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diff --git a/1417-h/1417-h.htm b/1417-h/1417-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b036fd --- /dev/null +++ b/1417-h/1417-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14692 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Sons of the Soil, by Honore de Balzac + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1417 ***</div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + SONS OF THE SOIL + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Honore De Balzac + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> DEDICATION </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>SONS OF THE SOIL</b> </a> + </h3> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_PART1"> <b>PART I</b> </a> + </h3> + <h3> + </h3> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE CHATEAU + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + A BUCOLIC OVERLOOKED BY VIRGIL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE TAVERN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + ANOTHER IDYLL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + ENEMIES FACE TO FACE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + A TALE OF THIEVES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + CERTAIN LOST SOCIAL SPECIES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GREAT REVOLUTIONS OF A LITTLE VALLEY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + CONCERNING THE MEDIOCRACY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE SADNESS OF A HAPPY WOMAN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE OARISTYS, EIGHTEENTH ECLOGUE OF THEOCRITUS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </td> + <td> + SHOWETH HOW THE TAVERN IS THE PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + A TYPE OF THE COUNTRY USURER + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_PART2"> <b>PART II</b> </a> + </h3> + <h3> + </h3> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE LEADING SOCIETY OF SOULANGES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE CONSPIRATORS IN THE QUEEN’S SALON + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE CAFE DE LA PAIX + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE TRIUMVIRATE OF VILLE-AUX-FAYES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + VICTORY WITHOUT A FIGHT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE FOREST AND THE HARVEST + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GREYHOUND + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + RURAL VIRTUE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE CATASTROPHE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE TRIUMPH OF THE VANQUISHED + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> ADDENDUM </a> + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DEDICATION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + To Monsieur P. S. B. Gavault. + + Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote these words at the beginning of his + Nouvelle Heloise: “I have seen the morals of my time and I publish + these letters.” May I not say to you, in imitation of that great + writer, “I have studied the march of my epoch and I publish this + work”? + + The object of this particular study—startling in its truth so + long as society makes philanthropy a principle instead of + regarding it as an accident—is to bring to sight the leading + characters of a class too long unheeded by the pens of writers who + seek novelty as their chief object. Perhaps this forgetfulness is + only prudence in these days when the people are heirs of all the + sycophants of royalty. We make criminals poetic, we commiserate + the hangman, we have all but deified the proletary. Sects have + risen, and cried by every pen, “Arise, working-men!” just as + formerly they cried, “Arise!” to the “tiers etat.” None of these + Erostrates, however, have dared to face the country solitudes and + study the unceasing conspiracy of those whom we term weak against + those others who fancy themselves strong,—that of the peasant + against the proprietor. It is necessary to enlighten not only the + legislator of to-day but him of to-morrow. In the midst of the + present democratic ferment, into which so many of our writers + blindly rush, it becomes an urgent duty to exhibit the peasant who + renders Law inapplicable, and who has made the ownership of land + to be a thing that is, and that is not. + + You are now to behold that indefatigable mole, that rodent which + undermines and disintegrates the soil, parcels it out and divides + an acre into a hundred fragments,—ever spurred on to his banquet + by the lower middle classes who make him at once their auxiliary + and their prey. This essentially unsocial element, created by the + Revolution, will some day absorb the middle classes, just as the + middle classes have destroyed the nobility. Lifted above the law + by its own insignificance, this Robespierre, with one head and + twenty million arms, is at work perpetually; crouching in country + districts, intrenched in municipal councils, under arms in the + national guard of every canton in France,—one result of the year + 1830, which failed to remember that Napoleon preferred the chances + of defeat to the danger of arming the masses. + + If during the last eight years I have again and again given up the + writing of this book (the most important of those I have + undertaken to write), and as often returned to it, it was, as you + and other friends can well imagine, because my courage shrank from + the many difficulties, the many essential details of a drama so + doubly dreadful and so cruelly bloody. Among the reasons which + render me now almost, it may be thought, foolhardy, I count the + desire to finish a work long designed to be to you a proof of my + deep and lasting gratitude for a friendship that has ever been + among my greatest consolations in misfortune. + + De Balzac. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + SONS OF THE SOIL + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART1" id="link2H_PART1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART I + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Whoso land hath, contention hath. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE CHATEAU + </h2> + <p> + Les Aigues, August 6, 1823. + </p> + <p> + To Monsieur Nathan, + </p> + <p> + My dear Nathan,—You, who provide the public with such delightful + dreams through the magic of your imagination, are now to follow me while I + make you dream a dream of truth. You shall then tell me whether the + present century is likely to bequeath such dreams to the Nathans and the + Blondets of the year 1923; you shall estimate the distance at which we now + are from the days when the Florines of the eighteenth century found, on + awaking, a chateau like Les Aigues in the terms of their bargain. + </p> + <p> + My dear fellow, if you receive this letter in the morning, let your mind + travel, as you lie in bed, fifty leagues or thereabouts from Paris, along + the great mail road which leads to the confines of Burgundy, and behold + two small lodges built of red brick, joined, or separated, by a rail + painted green. It was there that the diligence deposited your friend and + correspondent. + </p> + <p> + On either side of this double pavilion grows a quick-set hedge, from which + the brambles straggle like stray locks of hair. Here and there a tree + shoots boldly up; flowers bloom on the slopes of the wayside ditch, + bathing their feet in its green and sluggish water. The hedge at both ends + meets and joins two strips of woodland, and the double meadow thus + inclosed is doubtless the result of a clearing. + </p> + <p> + These dusty and deserted lodges give entrance to a magnificent avenue of + centennial elms, whose umbrageous heads lean toward each other and form a + long and most majestic arbor. The grass grows in this avenue, and only a + few wheel-tracks can be seen along its double width of way. The great age + of the trees, the breadth of the avenue, the venerable construction of the + lodges, the brown tints of their stone courses, all bespeak an approach to + some half-regal residence. + </p> + <p> + Before reaching this enclosure from the height of an eminence such as we + Frenchmen rather conceitedly call a mountain, at the foot of which lies + the village of Conches (the last post-house), I had seen the long valley + of Aigues, at the farther end of which the mail road turns to follow a + straight line into the little sub-prefecture of La Ville-aux-Fayes, over + which, as you know, the nephew of our friend des Lupeaulx lords it. Tall + forests lying on the horizon, along vast slopes which skirt a river, + command this rich valley, which is framed in the far distance by the + mountains of a lesser Switzerland, called the Morvan. These forests belong + to Les Aigues, and to the Marquis de Ronquerolles and the Comte de + Soulanges, whose castles and parks and villages, seen in the distance from + these heights, give the scene a strong resemblance to the imaginary + landscapes of Velvet Breughel. + </p> + <p> + If these details do not remind you of all the castles in the air you have + desired to possess in France you are not worthy to receive the present + narrative of an astounded Parisian. At last I have seen a landscape where + art is blended with nature in such a way that neither of them spoils the + other; the art is natural, and the nature artistic. I have found the oasis + that you and I have dreamed of when reading novels,—nature luxuriant + and adorned, rolling lines that are not confused, something wild withal, + unkempt, mysterious, not common. Jump that green railing and come on! + </p> + <p> + When I tried to look up the avenue, which the sun never penetrates except + when it rises or when it sets, striping the road like a zebra with its + oblique rays, my view was obstructed by an outline of rising ground; after + that is passed, the long avenue is obstructed by a copse, within which the + roads meet at a cross-ways, in the centre of which stands a stone obelisk, + for all the world like an eternal exclamation mark. From the crevices + between the foundation stones of this erection, which is topped by a + spiked ball (what an idea!), hang flowering plants, blue or yellow + according to the season. Les Aigues must certainly have been built by a + woman, or for a woman; no man would have had such dainty ideas; the + architect no doubt had his cue. + </p> + <p> + Passing through the little wood placed there as sentinel, I came upon a + charming declivity, at the foot of which foamed and gurgled a little + brook, which I crossed on a culvert of mossy stones, superb in color, the + prettiest of all the mosaics which time manufactures. The avenue continues + by the brookside up a gentle rise. In the distance, the first tableau is + now seen,—a mill and its dam, a causeway and trees, linen laid out + to dry, the thatched cottage of the miller, his fishing-nets, and the tank + where the fish are kept,—not to speak of the miller’s boy, who was + already watching me. No matter where you are in the country, however + solitary you may think yourself, you are certain to be the focus of the + two eyes of a country bumpkin; a laborer rests on his hoe, a vine-dresser + straightens his bent back, a little goat-girl, or shepherdess, or milkmaid + climbs a willow to stare at you. + </p> + <p> + Presently the avenue merges into an alley of acacias, which leads to an + iron railing made in the days when iron-workers fashioned those slender + filagrees which are not unlike the copies set us by a writing-master. On + either side of the railing is a ha-ha, the edges of which bristle with + angry spikes,—regular porcupines in metal. The railing is closed at + both ends by two porter’s-lodges, like those of the palace at Versailles, + and the gateway is surmounted by colossal vases. The gold of the + arabesques is ruddy, for rust has added its tints, but this entrance, + called “the gate of the Avenue,” which plainly shows the hand of the Great + Dauphin (to whom, indeed, Les Aigues owes it), seems to me none the less + beautiful for that. At the end of each ha-ha the walls of the park, built + of rough-hewn stone, begin. These stones, set in a mortar made of reddish + earth, display their variegated colors, the warm yellows of the silex, the + white of the lime carbonates, the russet browns of the sandstone, in many + a fantastic shape. As you first enter it, the park is gloomy, the walls + are hidden by creeping plants and by trees that for fifty years have heard + no sound of axe. One might think it a virgin forest, made primeval again + through some phenomenon granted exclusively to forests. The trunks of the + trees are swathed with lichen which hangs from one to another. Mistletoe, + with its viscid leaves, droops from every fork of the branches where + moisture settles. I have found gigantic ivies, wild arabesques which + flourish only at fifty leagues from Paris, here where land does not cost + enough to make one sparing of it. The landscape on such free lines covers + a great deal of ground. Nothing is smoothed off; rakes are unknown, ruts + and ditches are full of water, frogs are tranquilly delivered of their + tadpoles, the woodland flowers bloom, and the heather is as beautiful as + that I have seen on your mantle-shelf in January in the elegant beau-pot + sent by Florine. This mystery is intoxicating, it inspires vague desires. + The forest odors, beloved of souls that are epicures of poesy, who delight + in the tiny mosses, the noxious fungi, the moist mould, the willows, the + balsams, the wild thyme, the green waters of a pond, the golden star of + the yellow water-lily,—the breath of all such vigorous propagations + came to my nostrils and filled me with a single thought; was it their + soul? I seemed to see a rose-tinted gown floating along the winding alley. + </p> + <p> + The path ended abruptly in another copse, where birches and poplars and + all the quivering trees palpitated,—an intelligent family with + graceful branches and elegant bearing, the trees of a love as free! It was + from this point, my dear fellow, that I saw a pond covered with the white + water-lily and other plants with broad flat leaves and narrow slender + ones, on which lay a boat painted white and black, as light as a nut-shell + and dainty as the wherry of a Seine boatman. Beyond rose the chateau, + built in 1560, of fine red brick, with stone courses and copings, and + window-frames in which the sashes were of small leaded panes (O + Versailles!). The stone is hewn in diamond points, but hollowed, as in the + Ducal Palace at Venice on the facade toward the Bridge of Sighs. There are + no regular lines about the castle except in the centre building, from + which projects a stately portico with double flights of curving steps, and + round balusters slender at their base and broadening at the middle. The + main building is surrounded by clock-towers and sundry modern turrets, + with galleries and vases more or less Greek. No harmony there, my dear + Nathan! These heterogeneous erections are wrapped, so to speak, by various + evergreen trees whose branches shed their brown needles upon the roofs, + nourishing the lichen and giving tone to the cracks and crevices where the + eye delights to wander. Here you see the Italian pine, the stone pine, + with its red bark and its majestic parasol; here a cedar two hundred years + old, weeping willows, a Norway spruce, and a beech which overtops them + all; and there, in front of the main tower, some very singular shrubs,—a + yew trimmed in a way that recalls some long-decayed garden of old France, + and magnolias with hortensias at their feet. In short, the place is the + Invalides of the heroes of horticulture, once the fashion and now + forgotten, like all other heroes. + </p> + <p> + A chimney, with curious copings, which was sending forth great volumes of + smoke, assured me that this delightful scene was not an opera setting. A + kitchen reveals human beings. Now imagine <i>me</i>, Blondet, who shiver + as if in the polar regions at Saint-Cloud, in the midst of this glowing + Burgundian climate. The sun sends down its warmest rays, the king-fisher + watches on the shores of the pond, the cricket chirps, the grain-pods + burst, the poppy drops its morphia in glutinous tears, and all are clearly + defined on the dark-blue ether. Above the ruddy soil of the terraces + flames that joyous natural punch which intoxicates the insects and the + flowers and dazzles our eyes and browns our faces. The grape is beading, + its tendrils fall in a veil of threads whose delicacy puts to shame the + lace-makers. Beside the house blue larkspur, nasturtium, and sweet-peas + are blooming. From a distance orange-trees and tuberoses scent the air. + After the poetic exhalations of the woods (a gradual preparation) came the + delectable pastilles of this botanic seraglio. + </p> + <p> + Standing on the portico, like the queen of flowers, behold a woman robed + in white, with hair unpowdered, holding a parasol lined with white silk, + but herself whiter than the silk, whiter than the lilies at her feet, + whiter than the starry jasmine that climbed the balustrade,—a woman, + a Frenchwoman born in Russia, who said as I approached her, “I had almost + given you up.” She had seen me as I left the copse. With what perfection + do all women, even the most guileless, understand the arrangement of a + scenic effect? The movements of the servants, who were preparing to serve + breakfast, showed me that the meal had been delayed until after the + arrival of the diligence. She had not ventured to come to meet me. + </p> + <p> + Is this not our dream,—the dream of all lovers of the beautiful, + under whatsoever form it comes; the seraphic beauty that Luini put into + his Marriage of the Virgin, that noble fresco at Sarono; the beauty that + Rubens grasped in the tumult of his “Battle of the Thermodon”; the beauty + that five centuries have elaborated in the cathedrals of Seville and + Milan; the beauty of the Saracens at Granada, the beauty of Louis XIV. at + Versailles, the beauty of the Alps, and that of this Limagne in which I + stand? + </p> + <p> + Belonging to the estate, about which there is nothing too princely, nor + yet too financial, where prince and farmer-general have both lived (which + fact serves to explain it), are four thousand acres of woodland, a park of + some nine hundred acres, the mill, three leased farms, another immense + farm at Conches, and vineyards,—the whole producing a revenue of + about seventy thousand francs a year. Now you know Les Aigues, my dear + fellow; where I have been expected for the last two weeks, and where I am + at this moment, in the chintz-lined chamber assigned to dearest friends. + </p> + <p> + Above the park, towards Conches, a dozen little brooks, clear, limpid + streams coming from the Morvan, fall into the pond, after adorning with + their silvery ribbons the valleys of the park and the magnificent gardens + around the chateau. The name of the place, Les Aigues, comes from these + charming streams of water; the estate was originally called in the old + title-deeds “Les Aigues-Vives” to distinguish it from “Aigues-Mortes”; but + the word “Vives” has now been dropped. The pond empties into the stream, + which follows the course of the avenue, through a wide and straight canal + bordered on both sides and along its whole length by weeping willows. This + canal, thus arched, produces a delightful effect. Gliding through it, + seated on a thwart of the little boat, one could fancy one’s self in the + nave of some great cathedral, the choir being formed of the main building + of the house seen at the end of it. When the setting sun casts its orange + tones mingled with amber upon the casements of the chateau, the effect is + that of painted windows. At the other end of the canal we see Blangy, the + county-town, containing about sixty houses, and the village church, which + is nothing more than a tumble-down building with a wooden clock-tower + which appears to hold up a roof of broken tiles. One comfortable house and + the parsonage are distinguishable; but the township is a large one,—about + two hundred scattered houses in all, those of the village forming as it + were the capital. The roads are lined with