第1章

ToMonsieurdeMargone。

Ingratefulremembrance，fromhisguestattheChateaudeSache。

DeBalzac。

ANHISTORICALMYSTERY

PARTI

CHAPTERI

JUDAS

Theautumnoftheyear1803wasoneofthefinestintheearlypartofthatperiodofthepresentcenturywhichwenowcall\"Empire。\"RainhadrefreshedtheearthduringthemonthofOctober，sothatthetreeswerestillgreenandleafyinNovember。TheFrenchpeoplewerebeginningtoputfaithinasecretunderstandingbetweentheskiesandBonaparte，thendeclaredConsulforlife，——abeliefinwhichthatmanowespartofhisprestige；strangetosay，onthedaythesunfailedhim，in1812，hisluckceased！

AboutfourintheafternoononthefifteenthofNovember，1803，thesunwascastingwhatlookedlikescarletdustuponthevenerabletopsoffourrowsofelmsinalongbaronialavenue，andsparklingonthesandandgrassyplacesofanimmense/rond-point/，suchasweoftenseeinthecountrywherelandischeapenoughtobesacrificedtoornament。Theairwassopure，theatmospheresotemperedthatafamilywassittingoutofdoorsasifitweresummer。Amandressedinahunting-jacketofgreendrillingwithgreenbuttons，andbreechesofthesamestuff，andwearingshoeswiththinsolesandgaiterstotheknee，wascleaningagunwiththeminutecareaskilfulhuntsmangivestotheworkinhisleisurehours。Thismanhadneithergamenorgame-

bag，noranyoftheaccoutrementswhichdenoteeitherdepartureforahuntorthereturnfromit；andtwowomensittingnearwerelookingathimasthoughbesetbyaterrortheycouldill-conceal。Anyoneobservingthescenetakingplaceinthisleafynookwouldhaveshuddered，astheoldmother-in-lawandthewifeofthemanwespeakofwerenowshuddering。Ahuntsmandoesnottakesuchminuteprecautionswithhisweapontokillsmallgame，neitherdoesheuse，inthedepartmentoftheAube，aheavyrifledcarbine。

\"Shallyoukillaroe-buck，Michu？\"saidhishandsomeyoungwife，tryingtoassumealaughingair。

Beforereplying，Michulookedathisdog，whichhadbeenlyinginthesun，itspawsstretchedoutanditsnoseonitspaws，inthecharmingattitudeofatrainedhunter。Theanimalhadjustraiseditsheadandwassnuffingtheair，firstdowntheavenuenearlyamilelongwhichstretchedbeforethem，andthenupthecrossroadwhereitenteredthe/rond-point/totheleft。

\"No，\"answeredMichu，\"butabruteIdonotwishtomiss，alynx。\"

Thedog，amagnificentspaniel，whitewithbrownspots，growled。

\"Hah！\"saidMichu，talkingtohimself，\"spies！thecountryswarmswiththem。\"

MadameMichulookedappealinglytoheaven。Abeautifulfairwomanwithblueeyes，composedandthoughtfulinexpressionandmadelikeanantiquestatue，sheseemedtobeapreytosomedarkandbittergrief。

Thehusband’sappearancemayexplaintoacertainextenttheevidentfearofthetwowomen。Thelawsofphysiognomyareprecise，notonlyintheirapplicationtocharacter，butalsoinrelationtothedestiniesoflife。Thereissuchathingaspropheticphysiognomy。Ifitwerepossible(andsuchavitalstatisticwouldbeofvaluetosociety)toobtainexactlikenessesofthosewhoperishonthescaffold，thescienceofLavatarandalsothatofGallwouldproveunmistakablythattheheadsofallsuchpersons，eventhosewhoareinnocent，showpropheticsigns。Yes，fatesetsitsmarkonthefacesofthosewhoaredoomedtodieaviolentdeathofanykind。Now，thissign，thisseal，visibletotheeyeofanobserver，wasimprintedontheexpressivefaceofthemanwiththerifledcarbine。Shortandstout，abruptandactiveinhismotionsasamonkey，thoughcalmintemperament，Michuhadawhitefaceinjectedwithblood，andfeaturessetclosetogetherlikethoseofaTartar，——alikenesstowhichhiscrinkledredhairconveyedasinisterexpression。Hiseyes，clearandyellowasthoseofatiger，showeddepthsbehindtheminwhichtheglanceofwhoeverexaminedthemanmightloseitselfandneverfindeitherwarmthormotion。Fixed，luminous，andrigid，thoseeyesterrifiedwhoevergazedintothem。ThesingularcontrastbetweentheimmobilityoftheeyesandtheactivityofthebodyincreasedthechillingimpressionconveyedbyafirstsightofMichu。Action，alwayspromptinthisman，wastheoutcomeofasinglethought；justasthelifeofanimalsis，withoutreflection，theoutcomeofinstinct。Since1793hehadtrimmedhisredbeardtotheshapeofafan。Evenifhehadnotbeen(ashewasduringtheTerror)presidentofaclubofJacobins，thispeculiarityofhisheadwouldinitselfhavemadehimterribletobehold。HisSocraticfacewithitsbluntnosewassurmountedbyafineforehead，soprojecting，however，thatitoverhungtherestofthefeatures。Theears，welldetachedfromthehead，hadthesortofmobilitywhichwefindinthoseofwildanimals，whichareeveronthequi-vive。Themouth，half-open，asthecustomusuallyisamongcountry-people，showedteeththatwerestrongandwhiteasalmonds，butirregular。Gleamingredwhiskersframedthisface，whichwaswhiteandyetmottledinspots。Thehair，croppedcloseinfrontandallowedtogrowlongatthesidesandonthebackofthehead，broughtintorelief，byitssavageredness，allthestrangeandfatefulpeculiaritiesofthissingularface。Theneckwhichwasshortandthick，seemedtotempttheaxe。

Atthismomentthesunbeams，fallinginlonglinesathwartthegroup，lightedupthethreeheadsatwhichthedogfromtimetotimeglancedup。Thespotonwhichthisscenetookplacewasmagnificentlyfine。

The/rond-point/isattheentranceoftheparkofGondreville，oneofthefinestestatesinFrance，andbyfarthefinestinthedepartmentsoftheAube；itboastsoflongavenuesofelms，acastlebuiltfromdesignsbyMansart，aparkoffifteenhundredacresenclosedbyastonewall，ninelargefarms，aforest，mills，andmeadows。ThisalmostregalpropertybelongedbeforetheRevolutiontothefamilyofSimeuse。XimeusewasafeudalestateinLorraine；thenamewaspronouncedSimeuse，andincourseoftimeitcametobewrittenaspronounced。

ThegreatfortuneoftheSimeusefamily，adherentsoftheHouseofBurgundy，datesfromthetimewhentheGuiseswereinconflictwiththeValois。Richelieufirst，andafterwardsLouisXIV。rememberedtheirdevotiontothefactioushouseofLorraine，andrebuffedthem。

ThentheMarquisdeSimeuse，anoldBurgundian，oldGuiser，oldleaguer，old/frondeur/(heinheritedthefourgreatrancorsofthenobilityagainstroyalty)，cametoliveatCinq-Cygne。Theformercourtier，rejectedattheLouvre，marriedthewidowoftheComtedeCinq-Cygne，youngerbranchofthefamousfamilyofChargeboeuf，oneofthemostillustriousnamesinChampagne，andnowascelebratedandopulentastheelder。Themarquis，amongtherichestmenofhisday，insteadofwastinghissubstanceatcourt，builtthechateauofGondreville，enlargedtheestatebythepurchaseofothers，andunitedtheseveraldomains，solelyforthepurposesofahunting-ground。HealsobuilttheSimeusemansionatTroyes，notfarfromthatoftheCinq-Cygnes。Thesetwooldhousesandthebishop’spalacewerelongtheonlystonemansionsatTroyes。ThemarquissoldSimeusetotheDucdeLorraine。Hissonwastedthefather’ssavingsandsomepartofhisgreatfortuneunderthereignofLouisXV。，buthesubsequentlyenteredthenavy，becameavice-admiral，andredeemedthefolliesofhisyouthbybrilliantservices。TheMarquisdeSimeuse，sonofthisnavalworthy，perishedwithhiswifeonthescaffoldatTroyes，leavingtwinsons，whoemigratedandwere，atthetimeourhistoryopens，stillinforeignpartsfollowingthefortunesofthehouseofConde。

The/rond-point/wasthesceneofthemeetinthetimeofthe\"GrandMarquis\"——anamegiveninthefamilytotheSimeusewhobuiltGondreville。Since1789Michulivedinthehuntinglodgeattheentrancetothepark，builtinthereignofLouisXIV。，andcalledthepavilionofCinq-Cygne。ThevillageofCinq-CygneisattheendoftheforestofNodesme(acorruptionofNotre-Dame)whichwasreachedthroughthefineavenueoffourrowsofelmswhereMichu’sdogwasnowsuspectingspies。AfterthedeathoftheGrandMarquisthispavilionfellintodisuse。Thevice-admiralpreferredthecourtandtheseatoChampagne，andhissongavethedilapidatedbuildingtoMichuforadwelling。

