第4章
"Pierrette，"shesaid，"youarenolongerachild;youarenearlyfifteen，anditisnotatallsurprisingthatyoushouldhavealover。"
"But，cousin，"saidPierrette，raisinghereyeswithangelicsweetnesstothecold，sourfaceofhercousin，"Whatisalover？"
ItwouldhavebeenimpossibleforSylvietodefinealoverwithtruthanddecencytothegirl’smind。Insteadofseeinginthatquestiontheproofofadorableinnocence，sheconsidereditapieceofinsincerity。
"Alover，Pierrette，isamanwholovesusandwishestomarryus。"
"Ah，"saidPierrette，"whenthathappensinBrittanywecalltheyoungmanasuitor。"
"Well，rememberthatinowningyourfeelingsforamanyoudonowrong，mydear。Thewrongisinhidingthem。Haveyoupleasedsomeofthemenwhovisithere？"
"Idon’tthinkso，cousin。"
"Doyouloveanyofthem？"
"No。"
"Certain？"
"Quitecertain。"
"Lookatme，Pierrette。"
PierrettelookedatSylvie。
"Amancalledtoyouthismorninginthesquare。"
Pierretteloweredhereyes。
"Youwenttoyourwindow，youopenedit，andyouspoketohim。"
"Nocousin，IwenttolookoutandIsawapeasant。"
"Pierrette，youhavemuchimprovedsinceyoumadeyourfirstcommunion;youhavebecomepiousandobedient，youloveGodandyourrelations;Iamsatisfiedwithyou。Idon’tsaythistopuffyouupwithpride。"
Thehorriblecreaturehadmistakendespondency，submission，thesilenceofwretchedness，forvirtues！
Thesweetestofallconsolationstosufferingsouls，tomartyrs，toartists，intheworstofthatdivineagonywhichhatredandenvyforceuponthem，istomeetwithpraisewheretheyhavehithertofoundcensureandinjustice。Pierretteraisedhergratefuleyestohercousin，feelingthatshecouldalmostforgiveherforthesufferingsshehadcaused。
"Butifitisallhypocrisy，ifIfindyouaserpentthatIhavewarmedinmybosom，youwillbeawickedgirl，aninfamouscreature！"
"IthinkIhavenothingtoreproachmyselfwith，"saidPierrette，withapainfulrevulsionofherheartatthesuddenchangefromunexpectedpraisetothetonesofthehyena。
"Youknowthattolieisamortalsin？"
"Yes，cousin。"
"Well，youarenowundertheeyeofGod，"saidtheoldmaid，withasolemngesturetowardsthesky;"sweartomethatyoudidnotknowthatpeasant。"
"Iwillnotswear，"saidPierrette。
"Ha！hewasnopeasant，youlittleviper。"
Pierretterushedawaylikeafrightenedfawnterrifiedathertone。
Sylviecalledherinadreadfulvoice。
"Thebellisringing，"sheanswered。
"Artfulwretch！"thoughtSylvie。"Sheisdepravedinmind;andnowI
amcertainthelittleadderhaswoundherselfroundthecolonel。Shehasheardussayhewasabaron。Tobeabaroness！littlefool！Ah！
I’llgetridofher，I’llapprenticeherout，andsoontoo！"
Sylviewassolostinthoughtthatshedidnotnoticeherbrothercomingdownthepathandbemoaningtheinjurythefrosthaddonetohisdahlias。
"Sylvie！whatareyouthinkingabout？Ithoughtyouwerelookingatthefish;sometimestheyjumpoutofthewater。"
"No，"saidSylvie。
"Howdidyousleep？"andhebegantotellherabouthisowndreams。
"Don’tyouthinkmyskinisgetting/tabid/？"——awordintheRogronvocabulary。
EversinceRogronhadbeeninlove，——butletusnotprofanetheword，——eversincehehaddesiredtomarryMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，hewasveryuneasyabouthimselfandhishealth。AtthismomentPierrettecamedownthegardenstepsandcalledtothemfromadistancethatbreakfastwasready。Atsightofhercousin，Sylvie’sskinturnedgreenandyellow，herbilewasincommotion。ShelookedatthefloorofthecorridoranddeclaredthatPierretteoughttorubit。
"Iwillrubitnowifyouwish，"saidthelittleangel，notawareoftheinjurysuchworkmaydotoayounggirl。
Thedining—roomwasirreproachablyinorder。Sylviesatdownandpretendedallthroughbreakfasttowantthis，that，andtheotherthingwhichshewouldneverhavethoughtofinaquietermoment，andwhichshenowaskedforonlytomakePierretteriseagainandagainjustasthechildwasbeginningtoeatherfood。Butsuchmereteasingwasnotenough;shewantedasubjectonwhichtofindfault，andwasangrywithherselffornotfindingone。Shescarcelyansweredherbrother’ssillyremarks，yetshelookedathimonly;hereyesavoidedPierrette。Pierrettewasdeeplyconsciousofallthis。Shebroughtthemilkmixedwithcreamforeachcousininalargesilvergoblet，afterheatingitcarefullyinthe/bain—marie/。ThebrotherandsisterpouredinthecoffeemadebySylvieherselfonthetable。WhenSylviehadcarefullypreparedhers，shesawanatomofcoffee—groundsfloatingonthesurface。Onthisthestormbrokeforth。
"Whatisthematter？"askedRogron。
"Thematteristhatmademoisellehasputdustinmymilk。DoyousupposeIamgoingtodrinkcoffeewithashesinit？Well，Iamnotsurprised;noonecandotwothingsatonce。Shewasn’tthinkingofthemilk！ablackbirdmighthaveflownthroughthekitchento—dayandshewouldn’thaveseenit！howshouldsheseethedustflying！andthenitwasmycoffee，ha！thatdidn’tsignify！"
Asshespokeshewaslayingonthesideofherplatethecoffee—
groundsthathadrunthroughthefilter。
"But，cousin，thatiscoffee，"saidPierrette。
"Oh！thenitisIwhotelllies，isit？"criedSylvie，lookingatPierretteandblastingherwithafearfulflashofangerfromhereyes。
Organizationswhichhavenotbeenexhaustedbypowerfulemotionsoftenhaveavastamountofthevitalfluidattheirservice。ThisphenomenonoftheextremeclearnessoftheeyeinmomentsofangerwasthemoremarkedinMademoiselleRogronbecauseshehadoftenexercisedthepowerofhereyesinhershopbyopeningthemtotheirfullextentforthepurposeofinspiringherdependentswithsalutaryfear。
"Youhadbetterdaretogivemethelie！"continuedSylvie;"youdeservetobesentfromthetabletogoandeatbyyourselfinthekitchen。"
"What’sthematterwithyoutwo？"criedRogron，"youareascrossasbearsthismorning。"
"MademoiselleknowswhatIhaveagainsther，"saidSylvie。"Ileavehertomakeuphermindbeforespeakingtoyou;forImeantoshowhermorekindnessthanshedeserves。"
Pierrettewaslookingoutofthewindowtoavoidhercousin’seyes，whichfrightenedher。
"Lookather！shepaysnomoreattentiontowhatIamsayingthanifI
werethatsugar—basin！Andyetmademoisellehasasharpear;shecanhearandanswerfromthetopofthehousewhensomeonetalkstoherfrombelow。Sheisperversityitself，——perversity，Isay;andyouneedn’texpectanygoodofher;doyouhearme，Jerome？"
"Whathasshedonewrong？"askedRogron。
"Atherage，too！tobeginsoyoung！"screamedtheangryoldmaid。
