldhavetotakebothhernameandherblazon，whichborefordevicethegloriousanswermadebytheelderofthefivesisterswhensummonedtosurrenderthecastle，"Wediesinging。"Worthydescendantofthesenobleheroines，Laurencewasfairandlily-whiteasthoughnaturehadmadeherforawager。Thelinesofherblueveinscouldbeseenthroughthedelicateclosetextureofherskin。Herbeautifulgoldenhairharmonizeddelightfullywitheyesofthedeepestblue。Everythingaboutherbelongedtothetypeofdelicacy。Withinthatfragilethoughactivebody，andindefianceasitwereofitspearlywhiteness，livedasoullikethatofamanofnoblenature；butnoone，notevenacloseobserver，wouldhavesuspecteditfromthegentlecountenanceandroundedfeatureswhich，whenseeninprofile，boresomeslightresemblancetothoseofalamb。

Thisextremegentleness，thoughnoble，hadsomethingofthestupidityofthelittleanimal。"Ilooklikeadreamysheep，"shewouldsay，smiling。Laurence，whotalkedlittle，seemednotsomuchdreamyasdormant。But，didanyimportantcircumstancearise，thehiddenJudithwasrevealed，sublime；andcircumstanceshad，unfortunately，notbeenwanting。

Atthirteenyearsofage，Laurence，aftertheeventsalreadyrelated，wasanorphanlivinginahouseoppositetotheemptyspacewheresorecentlyhadstoodoneofthemostcuriousspecimensinFranceofsixteenth-centuryarchitecture，thehotelCinq-Cygne。Monsieurd’Hauteserre，herrelation，nowherguardian，tooktheyoungheiresstoliveinthecountryatherchateauofCinq-Cygne。Thatbraveprovincialgentleman，alarmedatthedeathofhisbrother，theAbbed’Hauteserre，whowasshotintheopensquareashewasabouttoescapeinthedressofapeasant，wasnotinapositiontodefendtheinterestsofhisward。Hehadtwosonsinthearmyoftheprinces，andeveryday，attheslightestunusualsound，hebelievedthatthemunicipalsofArciswerecomingtoarresthim。Laurence，proudofhavingsustainedasiegeandofpossessingthehistoricwhitenessofherswan-likeancestors，despisedtheprudentcowardiceoftheoldmanwhobenttothestorm，anddreamedonlyofdistinguishingherself。So，sheboldlyhungtheportraitofCharlotteCordayonthewallsofherpoorsalonatCinq-Cygne，andcrowneditwithoak-leaves。Shecorrespondedbymessengerwithhertwincousins，indefianceofthelaw，whichpunishedtheact，whendiscovered，withdeath。Themessenger，whoriskedhislife，broughtbacktheanswers。Laurencelivedonly，afterthecatastrophesatTroyes，forthetriumphoftheroyalcause。AftersoberlyjudgingMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre(wholivedwithheratthechateaudeCinq-Cygne)，andrecognizingtheirhonest，butstolidnatures，sheputthemoutsidethelinesofherownlife。Shehad，moreover，toogoodamindandtoosoundajudgmenttocomplainoftheirnatures；alwayskind，amiable，andaffectionatetowardsthem，sheneverthelesstoldthemnoneofhersecrets。Nothingformsacharactersomuchasthepracticeofconstantconcealmentinthebosomofafamily。

AftersheattainedhermajorityLaurenceallowedMonsieurd’Hauteserretomanageheraffairsasinthepast。Solongasherfavoritemarewaswell-groomed，hermaidCatherinedressedtopleaseher，andGothardthelittlepagewassuitablyclothed，shecaredfornothingelse。Herthoughtswereaimedtoohightocomedowntooccupationsandinterestswhichinothertimesthanthesewoulddoubtlesshavepleasedher。

Dresswasasmallmattertohermind；moreoverhercousinswerenottheretoseeher。Sheworeadark-greenhabitwhensherode，andagownofsomecommonwoollenstuffwithacapetrimmedwithbraidwhenshewalked；inthehouseshewasalwaysseeninasilkwrapper。

Gothard，thelittlegroom，abraveandcleverladoffifteen，attendedherwherevershewent，andshewasnearlyalwaysoutofdoors，ridingorhuntingoverthefarmsofGondreville，withoutobjectionbeingmadebyeitherMichuorthefarmers。Sherodeadmirablywell，andherclevernessinhuntingwasthoughtmiraculous。Inthecountryshewasnevercalledanythingbut"Mademoiselle"evenduringtheRevolution。

Whoeverhasreadthefineromanceof"RobRoy"willrememberthatrarewomanforwhosemakingWalterScott’simaginationabandoneditscustomarycoldness，——DianaVernon。TherecollectionwillservetomakeLaurenceunderstoodif，tothenoblequalitiesoftheScottishhuntressyouaddtherestrainedexaltationofCharlotteCorday，surpassing，however，thecharmingvivacitywhichrenderedDianasoattractive。Theyoungcountesshadseenhermotherdie，theAbbed’Hauteserreshotdown，theMarquisdeSimeuseandhiswifeexecuted；

heronlybrotherhaddiedofhiswounds；hertwocousinsservinginConde’sarmymightbekilledatanymoment；and，finally，thefortunesoftheSimeuseandtheCinq-CygnefamilieshadbeenseizedandwastedbytheRepublicwithoutbeingofanybenefittothenation。Hergravedemeanor，nowlapsingintoapparentstolidity，canbereadilyunderstood。

Monsieurd’Hauteserreprovedanuprightandmostcarefulguardian。

UnderhisadministrationCinq-Cygnebecameasortoffarm。Thegoodman，whowasfarmoreofaclosemanagerthanaknightoftheoldnobility，hadturnedtheparkandgardenstoprofit，andusedtheirtwohundredacresofgrassandwoodlandaspasturageforhorsesandfuelforthefamily。Thankstohissevereeconomythecountess，oncomingofage，hadrecoveredbyhisinvestmentsintheStatefundsacompetentfortune。In1798shepossessedabouttwentythousandfrancsayearfromthosesources，onwhich，infact，somedividendswerestilldue，andtwelvethousandfrancsayearfromtherentalsatCinq-

Cygne，whichhadlatelybeenrenewedatanotableincrease。MonsieurandMadamed’HauteserrehadprovidedfortheiroldagebythepurchaseofanannuityofthreethousandfrancsintheTontinesLafarge。ThatfragmentoftheirformermeansdidnotenablethemtoliveelsewherethanatCinq-Cygne，andLaurence’sfirstactoncomingtohermajoritywastogivethemtheuseforlifeofthewingofthechateauwhichtheyoccupied。

TheHauteserres，asniggardlyfortheirwardastheywereforthemselves，laidupeveryyearnearlythewholeoftheirannuityforthebenefitoftheirsons，andkepttheyoungheiressonmiserablefare。ThewholecostoftheCinq-Cygnehouseholdneverexceededfivethousandfrancsayear。ButLaurence，whocondescendedtonodetails，wassatisfied。Herguardianandhiswife，unconsciouslyruledbytheimperceptibleinfluenceofherstrongcharacter，whichwasfelteveninlittlethings，hadendedbyadmiringherwhomtheyhadknownandtreatedasachild，——asufficientlyrarefeeling。Butinhermanner，herdeepvoice，hercommandingeye，Laurenceheldthatinexplicablepowerwhichrulesallmen，——evenwhenitsstrengthismereappearance。

Tovulgarmindsrealdepthisincomprehensible；itisperhapsforthatreasonthatthepopulaceissopronetoadmirewhatitcannotunderstand。MonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，impressedbythehabitualsilenceanderratichabitsoftheyounggirl，wereconstantlyexpectingsomeextraordinarythingofher。

