第6章

Theaccent，gesture，andlookwithwhichthewordsweresaidmadethisansweroneofthosesublimethingswhichonlyneedawiderstagetomakethemfamous。

Afewmomentslateroldd’HauteserrewassayingtotheMarquisdeChargeboeuf:"WhateffortsIhavemadeformytwounfortunatesons！I

havealreadylaidbyintheFundsenoughtogivethemeightthousandfrancsayear。Iftheyhadonlybeenwillingtoserveinthearmytheywouldhavereachedthehighergradesbythistime，andcouldnowhavemarriedtoadvantage。Insteadofthat，allmyplansarescatteredtothewinds！"

"Howcanyou，"saidhiswife，"thinkoftheirinterestswhenitisaquestionoftheirhonorandtheirlives？"

"Monsieurd’Hauteserrethinksofeverything，"saidthemarquis。

CHAPTERXVI

MARTHEINVEIGLED

WhilethemastersofCinq-CygnewerewaitingatTroyesfortheopeningofthetrialbeforetheCriminalcourtandvainlysolicitingpermissiontoseetheprisoners，aneventoftheutmostimportancehadtakenplaceatthechateau。

MarthereturnedtoCinq-Cygneassoonasshehadgivenhertestimonybeforetheindictingjury。ThistestimonywassoinsignificantthatitwasnotthoughtnecessarytosummonherbeforetheCriminalcourt。

Likeallpersonsofextremesensibility，thepoorwomansatsilentinthesalon，whereshekeptcompanywithMademoiselleGoujet，inapitiablestateofstupefaction。Toher，astotheabbe，andindeedtoallotherswhodidnotknowhowtheaccusedhadbeenemployedonthatday，theirinnocenceseemeddoubtful。ThereweremomentswhenMarthebelievedthatMichuandhismastersandLaurencehadexecutedvengeanceonthesenator。TheunhappywomannowknewMichu’sdevotionwellenoughtobecertainthathewastheonewhowouldbemostindanger，notonlybecauseofhisantecedents，butbecauseoftheparthewassuretohavetakenintheexecutionofthescheme。

TheAbbeGoujetandhissisterandMarthewerebewilderedamongthepossibilitiestowhichthisopiniongaverise；andyet，intheprocessofthinkingthemover，theirmindsinsensiblytookholdoftheminacertainway。TheabsolutedoubtwhichDescartesdemandscannomoreexistinthebrainofamanthanavacuumcanexistinnature，andthementaloperationrequiredtoproduceitwould，liketheeffectofapneumaticmachine，beexceptionalandanomalous。Whateveracasemaybe，themindbelievesinsomething。NowMarthewassoafraidthattheaccusedwereguiltythatherfearbecameequivalenttobelief；andthisconditionofhermindprovedfataltoher。

Fivedaysafterthearrests，justasshewasintheactofgoingtobedaboutteno’clockatnight，shewascalledfromthecourtyardbyhermother，whohadcomefromthefarmonfoot。

"AlaboringmanfromTroyeswantstospeaktoyou；heissentbyMichu，andiswaitinginthecoveredway，"shesaidtoMarthe。

Theypassedthroughthebreachsoastotaketheshortestpath。InthedarknessitwasimpossibleforMarthetodistinguishanythingmorethantheformofapersonwhichloomedthroughtheshadows。

"Speak，madame；sothatImaybecertainyouarereallyMadameMichu，"

saidtheperson，inaratheranxiousvoice。

"IamMadameMichu，"saidMarthe；"whatdoyouwantofme？"

"Verygood，"saidtheunknown，"givemeyourhand；donotfearme。I

come，"headded，leaningtowardsherandspeakinglow，"fromMichuwithanoteforyou。Iamemployedattheprison，andifmysuperiorsdiscovermyabsenceweshallallbelost。Trustme；yourgoodfatherplacedmewhereIam。ForthatreasonMichucountedonmyhelpinghim。"

HeputtheletterintoMarthe’shandanddisappearedtowardtheforestwithoutwaitingforananswer。Marthetrembledatthethoughtthatshewasnowtohearthesecretofthemystery。Sherantothefarmwithhermotherandshutherselfuptoreadthefollowingletter:——

MydearMarthe，——Youcanrelyonthediscretionofthemanwhowillgiveyouthisletter；hedoesnotknowhowtoreadortowrite。HeisastanchRepublican，andsharedinBaboeuf’sconspiracy；yourfatheroftenmadeuseofhim，andheregardsthesenatorasatraitor。Now，mydearwife，attendtomydirections。

Thesenatorhasbeenshutupbyusinthecavewhereourmasterswerehidden。Thepoorcreaturehadprovisionsforonlyfivedays，andasitisourinterestthatheshouldlive，Iwishyou，assoonasyoureceivethisletter，totakehimfoodforatleastfivedaysmore。Theforestisofcoursewatched；thereforetakeasmanyprecautionsasweformerlydidforouryoungmasters。Don’tsayawordtoMalin；don’tspeaktohim；andputononeofourmaskswhichyouwillfindonthestepswhichleaddowntothecave。

UnlessyouwishtocompromiseourheadsyoumustbeabsolutelysilentaboutthisletterandthesecretIhavenowconfidedtoyou。Don’tsayawordtoMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，whomighttellofit。Don’tfearforme。Wearecertainthatthematterwillturnoutwell；whenthetimecomesMalinhimselfwillsaveus。I

don’tneedtotellyoutoburnthisletterassoonasyouhavereadit，foritwouldcostmemyheadifalineofitwereseen。I

kissyoufornowandalways，Michu。

TheexistenceofthecavewasknownonlytoMarthe，herson，Michu，thefourgentlemen，andLaurence；orrather，Marthe，towhomherhusbandhadnotrelatedtheincidentofhismeetingwithPeyradeandCorentin，believeditwasknownonlytothem。Hadsheconsultedhermistressandthetwolawyers，whoknewtheinnocenceoftheprisoners，theshrewdBordinwouldhavegainedsomelightupontheperfidioustrapwhichwasevidentlylaidforhisclients。ButMarthe，actinglikemostwomenunderafirstimpulse，wasconvincedbythisproofwhichcametoherowneyes，andflungtheletterintothefireasdirected。

Nevertheless，movedbyasingulargleamofcaution，shecaughtaportionofitfromtheflames，toreoffthefivefirstlines，whichcompromisednoone，andsewedthemintothehemofherdress。

Terrifiedatthethoughtthattheprisonerhadbeenwithoutfoodfortwenty-fourhours，sheresolvedtocarrybread，meat，andwinetohimatonce；curiositywaswellashumanitypermittingnodelay。

Accordingly，sheheatedherovenandmade，withhermother’shelp，a/pate/ofhareandducks，aricecake，roastedtwofowls，selectedthreebottlesofwine，andbakedtwoloavesofbread。Abouttwointhemorningshestartedfortheforest，carryingtheloadonherback，accompaniedbyCouraut，whoinallsuchexpeditionsshowedwonderfulsagacityasaguide。Hescentedstrangersatimmensedistances，andassoonashewascertainoftheirpresencehereturnedtohismistresswithalowgrowl，lookingatherfixedlyandturninghismuzzleinthedirectionofthedanger。

Marthereachedthepondaboutthreeinthemorning，andleftthedogassentinelonthebank。Afterhalfanhour’slaborinclearingtheentranceshecamewithadarklanterntothedoorofthecave，herfacecoveredwithamask，whichshehadfound，asdirected，onthesteps。Theimprisonmentofthesenatorseemedtohavebeenlongpremeditated。Aholeaboutafootsquare，whichMarthehadneverseenbefore，wasroughlycutintheupperpartoftheirondoorwhichclosedthecave；butinordertopreventMalinfromusingthetimeandpatienceallprisonershaveattheircommandinlooseningtheironbarwhichheldthedoor，itwassecurelyfastenedwithapadlock。

