第4章

JustthenagendarmeenteredthesalontoaskifhemightbringinMichu’sson，sentbyhisfathertospeaktothegentlemenfromParis。

Corentingaveanaffirmativenod。FrancoisMichu，aslylittlechipoftheoldblock，wasinthecourtyard，whereGothard，nowatliberty，gotachancetospeaktohimforaninstantundertheeyesofagendarme。ThelittlefellowmanagedtoslipsomethingintoGothard’shandwithoutbeingdetected，andthelatterglidedintothesalonafterhimtillhereachedhismistress，towhomhestealthilyconveyedbothhalvesofthewedding-ring，asuresign，sheknew，thatMichuhadmetthefourgentlemenandputtheminsafety。

"Mypapawantstoknowwhathe’stodowiththecorporal，whoain’tdoingwell，"saidFrancois。

"What’sthematterwithhim？"askedPeyrade。

"It’shishead——hepitcheddownhardontheground，"repliedtheboy。

"Foragindarmewhoknowshowtorideitwasbadluck——Isupposethehorsestumbled。He’sgotahole——my！asbigasyourfist——inthebackofhishead。Seemsasifhemusthavehitsomebigstone，poorman！Hemaybeagindarme，buthesuffersallthesame——you’dpityhim。"

Thecaptainofthegendarmerienowarrivedanddismountedinthecourtyard。Corentinthrewupthewindow，nottolosetime。

"Whathasbeendone？"

"WearebackliketheDutchmen！Wefoundnothingbutfivedeadhorses，theircoatsstiffwithsweat，inthemiddleoftheforest。Ihavekeptthemtofindoutwheretheycamefromandwhoownsthem。Theforestissurrounded；whoeverisinitcan’tgetout。"

"Atwhathourdoyousupposethosehorsemenenteredtheforest？"

"Abouthalf-pasttwelve。"

"Don’tletahareleavethatforestwithoutyourseeingit，"whisperedCorentin。"I’llstationPeyradeatthevillagetohelpyou；Iamgoingtoseethecorporalmyself——Gotothemayor’shouse，"headded，stillwhispering，toPeyrade。"I’llsendsomeablemantorelieveyou。Weshallhavetomakeuseofthecountry-people；examineallfaces。"Heturnedtowardsthefamilyandsaidinathreateningtone，"Aurevoir！"

Noonereplied，andthetwoagentslefttheroom。

"WhatwouldFouchesayifheknewwehadmadeadomiciliaryvisitwithoutgettinganyresults？"remarkedPeyradeashehelpedCorentinintotheosiervehicle。

"Itisn’toveryet，"repliedtheother，"thosefouryoungmenareintheforest。Lookthere！"andhepointedtoLaurencewhowaswatchingthemfromawindow。"Ioncerevengedmyselfonawomanwhowasworthadozenofthatoneandhadstirredmybileagooddealless。IfthisgirlcomesinthewayofmyhatchetI’llpayherforthelashofthatwhip。"

"Theotherwasastrumpet，"saidPeyrade；"thisonehasrank。"

"Whatdifferenceisthattome？All’sfishthatswimsinthesea，"

repliedCorentin，signingtothegendarmewhodrovehimtowhipup。

TenminuteslaterthechateaudeCinq-Cygnewascompletelyevacuated。

"Howdidtheygetridofthecorporal？"saidLaurencetoFrancoisMichu，whomshehadorderedtositdownandeatsomebreakfast。

"MyfathertoldmeitwasamatteroflifeanddeathandImustn’tletanybodygetintoourhouse，"repliedtheboy。"IknewwhenIheardthehorsesintheforestthatI’dgottodowiththemhoundsofgindarmes，andImeanttokeep’emfromgettingin。SoItooksomebigropesthatwereinmygarretandfastenedoneof’emtoatreeatthecorneroftheroad。ThenIdrewtheropehighenoughtohitthebreastofamanonhorseback，andtiedittothetreeontheoppositesideofthewayinthedirectionwhereIheardthehorses。Thatbarredtheroad。Itdidn’tmissfire，Icantellyou！Therewasnomoon，andthecorporaljustpitched！——buthewasn’tkilled；they’retough，themgindarmes！I

didwhatIcould。"

"Youhavesavedus！"saidLaurence，kissinghimasshetookhimtothegate。Whenthere，shelookedaboutherandseeingnooneshesaidcautiously，"Havetheyprovisions？"

"Ihavejusttakenthemtwelvepoundsofbreadandfourbottlesofwine，"saidtheboy。"They’llbesnugforaweek。"

Returningtothesalon，thegirlwasbesetwithmutequestionsintheeyesofall，eachofwhomlookedatherwithasmuchadmirationaseagerness。

"Buthaveyoureallyseenthem？"criedMadamed’Hauteserre。

Thecountessputafingeronherlipsandsmiled；thenshelefttheroomandwenttobed；hertriumphsure，utterwearinesshadovertakenher。

TheshortestroadfromCinq-CygnetoMichu’slodgewasthatwhichledfromthevillagepastthefarmatBellachetothe/rond-point/wheretheParisianspieshadfirstseenMichuontheprecedingevening。ThegendarmewhowasdrivingCorentintookthisway，whichwastheonethecorporalofArcishadtaken。Astheydrovealong，theagentwasonthelook-outforsignstoshowwhythecorporalhadbeenunhorsed。Heblamedhimselfforhavingsentbutonemanonsoimportantanerrand，andhedrewfromthismistakeanaxiomforthepoliceCode，whichheafterwardsapplied。

"Iftheyhavegotridofthecorporal，"hesaidtohimself，"theyhavedoneasmuchbyViolette。ThosefivehorseshaveevidentlybroughtthefourconspiratorsandMichufromtheneighborhoodofParistotheforest。HasMichuahorse？"heinquiredofthegendarmewhowasdrivinghimandwhobelongedtothesquadfromArcis。

"Yes，andafamouslittlehorseitis，"answeredtheman，"ahunterfromthestablesoftheci-devantMarquisdeSimeuse。There’snobetterbeast，thoughitisnearlyfifteenyearsold。Michucanridehimfiftymilesandhewon’tturnahair。Hetakesmightygoodcareofhimandwouldn’tsellhimatanyprice。"

"Whatdoesthehorselooklike？"

"He’sbrown，turningrathertoblack；whitestockingsabovethehoofs，thin，allnerveslikeanArab。"

"DidyoueverseeanArab？"

"InEgypt——lastyear。I’veriddenthehorsesofthemamelukes。Wehavetoservetwelveyearsinthecavalry，andIwasontheRhineunderGeneralSteingel，afterthatinItaly，andthenIfollowedtheFirstConsultoEgypt。I’llbeacorporalsoon。"

"WhenIgettoMichu’shousegotothestable；ifyouhaveservedtwelveyearsinthecavalryyouknowwhenahorseisblown。LetmeknowtheconditionofMichu’sbeast。"

"See！that’swhereourcorporalwasthrown，"saidtheman，pointingtoaspotwheretheroadtheywerefollowingenteredthe/rond-point/。

"TellthecaptaintocomeandpickmeupatMichu’s，andI’llgowithhimtoTroyes。"

SosayingCorentingotdown，andstoodaboutforafewminutesexaminingtheground。Helookedatthetwoelmswhichfacedeachother，——oneagainsttheparkwall，theotheronthebankofthe/rond-

point/；thenhesaw(whatnoonehadyetnoticed)thebuttonofauniformlyinginthedust，andhepickeditup。EnteringthelodgehesawVioletteandMichusittingatthetableinthekitchenandtalkingeagerly。Violetterose，bowedtoCorentin，andofferedhimsomewine。

"Thankyou，no；Icametoseethecorporal，"saidtheyoungman，whosawwithhalfaglancethatViolettehadbeendrunkallnight。

"Mywifeisnursinghimupstairs，"saidMichu。

"Well，corporal，howareyou？"saidCorentinwhohadrunupthestairsandfoundthegendarmewithhisheadbandaged，andlyingonMadameMichu’sbed；hishat，sabre，andshoulder-beltonachair。

Marthe，faithfulinherwomanlyinstincts，andknowingnothingofherson’sprowess，wasgivingallhercaretothecorporal，assistedbyhermother。

"WeexpectMonsieurVarletthedoctorfromArcis，"shesaidtoCorentin；"ourservant-ladhasgonetofetchhim。"