Laurence，whodidgoodintelligentlyandneverallowedherselftobedeceived，washeldintheutmostrespectbythepeasantryalthoughshewasanaristocrat。Hersex，name，andgreatmisfortunes，alsotheoriginalityofherpresentlife，contributedtogiveherauthorityovertheinhabitantsofthevalleyofCinq-Cygne。Shewassometimesabsentfortwodays，attendedbyGothard，butneitherMonsieurnorMadamed’Hauteserrequestionedher，onherreturn，astothereasonsofherabsence。Pleaseobserve，however，thattherewasnothingoddoreccentricaboutLaurence。Whatshewasandwhatshedidwasmasked，asitwere，byafeminineandevenfragileappearance。Herheartwasfullofextremesensibility，thoughherheadcontainedastoicalfirmnessandthevirilegiftofresolution。Herclear-seeingeyesknewnothowtoweep；butnoonewouldhaveimaginedthatthedelicatewhitewristwithitstraceryofblueveinscoulddefythatoftheboldesthorseman。Herhand，sonoble，soflexible，couldhandlegunorpistolwiththeeaseofapractisedmarksman。Shealwaysworewhenoutofdoorsthecoquettishlittlecapwithvisorandgreenveilwhichwomenwearonhorseback。Herdelicatefairface，thusprotected，andherwhitethroattiedwithablackcravat，wereneverinjuredbyherlongridesinallweathers。

UndertheDirectoryandatthebeginningoftheConsulate，Laurencehadbeenabletoescapetheobservationofothers；butsincethegovernmenthadbecomeamoresettledthing，thenewauthorities，theprefectoftheAube，Malin’sfriends，andMalinhimselfhadendeavoredtoundermineherinthecommunity。HerpreoccupyingthoughtwastheoverthrowofBonaparte，whoseambitionanditstriumphsexcitedtheangerofhersoul，——acold，deliberateanger。Theobscureandhiddenenemyofamanatthepinnacleofglory，shekepthergazeuponhimfromthedepthsofhervalleyandherforests，withrelentlessfixity；

thereweretimeswhenshethoughtofkillinghimintheroadsaboutMalmaisonorSaint-Cloud。Plansfortheexecutionofthisideamayhavebeenthecauseofmanyofherpastactions，buthavingbeeninitiated，afterthepeaceofAmiens，intotheconspiracyofthemenwhoexpectedtomakethe18thBrumairerecoilupontheFirstConsul，shehadthenceforthsubordinatedherfacultiesandherhatredtotheirvastandwelllaidscheme，whichwastostrikeatBonaparteexternallybythevastcoalitionofRussia，Austria，andPrussia(vanquishedatAusterlitz)andinternallybythecoalitionofmenpoliticallyopposedtoeachother，butunitedbytheircommonhatredofamanwhosedeathsomeofthemweremeditating，likeLaurenceherself，withoutshrinkingfromthewordassassination。Thisyounggirl，sofragiletotheeye，sopowerfultothosewhoknewherwell，wasatthepresentmomentthefaithfulguideandassistantoftheexiledgentlemenwhocamefromEnglandtotakepartinthisdeadlyenterprise。

Fouchereliedontheco-operationofthe/emigres/everywherebeyondtheRhinetoluretheDucd’Enghienintotheplot。ThepresenceofthatprinceintheBadenterritory，notfarfromStrasburg，gavemuchweightlatertotheaccusation。Thegreatquestionofwhethertheprincereallyknewoftheenterprise，andwaswaitingonthefrontiertoenterFranceonitssuccess，isoneofthosesecretsaboutwhich，asaboutseveralothers，thehouseofBourbonhasmaintainedanunbrokensilence。Asthehistoryofthatperiodrecedesintothepast，impartialhistorianswilldeclaretheimprudence，tosaytheleast，oftheDucd’Enghieninplacinghimselfclosetothefrontieratatimewhenavastconspiracywasabouttobreakforth，thesecretofwhichwasundoubtedlyknowntoeverymemberoftheBourbonfamily。

ThecautionwhichMalindisplayedintalkingwithGrevinintheopenair，Laurenceappliedtohereveryaction。ShemettheemissariesandconferredwiththemeitheratvariouspointsintheNodesmeforest，orbeyondthevalleyoftheCinq-Cygne，betweenthevillagesofSezanneandBrienne。OftensherodefortymilesonastretchwithGothard，andreturnedtoCinq-Cygnewithouttheleastsignofwearinessorpre-occupationonherfairyoungface。

Someyearsearlier，Laurencehadseenintheeyesofalittlecow-boy，thennineyearsold，theartlessadmirationwhichchildrenfeelforeverythingthatisoutofthecommonway。Shemadehimherpage，andtaughthimtogroomahorsewiththenicetyandcareofanEnglishman。

Shesawintheladadesiretodowell，abrightintelligence，andatotalabsenceofslymotives；shetestedhisdevotionandfoundhehadnotonlymindbutnobilityofcharacter；heneverdreamedofreward。

Theyounggirltrainedthissoulthatwasstillsoyoung；shewasgoodtohim，goodwithdignity；sheattachedhimtoherbyattachingherselftohim，andbyherselfpolishinganaturethatwashalfwild，withoutdestroyingitsfreshnessoritssimplicity。Whenshehadsufficientlytestedthealmostcaninefidelityshehadnurtured，Gothardbecameherintelligentandingenuousaccomplice。Thelittlepeasant，whomnoonecouldsuspect，wentfromCinq-CygnetoNancy，andoftenreturnedbeforeanyonehadmissedhimfromtheneighborhood。Heknewhowtopractiseallthetricksofaspy。Theextremedistrustandcautionhismistresshadtaughthimdidnotchangehisnaturalself。

Gothard，whopossessedallthecraftofawoman，thecandorofachild，andtheceaselessobservationofaconspirator，hideveryoneoftheseadmirablequalitiesbeneaththetorporanddullignoranceofacountrylad。Thelittlefellowhadasilly，weak，andclumsyappearance；butonceatworkhewasactiveasafish；heescapedlikeaneel；heunderstood，asthedogsdo，themerestglance；henosedathought。Hisgoodfatface，bothroundandred，hissleepybrowneyes，hishair，cutinthepeasantfashion，hisclothes，andhisslowgrowthgavehimtheappearanceofachildoften。

Thetwoyoungd’HauteserresandthetwinbrothersSimeuse，undertheguidanceoftheircousinLaurence，whohadbeenwatchingovertheirsafetyandthatoftheother/emigres/whoaccompaniedthemfromStrasburgtoBar-sur-Aube，hadjustpassedthroughAlsaceandLorraine，andwerenowinChampagnewhileotherconspirators，notlessbold，wereenteringFrancebythecliffsofNormandy。Dressedasworkmenthed’HauteserresandtheSimeusetwinshadwalkedfromforesttoforest，guidedontheirwaybyrelaysofpersons，chosenbyLaurenceduringthelastthreemonthsfromamongtheleastsuspectedoftheBourbonadherentslivingineachneighborhood。The/emigres/

sleptbydayandtravelledbynight。Eachbroughtwithhimtwofaithfulsoldiers；oneofwhomwentbeforetowarnofdanger，theotherbehindtoprotectaretreat。Thankstothesemilitaryprecautions，thisvaluabledetachmenthadatlastreached，withoutaccident，theforestofNodesme，whichwaschosenastherendezvous。

Twenty-sevenothergentlemenhadenteredFrancefromSwitzerlandandcrossedBurgundy，guidedtowardsPariswiththesamecaution。

MonsieurdeRivierecountedoncollectingfivehundredmen，onehundredofwhomwereyoungnobles，theofficersofthissacredlegion。

MonsieurdePolignacandMonsieurdeRiviere，whoseconductaschiefsofthisadvancewasmostremarkable，afterwardspreservedanimpenetrablesecrecyastothenamesofthoseoftheiraccompliceswhowerenotdiscovered。Itmaybesaid，therefore，nowthattheRestorationhasmademattersclearer，thatBonaparteneverknewtheextentofthedangerhethenran，anymorethanEnglandknewtheperilshehadescapedfromthecampatBoulogne；andyetthepoliceofFrancewasnevermoreintelligentlyorablymanaged。

