第7章
ThemarquiswentalonetoTroyesandtoldthewholemattertoLaurence。SheobtainedpermissionfromtheauthoritiestoseeMichu，andthemarquisaccompaniedhertothegatesoftheprison，wherehewaitedforher。Whenshecameoutherfacewasbathedintears。
"Poorman！"shesaid；"hetriedtokneeltome，prayingthatIwouldnotthinkofhim，andforgettingtheshacklesthatwereonhisfeet！
Ah，marquis，I/will/pleadhiscause。Yes，I’llkissthebootoftheirEmperor。IfIfail——well，thememoryofthatmanshallliveeternallyhonoredinourfamily。Presenthispetitionformercysoastogaintime；meantimeIamresolvedtohavehisportrait。Come，letusgo。"
Thenextday，whenTalleyrandwasinformedbyasignagreeduponthatLaurencewasatherpost，herangthebell；hisorderlycametohim，andreceivedorderstoadmitMonsieurCorentin。
"Myfriend，youareaverycleverfellow，"saidTalleyrand，"andI
wishtoemployyou。"
"Monsiegneur——"
"Listen。InservingFoucheyouwillgetmoney，butneverhonornoranypositionyoucanacknowledge。Butinservingme，asyouhavelatelydoneatBerlin，youcanwincreditandrepute。"
"Monseigneurisverygood。"
"YoudisplayedgeniusinthatlateaffairatGondreville。"
"TowhatdoesMonseigneurallude？"saidCorentin，withamannerthatwasneithertooreservednortoosurprised。
"Ah，Monsieur！"observedtheminister，dryly，"youwillnevermakeasuccessfulman；youfear——"
"What，monseigneur？"
"Death！"repliedTalleyrand，inhisfine，deepvoice。"Adieu，mygoodfriend。"
"Thatistheman，"saidtheMarquisdeChargeboeufenteringtheroomafterCorentinwasdismissed；"butwehavenearlykilledthecountess。"
"HeistheonlymanIknowcapableofplayingsuchatrick，"repliedtheminister。"Monsieurlemarquis，youareindangerofnotsucceedinginyourmission。StartostensiblyforStrasburg；I’llsendyoudoublepassportsinblanktobefilledout。Provideyourselfwithsubstitutes；changeyourrouteandaboveallyourcarriage；letyoursubstitutesgoontoStrasburg，anddoyoureachPrussiathroughSwitzerlandandBavaria。Notaword——prudence！Thepoliceareagainstyou；andyoudonotknowwhatthepoliceare——"
MademoiselledeCinq-CygneofferedthethencelebratedRobertLefebvreasufficientsumtoinducehimtogotoTroyesandtakeMichu’sportrait。MonsieurdeGrandvillepromisedtoaffordthepaintereverypossiblefacility。MonsieurdeChargeboeufthenstartedintheold/berlingot/，withLaurenceandaservantwhospokeGerman。NotfarfromNancytheyovertookMademoiselleGoujetandGothard，whohadprecededtheminanexcellentcarriage，whichthemarquistook，givingtheminexchangethe/berlingot/。
Talleyrandwasright。AtStrasburgthecommissary-generalofpolicerefusedtocountersignthepassportofthetravellers，andgavethempositiveorderstoreturn。BythattimethemarquisandLaurencewereleavingFrancebywayofBesanconwiththediplomaticpassport。
LaurencecrossedSwitzerlandinthefirstdaysofOctober，withoutpayingtheslightestattentiontothatgloriousland。Shelaybackinthecarriageinthetorporwhichovertakesacriminalontheeveofhisexecution。Tohereyesallnaturewasshroudedinaseethingvapor；evencommonthingsassumedfantasticshapes。Theonethought，"IfIdonotsucceedtheywillkillthemselves，"felluponhersoulwithreiteratedblows，asthebaroftheexecutionerfelluponthevictim’smemberswhentorturedonthewheel。Shefeltherselfbreaking；shelostherenergyinthisterriblewaitingforthecruelmoment，shortanddecisive，whensheshouldfindherselffacetofacewiththatmanonwhomthefateofthecondemneddepended。Shechosetoyieldtoherdepressionratherthanwasteherstrengthuselessly。Themarquis，whowasincapableofunderstandingthisresolveoffirmminds，whichoftenassumesquitediverseaspects(forinsuchmomentsoftensioncertainsuperiormindsgivewaytosurprisinggaiety)，begantofearthathemightneverbringLaurencealivetothemomentousinterview，solemntothemonly，andyetbeyondtheordinarylimitsofprivatelife。ToLaurence，thenecessityofhumiliatingherselfbeforethatman，theobjectofherhatredandcontempt，meantthesacrificeofallhernoblestfeelings。
"Afterthis，"shesaid，"theLaurencewhosurviveswillbearnolikenesstoherwhoisnowtoperish。"
ThetravellerscouldnotfailtobeawareofthevastmovementofmenandmaterialwhichsurroundedthemthemomenttheyenteredPrussia。
ThecampaignofJenahadjustbegun。LaurenceandthemarquisbeheldthemagnificentdivisionsoftheFrencharmydeployingandparadingasifattheTuileries。Inthisdisplayofmilitarypower，whichcanbeadequatelydescribedonlywiththewordsandimagesoftheBible，theproportionsoftheManwhosespiritmovedthesemassesgrewgigantictoLaurence’simagination。Soon，thecryofvictoryresoundedinherears。TheImperialarmshadjustobtainedtwosignaladvantages。ThePrinceofPrussiahadbeenkilledtheeveningbeforethedayonwhichthetravellersarrivedatSaalfeldontheirendeavortoovertakeNapoleon，whowasmarchingwiththerapidityoflightning。
Atlast，onthe13thofOctober(dateofill-omen)MademoiselledeCinq-CygnewasskirtingariverinthemidstoftheGrandArmy，seeingnoughtbutconfusion，senthitherandthitherfromonevillagetoanother，fromdivisiontodivision，frightenedatfindingherselfalonewithoneoldmantossedaboutinanoceanofahundredandfiftythousandarmedmenfacingahundredandfiftythousandmore。Wearyofwatchingtheriverthroughthehedgesofthemuddyroadwhichshewasfollowingalongahillside，sheaskeditsnameofapassingsoldier。