fruit-trees, and numerous + little gardens are strewn here and there,—true country gardens with + everything in them; flowers, onions, cabbages and grapevines, currants, + and a great deal of manure. The village has a primitive air; it is rustic, + and has that decorative simplicity which we artists are forever seeking. + In the far distance is the little town of Soulanges overhanging a vast + sheet of water, like the buildings on the lake of Thune. + </p> + <p> + When you stroll in the park, which has four gates, each superb in style, + you feel that our mythological Arcadias are flat and stale. Arcadia is in + Burgundy, not in Greece; Arcadia is at Les Aigues and nowhere else. A + river, made by scores of brooklets, crosses the park at its lower level + with a serpentine movement; giving a dewy freshness and tranquillity to + the scene,—an air of solitude, which reminds one of a convent of + Carthusians, and all the more because, on an artificial island in the + river, is a hermitage in ruins, the interior elegance of which is worthy + of the luxurious financier who constructed it. Les Aigues, my dear Nathan, + once belonged to that Bouret who spent two millions to receive Louis XV. + on a single occasion under his roof. How many ardent passions, how many + distinguished minds, how many fortunate circumstances have contributed to + make this beautiful place what it is! A mistress of Henri IV. rebuilt the + chateau where it now stands. The favorite of the Great Dauphin, + Mademoiselle Choin (to whom Les Aigues was given), added a number of farms + to it. Bouret furnished the house with all the elegancies of Parisian + homes for an Opera celebrity; and to him Les Aigues owes the restoration + of its ground floor in the style Louis XV. + </p> + <p> + I have often stood rapt in admiration at the beauty of the dining-room. + The eye is first attracted to the ceiling, painted in fresco in the + Italian manner, where lightsome arabesques are frolicking. Female forms, + in stucco ending in foliage, support at regular distances corbeils of + fruit, from which spring the garlands of the ceiling. Charming paintings, + the work of unknown artists, fill the panels between the female figures, + representing the luxuries of the table,—boar’s-heads, salmon, rare + shell-fish, and all edible things,—which fantastically suggest men + and women and children, and rival the whimsical imagination of the + Chinese,—the people who best understand, to my thinking at least, + the art of decoration. The mistress of the house finds a bell-wire beneath + her feet to summon servants, who enter only when required, disturbing no + interviews and overhearing no secrets. The panels above the doorways + represent gay scenes; all the embrasures, both of doors and windows, are + in marble mosaics. The room is heated from below. Every window looks forth + on some delightful view. + </p> + <p> + This room communicates with a bath-room on one side and on the other with + a boudoir which opens into the salon. The bath-room is lined with Sevres + tiles, painted in monochrome, the floor is mosaic, and the bath marble. An + alcove, hidden by a picture painted on copper, which turns on a pivot, + contains a couch in gilt wood of the truest Pompadour. The ceiling is + lapis-lazuli starred with gold. The tiles are painted from designs by + Boucher. Bath, table and love are therefore closely united. + </p> + <p> + After the salon, which, I should tell you, my dear fellow, exhibits the + magnificence of the Louis XIV. manner, you enter a fine billiard-room + unrivalled so far as I know in Paris itself. The entrance to this suite of + ground-floor apartments is through a semi-circular antechamber, at the + lower end of which is a fairy-like staircase, lighted from above, which + leads to other parts of the house, all built at various epochs—and + to think that they chopped off the heads of the wealthy in 1793! Good + heavens! why can’t people understand that the marvels of art are + impossible in a land where there are no great fortunes, no secure, + luxurious lives? If the Left insists on killing kings why not leave us a + few little princelings with money in their pockets? + </p> + <p> + At the present moment these accumulated treasures belong to a charming + woman with an artistic soul, who is not content with merely restoring them + magnificently, but who keeps the place up with loving care. Sham + philosophers, studying themselves while they profess to be studying + humanity, call these glorious things extravagance. They grovel before + cotton prints and the tasteless designs of modern industry, as if we were + greater and happier in these days than in those of Henri IV., Louis XIV., + and Louis XVI., monarchs who have all left the stamp of their reigns upon + Les Aigues. What palace, what royal castle, what mansions, what noble + works of art, what gold brocaded stuffs are sacred now? The petticoats of + our grandmothers go to cover the chairs in these degenerate days. Selfish + and thieving interlopers that we are, we pull down everything and plant + cabbages where marvels once were rife. Only yesterday the plough levelled + Persan, that magnificent domain which gave a title to one of the most + opulent families of the old parliament; hammers have demolished + Montmorency, which cost an Italian follower of Napoleon untold sums; Val, + the creation of Regnault de Saint-Jean d’Angely, Cassan, built by a + mistress of the Prince de Conti; in all, four royal houses have + disappeared in the valley of the Oise alone. We are getting a Roman + campagna around Paris in advance of the days when a tempest shall blow + from the north and overturn our plaster palaces and our pasteboard + decorations. + </p> + <p> + Now see, my dear fellow, to what the habit of bombasticising in newspapers + brings you to. Here am I writing a downright article. Does the mind have + its ruts, like a road? I stop; for I rob the mail, and I rob myself, and + you may be yawning—to be continued in our next; I hear the second + bell, which summons me to one of those abundant breakfasts the fashion of + which has long passed away, in the dining-rooms of Paris, be it + understood. + </p> + <p> + Here’s the history of my Arcadia. In 1815, there died at Les Aigues one of + the famous wantons of the last century,—a singer, forgotten of the + guillotine and the nobility, after preying upon exchequers, upon + literature, upon aristocracy, and all but reaching the scaffold; + forgotten, like so many fascinating old women who expiate their golden + youth in country solitudes, and replace their lost loves by another,—man + by Nature. Such women live with the flowers, with the woodland scents, + with the sky, with the sunshine, with all that sings and skips and shines + and sprouts,—the birds, the squirrels, the flowers, the grass; they + know nothing about these things, they cannot explain them, but they love + them; they love them so well that they forget dukes, marshals, rivalries, + financiers, follies, luxuries, their paste jewels and their real diamonds, + their heeled slippers and their rouge,—all, for the sweetness of + country life. + </p> + <p> + I have gathered, my dear fellow, much precious information about the old + age of Mademoiselle Laguerre; for, to tell you the truth, the after life + of such women as Florine, Mariette, Suzanne de Val Noble, and Tullia has + made me, every now and then, extremely inquisitive, as though I were a + child inquiring what had become of the old moons. + </p> + <p> + In 1790 Mademoiselle Laguerre, alarmed at the turn of public affairs, came + to settle at Les Aigues, bought and given to her by Bouret, who passed + several summers with her at the chateau. Terrified at the fate of Madame + du Barry, she buried her diamonds. At that time she was only fifty-three + years of age, and according to her lady’s-maid, afterwards married to a + gendarme named Soudry, “Madame was more beautiful than ever.” My dear + Nathan, Nature has no doubt her private reasons for treating women of this + sort like spoiled children; excesses, instead of killing them, fatten + them, preserve them, renew their youth. Under a lymphatic appearance they + have nerves which maintain their marvellous physique; they actually + preserve their beauty for reasons which would make a virtuous woman + haggard. No, upon my word, Nature is not moral! + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Laguerre lived an irreproachable life at Les Aigues, one + might even call it a saintly one, after her famous adventure,—you + remember it? One evening in a paroxysm of despairing love, she fled from + the opera-house in her stage dress, rushed into the country, and passed + the night weeping by the wayside. (Ah! how they have calumniated the love + of Louis XV.‘s time!) She was so unused to see the sunrise, that she + hailed it with one of her finest songs. Her attitude, quite as much as her + tinsel, drew the peasants about her; amazed at her gestures, her voice, + her beauty, they took her for an angel, and dropped on their knees around + her. If Voltaire had not existed we might have thought it a new miracle. I + don’t know if God gave her much credit for her tardy virtue, for love + after all must be a sickening thing to a woman as weary of it as a wanton + of the old Opera. Mademoiselle Laguerre was born in 1740, and her hey-day + was in 1760, when Monsieur (I forget his name) was called the “ministre de + la guerre,” on account of his liaison with her. She abandoned that name, + which was quite unknown down here, and called herself Madame des Aigues, + as if to merge her identity in the estate, which she delighted to improve + with a taste that was profoundly artistic. When Bonaparte became First + Consul, she increased her property by the purchase of church lands, for + which she used the proceeds of her diamonds. As an Opera divinity never + knows how to take care of her money, she intrusted the management of the + estate to a steward, occupying herself with her flowers and fruits and + with the beautifying of the park. + </p> + <p> + After Mademoiselle was dead and buried at Blangy, the notary of Soulanges—that + little town which lies between Ville-aux-Fayes and Blangy, the capital of + the township—made an elaborate inventory, and sought out the heirs + of the singer, who never knew she had any. Eleven families of poor + laborers living near Amiens, and sleeping in cotton sheets, awoke one fine + morning in golden ones. The property was sold at auction. Les Aigues was + bought by Montcornet, who had laid by enough during his campaigns in Spain + and Pomerania to make the purchase, which cost about eleven hundred + thousand francs, including the furniture. The general, no doubt, felt the + influence of these luxurious apartments; and I was arguing with the + countess only yesterday that her marriage was a direct result of the + purchase of Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + To rightly understand the countess, my dear Nathan, you must know that the + general is a violent man, red as fire, five feet nine inches tall, round + as a tower, with a thick neck and the shoulders of a blacksmith, which + must have amply filled his cuirass. Montcornet commanded the cuirassiers + at the battle of Essling (called by the Austrians Gross-Aspern), and came + near perishing when that noble corps was driven back on the Danube. He + managed to cross the river astride a log of wood. The cuirassiers, finding + the bridge down, took the glorious resolution, at Montcornet’s command, to + turn and resist the entire Austrian army, which carried off on the morrow + over thirty wagon-loads of cuirasses. The Germans invented a name for + their enemies on this occasion which means “men of iron.”[*] Montcornet + has the outer man of a hero of antiquity. His arms are stout and vigorous, + his chest deep and broad; his head has a leonine aspect, his voice is of + those that can order a charge in the thick of battle; but he has nothing + more than the courage of a daring man; he lacks mind and breadth of view. + Like other generals to whom military common-sense, the natural boldness of + those who spend their lives in danger, and the habit of command gives an + appearance of superiority, Montcornet has an imposing effect when you + first meet him; he seems a Titan, but he contains a dwarf, like the + pasteboard giant who saluted Queen Elizabeth at the gates of Kenilworth. + Choleric though kind, and full of imperial hauteur, he has the caustic + tongue of a soldier, and is quick at repartee, but quicker still with a + blow. He may have been superb on a battle-field; in a household he is + simply intolerable. He knows no love but barrack love,—the love + which those clever myth-makers, the ancients, placed under the patronage + of Eros, son of Mars and Venus. Those delightful chroniclers of the old + religions provided themselves with a dozen different Loves. Study the + fathers and the attributes of these Loves, and you will discover a + complete social nomenclature,—and yet we fancy that we originate + things! When the world turns upside down like an hour-glass, when the seas + become continents, Frenchmen will find canons, steamboats, newspapers, and + maps wrapped up in seaweed at the bottom of what is now our ocean. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [*] I do not, on principle, like foot-notes, and this is the + first I have ever allowed myself. Its historical interest + must be my excuse; it will prove, moreover, that + descriptions of battles should be something more than the + dry particulars of technical writers, who for the last three + thousand years have told us about left and right wings and + centres being broken or driven in, but never a word about + the soldier himself, his sufferings, and his heroism. The + conscientious care with which I prepared myself to write the + “Scenes from Military Life,” led me to many a battle-field + once wet with the blood of France and her enemies. Among + them I went to Wagram. When I reached the shores of the + Danube, opposite Lobau, I noticed on the bank, which is + covered with turf, certain undulations that reminded me of + the furrows in a field of lucern. I asked the reason of it, + thinking I should hear of some new method of agriculture: + “There sleep the cavalry of the imperial guard,” said the + peasant who served us as a guide; “those are their graves + you see there.” The words made me shudder. Prince Frederic + Schwartzenburg, who translated them, added that the man had + himself driven one of the wagons laden with cuirasses. By + one of the strange chances of war our guide had served a + breakfast to Napoleon on the morning of the battle of + Wagram. Though poor, he had kept the double napoleon which + the Emperor gave him for his milk and his eggs. The curate + of Gross-Aspern took us to the famous cemetery where French + and Austrians struggled together knee-deep in blood, with a + courage and obstinacy glorious to each. There, while + explaining that a marble tablet (to which our attention had + been attracted, and on which were inscribed the names of the + owner of Gross-Aspern, who had been killed on the third day) + was the sole compensation ever given to the family, he said, + in a tone of deep sadness: “It was a time of great misery, + and of great hopes; but now are the days of forgetfulness.” + The saying seemed to me sublime in its simplicity; but when + I came to reflect upon the matter, I felt there was some + justification for the apparent ingratitude of the House of + Austria. Neither nations nor kings are wealthy enough to + reward all the devotions to which these tragic struggles + give rise. Let those who serve a cause with a secret + expectation of recompense, set a price upon their blood and + become mercenaries. Those who wield either sword or pen for + their country’s good ought to think of nothing but of <i>doing + their best</i>, as our fathers used to say, and expect nothing, + not even glory, except as a happy accident. + + It was in rushing to retake this famous cemetery for the + third time that Massena, wounded and carried in the box of a + cabriolet, made this splendid harangue to his soldiers: + “What! you rascally curs, who have only five sous a day + while I have forty thousand, do you let me go ahead of you?” + All the world knows the order which the Emperor sent to his + lieutenant by M. de Sainte-Croix, who swam the Danube three + times: “Die or retake the village; it is a question of + saving the army; the bridges are destroyed.” + + The Author. +</pre> + <p> + Now, I must tell you that the Comtesse de Montcornet is a fragile, timid, + delicate little woman. What do you think of such a marriage as that? To + those who know society such things are common enough; a well-assorted + marriage is the exception. Nevertheless, I have come to see how it is that + this slender little creature handles her bobbins in a way to lead this + heavy, solid, stolid general precisely as he himself used to lead his + cuirassiers. + </p> + <p> + If Montcornet begins to bluster before his Virginie, Madame lays a finger + on her lips and he is silent. He smokes his pipes and his cigars in a + kiosk fifty feet from the chateau, and airs himself before he returns to + the house. Proud of his subjection, he turns to her, like a bear drunk on + grapes, and says, when anything is proposed, “If Madame approves.” When he + comes to his wife’s room, with that heavy step which makes the tiles creak + as though they were boards, and she, not wanting him, calls out: “Don’t + come in!” he performs a military volte-face and says humbly: “You will let + me know when I can see you?”—in the very tones with which he shouted + to his cuirassiers on the banks of the Danube: “Men, we must die, and die + well, since there’s nothing else we can do!” I have heard him say, + speaking of his wife, “Not only do I love her, but I venerate her.” When + he flies into a passion which defies all restraint and bursts all bonds, + the little woman retires into her own room and leaves him to shout. But + four or five hours later she will say: “Don’t get into a passion, my dear, + you might break a blood-vessel; and besides, you hurt me.” Then the lion + of Essling retreats out of sight to wipe his eyes. Sometimes he comes into + the salon when she and I are talking, and if she says: “Don’t disturb us, + he is reading to me,” he leaves us without a word. + </p> + <p> + It is only strong men, choleric and powerful, thunder-bolts of war, + diplomats with olympian heads, or men of genius, who can show this utter + confidence, this generous devotion to weakness, this constant protection, + this love without jealousy, this easy good humor with a woman. Good + heavens! I place the science of the countess’s management of her husband + as far above the peevish, arid virtues as the satin of a causeuse is + superior to the Utrecht velvet of a dirty bourgeois sofa. + </p> + <p> + My dear fellow, I have spent six days in this delightful country-house, + and I never tire of admiring the beauties of the park, surrounded by + forests where pretty wood-paths lead beside the brooks. Nature and its + silence, these tranquil pleasures, this placid life to which she woos me,—all + attract. Ah! here is true literature; no fault of style among the meadows. + Happiness forgets all things here,—even the Debats! It has rained + all the morning; while the countess slept and Montcornet tramped over his + domain, I have compelled myself to keep my rash, imprudent promise to + write to you. + </p> + <p> + Until now, though I was born at Alencon, of an old judge and a prefect, so + they say, and though I know something of agriculture, I supposed the tale + of estates bringing in four or five thousand francs a month to be a fable. + Money, to me, meant a couple of dreadful things,—work and a + publisher, journalism and politics. When shall we poor fellows come upon a + land where gold springs up with the grass? That is what I desire for you + and for me and the rest of us in the name of the theatre, and of the + press, and of book-making! Amen! + </p> + <p> + Will Florine be jealous of the late Mademoiselle Laguerre? Our modern + Bourets have no French nobles now to show them how to live; they hire one + opera-box among three of them; they subscribe for their pleasures; they no + longer cut down magnificently bound quartos to match the octavos in their + library; in fact, they scarcely buy even stitched paper books. What is to + become of us? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Adieu; continue to care for + Your Blondet. +</pre> + <p> + If this letter, dashed off by the idlest pen of the century, had not by + some lucky chance been preserved, it would have been almost impossible to + describe Les Aigues; and without this description the history of the + horrible events that occurred there would certainly be less interesting. + </p> + <p> + After that remark some persons will expect to see the flashing of the + cuirass of the former colonel of the guard, and the raging of his anger as + he falls like a waterspout upon his little wife; so that the end of this + present history may be like the end of all modern dramas,—a tragedy + of the bed-chamber. Perhaps the fatal scene will take place in that + charming room with the blue monochromes, where beautiful ideal birds are + painted on the ceilings and the shutters, where Chinese monsters laugh + with open jaws on the mantle-shelf, and dragons, green and gold, twist + their tails in curious convolutions around rich vases, and Japanese + fantasy embroiders its designs of many colors; where sofas and + reclining-chairs and consoles and what-nots invite to that contemplative + idleness which forbids all action. + </p> + <p> + No; the drama here to be developed is not one of private life; it concerns + things higher, or lower. Expect no scenes of passion; the truth of this + history is only too dramatic. And remember, the historian should never + forget that his mission is to do justice to all; the poor and the + prosperous are equals before his pen; to him the peasant appears in the + grandeur of his misery, and the rich in the pettiness of his folly. + Moreover, the rich man has passions, the peasant only wants. The peasant + is therefore doubly poor; and if, politically, his aggressions must be + pitilessly repressed, to the eyes of humanity and religion he is sacred. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. A BUCOLIC OVERLOOKED BY VIRGIL + </h2> + <p> + When a Parisian drops into the country he is cut off from all his usual + habits, and soon feels the dragging hours, no matter how attentive his + friends may be to him. Therefore, because it is so impossible to prolong + in a tete-a-tete conversations that are soon exhausted, the master and + mistress of a country-house are apt to say, calmly, “You will be terribly + bored here.” It is true that to understand the delights of country life + one must have something to do, some interests in it; one must know the + nature of the work to be done, and the alternating harmony of toil and + pleasure,—eternal symbol of human life. + </p> + <p> + When a Parisian has recovered his powers of sleeping, shaken off the + fatigues of his journey, and accustomed himself to country habits, the + hardest period of the day (if he wears thin boots and is neither a + sportsman nor an agriculturalist) is the early morning. Between the hours + of waking and breakfasting, the women of the family are sleeping or + dressing, and therefore unapproachable; the master of the house is out and + about on his own affairs; a Parisian is therefore compelled to be alone + from eight to eleven o’clock, the hour chosen in all country-houses for + breakfast. Now, having got what amusement he can out of carefully dressing + himself, he has soon exhausted that resource. Then, perhaps, he has + brought with him some work, which he finds it impossible to do, and which + goes back untouched, after he sees the difficulties of doing it, into his + valise; a writer is then obliged to wander about the park and gape at + nothing or count the big trees. The easier the life, the more irksome such + occupations are,—unless, indeed, one belongs to the sect of shaking + quakers or to the honorable guild of carpenters or taxidermists. If one + really had, like the owners of estates, to live in the country, it would + be well to supply one’s self with a geological, mineralogical, + entomological, or botanical hobby; but a sensible man doesn’t give himself + a vice merely to kill time for a fortnight. The noblest estate, and the + finest chateaux soon pall on those who possess nothing but the sight of + them. The beauties of nature seem rather squalid compared to the + representation of them at the opera. Paris, by retrospection, shines from + all its facets. Unless some particular interest attaches us, as it did in + Blondet’s case, to scenes honored by the steps and lighted by the eyes of + a certain person, one would envy the birds their wings and long to get + back to the endless, exciting scenes of Paris and its harrowing strifes. + </p> + <p> + The long letter of the young journalist must make most intelligent minds + suppose that he had reached, morally and physically, that particular phase + of satisfied passions and comfortable happiness which certain winged + creatures fed in Strasbourg so perfectly represent when, with their heads + sunk behind their protruding gizzards, they neither see nor wish to see + the most appetizing food. So, when the formidable letter was finished, the + writer felt the need of getting away from the gardens of Armida and doing + something to enliven the deadly void of the morning hours; for the hours + between breakfast and dinner belonged to the mistress of the house, who + knew very well how to make them pass quickly. To keep, as Madame de + Montcornet did, a man of talent in the country without ever seeing on his + face the false smile of satiety, or detecting the yawn of a weariness that + cannot be concealed, is a great triumph for a woman. The affection which + is equal to such a test certainly ought to be eternal. It is to be + wondered at that women do not oftener employ it to judge of their lovers; + a fool, an egoist, or a petty nature could never stand it. Philip the + Second himself, the Alexander of dissimulation, would have told his + secrets if condemned to a month’s tete-a-tete in the country. Perhaps this + is why kings seek to live in perpetual motion, and allow no one to see + them more than fifteen minutes at a time. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding that he had received the delicate attentions of one of the + most charming women in Paris, Emile Blondet was able to feel once more the + long forgotten delights of a truant schoolboy; and on the morning of the + day after his letter was written he had himself called by Francois, the + head valet, who was specially appointed to wait on him, for the purpose of + exploring the valley of the Avonne. + </p> + <p> + The Avonne is a little river which, being swollen above Conches by + numerous rivulets, some of which rise in Les Aigues, falls at + Ville-aux-Fayes into one of the large affluents of the Seine. The + geographical position of the Avonne, navigable for over twelve miles, had, + ever since Jean Bouvet invented rafts, given full money value to the + forests of Les Aigues, Soulanges, and Ronquerolles, standing on the crest + of the hills between which this charming river flows. The park of Les + Aigues covers the greater part of the valley, between the river (bordered + on both sides by the forest called des Aigues) and the royal mail road, + defined by a line of old elms in the distance along the slopes of the + Avonne mountains, which are in fact the foot-hills of that magnificent + amphitheater called the Morvan. + </p> + <p> + However vulgar the comparison may be, the park, lying thus at the bottom + of the valley, is like an enormous fish with its head at Conches and its + tail in the village of Blangy; for it widens in the middle to nearly three + hundred acres, while towards Conches it counts less than fifty, and sixty + at Blangy. The position of this estate, between three villages, and only + three miles from the little town of Soulanges, from which the descent is + rapid, may perhaps have led to the strife and caused the excesses which + are the chief interest attaching to the place. If, when seen from the mail + road or from the uplands beyond Ville-aux-Fayes, the paradise of Les + Aigues induces mere passing travellers to commit the mortal sin of envy, + why should the rich burghers of Soulanges and Ville-aux-Fayes who had it + before their eyes and admired it every day of their lives, have been more + virtuous? + </p> + <p> + This last topographical detail was needed to explain the site, also the + use of the four gates by which alone the park of Les Aigues was entered; + for it was completely surrounded by walls, except where nature had + provided a fine view, and at such points sunk fences or ha-has had been + placed. The four gates, called the gate of Conches, the gate of Avonne, + the gate of Blangy, and the gate of the Avenue, showed the styles of the + different periods at which they were constructed so admirably that a brief + description, in the interest of archaeologists, will presently be given, + as brief as the one Blondet has already written about the gate of the + Avenue. + </p> + <p> + After eight days of strolling about with the countess, the illustrious + editor of the “Journal des Debats” knew by heart the Chinese kiosk, the + bridges, the isles, the hermitage, the dairy, the ruined temple, the + Babylonian ice-house, and all the other delusions invented by landscape + architects which some nine hundred acres of land can be made to serve. He + now wished to find the sources of the Avonne, which the general and the + countess daily extolled in the evening, making plans to visit them which + were daily forgotten the next morning. Above Les Aigues the Avonne really + had the appearance of an alpine torrent. Sometimes it hollowed a bed among + the rocks, sometimes it went underground; on this side the brooks came + down in cascades, there they flowed like the Loire on sandy shallows where + rafts could not pass on account of the shifting channels. Blondet took a + short cut through the labyrinths of the park to reach the gate of Conches. + This gate demands a few words, which give, moreover, certain historical + details about the property. + </p> + <p> + The original founder of Les Aigues was a younger son of the Soulanges + family, enriched by marriage, whose chief ambition was to make his elder + brother jealous,—a sentiment, by the bye, to which we owe the + fairy-land of Isola Bella in the Lago Maggiore. In the middle ages the + castle of Les Aigues stood on the banks of the Avonne. Of this old + building nothing remains but the gateway, which has a porch like the + entrance to a fortified town, flanked by two round towers with conical + roofs. Above the arch of the porch are heavy stone courses, now draped + with vegetation, showing three large windows with cross-bar sashes. A + winding stairway in one of the towers leads to two chambers, and a kitchen + occupies the other tower. The roof of the porch, of pointed shape like all + old timber-work, is noticeable for two weathercocks perched at each end of + a ridge-pole ornamented with fantastic iron-work. Many an important place + cannot boast of so fine a town hall. On the outside of this gateway, the + keystone of the arch still bears the arms of Soulanges, preserved by the + hardness of the stone on which the chisel of the artist carved them, as + follows: Azure, on a pale, argent, three pilgrim’s staff’s sable; a fess + bronchant, gules, charged with four grosses patee, fitched, or; with the + heraldic form of a shield awarded to younger sons. Blondet deciphered the + motto, “Je soule agir,”—one of those puns that crusaders delighted + to make upon their names, and which brings to mind a fine political maxim, + which, as we shall see later, was unfortunately forgotten by Montcornet. + The gate, which was opened for Blondet by a very pretty girl, was of + time-worn wood clamped with iron. The keeper, wakened by the creaking of + the hinges, put his nose out of the window and showed himself in his + night-shirt. + </p> + <p> + “So our keepers sleep till this time of day!” thought the Parisian, who + thought himself very knowing in rural customs. + </p> + <p> + After a walk of about quarter of an hour, he reached the sources of the + river above Conches, where his ravished eyes beheld one of those + landscapes that ought to be described, like the history of France, in a + thousand volumes or in only one. We must here content ourselves with two + paragraphs. + </p> + <p> + A projecting rock, covered with dwarf trees and abraded at its base by the + Avonne, to which circumstance it owes a slight resemblance to an enormous + turtle lying across the river, forms an arch through which the eye takes + in a little sheet of water, clear as a mirror, where the stream seems to + sleep until it reaches in the distance a series of cascades falling among + huge rocks, where little weeping willows with elastic motion sway back and + forth to the flow of waters. + </p> + <p> + Beyond these cascades is the hillside, rising sheer, like a Rhine rock + clothed with moss and heather, gullied like it, again, by sharp ridges of + schist and mica sending down, here and there, white foaming rivulets to + which a little meadow, always watered and always green, serves as a cup; + farther on, beyond the picturesque chaos and in contrast to this wild, + solitary nature, the gardens of Conches are seen, with the village roofs + and the clock-tower and the outlying fields. + </p> + <p> + There are the two paragraphs, but the rising sun, the purity of the air, + the dewy sheen, the melody of woods and waters—imagine them! + </p> + <p> + “Almost as charming as at the Opera,” thought Blondet, making his way + along the banks of the unnavigable portion of the Avonne, whose caprices + contrast with the straight and deep and silent stream of the lower river, + flowing between the tall trees of the forest of Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + Blondet did not proceed far on his morning walk, for he was presently + brought to a stand-still by the sight of a peasant,—one of those + who, in this drama, are supernumeraries so essential to its action that it + may be doubted whether they are not in fact its leading actors. + </p> + <p> + When the clever journalist reached a group of rocks where the main stream + is imprisoned, as it were, between two portals, he saw a man standing so + motionless as to excite his curiosity, while the clothes and general air + of this living statue greatly puzzled him. + </p> + <p> + The humble personage before him was a living presentment of the old men + dear to Charlet’s pencil; resembling the troopers of that Homer of + soldiery in a strong frame able to endure hardship, and his immortal + skirmishers in a fiery, crimson, knotted face, showing small capacity for + submission. A coarse felt hat, the brim of which was held to the crown by + stitches, protected a nearly bald head from the weather; below it fell a + quantity of white hair which a painter would gladly have paid four francs + an hour to copy,—a dazzling mass of snow, worn like that in all the + classical representations of Deity. It was easy to guess from the way in + which the cheeks sank in, continuing the lines of the mouth, that the + toothless old fellow was more given to the bottle than the trencher. His + thin white beard gave a threatening expression to his profile by the + stiffness of its short bristles. The eyes, too small for his enormous + face, and sloping like those of a pig, betrayed cunning and also laziness; + but at this particular moment they were gleaming with the intent look he + cast upon the river. The sole garments of this curious figure were an old + blouse, formerly blue, and trousers of the coarse burlap used in Paris to + wrap bales. All city people would have shuddered at the sight of his + broken sabots, without even a wisp of straw to stop the cracks; and it is + very certain that the blouse and the trousers had no money value at all + except to a paper-maker. + </p> + <p> + As Blondet examined this rural Diogenes, he admitted the possibility of a + type of peasantry he had seen in old tapestries, old pictures, old + sculptures, and which, up to this time, had seemed to him imaginary. He + resolved for the future not to utterly condemn the school of ugliness, + perceiving a possibility that in man beauty may be but the flattering + exception, a chimera in which the race struggles to believe. + </p> + <p> + “What can be the ideas, the morals, the habits, of such a being? What is + he thinking of?” thought Blondet, seized with curiosity. “Is he my + fellow-creature? We have nothing in common but shape, and even that!—” + </p> + <p> + He noticed in the old man’s limbs the peculiar rigidity of the tissues of + persons who live in the open air, accustomed to the inclemencies of the + weather and to the endurance of heat and cold,—hardened to + everything, in short,—which makes their leathern skin almost a hide, + and their nerves an apparatus against physical pain almost as powerful as + that of the Russians or the Arabs. + </p> + <p> + “Here’s one of Cooper’s Red-skins,” thought Blondet; “one needn’t go to + America to study savages.” + </p> + <p> + Though the Parisian was less than ten paces off, the old man did not turn + his head, but kept looking at the opposite bank with a fixity which the + fakirs of India give to their vitrified eyes and their stiffened joints. + Compelled by the power of a species of magnetism, more contagious than + people have any idea of, Blondet ended by gazing at the water himself. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my good man, what do you see there?” he asked, after the lapse of a + quarter of an hour, during which time he saw nothing to justify this + intent contemplation. + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” whispered the old man, with a sign to Blondet not to ruffle the + air with his voice; “You will frighten it—” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “An otter, my good gentleman. If it hears us it’ll go quick under water. + I’m certain it jumped there; see! see! there, where the water bubbles! Ha! + it sees a fish, it is after that! But my boy will grab it as it comes + back. The otter, don’t you know, is very rare; it is scientific game, and + good eating, too. I get ten francs for every one I carry to Les Aigues, + for the lady fasts Fridays, and to-morrow is Friday. Years agone the + deceased madame used to pay me twenty francs, and gave me the skin to + boot! Mouche,” he called, in a low voice, “watch it!” + </p> + <p> + Blondet now perceived on the other side of the river two bright eyes, like + those of a cat, beneath a tuft of alders; then he saw the tanned forehead + and tangled hair of a boy about ten years of age, who was lying on his + stomach and making signs towards the otter to let his master know he kept + it well in sight. Blondet, completely mastered by the eagerness of the old + man and boy, allowed the demon of the chase to get the better of him,—that + demon with the double claws of hope and curiosity, who carries you + whithersoever he will. + </p> + <p> + “The hat-makers buy the skin,” continued the old man; “it’s so soft, so + handsome! They cover caps with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you really think so, my old man?” said Blondet, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Well truly, my good gentleman, you ought to know more than I, though I am + seventy years old,” replied the old fellow, very humbly and respectfully, + falling into the attitude of a giver of holy water; “perhaps you can tell + me why conductors and wine-merchants are so fond of it?” + </p> + <p> + Blondet, a master of irony, already on his guard from the word + “scientific,” recollected the Marechal de Richelieu and began to suspect + some jest on the part of the old man; but he was reassured by his artless + attitude and the perfectly stupid expression of his face. + </p> + <p> + “In my young days we had lots of otters,” whispered the old fellow; “but + they’ve hunted ‘em so that if we see the tail of one in seven years it is + as much as ever we do. And the sub-prefect at Ville-aux-Fayes,—doesn’t + monsieur know him? though he be a Parisian, he’s a fine young man like + you, and he loves curiosities,—so, as I was saying, hearing of my + talent for catching otters, for I know ‘em as you know your alphabet, he + says to me like this: ‘Pere Fourchon,’ says he, ‘when you find an otter + bring it to me, and I’ll pay you well; and if it’s spotted white on the + back,’ says he, ‘I’ll give you thirty francs.’ That’s just what he did say + to me as true as I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And + there’s a learned man at Soulanges, Monsieur Gourdon, our doctor, who is + making, so they tell me, a collection of natural history which hasn’t its + mate at Dijon even; indeed he is first among the learned men in these + parts, and he’ll pay me a fine price, too; he stuffs men and beasts. Now + my boy there stands me out that that otter has got the white spots. ‘If + that’s so,’ says I to him, ‘then the good God wishes well to us this + morning!’ Ha! didn’t you see the water bubble? yes, there it is! there it + is! Though it lives in a kind of a burrow, it sometimes stays whole days + under water. Ha, there! it heard you, my good gentleman; it’s on its guard + now; for there’s not a more suspicious animal on earth; it’s worse than a + woman.” + </p> + <p> + “So you call women suspicious, do you?” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Faith, monsieur, if you come from Paris you ought to know about that + better than I. But you’d have done better for me if you had stayed in your + bed and slept all the morning; don’t you see that wake there? that’s where + she’s gone under. Get up, Mouche! the otter heard monsieur talking, and + now she’s scary enough to keep us at her heels till midnight. Come, let’s + be off! and good-bye to our thirty francs!” + </p> + <p> + Mouche got up reluctantly; he looked at the spot where the water bubbled, + pointed to it with his finger and seemed unable to give up all hope. The + child, with curly hair and a brown face, like the angels in a + fifteenth-century picture, seemed to be in breeches, for his trousers + ended at the knee in a ragged fringe of brambles and dead leaves. This + necessary garment was fastened upon him by cords of tarred oakum in guise + of braces. A shirt of the same burlap which made the old man’s trousers, + thickened, however, by many darns, open in front showed a sun-burnt little + breast. In short, the attire of the being called Mouche was even more + startlingly simple than that of Pere Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “What a good-natured set of people they are here,” thought Blondet; “if a + man frightened away the game of the people of the suburbs of Paris, how + their tongues would maul him!” + </p> + <p> + As he had never seen an otter, even in a museum, he was delighted with + this episode of his early walk. “Come,” said he, quite touched when the + old man walked away without asking him for a compensation, “you say you + are a famous otter catcher. If you are sure there is an otter down there—” + </p> + <p> + From the other side of the water Mouche pointed his finger to certain + air-bubbles coming up from the bottom of the Avonne and bursting on its + surface. + </p> + <p> + “It has come back!” said Pere Fourchon; “don’t you see it breathe, the + beggar? How do you suppose they manage to breathe at the bottom of the + water? Ah, the creature’s so clever it laughs at science.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Blondet, who supposed the last word was a jest of the + peasantry in general rather than of this peasant in particular, “wait and + catch the otter.” + </p> + <p> + “And what are we to do about our day’s work, Mouche and I?” + </p> + <p> + “What is your day worth?” + </p> + <p> + “For the pair of us, my apprentice and me?—Five francs,” said the + old man, looking Blondet in the eye with a hesitation which betrayed an + enormous overcharge. + </p> + <p> + The journalist took ten francs from his pocket, saying, “There’s ten, and + I’ll give you ten more for the otter.” + </p> + <p> + “And it won’t cost you dear if there’s white on its back; for the + sub-prefect told me there wasn’t one o’ them museums that had the like; + but he knows everything, our sub-prefect,—no fool he! If I hunt the + otter, he, M’sieur des Lupeaulx, hunts Mademoiselle Gaubertin, who has a + fine white ‘dot’ on her back. Come now, my good gentleman, if I may make + so bold, plunge into the middle of the Avonne and get to that stone down + there. If we head the otter off, it will come down stream; for just see + their slyness, the beggars! they always go above their burrow to feed, + for, once full of fish, they know they can easily drift down, the sly + things! Ha! if I’d been trained in their school I should be living now on + an income; but I was a long time finding out that you must go up stream + very early in the morning if you want to bag the game before others. Well, + somebody threw a spell over me when I was born. However, we three together + ought to be slyer than the otter.” + </p> + <p> + “How so, my old necromancer?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, bless you! we are as stupid as the beasts, and so we come to + understand the beasts. Now, see, this is what we’ll do. When the otter + wants to get home Mouche and I’ll frighten it here, and you’ll frighten it + over there; frightened by us and frightened by you it will jump on the + bank, and when it takes to earth, it is lost! It can’t run; it has web + feet for swimming. Ho, ho! it will make you laugh, such floundering! you + don’t know whether you are fishing or hunting! The general up at Les + Aigues, I have known him to stay here three days running, he was so bent + on getting an otter.” + </p> + <p> + Blondet, armed with a branch cut for him by the old man, who requested him + to whip the water with it when he called to him, planted himself in the + middle of the river by jumping from stone to stone. + </p> + <p> + “There, that will do, my good gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + Blondet stood where he was told without remarking the lapse of time, for + every now and then the old fellow made him a sign as much as to say that + all was going well; and besides, nothing makes time go so fast as the + expectation that quick action is to succeed the perfect stillness of + watching. + </p> + <p> + “Pere Fourchon,” whispered the boy, finding himself alone with the old + man, “there’s <i>really</i> an otter!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you see it?” + </p> + <p> + “There, see there!” + </p> + <p> + The old fellow was dumb-founded at beholding under water the reddish-brown + fur of an actual otter. + </p> + <p> + “It’s coming my way!” said the child. + </p> + <p> + “Hit him a sharp blow on the head and jump into the water and hold him + fast down, but don’t let him go!” + </p> + <p> + Mouche dove into the water like a frightened frog. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, my good gentleman,” cried Pere Fourchon to Blondet, jumping + into the water and leaving his sabots on the bank, “frighten him! frighten + him! Don’t you see him? he is swimming fast your way!” + </p> + <p> + The old man dashed toward Blondet through the water, calling out with the + gravity that country people retain in the midst of their greatest + excitements:— + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you see him, there, along the rocks?” + </p> + <p> + Blondet, placed by direction of the old fellow in such a way that the sun + was in his eyes, thrashed the water with much satisfaction to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Go on, go on!” cried Pere Fourchon; “on the rock side; the burrow is + there, to your left!” + </p> + <p> + Carried away by excitement and by his long waiting, Blondet slipped from + the stones into the water. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! brave you are, my good gentleman! Twenty good Gods! I see him between + your legs! you’ll have him!—Ah! there! he’s gone—he’s gone!” + cried the old man, in despair. + </p> + <p> + Then, in the fury of the chase, the old fellow plunged into the deepest + part of the stream in front of Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “It’s your fault we’ve lost him!” he cried, as Blondet gave him a hand to + pull him out, dripping like a triton, and a vanquished triton. “The + rascal, I see him, under those rocks! He has let go his fish,” continued + Fourchon, pointing to something that floated on the surface. “We’ll have + that at any rate; it’s a tench, a real tench.” + </p> + <p> + Just then a groom in livery on horseback and leading another horse by the + bridle galloped up the road toward Conches. + </p> + <p> + “See! there’s the chateau people sending after you,” said the old man. “If + you want to cross back again I’ll give you a hand. I don’t mind about + getting wet; it saves washing!” + </p> + <p> + “How about rheumatism?” + </p> + <p> + “Rheumatism! don’t you see the sun has browned our legs, Mouche and me, + like tobacco-pipes. Here, lean on me, my good gentleman—you’re from + Paris; you don’t know, though you <i>do</i> know so much, how to walk on + our rocks. If you stay here long enough, you’ll learn a deal that’s + written in the book o’ nature,—you who write, so they tell me, in + the newspapers.” + </p> + <p> + Blondet had reached the bank before Charles, the groom, perceived him. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, monsieur!” he cried; “you don’t know how anxious Madame has been + since she heard you had gone through the gate of Conches; she was afraid + you were drowned. They have rung the great bell three times, and Monsieur + le cure is hunting for you in the park.” + </p> + <p> + “What time is it, Charles?” + </p> + <p> + “A quarter to twelve.” + </p> + <p> + “Help me to mount.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” exclaimed the groom, noticing the water that dripped from Blondet’s + boots and trousers, “has monsieur been taken in by Pere Fourchon’s otter?” + </p> + <p> + The words enlightened the journalist. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t say a word about it, Charles,” he cried, “and I’ll make it all + right with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, as for that!” answered the man, “Monsieur le comte himself has been + taken in by that otter. Whenever a visitor comes to Les Aigues, Pere + Fourchon sets himself on the watch, and if the gentleman goes to see the + sources of the Avonne he sells him the otter; he plays the trick so well + that Monsieur le comte has been here three times and paid him for six + days’ work, just to stare at the water!” + </p> + <p> + “Heavens!” thought Blondet. “And I imagined I had seen the greatest + comedians of the present day!—Potier, the younger Baptiste, Michot, + and Monrose. What are they compared to that old beggar?” + </p> + <p> + “He is very knowing at the business, Pere Fourchon is,” continued Charles; + “and he has another string to his bow, besides. He calls himself a + rope-maker, and has a walk under the park wall by the gate of Blangy. If + you merely touch his rope he’ll entangle you so cleverly that you will + want to turn the wheel and make a bit of it yourself; and for that you + would have to pay a fee for apprenticeship. Madame herself was taken in, + and gave him twenty francs. Ah! he is the king of tricks, that old + fellow!” + </p> + <p> + The groom’s gossip set Blondet thinking of the extreme craftiness and + wiliness of the French peasant, of which he had heard a great deal from + his father, a judge at Alencon. Then the satirical meaning hidden beneath + Pere Fourchon’s apparent guilelessness came back to him, and he owned + himself “gulled” by the Burgundian beggar. + </p> + <p> + “You would never believe, monsieur,” said Charles, as they reached the + portico at Les Aigues, “how much one is forced to distrust everybody and + everything in the country,—especially here, where the general is not + much liked—” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s more than I know,” said Charles, with the stupid air servants + assume to shield themselves when they wish not to answer their superiors, + which nevertheless gave Blondet a good deal to think of. + </p> + <p> + “Here you are, truant!” cried the general, coming out on the terrace when + he heard the horses. “Here he is; don’t be uneasy!” he called back to his + wife, whose little footfalls were heard behind him. “Now the Abbe + Brossette is missing. Go and find him, Charles,” he said to the groom. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE TAVERN + </h2> + <p> + The gate of Blangy, built by Bouret, was formed of two wide pilasters of + projecting rough-hewn stone; each surmounted by a dog sitting on his + haunches and holding an escutcheon between his fore paws. The proximity of + a small house where the steward lived dispensed with the necessity for a + lodge. Between the two pilasters, a sumptuous iron gate, like those made + in Buffon’s time for the Jardin des Plantes, opened on a short paved way + which led to the country road (formerly kept in order by Les Aigues and + the Soulanges family) which unites Conches, Cerneux, Blangy, and Soulanges + to Ville-aux-Fayes, like a wreath, for the whole road is lined with + flowering hedges and little houses covered with roses and honey-suckle and + other climbing plants. + </p> + <p> + There, along a pretty wall which extends as far as a terrace from which + the land of Les Aigues falls rapidly to the valley till it meets that of + Soulanges, are the rotten posts, the old wheel, and the forked stakes + which constituted the manufactory of the village rope-maker. + </p> + <p> + Soon after midday, while Blondet was seating himself at table opposite the + Abbe Brossette and receiving the tender expostulations of the countess, + Pere Fourchon and Mouche arrived at this establishment. From that + vantage-ground Pere Fourchon, under pretence of rope-making, could watch + Les Aigues and see every one who went in and out. Nothing escaped him, the + opening of the blinds, tete-a-tete loiterings, or the least little + incidents of country life, were spied upon by the old fellow, who had set + up this business within the last three years,—a trifling + circumstance which neither the masters, nor the servants, nor the keepers + of Les Aigues had as yet remarked upon. + </p> + <p> + “Go round to the house by the gate of the Avonne while I put away the + tackle,” said Pere Fourchon to his attendant, “and when you have blabbed + about the thing, they’ll no doubt send after me to the Grand-I-Vert, where + I am going for a drop of drink,—for it makes one thirsty enough to + wade in the water that way. If you do just as I tell you, you’ll hook a + good breakfast out of them; try to meet the countess, and give a slap at + me, and that will put it into her head to come and preach morality or + something! There’s lots of good wine to get out of it.” + </p> + <p> + After these last instructions, which the sly look in Mouche’s face + rendered quite superfluous, the old peasant, hugging the otter under his + arm, disappeared along the country road. + </p> + <p> + Half-way between the gate and the village there stood, at the time when + Emile Blondet stayed at Les Aigues, one of those houses which are never + seen but in parts of France where stone is scarce. Bits of bricks picked + up anywhere, cobblestones set like diamonds in the clay mud, formed very + solid walls, though worn in places; the roof was supported by stout + branches and covered with rushes and straw, while the clumsy shutters and + the broken door—in short, everything about the cottage was the + product of lucky finds, or of gifts obtained by begging. + </p> + <p> + The peasant has an instinct for his habitation like that of an animal for + its nest or its burrow, and this instinct was very marked in all the + arrangements of this cottage. In the first place, the door and the window + looked to the north. The house, placed on a little rise in the stoniest + angle of a vineyard, was certainly healthful. It was reached by three + steps, carefully made with stakes and planks filled in with broken stone + and gravel, so that the water ran off rapidly; and as the rain seldom + comes from the northward in Burgundy, no dampness could rot the + foundations, slight as they were. Below the steps and along the path ran a + rustic paling, hidden beneath a hedge of hawthorn and sweet-brier. An + arbor, with a few clumsy tables and wooden benches, filled the space + between the cottage and the road, and invited the passers-by to rest + themselves. At the upper end of the bank by the house roses grew, and + wall-flowers, violets, and other flowers that cost nothing. Jessamine and + honey-suckle had fastened their tendrils on the roof, mossy already, + though the building was far from old. + </p> + <p> + To the right of the house, the owner had built a stable for two cows. In + front of this erection of old boards, a sunken piece of ground served as a + yard where, in a corner, was a huge manure-heap. On the other side of the + house and the arbor stood a thatched shed, supported on trunks of trees, + under which the various outdoor properties of the peasantry were put away,—the + utensils of the vine-dressers, their empty casks, logs of wood piled about + a mound which contained the oven, the mouth of which opened, as was usual + in the houses of the peasantry, under the mantle-piece of the chimney in + the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + About an acre of land adjoined the house, inclosed by an evergreen hedge + and planted with grape-vines; tended as peasants tend them,—that is + to say, well-manured, and dug round, and layered so that they usually set + their fruit before the vines of the large proprietors in a circuit of ten + miles round. A few trees, almond, plum, and apricot, showed their slim + heads here and there in this enclosure. Between the rows of vines potatoes + and beans were planted. In addition to all this, on the side towards the + village and beyond the yard was a bit of damp low ground, favorable for + the growth of cabbages and onions (favorite vegetables of the + working-classes), which was closed by a wooden gate, through which the + cows were driven, trampling the path into mud and covering it with dung. + </p> + <p> + The house, which had two rooms on the ground-floor, opened upon the + vineyard. On this side an outer stairway, roofed with thatch and resting + against the wall of the house, led up to the garret, which was lighted by + one round window. Under this rustic stairway opened a cellar built of + Burgundy brick, containing several casks of wine. + </p> + <p> + Though the kitchen utensils of the peasantry are usually only two, namely, + a frying-pan and an iron pot, with which they manage to do all their + cooking, exceptions to this rule, in the shape of two enormous saucepans + hanging beneath the mantle-shelf and above a small portable stove, were to + be seen in this cottage. In spite, however, of this indication of luxury, + the furniture was in keeping with the external appearance of the place. A + jar held water, the spoons were of wood or pewter, the dishes, of red clay + without and white within, were scaling off and had been mended with pewter + rivets; the heavy table and chairs were of pine wood, and for flooring + there was nothing better than the hardened earth. Every fifth year the + walls received a coat of white-wash and so did the narrow beams of the + ceiling, from which hung bacon, strings of onions, bundles of tallow + candles, and the bags in which a peasant keeps his seeds; near the + bread-box stood an old-fashioned wardrobe in walnut, where the scanty + household linen, and the one change of garments together with the holiday + attire of the entire family were kept. + </p> + <p> + Above the mantel of the chimney gleamed a poacher’s old gun, not worth + five francs,—the wood scorched, the barrel to all appearances never + cleaned. An observer might reflect that the protection of a hovel with + only a latch, and an outer gate that was only a paling and never closed, + needed no better weapon; but still the wonder was to what use it was put. + In the first place, though the wood was of the commonest kind, the barrel + was carefully selected, and came from a valuable gun, given in all + probability to a game-keeper. Moreover, the owner of this weapon never + missed his aim; there was between him and his gun the same intimate + acquaintance that there is between a workman and his tool. If the muzzle + must be raised or lowered the