Thisnoblestructureisofbrick，withvermiculatedstone-workattheanglesandonthecasingsofthedoorsandwindows。Oneithersideisagatewayoffinelywroughtiron，eatenwithrustandconnectedbyarailing，beyondwhichisawideanddeepha-ha，fullofvigoroustrees，itsparapetsbristlingwithironarabesques，theinnumerablesharppointsofwhichareawarningtoevil-doers。

Theparkwallsbeginoneachsideofthecircumferenceofthe/rond-

point/；ontheonehandthefinesemi-circleisdefinedbyslopesplantedwithelms；ontheother，withinthepark，acorrespondinghalf-circleisformedbygroupsofraretrees。Thepavilion，therefore，standsatthecentreofthisroundopenspace，whichextendsbeforeitandbehinditintheshapeoftwohorseshoes。Michuhadturnedtheroomsonthelowerfloorintoastable，akitchen，andawood-shed。Theonlytraceremainingoftheirancientsplendorwasanantechamberpavedwithmarbleinsquaresofblackandwhite，whichwasenteredontheparksidethroughadoorwithsmallleadedpanes，suchasmightstillbeseenatVersaillesbeforeLouis-PhilippeturnedthatChateauintoanasylumforthegloriesofFrance。Thepavilionisdividedinsidebyanoldstaircaseofworm-eatenwood，fullofcharacter，whichleadstothefirststory。Abovethatisanimmensegarret。Thisvenerableedificeiscoveredbyoneofthosevastroofswithfoursides，aridgepoledecoratedwithleadenornaments，andaroundprojectingwindowoneachside，suchasMansartveryjustlydelightedin；forinFrance，theItalianatticsandflatroofsareafollyagainstwhichourclimateprotests。Michukepthisfodderinthisgarret。ThatportionoftheparkwhichsurroundstheoldpavilionisEnglishinstyle。Ahundredfeetfromthehouseaformerlake，nowamerepondwellstockedwithfish，makesknownitsvicinityasmuchbyathinmistrisingabovethetree-topsasbythecroakingofathousandfrogs，toads，andotheramphibiousgossipswhodiscourseatsunset。Thetime-wornlookofeverything，thedeepsilenceofthewoods，thelongperspectiveoftheavenue，theforestinthedistance，therustyiron-work，themassesofstonedrapedwithvelvetmosses，allmadepoetryofthisoldstructure，whichstillexists。

AtthemomentwhenourhistorybeginsMichuwasleaningagainstamossyparapetonwhichhehadlaidhispowder-horn，cap，handkerchief，screw-driver，andrags，——infact，alltheutensilsneededforhissuspiciousoccupation。Hiswife’schairwasagainstthewallbesidetheouterdoorofthehouse，abovewhichcouldstillbeseenthearmsoftheSimeusefamily，richlycarved，withtheirnoblemotto，\"Cymeurs。\"Theoldmother，inpeasantdress，hadmovedherchairinfrontofMadameMichu，sothatthelattermightputherfeetupontherungsandkeepthemfromdampness。

\"Where’stheboy？\"saidMichutohiswife。

\"Roundthepond；heiscrazyaboutthefrogsandtheinsects，\"

answeredthemother。

Michuwhistledinawaythatmadehishearerstremble。TherapiditywithwhichhissonranuptohimprovedplainlyenoughthedespoticpowerofthebailiffofGondreville。Since1789，butmoreespeciallysince1793，Michuhadbeenwell-nighmasteroftheproperty。Theterrorheinspiredinhiswife，hismother-in-law，aservant-ladnamedGaucher，andthecooknamedMarianne，wassharedthroughoutaneighborhoodoftwentymilesincircumference。Itmaybewelltogive，withoutfurtherdelay，thereasonsforthisfear，——allthemorebecauseanaccountofthemwillcompletethemoralportraitoftheman。

TheoldMarquisdeSimeusetransferredthegreaterpartofhispropertyin1790；but，overtakenbycircumstances，hehadnotbeenabletoputtheestateofGondrevilleintosurehands。AccusedofcorrespondingwiththeDukeofBrunswickandthePrinceofCobourg，themarquisandhiswifewerethrustintoprisonandcondemnedtodeathbytherevolutionarytribunalofTroyes，ofwhichMadameMichu’sfatherwasthenpresident。ThefinedomainofGondrevillewassoldasnationalproperty。Thehead-keeper，tothehorrorofmany，waspresentattheexecutionofthemarquisandhiswifeinhiscapacityaspresidentoftheclubofJacobinsatArcis。Michu，theorphansonofapeasant，showeredwithbenefactionsbythemarquise，whobroughthimupinherownhomeandgavehimhisplaceaskeeper，wasregardedasaBrutusbyexciteddemagogues；butthepeopleoftheneighborhoodceasedtorecognizehimafterthisactofbaseingratitude。ThepurchaseroftheestatewasamanfromArcisnamedMarion，grandsonofaformerbailiffintheSimeusefamily。Thisman，alawyerbeforeandaftertheRevolution，wasafraidofthekeeper；hemadehimhisbailiffwithasalaryofthreethousandfrancs，andgavehimaninterestinthesalesoftimber；Michu，whowasthoughttohavesometenthousandfrancsofhisownlaidby，marriedthedaughterofatanneratTroyes，anapostleoftheRevolutioninthattown，wherehewaspresidentoftherevolutionarytribunal。Thistanner，amanofprofoundconvictions，whoresembledSaint-Justastocharacter，wasafterwardsmixedupinBaboeuf’sconspiracyandkilledhimselftoescapeexecution。MarthewasthehandsomestgirlinTroyes。InspiteofhershrinkingmodestyshehadbeenforcedbyherformidablefathertoplaythepartofGoddessofLibertyinsomerepublicanceremony。

ThenewproprietorcameonlythreetimestoGondrevilleinthecourseofsevenyears。HisgrandfatherhadbeenbailiffoftheestateundertheSimeusefamily，andallArcistookforgrantedthatthecitizenMarionwasthesecretrepresentativeofthepresentMarquisandhistwinbrother。AslongastheTerrorlasted，Michu，stillbailiffofGondreville，adevotedpatriot，son-in-lawofthepresidentoftherevolutionarytribunalofTroyesandflatteredbyMalin，representativefromthedepartmentoftheAube，wastheobjectofacertainsortofrespect。ButwhentheMountainwasoverthrownandafterhisfather-in-lawcommittedsuicide，hefoundhimselfascape-

goat；everybodyhastenedtoaccusehim，incommonwithhisfather-in-

law，ofactstowhich，sofarashewasconcerned，hewasatotalstranger。Thebailiffresentedtheinjusticeofthecommunity；hestiffenedhisbackandtookanattitudeofhostility。Hetalkedboldly。Butafterthe18thBrumairehemaintainedanunbrokensilence，thephilosophyofthestrong；hestrugglednolongeragainstpublicopinion，andcontentedhimselfwithattendingtohisownaffairs，——

wiseconduct，whichledhisneighborstopronouncehimsly，forheowned，itwassaid，afortuneofnotlessthanahundredthousandfrancsinlandedproperty。Inthefirstplace，hespentnothing；next，thispropertywaslegitimatelyacquired，partlyfromtheinheritanceofhisfather-in-law’sestate，andpartlyfromthesavingsofsix-

thousandfrancsayear，thesalaryhederivedfromhisplacewithitsprofitsandemoluments。HehadbeenbailiffofGondrevilleforthelasttwelveyearsandeveryonehadestimatedtheprobableamountofhissavings，sothatwhen，aftertheConsulatewasproclaimed，heboughtafarmforfiftythousandfrancs，thesuspicionsattachingtohisformeropinionslessened，andthecommunityofArcisgavehimcreditforintendingtorecoverhimselfinpublicestimation。

Unfortunately，attheverymomentwhenpublicopinionwascondoninghispastafoolishaffair，envenomedbythegossipofthecountry-

side，revivedthelatentandverygeneralbeliefintheferocityofhischaracter。

Oneevening，comingawayfromTroyesincompanywithseveralpeasants，amongwhomwasthefarmeratCinq-Cygne，heletfallapaperonthemainroad；thefarmer，whowaswalkingbehindhim，stoopedandpickeditup。Michuturnedround，sawthepaperintheman’shands，pulledapistolfromhisbeltandthreatenedthefarmer(whoknewhowtoread)

toblowhisbrainsoutifheopenedthepaper。Michu’sactionwassosuddenandviolent，thetoneofhisvoicesoalarming，hiseyesblazedsosavagely，thatthemenabouthimturnedcoldwithfear。ThefarmerofCinq-Cygnewasalreadyhisenemy。MademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，theman’semployer，wasacousinoftheSimeusebrothers；shehadonlyonefarmleftforhermaintenanceandwasnowresidingatherchateauofCinq-Cygne。Shelivedforhercousinsthetwins，withwhomshehadplayedinchildhoodatTroyesandatGondreville。Heronlybrother，JulesdeCinq-Cygne，whoemigratedbeforethetwins，diedatMayence，butbyaprivilegewhichwassomewhatrareandwillbementionedlater，thenameofCinq-Cygnewasnottoperishthroughlackofmaleheirs。