Attheperiodwhenthishistorybegins，acoward——forcowardsarealwaystobefoundinconspiracieswhicharenotconfinedtoasmallnumberofequallystrongmen——aswornconfederate，broughtfacetofacewithdeath，gavecertaininformation，happilyinsufficienttocovertheextentoftheconspiracy，butpreciseenoughtoshowtheobjectoftheenterprise。Thepolicehadtherefore，asMalintoldGrevin，lefttheconspiratorsatliberty，thoughallthewhilewatchingthem，hopingtodiscovertheramificationsoftheplot。

Nevertheless，thegovernmentfounditshandtoacertainextentforcedbyGeorgesCadoudal，amanofactionwhotookcounselofhimselfonly，andwhowashidinginPariswithtwenty-five/chouans/forthepurposeofattackingtheFirstConsul。

Laurencecombinedbothhatredandlovewithinherbreast。TodestroyBonaparteandbringbacktheBourbonswastorecoverGondrevilleandmakethefortuneofhercousins。Thetwosentiments，onethecounterpartoftheother，weresufficient，moreespeciallyattwenty-

threeyearsofage，toexciteallthefacultiesofhersoulandallthepowersofherbeing。So，forthelasttwomonths，shehadseemedtotheinhabitantsofCinq-Cygnemorebeautifulthanatanyotherperiodofherlife。Hercheeksbecamerosy；hopegavepridetoherbrow；butwhenoldd’HauteserrereadtheGazetteatnightanddiscussedtheconservativecourseoftheFirstConsulsheloweredhereyestoconcealherpassionatehopesofthecomingfallofthatenemyoftheBourbons。

Nooneatthechateauhadthefaintestideathattheyoungcountesshadmethercousinsthenightbefore。ThetwosonsofMonsieurandMadamed’HauteserrehadpassedtheprecedingnightinLaurence’sownroom，underthesameroofwiththeirfatherandmother；andLaurence，afterknowingthemsafelyinbedhadgonebetweenoneandtwoo’clockinthemorningtoarendezvouswithhercousinsintheforest，whereshehidtheminthedesertedhutofawood-dealer’sagent。Thefollowingday，certainofseeingthemagain，sheshowednosignsofherjoy；nothingaboutherbetrayedemotion；shewasabletoeffacealltracesofpleasureathavingmetthemagain；infact，shewasimpassible。Catherine，herprettymaid，daughterofherformernurse，andGothard，bothinthesecret，modelledtheirbehavioruponhers。

Catherinewasnineteenyearsold。Atthatageagirlisafanaticandwouldletherthroatbecutbeforebetrayingathoughtofonesheloves。AsforGothard，merelytoinhaletheperfumewhichthecountessusedinherhairandamongherclotheshewouldhaveborntherackwithoutaword。

CHAPTERV

ROYALISTHOMESANDPORTRAITSUNDERTHECONSULATE

AtthemomentwhenMarthe，drivenbytheimminenceoftheperil，wasglidingwiththerapidityofashadowtowardsthebreachofwhichMichuhadtoldher，thesalonofthechateauofCinq-Cygnepresentedapeacefulsight。Itsoccupantsweresofarfromsuspectingthestormthatwasabouttoburstuponthemthattheirquietaspectwouldhaverousedthecompassionofanyonewhoknewtheirsituation。Inthelargefireplace，themantelofwhichwasadornedwithamirrorwithshepherdessesinpanierspaintedonitsframe，burnedafiresuchascanbeseenonlyinchateausborderingonforests。Atthecornerofthisfireplace，onalargesquaresofaofgildedwoodwithamagnificentbrocadedcover，theyoungcountesslayasitwereextended，inanattitudeofutterweariness。Returningatsixo’clockfromtheconfinesofBrie，havingplayedthepartofscouttothefourgentlemenwhomsheguidedsafelytotheirlasthalting-placebeforetheyenteredParis，shehadfoundMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserrejustfinishingtheirdinner。Pressedbyhungershesatdowntotablewithoutchangingeitherhermuddyhabitorherboots。Insteadofdoingsoatonceafterdinner，shewassuddenlyovercomewithfatigueandallowedherheadwithitsbeautifulfaircurlstodroponthebackofthesofa，herfeetbeingsupportedinfrontofherbyastool。Thewarmthofthefirehaddriedthemudonherhabitandonherboots。

Herdoeskinglovesandthelittlepeakedcapwithitsgreenveilandawhiplayonthetablewhereshehadflungthem。ShelookedsometimesattheoldBouleclockwhichstoodonthemantelshelfbetweenthecandelabra，perhapstojudgeifherfourconspiratorswereasleep，andsometimesatthecard-tableinfrontofthefirewhereMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，thecureofCinq-Cygne，andhissisterwereplayingagameofboston。

Evenifthesepersonageswerenotembeddedinthisdrama，theirportraitswouldhavethemeritofrepresentingoneoftheaspectsofthearistocracyafteritsoverthrowin1793。Fromthispointofview，asketchofthesalonatCinq-Cygnehastheracinessofhistoryseenindishabille。

Monsieurd’Hauteserre，thenfifty-twoyearsofage，tall，spare，high-

colored，androbustinhealth，wouldhaveseemedtheembodimentofvigorifitwerenotforapairofporcelainblueeyes，theglanceofwhichdenotedthemostabsolutesimplicity。Inhisface，whichendedinalongpointedchin，therewas，judgingbytherulesofdesign，anunnaturaldistancebetweenhisnoseandmouthwhichgavehimasubmissiveair，whollyinkeepingwithhischaracter，whichharmonized，infact，withotherdetailsofhisappearance。Hisgrayhair，flattenedbyhishat，whichheworenearlyallday，lookedmuchlikeaskull-caponhishead，anddefineditspear-shapedoutline。Hisforehead，muchwrinkledbylifeintheopenairandbyconstantanxieties，wasflatandexpressionless。Hisaquilinenoseredeemedthefacesomewhat；butthesoleindicationofanystrengthofcharacterlayinthebushyeyebrowswhichretainedtheirblackness，andinthebrilliantcoloringofhisskin。Thesesignswereinsomerespectsnotmisleading，fortheworthygentlemen，thoughsimpleandverygentle，wasCatholicandmonarchicalinfaith，andnoconsiderationonearthcouldmakehimchangehisviews。Neverthelesshewouldhavelethimselfbearrestedwithoutaneffortatdefence，andwouldhavegonetothescaffoldquietly。Hisannuityofthreethousandfrancskepthimfromemigrating。Hethereforeobeyedthegovernment/defacto/withoutceasingtolovetheroyalfamilyandtoprayfortheirreturn，thoughhewouldfirmlyhaverefusedtocompromisehimselfbyanyeffortintheirfavor。Hebelongedtothatclassofroyalistswhoceaselesslyrememberedthattheywerebeatenandrobbed；andwhoremainedthenceforthdumb，economical，rancorous，withoutenergy；incapableofabjuringthepast，butequallyincapableofsacrifice；waitingtogreettriumphantroyalty；truetoreligionandtruetothepriesthood，butfirmlyresolvedtobearinsilencetheshocksoffate。Suchanattitudecannotbeconsideredthatofmaintainingopinions，itbecomessheerobstinacy。Actionistheessenceofparty。Withoutintelligence，butloyal，miserlyasapeasantyetnobleindemeanor，boldinhiswishesbutdiscreetinwordandaction，turningallthingstoprofit，willingeventobemademayorofCinq-Cygne，Monsieurd’HauteserrewasanadmirablerepresentativeofthosehonorablegentlemenonwhosebrowGodHimselfhaswrittentheword/mites/，——FrenchmenwhoburrowedintheircountryhomesandletthestormsoftheRevolutionpassabovetheirheads；whocameoncemoretothesurfaceundertheRestoration，richwiththeirhiddensavings，proudoftheirdiscreetattachmenttothemonarchy，andwho，after1830，recoveredtheirestates。