Thesenator，whohadrisenfromhisbedofmoss，sighedwhenhesawthemaskedfaceandfeltthattherewasnochancethenofhisdeliverance。HeexaminedMarthe，asmuchashecouldbytheunsteadylightofherdarklantern，andherecognizedherbyherclothes，herstoutness，andhermotions。Whenshepassedthe/pate/throughthedoorhedroppedittoseizeherhandandthen，withgreatswiftness，hetriedtopulltheringsfromherfingers，——oneherwedding-ring，theotheragiftfromMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。

"Youcannotdenythatitisyou，mydearMadameMichu，"hesaid。

Martheclosedherfistthemomentshefelthisfingers，andgavehimavigorousblowinthechest。Then，withoutaword，sheturnedawayandcutastick，attheendofwhichsheheldouttothesenatortherestoftheprovisions。

"Whatdotheywantofme？"heasked。

Marthedepartedgivinghimnoanswer。Byfiveo’clockshehadreachedtheedgeoftheforestandwaswarnedbyCourautofthepresenceofstrangers。Sheretracedherstepsandmadeforthepavilionwhereshehadlivedsolong；butjustassheenteredtheavenueshewasseenfromafarbytheforesterofGondreville，andshequicklyreflectedthatherbestplanwastogostraightuptohim。

"Youareoutearly，MadameMichu，"hesaid，accostingher。

"Wearesounfortunate，"shereplied，"thatIamobligedtodoaservant’sworkmyself。IamgoingtoBellacheforsomegrain。"

"Haven’tyouanyatCinq-Cygne？"saidtheforester。

Marthemadenoanswer。ShecontinuedonherwayandreachedthefarmatBellache，wheresheaskedBeauvisagetogivehersomeseed-grain，sayingthatMonsieurd’Hauteserreadvisedhertogetitfromhimtorenewhercrop。AssoonasMarthehadleftthefarm，theforesterwenttheretofindoutwhatsheaskedfor。

Sixdayslater，Marthe，determinedtobeprudent，wentatmidnightwithherprovisionssoastoavoidthekeeperswhowereevidentlypatrollingtheforest。Aftercarryingathirdsupplytothesenatorshesuddenlybecameterrifiedonhearingtheabbereadaloudthepublicexaminationoftheprisoners，——forthetrialwasbythattimebegun。Shetooktheabbeaside，andafterobliginghimtoswearthathewouldkeepthesecretshewasabouttorevealasthoughitwassaidtohimintheconfessional，sheshowedhimthefragmentsofMichu’sletter，toldhimthecontentsofit，andalsothesecretofthehiding-placewherethesenatorthenwas。

Theabbeatonceinquiredifshehadotherlettersfromherhusbandthathemightcomparethewriting。Marthewenttoherhometofetchthemandtherefoundasummonstoappearincourt。Bythetimeshereturnedtothechateautheabbeandhissisterhadreceivedasimilarsummonsonbehalfofthedefence。TheywereobligedthereforetostartforTroyesimmediately。Thusallthepersonagesofourdrama，eventhosewhowereonly，asitwere，supernumeraries，werecollectedonthespotwherethefateofthetwofamilieswasabouttobedecided。

CHAPTERXVII

THETRIAL

TherearebutfewlocalitiesinFrancewhereLawderivesfromoutwardappearancethedignitywhichoughtalwaystoaccompanyit。Yetitsurelyis，afterreligionandroyalty，thegreatestengineofsociety。

Everywhere，eveninParis，themeannessofitssurroundings，thewretchedarrangementofthecourtrooms，theirbarrennessandwantofdecorationinthemostornateandshowynationuponearthinthematterofitspublicmonuments，lessenstheactionofthelaw’smightypower。Atthefartherendofsomeoblongroommaybeseenadeskwithagreenbaizecoveringraisedonaplatform；behinditsitthejudgesonthecommonestofarm-chairs。Totheleft，istheseatofthepublicprosecutor，andbesidehim，closetothewall，isalongpenfilledwithchairsforthejury。Oppositetothejuryisanotherpenwithabenchfortheprisonersandthegendarmeswhoguardthem。Theclerkofthecourtsitsbelowtheplatformatatablecoveredwiththepapersofthecase。Beforetheimperialchangesintheadministrationofjusticewereinstituted，acommissaryofthegovernmentandthedirectorofthejuryeachhadaseatandatable，onetotheright，theothertotheleftofthebaize-covereddesk。Twosheriffshoveredaboutinthespaceleftinfrontofthedeskforthestationofwitnesses。Facingthejudgesandagainstthewallabovetheentrance，thereisalwaysashabbygalleryreservedforofficialsandforwomen，towhichadmittanceisgrantedonlybythepresidentofthecourt，towhomthepropermanagementofthecourtroombelongs。Thenon-

privilegedpublicarecompelledtostandintheemptyspacebetweenthedoorofthehallandthebar。ThisnormalappearanceofallFrenchlawcourtsandassize-roomswasthatoftheCriminalcourtofTroyes。

InApril，1806，neitherthefourjudgesnorthepresident(orchief-

justice)whomadeupthecourt，northepublicprosecutor，thedirectorofthejury，thecommissaryofthegovernment，northesheriffsorlawyers，infactnooneexceptthegendarmes，woreanyrobesorotherdistinctivesignwhichmighthaverelievedthenakednessofthesurroundingsandthesomewhatmeagreaspectofthefigures。Thecrucifixwassuppressed；itsexamplewasnolongerheldupbeforetheeyesofjusticeandofguilt。Allwasdullandvulgar。

Theparaphernaliasonecessarytoexcitesocialinterestisperhapsaconsolationtocriminals。Onthisoccasiontheeagernessofthepublicwaswhatithaseverbeenandeverwillbeintrialsofthiskind，solongasFrancerefusestorecognizethattheadmissionofthepublictothecourtsinvolvespublicity，andthatthepublicitygiventotrialsisaterriblepenaltywhichwouldneverhavebeeninflictedhadlegislatorsreflectedonit。Customsareoftenmorecruelthanlaws。

Customsarethedeedsofmen，butlawsarethejudgmentofanation。

Customsinwhichthereisoftennojudgmentarestrongerthanlaws。

Crowdssurroundedthecourtroom；thepresidentwasobligedtostationsquadsofsoldierstoguardthedoors。Theaudience，standingbelowthebar，wassocrowdedthatpersonssuffocated。MonsieurdeGrandville，defendingMichu，Bordin，defendingtheSimeusebrothers，andalawyerofTroyeswhoappearedforthed’Hauteserres，wereintheirseatsbeforetheopeningofthecourt；theirfacesworealookofconfidence。Whentheprisonerswerebroughtin，sympatheticmurmurswereheardattheappearanceoftheyoungmen，whosefaces，intwentydays’imprisonmentandanxiety，hadsomewhatpaled。Theperfectlikenessofthetwinsexcitedthedeepestinterest。PerhapsthespectatorsthoughtthatNaturewouldexercisesomespecialprotectioninthecaseofherownanomalies，andfeltreadytojoininrepairingtheharmdonetothembydestiny。Theirnoble，simplefaces，showingnosignsofshame，stilllessofbravado，touchedthewomen’shearts。

ThefourgentlemenandGothardworetheclothesinwhichtheyhadbeenarrested；butMichu，whosecoatandtrouserswereamongthe"articlesoftestimony，"so-called，hadputonhisbestclothes，——abluesurtout，abrownvelvetwaistcoat/ala/Robespierre，andawhitecravat。Thepoormanpaidthepenaltyofhisdangerous-lookingface。

Whenhecastaglanceofhisyelloweye，soclearandsoprofoundupontheaudience，amurmurofrepulsionansweredit。TheassemblychosetoseethefingerofGodbringinghimtothedockwherehisfather-in-lawhadsacrificedsomanyvictims。Thisman，trulygreat，lookedathismasters，repressingasmileofscorn。Heseemedtosaytothem，"Iaminjuringyourcause。"Fiveoftheprisonersexchangedgreetingswiththeircounsel。Gothardstillplayedthepartofanidiot。

Afterseveralchallenges，madewithmuchsagacitybythedefenceunderadviceoftheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，whoboldlytookaseatbesideBordinanddeGrandville，thejurywereempanelled，theindictmentwasread，andtheprisonerswerebroughtupseparatelytobeexamined。