"Leaveusaloneforamoment，"saidCorentin，agooddealsurprisedatthescene，whichamplyprovedtheinnocenceofthetwowomen。"Wherewereyoustruck？"heaskedtheman，examininghisuniform。

"Onthebreast，"repliedthecorporal。

"Let’sseeyourbelt，"saidCorentin。

Ontheyellowbandwithawhiteedge，whicharecentregulationhadmadepartoftheequipmentoftheguardnowcalledNational，wasametalplateagooddeallikethatoftheforesters，onwhichthelawrequiredtheinscriptionoftheseremarkablewords:"Respecttopersonsandtoproperties。"Francois’sropehadstruckthebeltanddefacedit。Corentintookupthecoatandfoundtheplacewherethebuttonhehadpickedupupontheroadbelonged。

"Whattimedidtheyfindyou？"askedCorentin。

"Aboutdaybreak。"

"Didtheybringyouuphereatonce？"saidCorentin，noticingthatthebedhadnotbeensleptin。

"Yes。"

"Whobroughtyouup？"

"ThewomenandlittleMichu，whofoundmeunconscious。"

"So！"thoughtCorentin:"evidentlytheydidn’tgotobed。Thecorporalwasnotshotat，norstruckbyanyweapon，foranassailantmusthavebeenathisownheighttostrikeablow。Something，someobstacle，wasinhiswayandthatunhorsedhim。Apieceofwood？notpossible！anironchain？thatwouldhaveleftmarks。Whatdidyoufeel？"hesaidaloud。

"Iwasknockedoversosuddenly——"

"Theskinisrubbedoffunderyourchin，"saidCorentinquickly。

"Ithink，"saidthecorporal，"thataropedidgoovermyface。"

"Ihaveit！"criedCorentin；"somebodytiedaropefromtreetotreetobartheway。"

"Likeenough，"repliedthecorporal。

Corentinwentdownstairstothekitchen。

"Come，youoldrascal，"MichuwassayingtoViolette，"let’smakeanendofthis。Onehundredthousandfrancsfortheplace，andyouaremasterofmywholeproperty。Ishallretireonmyincome。"

"Itellyou，asthere’saGodinheaven，Ihaven’tmorethansixtythousand。"

"Butdon’tIofferyoutimetopaytherest？You’vekeptmeheresinceyesterday，arguingit。Thelandisinprimeorder。"

"Yes，thesoilisgood，"saidViolette。

"Wife，somemorewine，"criedMichu。

"Haven’tyoudrunkenough？"calleddownMarthe’smother。"Thisisthefourteenthbottlesincenineo’clockyesterday。"

"Youhavebeenheresincenineo’clockthismorning，haven’tyou？"

saidCorentintoViolette。

"No，begyourpardon，sincelastnightIhaven’tlefttheplace，andI’vegainednothingafterall；themorehemakesmedrinkthemoreheputsuptheprice。"

"Inallmarketshewhoraiseshiselbowraisesaprice，"saidCorentin。

Adozenemptybottlesrangedalongthetableprovedthetruthoftheoldwoman’swords。JustthenthegendarmewhohaddrivenhimmadeasigntoCorentin，whowenttothedoortospeaktohim。

"Thereisnohorseinthestable，"saidtheman。

"Yousentyourboyonhorsebacktothechateau，didn’tyou？"saidCorentin，returningtothekitchen。"Willhebebacksoon？"

"No，monsieur，"saidMichu，"hewentonfoot。"

"Whathaveyoudonewithyourhorse，then？"

"Ihavelenthim，"saidMichu，curtly。

"Comeouthere，mygoodfellow，"saidCorentin；"I’veawordforyourear。"

CorentinandMichuleftthehouse。

"Thegunwhichyouwereloadingyesterdayatfouro’clockyoumeanttouseinmurderingtheCouncillorofState；butwecan’ttakeyouupforthat——plentyofintention，butnowitnesses。Youmanaged，Idon’tknowhow，tostupefyViolette，andyouandyourwifeandthatyoungrascalofyoursspentthenightoutofdoorstowarnMademoiselledeCinq-

Cygneandsavehercousins，whomyouarehidinghere，——thoughIdon’tasyetknowwhere。Yoursonoryourwifethrewthecorporaloffhishorsecleverlyenough。Well，you’vegotthebetterofusjustnow；

you’readevilofafellow。Buttheendisnotyet，andyouwon’thavethelastword。Hadn’tyoubettercompromise？yourmasterswouldbethebetterforit。"

"Comethisway，wherewecantalkwithoutbeingoverheard，"saidMichu，leadingthewaythroughtheparktothepond。

WhenCorentinsawthewaterhelookedfixedlyatMichu，whowasnodoubtreckoningonhisphysicalstrengthtoflingthespyintosevenfeetofmudbelowthreefeetofwater。Michurepliedwithalookthatwasnotlessfixed。Thescenewasabsolutelyasifacoldandflabbyboaconstrictorhaddefiedoneofthosetawny，fierceleopardsofBrazil。

"Iamnotthirsty，"saidCorentin，stoppingshortattheedgeofthefieldandputtinghishandintohispockettofeelforhisdagger。

"Weshallnevercometoterms，"saidMichu，coldly。

"Mindwhatyou’reabout，mygoodfellow；thelawhasitseyeuponyou。"

"Ifthelawcan’tseeanyclearerthanyou，there’sdangertoeveryone，"saidthebailiff。

"Doyourefuse？"saidCorentin，inasignificanttone。

"I’dratherhavemyheadcutoffathousandtimes，ifthatcouldbedone，thancometoanagreementwithsuchavillainasyou。"

Corentingotintohisvehiclehastily，afteronemorecomprehensivelookatMichu，thelodge，andCouraut，whobarkedathim。HegavecertainordersinpassingthroughTroyes，andthenreturnedtoParis。

Allthebrigadesofgendarmerieintheneighborhoodreceivedsecretinstructionsandspecialorders。

DuringthemonthsofDecember，January，andFebruarythesearchwasactiveandincessant，eveninremotevillages。Spieswereinallthetaverns。Corentinlearnedsomeimportantfacts:ahorselikethatofMichuhadbeenfounddeadintheneighborhoodofLagny；thefivehorsesburnedintheforestofNodesmehadbeensold，forfivehundredfrancseach，byfarmersandmillerstoamanwhoansweredtothedescriptionofMichu。WhenthedecreeagainsttheaccomplicesandharborersofGeorgeswasputinforceCorentinconfinedhissearchtotheforestofNodesme。AfterMoreau，theroyalists，andPichegruwerearrestednostrangerswereeverseenabouttheplace。

Michulosthissituationatthattime；thenotaryofArcisbroughthimaletterinwhichMalin，nowmadesenator，requestedGrevintosettleallaccountswiththebailiffanddismisshim。Michuaskedandobtainedaformaldischargeandbecameafreeman。TothegreatastonishmentoftheneighborhoodhewenttoliveatCinq-Cygne，whereLaurencemadehimthefarmerofallthereservedlandaboutthechateau。ThedayofhisinstallationasfarmercoincidedwiththefataldayofthedeathoftheDucd’Enghien，whennearlythewholeofFranceheardatthesametimeofthearrest，trial，condemnation，anddeathoftheprince，——terriblereprisals，whichprecededthetrialofPolignac，Riviere，andMoreau。

PARTII

CHAPTERX

ONEANDTHESAME，YETATWO-FOLDLOVE

Whilethenewfarm-housewasbeingbuiltMichutheJudas，so-called，andhisfamilyoccupiedtheroomsoverthestablesatCinq-Cygneonthesideofthechateaunexttothefamousbreach。Heboughttwohorses，oneforhimselfandoneforFrancois，andtheybothjoinedGothardinaccompanyingMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneinhermanyrides，whichhadfortheirobject，asmaywellbeimagined，thefeedingofthefourgentlemenandperpetualwatchingthattheywerestillinsafety。FrancoisandGothard，assistedbyCourautandthecountess’sdogs，wentinfrontandbeatthewoodsallaroundthehiding-placetomakesurethattherewasnoonewithinsight。LaurenceandMichucarriedtheprovisionswhichMarthe，hermother，andCatherineprepared，unknowntotheotherservantsofthehouseholdsoastorestrictthesecrettothemselves，forallweresurethattherewerespiesinthevillage。Theseexpeditionswerenevermadeoftenerthantwiceaweekandondifferentdaysandatdifferenthours，sometimesbyday，sometimesbynight。