Pierretterosetoclearthetableandgiveherselfsomethingtodo，forshecouldhardlybearthesceneanylonger。Thoughsuchlanguagewasnotnewtoher，shehadneverbeenabletogetusedtoit。Hercousin’srageseemedtoaccuseherofsomecrime。SheimaginedwhatherfurywouldbeifshecametoknowaboutBrigaut。Perhapshercousinwouldhavehimsentaway，andsheshouldlosehim！Allthemanythoughts，thedeepandrapidthoughtsofaslavecametoher，andsheresolvedtokeepabsolutesilenceaboutacircumstanceinwhichherconsciencetoldhertherewasnothingwrong。Butthecruel，bitterwordsshehadbeenmadetohearandthewoundingsuspicionsoshockedherthatasshereachedthekitchenshewastakenwithaconvulsionofthestomachandturneddeadlysick。Shedarednotcomplain;shewasnotsurethatanyonewouldhelpher。Whenshereturnedtothedining—
roomshewaswhiteasasheet，and，sayingshewasnotwell，shestartedtogotobed，draggingherselfupstepbystepbythebalusterandthinkingthatshewasgoingtodie。"PoorBrigaut！"shethought。
"Thegirlisill，"saidRogron。
"Sheill！That’sonly/shamming/，"repliedSylvie，inaloudvoicethatPierrettemighthear。"Shewaswellenoughthismorning，Icantellyou。"
ThislastblowstruckPierrettetotheearth;shewenttobedweepingandprayingtoGodtotakeheroutofthisworld。
VII
DOMESTICTYRANNY
ForamonthpastRogronhadceasedtocarrythe"Constitutionnel"toGouraud;thecolonelcameobsequiouslytofetchhispaper，gossipalittle，andtakeRogronofftowalkiftheweatherwasfine。Sureofseeingthecolonelandbeingabletoquestionhim，Sylviedressedherselfascoquettishlyassheknewhow。Theoldmaidthoughtshewasattractiveinagreengown，ayellowshawlwitharedborder，andawhitebonnetwithstragglinggrayfeathers。AboutthehourwhenthecolonelusuallycameSylviestationedherselfinthesalonwithherbrother，whomshehadcompelledtostayinthehouseinhisdressing—
gownandslippers。
"Itisafineday，colonel，"saidRogron，whenGouraudwithhisheavystepenteredtheroom。"ButI’mnotdressed;mysisterwantedtogoout，andIwasgoingtokeepthehouse。Waitforme;I’llbereadysoon。"
Sosaying，RogronleftSylviealonewiththecolonel。
"Wherewereyougoing？youaredresseddivinely，"saidGouraud，whonoticedacertainsolemnityonthepock—markedfaceoftheoldmaid。
"Iwantedverymuchtogoout，butmylittlecousinisill，andI
cannotleaveher。"
"Whatisthematterwithher？"
"Idon’tknow;shehadtogotobed。"
Gouraud’scaution，nottosayhisdistrust，wasconstantlyexcitedbytheresultsofhisalliancewithVinet。Itcertainlyappearedthatthelawyerhadgotthelion’sshareintheirenterprise。Vinetcontrolledthepaper，hereignedassolemasteroverit，hetooktherevenues;
whereasthecolonel，theresponsibleeditor，earnedlittle。VinetandCournanthaddonetheRogronsgreatservices;whereasGouraud，acolonelonhalf—pay，coulddonothing。Whowastobedeputy？Vinet。
Whowasthechiefauthorityintheparty？Vinet。Whomdidtheliberalsallconsult？Vinet。Moreover，thecolonelknewfullyaswellasVinethimselftheextentanddepthofthepassionsuddenlyarousedinRogronbythebeautifulBathildedeChargeboeuf。Thispassionhadnowbecomeintense，likeallthelastpassionsofmen。Bathilde’svoicemadehimtremble。AbsorbedinhisdesiresRogronhidthem;hedarednothopeforsuchamarriage。Tosoundhim，thecolonelmentionedthathewasthinkinghimselfofaskingforBathilde’shand。Rogronturnedpaleatthethoughtofsuchaformidablerival，andhadsincethenshowncoldnessandevenhatredtoGouraud。
ThusVinetreignedsupremeintheRogronhouseholdwhilehe，thecolonel，hadnoholdthereexceptbytheextremelyhypotheticaltieofhismendaciousaffectionforSylvie，whichitwasnotyetclearthatSylviereciprocated。Whenthelawyertoldhimofthepriest’smanoeuvre，andadvisedhimtobreakwithSylvieandmarryPierrette，hecertainlyflatteredGouraud’sfoible;butafteranalyzingtheinnerpurposeofthatadviceandexaminingthegroundallabouthim，thecolonelthoughtheperceivedinhisallytheintentionofseparatinghimfromSylvie，andprofitingbyherfearstothrowthewholeRogronpropertyintothehandsofMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。
Therefore，whenthecolonelwasleftalonewithSylviehisperspicacitypossesseditselfimmediatelyofcertainsignswhichbetrayedheruneasiness。Hesawatoncethatshewasunderarmsandhadmadethisplanforseeinghimalone。AshealreadysuspectedVinetofplayinghimsometrick，heattributedtheconferencetotheinstigationofthelawyer，andwasinstantlyonhisguard，ashewouldhavebeeninanenemy’scountry，——withaneyeallabouthim，aneartothefaintestsound，hismindonthequivive，andhishandonaweapon。Thecolonelhadthedefectofneverbelievingasinglewordsaidtohimbyawoman;sothatwhentheoldmaidbroughtPierretteonthescene，andtoldhimshehadgonetobedbeforemidday，heconcludedthatSylviehadlockedherupbywayofpunishmentandoutofjealousy。
"Sheisgettingtobequitepretty，thatlittlething，"hesaidwithaneasyair。
"Shewillbepretty，"repliedMademoiselleRogron。
"YououghttosendhertoParisandputherinashop，"continuedthecolonel。"Shewouldmakeherfortune。Themillinersallwantprettygirls。"
"Isthatreallyyouradvice？"askedSylvie，inatroubledvoice。
"Good！"thoughtthecolonel，"Iwasright。VinetadvisedmetomarryPierrettejusttospoilmychancewiththeoldharridan。But，"hesaidaloud，"whatelsecanyoudowithher？There’sthatbeautifulgirlBathildedeChargeboeuf，nobleandwell—connected，reducedtosingle—
blessedness，——nobodywillhaveher。Pierrettehasnothing，andshe’llnevermarry。Asforbeauty，whatisit？Tome，forexample，youthandbeautyarenothing;forhaven’tIbeenacaptainofcavalryintheimperialguard，andcarriedmyspursintoallthecapitalsofEurope，andknownallthehandsomestwomenofthesecapitals？Don’ttalktome;Itellyouyouthandbeautyaredevilishlycommonandsilly。Atforty—eight，"hewenton，addingafewyearstohisage，tomatchSylvie’s，"aftersurvivingtheretreatfromMoscowandgoingthroughthatterriblecampaignofFrance，amanisbrokendown;I’mnothingbutanoldfellownow。Awomanlikeyouwouldpetmeandcareforme，andhermoney，joinedtomypoorpension，wouldgivemeeaseinmyolddays;ofcourseIshouldprefersuchawomantoalittleminxwhowouldworrythelifeoutofme，andbethirtyyearsold，withpassions，whenIshouldbesixty，withrheumatism。Atmyage，amanconsidersandcalculates。Totellyouthetruthbetweenourselves，I