Theyansweredeveryquestionwithremarkableunanimity。AfterridingabouttheforestallthemorningtheyhadreturnedtoCinq-Cygneforbreakfastatoneo’clock。Afterthatmeal，fromthreetohalf-pastfiveintheafternoon，theyhadreturnedtotheforest。Thatwasthebasisofeachtestimony；anyvariationsweremerelyindividualcircumstances。WhenthepresidentaskedtheMessieursdeSimeusewhytheyhadriddenoutsoearly，theybothdeclaredthatwishing，sincetheirreturn，tobuybackGondrevilleandintendingtomakeanoffertoMalinwhohadarrivedthenightbefore，theyhadgoneoutearlywiththeircousinandMichutomakecertainexaminationsofthepropertyonwhichtobasetheiroffer。DuringthattimetheMessieursd’Hauteserre，theircousin，andGothardhadchasedawolfwhichwasreportedintheforestbythepeasantry。Ifthedirectorofthejuryhadsoughtfortheprintsoftheirhorses’feetintheforestascarefullyasintheparkofGondreville，hewouldhavefoundproofoftheirpresenceatlongdistancesfromthehouse。

TheexaminationoftheMessieursd’Hauteserrecorroboratedthistestimony，andwasinharmonywiththeirpreliminarydispositions。Thenecessityofsomereasonfortheirridesuggestedtoeachofthemtheexcuseofhunting。Thepeasantshadgivenwarning，afewdaysearlier，ofawolfintheforest，andonthattheyhadfastenedasapretext。

Thepublicprosecutor，however，pointedoutadiscrepancybetweenthefirststatementsoftheMessieursd’Hauteserre，inwhichtheymentionedthatthewholepartyhuntedtogether，andthedefencenowmadebytheMessieursdeSimeusethattheirpurposeonthatdaywasthevaluationoftheforest。

MonsieurdeGrandvilleherecalledattentiontothefactthatasthecrimewasnotcommitteduntilaftertwoo’clockintheafternoon，theprosecutionhadnogroundtoquestiontheirwordwhentheystatedthemannerinwhichtheyhademployedtheirmorning。

Theprosecutorrepliedthattheprisonershadaninterestinconcealingtheirpreparationsfortheabductionofthesenator。

Theremarkableabilityofthedefencewasnowfelt。Judges，jurors，andaudiencebecameawarethatvictorywouldbehotlycontested。

BordinandMonsieurdeGrandvillehadstudiedtheirgroundandforeseeneverything。Innocenceisrequiredtorenderaclearandplausibleaccountofitsactions。Thedutyofthedefenceistopresentaconsistentandprobabletaleinoppositiontoaninsufficientandimprobableaccusation。Tocounselwhoregardtheirclientasinnocent，anaccusationisfalse。Thepublicexaminationofthefourgentlemensufficientlyexplainedthematterintheirfavor。

Sofarallwaswell。ButtheexaminationofMichuwasmoreserious；

theretherealstrugglebegan。ItwasnowcleartoeveryonewhyMonsieurdeGrandvillehadpreferredtotakechargeoftheservant’sdefenceratherthanthatofhismasters。

MichuadmittedhisthreatsagainstMarion；butdeniedthathehadmadethemviolently。Asfortheambushinwhichhewassupposedtohavewatchedforhisenemy，hesaidhewasmerelymakinghisroundsinhispark；thesenatorandMonsieurGrevinmightperhapshavebeenalarmedatthesightofhisgunandhavethoughthisintentionshostilewhentheywerereallyinoffensive。Hecalledattentiontothefactthatintheduskamanwhowasnotinthehabitofhuntingmighteasilyfancyagunwaspointedathim，whereas，inpointoffact，itwasheldinhishandathalf-cock。Toexplaintheconditionofhisclotheswhenarrested，hesaidhehadslippedandfalleninthebreachonhiswayhome。"Icouldscarcelyseemyway，"hesaid，"andtheloosestonesslippedfromundermeasIclimbedthebank。"AsfortheplasterwhichGothardwasbringinghim，herepliedashehaddoneinallpreviousexaminations，thathewantedittosecureoneofthestonepostsofthecoveredway。

Thepublicprosecutorandthepresidentaskedhimtoexplainhowhecouldhavebeenatthetopofthecoveredwayengagedinmendingastonepostandatthesametimeinthebreachofthemoatleadingtothechateau；moreespeciallyasthejusticeofpeace，thegendarmesandtheforesteralldeclaredtheyhadheardhimapproachthemfromthelowerroad。TothisMichurepliedthatMonsieurd’Hauteserrehadblamedhimfornothavingmendedthepost，——whichhewasanxioustohavefinishedbecausethereweredifficultiesaboutthatroadwiththetownship，——andhehadthereforegoneuptothechateautoreportthattheworkwasdone。

Monsieurd’Hauteserrehad，infact，putupafenceabovethecoveredwaytopreventthetownshipfromtakingpossessionofit。Michuseeingtheimportantpartwhichthestateofhisclotheswaslikelytoplay，inventedthissubterfuge。If，inlaw，truthisoftenlikefalsehood，falsehoodontheotherhandhasaverygreatresemblancetotruth。Thedefenceandtheprosecutionbothattachedmuchimportancetothistestimony，whichbecameoneoftheleadingpointsofthetrialonaccountofthevigorofthedefenceandthesuspicionsoftheprosecution。

Gothard，instructednodoubtbyMonsieurdeGrandville，foruptothattimehehadonlyweptwhentheyquestionedhim，admittedthatMichuhadtoldhimtocarrytheplaster。

"WhydidneitheryounorGothardtakethejusticeofpeaceandtheforestertothestonepostandshowthemyourwork？"saidthepublicprosecutor，addressingMichu。

"Because，"repliedtheman，"Ididn’tbelievetherewasanyseriousaccusationagainstus。"

AlltheprisonersexceptGothardwerenowremovedfromthecourtroom。

WhenGothardwasleftalonethepresidentadjuredhimtospeakthetruthforhisownsake，pointingoutthathispretendedidiocyhadcometoanend；noneofthejurorsbelievedhimimbecile；ifherefusedtoanswerthecourtherantheriskofseriouspenalty；

whereasbytellingthetruthatoncehewouldprobablybereleased。

Gothardwept，hesitated，andfinallyendedbysayingthatMichuhadtoldhimtocarryseveralsacksofplaster；butthateachtimehehadmethimnearthefarm。Hewasaskedhowmanysackshehadcarried。

"Three，"hereplied。

AnargumenthereuponensuedastowhetherthethreesacksincludedtheonewhichGothardwascarryingatthetimeofthearrest(whichreducedthenumberoftheothersackstotwo)orwhethertherewerethreewithoutthelast。Thedebateendedinfavorofthefirstproposition，thejuryconsideringthatonlytwosackshadbeenused。

Theyappearedtohaveaforegoneconvictiononthatpoint，butBordinandMonsieurdeGrandvillejudgeditbesttosurfeitthemwithplaster，andwearythemsothoroughlywiththeargumentthattheywouldnolongercomprehendthequestion。MonsieurdeGrandvillemadeitappearthatexpertsoughttohavebeensenttoexaminethestoneposts。

"Thedirectorofthejury，"hesaid，"hascontentedhimselfwithmerelyvisitingtheplace，lessforthepurposeofmakingacarefulexaminationthantotrapMichuinalie；this，inouropinion，wasafailureofduty，buttheblunderistoouradvantage。"

OnthistheCourtappointedexpertstoexaminethepostsandseeifoneofthemhadbeenreallymendedandreset。Thepublicprosecutor，onhisside，endeavoredtomakecapitaloftheaffairbeforetheexpertscouldtestify。

"Youseemtohavechosen，"hesaidtoMichu，whowasnowbroughtbackintothecourtroom，"anhourwhenthedaylightwaswaning，fromhalf-

pastfivetohalf-pastsixo’clock，tomendthispostandtocementitallalone。"