merest fraction in its aim, because it + carries just an atom above or below the range, the poacher knows it; he + obeys the rule and never misses. An officer of artillery would have found + the essential parts of this weapon in good condition notwithstanding its + uncleanly appearance. In all that the peasant appropriates to his use, in + all that serves him, he displays just the amount of force that is needed, + neither more nor less; he attends to the essential and to nothing beyond. + External perfection he has no conception of. An unerring judge of the + necessary in all things, he thoroughly understands degrees of strength, + and knows very well when working for an employer how to give the least + possible for the most he can get. This contemptible-looking gun will be + found to play a serious part in the life of the family inhabiting this + cottage, and you will presently learn how and why. + </p> + <p> + Have you now taken in all the many details of this hovel, planted about + five hundred feet away from the pretty gate of Les Aigues? Do you see it + crouching there, like a beggar beside a palace? Well, its roof covered + with velvet mosses, its clacking hens, its grunting pig, its straying + heifer, all its rural graces have a horrible meaning. + </p> + <p> + Fastened to a pole, which was stuck in the ground beside the entrance + through the fence, was a withered bunch of three pine branches and some + old oak-leaves tied together with a rag. Above the door of the house a + roving artist had painted, probably in return for his breakfast, a huge + capital “I” in green on a white ground two feet square; and for the + benefit of those who could read, this witty joke in twelve letters: “Au + Grand-I-Vert” (hiver). On the left of the door was a vulgar sign bearing, + in colored letters, “Good March beer,” and the picture of a foaming pot of + the same, with a woman, in a dress excessively low-necked, on one side, + and an hussar on the other,—both coarsely colored. Consequently, in + spite of the blooming flowers and the fresh country air, this cottage + exhaled the same strong and nauseous odor of wine and food which assails + you in Paris as you pass the door of the cheap cook-shops of the faubourg. + </p> + <p> + Now you know the surroundings. Behold the inhabitants and hear their + history, which contains more than one lesson for philanthropists. + </p> + <p> + The proprietor of the Grand-I-Vert, named Francois Tonsard, commends + himself to the attention of philosophers by the manner in which he had + solved the problem of an idle life and a busy life, so as to make the + idleness profitable, and occupation nil. + </p> + <p> + A jack-of-all-trades, he knew how to cultivate the ground, but for himself + only. For others, he dug ditches, gathered fagots, barked the trees, or + cut them down. In all such work the employer is at the mercy of the + workman. Tonsard owned his plot of ground to the generosity of + Mademoiselle Laguerre. In his early youth he had worked by the day for the + gardener at Les Aigues; and he really had not his equal in trimming the + shrubbery-trees, the hedges, the horn-beams, and the horse-chestnuts. His + very name shows hereditary talent. In remote country-places privileges + exist which are obtained and preserved with as much care as the merchants + of a city display in getting theirs. Mademoiselle Laguerre was one day + walking in the garden, when she overheard Tonsard, then a strapping + fellow, say, “All I need to live on, and live happily, is an acre of + land.” The kind creature, accustomed to make others happy, gave him the + acre of vineyard near the gate of Blangy, in return for one hundred days’ + work (a delicate regard for his feelings which was little understood), and + allowed him to stay at Les Aigues, where he lived with her servants, who + thought him one of the best fellows in Burgundy. + </p> + <p> + Poor Tonsard (that is what everybody called him) worked about thirty days + out of the hundred that he owed; the rest of the time he idled about, + talking and laughing with Mademoiselle’s women, particularly with + Mademoiselle Cochet, the lady’s maid, though she was ugly, like all + confidential maids of handsome actresses. Laughing with Mademoiselle + Cochet signified so many things that Soudry, the fortunate gendarme + mentioned in Blondet’s letter, still looked askance at Tonsard after the + lapse of nearly twenty-five years. The walnut wardrobe, the bedstead with + the tester and curtains, and the ornaments about the bedroom were + doubtless the result of the said laughter. + </p> + <p> + Once in possession of his care, Tonsard replied to the first person who + happened to mention that Mademoiselle Laguerre had given it to him, “I’ve + bought it deuced hard, and paid well for it. Do rich folks ever give us + anything? Are one hundred days’ work nothing? It has cost me three hundred + francs, and the land is all stones.” But that speech never got beyond the + regions of his own class. + </p> + <p> + Tonsard built his house himself, picking up the materials here and there + as he could,—getting a day’s work out of this one and that one, + gleaning in the rubbish that was thrown away, often asking for things and + always obtaining them. A discarded door cut in two for convenience in + carrying away became the door of the stable; the window was the sash of a + green-house. In short, the rubbish of the chateau, served to build the + fatal cottage. + </p> + <p> + Saved from the draft by Gaubertin, the steward of Les Aigues, whose father + was prosecuting-attorney of the department, and who, moreover, could + refuse nothing to Mademoiselle Cochet, Tonsard married as soon as his + house was finished and his vines had begun to bear. A well-grown fellow of + twenty-three, in everybody’s good graces at Les Aigues, on whom + Mademoiselle had bestowed an acre of her land, and who appeared to be a + good worker, he had the art to ring the praises of his negative merits, + and so obtained the daughter of a farmer on the Ronquerolles estate, which + lies beyond the forest of Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + This farmer held the lease of half a farm, which was going to ruin in his + hands for want of a helpmate. A widower, and inconsolable for the loss of + his wife, he tried to drown his troubles, like the English, in wine, and + then, when he had put the poor deceased out of his mind, he found himself + married, so the village maliciously declared, to a woman named Boisson. + From being a farmer he became once more a laborer, but an idle and drunken + laborer, quarrelsome and vindictive, capable of any ill-deed, like most of + his class when they fall from a well-to-do state of life into poverty. + This man, whose practical information and knowledge of reading and writing + placed him far above his fellow-workmen, while his vices kept him at the + level of pauperism, you have already seen on the banks of the Avonne, + measuring his cleverness with that of one of the cleverest men in Paris, + in a bucolic overlooked by Virgil. + </p> + <p> + Pere Fourchon, formerly a schoolmaster at Blangy, lost that place through + misconduct and his singular ideas as to public education. He helped the + children to make paper boats with their alphabets much oftener than he + taught them how to spell; he scolded them in so remarkable a manner for + pilfering fruit that his lectures might really have passed for lessons on + the best way of scaling the walls. From teacher he became a postman. In + this capacity, which serves as a refuge to many an old soldier, Pere + Fourchon was daily reprimanded. Sometimes he forgot the letters in a + tavern, at other times he kept them in his pocket. When he was drunk he + left those for one village in another village; when he was sober he read + them. Consequently, he was soon dismissed. No longer able to serve the + State, Pere Fourchon ended by becoming a manufacturer. In the country a + poor man can always get something to do, and make at least a pretence of + gaining an honest livelihood. At sixty-eight years of age the old man + started his rope-walk, a manufactory which requires the very smallest + capital. The workshop is, as we have seen, any convenient wall; the + machinery costs about ten francs. The apprentice slept, like his master, + in a hay-loft, and lived on whatever he could pick up. The rapacity of the + law in the matter of doors and windows expires “sub dio.” The tow to make + the first rope can be borrowed. But the principal revenue of Pere Fourchon + and his satellite Mouche, the natural son of one of his natural daughters, + came from the otters; and then there were breakfasts and dinners given + them by peasants who could neither read nor write, and were glad to use + the old fellow’s talents when they had a bill to make out, or a letter to + dispatch. Besides all this, he knew how to play the clarionet, and he went + about with his friend Vermichel, the miller of Soulanges, to village + weddings and the grand balls given at the Tivoli of Soulanges. + </p> + <p> + Vermichel’s name was Michel Vert, but the transposition was so generally + used that Brunet, the clerk of the municipal court of Soulanges, was in + the habit of writing Michel-Jean-Jerome Vert, called Vermichel, + practitioner. Vermichel, a famous violin in the Burgundian regiment of + former days, had procured for Pere Fourchon, in recognition of certain + services, a situation as practitioner, which in remote country-places + usually devolves on those who are able to sign their name. Pere Fourchon + therefore added to his other avocations that of witness, or practitioner + of legal papers, whenever the Sieur Brunet came to draw them in the + districts of Cerneux, Conches, and Blangy. Vermichel and Fourchon, allied + by a friendship of twenty years’ tippling, might really be considered a + business firm. + </p> + <p> + Mouche and Fourchon, bound together by vice as Mentor and Telemachus by + virtue, travelled like the latter, in search of their father, “panis + angelorum,”—the only Latin words which the old fellow’s memory had + retained. They went about scraping up the pickings of the Grand-I-Vert, + and those of the adjacent chateaux; for between them, in their busiest and + most prosperous years, they had never contrived to make as much as three + hundred and sixty fathoms of rope. In the first place, no dealer within a + radius of fifty miles would have trusted his tow to either Mouche or + Fourchon. The old man, surpassing the miracles of modern chemistry, knew + too well how to resolve the tow into the all-benignant juice of the grape. + Moreover, his triple functions of public writer for three townships, legal + practitioner for one, and clarionet-player at large, hindered, so he said, + the development of his business. + </p> + <p> + Thus it happened that Tonsard was disappointed from the start in the hope + he had indulged of increasing his comfort by an increase of property in + marriage. The idle son-in-law had chanced, by a very common accident, on + an idler father-in-law. Matters went all the worse because Tonsard’s wife, + gifted with a sort of rustic beauty, being tall and well-made, was not + fond of work in the open air. Tonsard blamed his wife for her father’s + short-comings, and ill-treated her, with the customary revenge of the + common people, whose minds take in only an effect and rarely look back to + causes. + </p> + <p> + Finding her fetters heavy, the woman lightened them. She used Tonsard’s + vices to get the better of him. Loving comfort and good eating herself, + she encouraged his idleness and gluttony. In the first place, she managed + to procure the good-will of the servants of the chateau, and Tonsard, in + view of the results, made no complaint as to the means. He cared very + little what his wife did, so long as she did all he wanted of her. That is + the secret agreement of many a household. Madame Tonsard established the + wine-shop of the Grand-I-Vert, her first customers being the servants of + Les Aigues and the keepers and huntsmen. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin, formerly steward to Mademoiselle Laguerre, one of La Tonsard’s + chief patrons, gave her several puncheons of excellent wine to attract + custom. The effect of these gifts (continued as long as Gaubertin remained + a bachelor) and the fame of her rather lawless beauty commended this + beauty to the Don Juans of the valley, and filled the wine-shop of the + Grand-I-Vert. Being a lover of good eating, La Tonsard was naturally an + excellent cook; and though her talents were only exercised on the common + dishes of the country, jugged hare, game sauce, stewed fish and omelets, + she was considered in all the country round to be an admirable cook of the + sort of food which is eaten at a counter and spiced in a way to excite a + desire for drink. By the end of two years, she had managed to rule + Tonsard, and turn him to evil courses, which, indeed, he asked no better + than to indulge in. + </p> + <p> + The rascal was continually poaching, and with nothing to fear from it. The + intimacies of his wife with Gaubertin and the keepers and the rural + authorities, together with the laxity of the times, secured him impunity. + As soon as his children were large enough he made them serviceable to his + comfort, caring no more for their morality than for that of his wife. He + had two sons and two daughters. Tonsard, who lived, as did his wife, from + hand to mouth, might have come to an end of this easy life if he had not + maintained a sort of martial law over his family, which compelled them to + work for the preservation of it. When he had brought up his children, at + the cost of those from whom his wife was able to extort gifts, the + following charter and budget were the law at the Grand-I-Vert. + </p> + <p> + Tonsard’s old mother and his two daughters, Catherine and Marie, went into + the woods at certain seasons twice a-day, and came back laden with fagots + which overhung the crutch of their poles at least two feet beyond their + heads. Though dried sticks were placed on the outside of the heap, the + inside was made of live wood cut from young trees. In plain words, Tonsard + helped himself to his winter’s fuel in the woods of Les Aigues. Besides + this, father and sons were constantly poaching. From September to March, + hares, rabbits, partridges, deer, in short, all the game that was not + eaten at the chateau, was sold at Blangy and at Soulanges, where Tonsard’s + two daughters peddled milk in the early mornings,—coming back with + the news of the day, in return for the gossip they carried about Les + Aigues, and Cerneux, and Conches. In the months when the three Tonsards + were unable to hunt with a gun, they set traps. If the traps caught more + game than they could eat, La Tonsard made pies of it and sent them to + Ville-aux-Fayes. In harvest-time seven Tonsards—the old mother, the + two sons (until they were seventeen years of age), the two daughters, + together with old Fourchon and Mouche—gleaned, and generally brought + in about sixteen bushels a day of all grains, rye, barley, wheat, all good + to grind. + </p> + <p> + The two cows, led to the roadside by the youngest girl, always managed to + stray into the meadows of Les Aigues; but as, if it ever chanced that some + too flagrant trespass compelled the keepers to take notice of it, the + children were either whipped or deprived of a coveted dainty, they had + acquired such extraordinary aptitude in hearing the enemy’s footfall that + the bailiff or the park-keeper of Les Aigues was very seldom able to + detect them. Besides, the relations of those estimable functionaries with + Tonsard and his wife tied a bandage over their eyes. The cows, held by + long ropes, obeyed a mere twitch or a special low call back to the + roadside, knowing very well that, the danger once past, they could finish + their browsing in the next field. Old mother Tonsard, who was getting more + and more infirm, succeeded Mouche in his duties, after Fourchon, under + pretence of caring for his natural grandson’s education, kept him to + himself; while Marie and Catherine made hay in the woods. These girls knew + the exact spots where the fine forest-grass abounded, and there they cut + and spread and cocked and garnered it, supplying two thirds, at least, of + the winter fodder, and leading the cows on all fine days to sheltered + nooks where they could still find pasture. In certain parts of the valley + of Les Aigues, as in all places protected by a chain of mountains, in + Piedmont and in Lombardy for instance, there are spots where the grass + keeps green all the year. Such fields, called in Italy “marciti,” are of + great value; though in France they are often in danger of being injured by + snow and ice. This phenomenon is due, no doubt, to some favorable + exposure, and to the infiltration of water which keeps the ground at a + warmer temperature. + </p> + <p> + The calves were sold for about eighty francs. The milk, deducting the time + when the cows calved or went dry, brought in about one hundred and sixty + francs a year besides supplying the wants of the family. Tonsard himself + managed to earn another hundred and sixty by doing odd jobs of one kind or + another. + </p> + <p> + The sale of food and wine in the tavern, after all costs were paid, + returned a profit of about three hundred francs, for the great + drinking-bouts happened only at certain times and in certain seasons; and + as the topers who indulged in them gave Tonsard and his wife due notice, + the latter bought in the neighboring town the exact quantity of provisions + needed and no more. The wine produced by Tonsard’s vineyard was sold in + ordinary years for twenty francs a cask to a wine-dealer at Soulanges with + whom Tonsard was intimate. In very prolific years he got as much as twelve + casks from his vines; but eight was the average; and Tonsard kept half for + his own traffic. In all wine-growing districts the gleaning of the large + vineyards gives a good perquisite, and out of it the Tonsard family + usually managed to obtain three casks more. But being, as we have seen, + sheltered and protected by the keepers, they showed no conscience in their + proceedings,—entering vineyards before the harvesters were out of + them, just as they swarmed into the wheat-fields before the sheaves were + made. So, the seven or eight casks of wine, as much gleaned as harvested, + were sold for a good price. However, out of these various proceeds the + Grand-I-Vert was mulcted in a good sum for the personal consumption of + Tonsard and his wife, who wanted the best of everything to eat, and better + wine than they sold,—which they obtained from their friend at + Soulanges in payment for their own. In short, the money scraped together + by this family amounted to about nine hundred francs, for they fattened + two pigs a year, one for themselves and the other to sell. + </p> + <p> + The idlers and scapegraces and also the laborers took a fancy to the + tavern of the Grand-I-Vert, partly because of La Tonsard’s merits, and + partly on account of the hail-fellow-well-met relation existing between + this family and the lower classes of the valley. The two daughters, both + remarkably handsome, followed the example of their mother as to morals. + Moreover, the long established fame of the Grand-I-Vert, dating from 1795, + made it a venerable spot in the eyes of the common people. From Conches to + Ville-aux-Fayes, workmen came there to meet and make their bargains and + hear the news collected by the Tonsard women and by Mouche and old + Fourchon, or supplied by Vermichel and Brunet, that renowned official, + when he came to the tavern in search of his practitioner. There the price + of hay and of wine was settled; also that of a day’s work and of + piece-work. Tonsard, a sovereign judge in such matters, gave his advice + and opinion while drinking with his guests. Soulanges, according to a + saying in these parts, was a town for society and amusement only, while + Blangy was a business borough; crushed, however, by the great commercial + centre of Ville-aux-Fayes, which had become in the last twenty-five years + the capital of this flourishing valley. The cattle and grain market was + held at Blangy, in the public square, and the prices there obtained served + as a tariff for the whole