TheseprecautionslasteduntilthetrialofRiviere，Polignac，andMoreauended。Whenthesenatus-consultum，whichcalledthedynastyofBonapartetothethroneandnominatedNapoleonasEmperoroftheFrench，wassubmittedtotheFrenchpeopleforacceptanceMonsieurd’HauteserresignedthepaperGoulardbroughthim。WhenitwasmadeknownthatthePopewouldcometoFrancetocrowntheEmperor，MademoiselledeCinq-Cygnenolongeropposedthegeneraldesirethathercousinsandtheyoungd’Hauteserresshouldpetitiontohavetheirnamesstruckoffthelistof/emigres/，andbethemselvesreinstatedintheirrightsascitizens。Onthis，oldd’HauteserrewenttoParisandconsultedtheci-devantMarquisdeChargeboeufwhoknewTalleyrand。Thatminister，theninfavor，conveyedthepetitiontoJosephine，andJosephinegaveittoherhusband，whowasaddressedasEmperor，Majesty，Sire，beforetheresultofthepopularvotewasknown。MonsieurdeChargeboeuf，Monsieurd’Hauteserre，andtheAbbeGoujet，whoalsowenttoParis，obtainedaninterviewwithTalleyrand，whopromisedthemhissupport。Napoleonhadalreadypardonedseveraloftheprincipalactorsinthegreatroyalistconspiracy；andyet，thoughthefourgentlemenweremerelysuspectedofcomplicity，theEmperor，afterameetingoftheCouncilofState，calledthesenatorMalin，Fouche，Talleyrand，Cambaceres，Lebrun，andDubois，prefectofpolice，intohiscabinet。

"Gentlemen，"saidthefutureEmperor，whostillworethedressoftheFirstConsul，"wehavereceivedfromtheSieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserre，officersinthearmyofthePrincedeConde，arequesttobeallowedtore-enterFrance。"

"Theyareherenow，"saidFouche。

"LikemanyotherswhomImeetinParis，"remarkedTalleyrand。

"Ithinkyouhavenotmetthesegentlemen，"saidMalin，"fortheyarehiddenintheforestofNodesme，wheretheyconsiderthemselvesathome。"

HewascarefulnottotelltheFirstConsulandFouchehowhehimselfhadgiventhemwarning，bytalkingwithGrevinwithinhearingofMichu，buthemadethemostofCorentin’sreportsandconvincedNapoleonthatthefourgentlemenweresharersintheplotofRiviereandPolignac，withMichuforanaccomplice。Theprefectofpoliceconfirmedtheseassertions。

"Buthowcouldthatbailiffknowthattheconspiracywasdiscovered？"

saidtheprefect，"fortheEmperorandthecouncilandIweretheonlypersonsinthesecret。"

Noonepaidattentiontothisremark。

"Iftheyhavebeenhiddeninthatforestforthelastsevenmonthsandyouhavenotbeenabletofindthem，"saidtheEmperortoFouche，"theyhaveexpiatedtheirmisdeeds。"

"Sincetheyaremyenemiesaswell，"saidMalin，frightenedbytheEmperor’sclear-sightedness，"IdesiretofollowthemagnanimousexampleofyourMajesty；Ithereforemakemyselftheiradvocateandaskthattheirnamesbestrickenfromthelistof/emigres/。"

"Theywillbelessdangeroustoyouherethaniftheyareexiled；fortheywillnowhavetoswearallegiancetotheEmpireandthelaws，"

saidFouche，lookingatMalinfixedly。

"Inwhatwayaretheydangeroustothesenator？"askedNapoleon。

TalleyrandspoketotheEmperorforsomeminutesinalowvoice。ThereinstatementoftheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserreappearedtobegranted。

"Sire，"saidFouche，"relyuponit，youwillhearofthosemenagain。"

Talleyrand，whohadbeenurgedbytheDucdeGrandlieu，gavetheEmperorpledgesinthenameoftheyoungmenontheirhonorasgentlemen(atermwhichhadgreatfascinationforNapoleon)，toabstainfromallattacksuponhisMajestyandtosubmitthemselvestohisgovernmentingoodfaith。

"Messieursd’HauteserreanddeSimeusearenotwillingtobeararmsagainstFrance，nowthateventshavetakentheirpresentcourse，"hesaid，aloud；"theyhavelittlesympathy，itistrue，withtheImperialgovernment，buttheyarejustthementhatyourMajestyoughttoconciliate。TheywillbesatisfiedtoliveonFrenchsoilandobeythelaws。"

ThenhelaidbeforetheEmperoraletterhehadreceivedfromthebrothersinwhichthesesentimentswereexpressed。

"Anythingsofrankislikelytobesincere，"saidtheEmperor，returningtheletterandlookingatLebrunandCambaceres。"Haveyouanyfurthersuggestions？"heaskedofFouche。

"InyourMajesty’sinterests，"repliedthefutureministerofpolice，"Iasktobeallowedtoinformthesegentlemenoftheirreinstatement——whenitis/reallygranted/，"headded，inaloudertone。

"Verywell，"saidNapoleon，noticingananxiouslookonFouche’sface。

ThematterdidnotseempositivelydecidedwhentheCouncilrose；butithadtheeffectofputtingintoNapoleon’smindavaguedistrustofthefouryoungmen。Monsieurd’Hauteserre，believingthatallwasgained，wrotealetterannouncingthegoodnews。ThefamilyatCinq-

Cygnewerethereforenotsurprisedwhen，afewdayslater，GoulardcametoinformthecountessandMadamed’HauteserrethattheyweretosendthefourgentlementoTroyes，wheretheprefectwouldshowthemthedecreereinstatingthemintheirrightsandadministertothemtheoathofallegiancetotheEmpireandthelaws。LaurencerepliedthatshewouldsendthenotificationtohercousinsandtheMessieursd’Hauteserre。

"Thentheyarenothere？"saidGoulard。

Madamed’HauteserrelookedanxiouslyafterLaurence，wholefttheroomtoconsultMichu。Michusawnoreasonwhytheyoungmenshouldnotbereleasedatoncefromtheirhiding-place。Laurence，Michu，hisson，andGothardthereforestartedassoonaspossiblefortheforest，takinganextrahorse，forthecountessresolvedtoaccompanyhercousinstoTroyesandreturnwiththem。Thewholehousehold，madeawareofthegoodnews，gatheredonthelawntowitnessthedepartureofthehappycavalcade。Thefouryoungmenissuedfromtheirlongconfinement，mountedtheirhorses，andtooktheroadtoTroyes，accompaniedbyMademoiselleCinq-Cygne。Michu，withthehelpofhissonandGothard，closedtheentrancetothecellar，andstartedtoreturnhomeonfoot。Onthewayherecollectedthathehadlefttheforksandspoonsandasilvercup，whichtheyoungmenhadbeenusing，inthecave，andhewentbackforthemalone。Whenhereachedtheedgeofthepondheheardvoices，andwentstraighttotheentranceofthecavethroughthebrushwood。

"Haveyoucomeforyoursilver？"saidPeyrade，showinghisbigrednosethroughthebranches。

Withoutknowingwhy，foratanyratehisyoungmastersweresafe，Michufeltasharpagonyinallhisjoints，sokeenwasthesenseofvague，indefinablecomingevilwhichtookpossessionofhim；buthewentforwardatonce，andfoundCorentinonthestairswithataperinhishand。

"Wearenotveryharsh，"hesaidtoMichu；"wemighthaveseizedyourci-devantsanydayforthelastweek；butweknewtheywerereinstated——You’reatoughfellowtodealwith，andyougaveustoomuchtroublenottomakeusanxioustosatisfyourcuriosityaboutthishiding-

placeofyours。"

"I’dgivesomething，"criedMichu，"toknowhowandbywhomwehavebeensold。"

"Ifthatpuzzlesyou，oldfellow，"saidPeyrade，laughing，"lookatyourhorses’shoes，andyou’llseethatyoubetrayedyourselves。"

"Well，thereneedbenorancor！"saidCorentin，whistlingforthecaptainofgendarmerieandtheirhorses。