"Monsieurd’Hauteserrehadblamedmefornotdoingit，"repliedMichu。

"But，"saidtheprosecutor，"ifyouusedthatplasteronthepostyoumusthavehadatroughandatrowel。Now，ifyouwenttothechateautotellMonsieurd’Hauteserrethatyouhaddonethework，howdoyouexplainthefactthatGothardwasbringingyoumoreplaster。Youmusthavepassedyourfarmonyourwaytothechateau，andyouwouldnaturallyhaveleftyourtoolsathomeandstoppedGothard。"

Thisoverwhelmingargumentproducedapainfulsilenceinthecourtroom。

"Come，"saidtheprosecutor，"youhadbetteradmitatoncethatwhatyouburiedwas/notastonepost/。"

"Doyouthinkitwasthesenator？"saidMichu，sarcastically。

MonsieurdeGrandvillehereupondemandedthatthepublicprosecutorshouldexplainhismeaning。Michuwasaccusedofabductionandtheconcealmentofaperson，butnotofmurder。Suchaninsinuationwasaseriousmatter。ThecodeofBrumaire，yearIV。，forbadethepublicprosecutorfrompresentinganyfreshcountatthetrial；hemustkeepwithintheindictmentortheproceedingswouldbeannulled。

ThepublicprosecutorrepliedthatMichu，thepersonchieflyconcernedintheabductionandwho，intheinterestsofhismasters，hadtakentheresponsibilityonhisownshoulders，mighthavethoughtitnecessarytoplasteruptheentranceofthehiding-place，stillundiscovered，wherethesenatorwasnowimmured。

Pressedwithquestions，hamperedbythepresenceofGothard，andbroughtintocontradictionwithhimself，Michustruckhisfistupontheedgeofthedockwitharesoundingblowandsaid:"Ihavehadnothingwhatevertodowiththeabductionofthesenator。Ihopeandbelievehisenemieshavemerelyimprisonedhim；whenhereappearsyou’llfindoutthattheplasterwasputtonosuchuse。"

"Good！"saiddeGrandville，addressingthepublicprosecutor；"youhavedonemoreformyclient’scausethananythingIcouldhavesaid。"

Thefirstday’ssessionendedwiththisbolddeclaration，whichsurprisedthejudgesandgaveanadvantagetothedefence。ThelawyersofthetownandBordinhimselfcongratulatedtheyoungadvocate。Theprosecutor，uneasyattheassertion，fearedthathehadfallenintosometrap；infacthewasreallycaughtinasnarethatwascleverlysetforhimbythedefenceandadmirablyplayedoffbyGothard。Thewitsofthetowndeclaredthathehadwhite-washedtheaffairandsplashedhisowncause，andhadmadetheaccusedaswhiteastheplasteritself。Franceisthedomainofsatire，whichreignssupremeinourland；Frenchmenjestonascaffold，attheBeresina，atthebarricades，andsomewilldoubtlessappearwithaquirkupontheirlipsatthegrandassizesoftheLastJudgment。

CHAPTERXVIII

TRIALCONTINUED:CRUELVICISSITUDES

Onthemorrowthewitnessesfortheprosecutionwereexamined，——MadameMarion，MadameGrevin，Grevinhimself，thesenator’svalet，andViolette，whosetestimonycanreadilybeimaginedfromthefactsalreadytold。Theyallidentifiedthefiveprisoners，withmoreorlesshesitationastothefourgentlemen，butwithabsolutecertaintyastoMichu。BeauvisagerepeatedRobertd’Hauteserre’sspeechwhenhemetthematdaybreakinthepark。ThepeasantwhohadboughtMonsieurd’Hauteserre’scalftestifiedtooverhearingthatofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。Theexperts，whohadcomparedthehoof-printswiththeshoesonthehorsesriddenbythefiveprisonersandfoundthemabsolutelyalike，confirmedtheirpreviousdepositions。ThispointwasnaturallyoneofvehementcontentionbetweenMonsieurdeGrandvilleandtheprosecutingofficer。ThedefencecalledtheblacksmithatCinq-Cygneandsucceededinprovingthathehadsoldseveralhorseshoesofthesamepatterntostrangerswhowerenotknownintheplace。Theblacksmithdeclared，moreover，thathewasinthehabitofshoeinginthisparticularmannernotonlythehorsesofthechateaudeCinq-Cygne，butthosefromotherplacesinthecanton。ItwasalsoprovedthatthehorsewhichMichuhabituallyrodewasalwaysshodatTroyes，andthemarkofthatshoewasnotamongthehoof-printsfoundinthepark。

"Michu’sdoublewasnotawareofthiscircumstance，orhewouldhaveprovidedforit，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville，lookingatthejury。

"Neitherhastheprosecutionshownwhathorsesourclientsrode。"

HeridiculedthetestimonyofViolettesofarasitconcernedarecognitionofthehorses，seenfromalongdistance，frombehind，andafterdusk。Still，inspiteofallhisefforts，thebodyoftheevidencewasagainstMichu；andtheprosecutor，judge，jury，andaudiencewereimpressedwithafeeling(asthelawyersforthedefencehadforeseen)thattheguiltoftheservantcarriedwithitthatofthemasters。SothevitalinterestcentredonallthatconcernedMichu。Hisbearingwasnoble。Heshowedinhisanswersthesagacitywithwhichnaturehadendowedhim；andthepublic，seeinghimonhismettle，recognizedhissuperiority。Andyet，strangetosay，themoretheyunderstoodhimthemorecertaintytheyfeltthathewastheinstigatoroftheoutrage。

Thewitnessesforthedefence，alwayslessimportantintheeyesofajuryandofthelawthanthewitnessesfortheprosecution，seemedtotestifyasindutybound，andwerelistenedtowiththatallowance。InthefirstplaceneitherMarthe，norMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserretooktheoath。CatherineandtheDurieus，intheircapacityasservants，didnottakeit。Monsieurd’HauteserrestatedthathehadorderedMichutoreplaceandmendthestonepostwhichhadbeenthrowndown。Thedepositionoftheexpertssenttoexaminethefence，whichwasnowread，confirmedhistestimony；buttheyhelpedtheprosecutionbydeclaringtheycouldnotfixtheexacttimeatwhichtherepairshadbeenmade；itmighthavebeenseveralweeksornomorethantwentydays。

TheappearanceofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneexcitedtheliveliestcuriosity；butthesightofhercousinsintheprisoners’dockafterthreeweeks’separationaffectedhersomuchthatheremotionsgavetheaudienceanimpressionofguilt。Shefeltanoverwhelmingdesiretostandbesidethetwins，andwasobliged，assheafterwardsadmitted，touseallherstrengthtorepressthelongingthatcameintohermindtokilltheprosecutorsoastostandintheeyesoftheworldasacriminalbesidethem。Shetestified，withsimplicity，thatridingfromCinq-CygneandseeingsmokeintheparkofGondreville，shehadsupposedtherewasafire；atfirstshethoughttheywereburningweedsorbrush；"butlater，"sheadded，"IobservedacircumstancewhichIoffertotheattentionoftheCourt。Ifoundinthefroggingofmyhabitandinthefoldsofmycollarsmallfragmentsofwhatappearedtobeburnedpaperwhichwerefloatingintheair。"

"Wastheremuchsmoke？"askedBordin。

"Yes，"repliedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，"Ifearedaconflagration。"

"Thisisenoughtochangethewholeinquiry，"remarkedBordin。"I

requesttheCourttoorderanimmediateexaminationofthatregionoftheparkwherethefireoccurred。"

Thepresidentorderedtheinquiry。

Grevin，recalledbythedefenceandquestionedonthiscircumstance，declaredheknewnothingaboutit。ButBordinandheexchangedlookswhichmutuallyenlightenedthem。