Monsieurd’Hauteserre’scostume，expressiveenvelopeofhisdistinctivecharacter，describedtotheeyeboththemanandhisperiod。Healwaysworeoneofthosenut-coloredgreat-coatswithsmallcollarswhichtheDucd’OrleansmadethefashionafterhisreturnfromEngland，andwhichwere，duringtheRevolution，asortofcompromisebetweenthehideouspopulargarmentsandtheelegantsurtoutsofthearistocracy。Hisvelvetwaistcoatwithfloweredstripes，thestyleofwhichrecalledthoseofRobespierreandSaint-Just，showedtheupperpartofashirt-frillinfineplaits。Hestillworebreeches；buthiswereofcoarsebluecloth，withburnishedsteelbuckles。Hisstockingsofblackspun-silkdefinedhisdeer-likelegs，thefeetofwhichwereshodinthickshoes，heldinplacebygaitersofblackcloth。Heretainedtheformerfashionofamuslincravatininnumerablefoldsfastenedbyagoldbuckleatthethroat。Theworthymanhadnotintendedanactofpoliticaleclecticisminadoptingthiscostume，whichcombinedthestylesofpeasant，revolutionist，andaristocrat；

hesimplyandinnocentlyobeyedthedictatesofcircumstances。

Madamed’Hauteserre，fortyyearsofageandwastedbyemotions，hadafadedfacewhichseemedtobealwaysposingforitsportrait。Alacecap，trimmedwithbowsofwhitesatin，contributedsingularlytogiveherasolemnair。Shestillworepowder，inspiteofawhitekerchief，andagownofpuce-coloredsilkwithtightsleevesandfullskirt，thesadlastgarmentsofMarie-Antoinette。Hernosewaspinched，herchinsharp，thewholefacenearlytriangular，theeyesworn-outwithweeping；butshenowworeatouchofrougewhichbrightenedtheirgrayness。Shetooksnuff，andeachtimethatshedidsosheemployedalltheprettyprecautionsofthefashionablewomenofherearlydays；

thedetailsofthissnuff-takingconstitutedaceremonywhichcouldbeexplainedbyonefact——shehadveryprettyhands。

ForthelasttwoyearstheformertutoroftheSimeusetwins，afriendofthelateAbbed’Hauteserre，namedGoujet，AbbedesMinimes，hadtakenchargeoftheparishofCinq-Cygneoutoffriendshipforthed’Hauteserresandtheyoungcountess。Hissister，MademoiselleGoujet，whopossessedalittleincomeofsevenhundredfrancs，addedthatsumtothemeagresalaryofherbrotherandkepthishouse。NeitherchurchnorparsonagehadbeensoldduringtheRevolutiononaccountoftheirsmallvalue。Theabbeandhissisterlivedclosetothechateau，forthewalloftheparsonagegardenandthatoftheparkwerethesameinplaces。Twiceaweekthepairdinedatthechateau，buttheycameeveryeveningtoplaybostonwiththed’Hauteserres；forLaurence，unabletoplayagame，didnotevenknowonecardfromanother。

TheAbbeGoujet，anoldmanwithwhitehairandafaceaswhiteasthatofanoldwoman，endowedwithakindlysmileandagentleandpersuasivevoice，redeemedtheinsipidityofhisrathermincingfacebyafineintellectualbrowandapairofkeeneyes。Ofmediumheight，andverywellmade，hestillworetheold-fashionedblackcoat，silvershoe-buckles，breeches，blacksilkstockings，andablackwaistcoatonwhichlayhisclericalbands，givinghimadistinguishedairwhichdetractednothingfromhisdignity。Thisabbe，whobecamebishopofTroyesaftertheRestoration，hadlongmadeastudyofyoungpeopleandfullyunderstoodthenoblecharacteroftheyoungcountess；heappreciatedheratherfullvalue，andhadshownher，fromthefirst，arespectfuldeferencewhichcontributedmuchtoherindependenceatCinq-Cygne，foritledtheaustereoldladyandthekindoldgentlemantoyieldtotheyounggirl，whobyrightsshouldhaveyieldedtothem。

ForthelastsixmonthstheabbehadwatchedLaurencewiththeintuitionpeculiartopriests，themostsagaciousofmen；andalthoughhedidnotknowthatthisgirloftwenty-threewasthinkingofoverturningBonaparteasshelaytheretwistingwithslenderfingersthefroggedlacingofherriding-habit，hewaswellawarethatshewasagitatedbysomegreatproject。

MademoiselleGoujetwasoneofthoseunmarriedwomenwhoseportraitcanbedrawninonewordwhichwillenabletheleastimaginativemindtopictureher；shewasungainly。Sheknewherownuglinessandwasthefirsttolaughatit，showingherlongteeth，yellowashercomplexionandherbonyhands。Shewasgayandhearty。Sheworethefamousshortgownofformerdays，averyfullskirtwithpocketsfullofkeys，acapwithribbonsandafalsefront。Shewasfortyyearsofageveryearly，buthad，soshesaid，caughtupwithherselfbykeepingatthatagefortwentyyears。Shereveredthenobility；andknewwellhowtopreserveherowndignitybygivingtopersonsofnoblebirththerespectanddeferencethatwereduetothem。

Thislittlecompanywasagod-sendtoMadamed’Hauteserre，whohadnot，likeherhusband，ruraloccupations，nor，likeLaurence，thetonicofhatred，toenablehertobearthedulnessofaretiredlife。

Manythingshadhappenedtoamelioratethatlifewithinthelastsixyears。TherestorationofCatholicworshipallowedthefaithfultofulfiltheirreligiousduties，whichplaymoreofapartincountrylifethanelsewhere。ProtectedbytheconservativeedictsoftheFirstConsul，MonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserrehadbeenabletocorrespondwiththeirsons，andnolongerindreadofwhatmighthappentothemcouldevenhopefortheerasureoftheirnamesfromthelistsoftheproscribedandtheirconsequentreturntoFrance。TheTreasuryhadlatelymadeupthearrearagesandnowpaiditsdividendspromptly；sothatthed’Hauteserresreceived，overandabovetheirannuity，abouteightthousandfrancsayear。Theoldmancongratulatedhimselfonthesagacityofhisforesightinhavingputallhissavings，amountingtotwentythousandfrancs，togetherwiththoseofhisward，inthepublicFundsbeforethe18thBrumaire，which，asweallknow，sentthosestocksupfromtwelvetoeighteenfrancs。

ThechateauofCinq-Cygnehadlongbeenemptyanddenudedoffurniture。Theprudentguardianwascarefulnottoalteritsaspectduringtherevolutionarytroubles；butafterthepeaceofAmienshemadeajourneytoTroyesandbroughtbackvariousrelicsofthepillagedmansionswhichheobtainedfromthedealersinsecond-handfurniture。Thesalonwasfurnishedforthefirsttimesincetheiroccupationofthehouse。Handsomecurtainsofwhitebrocadewithgreenflowers，fromthehoteldeSimeuse，drapedthesixwindowsofthesalon，inwhichthefamilywerenowassembled。Thewallsofthisvastroomwereentirelyofwood，withpanelsencasedinbeadedmouldingswithmasksattheangles；thewholepaintedintwoshadesofgray。Thespacesoverthefourdoorswerefilledwiththosedesigns，paintedincameooftwocolors，whichweresomuchinvogueunderLouisXV。

Monsieurd’HauteserrehadpickedupatTroyescertaingildedpier-

tables，asofaingreendamask，acrystalchandelier，acard-tableofmarquetry，amongotherthingsthatservedhimtorestorethechateau。

In1792allthefurnitureofthehousehadbeentakenordestroyed，forthepillageofthemansionsintownwasimitatedinthevalley。

EachtimethattheoldmanwenttoTroyeshereturnedwithsomerelicoftheformersplendor，sometimesafinecarpetforthefloorofthesalon，atothertimespartofadinnerservice，orabitofrareoldporcelainofeitherSevresorDresden。Duringthelastsixmonthshehadventuredtodigupthefamilysilver，whichthecookhadburiedinthecellarofalittlehousebelongingtohimattheendofoneofthelongfaubourgsinTroyes。