"SothatrascallyParisianblacksmithwhoshoedthehorsesintheEnglishfashionandleftCinq-Cygneonlytheotherdaywastheirspy！"

thoughtMichu。"Theymusthavefollowedourtrackswhenthegroundwasdamp。Well，we’requitsnow！"

Michuconsoledhimselfbythinkingthatthediscoverywasofnoconsequence，astheyoungmenwerenowsafe，Frenchmenoncemore，andatliberty。Yethisfirstpresentimentwasatrueone。Thepolice，liketheJesuits，havetheonevirtueofneverabandoningtheirfriendsortheirenemies。

Oldd’HauteserrereturnedfromParisandwasmorethansurprisednottobethefirsttobringthenews。Durieupreparedasucculentdinner，theservantsdonnedtheirbestclothes，andthehouseholdimpatientlyawaitedtheexiles，whoarrivedaboutfouro’clock，happy，——andyethumiliated，fortheyfoundtheyweretobeunderpolicesurveillancefortwoyears，obligedtopresentthemselvesattheprefectureeverymonthandorderedtoremaininthecommuneofCinq-Cygneduringthesaidtwoyears。"I’llsendyouthepapersforsignature，"theprefectsaidtothem。"Then，inthecourseofafewmonths，youcanasktoberelievedoftheseconditions，whichareimposedonallofPichegru’saccomplices。Iwillbackyourrequest。"

Theserestrictions，fairlydeserved，ratherdispiritedtheyoungmen，butLaurencelaughedatthem。

"TheEmperoroftheFrench，"shesaid，"wasbadlybroughtup；hehasnotyetacquiredthehabitofbestowingfavorsgraciously。"

Thepartyfoundalltheinhabitantsofthechateauatthegates，andagoodlyproportionofthepeopleofthevillagewaitingontheroadtoseetheyoungmen，whoseadventureshadmadethemfamousthroughoutthedepartment。Madamed’Hauteserreheldhersonstoherbreastforalongtime，herfacecoveredwithtears；shewasunabletospeakandremainedsilent，thoughhappy，throughapartoftheevening。NosoonerhadtheSimeusetwinsdismountedthanacryofsurprisearoseonallsides，causedbytheiramazingresemblance，——thesamelook，thesamevoice，thesameactions。Theybothhadthesamemovementinrisingfromtheirsaddles，inthrowingtheirlegoverthecrupperoftheirhorseswhendismounting，inflingingthereinsupontheanimal’sneck。Theirdress，preciselythesame，contributedtothislikeness。

Theyworeboots/ala/Suwaroff，madetofittheinstep，tighttrousersofwhiteleather，greenhunting-jacketswithmetalbuttons，blackcravats，andbuckskingloves。Thetwoyoungmen，justthirty-oneyearsofage，were——touseaterminvogueinthosedays——charmingcavaliers，ofmediumheightbutwellsetup，brillianteyeswithlonglashes，floatinginliquidlikethoseofchildren，blackhair，noblebrows，andoliveskin。Theirspeech，gentleasthatofawoman，fellgraciouslyfromtheirfreshredlips；theirmanners，moreelegantandpolishedthanthoseoftheprovincialgentlemen，showedthatknowledgeofmenandthingshadgiventhemthatsupplementaryeducationwhichmakesitspossessoramanoftheworld。

Notlackingmoney，thankstoMichu，duringtheiremigration，theyhadbeenabletotravelandbereceivedatforeigncourts。Oldd’Hauteserreandtheabbethoughtthemratherhaughty；butintheirpresentpositionthismayhavebeenthesignofnobilityofcharacter。

Theypossessedalltheeminentlittlemarksofacarefuleducation，towhichtheyaddedawonderfuldexterityinbodilyexercises。Theironlydissimilaritywasintheregionofideas。Theyoungestcharmedothersbyhisgaiety，theeldestbyhismelancholy；butthecontrast，whichwaspurelyspiritual，wasnotatfirstobservable。

"Ah，wife，"whisperedMichuinMarthe’sear，"howcouldonehelpdevotingone’sselftothoseyoungfellows？"

Marthe，whoadmiredthemasawifeandmother，noddedherheadprettilyandpressedherhusband’shand。Theservantswereallowedtokisstheirnewmasters。

Duringtheirsevenmonths’seclusionintheforest(whichtheyoungmenhadbroughtuponthemselves)theyhadseveraltimescommittedtheimprudenceoftakingwalksabouttheirhiding-place，carefullyguardedbyMichu，hisson，andGothard。Duringthesewalks，takenusuallyonstarlitnights，Laurence，reunitingthethreadoftheirpastandpresentlives，felttheutterimpossibilityofchoosingbetweenthebrothers。Apureandequalloveforeachdividedherheart。Shefanciedindeedthatshehadtwohearts。Ontheirside，thebrothersdarednotspeaktothemselvesoftheirimpendingrivalry。Perhapsallthreeweretrustingtotimeandaccident。TheconditionofhermindonthissubjectactednodoubtuponLaurenceastheyenteredthehouse，forshehesitatedamoment，andthentookanarmofeachassheenteredthesalonfollowedbyMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，whowereoccupiedwiththeirsons。Justthenacheerburstfromtheservants，"LonglivetheCinq-CygneandtheSimeusefamilies！"

Laurenceturnedround，stillbetweenthebrothers，andmadeacharminggestureofacknowledgementWhentheseninepersonscametoactuallyobserveeachother，——forinallmeetings，eveninthebosomoffamilies，therecomesamomentwhenfriendsobservethosefromwhomtheyhavebeenlongparted，——thefirstglancewhichAdriend’HauteserrecastuponLaurenceseemedtohismotherandtotheabbetobetraylove。Adrien，theyoungestofthed’Hauteserres，hadasweetandtendersoul；hishearthadremainedadolescentinspiteofthecatastropheswhichhadnervedtheman。Likemanyyoungheroes，keptvirgininspiritbyperpetualperil，hewasdauntedbythetimiditiesofyouth。Inthishewasverydifferentfromhisbrother，amanofroughmanners，agreathunter，anintrepidsoldier，fullofresolution，butcoarseinfibreandwithoutactivityofmindordelicacyinmattersoftheheart。Onewasallsoul，theotherallaction；andyettheybothpossessedinthesamedegreethatsenseofhonorwhichisthevitalessenceofagentleman。Dark，short，slimandwiry，Adriend’Hauteserregaveanimpressionofstrength；

whereasRobert，whowastall，paleandfair，seemedweakly。Adrien，nervousintemperament，wasstrongerinsoul；whilehisbrotherthoughlymphatic，wasfonderofbodilyexercise。Familiesoftenpresentthesesingularitiesofcontrast，thecausesofwhichitmightbeinterestingtoexamine；buttheyarementionedheremerelytoexplainhowitwasthatAdrienwasnotlikelytofindarivalinhisbrother。Robert’saffectionforLaurencewasthatofarelation，therespectofanobleforagirlofhisowncaste。Inmattersofsentimenttheelderd’Hauteserrebelongedtotheclassofmenwhoconsiderwomanasanappendagetoman，limitingherspheretothephysicaldutiesofmaternity；demandingperfectioninthatrespect，butregardinghermentallyasofnoaccount。Tosuchmentheadmittanceofwomanasanactualsharerinsociety，inthebodypolitic，inthefamily，meantthesubversionofthesocialsystem。Inthesedayswearesofarremovedfromthistheoryofprimitivepeoplethatalmostallwomen，eventhosewhodonotdesirethefatalemancipationofferedbythenewsects，willbeshockedinmerelyhearingofit；butitmustbeownedthatRobertd’Hauteserrehadthemisfortunetothinkinthatway。

Robertwasamanofthemiddle-ages，Adrienamanofto-day。Thesedifferencesinsteadofhinderingtheiraffectionhaddrawnitsbondsthecloser。Onthefirsteveningafterthereturnoftheyoungmentheseshadesofcharacterwerecaughtandunderstoodbytheabbe，MademoiselleGoujet，andMadamed’Hauteserre，who，whileplayingtheirboston，weresecretlyforeseeingthedifficultiesofthefuture。

Attwenty-threeyearsofage，havingpassedthroughthemanyreflectionsofalongsolitudeandtheanguishofadefeatedenterprise，Laurencehadbecomeawoman，andfeltwithinheranabsorbingdesireforaffection。Shenowputforthallhergracesofhermindandwascharming；sherevealedthehiddenbeautiesofhertenderheartwiththesimplecandorofachild。Forthelastthirteenyearsshehadbeenawomanonlythroughsuffering；shelongedtoobtainamendsforit，andsheshowedherselfaslovingandwinningasshehadbeen，uptothistime，strongandgreat。