"Thegistofthecaseisthere，"thoughttheoldnotary。

"They’velaidtheirfingeronit，"thoughtthenotary。

Buteachshrewdheadconsideredthefollowingupofthispointuseless。BordinreflectedthatGrevinwouldbesilentasthegrave；

andGrevincongratulatedhimselfthateverysignofthefirehadbeeneffaced。

Tosettlethispoint，whichseemedamereaccessorytothetrialandsomewhatpuerile(butwhichisreallyessentialinthejustificationwhichhistoryowestotheseyoungmen)，theexpertsandPigoult，whoweredespatchedbythepresidenttoexaminethepark，reportedthattheycouldfindnotracesofabonfire。

Bordinsummonedtwolaborers，whotestifiedtohavingdugover，underthedirectionoftheforester，atractofgroundintheparkwherethegrasshadbeenburned；buttheydeclaredtheyhadnotobservedthenatureoftheashestheyhadburied。

Theforester，recalledbythedefence，saidhehadreceivedfromthesenatorhimself，ashewaspassingthechateauofGondrevilleonhiswaytothemasqueradeatArcis，anordertodigoverthatparticularpieceofgroundwhichthesenatorhadremarkedasneedingit。

"Hadpapers，orherbagebeenburnedthere？"

"Icouldnotsay。Isawnothingthatmademethinkthatpapershadbeenburnedthere，"repliedtheforester。

"Atanyrate，"saidBordin，"if，asitappears，afirewaskindledonthatpieceofgroundsomeonebroughttothespotwhateverwasburnedthere。"

ThetestimonyoftheabbeandthatofMademoiselleGoujetmadeafavorableimpression。Theysaidthatastheyleftthechurchaftervespersandwerewalkingtowardshome，theymetthefourgentlemenandMichuleavingthechateauonhorsebackandmakingtheirwaytotheforest。Thecharacter，position，andknownuprightnessoftheAbbeGoujetgaveweighttohiswords。

Thesummingupofthepublicprosecutor，whofeltsureofobtainingaverdict，wasinthenatureofallsuchspeeches。TheprisonersweretheincorrigibleenemiesofFrance，herinstitutionsandlaws。Theythirstedfortumultandconspiracy。ThoughtheyhadbelongedtothearmyofCondeandhadsharedinthelateattemptsagainstthelifeoftheEmperor，thatmagnanimoussovereignhaderasedtheirnamesfromthelistof/emigres/。Thiswasthereturntheymadeforhisclemency！

Inshort，alltheoratoricaldeclamationsoftheBourbonsagainsttheBonapartists，whichinourdayarerepeatedagainsttherepublicansandthelegitimistsbytheYoungerBranch，flourishedinthespeech。

Thesetritecommonplaces，whichmighthavesomemeaningunderafixedgovernment，seemfarcicalinthemouthofadministratorsofallepochsandopinions。Asayingofthetroubloustimesofyoreisstillapplicable:"Thelabelischanged，butthewineisthesameasever。"

Thepublicprosecutor，oneofthemostdistinguishedlegalmenundertheEmpire，attributedthecrimetoafixeddeterminationonthepartofreturned/emigres/toprotestagainstthesaleoftheirestates。Hemadetheaudienceshudderattheprobableconditionofthesenator；

thenhemassedtogetherproofs，half-proofs，andprobabilitieswithaclevernessstimulatedbyasensethathiszealwascertainofitsreward，andsatdowntranquillytoawaitthefireofhisopponents。

MonsieurdeGrandvilleneverarguedbutthisonecriminalcase；anditmadehisreputation。Inthefirstplace，hespokewiththesameglowingeloquencewhichto-dayweadmireinBerryer。Hewasprofoundlyconvincedoftheinnocenceofhisclients，andthatinitselfisamostpowerfulauxiliaryofspeech。Thefollowingarethechiefpointsofhisdefence，whichwasreportedinfullbyalltheleadingnewspapersoftheperiod。InthefirstplaceheexhibitedthecharacterandlifeofMichuinitstruelight。Hemadeitanobletale，ringingwithloftysentiments，anditawakenedthesympathiesofmany。WhenMichuheardhimselfvindicatedbythateloquentvoice，tearssprangfromhisyelloweyesandrolleddownhisterribleface。

Heappearedthenforwhathereallywas，——amanassimpleandaswilyasachild；abeingwhosewholeexistencehadbutonethought，oneaim。Hewassuddenlyexplainedtothemindsofallpresent，moreespeciallybyhistears，whichproducedagreateffectuponthejury。

Hisabledefenderseizedthatmomentofstronginteresttoenteruponadiscussionofthecharges:——

"Whereisthebodyofthepersonabducted？Whereisthesenator？"heasked。"Youaccuseusofwallinghimupwithstonesandplaster。Ifso，wealoneknowwhereheis；youhavekeptustwenty-threedaysinprison，andthesenatormustbedeadbythistimeforwantoffood。Wearethereforemurderers，butyouhavenotaccusedusofmurder。Ontheotherhand，ifhestilllives，wemusthaveaccomplices。Ifwehavethem，andifthesenatorisliving，weshouldassuredlyhavesethimatliberty。TheschemeinrelationtoGondrevillewhichyouattributetousisafailure，andonlyaggravatesourpositionuselessly。Wemightperhapsobtainapardonforanabortiveattemptbyreleasingourvictim；insteadofthatwepersistindetainingamanfromwhomwecanobtainnobenefitwhatever。Itisabsurd！Takeawayyourplaster；theeffectisafailure，"hesaid，addressingthepublicprosecutor。"Weareeitheridioticcriminals(whichyoudonotbelieve)ortheinnocentvictimsofcircumstancesasinexplicabletousastheyaretoyou。YououghtrathertosearchforthemassofpaperswhichwereburnedatGondreville，whichwillrevealmotivesstrongerfarthanyoursoroursandputyouonthetrackofthecausesofthisabduction。"

Thespeakerdiscussedthesehypotheseswithmarvellousability。Hedweltonthemoralcharacterofthewitnessesforthedefence，whosereligiousfaithwasalivingone，whobelievedinafuturelifeandineternalpunishment。Herosetograndeurinthispartofhisspeechandmovedhishearersdeeply:——

"Remember！"hesaid；"thesecriminalsweretranquillydiningwhentoldoftheabductionofthesenator。Whentheofficerofgendarmesintimatedtothemthebestmeansofendingthewholeaffairbygivingupthesenator，theyrefused，fortheydidnotunderstandwhatwasaskedofthem！"

Then，revertingtothemysteryofthematter，hedeclaredthatitssolutionwasinthehandsoftime，whichwouldeventuallyrevealtheinjusticeofthecharge。Onceonthisground，heboldlyandingeniouslysupposedhimselfajuror；relatedhisdeliberationswithhiscolleagues；imaginedhisdistresslest，havingcondemnedtheinnocent，theerrorshouldbeknowntoolate，anddrewsuchapictureofhisremorse，dwellingonthegravedoubtswhichthecasepresented，thathebroughtthejurytoaconditionofintenseanxiety。

Jurieswerenotinthosedayssoblasetothissortofallocutionastheyarenow；MonsieurdeGrandville’sappealhadthepowerofthingsnew，andthejurorswereevidentlyshaken。Afterthispassionateoutbursttheyhadtolistentothewilyandspeciousprosecutor，whowentoverthewholecase，broughtoutthedarkestpointsagainsttheprisonersandmadetherestinexplicable。HisaimwastoreachthemindsandthereasoningfacultiesofhishearersjustasMonsieurdeGrandvillehadaimedattheheartandtheimagination。Thelatter，however，hadseriouslyentangledtheconvictionsofthejury，andthepublicprosecutorfoundhiswell-laidargumentsineffectual。ThiswassoplainthatthecounselfortheMessieursd’HauteserreandGothardappealedtothejudgmentofthejury，askingthatthecaseagainsttheirclientsbeabandoned。Theprosecutordemandedapostponementtillthenextdayinorderthathemightprepareananswer。Bordin，whosawacquittalintheeyesofthejuryiftheydeliberatedonthecaseatonce，opposedthedelayofevenonenightbyargumentsoflegalrightandjusticetohisinnocentclients；butinvain，——thecourtallowedit。

"Theinterestsofsocietyareasgreatasthoseoftheaccused，"saidthepresident。"Thecourtwouldbelackinginequityifitdeniedalikerequestwhenmadebythedefence；itoughtthereforetograntthatoftheprosecution。"