arrondissement. + </p> + <p> + By staying in the house and doing no out-door work, La Tonsard continued + fresh and fair and dimpled, in comparison with the women who worked in the + fields and faded as rapidly as the flowers, becoming old and haggard + before they were thirty. She liked to be well-dressed. In point of fact, + she was only clean, but in a village cleanliness is a luxury. The + daughters, better dressed than their means warranted, followed their + mother’s example. Beneath their outer garment, which was relatively + handsome, they wore linen much finer than that of the richest peasant + women. On fete-days they appeared in dresses that were really pretty, + obtained, Heaven knows how! For one thing, the men-servants at Les Aigues + sold to them, at prices that were easily paid, the cast-off clothing of + the lady’s-maids, which, after sweeping the streets of Paris and being + made over to fit Marie and Catherine, appeared triumphantly in the + precincts of the Grand-I-Vert. These girls, bohemians of the valley, + received not one penny in money from their parents, who gave them food + only, and the wretched pallets on which they slept with their grandmother + in the barn, where their brothers also slept, curled up in the hay like + animals. Neither father nor mother paid any heed to this propinquity. + </p> + <p> + The iron age and the age of gold are more alike than we think for. In the + one nothing aroused vigilance; in the other, everything rouses it; the + result to society is, perhaps, very much the same. The presence of old + Mother Tonsard, which was more a necessity than a precaution, was simply + one immorality the more. And thus it was that the Abbe Brossette, after + studying the morals of his parishioners, made this pregnant remark to his + bishop:— + </p> + <p> + “Monseigneur, when I observe the stress that the peasantry lay on their + poverty, I realize how they fear to lose that excuse for their + immorality.” + </p> + <p> + Though everybody knew that the family had no principles and no scruples, + nothing was ever said against the morals of the Grand-I-Vert. At the + beginning of this book it is necessary to explain, once for all, to + persons accustomed to the decencies of middle-class life, that the + peasants have no decency in their domestic habits and customs. They make + no appeal to morality when their daughters are seduced, unless the seducer + is rich and timid. Children, until the State takes possession of them, are + used either as capital or as instruments of convenience. Self-interest has + become, specially since 1789, the sole motive of the masses; they never + ask if an action is legal or immoral, but only if it is profitable. + Morality, which is not to be confounded with religion, begins only at a + certain competence,—just as one sees, in a higher sphere, how + delicacy blossoms in the soul when fortune decorates the furniture. A + positively moral and upright man is rare among the peasantry. Do you ask + why? Among the many reasons that may be given for this state of things, + the principal one is this: Through the nature of their social functions, + the peasants live a purely material life which approximates to that of + savages, and their constant union with nature tends to foster it. When + toil exhausts the body it takes from the mind its purifying action, + especially among the ignorant. The Abbe Brossette was right in saying that + the state policy of the peasant is his poverty. + </p> + <p> + Meddling in everybody’s interests, Tonsard heard everybody’s complaints, + and often instigated frauds to benefit the needy. His wife, a kindly + appearing woman, had a good word for evil-doers, and never withheld either + approval or personal help from her customers in anything they undertook + against the rich. This inn, a nest of vipers, brisk and venomous, seething + and active, was a hot-bed for the hatred of the peasants and the + workingmen against the masters and the wealthy. + </p> + <p> + The prosperous life of the Tonsards was, therefore, an evil example. + Others asked themselves why they should not take their wood, as the + Tonsards did, from the forest; why not pasture their cows and have game to + eat and to sell as well as they; why not harvest without sowing the grapes + and the grain. Accordingly, the pilfering thefts which thin the woods and + tithe the ploughed lands and meadows and vineyards became habitual in this + valley, and soon existed as a right throughout the districts of Blangy, + Conches, and Cerneux, all adjacent to the domain of Les Aigues. This sore, + for certain reasons which will be given in due time, did far greater + injury to Les Aigues than to the estates of Ronquerolles or Soulanges. You + must not, however, fancy that Tonsard, his wife and children, and his old + mother ever deliberately said to themselves, “We will live by theft, and + commit it as cleverly as we can.” Such habits grow slowly. To the dried + sticks they added, in the first instance, a single bit of good wood; then, + emboldened by habit and a carefully prepared immunity (necessary to plans + which this history will unfold), they ended at last in cutting “their + wood,” and stealing almost their entire livelihood. Pasturage for the cows + and the abuses of gleaning were established as customs little by little. + When the Tonsards and the do-nothings of the valley had tasted the sweets + of these four rights (thus captured by rural paupers, and amounting to + actual robbery) we can easily imagine they would never give them up unless + compelled by a power greater than their own audacity. + </p> + <p> + At the time when this history begins Tonsard, then about fifty years of + age, tall and strong, rather stout than thin, with curly black hair, skin + highly colored and marbled like a brick with purple blotches, yellow + whites to the eyes, large ears with broad flaps, a muscular frame, + encased, however, in flabby flesh, a retreating forehead, and a hanging + lip,—Tonsard, such as you see him, hid his real character under an + external stupidity, lightened at times by a show of experience, which + seemed all the more intelligent because he had acquired in the company of + his father-in-law a sort of bantering talk, much affected by old Fourchon + and Vermichel. His nose, flattened at the end as if the finger of God + intended to mark him, gave him a voice which came from his palate, like + that of all persons disfigured by a disease which thickens the nasal + passages, through which the air then passes with difficulty. His upper + teeth overlapped each other, and this defect (which Lavater calls + terrible) was all the more apparent because they were as white as those of + a dog. But for a certain lawless and slothful good humor, and the + free-and-easy ways of a rustic tippler, the man would have alarmed the + least observing of spectators. + </p> + <p> + If the portraits of Tonsard, his inn, and his father-in-law take a + prominent place in this history, it is because that place belongs to him + and to the inn and to the family. In the first place, their existence, so + minutely described, is the type of a hundred other households in the + valley of Les Aigues. Secondly, Tonsard, without being other than the + instrument of deep and active hatreds, had an immense influence on the + struggle that was about to take place, being the friend and counsellor of + all the complainants of the lower classes. His inn, as we shall presently + see, was the rendezvous for the aggressors; in fact, he became their + chief, partly on account of the fear he inspired throughout the valley—less, + however, by his actual deeds than by those that were constantly expected + of him. The threat of this man was as much dreaded as the thing + threatened, so that he never had occasion to execute it. + </p> + <p> + Every revolt, open or concealed, has its banner. The banner of the + marauders, the drunkards, the idlers, the sluggards of the valley des + Aigues was the terrible tavern of the Grand-I-Vert. Its frequenters found + amusement there,—as rare and much-desired a thing in the country as + in a city. Moreover, there was no other inn along the country-road for + over twelve miles, a distance which conveyances (even when laden) could + easily do in three hours; so that those who went from Conches to + Ville-aux-Fayes always stopped at the Grand-I-Vert, if only to refresh + themselves. The miller of Les Aigues, who was also assistant-mayor, and + his men came there. The grooms and valets of the general were not averse + to Tonsard’s wine, rendered attractive by Tonsard’s daughters; so the + Grand-I-Vert held subterraneous communication with the chateau through the + servants, and knew immediately everything that they knew. It is impossible + either by benefits or through their own self-interests, to break up the + perpetual understanding that exists between the servants of a household + and the people from whom they come. Domestic service is of the masses, and + to the masses it will ever remain attached. This fatal comradeship + explains the reticence of the last words of Charles the groom, as he and + Blondet reached the portico of the chateau. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. ANOTHER IDYLL + </h2> + <p> + “Ha! by my pipe, papa!” exclaimed Tonsard, seeing his father-in-law as the + old man entered and supposing him in quest of food, “your stomach is + lively this morning! We haven’t anything to give you. How about that rope,—the + rope, you know, you were to make for us? It is amazing how much you make + over night and how little there is made in the morning! You ought long ago + to have twisted the one that is to twist you out of existence; you are + getting too costly for us.” + </p> + <p> + The wit of a peasant or laborer is very Attic; it consists in speaking out + his mind and giving it a grotesque expression. We find the same thing in a + drawing-room. Delicacy of wit takes the place of picturesque vulgarity, + and that is really all the difference there is. + </p> + <p> + “That’s enough for the father-in-law!” said the old man. “Talk business; I + want a bottle of the best.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, Fourchon rapped a five-franc piece that gleamed in his hand on + the old table at which he was seated,—which, with its coating of + grease, its scorched black marks, its wine stains, and its gashes, was + singular to behold. At the sound of coin Marie Tonsard, as trig as a sloop + about to start on a cruise, glanced at her grandfather with a covetous + look that shot from her eyes like a spark. La Tonsard came out of her + bedroom, attracted by the music of metal. + </p> + <p> + “You are always rough to my poor father,” she said to her husband, “and + yet he has earned a deal of money this year; God grant he came by it + honestly. Let me see that,” she added, springing at the coin and snatching + it from Fourchon’s fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Marie,” said Tonsard, gravely, “above the board you’ll find some bottled + wine. Go and get a bottle.” + </p> + <p> + Wine is of only one quality in the country, but it is sold as of two + kinds,—cask wine and bottled wine. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you get this, papa” demanded La Tonsard, slipping the coin into + her pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Philippine! you’ll come to a bad end,” said the old man, shaking his head + but not attempting to recover his money. Doubtless he had long realized + the futility of a struggle between his daughter, his terrible son-in-law, + and himself. + </p> + <p> + “Another bottle of wine for which you get five francs out of me,” he + added, in a peevish tone. “But it shall be the last. I shall give my + custom to the Cafe de la Paix.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your tongue, papa!” remarked his fair and fat daughter, who bore + some resemblance to a Roman matron. “You need a shirt, and a pair of clean + trousers, and a hat; and I want to see you with a waistcoat. That’s what I + take the money for.” + </p> + <p> + “I have told you again and again that such things would ruin me,” said the + old man. “People would think me rich and stop giving me anything.” + </p> + <p> + The bottle brought by Marie put an end to the loquacity of the old man, + who was not without that trait, characteristic of those whose tongues are + ready to tell out everything, and who shrink from no expression of their + thought, no matter how atrocious it may be. + </p> + <p> + “Then you don’t want to tell where you filched that money?” said Tonsard. + “We might go and get more where that came from,—the rest of us.” + </p> + <p> + He was making a snare, and as he finished it the ferocious innkeeper + happened to glance at his father-in-law’s trousers, and there he spied a + raised round spot which clearly defined a second five-franc piece. + </p> + <p> + “Having become a capitalist I drink your health,” said Pere Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “If you choose to be a capitalist you can be,” said Tonsard; “you have the + means, you have! But the devil has bored a hole in the back of your head + through which everything runs out.” + </p> + <p> + “Hey! I only played the otter trick on that young fellow they have got at + Les Aigues. He’s from Paris. That’s all there is to it.” + </p> + <p> + “If crowds of people would come to see the sources of the Avonne, you’d be + rich, Grandpa Fourchon,” said Marie. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he said, drinking the last glassful the bottle contained, “and I’ve + played the sham otter so long, the live otters have got angry, and one of + them came right between my legs to-day; Mouche caught it, and I am to get + twenty francs for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll bet your otter is made of tow,” said Tonsard, looking slyly at his + father-in-law. + </p> + <p> + “If you will give me a pair of trousers, a waistcoat, and some list + braces, so as not to disgrace Vermichel on the music stand at Tivoli (for + old Socquard is always scolding about my clothes), I’ll let you keep that + money, my daughter; your idea is a good one. I can squeeze that rich young + fellow at Les Aigues; may be he’ll take to otters.” + </p> + <p> + “Go and get another bottle,” said Tonsard to his daughter. “If your father + really had an otter, he would show it to us,” he added, speaking to his + wife and trying to touch up Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “I’m too afraid it would get into your frying-pan,” said the old man, + winking one of his little green eyes at his daughter. “Philippine has + already hooked my five-franc piece; and how many more haven’t you bagged + under pretence of clothing me and feeding me? and now you say that my + stomach is too lively, and that I go half-naked.” + </p> + <p> + “You sold your last clothes to drink boiled wine at the Cafe de la Paix, + papa,” said his daughter, “though Vermichel tried to prevent it.” + </p> + <p> + “Vermichel! the man I treated! Vermichel is incapable of betraying my + friendship. It must have been that lump of old lard on two legs that he is + not ashamed to call his wife!” + </p> + <p> + “He or she,” replied Tonsard, “or Bonnebault.” + </p> + <p> + “If it was Bonnebault,” cried Fourchon, “he who is one of the pillars of + the place, I’ll—I’ll—Enough!” + </p> + <p> + “You old sot, what has all that got to do with having sold your clothes? + You sold them because you did sell them; you’re of age!” said Tonsard, + slapping the old man’s knee. “Come, do honor to my drink and redden up + your throat! The father of Mam Tonsard has a right to do so; and isn’t + that better than spending your silver at Socquard’s?” + </p> + <p> + “What a shame it is that you have been fifteen years playing for people to + dance at Tivoli and you have never yet found out how Socquard cooks his + wine,—you who are so shrewd!” said his daughter; “and yet you know + very well that if we had the secret we should soon get as rich as Rigou.” + </p> + <p> + Throughout the Morvan, and in that region of Burgundy which lies at its + feet on the side toward Paris, this boiled wine with which Mam Tonsard + reproached her father is a rather costly beverage which plays a great part + in the life of the peasantry, and is made by all grocers and wine-dealers, + and wherever a drinking-shop exists. This precious liquor, made of choice + wine, sugar, and cinnamon and other spices, is preferable to all those + disguises or mixtures of brandy called ratafia, one-hundred-and-seven, + brave man’s cordial, black currant wine, vespetro, spirit-of-sun, etc. + Boiled wine is found throughout France and Switzerland. Among the Jura, + and in the wild districts trodden only by a few special tourists, the + innkeepers call it, on the word of commercial travellers, the wine of + Syracuse. Excellent it is, however, and their guests, hungry as hounds + after ascending the surrounding peaks, very gladly pay three and four + francs a bottle for it. In the homes of the Morvan and in Burgundy the + least illness or the slightest agitation of the nerves is an excuse for + boiled wine. Before and after childbirth the women take it with the + addition of burnt sugar. Boiled wine has soaked up the property of many a + peasant, and more than once the seductive liquid has been the cause of + marital chastisement. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! there’s no chance of grabbing that secret,” replied Fourchon, + “Socquard always locks himself in when he boils his wine; he never told + how he does it to his late wife. He sends to Paris for his materials.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t plague your father,” cried Tonsard; “doesn’t he know? well, then, + he doesn’t know! People can’t know everything!” + </p> + <p> + Fourchon grew very uneasy on seeing how his son-in-law’s countenance + softened as well as his words. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to rob me of now?” he asked, candidly. + </p> + <p> + “I?” said Tonsard, “I take none but my legitimate dues; if I get anything + from you it is in payment of your daughter’s portion, which you promised + me and never paid.” + </p> + <p> + Fourchon, reassured by the harshness of this remark, dropped his head on + his breast as though vanquished and convinced. + </p> + <p> + “Look at that pretty snare,” resumed Tonsard, coming up to his + father-in-law and laying the trap upon his knee. “Some of these days + they’ll want game at Les Aigues, and we shall sell them their own, or + there will be no good God for the poor folks.” + </p> + <p> + “A fine piece of work,” said the old man, examining the mischievous + machine. + </p> + <p> + “It is very well to pick up the sous now, papa,” said Mam Tonsard, “but + you know we are to have our share in the cake of Les Aigues.