ThisaffairbetweenMichuandthefarmermadeagreatnoiseinthearrondissementanddarkenedthealreadymysteriousshadowswhichseemedtoveilhim。Norwasittheonlycircumstancewhichmadehimfeared。AfewmonthsafterthisscenethecitizenMarion，presentowneroftheGondrevilleestate，cametoinspectitwiththecitizenMalin。RumorsaidthatMarionwasabouttosellthepropertytohiscompanion，whohadprofitedbypoliticaleventsandhadjustbeenappointedontheCouncilofStatebytheFirstConsul，inreturnforhisservicesonthe18thBrumaire。TheshrewdheadsofthelittletownofArcisnowperceivedthatMarionhadbeentheagentofMalininthepurchaseoftheproperty，andnotofthebrothersSimeuse，aswasfirstsupposed。Theall-powerfulCouncillorofStatewasthemostimportantpersonageinArcis。HehadobtainedforoneofhispoliticalfriendstheprefectureofTroyes，andforafarmeratGondrevilletheexemptionofhissonfromthedraft；infact，hehaddoneservicestomany。Consequently，thesalemetwithnooppositionintheneighborhoodwhereMalinthenreigned，andwherehestillreignssupreme。

TheEmpirewasjustdawning。ThosewhointhesedaysreadthehistoriesoftheFrenchRevolutioncanformnoconceptionofthevastspaceswhichpublicthoughttraversedbetweeneventswhichnowseemtohavebeensoneartogether。ThestrongneedofpeaceandtranquillitywhicheveryonefeltaftertheviolenttumultsoftheRevolutionbroughtaboutacompleteforgetfulnessofimportantanteriorfacts。

Historymaturedrapidlyundertheadvanceofnewandeagerinterests。

Noone，therefore，exceptMichu，lookedintothepastofthisaffair，whichthecommunityacceptedasasimplematter。Marion，whohadboughtGondrevilleforsixhundredthousandfrancsinassignats，solditforthevalueofacoupleofmillionincoin；buttheonlypaymentsactuallymadebyMalinwereforthecostsofregistration。Grevin，aseminarycomradeofMalin，assistedthetransaction，andtheCouncillorrewardedhishelpwiththeofficeofnotaryatArcis。Whenthenewsofthesalereachedthepavilion，broughttherebyafarmerwhosefarm，atGrouage，wassituatedbetweentheforestandtheparkontheleftofthenobleavenue，Michuturnedpaleandleftthehouse。

HelayinwaitforMarion，andfinallymethimaloneinoneoftheshrubberiesofthepark。

\"IsmonsieurabouttosellGondreville？\"askedthebailiff。

\"Yes，Michu，yes。Youwillhaveamanofpowerfulinfluenceforyourmaster。HeisthefriendoftheFirstConsul，andveryintimatewithalltheministers；hewillprotectyou。\"

\"Thenyouwereholdingtheestateforhim？\"

\"Idon’tsaythat，\"repliedMarion。\"AtthetimeIboughtitIwaslookingforaplacetoputmymoney，andIinvestedinnationalpropertyasthebestsecurity。Butitdoesn’tsuitmetokeepanestateoncebelongingtoafamilyinwhichmyfatherwas——\"

\"——aservant，\"saidMichu，violently。\"Butyoushallnotsellit！I

wantit；andIcanpayforit。\"

\"You？\"

\"Yes，I；seriously，ingoodgold，——eighthundredthousandfrancs。\"

\"Eighthundredthousandfrancs！\"exclaimedMarion。\"Wheredidyougetthem？\"

\"That’snoneofyourbusiness，\"repliedMichu；then，softeninghistone，headdedinalowvoice:\"Myfather-in-lawsavedthelivesofmanypersons。\"

\"Youaretoolate，Michu；thesaleismade。\"

\"Youmustputitoff，monsieur！\"criedthebailiff，seizinghismasterbythehandwhichheheldasinavice。\"Iamhated，butIchoosetoberichandpowerful，andImusthaveGondreville。Listentome；I

don’tclingtolife；sellmethatplaceorI’llblowyourbrainsout！——\"

\"ButdogivemetimetogetoffmybargainwithMalin；he’stroublesometodealwith。\"

\"I’llgiveyoutwenty-fourhours。IfyousayawordaboutthismatterI’llchopyourheadoffasIwouldchopaturnip。\"

MarionandMalinleftthechateauinthecourseofthenight。Marionwasfrightened；hetoldMalinofthemeetingandbeggedhimtokeepaneyeonthebailiff。ItwasimpossibleforMariontoavoiddeliveringthepropertytothemanwhohadbeentherealpurchaser，andMichudidnotseemlikelytoadmitanysuchreason。Moreover，thisservicedonebyMariontoMalinwastobe，andinfactendedbybeing，theoriginoftheformer’spoliticalfortune，andalsothatofhisbrother。In1806Malinhadhimappointedchiefjusticeofanimperialcourt，andafterthecreationoftax-collectorshisbrotherobtainedthepostofreceiver-generalforthedepartmentoftheAube。TheStateCouncillortoldMariontostayinParis，andhewarnedtheministerofpolice，whogaveordersthatMichushouldbesecretlywatched。Notwishingtopushthemantoextremes，Malinkepthimonasbailiff，undertheironruleofGrevinthenotaryofArcis。

FromthatmomentMichubecamemoreabsorbedandtaciturnthanever，andobtainedthereputationofamanwhowascapableofcommittingacrime。Malin，theCouncillorofState(afunctionwhichtheFirstConsulraisedtothelevelofaministry)，andamakeroftheCode，playedagreatpartinParis，whereheboughtoneofthefinestmansionsintheFaubuorgSaint-GermainaftermarryingtheonlydaughterofarichcontractornamedSibuelle。HenevercametoGondreville；leavingallmattersconcerningthepropertytothemanagementofGrevin，theArcisnotary。Afterall，whathadhetofear？——he，aformerrepresentativeoftheAube，andpresidentofaclubofJacobins。Andyet，theunfavorableopinionofMichuheldbythelowerclasseswassharedbythebourgeoisie，andMarion，Grevin，andMalin，withoutgivinganyreasonorcompromisingthemselvesonthesubject，showedthattheyregardedhimasanextremelydangerousman。

Theauthorities，whowereunderinstructionsfromtheministerofpolicetowatchthebailiff，didnotofcourselessenthisbelief。Theneighborhoodwonderedthathekepthisplace，butsupposeditwasinconsequenceoftheterrorheinspired。Itiseasynow，aftertheseexplanations，tounderstandtheanxietyandsadnessexpressedinthefaceofMichu’swife。

Inthefirstplace，Marthehadbeenpiouslybroughtupbyhermother。

Both，beinggoodCatholics，hadsufferedmuchfromtheopinionsandbehaviorofthetanner。MarthecouldneverthinkwithoutablushofhavingmarchedthroughthestreetofTroyesinthegarbofagoddess。

HerfatherhadforcedhertomarryMichu，whosebadreputationwasthenincreasing，andshefearedhimtoomuchtobeabletojudgehim。

Nevertheless，sheknewthathelovedher，andatthebottomofherheartlaythetruestaffectionforthisawe-inspiringman；shehadneverknownhimtodoanythingthatwasnotjust；neverdidhesayabrutalword，toheratleast；infact，heendeavoredtoforestallhereverywish。Thepoorpariah，believinghimselfdisagreeabletohiswife，spentmostofhistimeoutofdoors。MartheandMichu，distrustfulofeachother，livedinwhatiscalledinthesedaysan\"armedpeace。\"Marthe，whosawnoone，sufferedkeenlyfromtheostracismwhichforthelastsevenyearshadsurroundedherasthedaughterofarevolutionarybutcher，andthewifeofaso-calledtraitor。Morethanonceshehadoverheardthelaborersoftheadjoiningfarm(heldbyamannamedBeauvisage，greatlyattachedtotheSimeusefamily)sayastheypassedthepavilion，\"That’swhereJudaslives！\"Thesingularresemblancebetweenthebailiff’sheadandthatofthethirteenthapostle，whichhisconductappearedtocarryout，wonhimthatodiousnicknamethroughouttheneighborhood。Itwasthisdistressofmind，addedtovaguebutconstantfearsforthefuture，whichgaveMartheherthoughtfulandsubduedair。Nothingsaddenssodeeplyasunmeriteddegradationfromwhichthereseemsnoescape。ApaintercouldhavemadeafinepictureofthisfamilyofpariahsinthebosomoftheirprettynookinChampagne，wherethelandscapeisgenerallysad。