"Allisluckorill-luck！"saidBordintohisclientswhenthesessionwasover。"Almostacquittedtonightyoumaybecondemnedto-morrow。"

"Ineithercase，"saidtheelderdeSimeuse，"wecanonlyadmireyourskill。"

MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’seyeswerefulloftears。Afterthedoubtsandfearsofthecounselforthedefence，shehadnotexpectedthissuccess。Thosearoundhercongratulatedherandpredictedtheacquittalofhercousins。Butalas！thematterwasdestinedtoendinastartlingandalmosttheatricalevent，themostunexpectedanddisastrouscircumstancewhicheverchangedthefaceofacriminaltrial。

AtfiveinthemorningofthedayafterMonsieurdeGrandville’sspeech，thesenatorwasfoundonthehighroadtoTroyes，deliveredfromcaptivityduringhissleep，unawareofthetrialthatwasgoingonoroftheexcitementattachingtohisnameinEurope，andsimplyhappyinbeingoncemoreabletobreathethefreshair。ThemanwhowasthepivotofthedramawasquiteasamazedatwhatwasnowtoldtohimasthepersonswhomethimonhiswaytoTroyeswereastoundedathisreappearance。AfarmerlenthimacarriageandhesoonreachedthehouseoftheprefectatTroyes。Theprefectnotifiedthedirectorofthejury，thecommissaryofthegovernment，andthepublicprosecutor，who，afterastatementmadetothembyMalin，arrestedMarthe，whileshewasstillinbedattheDurieu’shouseinthesuburbs。

MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，whowasonlyatlibertyunderbail，wasalsosnatchedfromoneofthefewhoursofslumbershehadbeenabletoobtainatrareintervalsinthecourseofherceaselessanxiety，andtakentotheprefecturetoundergoanexamination。Anordertokeeptheaccusedfromholdinganycommunicationwitheachotherorwiththeircounselwassenttotheprison。Atteno’clockthecrowdwhichassembledaroundthecourtroomwereinformedthatthetrialwaspostponeduntiloneo’clockintheafternoonofthesameday。

Thischangeofhour，followingonthenewsofthesenator’sdeliverance，Marthe’sarrest，andthatofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，togetherwiththedenialoftherighttocommunicatewiththeprisonerscarriedterrortothehoteldeChargeboeuf。ThewholetownandthespectatorswhohadcometoTroyestobepresentatthetrial，theshort-handwritersforthedailyjournals，eventhepopulacewereinafermentwhichcanreadilybeimagined。TheAbbeGoujetcameatteno’clocktoseeMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreandthecounselforthedefence，whowerebreakfasting——aswellastheycouldunderthecircumstances。TheabbetookBordinandMonsieurGrandvilleapart，toldthemwhatMarthehadconfidedtohimthedaybefore，andgavethemthefragmentofthelettershehadreceived。Thetwolawyersexchangedalook，afterwhichBordinsaidtotheabbe:"Notawordofallthis！Thecaseislost；butatanyrateletusshowafirmfront。"

Marthewasnotstrongenoughtoevadethecross-questioningofthedirectorofthejuryandthepublicprosecutor。Moreovertheproofagainstherwastoooverwhelming。Lechesneauhadsentfortheundercrustofthelastloafofbreadshehadcarriedtothecavern，alsofortheemptybottlesandvariousotherarticles。Duringthesenator’slonghoursofcaptivityhehadformedconjecturesinhisownmindandhadlookedforindicationswhichmightputhimonthetrackofhisenemies。Thesehenowcommunicatedtotheauthorities。Michu’sfarmhouse，latelybuilt，had，hesupposed，anewoven；thetilesorbricksonwhichthebreadwasbakedwouldshowtheirjointedlinesonthebottomoftheloaves，andthusaffordaproofthatthebreadsuppliedtohimwasbakedonthatparticularoven。Sowiththewinebroughtinbottlessealedwithgreenwax，whichwouldprobablybefoundidenticalwithotherbottlesinMichu’scellar。Theseshrewdobservations，whichMalinimpartedtothejusticeofpeace，whomadethefirstexamination(takingMarthewithhim)，ledtotheresultsforeseenbythesenator。

Marthe，deceivedbytheapparentfriendlinessofLechesneauandthepublicprosecutor，whoassuredherthatcompleteconfessioncouldalonesaveherhusband’slife，admittedthatthecavernwherethesenatorhadbeenhiddenwasknownonlytoherhusbandandtheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserre，andthatsheherselfhadtakenprovisionstothesenatoronthreeseparateoccasionsatmidnight。

Laurence，questionedaboutthecavern，wasforcedtoacknowledgethatMichuhaddiscovereditandhadshownittoheratthetimewhenthefouryoungmenevadedthepoliceandwerehiddeninit。

Assoonasthesepreliminaryexaminationswereended，thejury，lawyers，andaudiencewerenotifiedthatthetrialwouldberesumed。

Atthreeo’clockthepresidentopenedthesessionbyannouncingthatthecasewouldbecontinuedunderanewaspect。HeexhibitedtoMichuthreebottlesofwineandaskedhimifherecognizedthemasbottlesfromhisowncellar，showinghimatthesametimetheidentitybetweenthegreenwaxontwoemptybottleswiththegreenwaxonafullbottletakenfromhiscellarthatmorningbythejusticeofpeaceinpresenceofhiswife。Michurefusedtorecognizeanythingashisown。Buttheseproofsfortheprosecutionwereunderstoodbythejurors，towhomthepresidentexplainedthattheemptybottleswerefoundintheplacewherethesenatorwasimprisoned。

Eachprisonerwasquestionedastothecavernorcellarbeneaththeruinsoftheoldmonastery。Itwasprovedbyallwitnessesfortheprosecution，andalsoforthedefence，thattheexistenceofthishiding-placediscoveredbyMichuwasknownonlytohimandhiswife，andtoLaurenceandthefourgentlemen。Wemayjudgeoftheeffectinthecourtroomwhenthepublicprosecutormadeknownthefactthatthiscavern，knownonlytotheaccusedandtotheirtwowitnesses，wastheplacewherethesenatorhadbeenimprisoned。

Marthewassummoned。Herappearancecausedmuchexcitementamongthespectatorsandkeenanxietytotheprisoners。MonsieurdeGrandvillerosetoprotestagainstthetestimonyofawifeagainstherhusband。

ThepublicprosecutorrepliedthatMarthebyherownconfessionwasanaccompliceintheoutrage；thatshehadneitherswornnortestified，andwastobeheardsolelyintheinterestsoftruth。

"Weneedonlysubmitherpreliminaryexaminationtothejury，"

remarkedthepresident，whonoworderedtheclerkofthecourttoreadthesaidtestimonyaloud。

"Doyounowconfirmyourownstatement？"saidthepresident，addressingMarthe。

Michulookedathiswife，andMarthe，whosawherfatalerror，faintedawayandfelltothefloor。Itmaybetrulysaidthatathunderbolthadfallenupontheprisonersandtheircounsel。

"Ineverwrotetomywifefromprison，andIknownoneofthepersonsemployedthere，"saidMichu。

BordinpassedtohimthefragmentsoftheletterMarthehadreceived。

Michugavebutoneglanceatit。"Mywritinghasbeenimitated，"hesaid。

"Denialisyourlastresource，"saidthepublicprosecutor。

Thesenatorwasintroducedintothecourtroomwithalltheceremoniesduetohisposition。Hisentrancewaslikeastagescene。Malin(nowcalledComtedeGondreville，withoutregardtothefeelingsofthelateownersoftheproperty)wasrequestedbythepresidenttolookattheprisoners，anddidsowithgreatattentionandforalongtime。Hestatedthattheclothingofhisabductorswasexactlylikethatwornbythefourgentlemen；buthedeclaredthatthetroubleofhismindhadbeensuchthathecouldnotbepositivethattheaccusedwerereallytheguiltyparties。