"That’stheSaale，"hesaid，showingherthePrussianarmy，groupedingreatmassesontheothersideofthestream。
Nightcameon。Laurencebeheldthecamp-fireslightedandtheglitterofstackedarms。Theoldmarquis，whosecouragewaschivalric，drovethehorseshimself(twostrongbeastsboughttheeveningbefore)，hisservantsittingbesidehim。Heknewverywellheshouldfindneitherhorsesnorpostilionswithinthelinesofthearmy。Suddenlytheboldequipage，anobjectofgreatastonishmenttothesoldiers，wasstoppedbyagendarmeofthemilitarygendarmerie，whogallopeduptothecarriage，callingouttothemarquis:"Whoareyou？whereareyougoing？whatdoyouwant？"
"TheEmperor，"repliedtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf；"IhaveanimportantdispatchfortheGrand-marechalDuroc。"
"Well，youcan’tstayhere，"saidthegendarme。
MademoiselledeCinq-Cygneandthemarquiswere，however，compelledtoremainwheretheywereonaccountofthedarkness。
"Wherearewe？"sheasked，stoppingtwoofficerswhomshesawpassing，whoseuniformswereconcealedbyclothovercoats。
"YouareamongtheadvancedguardoftheFrencharmy，"answeredoneoftheofficers。"Youcannotstayhere，foriftheenemymakesamovementandtheartilleryopensyouwillbebetweentwofires。"
"Ah！"shesaid，withanindifferentair。
Hearingthat"Ah！"theotherofficerturnedandsaid:"Howdidthatwomancomehere？"
"Wearewaiting，"saidLaurence，"foragendarmewhohasgonetofindGeneralDuroc，aprotectorwhowillenableustospeaktotheEmperor。"
"SpeaktotheEmperor！"exclaimedthefirstofficer；"howcanyouthinkofsuchathing——ontheeveofadecisivebattle？"
"True，"shesaid；"Ioughttospeaktohimonthemorrow——victorywouldmakehimkind。"
Thetwoofficersstationedthemselvesatalittledistanceandsatmotionlessontheirhorses。Thecarriagewasnowsurroundedbyamassofgenerals，marshals，andotherofficers，allextremelybrilliantinappearance，whoappearedtopaydeferencetothecarriagemerelybecauseitwasthere。
"GoodGod！"saidthemarquistoMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne；"IamafraidyouspoketotheEmperor。"
"TheEmperor？"saidacolonel，besidethem，"whythereheis！"
pointingtotheofficerwhohadsaid，"Howdidthatwomangethere？"
Hewasmountedonawhitehorse，richlycaparisoned，andworethecelebratedgraytop-coatoverhisgreenuniform。Hewasscanningwithafield-glassthePrussianarmymassedbeyondtheSaale。Laurenceunderstoodthenwhythecarriageremainedthere，andwhytheEmperor’sescortrespectedit。Shewasseizedwithaconvulsivetremor——thehourhadcome！Sheheardtheheavysoundofthetrampofmenandtheclangoftheirarmsastheyarrivedataquickstepontheplateau。Thebatterieshadalanguage，thecaissonsthundered，thebrassglittered。
"MarechalLanneswilltakepositionwithhiswholecorpsintheadvance；MarechalLefebvreandtheGuardwilloccupythishill，"saidtheotherofficer，whowasMajor-generalBerthier。
TheEmperordismounted。AthisfirstmotionRoustan，hisfamousmameluke，hastenedtoholdhishorse。Laurencewasstupefiedwithamazement；shehadneverdreamedofsuchsimplicity。
"Ishallpassthenightontheplateau，"saidtheEmperor。
JustthentheGrand-marechalDuroc，whomthegendarmehadfinallyfound，cameuptotheMarquisdeChargeboeufandaskedthereasonofhiscoming。ThemarquisrepliedthataletterfromthePrincedeTalleyrand，ofwhichhewasthebearer，wouldexplaintothemarshalhowurgentitwasthatMademoiselledeCinq-CygneandhimselfshouldobtainanaudienceoftheEmperor。
"HisMajestywillnodoubtdineathisbivouac，"saidDuroc，takingtheletter，"andwhenIfindoutwhatyourobjectis，Iwillletyouknowifyoucanseehim。Corporal，"hesaidtothegendarme，"accompanythiscarriage，andtakeitclosetothathutattherear。"
MonsieurdeChargeboeuffollowedthegendarmeandstoppedhishorsesbehindamiserablecabin，builtofmudandbranches，surroundedbyafewfruit-trees，andguardedbypicketsofinfantryandcavalry。
Itmaybesaidthatthemajestyofwarappearedhereinallitsgrandeur。Fromthisheightthelinesofthetwoarmieswerevisibleinthemoonlight。Afteranhour’swaiting，thetimebeingoccupiedbytheincessantcomingandgoingoftheaides-de-camp，DurochimselfcameforMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneandthemarquis，andmadethementerthehut，thefloorofwhichwasofbattenedearthlikethatofastable。
Beforeatablewiththeremainsofdinner，andbeforeafiremadeofgreenwoodwhichsmoked，Napoleonwasseatedinaclumsychair。Hismuddybootsgaveevidenceofalongtrampacrosscountry。Hehadtakenoffthefamoustop-coat；andhisequallyfamousgreenuniform，crossedbytheredcordonoftheLegionofhonorandheightenedbythewhiteofhiskerseymerebreechesandofhiswaistcoat，broughtoutvividlyhispaleandterribleCaesarianface。Onehandwasonamapwhichlayunfoldedonhisknees。Berthierstoodnearhiminthebrilliantuniformofthevice-constableoftheEmpire。Constant，thevalet，wasofferingtheEmperorhiscoffeefromatray。
"Whatdoyouwant？"saidNapoleon，withashowofroughness，dartinghiseyelikeaflashthroughLaurence’shead。"Youarenolongerafraidtospeaktomebeforethebattle？Whatisitabout？"
"Sire，"shesaid，lookingathimwithasfirmaneye，"IamMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。"
"Well？"hereplied，inanangryvoice，thinkingherlookbravedhim。