shouldnotwishtohavechildren。"
Sylvie’sfacewasanopenbooktothecolonelduringthistirade，andhernextquestionprovedtohimVinet’sperfidy。
"Thenyoudon’tlovePierrette？"shesaid。
"Heavens！areyououtofyourmind，mydearSylvie？"hecried。"Canthosewhohavenoteethcracknuts？ThankGodI’vegotsomecommon—
senseandknowwhatI’mabout。"
Sylviethusreassuredresolvednottoshowherownhand，andthoughtherselfveryshrewdinputtingherownideasintoherbrother’smouth。
"Jerome，"shesaid，"thoughtofthematch。"
"Howcouldyourbrothertakeupsuchanincongruousidea？Why，itisonlyafewdaysagothat，inordertofindouthissecrets，ItoldhimIlovedBathilde。Heturnedaswhiteasyourcollar。"
"Mybrother！doesheloveBathilde？"askedSylvie。
"Madly，——andyetBathildeisonlyafterhismoney。"（"Oneforyou，Vinet！"thoughtthecolonel。）"Ican’tunderstandwhyheshouldhavetoldyouthataboutPierrette。No，Sylvie，"hesaid，takingherhandandpressingitinacertainway，"sinceyouhaveopenedthismatter"
（hedrewnearertoher），"well"（hekissedherhand;asacavalrycaptainhehadalreadyprovedhiscourage），"letmetellyouthatI
desirenowifebutyou。Thoughsuchamarriagemaylooklikeoneofconvenience，Ifeel，onmyside，asincereaffectionforyou。"
"ButifI/wish/youtomarryPierrette？ifIleavehermyfortune——
eh，colonel？"
"ButIdon’twanttobemiserableinmyhome，andinlessthantenyearsseeapopinjaylikeJulliardhoveringroundmywifeandaddressingversestoherinthenewspapers。I’mtoomuchofamantostandthat。No，Iwillnevermakeamarriagethatisdisproportionateinage。"
"Well，colonel，wewilltalkseriouslyofthisanothertime，"saidSylvie，castingaglanceuponhimwhichshesupposedtobefulloflove，though，inpointoffact，itwasagooddeallikethatofanogress。Hercold，bluelipsofaviolettingedrewbackfromtheyellowteeth，andshethoughtshesmiled。
"I’mready，"saidRogron，cominginandcarryingoffthecolonel，whobowedinalover—likewaytotheoldmaid。
GourauddeterminedtopressonhismarriagewithSylvie，andmakehimselfmasterofthehouse;resolvingtoridhimself，throughhisinfluenceoverSylvieduringthehoneymoon，ofBathildeandCelesteHabert。So，duringtheirwalk，hetoldRogronhehadbeenjokingtheotherday;thathehadnorealintentionofaspiringtoBathilde;thathewasnotrichenoughtomarryawomanwithoutfortune;andthenheconfidedtohimhisrealwishes，declaringthathehadlongchosenSylvieforhergoodqualities，——inshort，heaspiredtothehonorofbeingRogron’sbrother—in—law。
"Ah，colonel，mydearbaron！ifnothingiswantingbutmyconsentyouhaveitwithnofurtherdelaythanthelawrequires，"criedRogron，delightedtoberidofhisformidablerival。
Sylviespentthemorninginherownroomconsideringhowthenewhouseholdcouldbearranged。Shedeterminedtobuildasecondstoreyforherbrotherandtofurnishtherestforherselfandherhusband;
butshealsoresolved，inthetrueold—maidishspirit，tosubjectthecoloneltocertainproofsbywhichtojudgeofhisheartandhismoralsbeforeshefinallycommittedherself。Shewasstillsuspicious，andwantedtomakesurethatPierrettehadnoprivateintercoursewiththecolonel。
Pierrettecamedownbeforethedinner—hourtolaythetable。Sylviehadbeenforcedtocookthedinner，andhadswornatthat"cursedPierrette"foraspotshehadmadeonhergown，——wasn’titplainthatifPierrettehaddoneherownworkSylviewouldn’thavegotthatgrease—spotonhersilkdress？
"Oh，hereyouare，/peakling/？Youarelikethedogofthemarshalwhowokeupassoonasthesaucepansrattled。Ha！youwantustothinkyouareill，youlittleliar！"
Thatidea："Youdidnottellthetruthaboutwhathappenedinthesquarethismorning，thereforeyoulieineverything，"wasahammerwithwhichSylviebatteredtheheadandalsotheheartofthepoorgirlincessantly。
ToPierrette’sgreatastonishmentSylviesenthertodressinherbestclothesafterdinner。Theliveliestimaginationisneveruptotheleveloftheactivitywhichsuspicionexcitesinthemindofanoldmaid。Inthisparticularcase，thisparticularoldmaidcarriedthedayagainstpoliticians，lawyers，notaries，andallotherself—
interests。SylviedeterminedtoconsultVinet，afterexaminingherselfintoallthesuspiciouscircumstances。ShekeptPierretteclosetoher，soastofindoutfromthegirl’sfacewhetherthecolonelhadtoldherthetruth。
OnthisparticulareveningtheChargeboeufladieswerethefirsttoarrive。Bathilde，byVinet’sadvice，hadbecomemoreelaborateinherdress。Shenowworeacharminggownofbluevelveteen，withthesametransparentfichu，garnetpendantsinherears，herhairinringlets，thewily/jeannette/roundherthroat，blacksatinslippers，graysilkstockings，and/gantsdeSuede/;addtothesethingsthemannersofaqueenandthecoquetryofayounggirldeterminedtocaptureRogron。
Hermother，calmanddignified，retained，asdidherdaughter，acertainaristocraticinsolence，withwhichthetwowomenhedgedthemselvesandpreservedthespiritoftheircaste。Bathildewasawomanofintelligence，afactwhichVinetalonehaddiscoveredduringthetwomonths’staytheladieshadmadeathishouse。Whenhehadfullyfathomedthemindofthegirl，woundedanddisappointedasitwasbythefruitlessnessofherbeautyandheryouth，andenlightenedbythecontemptshefeltforthemenofaperiodinwhichmoneywastheonlyidol，Vinet，himselfsurprised，exclaimed，——
"IfIcouldonlyhavemarriedyou，Bathilde，Ishouldto—daybeKeeperoftheSeals。IshouldcallmyselfVinetdeChargeboeuf，andtakemyseatasdeputyoftheRight。"
Bathildehadnovulgarideainhermarriageintentions。Shedidnotmarrytobeamother，nortopossessahusband;shemarriedforfreedom，togainaresponsibleposition，tobecalled"madame，"andtoactasmenact。Rogronwasnothingbutanametoher;sheexpectedtomakesomethingofthefool，——avotingdeputy，forinstance，whoseinstigatorshewouldbe;moreover，shelongedtoavengeherselfonherfamily，whohadtakennonoticeofagirlwithoutmoney。Vinethadmuchenlargedandstrengthenedherideasbyadmiringandapprovingthem。