"Morethanthat，"hesaid，"itismyconvictionthatthesefourgentlemenhadnothingtodowithit。Thehandsthatblindfoldedmeintheforestwerecoarseandrough。Ishouldrathersuppose，"headded，lookingatMichu，"thatmyoldenemytookchargeofthatduty；butI

begthegentlemenofthejurynottogivetoomuchweighttothisremark。Mysuspicionsareveryslight，andIfeelnocertaintywhatever——forthisreason。Thetwomenwhoseizedmeputmeonhorsebackbehindthemanwhoblindfoldedme，andwhosehairwasredlikeMichu’s。HoweversingularyoumayconsidertheobservationIamabouttomake，itisnecessarytomakeitbecauseitisthegroundofanopinionfavorabletotheaccused——who，Ihope，willnotfeeloffendedbyit。Fastenedtotheman’sbackIwouldnaturallyhavebeenaffectedbyhisodor——yetIdidnotperceivethatwhichispeculiartoMichu。Astothepersonwhobroughtmeprovisionsonthreeseveraloccasions，IamcertainitwasMarthe，thewifeofMichu。Irecognizedherthefirsttimeshecamebyaringshealwayswore，whichshehadforgottentoremove。TheCourtandjurywillpleaseallowforthecontradictionswhichappearinthefactsIhavestated，whichImyselfamwhollyunabletoreconcile。"

Amurmurofapprovalfollowedthistestimony。BordinaskedpermissionoftheCourttoaddressafewquestionstothewitness。

"Doesthesenatorthinkthathisabductionwasduetoothercausesthantheinterestsrespectingpropertywhichtheprosecutionattributestotheprisoners？"

"Ido，"repliedthesenator，"butIamwhollyignorantofwhattherealmotiveswere；forduringacaptivityoftwentydaysIsawandheardnoone。"

"Doyouthink，"saidthepublicprosecutor，"thatyourchateauatGondrevillecontainsinformation，title-deeds，orotherpapersofvaluewhichwouldinduceasearchonthepartoftheMessieursdeSimeuse？"

"Idonotthinkso，"repliedMalin；"Ibelievethosegentlementobeincapableofattemptingtogetpossessionofsuchpapersbyviolence。

Theyhadonlytoaskmeforthemtoobtainthem。"

"Youburnedcertainpapersinthepark，didyounot？"saidMonsieurdeGondreville，abruptly。

MalinlookedatGrevin。Afterexchangingarapidglancewiththenotary，whichBordinintercepted，herepliedthathehadnotburnedanypapers。Thepublicprosecutorhavingaskedhimtodescribetheambushtowhichhehadsonearlyfallenavictimtwoyearsearlier，thesenatorrepliedthathehadseenMichuwatchinghimfromtheforkofatree。Thisanswer，whichagreedwithGrevin’stestimony，producedagreatimpression。

Thefourgentlemenremainedimpassibleduringtheexaminationoftheirenemy，whoseemeddeterminedtooverwhelmthemwithgenerosity。

Laurencesufferedhorribleagony。FromtimetotimetheMarquisdeChargeboeufheldherbythearm，fearingshemightdartforwardtotherescue。TheComtedeGondrevilleretiredfromthecourtroomandashedidsohebowedtothefourgentlemen，whodidnotreturnthesalutation。Thistriflingmattermadethejuryindignant。

"Theyarelostnow，"whisperedBordintotheMarquisdeChargeboeuf。

"Alas，yes！andalwaysthroughthenobilityoftheirsentiments，"

repliedthemarquis。

"Mytaskisnowonlytooeasy，gentlemen，"saidtheprosecutor，risingtoaddressthejury。

Heexplainedtheuseofthecementbythenecessityofsecuringanironframeonwhichtofastenapadlockwhichheldtheironbarwithwhichthegateofthecavernwasclosed；adescriptionofwhichwasgiveninthe/proces-verbal/madethatmorningbyPigoult。Heputthefalsehoodsoftheaccusedintothestrongestlight，andpulverizedtheargumentsofthedefencewiththenewevidencesomiraculouslyobtained。In1806FrancewasstilltooneartheSupremeBeingof1793

totalkaboutdivinejustice；hethereforesparedthejuryallreferencetotheinterventionofheaven；buthesaidthatearthlyjusticewouldbeonthewatchforthemysteriousaccompliceswhohadsetthesenatoratliberty，andhesatdown，confidentlyawaitingtheverdict。

Thejurybelievedtherewasamystery，buttheywereallpersuadedthatitcamefromtheprisoners，whowereprobablyconcealingsomematterofaprivateinterestofgreatimportancetothem。

MonsieurdeGrandville，towhomaplotormachinationofsomekindwasquiteevident，rose；butheseemeddiscouraged，——less，however，bythenewevidencethanbythemanifestopinionofthejury。Hesurpassed，ifanything，hisspeechofthepreviousevening；hisargumentwasmorecompactandlogical；buthefelthisfervorrepelledbythecoldnessofthejury；hespokeineffectually，andheknewit，——achillingsituationforanadvocate。Hecalledattentiontothefactthatthereleaseofthesenator，asifbymagicandclearlywithouttheaidofanyoftheaccusedorofMarthe，corroboratedhispreviousargument。

Yesterdaytheprisonerscouldmostsurelyrelyonacquittal，andiftheyhad，astheprosecutionclaimed，thepowertoholdortoreleasethesenator，theycertainlywouldnothavereleasedhimuntilaftertheiracquittal。HeendeavoredtobringbeforethemindsoftheCourtandjurythefactthatmysteriousenemies，undiscoveredasyet，couldalonehavestrucktheaccusedthisfinalblow。

Strangetosay，theonlymindsMonsieurdeGrandvillereachedwiththisargumentwerethoseofthepublicprosecutorandthejudges。Thejurylistenedperfunctorily；theaudience，usuallysofavorabletoprisoners，wereconvincedoftheirguilt。Inacourtofjusticethesentimentsofthecrowddounquestionablyweighuponthejudgesandthejury，and/viceversa/。Seeingthisconditionofthemindsabouthim，whichcouldbefeltifnotdefined，thecounselutteredhislastwordsinatoneofpassionateexcitementcausedbyhisconviction:——

"Inthenameoftheaccused，"hecried，"Iforgiveyouforthefatalerroryouareabouttocommit，andwhichnothingcanrepair！WearethevictimsofsomemysteriousandMachiavellianpower。MartheMichuwasinveigledbyvileperfidy。Youwilldiscoverthistoolate，whentheevilyounowdowillbeirreparable。"

Bordinsimplyclaimedtheacquittaloftheprisonersonthetestimonyofthesenatorhimself。

Thepresidentsummedupthecasewithallthemoreimpartialitybecauseitwasevidentthatthemindsofthejurorswerealreadymadeup。Heeventurnedthescalesinfavoroftheprisonersbydwellingonthesenator’sevidence。Thisclemency，however，didnotintheleastendangerthesuccessoftheprosecution。Ateleveno’clockthatnight，afterthejuryhadrepliedthroughtheirforemantotheusualquestions，theCourtcondemnedMichutodeath，theMessieursdeSimeusetotwenty-fouryears’andtheMessieursd’Hauteserretotenyears，penalservitudeathardlabor。Gothardwasacquitted。

Thewholeaudiencewaseagertoobservethebearingofthefiveguiltymeninthissuprememomentoftheirlives。ThefourgentlemenlookedatLaurence，whoreturnedthem，withdryeyes，theardentlookofthemartyrs。

"Shewouldhavewepthadwebeenacquitted，"saidtheyoungerdeSimeusetohisbrother。

Neverdidconvictedmenmeetanunjustfatewithserenerbrowsorcountenancesmoreworthyoftheirmanhoodthanthesefivevictimsofacruelplot。

"Ourcounselhasforgivenyou，"saidtheeldestdeSimeusetotheCourt。

*****

Madamed’Hauteserrefellill，andwasthreemonthsinherbedatthehoteldeChargeboeuf。Monsieurd’HauteserrereturnedpatientlytoCinq-Cygne，inwardlygnawedbyoneofthosesorrowsofoldagewhichhavenoneofyouth’sdistractions；oftenhewassoabsent-mindedthattheabbe，whowatchedhim，knewthepoorfatherwaslivingoveragainthesceneofthefatalverdict。Marthepassedawayfromallblame；shediedthreeweeksafterthecondemnationofherhusband，confidinghersontoLaurence，inwhosearmsshedied。