"Doyounotunderstand？IamtheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，cometoaskmercy，"shesaid，fallingonherkneesandholdingouttohimthepetitiondrawnupbyTalleyrand，endorsedbytheEmpress，byCambaceresandbyMalin。
TheEmperorraisedhergraciously，andsaidwithakeenlook:"Haveyoucometoyoursenses？DoyounowunderstandwhattheFrenchEmpireisandmustbe？"
"Ah！atthismomentIunderstandonlytheEmperor，"shesaid，vanquishedbythekindlymannerwithwhichthemanofdestinyhadsaidthewordsthatforetoldtoherearssuccess。
"Aretheyinnocent？"askedtheEmperor。
"Yes，allofthem，"shesaidwithenthusiasm。
"All？No，thatbailiffisadangerousman，whowouldhavekilledmysenatorwithouttakingyouradvice。"
"Ah，Sire，"shesaid，"ifyouhadafrienddevotedtoyou，wouldyouabandonhim？Wouldyounotrather——"
"Youareawoman，"hesaid，interruptingherinafainttoneofridicule。
"Andyou，amanofiron！"sherepliedwithapassionatesternnesswhichpleasedhim。
"Thatmanhasbeencondemnedtodeathbythelawsofhiscountry，"hecontinued。
"Butheisinnocent！"
"Child！"hesaid。
HetookMademoiselledeCinq-Cygnebythehandandledherfromthehuttotheplateau。
"See，"hecontinued，withthateloquenceofhiswhichchangedevencowardstobravemen，"seethosethreehundredthousandmen——allinnocent。Andyetto-morrowthirtythousandofthemwillbelyingdead，deadfortheircountry！AmongthosePrussiansthereis，perhaps，somegreatmathematician，amanofgenius，anidealist，whowillbemowndown。Onoursideweshallassuredlylosemanyagreatmanneverknowntofame。PerhapsevenIshallseemybestfrienddie。ShallI
blameGod？No。Ishallbearitsilently。Learnfromthis，mademoiselle，thatamanmustdieforthelawsofhiscountryjustasmendiehereforherglory。"Sosaying，heledherbackintothehut。
"ReturntoFrance，"hesaid，lookingatthemarquis；"myordersshallfollowyou。"
LaurencebelievedinacommutationofMichu’spunishment，andinhergratitudeshekneltagainbeforetheEmperorandkissedhishand。
"YouaretheMarquisdeChargeboeuf？"saidNapoleon，addressingthemarquis。
"Yes，Sire。"
"Youhavechildren？"
"Manychildren。"
"Whynotgivemeoneofyourgrandsons？heshallbemypage。"
"Ah！"thoughtLaurence，"there’sthesub-lieutenantafterall；hewantstobepaidforhismercy。"
Themarquisbowedwithoutreplying。HappilyatthismomentGeneralRapprushedintothehut。
"Sire，thecavalryoftheGuard，andthatoftheGrand-ducdeBergcannotbesetupbeforemiddayto-morrow。"
"Nevermind，"saidNapoleon，turningtoBerthier，"we，too，getourreprieves；letusprofitbythem。"
AtasignofhishandthemarquisandLaurenceretiredandagainenteredtheircarriage；thecorporalshowedthemtheirroadandaccompaniedthemtoavillagewheretheypassedthenight。Thenextdaytheyleftthefieldofbattlebehindthem，followedbythethunderofthecannon，——eighthundredpieces，——whichpursuedthemfortenhours。WhilestillontheirwaytheylearnedoftheamazingvictoryofJena。
Eightdayslater，theyweredrivingthroughthefaubourgofTroyes，wheretheylearnedthatanorderofthechiefjustice，transmittedthroughthe/procureurimperial/ofTroyes，commandedthereleaseofthefourgentlemenonbailduringtheEmperor’spleasure。ButMichu’ssentencewasconfirmed，andthewarrantforhisexecutionhadbeenforwardedfromtheministryofpolice。TheseordershadreachedTroyesthatverymorning。Laurencewentatoncetotheprison，thoughitwastwointhemorning，andobtainedpermissiontostaywithMichu，whowasabouttoundergothemelancholyceremonycalled"thetoilet。"Thegoodabbe，whohadaskedpermissiontoaccompanyhimtothescaffold，hadjustgivenabsolutiontotheman，whoseonlydistressindyingwashisuncertaintyastothefateofhisyoungmasters。WhenLaurenceenteredhiscellheutteredacryofjoy。
"Icandienow，"hesaid。
"Theyarepardoned，"shesaid；"Idonotknowonwhatconditions，buttheyarepardoned。IdidallIcouldforyou，dearfriend——againsttheadviceofothers。IthoughtIhadsavedyou；buttheEmperordeceivedmewithhisgraciousness。"
"Itwaswrittenabove，"saidMichu，"thatthewatch-dogshouldbekilledonthespotwherehisoldmastersdied。"
Thelasthourpassedrapidly。Michu，atthemomentofparting，askedtokissherhand，butLaurenceheldhercheektothelipsofthenoblevictimthathemightsacredlykissit。Michurefusedtomountthecart。
"Innocentmenshouldgoafoot，"hesaid。
Hewouldnotlettheabbegivehimhisarm；resolutelyandwithdignityhewalkedalonetothescaffold。Ashelaidhisheadontheplankhesaidtotheexecutioner，afteraskinghimtoturndownthecollarofhiscoat，"Myclothesbelongtoyou；trynottospotthem。"
*****
ThefourgentlemenhadhardlytimetoevenseeMademoiselledeCinq-
Cygne。Anorderlyofthegeneralcommandingthedivisiontowhichtheywereassigned，broughtthemtheircommissionsassub-lieutenantsinthesameregimentofcavalry，withorderstoproceedatoncetoBayonne，thebaseofsuppliesforitsparticulararmy-corps。Afterasceneofheart-rendingfarewells，fortheyallforebodedwhatthefutureshouldbringforth，MademoiselledeCinq-Cygnereturnedtoherdesolatehome。
ThetwobrotherswerekilledtogetherundertheeyesoftheEmperoratSommo-Sierra，theonedefendingtheother，bothbeingalreadyincommandoftheirtroop。Thelastwordsofeachwere，"Laurence，/cymeurs/！"
Theelderd’HauteserrediedacolonelattheattackontheredoubtatMoscow，wherehisbrothertookhisplace。