Thatfaithfulservant，namedDurieu，andhiswifehadfollowedthefortunesoftheiryoungmistress。Durieuwasthefactotumofthechateau，andhiswifewasthehousekeeper。HewashelpedinthecookingbythesisterofCatherine，Laurence’smaid，towhomhewasteachinghisartandwhogavepromiseofbecominganexcellentcook。

Anoldgardener，hiswife，asonpaidbytheday，andadaughterwhoservedasadairy-woman，madeupthehousehold。MadameDurieuhadlatelyandsecretlyhadtheCinq-Cygneliveriesmadeforthegardener’ssonandforGothard。ThoughblamedforthisimprudencebyMonsieurd’Hauteserre，thehousekeepertookgreatpleasureinseeingthedinnerservedonthefestivalofSaint-Laurence，thecountess’sfete-day，withalmostasmuchstyleasinformertimes。

ThisslowanddifficultrestorationofdepartedthingswasthedelightofMonsieurandMadamed’HauteserreandtheDurieus。Laurencesmiledatwhatshethoughtnonsense。Buttheworthyoldd’Hauteserredidnotforgetthemoresolidmatters；herepairedthebuildings，putupthewalls，plantedtreeswherevertherewasachancetomakethemgrow，anddidnotleaveaninchofunproductiveland。Thewholevalleyregardedhimasanoracleinthematterofagriculture。Hehadmanagedtorecoverahundredacresofcontestedland，notsoldasnationalproperty，beinginsomewayconfoundedwiththatofthetownship。Thislandhehadturnedintofieldswhichaffordedgoodpasturageforhishorsesandcattle，andheplantedthemroundwithpoplars，whichnow，attheendofsixyears，weremakingafinegrowth。Heintendedtobuybacksomeofthelostestate，andtoutilizealltheout-buildingsofthechateaubymakingasecondfarmandmanagingithimself。

Lifeatthechateauhadthusbecomeduringthelasttwoyearsprosperousandalmosthappy。Monsieurd’Hauteserrewasoffatdaybreakstooverlookhislaborers，forheemployedtheminallweathers。Hecamehometobreakfast，mountedhisfarmponyassoonasthemealwasover，andmadehisroundsoftheestatelikeabailiff，——

gettinghomeintimefordinner，andfinishingthedaywithagameofboston。Alltheinhabitantsofthechateauhadtheirstatedoccupations；lifewasascloselyregulatedthereasinaconvent。

Laurencealonedisturbeditseventenorbyhersuddenjourneys，heruncertainreturns，andbywhatMadamed’Hauteserrecalledherpranks。

ButwithallthispeacefulnessthereexistedatCinq-Cygneconflictinginterestsandcertaincausesofdissension。InthefirstplaceDurieuandhiswifewerejealousofCatherineandGothard，wholivedingreaterintimacywiththeiryoungmistress，theidolofthehousehold，thantheydid。Thenthetwod’Hauteserres，encouragedbyMademoiselleGoujetandtheabbe，wantedtheirsonsaswellastheSimeusebrotherstotaketheoathandreturntothisquietlife，insteadoflivingmiserablyinforeigncountries。Laurencescoutedtheodiouscompromiseandstoodfirmlyforthemonarchy，militantandimplacable。Thefouroldpeople，anxiousthattheirpresentpeacefulexistenceshouldnotberisked，northeirspotofrefuge，savedfromthefuriouswatersoftherevolutionarytorrent，lost，didtheirbesttoconvertLaurencetotheircautiousviews，believingthatherinfluencecountedformuchintheunwillingnessoftheirsonsandtheSimeusetwinstoreturntoFrance。Thesuperbdisdainwithwhichshemettheprojectfrightenedthesepoorpeople，whowerenotmistakenintheirfearsthatshewasmeditatingwhattheycalledknight-errantry。ThisjarringofopinioncametothesurfaceaftertheexplosionoftheinfernalmachineintherueSaint-Nicaise，thefirstroyalistattemptagainsttheconquerorofMarengoafterhisrefusaltotreatwiththehouseofBourbon。Thed’HauteserresconsidereditfortunatethatBonaparteescapedthatdanger，believingthattherepublicanshadinstigatedit。ButLaurenceweptwithragewhensheheardhewassafe。Herdespairovercameherusualreticence，andshevehementlycomplainedthatGodhaddesertedthesonsofSaint-Louis。

"I，"sheexclaimed，"Icouldhavesucceeded！Havewenoright，"sheadded，seeingthestupefactionherwordsproducedonthefacesabouther，andaddressingtheabbe，"norighttoattacktheusurperbyeverymeansinourpower？"

"Mychild，"repliedtheabbe，"theChurchhasbeengreatlyblamedbyphilosophersfordeclaringinformertimesthatthesameweaponsmightbeemployedagainstusurperswhichtheusurpersthemselveshademployedtosucceed；butinthesedaystheChurchowesfartoomuchtotheFirstConsulnottoprotecthimagainstthatmaxim，——which，bytheby，wasduetotheJesuits。"

"SotheChurchabandonsus！"sheanswered，gloomily。

FromthatdayforthwheneverthefouroldpeopletalkedofsubmittingtothedecreesofProvidence，Laurencelefttheroom。Oflate，theabbe，shrewderthanMonsieurd’Hauteserre，insteadofdiscussingprinciples，drewpicturesofthematerialadvantagesoftheconsularrule，lesstoconvertthecountessthantodetectinhereyessomeexpressionwhichmightenlightenhimastoherprojects。Gothard’sfrequentdisappearances，thelongridesofhismistress，andherevidentpreoccupation，which，forthelastfewdays，hadappearedinherface，togetherwithotherlittlesignsnottobehiddeninthesilenceandtranquillityofsuchalife，hadrousedthefearsofthesesubmissiveroyalists。Still，asnoeventhappened，andperfectquietappearedtoreigninthepoliticalatmosphere，themindsofthelittlehouseholdweresoothedintopeace，andthecountess’slongrideswereonemoreattributedtoherpassionforhunting。

Itiseasytoimaginethedeepsilencewhichreignedatnineo’clockintheeveninginthepark，courtyards，andgardensofCinq-Cygne，whereatthatparticularmomentthepersonswehavedescribedwereharmoniouslygrouped，whereperfectpeacepervadedallthings，wherecomfortandabundancewereagainenjoyed，andwheretheworthyandjudiciousoldgentlemanwasstillhopingtoconverthislatewardtohissystemofobediencetotherulingpowersbytheargumentofwhatwemaycallthecontinuityofprosperousresults。

Theseroyalistscontinuedtoplaytheirboston，agamewhichspreadideasofindependenceunderafrivolousformoverthewholeofFrance；

foritwasfirstinventedinhonoroftheAmericaninsurgents，itsverytermsapplyingtothestrugglewhichLouisXVI。encouraged。Whilemakingtheir"independences"and"poverties，"theplayerskeptaneyeonthecountess，whohadfallenasleep，overcomebyfatigue，withasingularsmileonherlips，herlastwakingthoughthavingbeenoftheterrortwowordscouldinspireinthemindsofthepeacefulcompanybyinformingthed’Hauteserresthattheirsonshadpassedtheprecedingnightunderthatroof。Whatyounggirloftwenty-threewouldnothavebeen，asLaurencewas，proudtoplaythepartofDestiny？andwhowouldnothavefelt，asshedid，asenseofcompassionforthosewhomshefelttobesofarbelowherinloyalty？

"Shesleeps，"saidtheabbe。"Ihaveneverseenhersowearied。"

"Durieutellsmehermareisalmostfoundered，"remarkedMadamed’Hauteserre。"Hergunhasnotbeenfired；thebreechisclean；shehasevidentlynothunted。"