\"Francois！\"calledthebailiff，tohastenhisson。

FrancoisMichu，achildoften，playedintheparkandforest，andleviedhislittletitheslikeamaster；heatethefruits；hechasedthegame；heatleasthadneithercaresnortroubles。Ofallthefamily，Francoisalonewashappyinahomethusisolatedfromtheneighborhoodbyitspositionbetweentheparkandtheforest，andbythestillgreatermoralsolitudeofuniversalrepulsion。

\"Pickupthesethings，\"saidhisfather，pointingtotheparapet，\"andputthemaway。Lookatme！Youloveyourfatherandyourmother，don’tyou？\"Thechildflunghimselfonhisfatherasiftokisshim，butMichumadeamovementtoshiftthegunandpushedhimback。\"Verygood。Youhavesometimeschatteredaboutthingsthataredonehere，\"

continuedthefather，fixinghiseyes，dangerousasthoseofawild-

cat，ontheboy。\"Nowrememberthis；ifyoutelltheleastlittlethingthathappensheretoGaucher，ortotheGrouageandBellachepeople，oreventoMariannewholovesus，youwillkillyourfather。

Nevertattleagain，andIwillforgivewhatyousaidyesterday。\"Thechildbegantocry。\"Don’tcry；butwhenanyonequestionsyou，say，asthepeasantsdo，’Idon’tknow。’TherearepersonsroamingaboutwhomIdistrust。Runalong！Asforyoutwo，\"headded，turningtothewomen，\"youhaveheardwhatIsaid。Keepaclosemouth，bothofyou。\"

\"Husband，whatareyougoingtodo？\"

Michu，whowascarefullymeasuringachargeofpowder，poureditintothebarrelofhisgun，restedtheweaponagainsttheparapetandsaidtoMarthe:——

\"NooneknowsIownthatgun。Standinfrontofit。\"

Couraut，whohadsprungtohisfeet，wasbarkingfuriously。

\"Good，intelligentfellow！\"criedMichu。\"Iamcertaintherearespiesabout——\"

Manandbeastfeelaspy。CourautandMichu，whoseemedtohaveoneandthesamesoul，livedtogetherastheArabandhishorseinthedesert。Thebailiffknewthemodulationsofthedog’svoice，justasthedogreadhismaster’smeaninginhiseyes，orfeltitexhalingintheairfromhisbody。

\"Whatdoyousaytothat？\"saidMichu，inalowvoice，callinghiswife’sattentiontotwostrangerswhoappearedinaby-pathmakingforthe/rond-point/。

\"Whatcanitmean？\"criedtheoldmother。\"TheyareParisians。\"

\"Heretheycome！\"saidMichu。\"Hidemygun，\"hewhisperedtohiswife。

Thetwomenwhonowcrossedthewideopenspaceofthe/rond-point/

weretypicalenoughforapainter。One，whoappearedtobethesubaltern，woretop-boots，turneddownratherlow，showingwell-madecalves，andcoloredsilkstockingsofdoubtfulcleanliness。Thebreeches，ofribbedcloth，apricotcolorwithmetalbuttons，weretoolarge；theywerebaggyaboutthebody，andthelinesoftheircreasesseemedtoindicateasedentaryman。Amarseilleswaistcoat，overloadedwithembroidery，open，andheldtogetherbyonebuttononlyjustabovethestomach，gavetotheweareradissipatedlook，——allthemoreso，becausehisjetblackhair，incorkscrewcurls，hidhisforeheadandhungdownhischeeks。Twosteelwatch-chainswerefestooneduponhisbreeches。Theshirtwasadornedwithacameoinwhiteandblue。Thecoat，cinnamon-colored，wasatreasuretocaricaturistsbyreasonofitslongtails，which，whenseenfrombehind，boresoperfectaresemblancetoacodthatthenameofthatfishwasgiventothem。Thefashionofcodfishtailslastedtenyears；almostthewholeperiodoftheempireofNapoleon。Thecravat，looselyfastened，andwithnumeroussmallfolds，allowedthewearertoburyhisfaceinituptothenostrils。Hispimpledskin，hislong，thick，brick-dustcolorednose，hishighcheek-bones，hismouth，lackinghalfitsteethbutgreedyforallthatandmenacing，hisearsadornedwithhugegoldrings，hislowforehead，——allthesepersonaldetails，whichmighthaveseemedgrotesqueinmanymen，wererenderedterribleinhimbytwosmalleyessetinhisheadlikethoseofapig，expressiveofinsatiablecovetousness，andofinsolent，half-jovialcruelty。Theseferretingandperspicaciousblueeyes，glassyandglacial，mightbetakenforthemodelofthatfamousEye，theformidableemblemofthepolice，inventedduringtheRevolution。Blacksilkgloveswereonhishandsandhecarriedaswitch。Hewascertainlysomeofficialpersonage，forheshowedinhisbearing，inhiswayoftakingsnuffandrammingitintohisnose，thebureaucraticimportanceofanofficesubordinate，onewhosignsforhissuperiorsandacquiresapassingsovereigntybyenforcingtheirorders。

Theotherman，whosedresswasinthesamestyle，butelegantandelegantlyputonandcarefulinitssmallestdetail，woreboots/ala/

Suwaroffwhichcamehighuponthelegaboveapairoftighttrousers，andcreakedashewalked。Abovehiscoatheworeaspencer，anaristocraticgarmentadoptedbytheClichiensandtheyoungbloodsofParis，whichsurvivedboththeClichiensandthefashionableyouths。

Inthosedaysfashionssometimeslastedlongerthanparties，——asymptomofanarchywhichtheyearofourLord1830hasagainpresentedtous。Thisaccomplisheddandyseemedtobethirtyyearsofage。Hismannerswerethoseofgoodsociety；heworejewelsofvalue；thecollarofhisshirtcametothetopsofhisears。Hisconceitedandevenimpertinentairbetrayedaconsciousnessofhiddensuperiority。

Hispallidfaceseemedbloodless，histhinflatnosehadthesardonicexpressionwhichweseeinadeath’shead，andhisgreeneyeswereinscrutable；theirglancewasdiscreetinmeaningjustasthethinclosedmouthwasdiscreetinwords。Thefirstmanseemedonthewholeagoodfellowcomparedwiththisyoungerman，whowasslashingtheairwithacane，thetopofwhich，madeofgold，glitteredinthesunshine。Thefirstmanmighthavecutoffaheadwithhisownhand，butthesecondwascapableofentanglinginnocence，virtue，andbeautyinthenetsofcalumnyandintrigue，andthenpoisoningthemordrowningthem。Therubicundstrangerwouldhavecomfortedhisvictimwithajest；theotherwasincapableofasmile。Thefirstwasforty-

fiveyearsold，andheloved，undoubtedly，bothwomenandgoodcheer。

Suchmenhavepassionswhichkeepthemslavestotheircalling。Buttheyoungmanwasplainlywithoutpassionsandwithoutvices。Ifhewasaspyhebelongedtodiplomacy，anddidsuchworkfromapureloveofart。Heconceived，theotherexecuted；hewastheidea，theotherwastheform。

\"ThismustbeGondreville，isitnot，mygoodwoman？\"saidtheyoungman。

\"Wedon’tsay’mygoodwoman’here，\"saidMichu。\"Wearestillsimpleenoughtosay’citizen’and’citizeness’intheseparts。\"

\"Ah！\"exclaimedtheyoungman，inanaturalway，andwithoutseemingatallannoyed。

Playersofecarteoftenhaveasenseofinwarddisasterwhensomeunknownpersonsitsdownatthesametablewiththem，whosemanners，look，voice，andmethodofshufflingthecards，all，totheirfancy，foretelldefeat。TheinstantMichulookedattheyoungmanhefeltaninwardandpropheticcollapse。Hewasstruckbyafatalpresentiment；

hehadasuddenconfusedforebodingofthescaffold。Avoicetoldhimthatthatdandywoulddestroyhim，althoughtherewasnothingwhateverincommonbetweenthem。Forthisreasonhisanswerwasrude；hewasandhewishedtobeforbidding。

\"Don’tyoubelongtotheCouncillorofState，Malin？\"saidtheyoungerman。

\"Iammyownmaster，\"answeredMalin。

\"Mesdames，\"saidtheyoungman，assumingamostpoliteair，\"arewenotatGondreville？WeareexpectedtherebyMonsieurMalin。\"

\"There’sthepark，\"saidMichu，pointingtotheopengate。

\"Whyareyouhidingthatgun，myfinegirl？\"saidtheelder，catchingsightofthecarbineashepassedthroughthegate。