Adriend’Hauteserre，appointedbrigadier-generalatthebattleofDresden，wasdangerouslywoundedthereandwassenttoCinq-Cygneforpropernursing。Whileendeavoringtosavethisrelicofthefourgentlemenwhoforafewbriefmonthshadbeensohappyaroundher，Laurence，thenthirty-twoyearsofage，marriedhim。Sheofferedhimawitheredheart，butheacceptedit；thosewhotrulylovedoubtnothingordoubtall。
TheRestorationfoundLaurencewithoutenthusiasm。TheBourbonsreturnedtoolateforher。Nevertheless，shehadnocauseforcomplaint。Herhusband，madepeerofFrancewiththetitleofMarquisdeCinq-Cygne，becamelieutenant-generalin1816，andwasrewardedwiththeblueribbonfortheeminentserviceswhichhethenperformed。
Michu’sson，ofwhomLaurencetookcareasthoughhewereherownchild，wasadmittedtothebarin1817。Afterpractisingtwoyearshewasmadeassistant-judgeatthecourtofAlencon，andfromtherehebecame/procureur-du-roi/atArcisin1827。Laurence，whohadalsotakenchargeofMichu’sproperty，madeovertotheyoungmanonthedayofhismajorityaninvestmentinthepublicFundswhichyieldedhimanincomeoftwelvethousandfrancsayear。Later，shearrangedamarriageforhimwithMademoiselleGirel，anheiressatTroyes。
TheMarquisdeCinq-Cygnediedin1829，inthearmsofhiswife，surroundedbyhisfatherandmother，andhischildrenwhoadoredhim。
Atthetimeofhisdeathnoonehadeverfathomedthemysteryofthesenator’sabduction。LouisXVIII。didnotneglecttorepair，asfaraspossible，thewrongsdonebythataffair；buthewassilentastothecausesofthedisaster。FromthattimeforththeMarquisedeCinq-
Cygnebelievedhimtohavebeenanaccompliceinthecatastrophe。
CHAPTERXX
THEMYSTERYSOLVED
ThelateMarquisdeCinq-Cygnehadusedhissavings，aswellasthoseofhisfatherandmother，inthepurchaseofafinehouseintheruedeFaubourg-du-Roule，entailingitonheirsmaleforthesupportofthetitle。Thesordideconomyofthemarquisandhisparents，whichhadoftentroubledLaurence，wasthenexplained。Afterthispurchasethemarquise，wholivedatCinq-Cygneandeconomizedonherownaccountforherchildren，spentherwintersinParis，——allthemorewillinglybecauseherdaughterBertheandhersonPaulwerenowofanagewhentheireducationrequiredtheresourcesofParis。
MadamedeCinq-Cygnewentbutlittleintosociety。Herhusbandcouldnotbeignorantoftheregretswhichlayinhertenderheart；butheshowedheralwaysthemostexquisitedelicacy，anddiedhavinglovednootherwoman。Thisnoblesoul，notfullyunderstoodforaperiodoftimebuttowhichthegenerousdaughteroftheCinq-Cygnesreturnedinhislastyearsastruealoveasthathegavetoher，wascompletelyhappyinhismarriedlife。Laurencelivedforthejoysofhome。Nowomanhaseverbeenmorecherishedbyherfriendsormorerespected。
Tobereceivedinherhouseisanhonor。Gentle，indulgent，intellectual，aboveallthingssimpleandnatural，shepleaseschoicesoulsanddrawsthemtoherinspiteofhersaddenedaspect；eachlongstoprotectthiswoman，inwardlysostrong，andthatsentimentofsecretprotectioncountsformuchinthewondrouscharmofherfriendship。Herlife，sopainfulduringheryouth，isbeautifulandserenetowardsevening。Hersufferingsareknown，andnooneaskswhowastheoriginalofthatportraitbyLefebvrewhichisthechiefandsacredornamentofhersalon。Herfacehasthematurityoffruitsthathaveripenedslowly；ahallowedpridedignifiesthatlong-triedbrow。
AttheperiodwhenthemarquisecametoParistoopenthenewhouse，herfortune，increasedbythelawofindemnities，gavehersometwohundredthousandfrancsayear，notcountingherhusband’ssalary；
besidesthis，LaurencehadinheritedthemoneyguardedbyMichuforhisyoungmasters。FromthattimeforthshemadeapracticeofspendinghalfherincomeandoflayingbytherestforherdaughterBerthe。
Bertheisthelivingimageofhermother，butwithoutherwarriornerve；sheishermotherindelicacy，inintellect，——"moreawoman，"
Laurencesays，sadly。Themarquisewasnotwillingtomarryherdaughteruntilshewastwentyyearsofage。Hersavings，judiciouslyinvestedintheFundsbyoldMonsieurd’Hauteserreatthemomentwhenconsolsfellin1830，gaveBertheadowryofeightythousandfrancsayearin1833，whenshewastwenty。
AboutthattimethePrincessedeCadignan，whowasseekingtomarryherson，theDucdeMaufrigneuse，broughthimintointimaterelationswithMadamedeCinq-Cygne。GeorgesdeMaufrigneusedinedwiththemarquisethreetimesaweek，accompaniedthemotheranddaughtertotheOpera，andcurvettedintheBoisaroundtheircarriagewhentheydroveout。ItwasevidenttoalltheworldoftheFaubourgSaint-
GermainthatGeorgeslovedBerthe。ButnoonecoulddiscovertoacertaintywhetherMadamedeCinq-Cygnewasdesirousofmakingherdaughteraduchess，tobecomeaprincesslater，orwhetheritwasonlytheprincesswhocovetedforhersonthesplendiddowry。DidthecelebratedDianecourtthenobleprovincialhouse？andwasthedaughteroftheCinq-CygnesfrightenedbythecelebrityofMadamedeCadignan，hertastesandherruinousextravagance？Inherstrongdesirenottoinjureherson’sprospectstheprincessgrewdevout，shutthedooronherformerlife，andspentthesummerseasonatGenevainavillaonthelake。