"Oh！that’sneitherherenorthere，"saidtheabbe。

"Bah？"criedMademoiselleGoujet；"whenIwastwenty-threeandsawI

shouldbeanoldmaidallmylife，Irushedaboutandfatiguedmyselfinadozenways。Iunderstandhowthecountesscanscourthecountryforhourswithoutthinkingofthegame。Itisnearlytwelveyearsnowsinceshehasseenhercousins，andyouknowshelovesthem。Well，ifIwereshe，ifIwereasyoungandpretty，I’dmakeastraightlineforGermany！Poordarling，perhapssheisthinkingofthefrontier，andthatmaybethereasonwhysheridessofartowardsit。"

"Youarerathergiddy，MademoiselleGoujet，"saidtheabbe，smiling。

"Notatall，"shereplied。"Iseeyoualluneasyaboutthegoingsonofayounggirl，andIamexplainingthemtoyou。"

"Hercousinswillsubmitandreturnsoon；theywillallberich，andshewillendbycalmingdown，"saidoldd’Hauteserre。

"Godgrantit！"saidhiswife，takingoutagoldsnuff-boxwhichhadagainseenthelightundertheConsulate。

"Thereissomethingstirringintheneighborhood，"remarkedMonsieurd’Hauteserretotheabbe。"MalinhasbeentwodaysatGondreville。"

"Malin！"criedLaurence，rousedbythename，thoughhersleepwassound。

"Yes，"repliedtheabbe，"butheleavesto-night；everybodyisconjecturingthemotiveofthishastyvisit。"

"Thatman，"saidLaurence，"istheevilgeniusofourtwohouses。"

ThecountesshadbeendreamingofhercousinsandtheyoungHauteserres；shesawtheminperil。HerbeautifuleyesgrewfixedandglassyashermindthuswarneddwelledonthedangerstheywereabouttoincurinParis。Sherosesuddenlyandwenttoherbedroomwithoutspeaking。Herbedroomwasthebestinthehouse；nextcameadressing-

roomandanoratory，inthetowerwhichfacedtowardstheforest。Soonaftershehadleftthesalonthedogsbarked，thebellofthesmallgaterang，andDurieurushedintothesalonwithafrightenedface。

"Hereisthemayor！"hesaid。"Somethingisthematter。"

CHAPTERVI

ADOMICILIARYVISIT

Themayor，aformerhuntsmanofthehouseofSimeuse，cameoccasionallytothechateau，wherethed’Hauteserresshowedhimoutofpolicy，adeferencetowhichheattachedgreatvalue。HisnamewasGoulard；hehadmarriedarichwomanofTroyes，whoseproperty，whichwasinthecommuneofCinq-Cygne，hehadfurtherincreasedbythepurchaseofafineabbeyanditslands，inwhichheinvestedallhissavings。ThevastabbeyofVal-des-Preux，standingaboutamilefromthechateau，hehadturnedintoadwellingthatwasalmostassplendidasGondreville；inithiswifeandhewerenowlivinglikeratsinacathedral。"Ah！Goulard，youhavebeengreedy，"MademoisellehadsaidtohimwithalaughthefirsttimeshereceivedhimatCinq-Cygne。

ThoughgreatlyattachedtotheRevolutionandcoldlyreceivedbythecountess，themayoralwaysfelthimselfboundbytiesofrespecttotheCinq-CygneandSimeusefamilies。Hethereforeshuthiseyestowhatwentonatthechateau。HecalledshuttinghiseyesnotseeingtheportraitsofLouisXVI。，MarieAntoinette，andtheroyalchildren，andthoseofMonsieur，theComted’Artois，CazalesandCharlotteCorday，whichfilledthevariouspanelsofthesalon；notresentingeitherthewishesfreelyexpressedinhispresencefortheruinoftheRepublic，ortheridiculeflungatthefivedirectorsandalltheothergovernmentalcombinationsofthattime。Thepositionofthisman，who，likemanyparvenus，havingoncemadehisfortune，revertedtohisearlyfaithintheoldfamilies，andsoughttoattachhimselftothem，wasnowbeingmadeuseofbythetwomembersoftheParispolicewhoseprofessionhadbeensoquicklyguessedbyMichu，andwho，beforegoingtoGondrevillehadreconnoitredtheneighborhood。

Theworthydescribedasthedepositaryofthebesttraditionsoftheoldpolice，andCorentinphoenixofspies，wereinfactemployedonasecretmission。Malinwasnotmistakeninattributingadoublepurposetothosestarsoftragicfarces。But，beforeseeingthematwork，itisadvisabletoshowtheheadofwhichtheywerethearms。WhenBonapartebecameFirstConsulhefoundFoucheattheheadofthepolice。TheRevolutionhadfranklyandwithgoodreasonmadethemanagementofthepoliceintoaspecialministry。ButafterhisreturnfromMarengo，Bonapartecreatedtheprefectureofpolice，placedDuboisinchargeofit，andcalledFouchetotheCouncilofState，namingashissuccessorintheministryaconventionalnamedCochon，sinceknownasComtedeLapparent。Fouche，whoconsideredtheministryofpoliceasbyfarthemostimportantinagovernmentofbroadideasandfixedpolicy，sawdisgraceoratanyratedistrustinthechange。

AfterNapoleonbecameawareoftheimmensesuperiorityofthisgreatstatesman，asevidencedintheaffairoftheinfernalmachineandintheconspiracywithwhichwearenowconcerned，hereturnedhimtotheministryofpolice。Laterstill，becomingalarmedatthepowersFouchedisplayedduringhisabsenceatthetimeoftheaffairatWalcheren，theEmperorgavethatministrytotheDucdeRovigo，andsentFouche(Ducd’Otrante)asgovernortotheIllyrianprovinces，——anappointmentwhichwasinfactanexile。

Thesingulargeniusofthisman，Fouche，whichhadthepowerofinspiringNapoleonwithasortoffear，didnotrevealitselfallatonce。Thisobscureconventional，oneofthemostextraordinarymenofourtime，andthemostmisjudged，wasmoulded，asitwere，bythewhirlwindofevents。HeraisedhimselfundertheDirectorytotheheightfromwhichmenofgeniuscouldseethefutureandjudgethepast，andthen，likecertaincommonplaceactorswhosuddenlybecomeadmirablethroughthelightofsomevividperception，hegaveproofsofhisdexterityduringtherapidrevolutionofthe18thBrumaire。

Thismanwiththepallidface，educatedtomonasticdissimulation，possessingthesecretsofthe/montagnards/towhomhebelonged，andthoseoftheroyaliststowhomheendedbybelonging，hadslowlyandsilentlystudiedthemen，theevents，andtheinterestsonthepoliticalstage；hepenetratedNapoleon’ssecrets，hegavehimusefulcounselandpreciousinformation。Satisfiedwithhavingprovenhiscapacityandhisusefulness，Fouchewascarefulnottodisclosehimselfcompletely。Hewishedtoremainattheheadofaffairs，buttheEmperor’srestlessuneasinessabouthimcosthimhisplace。

TheingratitudeorratherthedistrustshownbyNapoleonaftertheaffairatWalcheren，givesthekey-notetothecharacterofamanwho，unfortunatelyforhimself，wasnotagreat/seigneur/，andwhoseconductwasmodelledonthatofTalleyrand。Atthattimeneitherhisformercolleaguesnorhispresentoneshadsuspectedtheamplitudeofhisgenius，whichwaspurelyministerial，essentiallygovernmental，justinitsforecastsandincrediblysagacious。To-day，everyimpartialhistorianperceivesthatNapoleon’sinordinateself-lovewasamongthechiefcausesofhisfall，apunishmentwhichcruellyexpiatedhiswrong-doing。Inthemindofthatdistrustfulsovereignlurkedaconstantjealousyforhisownrisingpower，whichinfluencedallhisactions，andcausedhissecrethatredformenoftalent，thepreciouslegacyoftheRevolution，withwhomhemighthavemadehimselfacabinetcapableofbeingatruerepositoryforhisthoughts。