"MydearBathilde，"hesaid，whileexplainingtohertheinfluenceofwomen，andshowingherthesphereofactioninwhichsheoughttowork，"doyousupposethatTiphaine，amanofthemostordinarycapacity，couldevergettobeajudgeoftheRoyalcourtinParisbyhimself？No，itisMadameTiphainewhohasgothimelecteddeputy，anditisshewhowillpushhimwhentheygettoParis。Hermother，MadameRoguin，isashrewdwoman，whodoeswhatshelikeswiththefamousbankerduTillet，acronyofNucingen，andbothofthemalliesoftheKellers。Theadministrationisonthebestoftermswiththoselynxesofthebank。ThereisnoreasonwhyTiphaineshouldnotbejudge，throughhiswife，ofaRoyalcourt。MarryRogron;we’llhavehimelecteddeputyfromProvinsassoonasIgainanotherprecinctintheSeine—et—Marne。Youcanthengethimaplaceasreceiver—general，wherehe’llhavenothingtodobutsignhisname。Weshallbelongtotheopposition/if/theLiberalstriumph，butiftheBourbonsremain——
ah！thenweshallleangently，gentlytowardsthecentre。Besides，youmustrememberRogroncan’tliveforever，andthenyoucanmarryatitledman。Inshort，putyourselfinagoodposition，andtheChargeboeufswillbereadyenoughtoserveus。Yourpovertyhasnodoubttaughtyou，asminedidme，toknowwhatmenareworth。Wemustmakeuseofthemaswedoofpost—horses。Aman，orawoman，willtakeusalongtosuchorsuchadistance。"
VinetendedbymakingBathildeasmalleditionofCatherinedeMedicis。Helefthiswifeathome，rejoicedtobealonewithhertwochildren，whilehewenteverynighttotheRogrons’withMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。Hearrivedthereinallthegloryofbettercircumstances。Hisspectacleswereofgold，hiswaistcoatsilk;
awhitecravat，blacktrousers，thinboots，ablackcoatmadeinParis，andagoldwatchandchain，madeuphisapparel。InplaceoftheformerVinet，paleandthin，snarlingandgloomy，thepresentVinetborehimselfwiththeairandmannerofamanofimportance;hemarchedboldlyforward，certainofsuccess，withthatpeculiarshowofsecuritywhichbelongstolawyerswhoknowthehiddenplacesofthelaw。Hisslylittleheadwaswell—brushed，hischinwell—shaved，whichgavehimamincingthoughfrigidlook，thatmadehimseemagreeableinthestyleofRobespierre。Certainlyhewouldmakeafineattorney—
general，endowedwithelastic，mischievous，andevenmurderouseloquence，oranoratoroftheshrewdtypeofBenjaminConstant。Thebitternessandthehatredwhichformerlyactuatedhimhadnowturnedintosoft—spokenperfidy;thepoisonwastransformedintoanodyne。
"Good—evening，mydear;howareyou？"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf，greetingSylvie。
Bathildewentstraighttothefireplace，tookoffherbonnet，lookedatherselfintheglass，andplacedherprettyfootonthefenderthatRogronmightadmireit。
"Whatisthematterwithyou？"shesaidtohim，lookingdirectlyinhisface。"Youhavenotbowedtome。Praywhyshouldweputonourbestvelvetgownstopleaseyou？"
ShepushedpastPierrettetolaydownherhat，whichthelattertookfromherhand，andwhichshelethertakeexactlyasthoughshewereaservant。Menaresupposedtobeferocious，andtigerstoo;butneithertigers，vipers，diplomatists，lawyers，executionersorkingseverapproach，intheirgreatestatrocities，thegentlecruelty，thepoisonedsweetness，thesavagedisdainofoneyoungwomanforanother，whenshethinksherselfsuperiorinbirth，orfortune，orgrace，andsomequestionofmarriage，orprecedence，oranyofthefemininerivalries，israised。The"Thankyou，mademoiselle，"whichBathildesaidtoPierrettewasapoeminmanystrophes。ShewasnamedBathilde，andtheotherPierrette。ShewasaChargeboeuf，theotheraLorrain。
Pierrettewassmallandweak，Bathildewastallandfulloflife。
Pierrettewaslivingoncharity，Bathildeandhermotherlivedontheirmeans。Pierretteworeastuffgownwithachemisette，Bathildemadethevelvetofhersundulate。Bathildehadthefinestshouldersinthedepartment，andthearmofaqueen;Pierrette’sshoulder—bladeswereskinandbone。PierrettewasCinderella，Bathildewasthefairy。
Bathildewasabouttomarry，Pierrettewastodieamaid。Bathildewasadored，Pierrettewaslovedbynone。Bathilde’shairwasravishinglydressed，shehadsomuchtaste;Pierrette’swashiddenbeneathherBretoncap，andsheknewnothingofthefashions。Moral，Bathildewaseverything，Pierrettenothing。TheproudlittleBretongirlunderstoodthistragicpoem。
"Good—evening，littlegirl，"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf，fromtheheightofhercondescendinggrandeur，andinthetoneofvoicewhichherpinchednosegaveher。
VinetputthelasttouchtothissortofinsultbylookingfixedlyatPierretteandsaying，inthreekeys，"Oh！oh！oh！howfineweareto—night，Pierrette！"
"Fine！"saidthepoorchild;"youshouldsaythattoMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，nottome。"
"Oh！sheisalwaysbeautifullydressed，"repliedthelawyer。"Isn’tshe，Rogron？"headded，turningtothemasterofthehouse，andgraspinghishand。
"Yes，"saidRogron。
"Whydoyouforcehimtosaywhathedoesnotthink？"saidBathilde;
"nothingaboutmepleaseshim。Isn’tthattrue？"sheadded，goinguptoRogronandstandingbeforehim。"Lookatme，andsayifitisn’ttrue。"
Rogronlookedatherfromheadtofoot，andgentlyclosedhiseyeslikeacatwhoseheadisbeingscratched。
"Youaretoobeautiful，"hesaid;"toodangerous。"
"Why？"
Rogronlookedatthefireandwassilent。JustthenMademoiselleHabertenteredtheroom，followedbythecolonel。
CelesteHabert，whohadnowbecomethecommonenemy，couldonlyreckonSylvieonherside;nevertheless，everybodypresentshowedherthemorecivilityandamiableattentionbecauseeachwasunderminingher。
Herbrother，thoughnolongerabletobeonthesceneofaction，waswellawareofwhatwasgoingon，andassoonasheperceivedthathissister’shopeswerekilledhebecameanimplacableandterribleantagonisttotheRogrons。
EveryonewillimmediatelypicturetothemselvesMademoiselleHabertwhentheyknowthatifshehadnotkeptaninstitutionforyoungladiesshewouldstillhavehadtheairofaschool—mistress。School—
mistresseshaveawayoftheirowninputtingontheircaps。JustasoldEnglishwomenhaveacquiredamonopolyinturbans，school—
mistresseshaveamonopolyofthesecaps。Flowersnodabovetheframe—
work，flowersthataremorethanartificial;lyingbyinclosetsforyearsthecapisbothnewandold，evenonthedayitisfirstworn。
Thesespinstersmakeitapointofhonortoresemblethelayfiguresofapainter;theysitontheirhips，neverontheirchairs。Whenanyonespeakstothemtheyturntheirwholebustsinsteadofsimplyturningtheirheads;andwhentheirgownscreakoneistemptedtobelievethatthemechanismofthesebeingsisoutoforder。