OneeveningtherewerepresentinthesalonofthePrincessedeCadignan，theMarquised’Espard，anddeMarsay，thenpresidentoftheCouncil(onthisoccasiontheprincesssawherformerloverforthelasttime，forhediedthefollowingyear)，EugenedeRastignac，under-secretaryofStateattachedtodeMarsay’sministry，twoambassadors，twocelebratedoratorsfromtheChamberofPeers，theolddukesofLenoncourtanddeNavarreins，theComtedeVandenesseandhisyoungwife，andd’Arthez，——whoformedarathersingularcircle，thecompositionofwhichcanbethusexplained。TheprincesswasanxioustoobtainfromtheprimeministerofthecrownapermitforthereturnofthePrincedeCadignan。DeMarsay，whodidnotchoosetotakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofgrantingitcametotelltheprincessthematterhadbeenentrustedtosafehands，andthatacertainpoliticalmanagerhadpromisedtobringhertheresultinthecourseofthatevening。
MadameandMademoiselledeCinq-Cygnewereannounced。Laurence，whoseprincipleswereunyielding，wasnotonlysurprisedbutshockedtoseethemostillustriousrepresentativesofLegitimacytalkingandlaughinginafriendlymannerwiththeprimeministerofthemanwhomshenevercalledanythingbutMonsieurleDucd’Orleans。DeMarsay，likeanexpiringlamp，shonewithalastbrilliancy。Helaidasideforthemomenthispoliticalanxieties，andMadamedeCinq-Cygneenduredhim，astheysaytheCourtofAustriaendureddeSaint-Aulaire；themanoftheworldeffacedtheministerofthecitizen-king。Butsherosetoherfeetasthoughherchairwereofred-hotironwhenthenamewasannouncedof"MonsieurleComtedeGondreville。"
"Adieu，madame，"shesaidtotheprincessinacurttone。
ShelefttheroomwithBerthe，measuringherstepstoavoidencounteringthatfatalbeing。
"YoumayhavecausedthelossofGeorges’marriage，"saidtheprincesstodeMarsay，inalowvoice。"Whydidyounottellmeyouragent’sname？"
TheformerclerkofArcis，formerConventional，formerThermidorien，tribune，CouncillorofState，countoftheEmpireandsenator，peeroftheRestoration，andnowpeerofthemonarchyofJuly，madeaservilebowtotheprincess。
"Fearnothing，madame，"hesaid；"wehaveceasedtomakewaronprinces。Ibringyouanassuranceofthepermit，"headded，seatinghimselfbesideher。
MalinwaslongintheconfidenceofLouisXVIII。，towhomhisvariedexperiencewasuseful。HehadgreatlyaidedinoverthrowingDecazes，andhadgivenmuchgoodadvicetotheministryofVillele。ColdlyreceivedbyCharlesX。，hehadadoptedalltherancorsofTalleyrand。
Hewasnowinhighfavorunderthetwelfthgovernmenthehadservedsince1789，andwhichinturnhewoulddoubtlessbetray。Forthelastfifteenmonthshehadbrokenthelongfriendshipwhichhadboundhimforthirty-sixyearstoourgreatestdiplomat，thePrincedeTalleyrand。ItwasinthecourseofthisveryeveningthathemadeanswertosomeonewhoaskedwhythePrinceshowedsuchhostilitytotheDucdeBordeaux，"ThePretenderistooyoung！"
"Singularadvicetogiveyoungmen，"remarkedRastignac。
DeMarsay，whogrewthoughtfulafterMadamedeCadignan’sreproachfulspeech，tooknonoticeofthesejests。HelookedaskanceatGondrevilleandwasevidentlybidinghistimeuntilthatnowoldman，whowenttobedearly，hadtakenleave。Allpresent，whohadwitnessedtheabruptdepartureofMadamedeCinq-Cygne(whosereasonswerewell-
knowntothem)，imitateddeMarsay’sconductandkeptsilence。
Gondreville，whohadnotrecognizedthemarquise，wasignorantofthecauseofthegeneralreticence，butthehabitofdealingwithpublicmattershadgivenhimacertaintact；hewasmoreoveracleverman；hesawthathispresencewasembarrassingtothecompanyandhetookleave。DeMarsay，standingwithhisbacktothefire，watchedtheslowdepartureoftheoldmaninamannerwhichrevealedthegravityofhisthoughts。
"Ididwrong，madame，nottotellyouthenameofmynegotiator，"saidtheprimeminister，listeningforthesoundofMalin’swheelsastheyrolledaway。"ButIwillredeemmyfaultandgiveyouthemeansofmakingyourpeacewiththeCinq-Cygnes。ItisnowthirtyyearssincetheaffairIamabouttospeakoftookplace；itisasoldtothepresentdayasthedeathofHenriIV。(whichbetweenourselvesandinspiteoftheproverbisstillamystery，likesomanyotherhistoricalcatastrophes)。Ican，however，assureyouthatevenifthisaffairdidnotconcernMadamedeCinq-Cygneitwouldbenonethelesscuriousandinteresting。Moreover，itthrowslightonacelebratedexploitinourmodernannals，——ImeanthatoftheMontSaint-Bernard。MessieurslesAmbassadeurs，"headded，bowingtothetwodiplomats，"willseethatintheelementofprofoundintriguethepoliticalmenofthepresentdayarefarbehindtheMachiavelliswhomthewavesofthepopularwilllifted，in1793，abovethestorm，——someofwhomhave’found，’astheoldsongsays，’ahaven。’TobeanythinginFranceinthesedaysamanmusthavebeentossedinthosetempests。"
"Itseemstome，"saidtheprincess，smiling，"thatfromthatpointofviewthepresentstateofthingsunderyourregimeleavesnothingtobedesired。"
Awell-bredlaughwentroundtheroom，andeventheprimeministerhimselfcouldnothelpsmiling。Theambassadorsseemedimpatientforthetale；deMarsaycougheddrylyandsilencewasobtained。