Thefourelders，whowerethelasttoleavethesalonthatnight，admittedtoeachotherthattheyfeltuneasyatthenewpositionofthischarminggirl。Whatpowermightnotpassionhaveonayoungwomanofhercharacterandwithhernobilityofsoul？Thetwinbrotherslovedherwithoneandthesameloveandablinddevotion；whichofthetwowouldLaurencechoose？Tochooseonewastokilltheother。

Countessinherownright，shecouldbringherhusbandatitleandcertainprerogatives，togetherwithalonglineage。Perhapsinthinkingoftheseadvantagestheelderofthetwins，theMarquisdeSimeuse，wouldsacrificehimselftogiveLaurencetohisbrother，who，accordingtotheoldlaws，waspoorandwithoutatitle。ButwouldtheyoungerbrotherdeprivetheelderofthehappinessofhavingLaurenceforawife？Atadistance，thisstrifeofloveandgenerositymightdonoharm，——infact，solongasthebrotherswerefacingdangerthechancesofwarmightendthedifficulty；butwhatwouldbetheresultofthisreunion？WhenMarie-PaulandPaul-Mariereachedtheagewhenpassionsrisetotheirgreatestheightcouldtheyshare，asnow，thelooksandwordsandattentionsoftheircousin？musttherenotinevitablyariseajealousybetweenthemtheconsequencesofwhichmightbehorrible？Whatwouldthenbecomeoftheunityofthosebeautifullives，oneinheartthoughtwaininbody？Tothesequestionings，passedfromonetoanotherastheyfinishedtheirgame，Madamed’HauteserrerepliedthatinheropinionLaurencewouldnotmarryeitherofhercousins。Thepoorladyhadexperiencedthateveningoneofthoseinexplicablepresentimentswhicharesecretsbetweenthemother’sheartandGod。

Laurence，inherinwardconsciousness，wasnotlessalarmedatfindingherselftete-a-tetewithhercousins。Totheactivedramaofconspiracy，tothedangerswhichthebrothershadincurred，tothepainandpenaltiesoftheirexile，wasnowsucceedinganothersortofdrama，ofwhichshehadneverthought。Thisnoblegirlcouldnotresorttotheviolentmeansofrefusingtomarryeitherofthetwins；

andshewastoohonestawomantomarryoneandkeepanirresistiblepassionfortheotherinherheart。Toremainunmarried，towearyhercousins’lovebynodecision，andthentotaketheonewhowasfaithfultoherinspiteofhercaprices，wasasolutionofthedifficultynotsomuchsoughtforbyherasvaguelyadmitted。Asshefellasleepthatnightshetoldherselfthewisestcoursetofollowwastoletthingstaketheirchance。Chanceis，inlove，theprovidenceofwomen。

ThenextmorningMichuwenttoParis，whencehereturnedafewdayslaterwithfourfinehorsesforhisnewmasters。Insixweeks’timethehuntingwouldbegin，andtheyoungcountesssagelyreflectedthattheviolentexcitementsofthatexercisewouldbeahelpagainstthetete-a-tetesofthechateau。Atfirst，however，anunexpectedresultsurprisedthespectatorsofthesestrangelovesandrousedtheiradmiration。WithoutanypremeditatedagreementthebrothersrivalledeachotherinattentionstoLaurence，withasenseofpleasureinsodoingwhichappearedtosufficethem。TherelationbetweenthemselvesandLaurencewasjustasfraternalasthatbetweenthemselves。Whatcouldbemorenatural？Aftersolonganabsencetheyfeltthenecessityofstudyingher，ofknowingherwellandlettingherknowthem，leavingtohertherightofchoice。Theyweresustainedinthisfirsttrialbythemutualaffectionwhichmadetheirdoublelifeoneandthesamelife。

Love，liketheirownmother，wasunabletodistinguishbetweenthebrothers。Laurencewasobliged(inordertoknowthemapartandmakenomistakes)togivethemdifferentcravats——totheelderawhiteone，totheyoungerblack。Withoutthisperfectresemblance，thisidentityoflife，whichmisledallaboutthem，suchasituationwouldbejustlythoughtimpossible。Itcan，indeed，beexplainedonlybythefactitself，whichisoneofthosewhichmendonotbelieveinunlesstheyseethem；andthenthemindismorebewilderedbyhavingtoexplainthemthanbytheactualsightwhichcausedbelief。IfLaurencespoke，hervoiceechoedintwoheartsequallyfaithfulandlovingwithonetone。Didshegiveutterancetoanintelligent，orwitty，ornoblethought，herglanceencounteredthedelightexpressedintwoglanceswhichfollowedhereverymovement，interpretedherslightestwish，andbeameduponhereverwithanewexpression，gaietyintheone，tendermelancholyintheother。Inanymatterthatconcernedtheirmistressthebrothersshowedanadmirablequick-wittednessofheartcoupledwithinstantactionwhich(tousetheabbe’sownexpression)

approachedthesublime。Often，ifsomethinghadtobefetched，ifitwasaquestionofsomelittleattentionwhichmendelighttopaytoabelovedwoman，theelderwouldleavethatpleasuretotheyoungerwithalookatLaurencethatwasproudandtender。Theyounger，ontheotherhand，putallhisownprideintopayingsuchdebts。Thisrivalryofnoblenaturesinafeelingwhichleadsmenoftentothejealousferocityofthebeastsamazedtheoldpeoplewhowerewatchingit，andbewilderedtheirideas。

Suchlittledetailsoftendrewtearstotheeyesofthecountess。A

singlesensation，whichisperhapsall-powerfulinsomerareorganizations，willgiveanideaofLaurence’semotions；itmaybeperceivedbyrecallingtheperfectunisonoftwofinevoices(likethoseofMalibranandSontag)insomeharmonious/duo/，ortheblendingoftwoinstrumentstouchedbythehandofgenius，theirmelodioustonesenteringthesoullikethepassionatesighingofoneheart。Sometimes，seeingtheMarquisdeSimeuseburiedinanarm-chairandglancingfromtimetotimewithdeepestmelancholyathisbrotherandLaurencewhoweretalkingandlaughing，theabbebelievedhimcapableofmakingthegreatsacrifice；presently，however，thepriestwouldseeintheyoungman’seyestheflashofanunconquerablepassion。WhenevereitherofthebrothersfoundhimselfalonewithLaurencehemightreasonablysupposehimselftheonepreferred。

"Ifancythenthatthereisbutoneofthem，"explainedthecountesstotheabbewhenhequestionedher。Thatanswershowedthepriesthertotalwantofcoquetry。Laurencedidnotconceivethatshewaslovedbytwomen。

"But，mydearchild，"saidMadamed’Hauteserreoneevening(herownsonsilentlydyingofloveforLaurence)，"youmustchoose！"

"Oh，letusbehappy，"shereplied；"Godwillsaveusfromourselves。"

Adriend’Hauteserreburiedwithinhisbreastthejealousythatwasconsuminghim；hekeptthesecretofhistorture，awareofhowlittlehecouldhope。Hetriedtobecontentwiththehappinessofseeingthecharmingwomanwhoduringthefewmonthsthisstrugglelastedshoneinallherbrilliancy。InonesenseLaurencehadbecomecoquettish，takingthatdaintycareofherpersonwhichwomenwhoareloveddelightin。Shefollowedthefashions，andwentmorethanoncetoParistodeckherbeautywith/chiffons/orsomechoicenovelty。

Desirousofgivinghercousinsasenseofhomeanditseveryenjoyment，fromwhichtheyhadsolongbeensevered，shemadeherchateau，inspiteoftheremonstrancesofherlateguardian，themostcompletelycomfortablehouseinChampagne。

Robertd’Hauteserresawnothingofthishiddendrama；henevernoticedhisbrother’sloveforLaurence。Astothegirlherself，helikedtoteaseherabouthercoquetry，——forheconfoundedthatodiousdefectwiththenaturaldesiretoplease；hewasalwaysmistakeninmattersoffeeling，taste，andthehigherethics。So，wheneverthismanofthemiddle-agesappearedonthescene，Laurenceimmediatelymadehim，unknowntohimself，theclownoftheplay；sheamusedhercousinsbyarguingwithRobert，andleadinghim，stepbystep，intosomebogofignoranceandstupidity。Sheexcelledinsuchclevermischief，which，tobereallysuccessful，mustleavethevictimcontentwithhimself。