MademoiselleHabert，anidealofherspecies，hadasterneye，agrimmouth，andbeneathherwrinkledchinthestringsofhercap，alwayslimpandfaded，floatedasshemoved。Twomoles，ratherlargeandbrown，adornedthatchin，andfromthemsproutedhairswhichsheallowedtogrowrampantlikeclematis。Andfinally，tocompleteherportrait，shetooksnuff，andtookitungracefully。
Thecompanywenttoworkattheirboston。MademoiselleHabertsatoppositetoSylvie，withthecolonelathersideoppositetoMadamedeChargeboeuf。BathildewasnearhermotherandRogron。SylvieplacedPierrettebetweenherselfandthecolonel;Rogronhadsetoutasecondcard—table，incaseothercompanyarrived。Twolampswereonthechimney—piecebetweenthecandelabraandtheclock，andthetableswerelightedbycandlesatfortysousapound，paidforbythepriceofthecards。
"Come，Pierrette，takeyourwork，mydear，"saidSylvie，withtreacheroussoftness，noticingthatthegirlwaswatchingthecolonel’sgame。
SheusuallyaffectedtotreatPierrettewellbeforecompany。ThisdeceptionirritatedthehonestBretongirl，andmadeherdespisehercousin。Shetookherembroidery，butasshedrewherstitchesshestillwatchedGouraud’splay。Gouraudbehavedasifhedidnotknowthegirlwasnearhim。Sylvienoticedthisapparentindifferenceandthoughtitextremelysuspicious。Presentlysheundertooka/grandemisere/inhearts，thepoolbeingfullofcounters，besidescontainingtwenty—sevensous。Therestofthecompanyhadnowarrived;amongthemthedeputy—judgeDesfondrilles，whoforthelasttwomonthshadabandonedtheTiphainepartyandconnectedhimselfmoreorlesswiththeVinets。Hewasstandingbeforethechimney—piece，withhisbacktothefireandthetailsofhiscoatoverhisarms，lookingroundthefinesalonofwhichMademoiselledeChargeboeufwastheshiningornament;foritreallyseemedasifalltheredsofitsdecorationhadbeenmadeexpresslytoenhanceherstyleofbeauty。Silencereigned;Pierrettewaswatchingthegame，Sylvie’sattentionwasdistractedfromherbytheinterestofthe/grandemisere/。
"Playthat，"saidPierrettetothecolonel，pointingtoaheartinhishand。
Thecolonelbeganasequenceinhearts;theheartsalllaybetweenhimselfandSylvie;thecolonelwonherace，thoughitwasprotectedbyfivesmallhearts。
"That’snotfair！"shecried。"Pierrettesawmyhand，andthecoloneltookheradvice。"
"But，mademoiselle，"saidCeleste，"itwasthecolonel’sgametoplayheartsafteryoubeganthem。"
ThescenemadeMonsieurDesfondrillessmile;hiswasakeenmind，whichfoundmuchamusementinwatchingtheplayofalltheself—
interestsinProvins。
"Yes，itwascertainlythecolonel’sgame，"saidCournantthenotary，notknowingwhatthequestionwas。
SylviethrewalookatMademoiselleHabert，——oneofthoseglanceswhichpassfromoldmaidtooldmaid，felineandcruel。
"Pierrette，youdidseemyhand，"saidSylviefixinghereyesonthegirl。
"No，cousin。"
"Iwaslookingatyouall，"saidthedeputy—judge，"andIcanswearthatPierrettesawnoone’shandbutthecolonel’s。"
"Pooh！"saidGouraud，alarmed，"littlegirlsknowhowtoslidetheireyesintoeverything。"
"Ah！"exclaimedSylvie。
"Yes，"continuedGouraud。"Idaresayshelookedintoyourhandtoplayyouatrick。Didn’tyou，littleone？"
"No，"saidthetruthfulBreton，"Iwouldn’tdosuchathing;ifIhad，itwouldhavebeeninmycousin’sinterests。"
"Youknowyouareastory—tellerandalittlefool，"criedSylvie。
"AfterwhathappenedthismorningdoyousupposeIcanbelieveawordyousay？Youarea——"
PierrettedidnotwaitforSylvietofinishhersentence;foreseeingatorrentofinsults，sherushedawaywithoutalightandrantoherroom。Sylvieturnedwhitewithangerandmutteredbetweenherteeth，"Sheshallpayforthis！"
"Shallyoupayforthe/misere/？"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf。
AsshespokePierrettestruckherheadagainstthedoorofthepassagewhichsomeonehadleftopen。
"Good！I’mgladofit，"criedSylvie，astheyheardtheblow。
"Shemustbehurt，"saidDesfondrilles。
"Shedeservesit，"repliedSylvie。
"Itwasabadblow，"saidMademoiselleHabert。
Sylviethoughtshemightescapepayingher/misere/ifshewenttoseeafterPierrette，butMadamedeChargeboeufstoppedher。
"Payusfirst，"shesaid，laughing;"youwillforgetitwhenyoucomeback。"
Theremark，basedontheoldmaid’strickeryandherbadfaithinpayingherdebtsatcardswasapprovedbytheothers。SylviesatdownandthoughtnomoreofPierrette，——anindifferencewhichsurprisednoone。Whenthegamewasover，abouthalfpastnineo’clock，sheflungherselfintoaneasychairatthecornerofthefireplaceanddidnotevenriseasherguestsdeparted。Thecolonelwastorturingher;shedidnotknowwhattothinkofhim。
"Menaresofalse！"shecried，asshewenttobed。
Pierrettehadgivenherselfafrightfulblowonthehead，justabovetheear，atthespotwhereyounggirlsparttheirhairwhentheyputtheir"fronthair"incurlpapers。Thenextdaytherewasalargeswelling。
"Godhaspunishedyou，"saidSylvieatthebreakfasttable。"Youdisobeyedme;youtreatedmewithdisrespectinleavingtheroombeforeIhadfinishedmysentence;yougotwhatyoudeserved。"
"Nevertheless，"saidRogron，"sheoughttoputonacompressofsaltandwater。"
"Oh，itisnothingatall，cousin，"saidPierrette。
Thepoorchildhadreachedapointwhereevensucharemarkseemedtoheraproofofkindness。
VIII
THELOVESOFJACQUESANDPIERRETTE
Theweekendedasithadbegun，incontinualtorture。Sylviegrewingenious，andfoundrefinementsoftyrannywithalmostsavagecruelty;theredIndiansmighthavetakenalessonfromher。Pierrettedarednotcomplainofhervaguesufferings，noroftheactualpainsshenowfeltinherhead。Theoriginofhercousin’spresentangerwasthenon—revelationofBrigaut’sarrival。WithBretonobstinacyPierrettewasdeterminedtokeepsilence，——aresolutionthatisperfectlyexplicable。ItiseasytoseehowherthoughtsturnedtoBrigaut，fearingsomedangerforhimifhewerediscovered，yetinstinctivelylongingtohavehimnearher，andhappyinknowinghewasinProvins。Whatjoytohaveseenhim！Thatsingleglimpsewaslikethelookanexilecastsuponhiscountry，orthemartyrliftstoheaven，wherehiseyes，giftedwithsecond—sight，canenterwhileflamesconsumehisbody。
Pierrette’sglancehadbeensothoroughlyunderstoodbythemajor’ssonthat，asheplanedhisplanksortookhismeasuresorjoinedhiswood，hewasworkinghisbrainstofindoutsomewayofcommunicatingwithher。Heendedbychoosingthesimplestofallschemes。AtacertainhourofthenightPierrettemustloweraletterbyastringfromherwindow。Inthemidstofthegirl’sownsufferings，shetoowassustainedbythehopeofbeingabletocommunicatewithBrigaut。