"OnaJunenightin1800，"begantheminister，"aboutthreeinthemorning，justasdaylightwasbeginningtopalethebrilliancyofthewaxcandles，twomentiredofplayingat/bouillotte/(orwhowereplayingmerelytokeepothersemployed)leftthesalonoftheministryofforeignaffairs，thensituatedintherueduBac，andwentapartintoaboudoir。Thesetwomen，ofwhomoneisdeadandtheotherhas/one/footinthegrave，were，eachinhisownway，equallyextraordinary。Bothhadbeenpriests；bothhadabjuredreligion；bothweremarried。OnehadbeenmerelyanOratorian，theotherhadwornthemitreofabishop。ThefirstwasnamedFouche；Ishallnottellyouthenameofthesecond；[*]bothwerethenmeresimplecitizens——withverylittlesimplicity。Whentheywereseentoleavethesalonandentertheboudoir，therestofthecompanypresentshowedacertaincuriosity。Athirdpersonfollowedthem，——amanwhothoughthimselffarstrongerthantheothertwo。HisnamewasSieyes，andyouallknowthathetoohadbeenapriestbeforetheRevolution。Theonewho/walkedwithdifficulty/wasthentheministerofforeignaffairs；
Fouchewasministerofpolice；Sieyeshadresignedtheconsulate。
[*]TalleyrandwasstilllivingwhendeMarsayrelatedthesecircumstances。
"Asmallman，coldandsterninappearance，lefthisseatandfollowedthethreeothers，sayingaloudinthehearingofthepersonfromwhomIhavetheinformation，’Imistrustthegamblingofpriests。’ThismanwasCarnot，ministerofwar。Hisremarkdidnottroublethetwoconsulswhowereplayingcardsinthesalon。CambaceresandLebrunwerethenatthemercyoftheirministers，menwhowereinfinitelystrongerthanthey。
"Nearlyallthesestatesmenaredead，andnosecrecyisduetothem。
Theybelongtohistory；andthehistoryofthatnightanditsconsequenceshasbeenterrible。ItellittoyounowbecauseIaloneknowit；becauseLouisXVIII。neverrevealedthetruthtothatpoorMadamedeCinq-Cygne；andbecausethepresentgovernmentwhichIserveiswhollyindifferentastowhetherthetruthbeknowntotheworldornot。
"Allfourofthesepersonagessatdownintheboudoir。Thelamemanundoubtedlyclosedthedoorbeforeawordwassaid；itiseventhoughtthatheranthebolt。Itisonlypersonsofhighrankwhopayattentiontosuchtrifles。Thethreepriestshadthelivid，impassiblefaceswhichyouallremember。Carnotalonewasruddy。Hewasthefirsttospeak。’Whatisthepointtobediscussed？’heasked。’France，’
musthavebeentheanswerofthePrince(whomIadmireasoneofthemostextraordinarymenofourtime)。’TheRepublic，’undoubtedlysaidFouche。’Power，’probablysaidSieyes。"
Allpresentlookedateachother。Withvoice，look，andgesturedeMarsayhadwonderfullyrepresentedthethreemen。
"Thethreepriestsfullyunderstoodoneanother，"hecontinued，resuminghisnarrative。"Carnotnodoubtlookedathiscolleaguesandtheex-consulinadignifiedmanner。Hemust，however，havefeltbewilderedinhisownmind。
"’Doyoubelieveinthesuccessofthearmy？’Sieyessaidtohim。
"’WemayexpecteverythingfromBonaparte，’repliedtheministerofwar；’hehascrossedtheAlps。’
"’Atthismoment，’saidtheministerofforeignaffairs，withdeliberateslowness，’heisplayinghislaststake。’
"’Come，let’sspeakout，’saidFouche；’whatshallwedoiftheFirstConsulisdefeated？Isitpossibletocollectanotherarmy？Mustwecontinuehishumbleservants？’
"’Thereisnorepublicnow，’remarkedSieyes；’Bonaparteisconsulfortenyears。’
"’HehasmorepowerthaneverCromwellhad，’saidtheformerbishop，’andhedidnotvoteforthedeathoftheking。’
"’Wehaveamaster，’saidFouche；’thequestionis，shallwecontinuetokeephimifhelosesthebattleorshallwereturntoapurerepublic？’
"’France，’repliedCarnot，sententiously，’cannotresistexceptsherevertstotheoldConventional/energy/。’
"’IagreewithCarnot，’saidSieyes；’ifBonapartereturnsdefeatedwemustputanendtohim；hehasletusknowhimtoowellduringthelastsevenmonths。’
"’Thearmyisforhim，’remarkedCarnot，thoughtfully。
"’Andthepeopleforus！’criedFouche。
"’Yougofast，monsieur，’saidthePrince，inthatdeepbassvoicewhichhestillpreservesandwhichnowdroveFouchebackintohimself。
"’Befrank，’saidavoice，asaformerConventionalrosefromacorneroftheboudoirandshowedhimself；’ifBonapartereturnsavictor，weshalladorehim；ifvanquished，we’llburyhim！’
"’Soyouwerethere，Malin，wereyou？’saidthePrince，withoutbetrayingtheleastfeeling。’Thenyoumustbeoneofus；sitdown’；
andhemadehimasigntobeseated。
"ItistothisonecircumstancethatMalin，aConventionalofsmallrepute，owesthepositionheafterwardsobtainedand，ultimately，thatinwhichweseehimatthepresentmoment。Heproveddiscreet，andtheministerswerefaithfultohim；buttheymadehimthepivotofthemachineandthecat’s-pawofthemachination。Toreturntomytale。
"’Bonapartehasneveryetbeenvanquished，’criedCarnot，inatoneofconviction，’andhehasjustsurpassedHannibal。’
"’Iftheworsthappens，hereistheDirectory，’saidSieyes，artfully，indicatingwithawaveofhishandthefivepersonspresent。
"’And，’addedthePrince，’weareallcommittedtothemaintenanceoftheFrenchrepublic；wethreepriestshaveliterallyunfrockedourselves；thegeneral，here，votedforthedeathoftheking；andyou，’hesaid，turningtoMalin，’havegotpossessionofthepropertyof/emigres/。’
"’Yes，wehaveallthesameinterests，’saidSieyes，dictatorially，’andourinterestsareonewiththoseofthenation。’
"’Ararething，’saidthePrince，smiling。
"’Wemustact，’interruptedFouche。’Inallprobabilitythebattleisnowgoingon；theAustriansoutnumberus；Genoahassurrendered；
MassenahascommittedthegreatmistakeofembarkingforAntibes；itisverydoubtfulifhecanrejoinBonaparte，whowillthenbereducedtohisownresources。’
"’Whogaveyouthatnews？’askedCarnot。
"’Itissure，’repliedFouche。’YouwillhavethecourierwhentheBourseopens。’