Andyet，thoughhisnaturewasacoarseone，Robertnever，duringthosedelightfulmonths(theonlyhappyperiodinthelivesofthethreeyoungpeople)saidonevirilewordwhichmighthavebroughtmatterstoacrisisbetweenLaurenceandhercousins。Hewasstruckwiththesincerityofthebrothers；hesawhowtheonecouldbegladatthehappinessoftheotherandyetsufferanguishinthedepthsofhisheart，andhedidperceivehowawomanmightshrinkfromshowingtendernesstoonewhichwouldgrievetheother。ThisperceptiononRobert’spartwasajustone；itexplainsasituationwhich，intimesoffaith，whenthesovereignpontiffhadpowertointerveneandcuttheGordianknotofsuchphenomena(alliedtothedeepestandmostimpenetrablemysteries)，wouldhavefounditssolution。TheRevolutionhaddeepenedtheCatholicfaithintheseyounghearts，andreligionnowrenderedthiscrisisintheirlivesthemoresevere，becausenobilityofcharacteriseverheightenedbythegrandeurofcircumstances。AsenseofthistruthkeptMonsieurandMadamed’HauteserreandtheabbefromtheslightestfearofanyunworthyresultonthepartofthebrothersorofLaurence。

Thisprivatedrama，secretlydevelopingwithinthelimitsofthefamilylifewhereeachmemberwatcheditsilently，ranitscoursesorapidlyandwithalsoslowly，itcarriedwithitsomanyunhoped-forpleasures，triflingjars，frustratedfancies，hopesreversed，anxiouswaitings，delayedexplanationsandmuteavowalsthatthedwellersatCinq-CygnepaidnoattentiontothepublicdramaoftheEmperor’scoronation。Attimesthesepassionsmadeatruceandsoughtdistractionintheviolentenjoymentofhunting，whenwearinessofbodytookfromthesoulalloccasionstowanderinthedangerousmeadowsofreverie。NeitherLaurencenorhercousinshadathoughtnowforpublicaffairs；eachdaybroughtitspalpitatingandabsorbinginterestsfortheirhearts。

"Really，"saidMademoiselleGoujetoneevening，"Idon’tknowwhichofalltheloverslovesthemost。"

Adrien，whohappenedtobealoneinthesalonwiththefourcard-

players，raisedhiseyesandturnedpale。ForthelastfewdayshisonlyholdonlifehadbeenthepleasureofseeingLaurenceandoflisteningtoher。

"Ithink，"saidtheabbe，"thatthecountess，beingawoman，loveswiththegreaterabandonmenttolove。"

Laurence，thetwins，andRobertenteredtheroomsoonafter。Thenewspapershadjustarrived。England，seeingthefailureofallconspiraciesattemptedwithinthebordersofFrance，wasnowarmingallEuropeagainsttheircommonenemy。ThedisasteratTrafalgarhadoverthrownoneofthemostamazingplanswhichhumangeniuseverconceived；bywhich，ifithadsucceeded，theEmperorwouldhavepaidthenationforhiselectionbytheruinoftheBritishpower。ThecampatBoulognehadjustbeenraised。Napoleon，whosesolderswere，asalways，inferiorinnumberstotheenemy，wasabouttocarrythewarintopartsofEuropewherehehadnotbeforewagedit。Thewholeworldwasbreathless，awaitingtheresultsofthecampaign。

"He’llsurelybedefeatedthistime，"saidRobert，layingdownthepaper。

"ThearmiesofAustriaandofRussiaarebeforehim，"saidMarie-Paul。

"HehasneverfoughtinGermany，"addedPaul-Marie。

"Ofwhomareyouspeaking？"askedLaurence。

"TheEmperor，"answeredthethreegentlemen。

Thejealousgirlthrewadisdainfullookathertwinlovers，whichhumiliatedthemwhileitrejoicedtheheartofAdrien，whomadeagestureofadmirationandgaveheroneproudlook，whichsaidplainlythat/he/thoughtonlyofher，——ofLaurence。

"Itoldyou，"saidtheabbeinalowvoice，"thatlovewouldsomedaycausehertoforgetheranimosity。"

Itwasthefirst，last，andonlyreproachthebrotherseverreceivedfromher；butcertainlyatthatmomenttheirlove，whichcouldstillbedistractedbynationalevents，wasinferiortothatofLaurence，which，absorbedhermindsocompletelythatsheonlyknewoftheamazingtriumphatAusterlitzbyoverhearingadiscussionbetweenMonsieurd’Hauteserreandhissons。

Faithfultohisideasofsubmission，theoldmanwishedbothRobertandAdrientore-entertheFrencharmyandapplyforservice；theycould，hethought，bereinstatedintheirrankandsoonfindanopeningtomilitaryhonors。Butroyalistopinionswerenowall-

powerfulatCinq-Cygne。ThefouryoungmenandLaurencelaughedattheirprudentelder，whoseemedtoforeseeacomingevil。Possibly，prudenceislessvirtuethantheexerciseofsomeinstinct，or/sense/

ofthemind(ifitisallowabletocouplethosetwowords)。Adaywillcome，nodoubt，whenphysiologistsandphilosopherswillbothadmitthatthesensesare，insomeway，thesheathorvehicleofakeenandpenetrativeactivepowerwhichissuesfromthemind。

CHAPTERXI

WISECOUNSEL

AfterpeacewasconcludedbetweenFranceandAustria，towardstheendofthemonthofFebruary，1806，arelative，whoseinfluencehadbeenemployedforthereinstatementoftheSimeusebrothers，andwhowasdestinedlatertogivethemsignalproofsoffamilyattachment，theci-devantMarquisdeChargeboeuf，whoseestatesextendedfromthedepartmentoftheSeine-et-MarnetothatoftheAube，arrivedonemorningatCinq-Cygneinaspeciesofcalechewhichwasthennamedinderisiona/berlingot/。Whenthisshabbycarriagewasdrivenpastthewindowstheinhabitantsofthechateau，whowereatbreakfast，wereconvulsedwithlaughter；butwhenthebaldheadoftheoldmanwasseenissuingfrombehindtheleathercurtainofthevehicleMonsieurd’Hauteserretoldhisname，andallpresentroseinstantlytoreceiveanddohonortotheheadofthehouseofChargeboeuf。

"Wehavedonewrongtolethimcometous，"saidtheMarquisdeSimeusetohisbrotherandthed’Hauteserres；"weoughttohavegonetohimandmadeouracknowledgements。"

Aservant，dressedasapeasant，whodrovethehorsesfromaseatonalevelwiththebodyofthecarriage，slippedhiscartman’swhipintoacoarseleathersocket，andgotdownfromtheboxtoassistthemarquisfromthecarriage；butAdrienandtheyoungerdeSimeusepreventedhim，unbuttonedtheleatherapron，andhelpedtheoldmanoutinspiteofhisprotestations。Thisgentlemanoftheoldschoolchosetoconsiderhisyellow/berlingot/withitsleathercurtainsamostconvenientandexcellentequipage。Theservant，assistedbyGothard，unharnessedthestouthorseswithshiningflanks，accustomednodoubttodoasmuchdutyattheploughasinacarriage。

"Inspiteofthiscoldweather！Why，youareaknightoftheoldentime，"saidLaurence，tohervisitor，takinghisarmandleadinghimintothesalon。