Thesamedesirewasinbothhearts;parted，theyunderstoodeachother！Ateveryshocktoherheart，everythrobofpaininherhead，Pierrettesaidtoherself，"Brigautishere！"andthatthoughtenabledhertolivewithoutcomplaint。
Onemorninginthemarket，Brigaut，lyinginwait，wasabletogetnearher。Thoughhesawhertrembleandturnpale，likeanautumnleafabouttoflutterdown，hedidnotlosehishead，butquietlyboughtfruitofthemarket—womanwithwhomSylviewasbargaining。HefoundhischanceofslippinganotetoPierrette，allthewhilejokingthewomanwiththeeaseofamanaccustomedtosuchmanoeuvres;socoolwasheinaction，thoughthebloodhummedinhisearsandrushedboilingthroughhisveinsandarteries。Hehadthefirmnessofagalley—slavewithout，andtheshrinkingsofinnocencewithinhim，——
likecertainmothersintheirmomentsofmortaltrial，whenheldbetweentwodangers，twocatastrophes。
Pierrette’sinwardcommotionwaslikeBrigaut’s。Sheslippedthenoteintothepocketofherapron。Thehecticspotsuponhercheekbonesturnedtoacherry—scarlet。Thesetwochildrenwentthrough，allunknowntothemselves，manymoreemotionsthangotothemake—upofadozenordinaryloves。Thismomentinthemarket—placeleftintheirsoulsawell—springofpassionatefeeling。Sylvie，whodidnotrecognizetheBretonaccent，tooknonoticeofBrigaut，andPierrettewenthomesafelywithhertreasure。
Thelettersofthesetwopoorchildrenwerefatedtoserveasdocumentsinaterriblejudicialinquiry;otherwise，withoutthefatalcircumstancesthatoccasionedthatinquiry，theywouldneverhavebeenheardof。HereistheonewhichPierrettereadthatnightinherchamber：——
MydearPierrette，——Atmidnight，wheneverybodyisasleepbutme，whoamwatchingyou，Iwillcomeeverynightunderyourwindow。
Letdownastringlongenoughtoreachme;itwillnotmakeanynoise;youmustfastentotheendofitwhateveryouwritetome。
Iwilltiemyletterinthesameway。Ihear/they/havetaughtyoutoreadandwrite，——thosewickedrelationswhoweretodoyougood，andhavedoneyousomuchharm。You，Pierrette，thedaughterofacolonelwhodiedforFrance，reducedbythosemonsterstobetheirservant！Thatiswhereallyourprettycolorandhealthhavegone。MyPierrette，whathasbecomeofher？whathavetheydonewithher。Iseeplainlyyouarenotthesame，nothappy。Oh！
Pierrette，letusgobacktoBrittany。Icanearnenoughnowtogiveyouwhatyouneed;foryouyourselfcanearnthreefrancsadayandIcanearnfourorfive;andthirtysousisallIwanttoliveon。Ah！Pierrette，howIhaveprayedthegoodGodforyoueversinceIcamehere！Ihaveaskedhimtogivemeallyoursufferings，andyouallpleasures。Whydoyoustaywiththem？whydotheykeepyou？Yourgrandmotherismoretoyouthanthey。Theyarevipers;theyhavetakenyourgaietyawayfromyou。YoudonotevenwalkasyouoncedidinBrittany。Letusgoback。Iamheretoserveyou，todoyourwill;tellmewhatyouwish。IfyouneedmoneyIhaveahundredandfiftyfrancs;Icansendthemupbythestring，thoughIwouldliketokissyourdearhandsandlaythemoneyinthem。Ah，dearPierrette，itisalongtimenowthattheblueskyhasbeenovercastforme。Ihavenothadtwohours’
happinesssinceIputyouintothatdiligenceofevil。AndwhenI
sawyoutheothermorning，lookinglikeashadow，Icouldnotreachyou;thathagofacousincamebetweenus。ButatleastwecanhavetheconsolationofprayingtoGodtogethereverySundayinchurch;perhapshewillhearusallthemorewhenwepraytogether。
Notgood—by，mydear，Pierrette，but/to—night/。
ThislettersoaffectedPierrettethatshesatformorethananhourreadingandre—readingandgazingatit。Thensherememberedwithanguishthatshehadnothingtowritewith。Shesummonedcouragetomakethedifficultjourneyfromhergarrettothedining—room，wheresheobtainedpen，paper，andink，andreturnedsafelywithoutwakingherterriblecousin。Afewminutesbeforemidnightshehadfinishedthefollowingletter：——
MyFriend，——Oh！yes，myfriend;forthereisnoonebutyou，Jacques，andmygrandmothertoloveme。Godforgiveme，butyouaretheonlytwopersonswhomIlove，bothalike，neithermorenorless。Iwastoolittletoknowmydearmamma;butyou，Jacques，andmygrandmother，andmygrandfather，——Godgranthimheaven，forhesufferedmuchfromhisruin，whichwasmine，——butyoutwowhoareleft，Iloveyouboth，unhappyasIam。Indeed，toknowhowmuchIloveyou，youwillhavetoknowhowmuchIsuffer;butI
don’twishthat，itwouldgrieveyoutoomuch。/They/speaktomeaswewouldnotspeaktoadog;/they/treatmeliketheworstofgirls;andyetIdoexaminemyselfbeforeGod，andIcannotfindthatIdowrongbythem。BeforeyousangtomethemarriagesongI
sawthemercyofGodinmysufferings;forIhadprayedtohimtotakemefromtheworld，andIfeltsoillIsaidtomyself，"Godhearsme！"But，Jacques，nowyouarehere，IwanttoliveandgobacktoBrittany，tomygrandmammawholovesme，though/they/sayshestoleeightthousandfrancsofmine。Jacques，isthatso？Iftheyareminecouldyougetthem！Butitisnottrue，forifmygrandmotherhadeightthousandfrancsshewouldnotliveatSaint—
Jacques。
Idon’twanttotroubleherlastdays，mykind，goodgrandmamma，withtheknowledgeofmytroubles;shemightdieofit。Ah！ifsheknewtheymadehergrandchildscrubthepotsandpans，——shewhousedtosaytome，whenIwantedtohelpherafterhertroubles，"Don’ttouchthat，mydarling;leaveit——leaveit——youwillspoilyourprettyfingers。"Ah！myhandsarenevercleannow。SometimesIcanhardlycarrythebaskethomefrommarket，itcutsmyarm。
StillIdon’tthinkmycousinsmeantobecruel;butitistheirwayalwaystoscold，anditseemsthatIhavenorighttoleavethem。MycousinRogronismyguardian。OnedaywhenIwantedtorunawaybecauseIcouldnotbearit，andtoldthemso，mycousinSylviesaidthegendarmeswouldgoafterme，forthelawwasmymaster。Oh！Iknownowthatcousinscannottaketheplaceoffatherormother，anymorethanthesaintscantaketheplaceofGod。
MypoorJacques，whatdoyousupposeIcoulddowithyourmoney？
Keepitforourjourney。Oh！howIthinkofyouandPen—Hoel，andthebigpong，——that’swherewehadouronlyhappydays。Ishallhavenomore，forIfeelIamgoingfrombadtoworse。Iamveryill，Jacques。Ihavedreadfulpainsinmyhead，andinmybones，andback，whichkillme，andIhavenoappetiteexceptforhorridthings，——rootsandleavesandsuchthings。SometimesIcry，whenI