"Thosemendidn’tmincetheirwords，"saiddeMarsay，smiling，andstoppingshortforamoment。
"’Remember，’continuedFouche，’itisnotwhenthenewsofadisastercomesthatwecanorganizeclubs，rousethepatriotismofthepeople，andchangetheconstitution。Our18thBrumaireoughttobepreparedbeforehand。’
"’Letusleavethecareofthattotheministerofpolice，’saidthePrince，bowingtoFouche，’andbewareourselvesofLucien。’(LucienBonapartewasthenministeroftheinterior。)
"’I’llarresthim，’saidFouche。
"’Messieurs！’criedSieyes，’ourDirectoryoughtnottobesubjecttoanarchicalchanges。Wemustorganizeagovernmentofthefew，aSenateforlife，andanelectivechamberthecontrolofwhichshallbeinourhands；forweoughttoprofitbytheblundersofthepast。’
"’Withsuchasystem，therewouldbepeaceforme，’remarkedtheex-
bishop。
"’FindmeasuremantonegotiatewithMoreau；fortheArmyoftheRhinewillbeoursoleresource，’criedCarnot，whohadbeenplungedinmeditation。
"Ah！"saiddeMarsay，pausing，"thosemenwereright。Theyweregrandinthiscrisis。Ishouldhavedoneastheydid"；thenheresumedhisnarrative。
"’Messieurs！’criedSieyes，inagraveandsolemntone。
"Thatword’Messieurs！’wasperfectlyunderstoodbyallpresent；alleyesexpressedthesamefaith，thesamepromise，thatofabsolutesilence，andunswervingloyaltytoeachotherincasetheFirstConsulreturnedtriumphant。
"’Weallknowwhatwehavetodo，’addedFouche。
"Sieyessoftlyunboltedthedoor；hispriestlyearhadwarnedhim。
Lucienenteredtheroom。
"’Goodnews！’hesaid。’AcourierhasjustbroughtMadameBonapartealinefromtheFirstConsul。ThecampaignhasopenedwithavictoryatMontebello。’
"Thethreeministersexchangedlooks。
"’Wasitageneralengagement？’askedCarnot。
"’No，afight，inwhichLanneshascoveredhimselfwithglory。Theaffairwasbloody。Attackedwithtenthousandmenbyeighteenthousand，hewasonlysavedbyadivisionsenttohissupport。Ottisinfullretreat。TheAustrianlineisbroken。’
"’Whendidthefighttakeplace？’askedCarnot。
"’Onthe8th，’repliedLucien。
"’Andthisisthe13th，’saidthesagaciousminister。’Well，ifthatisso，thedestiniesofFranceareinthescaleattheverymomentwearespeaking。’"
(Infact，thebattleofMarengodidbeginatdawnofthe14th。)
"’Fourdaysoffataluncertainty！’saidLucien。
"’Fatal？’saidtheministerofforeignaffairs，coldlyandinterrogatively。
"’Fourdays，’echoedFouche。
"Aneye-witnesstoldme，"saiddeMarsay，continuingthenarrativeinhisownperson，"thattheconsuls，CambaceresandLebrun，knewnothingofthismomentousnewsuntilafterthesixpersonagesreturnedtothesalon。Itwasthenfourinthemorning。Foucheleftfirst。Thatmanofdarkandmysteriousgenius，extraordinary，profound，andlittleunderstood，butwhoundoubtedlyhadthegiftsofaPhiliptheSecond，aTiberiusandaBorgia，wentatoncetoworkwithaninfernalandsecretactivity。HisconductatthetimeoftheaffairatWalcherenwasthatofaconsummatesoldier，agreatpolitician，afar-seeingadministrator。HewastheonlyrealministerthatNapoleoneverhad。
Andyouallknowhowhethenalarmedhim。
"Fouche，MassenaandthePrince，"continueddeMarsay，reflectively，"arethethreegreatestmen，thewisestheadsindiplomacy，war，andgovernment，thatIhaveeverknown。IfNapoleonhadfranklyalliedthemwithhisworktherewouldnolongerbeaEurope，onlyavastFrenchEmpire。FouchedidnotfinallydetachhimselffromNapoleonuntilhesawSieyesandthePrincedeTalleyrandshovedaside。
"Henowwenttowork，andinthreedays(allthewhilehidingthehandthatstirredtheashesoftheMontagne)hehadorganizedthatgeneralagitationwhichthenarosealloverFranceandrevivedtherepublicanismof1793。AsitisnecessarythatIshouldexplainthisobscurecornerofourhistory，Imusttellyouthatthisagitation，startingfromFouche’sownhand(whichheldthewiresoftheformerMontagne)，producedrepublicanplotsagainstthelifeoftheFirstConsul，whichwasinperilfromthiscauselongafterthevictoryofMarengo。ItwasFouche’ssenseoftheevilhehadthusbroughtaboutwhichledhimtowarnNapoleon，whoheldacontraryopinion，thatrepublicansweremoreconcernedthanroyalistsinthevariousconspiracies。
"Fouchewasanadmirablejudgeofmen；hereliedonSieyesbecauseofhisthwartedambition，onTalleyrandbecausehewasagreat/seigneur/，onCarnotforhisperfecthonesty；butthemanhedreadedwastheonewhomyouhaveseenherethisevening。Iwillnowtellhowheentangledthatmaninhismeshes。
"MalinwasonlyMalininthosedays，——asecretagentandcorrespondentofLouisXVIII。Fouchenowcompelledhimtoreducetowritingalltheproclamationsoftheproposedrevolutionarygovernment，itswarrantsandedictsagainstthefactionsofthe18thBrumaire。Anaccompliceagainsthisownwill，Malinwasrequiredtohavethesedocumentssecretlyprinted，andthecopiesheldreadyinhisownhousefordistributionifBonaparteweredefeated。Theprinterwassubsequentlyimprisonedanddetainedtwomonths；hediedin1816，andalwaysbelievedhehadbeenemployedbyaMontagnardconspiracy。
"OneofthemostsingularsceneseverplayedbyFouche’spolicewascausedbytheblunderofanagent，whodespatchedacouriertoafamousbankerofthatdaywiththenewsofadefeatatMarengo。