\"Youneverletachanceescapeyou，eveninthecountry！\"criedhiscompanion。

Theybothturnedbackwithasenseofdistrustwhichthebailiffunderstoodatonceinspiteoftheirimpassiblefaces。Martheletthemlookatthegun，tothetuneofCouraut’sbark；shewassoconvincedthatherhusbandwasmeditatingsomeevildeedthatshewasthankfulforthecuriosityofthestrangers。

Michuflungalookathiswifewhichmadehertremble；hetookthegunandbegantoloadit，acceptingquietlythefatalill-luckofthisencounterandthediscoveryoftheweapon。Heseemednolongertocareforlife，andhiswifefathomedhisinwardfeeling。

\"Soyouhavewolvesintheseparts？\"saidtheyoungman，watchinghim。

\"Therearealwayswolveswheretherearesheep。YouareinChampagne，andthere’saforest；wehavewild-boars，largeandsmallgameboth，alittleofeverything，\"repliedMichu，inatruculentmanner。

\"I’llbet，Corentin，\"saidtheelderofthetwomen，afterexchangingaglancewithhiscompanion，\"thatthisismyfriendMichu——\"

\"WeneverkeptpigstogetherthatIknowof，\"saidthebailiff。

\"No，butwebothpresidedoverJacobins，citizen，\"repliedtheoldcynic，——\"youatArcis，Ielsewhere。Iseeyou’vekeptyourCarmagnolecivility，butit’snolongerinfashion，mygoodfellow。\"

\"Theparkstrikesmeasratherlarge；wemightloseourway。Ifyouarereallythebailiffshowusthepathtothechateau，\"saidCorentin，inaperemptorytone。

Michuwhistledtohissonandcontinuedtoloadhisgun。CorentinlookedatMarthewithindifference，whilehiscompanionseemedcharmedbyher；buttheyoungmannoticedthesignsofherinwarddistress，whichescapedtheoldlibertine，whohad，however，noticedandfearedthegun。Thenaturesofthetwomenweredisclosedinthistriflingyetimportantcircumstance。

\"I’veanappointmenttheothersideoftheforest，\"saidthebailiff。

\"Ican’tgowithyou，butmysonherewilltakeyoutothechateau。

HowdidyougettoGondreville？didyoucomebyCinq-Cygne？\"

\"Wehad，likeyourself，businessintheforest，\"saidCorentin，withoutapparentsarcasm。

\"Francois，\"criedMichu，\"takethesegentlementothechateaubythewoodpath，sothatnooneseesthem；theydon’tfollowthebeatentracks。Comehere，\"headded，asthestrangersturnedtowalkaway，talkingtogetherastheydidsoinalowvoice。Michucaughttheboyinhisarms，andkissedhimalmostsolemnlywithanexpressionwhichconfirmedhiswife’sfears；coldchillsrandownherback；sheglancedathermotherwithhaggardeyes，forshecouldnotweep。

\"Go，\"saidMichu；andhewatchedtheboyuntilhewasentirelyoutofsight。CourautwasbarkingontheothersideoftheroadinthedirectionofGrouage。\"Oh，that’sViolette，\"remarkedMichu。\"Thisisthethirdtimethatoldfellowhaspassedhereto-day。What’sinthewind？Hush，Couraut！\"

Afewmomentslaterthetrotofaponywasheardapproaching。

CHAPTERII

ACRIMERELINQUISHED

Violette，mountedononeofthoselittlenagswhichthefarmersintheneighborhoodofParisusesomuch，soonappeared，wearingaroundhatwithabroadbrim，beneathwhichhiswood-coloredface，deeplywrinkled，appearedinshadow。Hisgrayeyes，mischievousandlively，concealedinameasurethetreacheryofhisnature。Hisskinnylegs，coveredwithgaitersofwhitelinenwhichcametotheknee，hungratherthanrestedinthestirrups，seeminglyheldinplacebytheweightofhishob-nailedshoes。Abovehisjacketofblueclothheworeacloakofsomecoarsewoollenstuffwoveninblackandwhitestripes。

Hisgrayhairfellincurlsbehindhisears。Thisdress，thegrayhorsewithitsshortlegs，themannerinwhichViolettesathim，stomachprojectingandshouldersthrownback，thebigchappedhandswhichheldtheshabbybridle，alldepictedhimplainlyasthegrasping，ambitiouspeasantwhodesirestoownlandandbuysitatanyprice。Hismouth，withitsbluishlipspartedasifasurgeonhadpriedthemopenwithascalpel，andtheinnumerablewrinklesofhisfaceandforeheadhinderedtheplayoffeatureswhichwereexpressiveonlyintheiroutlines。Thosehard，fixedlinesseemedmenacing，inspiteofthehumilitywhichcountry-folksassumeandbeneathwhichtheyconcealtheiremotionsandschemes，assavagesandEasternshidetheirsbehindanimperturbablegravity。Firstamerelaborer，thenthefarmerofGrouagethroughalongcourseofpersistentill-doing，hecontinuedhisevilpracticesafterconqueringapositionwhichsurpassedhisearlyhopes。Hewishedharmtoallmenandwisheditvehemently。Whenhecouldassistindoingharmhediditeagerly。Hewasopenlyenvious；but，nomatterhowmalignanthemightbe，hekeptwithinthelimitsofthelaw，——neitherbeyonditnorbehindit，likeaparliamentaryopposition。Hebelievedhisprosperitydependedontheruinofothers，andthatwhoeverwasabovehimwasanenemyagainstwhomallweaponsweregood。Acharacterlikethisisverycommonamongthepeasantry。

Violette’spresentbusinesswastoobtainfromMalinanextensionoftheleaseofhisfarm，whichhadonlysixyearslongertorun。Jealousofthebailiff’smeans，hewatchedhimnarrowly。Theneighborsreproachedhimforhisintimacywith\"Judas\"；buttheslyoldfarmer，wishingtoobtainatwelveyears’lease，wasreallylyinginwaitforanopportunitytoserveeitherthegovernmentorMalin，whodistrustedMichu。Violette，bythehelpofthegame-keeperofGondrevilleandothersbelongingtotheestate，keptMalininformedofallMichu’sactions。Malinhadendeavored，fruitlessly，towinoverMarianne，theMichus’servant-woman；butVioletteandhissatellitesheardeverythingfromGaucher，——aladonwhosefidelityMichurelied，butwhobetrayedhimforcast-offclothing，waistcoats，buckles，cottonsocksandsugar-plums。Theboyhadnosuspicionoftheimportanceofhisgossip。VioletteinhisreportsblackenedallMichu’sactionsandgavethemacriminalaspectbyabsurdsuggestions，——unknown，ofcourse，tothebailiff，whowasaware，however，ofthebasepartplayedbythefarmer，andtookdelightinmystifyinghim。

\"YoumusthaveadealofbusinessatBellachetobehereagain，\"saidMichu。

\"Again！isthatmeantasareproach，MonsieurMichu？——Hey！Ididnotknowyouhadthatgun。Youarenotgoingtowhistleforthesparrowsonthatpipe，Isuppose——\"

\"Itgrewinafieldofminewhichbearsguns，\"repliedMichu。\"Look！

thisishowIsowthem。\"

Thebailifftookaimataviperthirtyfeetawayandcutitintwo。

\"Haveyougotthatbandit’sweapontoprotectyourmaster？\"saidViolette。\"Perhapshegaveittoyou。\"

\"HecamefromParisexpresslytobringittome，\"repliedMichu。

\"Peoplearetalkingallroundtheneighborhoodofthisjourneyofhis；

somesayheisindisgraceandhastoretirefromoffice；othersthathewantstoseethingsforhimselfdownhere。Butanyway，whydoeshecome，liketheFirstConsul，withoutgivingwarning？Didyouknowhewascoming？\"

\"Iamnotonsuchtermswithhimastobeinhisconfidence。\"

\"Thenyouhavenotseenhim？\"

\"IdidnotknowhewasheretillIgotbackfrommyroundsintheforest，\"saidMichu，reloadinghisgun。

\"HehassenttoArcisforMonsieurGrevin，\"saidViolette；\"theyareschemingsomething。\"

\"IfyouaregoingroundbyCinq-Cygne，takemeupbehindyou，\"saidthebailiff。\"I’mgoingthere。\"

ViolettewastootimidtohaveamanofMichu’sstrengthonhiscrupper，andhespurredhisbeast。Judasslunghisgunoverhisshoulderandwalkedrapidlyuptheavenue。

\"WhocanitbethatMichuisangrywith？\"saidMarthetohermother。

\"EversinceheheardofMonsieurMalin’sarrivalhehasbeengloomy，\"

repliedtheoldwoman。\"Butitisgettingdamphere，letusgoin。\"