TalleyrandandFouchewerenottheonlyoneswhogavehimumbrage。Themisfortuneofusurpersisthatthosewhohavegiventhemacrownareasmuchtheirenemiesasthosefromwhomtheysnatchit。Napoleon’ssovereigntywasneverconvincinglyfeltbythosewhowereoncehissuperiorsorhisequals，norbythosewhostillheldtothedoctrineofrights；noneofthemregardedtheiroathofallegiancetohimasbinding。

Malin，aninferiorman，incapableofcomprehendingFouche’shiddengenius，orofdistrustinghisownperceptions，burnedhimself，likeamothinacandle，byaskinghimconfidentiallytosendagentstoGondreville，where，hesaid，hehopedtoobtaincertaincluestotheconspiracy。Fouche，withoutalarminghisfriendbyanyquestions，askedhimselfwhyMalinwasgoingtoGondreville，andwhyhedidnotimmediatelyandwithoutlossoftime，givetheinformationhealreadypossessed。Theex-Oratorian，fedfromhisyouthupontrickery，andwellawareofthedoublepartplayedbyagoodmanyoftheconventionals，saidtohimself:"FromwhomisMalinlikelytoobtaininformationwhenweourselvesknowlittleornothing？"Foucheconcludedthereforethattherewassomeeitherlatentorprospectivecollusion，andtookcaretosaynothingaboutittotheFirstConsul。

HepreferredtomakeMalinhisinstrumentratherthandestroyhim。ItwasFouche’shabittokeeptohimselfagoodpartofthesecretshedetected，andhethusobtainedforhisownpurposesapoweroverthoseconcernedwhichwasevengreaterthanthatofBonaparte。ThisduplicitywasoneoftheEmperor’schargesagainsthisminister。

FoucheknewoftheswindlingtransactionbywhichMalinbecamepossessedofGondrevilleandwhichledhimtokeephiseyessoanxiouslyontheSimeusebrothers。ThesegentlemenwerenowservinginthearmyofConde；MademoiselledeCinq-Cygnewastheircousin；

possiblytheywereinherneighborhood，andweresharersintheconspiracy；ifso，itwouldimplicatethehouseofCondetowhichtheyweredevoted。TalleyrandandFouchewerebentoncastinglightintothisdarkcorneroftheconspiracyof1803。AlltheseconsiderationsFouchesawataglance，rapidlyandwithgreatclearness。ButbetweenMalin，Talleyrand，andhimselftherewerestrongtieswhichforcedhimtotheutmostcircumspection，andmadehimanxioustoknowtheexactstateofthingswithinthewallsofGondreville。CorentinwasunreservedlyattachedtoFouche，justasMonsieurdelaBesnardierewastoTalleyrand，GentztoMonsieurdeMetternich，DundastoPitt，DuroctoNapoleon，ChavignytoCardinalRichelieu。Corentinwasnotthecounsellorofhismaster，buthisinstrument，theTristantothisLouisXI。oflowestate。Fouchehadkepthimintheministryofthepolicewhenhehimselfleftit，soastostillkeepaneyeandafingerinit。ItwassaidthatCorentinbelongedtoFouchebysomeunavowedrelationship，forherewardedhimlavishlyaftereveryservice。CorentinhadafriendinPeyrade，theoldpupilofthelastlieutenantofpolice；buthekeptagoodmanyofhissecretsfromhim。

FouchegaveCorentinanordertoexplorethechateauofGondreville，togettheplanofitintohismemory，andtoknoweveryhiding-placewithinitswalls。

"Wemaybeobligedtoreturnthere，"saidtheex-minister，preciselyasNapoleontoldhislieutenantstoexplorethefieldofAusterlitzonwhichheintendedtofallback。

CorentinwasalsotostudyMalin’sconduct，discoverwhatinfluencehehadintheneighborhood，andobservethemenheemployed。FoucheregardeditascertainthattheSimeusebrotherswereinthatpartofthecountry。Bycautiouslywatchingthetwoofficers，whowerecloselyalliedwiththePrincedeConde，PeyradeandCorentincouldobtainpreciouslightontheramificationsoftheconspiracybeyondtheRhine。Inanycase，however，Corentinreceivedthemeans，theorders，andtheagents，tosurroundthechateauofCinq-Cygneandwatchthewholeregion，fromtheforestofNodesmeintoParis。Foucheinsistedontheutmostcaution，andwouldonlyallowadomiciliaryvisittoCinq-CygneincaseMalingavethempositiveinformationwhichmadeitnecessary。BywayofinstructionsheexplainedtoCorentintheotherwiseinexplicablepersonalityofMichu，whohadbeenwatchedbythepoliceforthelastthreeyears。Corentin’sideawasthatofhismaster:"Malinknowsallabouttheconspiracy——But，"headdedtohimself，"perhapsFouchedoes，too；whoknows？"

Corentin，havingstartedforTroyesbeforeMalin，hadmadearrangementswiththecommandantofthegendarmerieinthattown，whopickedoutanumberofhismostintelligentmenandplacedthemunderordersofanablecaptain。CorentinchoseGondrevilleastheplaceofrendezvous，anddirectedthecaptaintosendsomeofhismenatnightinfourdetachmentstodifferentpointsofthevalleyofCinq-Cygneatsufficientdistancefromeachothertocausenoalarm。ThesefourpicketsweretoformasquareandcloseinaroundthechateauofCinq-

Cygne。ByleavingCorentinaloneatGondrevilleduringhisconsultationinthefieldswithGrevin，MalinhadenabledhimtofulfilpartofFouche’sordersandexplorethehouse。WhentheCouncillorofStatereturnedhomehetoldCorentinsopositivelythatthed’HauteserreandSimeusebrotherswereintheneighborhoodandprobablyatCinq-Cygnethatthetwoagentsdespatchedthecaptainwiththerestofhiscompany，who，fortunatelyforthefourgentlemen，crossedtheforestontheirwaytothechateauduringthetimewhenMichuwasmakingViolettedrunk。MalinhadtoldCorentinandPeyradeoftheescapehehadfromlyinginwaitforhim。Thetwoagentsrelatedtheincidentoftheguntheyhadseenthebailiffload，andGrevinhadsentViolettetoobtaininformationastowhatwasgoingonatMichu’shouse。CorentinadvisedthenotarytotakeMalintohisownhouseinthelittletownofArcis，andlethimsleepthereasameasureofprecaution。AtthemomentwhenMichuandhiswifewererushingthroughtheforestontheirwaytoCinq-Cygne，PeyradeandCorentinwerestartingfromGondrevilleforCinq-Cygneinashabbywickercarriage，drawnbyonepost-horsedrivenbythecorporalofArcis，oneoftheshrewdestmenintheLegion，whomthecommandantatTroyesadvisedthemtoemploy。

"Thesurestwaytoseizethemallistowarnthem，"saidPeyradetoCorentin。"Atthemomentwhentheyarewellfrightenedandaretryingtosavetheirpapersortoescapewe’llfalluponthemlikeathunderbolt。Thegendarmessurroundthechateaunowandareasgoodasanet。Wesha’n’tloseoneofthem！"

"Youhadbettersendthemayortowarnthem，"saidthecorporal。"Heisfriendlytothemandwouldn’tliketoseethemharmed；theywon’tdistrusthim。"

JustasGoulardwaspreparingtogotobed，Corentin，whostoppedthevehicleinalittlewood，wenttohishouseandtoldhim，confidentially，thatinafewmomentsanemissaryfromthegovernmentwouldrequirehimtoenterthechateauofCinq-Cygneandarrestthebrothersd’HauteserreandSimeuse；andincasetheyhadalreadydisappearedhewouldhavetoascertainiftheyhadslepttherethenightbefore，searchMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’spapers，and，possibly，arrestboththemastersandservantsofthehousehold。

"MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，"saidCorentin，"isundoubtedlyprotectedbysomegreatpersonages，forIhavereceivedprivateorderstowarnherofthisvisit，andtodoallIcantosaveherwithoutcompromisingmyself。Onceontheground，Ishallnolongerbeabletodoso，forIamnotalone；gotothechateauyourselfandwarnthem。"

Themayor’svisitatthattimeofnightwasallthemorebewilderingtothecard-playerswhentheysawtheagitationofhisface。