Victory，youwillremember，didnotdeclareitselfforNapoleonuntilseveno’clockintheeveningofthebattle。Atmiddaythebanker’sagent，consideringthedaylostandtheFrencharmyabouttobeannihilated，hastenedtodespatchthecourier。OnreceiptofthatnewsFouchewasabouttoputintomotionawholearmyofbill-postersandcries，withatruckfullofproclamations，whenthesecondcourierarrivedwiththenewsofthetriumphwhichputallFrancebesideitselfwithjoy。TherewereheavylossesattheBourse，ofcourse。ButthecriersandposterswhoweregatheredtoannouncethepoliticaldeathofBonaparteandtopostupthenewproclamationswereonlykeptwaitingawhiletillthenewsofthevictorycouldbestruckoff！
"Malin，onwhomthewholeresponsibilityoftheplotofwhichhehadbeentheworkingagentwaslikelytofallifiteverbecameknown，wassoterrifiedthathepackedtheproclamationsandotherpapersincartsandtookthemdowntoGondrevilleinthenight-time，wherenodoubttheywerehiddeninthecellarsofthatchateau，whichhehadboughtinthenameofanotherman——whowasit，bythebye？hehadhimmadechief-justiceofanImperialcourt——Ah！Marion。HavingthusdisposedofthesedamningproofshereturnedtoParistocongratulatetheFirstConsulonhisvictory。Napoleon，asyouknow，rushedfromItalytoParisafterthebattleofMarengowithalarmingcelerity。
ThosewhoknowthesecrethistoryofthattimearewellawarethatamessagefromLucienbroughthimback。TheministeroftheinteriorhadforeseentheattitudeoftheMontagnardparty，andthoughhehadnoideaofthequarterfromwhichthewindreallyblew，hefearedastorm。IncapableofsuspectingthethreeministersandCarnot，heattributedthemovementwhichstirredallFrancetothehatredhisbrotherhadexcitedbythe18thBrumaire，andtotheconfidentbeliefofthemenof1793thatdefeatwascertaininItaly。
"ThebattleofMarengodetainedNapoleonontheplainsofLombardyuntilthe25thofJune，buthereachedParisonthe2ndofJuly。
ImaginethefacesofthefiveconspiratorsastheymettheFirstConsulattheTuileries，andcongratulatedhimonthevictory。FoucheonthatveryoccasionatthepalacetoldMalintohavepatience，for/allwasnotoveryet/。Thetruthwas，TalleyrandandFouchebothheldthatBonapartewasnotasmuchboundtotheprinciplesoftheRevolutionastheywere，andasheoughttobe；andforthisreason，aswellasfortheirownsafety，theysubsequently，in1804，buckledhimirrevocably，astheybelieved，toitscausebytheaffairoftheDucd’Enghien。TheexecutionofthatprinceisconnectedbyaseriesofdiscoverableramificationswiththeplotwhichwaslaidonthatJuneeveningintheboudoiroftheministryofforeignaffairs，thenightbeforethebattleofMarengo。Thosewhohavethemeansofjudging，andwhohaveknownpersonswhowerewell-informed，arefullyawarethatBonapartewashandledlikeachildbyTalleyrandandFouche，whoweredeterminedtoalienatehimirrevocablyfromtheHouseofBourbon，whoseagentswereeventhen，atthelastmoment，endeavoringtonegotiatewiththeFirstConsul。"
"TalleyrandwasplayingwhistinthesalonofMadamedeLuynes，"saidapersonagewhohadbeenlisteningattentivelytodeMarsay’snarrative。"Itwasaboutthreeo’clockinthemorning，whenhepulledouthiswatch，lookedatit，stoppedthegame，andaskedhisthreecompanionsabruptlyandwithoutanyprefacewhetherthePrincedeCondehadanyotherchildrenthantheDucd’Enghien。SuchanabsurdinquiryfromthelipsofTalleyrandcausedtheutmostsurprise。’Whydoyouaskuswhatyouknowperfectlywellyourself？’theysaidtohim。’OnlytoletyouknowthattheHouseofCondecomestoanendatthismoment。’NowMonsieurdeTalleyrandhadbeenatthehoteldeLuynestheentireevening，andhemusthaveknownthatBonapartewasabsolutelyunabletograntthepardon。"
"But，"saidEugenedeRastignac，"Idon’tseeinallthisanyconnectionwithMadamedeCinq-Cygnesandhertroubles。"
"Ah，youweresoyoungatthattime，mydearfellow；Iforgottoexplaintheconclusion。YouallknowtheaffairoftheabductionoftheComtedeGondreville，thensenatoroftheEmpire，forwhichtheSimeusebrothersandthetwod’Hauteserreswerecondemnedtothegalleys，——anaffairwhichdid，infact，leadtotheirdeath。"
DeMarsay，entreatedbyseveralpersonspresenttowhomthecircumstanceswereunknown，relatedthewholetrial，statingthatthemysteriousabductorswerefivesharksofthesecretserviceoftheministryofthepolice，whowereorderedtoobtaintheproclamationsofthewould-beDirectorywhichMalinhadsurreptitiouslytakenfromhishouseinParis，andwhichhehadhimselfcometoGondrevillefortheexpresspurposeofdestroying，beingconvincedatlastthattheEmpirewasonasurefoundationandcouldnotbeoverthrown。"Ihavenodoubt，"addeddeMarsay，"thatFouchetooktheopportunitytohavethehousesearchedforthecorrespondencebetweenMalinandLouisXVIII。，whichwasalwayskeptup，evenduringtheTerror。Butinthiscruelaffairtherewasaprivateelement，apassionofrevengeinthemindoftheleaderoftheparty，amannamedCorentin，whoisstillliving，andwhoisoneofthosesubalternagentswhomnothingcanreplaceandwhomakeshimselffeltbyhisamazingability。ItappearsthatMadame，thenMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，hadill-treatedhimonaformeroccasionwhenheattemptedtoarresttheSimeusebrothers。Whathappenedafterwardsinconnectionwiththesenator’sabductionwastheresultofhisprivatevengeance。
"Thesefactswereknown，ofcourse，toMalin，andthroughhimtoLouisXVIII。Youmaytherefore，"addeddeMarsay，turningtothePrincessedeCadignan，"explainthewholemattertotheMarquisedeCinq-Cygne，andshowherwhyLouisXVIII。thoughtfittokeepsilence。"
End