AfterthetwowomenhadsettledthemselvesinthechimneycornertheyheardCouraut’sbark。

\"There’smyhusbandreturning！\"criedMarthe。

Michupassedupthestairs；hiswife，uneasy，followedhimtotheirbedroom。

\"Seeifanyoneisabout，\"hesaidtoher，inavoiceofsomeemotion。

\"Noone，\"shereplied。\"Marianneisinthefieldwiththecow，andGaucher——\"

\"WhereisGaucher？\"heasked。

\"Idon’tknow。\"

\"Idistrustthatlittlescamp。Goupinthegarret，lookinthehay-

loft，lookeverywhereforhim。\"

Marthelefttheroomtoobeytheorder。WhenshereturnedshefoundMichuonhisknees，praying。

\"Whatisthematter？\"shesaid，frightened。

Thebailifftookhiswiferoundthewaistanddrewhertohim，sayinginavoiceofdeepfeeling:\"Ifweneverseeeachotheragainremember，mypoorwife，thatIlovedyouwell。Followminutelytheinstructionswhichyouwillfindinaletterburiedatthefootofthelarchinthatcopse。Itisenclosedinatintube。Donottouchituntilaftermydeath。Andremember，Marthe，whateverhappenstome，thatinspiteofman’sinjustice，myarmhasbeentheinstrumentofthejusticeofGod。\"

Marthe，whoturnedpalebydegrees，becamewhiteasherownlinen；shelookedatherhusbandwithfixedeyeswidenedbyfear；shetriedtospeak，butherthroatwasdry。Michudisappearedlikeashadow，havingtiedCourauttothefootofhisbedwherethedog，afterthemannerofalldogs，howledindespair。

Michu’sangeragainstMonsieurMarionhadseriousgrounds，butitwasnowconcentratedonanotherman，farmorecriminalinhiseyes，——onMalin，whosesecretswereknowntothebailiff，hebeinginabetterpositionthanotherstounderstandtheconductoftheStateCouncillor。Michu’sfather-in-lawhadhad，politicallyspeaking，theconfidenceoftheformerrepresentativetotheConvention，throughGrevin。

PerhapsitwouldbewellheretorelatethecircumstanceswhichbroughttheSimeuseandtheCinq-CygnefamiliesintoconnectionwithMalin，——circumstanceswhichweighedheavilyonthefateofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’stwincousins，butstillmoreheavilyonthatofMartheandMichu。

TheCinq-CygnemansionatTroyesstandsoppositetothatofSimeuse。

Whenthepopulace，incitedbymindsthatwereasshrewdastheywerecautious，pillagedthehotelSimeuse，discoveredthemarquisandmarchioness，whowereaccusedofcorrespondingwiththenation’senemies，anddeliveredthemtothenationalguardswhotookthemtoprison，thecrowdshouted，\"NowfortheCinq-Cygnes！\"TotheirmindstheCinq-Cygneswereasguiltyasotheraristocrats。ThebraveandworthyMonsieurdeSimeuseintheendeavortosavehistwosons，theneighteenyearsofage，whosecouragewaslikelytocompromisethem，hadconfidedthem，afewhoursbeforethestormbroke，totheiraunt，theComtessedeCinq-Cygne。TwoservantsattachedtotheSimeusefamilyaccompaniedtheyoungmentoherhouse。Theoldmarquis，whowasanxiousthathisnameshouldnotdieout，requestedthatwhatwashappeningmightbeconcealedfromhissons，evenintheeventofdiredisaster。Laurence，theonlydaughteroftheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，wasthentwelveyearsofage；hercousinsbothlovedherandshelovedthemequally。LikeothertwinstheSimeusebrothersweresoalikethatforalongwhiletheirmotherdressedthemindifferentcolorstoknowthemapart。Thefirstcomer，theeldest，wasnamedPaul-Marie，theotherMarie-Paul。LaurencedeCinq-Cygne，towhomtheirdangerwasrevealed，playedherwoman’spartwellthoughstillamerechild。ShecoaxedandpettedhercousinsandkeptthemoccupieduntiltheverymomentwhenthepopulacesurroundedtheCinq-Cygnemansion。Thetwobrothersthenknewtheirdangerforthefirsttime，andlookedateachother。Theirresolutionwasinstantlytaken；theyarmedtheirownservantsandthoseoftheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，barricadedthedoors，andstoodguardatthewindows，afterclosingthewoodenblinds，withthefivemen-servantsandtheAbbed’Hauteserre，arelativeoftheCinq-Cygnes。Theseeightcourageouschampionspouredadeadlyfireintothecrowd。Everyshotkilledorwoundedanassailant。

Laurence，insteadofwringingherhands，loadedthegunswithextraordinarycoolness，andpassedtheballsandpowdertothosewhoneededthem。TheComtessedeCinq-Cygnewasonherknees。

\"Whatareyoudoing，mother？\"saidLaurence。

\"Iampraying，\"sheanswered，\"forthemandforyou。\"

Sublimewords，——saidalsobythemotherofGodoy，princeofthePeace，inSpain，undersimilarcircumstances。

Inamomentelevenpersonswerekilledandlyingonthegroundamonganumberofwounded。Suchresultseithercoolorexciteapopulace；

eitheritgrowssavageattheworkordiscontinuesit。Onthepresentoccasionthoseinadvancerecoiled；butthecrowdbehindthemweretheretokillandrob，andwhentheysawtheirowndead，theycriedout:\"Murder！Murder！Revenge！\"ThewiserheadswentinsearchoftherepresentativetotheConvention，Malin。Thetwins，bythistimeawareofthedisastrouseventsoftheday，suspectedMalinofdesiringtheruinoftheirfamily，andofcausingthearrestoftheirparents，andthesuspicionsoonbecameacertainty。Theypostedthemselvesbeneaththeporte-cochere，guninhand，intendingtokillMalinassoonashemadehisappearance；butthecountesslostherhead；sheimaginedherhouseinashesandherdaughterassassinated，andsheblamedtheyoungmenfortheirheroicdefenceandcompelledthemtodesist。ItwasLaurencewhoopenedthedoorslightlywhenMalinsummonedthehouseholdtoadmithim。Seeingher，therepresentativereliedupontheaweheexpectedtoinspireinamerechild，andheenteredthehouse。

Tohisfirstwordsofinquiryastowhythefamilyweremakingsucharesistance，thegirlreplied:\"IfyoureallydesiretogivelibertytoFrancehowisitthatyoudonotprotectusinourhomes？Theyaretryingtoteardownthishouse，monsieur，tomurderus，andyousaywehavenorighttoopposeforcetoforce！\"

Malinstoodrootedtotheground。

\"You，thesonofamasonemployedbytheGrandMarquistobuildhiscastle！\"exclaimedMarie-Paul，\"youhaveletthemdragourfathertoprison——youhavebelievedcalumnies！\"

\"Heshallbereleasedatonce，\"saidMalin，whothoughthimselflostwhenhesaweachyouthclutchhisweaponconvulsively。

\"Youoweyourlifetothatpromise，\"saidMarie-Paul，solemnly。\"Ifitisnotfulfilledto-nightweshallfindyouagain。\"

\"Astothathowlingpopulace，\"saidLaurence，\"Ifyoudonotsendthemaway，thenextbloodwillbeyours。Now，MonsieurMalin，leavethishouse！\"

TheConventionalistdidleaveit，andheharanguedthecrowd，dwellingonthesacredrightsofthedomestichearth，thehabeascorpusandtheEnglish\"home。\"Hetoldthemthatthelawandthepeopleweresovereigns，thatthelaw/was/thepeople，andthatthepeoplecouldonlyactthroughthelaw，andthatpowerwasvestedinthelaw。Theparticularlawofpersonalnecessitymadehimeloquent，andhemanagedtodispersethecrowd。Butheneverforgotthecontemptuousexpressionofthetwobrothers，northe\"Leavethishouse！\"ofMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。Therefore，whenitwasaquestionofsellingtheestatesoftheComtedeCinq-Cygne，Laurence’sbrother，asnationalproperty，thesalewasrigorouslymade。TheagentsleftnothingforLaurencebutthechateau，theparkandgardens，andonefarmcalledthatofCinq-

Cygne。MalininstructedtheappraisersthatLaurencehadnorightsbeyondherlegalshare，——thenationtakingpossessionofallthatbelongedtoherbrother，whohademigratedand，aboveall，hadbornearmsagainsttheRepublic。

Theeveningafterthisterribletumult，Laurencesoentreatedhercousinstoleavethecountry，fearingtreacheryonthepartofMalin，orsometrapintowhichtheymightfall，thattheytookhorsethatnightandgainedthePrussianoutposts。TheyhadscarcelyreachedtheforestofGondrevillebeforethehotelCinq-Cygnewassurrounded；