"Whathashecomefor？"thoughtoldd’Hauteserre。

MonsieurdeChargeboeuf，ahandsomeoldgentlemanofsixty-six，inlight-coloredbreeches，hissmallweaklegsencasedincoloredstockings，worepowder，pigeon-wingsandaqueue。Hisgreenclothhunting-coatwithgoldbuttonswasbraidedandfroggedwithgold。Hiswhitewaistcoatglitteredwithgoldembroidery。Thisapparel，stillinvogueamongoldpeople，becamehisface，whichwasnotunlikethatofFredericktheGreat。Heneverputonhisthree-corneredhatlestheshoulddestroytheeffectofthehalf-moontraceduponhiscraniumbyalayerofpowder。Hisrighthand，restingonahookedcane，heldbothcaneandhatinamannerworthyofLouisXIV。Thefineoldgentlemantookoffhiswaddedsilkpelisseandseatedhimselfinanarmchair，holdingthethree-corneredhatandthecanebetweenhiskneesinanattitudethesecretofwhichhasneverbeengraspedbyanybuttherouesofLouisXV。’scourt，anattitudewhichleftthehandsfreetoplaywithasnuff-box，alwaysaprecioustrinket。Accordinglythemarquisdrewfromthepocketofhiswaistcoat，whichwasclosedbyaflapembroideredingoldarabesques，asumptuoussnuff-box。Whilefingeringhisownpinchandofferingtheboxaroundhimwithanothercharminggestureaccompaniedwithkindlysmiles，henoticedthepleasurewhichhisvisitgave。Heseemedthentocomprehendwhytheseyoung/emigres/hadbeenremissintheirdutytowardshim，andtobesayingtohimself，"Whenwearemakinglovewecan’tmakevisits。"

"Youwillstaywithussomedays？"saidLaurence。

"Impossible，"hereplied。"Ifwewerenotsoseparatedbyevents(forastodistance，yougofartherthanthatwhichliesbetweenus)youwouldknow，mydearchild，thatIhavedaughters，daughters-in-law，andgrand-children。AllthesedearcreatureswouldbeveryuneasyifI

didnotreturntothemto-night，andIhaveforty-fivemilestogo。"

"Yourhorsesareingoodcondition，"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse。

"Oh！IamjustfromTroyes，whereIhadbusinessyesterday。"

AfterthecustomarypoliteinquiriesfortheMarquisedeChargeboeufandothermattersreallyuninterestingbutaboutwhichpolitenessassumesthatwearekeenlyinterested，itdawnedonMonsieurd’Hauteserrethattheoldgentlemanhadcometowarnhisyoungrelativesagainstimprudence。HeremarkedthattimeswerechangedandnoonecouldtellwhattheEmperormightnowbecome。

"Oh！"saidLaurence，"he’llmakehimselfGod。"

TheMarquisspokeofthewisdomofconcession。Whenhestated，withmoreemphasisandauthoritythanheputintohisotherremarks，thenecessityofsubmission，Monsieurd’Hauteserrelookedathissonswithanalmostsupplicatingair。

"Wouldyouservethatman？"askedtheMarquisdeSimeuse。

"Yes，Iwould，iftheinterestsofmyfamilyrequiredit，"repliedMonsieurdeChargeboeuf。

Graduallytheoldmanmadethemaware，thoughvaguely，ofsomethreateneddanger。WhenLaurencebeggedhimtoexplainthenatureofit，headvisedthefouryoungmentorefrainfromhuntingandtokeepthemselvesasmuchinretirementaspossible。

"YoutreatthedomainofGondrevilleasifitwereyourown，"hesaidtotheMessieursdeSimeuse，"andyouarekeepingaliveadeadlyhatred。Isee，bythesurpriseuponyourfaces，thatyouarequiteunawareoftheill-willagainstyouatTroyes，whereyourlatebraveconductisremembered。TheytellofhowyoufoiledthepoliceoftheEmpire；somepraiseyouforit，butothersregardyouasenemiesoftheEmperor；partisansdeclarethatNapoleon’sclemencyisinexplicable。That，however，isnothing。Therealdangerlieshere；

youfoiledmenwhothoughtthemselvesclevererthanyou；andlow-bredmenneverforgive。Soonerorlaterjustice，whichinyourdepartmentemanatesfromyourenemy，SenatorMalin(whohashishenchmeneverywhere，evenintheministerialoffices)，——/his/justicewillrejoicetoseeyouinvolvedinsomeannoyingscrape。Apeasant，forinstance，willquarrelwithyouforridingoverhisfield；yourgunsareinyourhands，youarehot-tempered，andsomethinghappens。Inyourpositionitisabsolutelyessentialthatyoushouldnotputyourselvesinthewrong。Idonotspeaktoyouthuswithoutgoodreason。Thepolicekeepthisarrondissementunderstrictsurveillance；

theyhaveanagentinthatlittleholeofArcisexpresslytoprotecttheImperialsenatorMalinagainstyourattacks。Heisafraidofyou，andsayssoopenly。"

"Itisacalumny！"criedtheyoungerSimeuse。

"Acalumny，——Iamsureofitmyself，butwillthepublicbelieveit？

Michucertainlydidaimatthesenator，whodoesnotforgetthedangerhewasin；andsinceyourreturnthecountesshastakenMichuintoherservice。Tomanypersons，infacttothemajority，Malinwillseemtobeintheright。Youdonotunderstandhowdelicatethepositionofan/emigre/istowardsthosewhoarenowinpossessionofhisproperty。

Theprefect，averyintelligentman，droppedawordtomeyesterdayaboutyouwhichhasmademeuneasy。Inshort，Isincerelywishyouwouldnotremainhere。"

Thisspeechwasreceivedindumbamazement。Marie-Paulrangthebell。

"Gothard，"hesaid，tothelittlepage，"sendMichuhere。"

"Michu，myfriend，"saidtheMarquisdeSimeusewhenthemanappeared，"isittruethatyouintendedtokillMalin？"

"Yes，Monsieurlemarquis；andwhenhecomeshereagainIshalllieinwaitforhim。"

"Doyouknowthatwearesuspectedofinstigatingit，andthatourcousin，bytakingyouasherfarmerissupposedtobefurtheringyourscheme？"

"GoodGod！"criedMichu，"amIaccursed？ShallIneverbeabletoridyouofthatvillain？"

"No，myman，no！"saidPaul-Marie。"Butwewillalwaystakecareofyou，thoughyouwillhavetoleaveourserviceandthecountrytoo。

Sellyourpropertyhere；wewillsendyoutoTriestetoafriendofourswhohasimmensebusinessconnections，andhe’llemployyouuntilthingsarebetterinthiscountryforallofus。"

TearscameintoMichu’seyes；hestoodrootedtothefloor。

"WerethereanywitnesseswhenyouaimedatMalin？"askedtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf。

"Grevinthenotarywastalkingwithhim，andthatpreventedmykillinghim——veryfortunately，asMadamelaComtesseknows，"saidMichu，lookingathismistress。

"Grevinisnottheonlyonewhoknowsit？"saidMonsieurdeChargeboeuf，whoseemedannoyedatwhatwassaid，thoughnonebutthefamilywerepresent。

"Thatpolicespywhocameheretotrapmymasters，heknewittoo，"

saidMichu。

MonsieurdeChargeboeufroseasiftolookatthegardens，andsaid，"YouhavemadethemostofCinq-Cygne。"Thenheleftthehouse，followedbythetwobrothersandLaurence，whonowsawthemeaningofhisvisit。

"Youarefrankandgenerous，butmostimprudent，"saidtheoldman。

"ItwasnaturalenoughthatIshouldwarnyouofarumorwhichwascertaintobeaslander；butwhathaveyoudonenow？youhaveletsuchweakpersonsasMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreandtheirsonsseethattherewastruthinit。Oh，youngmen！youngmen！YououghttokeepMichuhereandgoawayyourselves。Butifyoupersistinremaining，atleastwritealettertothesenatorandtellhimthathavingheardtherumorsaboutMichuyouhavedismissedhimfromyouremploy。"

"We！"exclaimedthebrothers；"what，writetoMalin，——tothemurdererofourfatherandourmother，totheinsolentplundererofourproperty！"

"Alltrue；butheisoneofthechiefpersonagesattheImperialcourt，andthekingofyourdepartment。"

"He，whovotedforthedeathofLouisXVI。incasethearmyofCondeenteredFrance！"criedLaurence。

"He，whoprobablyadvisedthemurderoftheDucd’Enghien！"exclaimedPaul-Marie。

"Well，well，ifyouwanttorecapitulatehistitlesofnobility，"criedMonsieurdeChargeboeuf，"sayhewhopulledRobespierrebytheskirtsofhiscoattomakehimfallwhenhesawthathisenemieswerestrongerthanhe；hewhowouldhaveshotBonaparteifthe18thBrumairehadmissedfire；hewhomanoeuvresnowtobringbacktheBourbonsifNapoleontotters；hewhomthestrongwilleverfindontheirsidetohandleeitherswordorpistolandputanendtoanadversarywhomtheyfear！But——allthatisonlyreasonthemoreforwhatIurgeuponyou。"