amallalone，fortheywon’tletmedoanythingIlikeiftheyknowit，notevencry。IhavetohidetooffermytearstoHimtowhomweowethemercieswhichwecallafflictions。ItmusthavebeenHewhogaveyoutheblessedthoughttocomeandsingthemarriagesongbeneathmywindow。Ah！Jacques，mycousinheardyou，andshesaidIhadalover。Ifyouwishtobemylover，lovemewell。Ipromisetoloveyoualways，asIdidinthepast，andtobeYourfaithfulservant，PierretteLorrain。
Youwilllovemealways，won’tyou？
Shehadbroughtacrustofbreadfromthekitchen，inwhichshenowmadeaholefortheletter，andfasteneditlikeaweighttoherstring。Atmidnight，havingopenedherwindowwithextremecaution，sheloweredtheletterwiththecrust，whichmadenonoiseagainsteitherthewallofthehouseortheblinds。PresentlyshefeltthestringpulledbyBrigaut，whobrokeitandthencreptsoftlyaway。
Whenhereachedthemiddleofthesquareshecouldseehimindistinctlybythestarlight;buthesawherquiteclearlyinthezoneoflightthrownbythecandle。Thetwochildrenstoodthusforoveranhour，Pierrettemakinghimsignstogo，hestarting，sheremaining，hecomingbacktohispost，andPierretteagainsigningthathemustleaveher。Thiswasrepeatedtillthechildclosedherwindow，wenttobed，andblewoutthecandle。Onceinbedshefellasleep，happyinheartthoughsufferinginbody，——shehadBrigaut’sletterunderherpillow。Shesleptasthepersecutedsleep，——aslumberbrightwithangels;thatslumberfullofheavenlyarabesques，inatmospheresofgoldandlapis—lazuli，perceivedandgiventousbyRaffaelle。
ThemoralnaturehadsuchempireoverthatfrailphysicalnaturethatonthemorrowPierretteroselightandjoyousasalark，asradiantandasgay。SuchachangecouldnotescapethevigilanteyeofhercousinSylvie，who，thistime，insteadofscoldingher，setaboutwatchingherwiththescrutinyofamagpie。"Whatreasonisthereforsuchhappiness？"wasathoughtofjealousy，notoftyranny。IfthecolonelhadnotbeeninSylvie’smindshewouldhavesaidtoPierretteasformerly，"Pierrette，youareverynoise，andveryregardlessofwhatyouhaveoftenbeentold。"Butnowtheoldmaidresolvedtospyuponherasonlyoldmaidscanspy。Thedaywasstillandgloomy，liketheweatherthatprecedesastorm。
"Youdon’tappeartobeillnow，mademoiselle，"saidSylvieatdinner。
"Didn’tItellyousheputitallontoannoyus？"shecried，addressingherbrother，andnotwaitingforPierrette’sanswer。
"Onthecontrary，cousin，Ihaveasortoffever——"
"Fever！whatfever？Youareasgayasalark。Perhapsyouhaveseensomeoneagain？"
Pierrettetrembledanddroppedhereyesonherplate。
"Tartufe！"criedSylvie;"andonlyfourteenyearsold！whatanature！
Doyoumeantocometoabadend？"
"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，"saidPierrette，raisinghersweetandluminousbrowneyestohercousin。
"Thisevening，"saidSylvie，"youaretostayinthedining—roomwithacandle，anddoyoursewing。Youarenotwantedinthesalon;I
sha’n’thaveyoulookingintomyhandtohelpyourfavorites。"
Pierrettemadenosign。
"Artfulcreature！"criedSylvie，leavingtheroom。
Rogron，whodidnotunderstandhissister’sanger，saidtoPierrette：
"Whatisallthisabout？Trytopleaseyourcousin，Pierrette;sheisveryindulgenttoyou，verygentle，andifyouputheroutoftemperthefaultiscertainlyyours。Whydoyousquabbleso？FormypartI
liketoliveinpeace。LookatMademoiselleBathildeandtakepatternbyher。"
Pierrettefeltabletobeareverything。Brigautwouldcomeatmidnightandbringherananswer，andthathopewastheviaticumofherday。
Butshewasusingupherlaststrength。Shedidnotgotobed，andstoodwaitingforthehourtostrike。Atlastmidnightsounded;softlysheopenedthewindow;thistimesheusedastringmadebytyingbitsoftwinetogether。SheheardBrigaut’sstep，andondrawingupthecordshefoundthefollowingletter，whichfilledherwithjoy：——
MydearPierrette，——Asyouaresoillyoumustnottireyourselfbywaitingforme。YouwillhearmeifIcrylikeanowl。Happilymyfathertaughtmetoimitatetheirnote。SowhenyouhearthecrythreetimesyouwillknowIamthere，andthenyoumustletdownthecord。ButIshallnotcomeagainforsomedays。Ihopethentobringyougoodnews。
Oh！Pierrette，don’ttalkofdying！Pierrette，don’tthinksuchthings！Allmyheartshook，IfeltasthoughIweredeadmyselfatthemereidea。No，myPierrette，youmustnotdie;youwilllivehappy，andsoonyoushallbedeliveredfromyourpersecutors。IfI
donotsucceedinwhatIamundertakingforyourrescue，Ishallappealtothelaw，andIshallspeakoutbeforeheavenandearthandtellhowyourwickedrelationsaretreatingyou。Iamcertainthatyouhavenotmanymoredaystosuffer;havepatience，myPierrette！JacquesiswatchingoveryouasintheolddayswhenweslidonthepondandIpulledyououtoftheholeinwhichwewerenearlydrownedtogether。
Adieu，mydearPierrette;inafewdays，ifGodwills，weshallbehappy。Alas，Idarenottellyoutheonlythingthatmayhinderourmeeting。ButGodlovesus！InafewdaysIshallseemydearPierretteatliberty，withouttroubles，withoutanyonetohindermylookingatyou——for，ah！Pierrette，Ihungertoseeyou——
Pierrette，Pierrette，whodeignstolovemeandtotellmeso。
Yes，Pierrette，IwillbeyourloverwhenIhaveearnedthefortuneyoudeserve;tillthenIwillbetoyouonlyadevotedservantwhoselifeisyourstodowhatyoupleasewithit。Adieu。
JacquesBrigaut。
Hereisaletterofwhichthemajor’ssonsaidnothingtoPierrette。
HewroteittoMadameLorrainatNantes：——
MadameLorrain，——Yourgranddaughterwilldie，worn—outwithill—
treatment，ifyoudonotcometofetchher。Icouldscarcelyrecognizeher;andtoshowyouthestateofthingsIenclosealetterIhavereceivedfromPierrette。Youarethoughtheretohavetakenthemoneyofyourgranddaughter，andyououghttojustifyyourself。Ifyoucan，comeatonce。Wemaystillbehappy;
butifdelayPierrettewillbedead。
Iam，withrespect，yourdevotedservant，JacquesBrigaut。
AtMonsieurFrappier’s，Cabinet—maker，Grand’Rue，Provins。
Brigaut’sfearwasthatthegrandmotherwasdead。
ThoughthisletteroftheyouthwhominherinnocenceshecalledherloverwasalmostenigmaticaltoPierrette，shebelievedinitwithallhervirginfaith。Herheartwasfilledwiththatsensationwhichtravellersinthedesertfeelwhentheyseefromafarthepalm—treesroundawell。Inafewdayshermiserywouldend——Jacquessaidso。Shereliedonthispromiseofherchildhood’sfriend;andyet，asshelaidtheletterbesidetheother，adreadfulthoughtcametoherinforebodingwords。