MalincamehimselftoarresttheheirsofthehouseofSimeuse。HedarednotlayhandsontheComtessedeCinq-Cygne，whowasinbedwithanervousfever，noronLaurence，achildoftwelve。Theservants，fearingtheseverityoftheRepublic，haddisappeared。ThenextdaythenewsoftheresistanceofthebrothersandtheirflighttoPrussiawasknowntotheneighborhood。AcrowdofthreethousandpersonsassembledbeforethehoteldeCinq-Cygne，whichwasdemolishedwithincrediblerapidity。MadamedeCinq-Cygne，carriedtothehotelSimeuse，diedtherefromtheeffectsofthefeveraggravatedbyterror。

Michudidnotappearinthepoliticalarenauntilaftertheseevents，forthemarquisandhiswiferemainedinprisonoverfivemonths。

DuringthistimeMalinwasawayonamission。ButwhenMonsieurMarionsoldGondrevilletotheCouncillorofState，Michuunderstoodthelatter’sgame，——orrather，hethoughthedid；forMalinwas，likeFouche，oneofthosepersonageswhoareofsuchdepthinalltheirdifferentaspectsthattheyareimpenetrablewhentheyplayapart，andareneverunderstooduntillongaftertheirdramaisended。

InallthechiefcircumstancesofMalin’slifehehadneverfailedtoconsulthisfaithfulfriendGrevin，thenotaryofArcis，whosejudgmentonmenandthingswas，atadistance，clear-cutandprecise。

Thisfacultyisthewisdomandmakesthestrengthofsecond-ratemen。

Now，inNovember，1803，acombinationofevents(alreadyrelatedinthe\"Deputed’Arcis\")madematterssoseriousfortheCouncillorofStatethatalettermighthavecompromisedthetwofriends。Malin，whohopedtobeappointedsenator，wasafraidtoofferhisexplanationsinParis。HecametoGondreville，givingtheFirstConsulonlyoneofthereasonsthatmadehimwishtobethere；thatreasongavehimanappearanceofzealintheeyesofBonaparte；whereashisjourney，farfromconcerningtheinterestsoftheState，relatedtohisowninterestsonly。Onthisparticularday，asMichuwaswatchingtheparkandexpecting，afterthemannerofaredIndian，apropitiousmomentforhisvengeance，theastuteMalin，accustomedtoturnalleventstohisownprofit，wasleadinghisfriendGrevintoalittlefieldintheEnglishgarden，alonelyspotinthepark，favorableforasecretconference。There，standinginthecentreofthegrassplotandspeakinglow，thefriendswereattoogreatadistancetobeoverheardifanyonewerelurkingnearenoughtolistentothem；theywerealsosureoftimetochangetheconversationifothersunwarilyapproached。

\"Whycouldn’twehavestayedinaroominthechateau？\"askedGrevin。

\"Didn’tyoutakenoticeofthosetwomenwhomtheprefectofpolicehassentheretome？\"

ThoughFouchemadehimselfinthematterofthePichegru，Georges，Moreau，andPolignacconspiracythesouloftheConsularcabinet，hedidnotatthistimecontroltheministryofpolice，butwasmerelyacouncillorofStatelikeMalin。

\"Thosemen，\"continuedMalin，\"areFouche’stwoarms。One，thatdandyCorentin，whosefaceislikeaglassoflemonade，vinegaronhislipsandverjuiceinhiseyes，putanendtotheinsurrectionattheWestintheyearVII。inlessthanfifteendays。TheotherisadiscipleofLenoir；heistheonlyonewhopreservesthegreattraditionsofthepolice。Ihadaskedforanagentofnogreataccount，backedbysomeofficialpersonage，andtheysendmethosepast-mastersofthebusiness！Ah，Grevin，Fouchewantstopryintomygame。That’swhyI

leftthosefellowsdiningatthechateau；theymaylookintoeverythingforallIcare；theywon’tfindLouisXVIII。noranysignofhim。\"

\"Butseehere，mydearfellow，whatgameareyouplaying？\"criedGrevin。

\"Ha，myfriend，adoublegameisadangerousone，butthis，takingFoucheintoaccount，isatripleone。HemayhavenosedthefactthatIaminthesecretsofthehouseofBourbon。\"

\"You？\"

\"I，\"repliedMalin。

\"HaveyouforgottenFavras？\"

Thewordsmadeanimpressiononthecouncillor。

\"Sincewhen？\"askedGrevin，afterapause。

\"SincetheConsulateforlife。\"

\"Ihopethere’snoproofofit？\"

\"Notthat！\"saidMalin，clickinghisthumb-nailagainsthisteeth。

InfewwordstheCouncillorofStategaveaclearandsuccinctaccountofthecriticalpositioninwhichBonapartewasabouttoholdEngland，bythreateningherwithinvasionfromthecampatBoulogne；heexplainedtoGrevinthebearingsofthatproject，whichwasunobservedbyFranceandEuropebutsuspectedbyPitt；alsothecriticalpositioninwhichEnglandwasabouttoputBonaparte。Apowerfulcoalition，Prussia，Austria，andRussia，paidbyEnglishgold，waspledgedtofurnishsevenhundredthousandmenunderarms。AtthesametimeaformidableconspiracywasthrowinganetworkoverthewholeofFrance，includingamongitsmembersmontagnards，chouans，royalists，andtheirprinces。

\"LouisXVIII。heldthataslongastherewerethreeConsulsanarchywascertain，andthathecouldatsomeopportunemomenttakehisrevengeforthe13thVendemiaireandthe18thFructidor，\"saidMalin，\"buttheConsulateforlifehasunmaskedBonaparte’sintentions——hewillsoonbeemperor。Thelatesub-lieutenantmeanstocreateadynasty！Thistimehislifeisinactualdanger；andtheplotisfarbetterlaidthanthatoftheRueSaint-Nicaise。Pichegru，Georges，Moreau，theDucd’Enghien，PolignacandRiviere，thetwofriendsoftheComted’Artoisareinit。\"

\"Whatanamalgamation！\"criedGrevin。

\"Franceisbeingsilentlyinvaded；nostoneisleftunturned；thethingwillbecarriedwitharush。Ahundredpickedmen，commandedbyGeorges，aretoattacktheConsularguardandtheConsulhandtohand。\"

\"Wellthen，denouncethem。\"

\"ForthelasttwomonthstheConsul，hisministerofpolice，theprefectandFouche，holdsomeofthecluesofthisvastconspiracy；

buttheydon’tknowitsfullextent，andatthisparticularmomenttheyareleavingnearlyalltheconspiratorsfree，soastodiscovermoreaboutit。\"

\"Astorights，\"saidthenotary，\"theBourbonshavemuchmorerighttoconceive，plan，andexecuteaschemeagainstBonaparte，thanBonapartehadonthe18thBrumaireagainsttheRepublic，whoseproducthewas。

Hemurderedhismotheronthatoccasion，buttheseroyalistsonlyseektorecoverwhatwastheirs。Icanunderstandthattheprincesandtheiradherents，seeingthelistsofthe/emigres/closed，mortgagessuppressed，theCatholicfaithrestored，anti-revolutionarydecreesaccumulating，shouldbegintoseethattheirreturnisbecomingdifficult，nottosayimpossible。Bonapartebeingthesoleobstaclenowintheirway，theywanttogetridofhim——nothingsimpler。

Conspiratorsifdefeatedarebrigands，ifsuccessful，heroes；andyourperplexityseemstomeverynatural。\"

\"Thematternowis，\"saidMalin，\"tomakeBonaparteflingtheheadoftheDucd’EnghienattheBourbons，justastheConventionflungtheheadofLouisXVI。atthekings，soastocommithimasfullyaswearetotheRevolution；/orelse/，wemustupsettheidoloftheFrenchpeopleandtheirfutureemperor，andseatthetruethroneuponhisruins。Iamatthemercyofsomeevent，somefortunatepistol-shot，someinfernalmachinewhichdoesitswork。EvenIdon’tknowthewholeconspiracy；theydon’ttellmeall；buttheyhaveaskedmetocalltheCouncilofStateatthecriticalmomentanddirectitsactiontowardstherestorationoftheBourbons。\"

\"Wait，\"saidthenotary。

\"Impossible！Iamcompelledtomakemydecisionatonce。\"

\"Why？\"

\"Well，theSimeusebrothersareintheconspiracy；theyarehereintheneighborhood；Imusteitherhavethemwatched，letthemcompromisethemselves，andsoberidofthem，orelseImustprivatelyprotectthem。Iaskedtheprefectforunderlingsandhehassentmelynxes，whocamethroughTroyesandhavegotthegendarmerietosupportthem。\"

\"Gondrevilleisyourrealobject，\"saidGrevin，\"andthisconspiracyyourbestchanceofkeepingit。Fouche，Talleyrand，andthosetwofellowshavenothingtodowiththat。Thereforeplayfairwiththem。