"Wehavefallenverylow，"saidLaurence。

"Children，"saidtheoldmarquis，takingthembythehandandgoingtothelawn，thencoveredbyaslightfallofsnow；"youwillbeangryattheprudentadviceofanoldman，butIamboundtogiveit，andhereitis:IfIwereyouIwouldemployasgo-betweensometrustworthyoldfellow——likemyself，forinstance；IwouldcommissionhimtoaskMalinforamillionoffrancsforthetitle-deedsofGondreville；hewouldgladlyconsentifthematterwerekeptsecret。Youwillthenhavecapitalinhand，anincomeofahundredthousandfrancs，andyoucanbuyafineestateinanotherpartofFrance。AsforCinq-Cygne，itcansafelybelefttothemanagementofMonsieurd’Hauteserre，andyoucandrawlotsastowhichofyoushallwinthehandofthisdearheiress——

Butah！Iknowthewordsofanoldmanintheearsoftheyoungarelikethewordsoftheyoungintheearsoftheold，asoundwithoutmeaning。"

Theoldmarquissignedtohisthreerelativesthathewishednoanswer，andreturnedtothesalon，where，duringtheirabsence，theabbeandhissisterhadarrived。

Theproposaltodrawlotsfortheircousin’shandhadoffendedthebrothers，whileLaurencerevoltedinhersoulatthebitternessoftheremedytheoldmarquiscounselled。Allthreewerenowlessgracioustohim，thoughtheydidnotceasetobepolite。Thewarmthoftheirfeelingwaschilled。MonsieurdeChargeboeuf，whofeltthechange，castfrequentlooksofkindlycompassiononthesecharmingyoungpeople。Theconversationbecamegeneral，buttheoldmarquisstilldweltonthenecessityofsubmittingtoevents，andheapplaudedMonsieurd’HauteserreforhispersistenceinurginghissonstotakeserviceundertheEmpire。

"Bonaparte，"hesaid，"makesdukes。HehascreatedImperialfiefs，hewillthereforemakecounts。MalinisdeterminedtobeComtedeGondreville。Thatisafancy，"headded，lookingattheSimeusebrothers，"whichmightbeprofitabletoyou——"

"Orfatal，"saidLaurence。

Assoonasthehorseswereput-tothemarquistookleave，accompaniedtothedoorbythewholeparty。WhenfairlyinthecarriagehemadeasigntoLaurencetocomeandspeaktohim，andshespranguponthefoot-boardwiththelightnessofaswallow。

"Youarenotanordinarywoman，andyououghttounderstandme，"hesaidinherear。"Malin’sconsciencewillneverallowhimtoleaveyouinpeace；hewillsetsometraptoinjureyou。Iimploreyoutobecarefulofallyouractions，eventhemostunimportant。Compromise，negotiate；thosearemylastwords。"

Thebrothersstoodmotionlessbehindtheircousinandwatchedthe/berlingot/asitturnedthroughtheirongatesandtooktheroadtoTroyes。Laurencerepeatedtheoldman’slastwords。Butsageexperienceshouldnotpresentitselftotheeyesofyouthina/berlingot/，coloredstockings，andaqueue。TheseardentyoungheartshadnoconceptionofthechangethathadpassedoverFrance；

indignationcrispedtheirnerves，honorboiledwiththeirnoblebloodthrougheveryvein。

"He，theheadofthehouseofChargeboeuf！"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse。"Amanwhobearsthemotto/Adsitfortior/，thenoblestofwarcries！"

"WearenolongerinthedaysofSaint-Louis，"saidtheyoungerSimeuse。

"But’Wediesinging，’"saidthecountess。"Thecryofthefiveyounggirlsofmyhouseismine！"

"Andours，’Cymeurs，’"saidtheelderSimeuse。"Therefore，noquarter，Isay；for，onreflection，weshallfindthatourrelativehadponderedwellwhathetoldus——GondrevilletobethetitleofaMalin！"

"Andhisseat！"saidtheyounger。

"Mansartdesigneditfornoblestock，andthepopulacewillgettheirchildreninit！"exclaimedtheelder。

"Ifthatweretocometopass，I’dratherseeGondrevilleinashes！"

criedMademoiselleCinq-Cygne。

Oneofthevillagers，whohadenteredthegroundstoexamineacalfMonsieurd’Hauteserrewastryingtosellhim，overheardthesewordsashecamefromthecow-sheds。

"Letusgoin，"saidLaurence，laughing；"thisisveryimprudent；wearegivingtheoldmarquisarighttoblameus。MypoorMichu，"sheadded，assheenteredthesalon，"Ihadforgottenyouradventure；aswearenotintheodorofsanctityinthesepartsyoumustbecarefulnottocompromiseusinfuture。Haveyouanyotherpeccadilloesonyourconscience？"

"IblamemyselffornothavingkilledthemurdererofmyoldmastersbeforeIcametotherescueofmypresentones——"

"Michu！"saidtheabbeinawarningtone。

"ButI’llnotleavethecountry，"Michucontinued，payingnoheedtotheabbe’sexclamation，"tillIamcertainyouaresafe。IseefellowsroamingaboutherewhomIdistrust。Thelasttimewehuntedintheforest，thatkeeperwhotookmyplaceatGondrevillecametomeandaskedifwesupposedwewereonourownproperty。’Ho！mylad，’I

said，’wecan’tgetridintwoweeksofideaswe’vehadforcenturies。’"

"Youdidwrong，Michu，"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse，smilingwithsatisfaction。

"Whatanswerdidhemake？"askedMonsieurd’Hauteserre。

"Hesaidhewouldinformthesenatorofourclaims，"repliedMichu。

"ComtedeGondreville！"repeatedtheelderSimeuse；"whatamasquerade！Butafterall，theysay’yourMajesty’toBonaparte！"

"AndtotheGrandDucdeBerg，’yourHighness！’"saidtheabbe。

"Whoishe？"askedtheMarquisdeSimeuse。

"Murat，Napoleon’sbrother-in-law，"repliedoldd’Hauteserre。

"Delightful！"remarkedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。"Dotheyalsosay’yourMajesty’tothewidowofBeauharnais？"

"Yes，mademoiselle，"saidtheabbe。

"WeoughttogotoParisandseeitall，"criedLaurence。

"Alas，mademoiselle，"saidMichu，"IwastheretoputFrancoisatschool，andIsweartoyouthere’snojokingwithwhattheycalltheImperialGuard。Iftherestofthearmyarelikethem，thethingmaylastlongerthanwe。"

"Theysaymanyofthenoblefamiliesaretakingservice，"saidMonsieurd’Hauteserre。

"Accordingtothepresentlaw，"addedtheabbe，"youwillbecompelledtoserve。Theconscriptionmakesnodistinctionofranksornames。"

"ThatmanisdoingusmoreharmwithhiscourtthantheRevolutiondidwithitsaxe！"criedLaurence。

"TheChurchpraysforhim，"saidtheabbe。

Theseremarks，maderapidlyoneafteranother，weresomanycommentariesonthewisecounseloftheoldMarquisdeChargeboeuf；

buttheyoungpeoplehadtoomuchfaith，toomuchhonor，todreamofresortingtoacompromise。Theytoldthemselves，asallvanquishedpartiesinalltimeshavedeclared，thattheluckoftheconquerorswouldsoonbeatanend，thattheEmperorhadnosupportbutthatofthearmy，thatthepower/defacto/mustsoonerorlatergivewaytotheDivineRight，etc。So，inspiteofthewisecounselgiventothem，theyfellintothepitfall，whichothers，likeoldd’Hauteserre，moreprudentandmoreamenabletoreason，wouldhavebeenabletoavoid。Ifmenwerefranktheymightperhapsadmitthatmisfortunesneverovertakethemuntilaftertheyhavereceivedeitheranactualoranoccultwarning。Manydonotperceivethedeepmeaningofsuchvisibleorinvisiblesignsuntilafterthedisasterisuponthem。

"Inanycase，MadamelacomtesseknowsthatIcannotleavethecountryuntilIhavegivenupacertaintrust，"saidMichuinalowvoicetoMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。

Forallanswershemadehimasignofacquiescence，andhelefttheroom。