"PoorJacques，"shesaidtoherself，"hedoesnotknowtheholeintowhichIhavenowfallen！"
SylviehadheardPierrette，andshehadalsoheardBrigautunderherwindow。Shejumpedoutofbedandrushedtothewindowtolookthroughtheblindsintothesquareandthereshesaw，inthemoonlight，amanhurryinginthedirectionofthecolonel’shouse，infrontofwhichBrigauthappenedtostop。Theoldmaidgentlyopenedherdoor，wentupstairs，wasamazedtofindalightinPierrette’sroom，lookedthroughthekeyhole，andcouldseenothing。
"Pierrette，"shesaid，"areyouill？"
"No，cousin，"saidPierrette，surprised。
"Whyisyourcandleburningatthistimeofnight？Openthedoor;I
mustknowwhatthismeans。"
Pierrettewenttothedoorbare—footed，andassoonasSylvieenteredtheroomshesawthecord，whichPierrettehadforgottentoputaway，notdreamingofasurprise。Sylviejumpeduponit。
"Whatisthatfor？"sheasked。
"Nothing，cousin。"
"Nothing！"shecried。"Alwayslying;you’llnevergettoheaventhatway。Gotobed;you’lltakecold。"
Sheaskednomorequestionsandwentaway，leavingPierretteterrifiedbyherunusualclemency。Insteadofexplodingwithrage，SylviehadsuddenlydeterminedtosurprisePierretteandthecoloneltogether，toseizetheirlettersandconfoundthetwoloverswhoweredeceivingher。Pierrette，inspiredbyasenseofdanger，sewedthelettersintohercorsetandcoveredthemwithcalico。
HereendthelovesofPierretteandBrigaut。
PierretterejoicedinthethoughtthatJacqueshaddeterminedtoholdnocommunicationwithherforsomedays，becausehercousin’ssuspicionswouldbequietedbyfindingnothingtofeedthem。Sylviedidinfactspendthenextthreenightsonherlegs，andeacheveninginwatchingtheinnocentcolonel，withoutdiscoveringeitherinhimorinPierrette，orinthehouseoroutofit，anythingthatbetrayedtheirunderstanding。ShesentPierrettetoconfession，andseizedthatmomenttosearchthechild’sroom，withthemethodandpenetrationofaspyoracustom—houseofficer。Shefoundnothing。Herfuryreachedtheapogeeofhumansentiments。IfPierrettehadbeenthereshewouldcertainlyhavestruckherremorselessly。Toawomanofhertemper，jealousywaslessasentimentthananoccupation;sheexistedinit，itmadeherheartbeat，shefeltemotionshithertocompletelyunknowntoher;theslightestsoundormovementkeptheronthequivive;shewatchedPierrettewithgloomyintentness。
"Thatmiserablelittlewretchwillkillme，"shesaid。
Sylvie’sseveritytohercousinreachedthepointofrefinedcruelty，andmadethedeplorableconditionofthepoorgirlworsedaily。Shehadfeverregularly，andthepainsinherheadbecameintolerable。Bytheendoftheweekeventhevisitorsatthehousenoticedhersufferingface，whichwouldhavetouchedtopityallselfishnesslesscruelthantheirs。IthappenedthatDoctorNeraud，possiblybyVinet’sadvice，didnotcometothehouseduringthatweek。Thecolonel，knowinghimselfsuspectedbySylvie，wasafraidtoriskhismarriagebyshowinganysolicitudeforPierrette。Bathildeexplainedthevisiblechangeinthegirlbyhernaturalgrowth。Butatlast，oneSundayevening，whenPierrettewasinthesalon，hersufferingsovercameherandshefaintedaway。Thecolonel，whofirstsawhergoing，caughtherinhisarmsandcarriedhertoasofa。
"Shediditonpurpose，"saidSylvie，lookingatMademoiselleHabertandtherestwhowereplayingbostonwithher。
"Iassureyouthatyourcousinisveryill，"saidthecolonel。
"Sheseemedwellenoughinyourarms，"Sylviesaidtohiminalowvoice，withasavagesmile。
"Thecolonelisright，"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf。"Yououghttosendforadoctor。Thismorningatchurcheveryonewasspeaking，astheycameout，ofMademoiselleLorrain’sappearance。"
"Iamdying，"saidPierrette。
DesfondrillescalledtoSylvieandtoldhertounfastenhercousin’sgown。Sylviewentuptothegirl，saying，"Itisonlyatantrum。"
Sheunfastenedthegownandwasabouttotouchthecorset，whenPierrette，rousedbythedanger，satupwithsuperhumanstrength，exclaiming，"No，no，Iwillgotobed。"
Sylviehad，however，touchedthecorsetandfeltthepapers。SheletPierrettego，sayingtothecompany：
"Whatdoyouthinknowofherillness？Itellyouitisallapretence。Youhavenoideaoftheperversityofthatchild。"
Afterthecard—playingwasovershekeptVinetfromfollowingtheotherguests;shewasfuriousandwantedvengeance，andwasgrosslyrudetothecolonelwhenhebadehergood—night。Gouraudthrewalookatthelawyerwhichthreatenedhimtothedepthsofhisbeingandseemedtoputaballinhisentrails。SylvietoldVinettoremain。
Whentheywerealone，shesaid，——
"Neverinmylife，neverinmyborndays，willImarrythecolonel。"
"NowthatyouhavecometothatdecisionImayspeak，"saidthelawyer。"Thecolonelismyfriend，butIammoreyoursthanhis。
RogronhasdonemeserviceswhichIcanneverforget。IamasstrongafriendasIamanenemy。OnceintheChamberIshallrisetopower，andIwillmakeyourbrotherareceiver—general。Nowsweartome，beforeIsaymore，thatyouwillneverrepeatwhatItellyou。"
（Sylviemadeanaffirmativesign。）"Inthefirstplace，thebravecolonelisagambler——"
"Ah！"exclaimedSylvie。
"Ifithadnotbeenfortheembarrassmentsthisvicehasbroughtuponhim，hemighthavebeenamarshalofFrance，"continuedVinet。"Heiscapableofrunningthroughyourproperty;butheisveryastute;youcannotbesureofnothavingchildren，andyoutoldmeyourselftherisksyoufeared。No，ifyouwanttomarry，waittillIamintheChamberandthentakethatoldDesfondrilles，whoshallbemadechiefjustice。IfyouwantrevengeonthecolonelmakeyourbrothermarryMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，——Icangetherconsent;shehastwothousandfrancsayear，andyouwillbeconnectedwiththedeChargeboeufsasIam。RecollectwhatItellyou，theChargeboeufswillbegladtoclaimusforcousinssomeday。"
"GouraudlovesPierrette，"wasSylvie’sonlyanswer。
"Heisquitecapableofit，"saidVinet，"andcapableofmarryingherafteryourdeath。"
"Afinecalculation！"shesaid。
"Itellyouthatmanhastheshrewdnessofthedevil。Marryyourbrotherandannouncethatyoumeantoremainunmarriedandwillleaveyourpropertytoyournephewsandnieces。ThatwillstrikeablowatGouraudandPierretteboth！andyou’llseethefacesthey’llmake。"
"Ah！that’strue，"criedtheoldmaid，"Icanservethembothright。