"Whereisthecountess？"werehisfirstwords。

"Shehasgonetobed，"saidMadamed’Hauteserre。

Themayor，incredulous，listenedtonoisesthatwereheardontheupperfloor。

"Whatisthematterwithyou，Goulard？"saidMonsieurd’Hauteserre。

Goulardwasdumbwithsurpriseashenotedthetranquileaseofthefacesabouthim。Observingthepeacefulandinnocentgameofcardswhichhehadthusinterrupted，hewasunabletoimaginewhattheParisianpolicemeantbytheirsuspicions。

AtthatmomentLaurence，kneelinginheroratory，wasprayingferventlyforthesuccessoftheconspiracy。SheprayedtoGodtosendhelpandsuccortothemurderersofBonaparte。SheimploredHimardentlytodestroythatfatalbeing。ThefanaticismofHarmodius，Judith，JacquesClement，Ankarstroem，ofCharlotteCordayandLimoelan，inspiredthispureandvirginspirit。Catherinewaspreparingthebed，Gothardwasclosingtheblinds，whenMartheMichucomingunderthewindowsflungapebbleontheglassandwasseenatonce。

"Mademoiselle，here’ssomeone，"saidGothard，seeingawoman。

"Hush！"saidMarthe，inalowvoice。"Comedownandspeaktome。"

Gothardwasinthegardeninlesstimethanabirdwouldhavetakentoflydownfromatree。

"Inaminutethechateauwillbesurroundedbythegendarmerie。Saddlemademoiselle’shorsewithoutmakinganynoiseandtakeitdownthroughthebreachinthemoatbetweenthestablesandthistower。"

MarthequiveredwhenshesawLaurence，whohadfollowedGothard，standingbesideher。

"Whatisit？"askedLaurence，quietly。

"TheconspiracyagainsttheFirstConsulisdiscovered，"repliedMarthe，inawhisper。"Myhusband，whoseekstosaveyourtwocousins，sendsmetoaskyoutocomeandspeaktohim。"

LaurencedrewbackandlookedatMarthe。"Whoareyou？"shesaid。

"MartheMichu。"

"Idonotknowwhatyouwantofme，"repliedthecountess，coldly。

"Takecare，youwillkillthem。Comewithme，IimploreyouintheSimeusename，"saidMarthe，claspingherhandsandstretchingthemtowardsLaurence。"Haveyoupapersherewhichmaycompromiseyou？Ifso，destroythem。Fromtheheightsovertheremyhusbandhasjustseenthesilver-lacedhatsandthemusketsofthegendarmerie。"

Gothardhadalreadyclamberedtothehay-loftandseenthesamesight；

heheardinthestillnessoftheeveningthesoundoftheirhorses’

hoofs。Downheslippedintothestableandsaddledhismistress’smare，whosefeetCatherine，atawordfromthelad，muffledinlinen。

"WhereamItogo？"saidLaurencetoMarthe，whoselookandlanguageboretheunmistakablesignsofsincerity。

"Throughthebreach，"shereplied；"mynoblehusbandisthere。Youshalllearnthevalueofa’Judas’！"

Catherinewentquicklyintothesalon，pickedupthehat，veil，whip，andglovesofhermistress，anddisappeared。Thissuddenapparitionandactionweresostrikingacommentaryonthemayor’sinquirythatMadamed’Hauteserreandtheabbeexchangedglanceswhichcontainedthemelancholythought:"Farewelltoallourpeace！Laurenceisconspiring；shewillbethedeathofhercousins。"

"Butwhatdoyoureallymean？"saidMonsieurd’Hauteserretothemayor。

"Thechateauissurrounded。Youareabouttoreceiveadomiciliaryvisit。Ifyoursonsareheretellthemtoescape，andtheSimeusebrotherstoo，iftheyarewiththem。"

"Mysons！"exclaimedMadamed’Hauteserre，stupefied。

"Wehaveseennoone，"saidMonsieurd’Hauteserre。

"Somuchthebetter，"saidGoulard；"butIcaretoomuchfortheCinq-

CygneandSimeusefamiliestoletanyharmcometothem。Listentome。

Ifyouhaveanycompromisingpapers——"

"Papers！"repeatedtheoldgentleman。

"Yes，ifyouhaveany，burnthematonce，"saidthemayor。"I’llgoandamusethepoliceagents。"

Goulard，whoseobjectwastorunwiththeroyalisthareandholdwiththerepublicanhounds，lefttheroom；atthatmomentthedogsbarkedviolently。

"Thereisnolongertime，"saidtheabbe，"heretheycome！Butwhoistowarnthecountess？Whereisshe？"

"Catherinedidn’tcomeforherhatandwhiptomakerelicsofthem，"

remarkedMademoiselleGoujet。

Goulardtriedtodetainthetwoagentsforafewmoments，assuringthemoftheperfectignoranceofthefamilyatCinq-Cygne。

"Youdon’tknowthesepeople！"saidPeyrade，laughingathim。

Thetwoagents，insinuatinglydangerous，enteredthehouseatonce，followedbythecorporalfromArcisandonegendarme。Thesightofthemparalyzedthepeacefulcard-players，whokepttheirseatsatthetable，terrifiedbysuchadisplayofforce。Thenoiseproducedbyadozengendarmeswhosehorseswerestampingontheterrace，washeardwithout。

"IdonotseeMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，"saidCorentin。

"Sheisprobablyasleepinherbedroom，"saidMonsieurd’Hauteserre。

"Comewithme，ladies，"saidCorentin，turningtopassthroughtheante-chamberandupthestaircase，followedbyMademoiselleGoujetandMadamed’Hauteserre。"Relyuponme，"hewhisperedtotheoldlady。"I

aminyourinterests。Isentthemayortowarnyou。Distrustmycolleagueandlooktome。Icansaveeveryoneofyou。"

"Butwhatisitallabout？"saidMademoiselleGoujet。

"Amatteroflifeanddeath；youmustknowthat，"repliedCorentin。

Madamed’Hauteserrefainted。ToMademoiselleGoujet’sgreatastonishmentandCorentin’sdisappointment，Laurence’sroomwasempty。

Certainthatnoonecouldhaveescapedfromtheparkorthechateau，foralltheissueswereguarded，Corentinstationedagendarmeineveryroomandorderedotherstosearchthefarmbuildings，stables，andsheds。Thenhereturnedtothesalon，whereDurieuandhiswifeandtheotherservantshadrushedinthewildestexcitement。Peyradewasstudyingtheirfaceswithhislittleblueeye，coldandcalminthemidstoftheuproar。JustasCorentinreappearedalone(MademoiselleGoujetremainingbehindtotakecareofMadamed’Hauteserre)thetrampofhorseswasheard，andpresentlythesoundofachild’sweeping。Thehorsesenteredbythesmallgate；andthegeneralsuspensewasputanendtobyacorporalappearingatthedoorofthesalonpushingGothard，whosehandsweretied，andCatherinewhomheledtotheagents。

"Herearesomeprisoners，"hesaid；"thatlittlescampwasescapingonhorseback。"

"Fool！"saidCorentin，inhisear，"whydidn’tyoulethimalone？Youcouldhavefoundoutsomethingbyfollowinghim。"

Gothardhadchosentoburstintotearsandbehavelikeanidiot。

Catherinetookanattitudeofartlessinnocencewhichmadetheoldagentreflective。ThepupilofLenoir，afterconsideringthetwoprisonerscarefully，andnotingthevacantairoftheoldgentlemanwhomhetooktobesly，theintelligenteyeoftheabbewhowasstillfingeringthecards，andtheutterstupefactionoftheservantsandDurieu，approachedCorentinandwhisperedinhisear，"Wearenotdealingwithninnies。"

Corentinansweredwithalookatthecard-table；thenheadded，"Theywereplayingatboston！Mademoiselle’sbedwasjustbeingmadeforthenight；sheescapedinahurry；itisaregularsurprise；weshallcatchthem。"