Whatnonsense！thosewhocutLouisXVI。’sheadoffareinthegovernment；Franceisfullofmenwhohaveboughtnationalproperty，andyetyoutalkofbringingbackthosewhowouldrequireyoutogiveupGondreville！IftheBourbonswerenotimbecilestheywouldpassaspongeoverallwehavedone。WarnBonaparte，that’smyadvice。\"

\"Amanofmyrankcan’tdenounce，\"saidMalin，quickly。

\"Yourrank！\"exclaimedGrevin，smiling。

\"TheyhaveofferedtomakemeKeeperoftheSeals。\"

\"Ah！NowIunderstandyourbewilderment，anditisformetoseeclearinthispoliticaldarknessandfindawayoutforyou。Now，itisquiteimpossibletoforeseewhateventsmayhappentobringbacktheBourbonswhenaGeneralBonaparteisinpossessionofeightylineofbattleshipsandfourhundredthousandmen。Themostdifficultthingofallinexpectantpoliticsistoknowwhenapowerthattotterswillfall；but，myoldman，Bonaparte’spowerisnottottering，itisintheascendant。Don’tyouthinkthatFouchemaybesoundingyousoastogettothebottomofyourmind，andthengetridofyou？\"

\"No；Iamsureofmygo-between。Besides，Fouchewouldnever，underthosecircumstances，sendmesuchfellowsasthese；hewouldknowtheywouldmakemesuspicious。\"

\"Theyalarmme，\"saidGrevin。\"IfFouchedoesnotdistrustyou，andisnotseekingtoprobeyou，whydoeshesendthem？Fouchedoesn’tplaysuchatrickasthatwithoutamotive；whatisit？\"

\"Whatdecidesme，\"saidMalin，\"isthatIshouldneverbeeasywiththosetwoSimeusebrothersinFrance。PerhapsFouche，whoknowshowI

amplacedtowardsthem，wantstomakesuretheydon’tescapehim，andhopesthroughthemtoreachtheCondes。\"

\"That’sright，oldfellow；itisnotunderBonapartethatthepresentpossessorofGondrevillecanbeousted。\"

JustthenMalin，happeningtolookup，sawthemuzzleofagunthroughthefoliageofatalllinden。

\"Iwasnotmistaken，IthoughtIheardtheclickofatrigger，\"hesaidtoGrevin，aftergettingbehindthetrunkofalargetree，wherethenotary，uneasyathisfriend’ssuddenmovement，followedhim。

\"ItisMichu，\"saidGrevin；\"Iseehisredbeard。\"

\"Don’tletusseemafraid，\"saidMalin，whowalkedslowlyaway，sayingatintervals:\"Whyisthatmansobitteragainsttheownersofthisproperty？Itwasnotyouhewascovering。Ifheoverheardushehadbetterasktheprayersofthecongregation！Whothedevilwouldhavethoughtoflookingupintothetrees！\"

\"There’salwayssomethingtolearn，\"saidthenotary。\"Buthewasagooddistanceoff，andwespokelow。\"

\"IshalltellCorentinaboutit，\"repliedMalin。

CHAPTERIII

THEMASKTHROWNOFF

AfewmomentslaterMichureturnedhome，hisfacepale，hisfeaturescontracted。

\"Whatisthematter？\"saidhiswife，frightened。

\"Nothing，\"hereplied，seeingViolettewhosepresencesilencedhim。

Michutookachairandsatdownquietlybeforethefire，intowhichhethrewaletterwhichhedrewfromatintubesuchasaregiventosoldierstoholdtheirpapers。Thisact，whichenabledMarthetodrawalongbreathlikeonerelievedofagreatburden，greatlypuzzledViolette。Thebailifflaidhisgunonthemantel-shelfwithadmirablecomposure。Mariannetheservant，andMarthe’smotherwerespinningbythelightofalamp。

\"Come，Francois，\"saidthefather，presently，\"itistimetogotobed。\"

Heliftedtheboyroughlybythemiddleofhisbodyandcarriedhimoff。

\"Rundowntothecellar，\"hewhispered，whentheyreachedthestairs。

\"EmptyonethirdoutoftwobottlesoftheMaconwine，andfillthemupwiththeCognacbrandywhichisontheshelf。Thenmixabottleofwhitewinewithonehalfbrandy。Doitneatly，andputthethreebottlesontheemptycaskwhichstandsbythecellardoor。Whenyouhearmeopenthewindowinthekitchencomeoutofthecellar，runtothestable，saddlemyhorse，mountit，andgoandwaitformeatPoteaudes-Gueux——Thatlittlescamphatestogotobed，\"saidMichu，returning；\"helikestodoasgrownpeopledo，seeall，hearall，andknowall。Youspoilmypeople，pereViolette。\"

\"Goodness！\"criedViolette，\"whathasloosenedyourtongue？Ineverheardyousayasmuchbefore。\"

\"DoyousupposeIletmyselfbespieduponwithouttakingnoticeofit？Youareonthewrongside，pereViolette。If，insteadofservingthosewhohateme，youwereonmysideIcoulddobetterforyouthanrenewthatleaseofyours。\"

\"How？\"saidthepeasant，openingwidehisavariciouseyes。

\"I’llsellyoumypropertycheap。\"

\"Nothingischeapwhenwehavetopay，\"saidViolette，sententiously。

\"Iwanttoleavetheneighborhood，andI’llletyouhavemyfarmofMousseau，thebuildings，granary，andcattleforfiftythousandfrancs。\"

\"Really？\"

\"Doesthatsuityou？\"

\"Hangit！Imustthink——\"

\"We’lltalkaboutit——Ishallwantearnestmoney。\"

\"Ihavenomoney。\"

\"Well，anote。\"

\"Can’tgiveit。\"

\"Tellmewhosentyouhereto-day。\"

\"IamonmywaybackfromwhereIspentthisafternoon，andIonlystoppedintosaygood-evening。\"

\"Backwithoutyourhorse？Whatafoolyoumusttakemefor！Youarelying，andyoushallnothavemyfarm。\"

\"Well，totellyouthetruth，itwasmonsieurGrevinwhosentme。Hesaid’Violette，wewantMichu；doyougoandgethim；ifheisn’tathome，waitforhim。’IsawIshouldhavetostayhereallthisevening。\"

\"ArethosesharksfromParisstillatthechateau？\"

\"Ah！thatIdon’tknow；buttherewerepeopleinthesalon。\"

\"Youshallhavemyfarm；we’llsettlethetermsnow。Wife，goandgetsomewinetowashdownthecontract。TakethebestRoussillon，thewineoftheex-marquis，——wearenotbabes。You’llfindacoupleofbottlesontheemptycasknearthedoor，andabottleofwhitewine。\"

\"Verygood，\"saidViolette，whonevergotdrunk。\"Letusdrink。\"

\"Youhavefiftythousandfrancsbeneaththefloorofyourbedroomunderyourbed，pereViolette；youwillgivethemtometwoweeksafterwesignthedeedofsalebeforeGrevin——\"ViolettestaredatMichuandgrewlivid。\"Ah！youcameheretospyuponaJacobinwhohadthehonortobepresidentoftheclubatArcis，andyouimaginehewillletyougetthebetterofhim！Ihaveeyes，Isawwhereyourtileshavebeenfreshlycemented，andIconcludedthatyoudidnotprythemuptoplantwheatthere。Come，drink。\"

Violette，muchtroubled，drankalargeglassofwinewithoutnoticingthequality；terrorhadputahotironinhisstomach，thebrandywasnothotterthanhiscupidity。Hewouldhavegivenmanythingstobesafelyhomeandabletochangethehiding-placeofhistreasure。Thethreewomensmiled。

\"Doyoulikethatwine？\"saidMichu，refillinghisglass。

\"Yes，Ido。\"

Afteragoodhalf-hour’sdecisiononthetimewhenthebuyermighttakepossession，andonthevariouspunctilioswhichthepeasantrybringforwardwhenconcludingabargain，——inthemidstofassertionsandcounter-assertions，thefillingandemptyingofglasses，thegivingofpromisesanddenials，Violettesuddenlyfellforwardwithhisheadonthetable，nottipsy，butdead-drunk。TheinstantthatMichusawhiseyesblurheopenedthewindow。

\"Where’sthatscamp，Gaucher？\"hesaidtohiswife。

\"Inbed。\"

\"You，Marianne，\"saidthebailifftohisfaithfulservant，\"standinfrontofhisdoorandwatchhim。You，mother，staydownhere，andkeepaneyeonthisspy；keepyoureyesandearsopenanddon’tunfastenthedoortoanyonebutFrancois。Itisaquestionoflifeordeath，\"

headded，inadeepvoice。\"EverycreaturebeneathmyroofmustrememberthatIhavenotquitteditthisnight；allofyoumustassertthat——eventhoughyourheadswereontheblock。Come，\"hesaidtoMarthe，\"come，wife，putonyourshoes，takeyourcoat，andletusbeoff！Noquestions——Igowithyou。\"