Thetrialonceover，politicaleventsoftheutmostimportanceeffacedeventhememoryofit，andnothingfurtherwasdiscovered。Societyisliketheocean；itreturnstoitslevelanditsspeciouscalmnessafteradisaster，effacingalltracesofitinthetideofitseagerinterests。

Withouthernaturalfirmnessofmindandherknowledgeofhercousins’

innocence，Laurencewouldhavesuccumbed；butshegavefreshproofofthegrandeurofhercharacter；sheastonishedMonsieurdeGrandvilleandBordinbytheapparentserenitywhichtheseterriblemisfortunescalledforthinhernoblesoul。ShenursedMadamed’Hauteserreandwentdailytotheprison，sayingopenlythatshewouldmarryoneofthecousinswhentheyweretakentothegalleys。

"Tothegalleys！"criedBordin，"Mademoiselle！ourfirstendeavormustbetowringtheirpardonfromtheEmperor。"

"Theirpardon！——/fromaBonaparte/？"criedLaurenceinhorror。

Thespectaclesoftheoldlawyerjumpedfromhisnose；hecaughtthemastheyfellandlookedattheyounggirlwhowasnowindeedawoman；

heunderstoodhercharacteratlastinallitsbearings；thenhetookthearmoftheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，saying:——

"MonsieurleMarquis，letusgotoParisinstantlyandsavethemwithouther！"

TheappealoftheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’HauteserreandthatofMichuwasthefirstcasetobebroughtbeforethenewcourt。Itsdecisionwasfortunatelydelayedbytheceremoniesattendingitsinstallation。

CHAPTERXIX

THEEMPEROR’SBIVOUAC

TowardstheendofSeptember，afterthreesessionsoftheCourtofAppealsinwhichthelawyersforthedefencepleaded，andtheattorney-generalMerlinhimselfspokefortheprosecution，theappealwasrejected。TheImperialCourtofPariswasbythistimeinstituted。

MonsieurdeGrandvillewasappointedassistantattorney-general，andthedepartmentoftheAubecomingunderthejurisdictionofthiscourt，itbecamepossibleforhimtotakecertainstepsinfavoroftheconvictedprisoners，amongthemthatofimportuningCambaceres，hisprotector。BordinandMonsieurdeChargeboeufcametohishouseintheMaraisthedayaftertheappealwasrejected，wheretheyfoundhiminthemidstofhishoneymoon，forhehadmarriedintheinterval。Inspiteofallthesechangesinhiscondition，MonsieurdeChargeboeufsawveryplainlythattheyounglawyerwasfaithfultohislateclients。Certainlawyers，theartistsoftheirprofession，treattheircauseslikemistresses。Thisisrare，however，andmustnotbedependedon。

Assoonastheywerealoneinhisstudy，MonsieurdeGrandvillesaidtothemarquis:"Ihavenotwaitedforyourvisit；Ihavealreadyemployedallmyinfluence。Don’tattempttosaveMichu；ifyoudo，youcannotobtainthepardonoftheMessieursdeSimeuse。Thelawwillinsistononevictim。"

"GoodGod！"criedBordin，showingtheyoungmagistratethethreepetitionsformercy；"howcanItakeuponmyselftowithdrawtheapplicationforthatman。IfIsuppressthepaperIcutoffhishead。"

Heheldoutthepetition；deGrandvilletookit，lookeditover，andsaid:——

"Wecan’tsuppressit；butbesureofonething，ifyouaskallyouwillobtainnothing。"

"HavewetimetoconsultMichu？"askedBordin。

"Yes。Theorderforexecutioncomesfromtheofficeoftheattorney-

general；Iwillseethatyouhavesomedays。Wekillmen，"hesaidwithsomebitterness，"butatleastwedoitformally，especiallyinParis。"

MonsieurdeChargeboeufhadalreadyreceivedfromthechiefjusticecertaininformationwhichaddedweighttothesesadwordsofMonsieurdeGrandville。

"Michuisinnocent，Iknow，"continuedtheyounglawyer，"butwhatcanwedoagainstsomany？Remember，too，thatmypresentinfluencedependsonmykeepingsilent。Imustorderthescaffoldtobeprepared，ormylateclientiscertaintobebeheaded。"

MonsieurdeChargeboeufknewLaurencewellenoughtobecertainshewouldneverconsenttosavehercousinsattheexpenseofMichu；hethereforeresolvedonmakingonemoreeffort。Heaskedanaudienceoftheministerofforeignaffairstolearnifsalvationcouldbelookedforthroughtheinfluenceofthegreatdiplomat。HetookBordinwithhim，forthelatterknewtheministerandhaddonehimsomeservice。

ThetwooldmenfoundTalleyrandsittingwithhisfeetstretchedout，absorbedincontemplationofhisfire，hisheadrestingonhishand，hiselbowonthetable，anewspaperlyingathisfeet。TheministerhadjustreadthedecisionoftheCourtofAppeals。

"Praysitdown，Monsieurlemarquis，"saidTalleyrand，"andyou，Bordin，"headded，pointingtoaplaceatthetable，"writeasfollows:——"

Sire，——Fourinnocentgentlemen，declaredguiltybyajuryhavejusthadtheircondemnationconfirmedbyyourCourtofAppeals。

YourImperialMajestycannowonlypardonthem。Thesegentlemenaskthispardonofyouraugustclemency，inthehopethattheymayenteryourarmyandmeettheirdeathinbattlebeforeyoureyes；

andthuspraying，theyare，ofyourImperialandRoyalMajesty，withreverence，etc。

"Nonebutprincescandosuchpromptandgracefulkindness，"saidtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf，takingthepreciousdraftofthepetitionfromthehandsofBordinthathemighthaveitsignedbythefourgentlemen；resolvinginhisownmindthathewouldalsoobtainthesignaturesofseveralaugustnames。

"Thelifeofyouryoungrelatives，Monsieurlemarquis，"saidtheminister，"nowdependsontheturnofabattle。EndeavortoreachtheEmperoronthemorningafteravictoryandtheyaresaved。"

HetookapenandhimselfwroteaprivateandconfidentiallettertotheEmperor，andanotheroftenlinestoMarechalDuroc。Thenherangthebell，askedhissecretaryforadiplomaticpassport，andsaidtranquillytotheoldlawyer，"Whatisyourhonestopinionofthattrial？"

"Doyouknow，monseigneur，whowasatthebottomofthiscruelwrong？"

"IpresumeIdo；butIhavereasonstowishforcertainty，"repliedTalleyrand。"ReturntoTroyes；bringmetheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，here，to-morrowatthesamehour，butsecretly；asktobeusheredintoMadamedeTalleyrand’ssalon；Iwilltellheryouarecoming。IfMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，whoshallbeplacedwhereshecanseeamanwhowillbestandingbeforeme，recognizesthatmanasanindividualwhocametoherhouseduringtheconspiracyofdePolignacandRiviere，tellhertorememberthat，nomatterwhatIsayorwhatheanswersme，shemustnotutterawordnormakeagesture。Onethingmore，thinkonlyofsavingthedeSimeusebrothers；don’tembarrassyourselfwiththatscoundrelofabailiff——"

"Asublimeman，monseigneur！"exclaimedBordin。

"Enthusiasm！inyou，Bordin！Themanmustberemarkable。Oursovereignhasanimmenseself-love，Monsieurlemarquis，"hesaid，changingtheconversation。"Heisabouttodismissmethathemaycommitfollieswithoutwarning。TheEmperorisagreatsoldierwhocanchangethelawsoftimeanddistance，buthecannotchangemen；yethepersistsintryingtoruntheminhisownmould！Now，rememberthis；theyoungmen’spardoncanbeobtainedbyonepersononly——MademoiselledeCinq-

Cygne。"