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what chatterers women are!” cried Tonsard. “If I am hanged it won’t + be for a shot from my gun, but for the gabble of your tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you really suppose that Les Aigues will be cut up and sold in lots + for your pitiful benefit?” asked Fourchon. “Pshaw! haven’t you discovered + in the last thirty years that old Rigou has been sucking the marrow out of + your bones that the middle-class folks are worse than the lords? Mark my + words, when that affair happens, my children, the Soudrys, the Gaubertins, + the Rigous, will make you kick your heels in the air. ‘I’ve the good + tobacco, it never shall be thine,’ that’s the national air of the rich + man, hey? The peasant will always be the peasant. Don’t you see (but you + never did understand anything of politics!) that government puts such + heavy taxes on wine only to hinder our profits and keep us poor? The + middle classes and the government, they are all one. What would become of + them if everybody was rich? Could they till their fields? Would they + gather the harvest? No, they <i>want</i> the poor! I was rich for ten + years and I know what I thought of paupers.” + </p> + <p> + “Must hunt with them, though,” replied Tonsard, “because they mean to cut + up the great estates; after that’s done, we can turn against them. If I’d + been Courtecuisse, whom that scoundrel Rigou is ruining, I’d have long ago + paid his bill with other balls than the poor fellow gives him.” + </p> + <p> + “Right enough, too,” replied Fourchon. “As Pere Niseron says (and he + stayed republican long after everybody else), ‘The people are tough; they + don’t die; they have time before them.’” + </p> + <p> + Fourchon fell into a sort of reverie; Tonsard profited by his inattention + to take back the trap, and as he took it up he cut a slip below the coin + in his father-in-law’s pocket at the moment when the old man raised his + glass to his lips; then he set his foot on the five-franc piece as it + dropped on the earthen floor just where it was always kept damp by the + heel-taps which the customers flung from their glasses. Though quickly and + lightly done, the old man might, perhaps, have felt the theft, if + Vermichel had not happened to appear at that moment. + </p> + <p> + “Tonsard, do you know where you father is?” called that functionary from + the foot of the steps. + </p> + <p> + Vermichel’s shout, the theft of the money, and the emptying of old + Fourchon’s glass, were simultaneous. + </p> + <p> + “Present, captain!” cried Fourchon, holding out a hand to Vermichel to + help him up the steps. + </p> + <p> + Of all Burgundian figures, Vermichel would have seemed to you the most + Burgundian. The practitioner was not red, he was scarlet. His face, like + certain tropical portions of the globe, was fissured, here and there, with + small extinct volcanoes, defined by flat and greenish patches which + Fourchon called, not unpoetically, the “flowers of wine.” This fiery face, + the features of which were swelled out of shape by continual drunkenness, + looked cyclopic; for it was lighted on the right side by a gleaming eye, + and darkened on the other by a yellow patch over the left orb. Red hair, + always tousled, and a beard like that of Judas, made Vermichel as + formidable in appearance as he was meek in reality. His prominent nose + looked like an interrogation-mark, to which the wide-slit mouth seemed to + be always answering, even when it did not open. Vermichel, a short man, + wore hob-nail shoes, bottle-green velveteen trousers, an old waistcoat + patched with diverse stuffs which seemed to have been originally made of a + counterpane, a jacket of coarse blue cloth and a gray hat with a broad + brim. All this luxury, required by the town of Soulanges where Vermichel + fulfilled the combined functions of porter at the town-hall, drummer, + jailer, musician, and practitioner, was taken care of by Madame Vermichel, + an alarming antagonist of Rabelaisian philosophy. This virago with + moustachios, about one yard in width and one hundred and twenty kilograms + in weight (but very active), ruled Vermichel with a rod of iron. Thrashed + by her when drunk, he allowed her to thrash him still when sober; which + caused Pere Fourchon to say, with a sniff at Vermichel’s clothes, “It is + the livery of a slave.” + </p> + <p> + “Talk of the sun and you’ll see its beams,” cried Fourchon, repeating a + well-worn allusion to the rutilant face of Vermichel, which really did + resemble those copper suns painted on tavern signs in the provinces. “Has + Mam Vermichel spied too much dust on your back, that you’re running away + from your four-fifths,—for I can’t call her your better half, that + woman! What brings you here at this hour, drum-major?” + </p> + <p> + “Politics, always politics,” replied Vermichel, who seemed accustomed to + such pleasantries. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! business is bad in Blangy, and there’ll be notes to protest, and + writs to issue,” remarked Pere Fourchon, filling a glass for his friend. + </p> + <p> + “That APE of ours is right behind me,” replied Vermichel, with a backward + gesture. + </p> + <p> + In workmen’s slang “ape” meant master. The word belonged to the dictionary + of the worthy pair. + </p> + <p> + “What’s Monsieur Brunet coming bothering about here?” asked Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “Hey, by the powers, you folks!” said Vermichel, “you’ve brought him in + for the last three years more than you are worth. Ha! that master at Les + Aigues, he has his eye upon you; he’ll punch you in the ribs; he’s after + you, the Shopman! Brunet says, if there were three such landlords in the + valley his fortune would be made.” + </p> + <p> + “What new harm are they going to do to the poor?” asked Marie. + </p> + <p> + “A pretty wise thing for themselves,” replied Vermichel. “Faith! you’ll + have to give in, in the end. How can you help it? They’ve got the power. + For the last two years haven’t they had three foresters and a + horse-patrol, all as active as ants, and a field-keeper who is a terror? + Besides, the gendarmerie is ready to do their dirty work at any time. + They’ll crush you—” + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” said Tonsard, “we are too flat. That which can’t be crushed isn’t + the trees, it’s ground.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you trust to that,” said Fourchon to his son-in-law; “you own + property.” + </p> + <p> + “Those rich folks must love you,” continued Vermichel, “for they think of + nothing else from morning till night! They are saying to themselves now + like this: ‘Their cattle eat up our pastures; we’ll seize their cattle; + they can’t eat grass themselves.’ You’ve all been condemned, the warrants + are out, and they have told our ape to take your cows. We are to begin + this morning at Conches by seizing old mother Bonnebault’s cow and Godin’s + cow and Mitant’s cow.” + </p> + <p> + The moment the name of Bonnebault was mentioned, Marie, who was in love + with the old woman’s grandson, sprang into the vineyard with a nod to her + father and mother. She slipped like an eel through a break in the hedge, + and was off on the way to Conches with the speed of a hunted hare. + </p> + <p> + “They’ll do so much,” remarked Tonsard, tranquilly, “that they’ll get + their bones broken; and that will be a pity, for their mothers can’t make + them any new ones.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps so,” said old Fourchon, “but see here, Vermichel, I can’t + go with you for an hour or more, for I have important business at the + chateau.” + </p> + <p> + “More important than serving three warrants at five sous each? ‘You + shouldn’t spit into the vintage,’ as Father Noah says.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Vermichel, that my business requires me to go to the chateau + des Aigues,” repeated the old man, with an air of laughable + self-importance. + </p> + <p> + “And anyhow,” said Mam Tonsard, “my father had better keep out of the way. + Do you really mean to find the cows?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Brunet, who is a very good fellow, would much rather find + nothing but their dung,” answered Vermichel. “A man who is obliged to be + out and about day and night had better be careful.” + </p> + <p> + “If he is, he has good reason to be,” said Tonsard, sententiously. + </p> + <p> + “So,” continued Vermichel, “he said to Monsieur Michaud, ‘I’ll go as soon + as the court is up.’ If he had wanted to find the cows he’d have gone at + seven o’clock in the morning. But that didn’t suit Michaud, and Brunet has + had to be off. You can’t take in Michaud, he’s a trained hound! Ha, the + brigand!” + </p> + <p> + “Ought to have stayed in the army, a swaggerer like that,” said Tonsard; + “he is only fit to deal with enemies. I wish he would come and ask me my + name. He may call himself a veteran of the young guard, but I know very + well that if I measured spurs with him, I’d keep my feathers up longest.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here!” said Mam Tonsard to Vermichel, “when are the notices for the + ball at Soulanges coming out? Here it is the eighth of August.” + </p> + <p> + “I took them yesterday to Monsieur Bournier at Ville-aux-Fayes, to be + printed,” replied Vermichel; “they do talk of fireworks on the lake.” + </p> + <p> + “What crowds of people we shall have!” cried Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “Profits for Socquard!” said Tonsard, spitefully. + </p> + <p> + “If it doesn’t rain,” said his wife, by way of comfort. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the trot of a horse coming from the direction of Soulanges + was heard, and five minutes later the sheriff’s officer fastened his horse + to a post placed for the purpose near the wicket gate through which the + cows were driven. Then he showed his head at the door of the Grand-I-Vert. + </p> + <p> + “Come, my boys, let’s lose no time,” he said, pretending to be in a hurry. + </p> + <p> + “Hey!” said Vermichel. “Here’s a refractory, Monsieur Brunet; Pere + Fourchon wants to drop off.” + </p> + <p> + “He has had too many drops already,” said the sheriff; “but the law in + this case does not require that he shall be sober.” + </p> + <p> + “Please excuse me, Monsieur Brunet,” said Fourchon, “I am expected at Les + Aigues on business; they are in treaty for an otter.” + </p> + <p> + Brunet, a withered little man dressed from head to foot in black cloth, + with a bilious skin, a furtive eye, curly hair, lips tight-drawn, pinched + nose, anxious expression, and gruff in speech, exhibited the phenomenon of + a character and bearing in perfect harmony with his profession. He was so + well-informed as to the law, or, to speak more correctly, the quibbles of + the law, that he had come to be both the terror and the counsellor of the + whole canton. He was not without a certain popularity among the peasantry, + from whom he usually took his pay in kind. The compound of his active and + negative qualities and his knowledge of how to manage matters got him the + custom of the canton, to the exclusion of his coadjutor Plissoud, about + whom we shall have something to say later. This chance combination of a + sheriff’s officer who does everything and a sheriff’s officer who does + nothing is not at all uncommon in the country justice courts. + </p> + <p> + “So matters are getting warm, are they?” said Tonsard to little Brunet. + </p> + <p> + “What can you expect? you pilfer the man too much, and he’s going to + protect himself,” replied the officer. “It will be a bad business for you + in the end; government will interfere.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we, poor unfortunates, must give up the ghost!” said Mam Tonsard, + offering him a glass of brandy on a saucer. + </p> + <p> + “The unfortunate may all die, yet they’ll never be lacking in the land,” + said Fourchon, sententiously. + </p> + <p> + “You do great damage to the woods,” retorted the sheriff. + </p> + <p> + “Now don’t believe that, Monsieur Brunet,” said Mam Tonsard; “they make + such a fuss about a few miserable fagots!” + </p> + <p> + “We didn’t crush the rich low enough during the Revolution, that’s what’s + the trouble,” said Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + Just then a horrible, and quite incomprehensible noise was heard. It + seemed to be a rush of hurried feet, accompanied with a rattle of arms, + half-drowned by the rustling of leaves, the dragging of branches, and the + sound of still more hasty feet. Two voices, as different as the two + footsteps, were venting noisy exclamations. Everybody inside the inn + guessed at once that a man was pursuing a woman; but why? The uncertainty + did not last long. + </p> + <p> + “It is mother!” said Tonsard, jumping up; “I know her shriek.” + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly, rushing up the broken steps of the Grand-I-Vert by a last + effort that can be made only by the sinews of smugglers, old Mother + Tonsard fell flat on the floor in the middle of the room. The immense mass + of wood she carried on her head made a terrible noise as it crashed + against the top of the door and then upon the ground. Every one had jumped + out of the way. The table, the bottles, the chairs were knocked over and + scattered. The noise was as great as if the cottage itself had come + tumbling down. + </p> + <p> + “I’m dead! The scoundrel has killed me!” + </p> + <p> + The words and the flight of the old woman were explained by the apparition + on the threshold of a keeper, dressed in green livery, wearing a hat edged + with silver cord, a sabre at his side, a leathern shoulder-belt bearing + the arms of Montcornet charged with those of the Troisvilles, the + regulation red waistcoat, and buckskin gaiters which came above the knee. + </p> + <p> + After a moment’s hesitation the keeper said, looking at Brunet and + Vermichel, “Here are witnesses.” + </p> + <p> + “Witnesses of what?” said Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “That woman has a ten-year-old oak, cut into logs, inside those fagots; it + is a regular crime!” + </p> + <p> + The moment the word “witness” was uttered Vermichel thought best to + breathe the fresh air of the vineyard. + </p> + <p> + “Of what? witnesses of what?” cried Tonsard, standing in front of the + keeper while his wife helped up the old woman. “Do you mean to show your + claws, Vatel? Accuse persons and arrest them on the highway, brigand,—that’s + your domain; but get out of here! A man’s house is his castle.” + </p> + <p> + “I caught her in the act, and your mother must come with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Arrest my mother in my house? You have no right to do it. My house is + inviolable,—all the world knows that, at least. Have you got a + warrant from Monsieur Guerbet, the magistrate? Ha! you must have the law + behind you before you come in here. You are not the law, though you have + sworn an oath to starve us to death, you miserable forest-gauger, you!” + </p> + <p> + The fury of the keeper waxed so hot that he was on the point of seizing + hold of the wood, when the old woman, a frightful bit of black parchment + endowed with motion, the like of which can be seen only in David’s picture + of “The Sabines,” screamed at him, “Don’t touch it, or I’ll fly at your + eyes!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, undo that pile in presence of Monsieur Brunet,” said the + keeper. + </p> + <p> + Though the sheriff’s officer had assumed the indifference that the routine + of business does really give to officials of his class, he threw a glance + at Tonsard and his wife which said plainly, “A bad business!” Old Fourchon + looked at his daughter, and slyly pointed at a pile of ashes in the + chimney. Mam Tonsard, who understood in a moment from that significant + gesture both the danger of her mother-in-law and the advice of her father, + seized a handful of ashes and flung them in the keeper’s eyes. Vatel + roared with pain; Tonsard pushed him roughly upon the broken door-steps + where the blinded man stumbled and fell, and then rolled nearly down to + the gate, dropping his gun on the way. In an instant the load of sticks + was unfastened, and the oak logs pulled out and hidden with a rapidity no + words can describe. Brunet, anxious not to witness this manoeuvre, which + he readily foresaw, rushed after the keeper to help him up; then he placed + him on the bank and wet his handkerchief in water to wash the eyes of the + poor fellow, who, in spite of his agony, was trying to reach the brook. + </p> + <p> + “You are in the wrong, Vatel,” said Brunet; “you have no right to enter + houses, don’t you see?” + </p> + <p> + The old woman, a little hump-backed creature, stood on the sill of the + door, with her hands on her hips, darting flashes from her eyes and curses + from her foaming lips shrill enough to be heard at Blangy. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! the villain, ‘twas well done! May hell get you! To suspect me of + cutting trees!—<i>me</i>, the most honest woman in the village. To + hunt me like vermin! I’d like to see you lose your cursed eyes, for then + we’d have peace. You are birds of ill-omen, the whole of you; you invent + shameful stories to stir up strife between your master and us.” + </p> + <p> + The keeper allowed the sheriff to bathe his eyes and all the while the + latter kept telling him that he was legally wrong. + </p> + <p> + “The old thief! she has tired us out,” said Vatel at last. “She has been + at work in the woods all night.” + </p> + <p> + As the whole family had taken an active hand in hiding the live wood and + putting things straight in the cottage, Tonsard presently appeared at the + door with an insolent air. “Vatel, my man, if you ever again dare to force + your way into my domain, my gun shall answer you,” he said. “To-day you + have had the ashes; the next time you shall have the fire. You don’t know + your own business. That’s enough. Now if you feel hot after this affair + take some wine, I offer it to you; and you may come in and see that my old + mother’s bundle of fagots hadn’t a scrap of live wood in it; it is every + bit brushwood.” + </p> + <p> + “Scoundrel!” said the keeper to the sheriff, in a low voice, more enraged + by this speech than by the smart of his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Just then Charles, the groom, appeared at the gate of the Grand-I-Vert. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, Vatel?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the keeper, wiping his eyes, which he had plunged wide open + into the rivulet to give them a final cleansing. “I have some debtors in + there that I’ll cause to rue the day they saw the light.” + </p> + <p> + “If you take it that way, Monsieur Vatel,” said Tonsard, coldly, “you will + find we don’t want for courage in Burgundy.” + </p> + <p> + Vatel departed. Not feeling much curiosity to know what the trouble was, + Charles went up the steps and looked into the house. + </p> + <p> + “Come to the chateau, you and your otter,—if you really have one,” + he said to Pere Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + The old man rose hurriedly and followed him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, where is it,—that otter of yours?” said Charles, smiling + doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” said the old fellow, going toward the Thune. + </p> + <p> + The name is that of a brook formed by the overflow of the mill-race and of + certain springs in the park of Les Aigues. It runs by the side of the + county road as far as the lakelet of Soulanges, which it crosses, and then + falls into the Avonne, after feeding the mills and ponds on the Soulanges + estate. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is; I hid it in the brook, with a stone around its neck.” + </p> + <p> + As he stooped and rose again the old man missed the coin out of his + pocket, where metal was so uncommon that he was likely to notice its + presence or its absence immediately. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the sharks!” he cried. “If I hunt otters they hunt fathers-in-law! + They get out of me all I earn, and tell me it is for my good! If it were + not for my poor Mouche, who is the comfort of my old age, I’d drown + myself. Children! they are the ruin of their fathers. You haven’t married, + have you, Monsieur Charles? Then don’t; never get married, and then you + can’t reproach yourself for spreading bad blood. I, who expected to buy my + tow with that money, and there it is filched, stolen! That monsieur up at + Les Aigues, a fine young fellow, gave me ten francs; ha! well! it’ll put + up the price of my otter now.” + </p> + <p> + Charles distrusted the old man so profoundly that he took his grievances + (this time very sincere) for the preliminary of what he called, in + servant’s slang, “varnish,” and he made the great mistake of letting his + opinion appear in a satirical grin, which the spiteful old fellow + detected. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come! Pere Fourchon, now behave yourself; you are going to see + Madame,” said Charles, noticing how the rubies flashed on the nose and + cheeks of the old drunkard. + </p> + <p> + “I know how to attend to business, Charles; and the proof is that if you + will get me out of the kitchen the remains of the breakfast and a bottle + or two of Spanish wine, I’ll tell you something which will save you from a + ‘foul.’” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, and Francois shall get Monsieur’s own order to give you a glass + of wine,” said the groom. + </p> + <p> + “Promise?” + </p> + <p> + “I promise.” + </p> + <p> + “Well then, I know you meet my granddaughter Catherine under the bridge of + the Avonne. Godain is in love with her; he saw you, and he is fool enough + to be jealous,—I say fool, for a peasant oughtn’t to have feelings + which belong only to rich folks. If you go to the ball of Soulanges at + Tivoli and dance with her, you’ll dance higher than you’ll like. Godain is + rich and dangerous; he is capable of breaking your arm without your + getting a chance to arrest him.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be too dear; Catherine is a fine girl, but she is not worth + all that,” replied Charles. “Why should Godain be so angry? others are + not.” + </p> + <p> + “He loves her enough to marry her.” + </p> + <p> + “If he does, he’ll beat her,” said Charles. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know about that,” said the old man. “She takes after her mother, + against whom Tonsard never raised a finger,—he’s too afraid she’ll + be off, hot foot. A woman who knows how to hold her own is mighty useful. + Besides, if it came to fisticuffs with Catherine, Godain, though he’s + pretty strong, wouldn’t give the last blow.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, thank you, Pere Fourchon; here’s forty sous to drink my health in + case I can’t get you the sherry.” + </p> + <p> + Pere Fourchon turned his head aside as he pocketed the money lest Charles + should see the expression of amusement and sarcasm which he was unable to + repress. + </p> + <p> + “Catherine,” he resumed, “is a proud minx; she likes sherry. You had + better tell her to go and get it at Les Aigues.” + </p> + <p> + Charles looked at Pere Fourchon with naive admiration, not suspecting the + eager interest the general’s enemies took in slipping one more spy into + the chateau. + </p> + <p> + “The general ought to feel happy now,” continued Fourchon; “the peasants + are all quiet. What does he say? Is he satisfied with Sibilet?” + </p> + <p> + “It is only Monsieur Michaud who finds fault with Sibilet. They say he’ll + get him sent away.” + </p> + <p> + “Professional jealousy!” exclaimed Fourchon. “I’ll bet you would like to + get rid of Francois and take his place.” + </p> + <p> + “Hang it! he has twelve hundred francs wages,” said Charles; “but they + can’t send him off,—he knows the general’s secrets.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as Madame Michaud knows the countess’s,” remarked Fourchon, watching + the other carefully. “Look here, my boy, do you know whether Monsieur and + Madame have separate rooms?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course; if they didn’t, Monsieur wouldn’t be so fond of Madame.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all you know?” said Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + As they were now before the kitchen windows nothing more was said. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. ENEMIES FACE TO FACE + </h2> + <p> + While breakfast was in progress at the chateau, Francois, the head + footman, whispered to Blondet, but loud enough for the general to overhear + him,— + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur, Pere Fourchon’s boy is here; he says they have caught the + otter, and wants to know if you would like it, or whether they shall take + it to the sub-prefect at Ville-aux-Fayes.” + </p> + <p> + Emile Blondet, though himself a past-master of hoaxing, could not keep his + cheeks from blushing like those of a virgin who hears an indecorous story + of which she knows the meaning. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ha! so you have hunted the otter this morning with Pere Fourchon?” + cried the general, with a roar of laughter. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked the countess, uneasy at her husband’s laugh. + </p> + <p> + “When a man of wit and intelligence is taken in by old Fourchon,” + continued the general, “a retired cuirassier need not blush for having + hunted that otter; which bears an enormous resemblance to the third + posthorse we are made to pay for and never see.” With that he went off + into further explosions of laughter, in the midst of which he contrived to + say: “I am not surprised you had to change your boots—and your + trousers; I have no doubt you have been wading! The joke didn’t go as far + as that with me,—I stayed on the bank; but then, you know, you are + so much more intelligent than I—” + </p> + <p> + “But you forget,” interrupted Madame de Montcornet, “that I do not know + what you are talking of.” + </p> + <p> + At these words, said with some pique, the general grew serious, and + Blondet told the story of his fishing for the otter. + </p> + <p> + “But if they really have an otter,” said the countess, “those poor people + are not to blame.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but it is ten years since an otter has been seen about here,” said + the pitiless general. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte,” said Francois, “the boy swears by all that’s sacred + that he has got one.” + </p> + <p> + “If they have one I’ll buy it,” said the general. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t suppose,” remarked the Abbe Brossette, “that God has condemned + Les Aigues to never have otters.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Monsieur le cure!” cried Blondet, “if you bring the Almighty against + me—” + </p> + <p> + “But what is all this? Who is here?” said the countess, hastily. + </p> + <p> + “Mouche, madame,—the boy who goes about with old Fourchon,” said the + footman. + </p> + <p> + “Bring him in—that is, if Madame will allow it?” said the general; + “he may amuse you.” + </p> + <p> + Mouche presently appeared, in his usual state of comparative nudity. + Beholding this personification of poverty in the middle of this luxurious + dining-room, the cost of one panel of which would have been a fortune to + the bare-legged, bare-breasted, and bare-headed child, it was impossible + not to be moved by an impulse of charity. The boy’s eyes, like blazing + coals, gazed first at the luxuries of the room, and then at those on the + table. + </p> + <p> + “Have you no mother?” asked Madame de Montcornet, unable otherwise to + explain the child’s nakedness. + </p> + <p> + “No, ma’am; m’ma died of grief for losing p’pa, who went to the army in + 1812 without marrying her with papers, and got frozen, saving your + presence. But I’ve my Grandpa Fourchon, who is a good man,—though he + does beat me bad sometimes.” + </p> + <p> + “How is it, my dear, that such wretched people can be found on your + estate?” said the countess, looking at the general. + </p> + <p> + “Madame la comtesse,” said the abbe, “in this district we have none but + voluntary paupers. Monsieur le comte does all he can; but we have to do + with a class of persons who are without religion and who have but one + idea, that of living at your expense.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear abbe,” said Blondet, “you are here to improve their morals.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur,” replied the abbe, “my bishop sent me here as if on a mission + to savages; but, as I had the honor of telling him, the savages of France + cannot be reached. They make it a law unto themselves not to listen to us; + whereas the church does get some hold on the savages of America.” + </p> + <p> + “M’sieur le cure, they do help me a bit now,” remarked Mouche; “but if I + went to your church they <i>wouldn’t</i>, and the other folks would make + game of my breeches.” + </p> + <p> + “Religion ought to begin by giving him trousers, my dear abbe,” said + Blondet. “In your foreign missions don’t you begin by coaxing the + savages?” + </p> + <p> + “He would soon sell them,” answered the abbe, in a low tone; “besides, my + salary does not enable me to begin on that line.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le cure is right,” said the general, looking at Mouche. + </p> + <p> + The policy of the little scamp was to appear not to hear what they were + saying when it was against himself. + </p> + <p> + “The boy is intelligent enough to know good from evil,” continued the + count, “and he is old enough to work; yet he thinks of nothing but how to + commit evil without being found out. All the keepers know him. He is very + well aware that the master of an estate may witness a trespass on his + property and yet have no right to arrest the trespasser. I have known him + keep his cows boldly in my meadows, though he knew I saw him; but now, + ever since I have been mayor, he runs away fast enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is very wrong,” said the countess; “you should not take other + people’s things, my little man.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame, we must eat. My grandpa gives me more slaps than food, and they + don’t fill my stomach, slaps don’t. When the cows come in I milk ‘em just + a little and I live on that. Monseigneur isn’t so poor but what he’ll let + me drink a drop o’ milk the cows get from his grass?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he hasn’t eaten anything to-day,” said the countess, touched by + his misery. “Give him some bread and the rest of that chicken; let him + have his breakfast,” she added, looking at the footman. “Where do you + sleep, my child?” + </p> + <p> + “Anywhere, madame; under the stars in summer, and wherever they’ll let us + in winter.” + </p> + <p> + “How old are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Twelve.” + </p> + <p> + “There is still time to bring him up to better ways,” said the countess to + her husband. + </p> + <p> + “He will make a good soldier,” said the general, gruffly; “he is well + toughened. I went through that kind of thing myself, and here I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, general, I don’t belong to nobody,” said the boy. “I can’t be + drafted. My poor mother wasn’t married, and I was born in a field. I’m a + son of the ‘airth,’ as grandpa says. M’ma saved me from the army, that she + did! My name ain’t no more Mouche than nothing at all. Grandpa keeps + telling me all my advantages. I’m not on the register, and when I’m old + enough to be drafted I can go all over France and they can’t take me.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you fond of your grandfather?” said the countess, trying to look into + the child’s heart. + </p> + <p> + “My! doesn’t he box my ears when he feels like it! but then, after all, + he’s such fun; he’s such good company! He says he pays himself that way + for having taught me to read and write.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you read?” asked the count. + </p> + <p> + “Yah, I should think so, Monsieur le comte, and fine writing too—just + as true as we’ve got that otter.” + </p> + <p> + “Read that,” said the count, giving him a newspaper. + </p> + <p> + “The Qu-o-ti-dienne,” read Mouche, hesitating only three times. + </p> + <p> + Every one, even the abbe, laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you make me read that newspaper?” cried Mouche, angrily. “My + grandpa says it is made up to please the rich, and everybody knows later + just what’s in it.” + </p> + <p> + “The child is right, general,” said Blondet; “and he makes me long to see + my hoaxing friend again.” + </p> + <p> + Mouche understood perfectly that he was posing for the amusement of the + company; the pupil of Pere Fourchon was worthy of his master, and he + forthwith began to cry. + </p> + <p> + “How can you tease a child with bare feet?” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + “And who thinks it quite natural that his grandfather should recoup + himself for his education by boxing his ears,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, my poor little fellow, have you really caught an otter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame; as true as that you are the prettiest lady I have seen, or + ever shall see,” said the child, wiping his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Then show me the otter,” said the general. + </p> + <p> + “Oh M’sieur le comte, my grandpa has hidden it; but it was kicking still + when we were at work at the rope-walk. Send for my grandpa, please; he + wants to sell it to you himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Take him into the kitchen,” said the countess to Francois, “and give him + his breakfast, and send Charles to fetch Pere Fourchon. Find some shoes, + and a pair of trousers and a waistcoat for the poor child; those who come + here naked must go away clothed.” + </p> + <p> + “May God bless you, my beautiful lady,” said Mouche, departing. “M’sieur + le cure may feel quite sure that I’ll keep the things and wear ‘em + fete-days, because you give ‘em to me.” + </p> + <p> + Emile and Madame Montcornet looked at each other with some surprise, and + seemed to say to the abbe, “The boy is not a fool!” + </p> + <p> + “It is quite true, madame,” said the abbe after the child had gone, “that + we cannot reckon with Poverty. I believe it has hidden excuses of which + God alone can judge,—physical excuses, often congenital; moral + excuses, born in the character, produced by an order of things that are + often the result of qualities which, unhappily for society, have no vent. + Deeds of heroism performed upon the battle-field ought to teach us that + the worst scoundrels may become heroes. But here in this place you are + living under exceptional circumstances; and if your benevolence is not + controlled by reflection and judgment you run the risk of supporting your + enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “Our enemies?” exclaimed the countess. + </p> + <p> + “Cruel enemies,” said the general, gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Pere Fourchon and his son-in-law Tonsard,” said the abbe, “are the + strength and the intelligence of the lower classes of this valley, who + consult them on all occasions. The Machiavelism of these people is beyond + belief. Ten peasants meeting in a tavern are the small change of great + political questions.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Francois announced Monsieur Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “He is my minister of finance,” said the general, smiling; “ask him in. He + will explain to you the gravity of the situation,” he added, looking at + his wife and Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Because he has reasons of his own for not concealing it,” said the cure, + in a low tone. + </p> + <p> + Blondet then beheld a personage of whom he had heard much ever since his + arrival, and whom he desired to know, the land-steward of Les Aigues. He + saw a man of medium height, about thirty years of age, with a sulky look + and a discontented face, on which a smile sat ill. Beneath an anxious brow + a pair of greenish eyes evaded the eyes of others, and so disguised their + thought. Sibilet was dressed in a brown surtout coat, black trousers and + waistcoat, and wore his hair long and flat to the head, which gave him a + clerical look. His trousers barely concealed that he was knock-kneed. + Though his pallid complexion and flabby flesh gave the impression of an + unhealthy constitution, Sibilet was really robust. The tones of his voice, + which were a little thick, harmonized with this unflattering exterior. + </p> + <p> + Blondet gave a hasty look at the abbe, and the glance with which the young + priest answered it showed the journalist that his own suspicions about the + steward were certainties to the curate. + </p> + <p> + “Did you not tell me, my dear Sibilet,” said the general, “that you + estimate the value of what the peasants steal from us at a quarter of the + whole revenue?” + </p> + <p> + “Much more than that, Monsieur le comte,” replied the steward. “The poor + about here get more from your property than the State exacts in taxes. A + little scamp like Mouche can glean his two bushels a day. Old women, whom + you would really think at their last gasp, become at the harvest and + vintage times as active and healthy as girls. You can witness that + phenomenon very soon,” said Sibilet, addressing Blondet, “for the harvest, + which was put back by the rains in July will begin next week, when they + cut the rye. The gleaners must have a certificate of pauperism from the + mayor of the district, and no district should allow any one to glean + except the paupers; but the districts of one canton do glean in those of + another without certificate. If we have sixty real paupers in our + district, there are at least forty others who could support themselves if + they were not so idle. Even persons who have a business leave it to glean + in the fields and in the vineyards. All these people, taken together, + gather in this neighborhood something like three hundred bushels a day; + the harvest lasts two weeks, and that makes four thousand five hundred + bushels in this district alone. The gleaning takes more from an estate + than the taxes. As to the abuse of pasturage, it robs us of fully + one-sixth the produce of the meadows; and as to that of the woods, it is + incalculable,—they have actually come to cutting down six-year-old + trees. The loss to you, Monsieur le comte, amounts to fully twenty-odd + thousand francs a year.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear that, madame?” said the general to his wife. + </p> + <p> + “Is it not exaggerated?” asked Madame de Montcornet. + </p> + <p> + “No, madame, unfortunately not,” said the abbe. “Poor Niseron, that old + fellow with the white head, who combines the functions of bell-ringer, + beadle, grave-digger, sexton, and clerk, in defiance of his republican + opinions,—I mean the grandfather of the little Genevieve whom you + placed with Madame Michaud—” + </p> + <p> + “La Pechina,” said Sibilet, interrupting the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “Pechina!” said the countess, “whom do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Madame la comtesse, when you met little Genevieve on the road in a + miserable condition, you cried out in Italian, ‘Piccina!’ The word became + a nickname, and is now corrupted all through the district into Pechina,” + said the abbe. “The poor girl comes to church with Madame Michaud and + Madame Sibilet.” + </p> + <p> + “And she is none the better for it,” said Sibilet, “for the others + ill-treat her on account of her religion.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that poor old man of seventy gleans, honestly, about a bushel and a + half a day,” continued the priest; “but his natural uprightness prevents + him from selling his gleanings as others do,—he keeps them for his + own consumption. Monsieur Langlume, your miller, grinds his flour gratis + at my request, and my servant bakes his bread with mine.” + </p> + <p> + “I had quite forgotten my little protegee,” said the countess, troubled at + Sibilet’s remark. “Your arrival,” she added to Blondet, “has quite turned + my head. But after breakfast I will take you to the gate of the Avonne and + show you the living image of those women whom the painters of the + fifteenth century delighted to perpetuate.” + </p> + <p> + The sound of Pere Fourchon’s broken sabots was now heard; after depositing + them in the antechamber, he was brought to the door of the dining-room by + Francois. At a sign from the countess, Francois allowed him to pass in, + followed by Mouche with his mouth full and carrying the otter, hanging by + a string tied to its yellow paws, webbed like those of a palmiped. He cast + upon his four superiors sitting at table, and also upon Sibilet, that look + of mingled distrust and servility which serves as a veil to the thoughts + of the peasantry; then he brandished his amphibian with a triumphant air. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is!” he cried, addressing Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “My otter!” returned the Parisian, “and well paid for.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear gentleman,” replied Pere Fourchon, “yours got away; she is + now in her burrow, and she won’t come out, for she’s a female,—this + is a male; Mouche saw him coming just as you went away. As true as you + live, as true as that Monsieur le comte covered himself and his + cuirassiers with glory at Waterloo, the otter is mine, just as much as Les + Aigues belongs to Monseigneur the general. But the otter is <i>yours</i> + for twenty francs; if not I’ll take it to the sub-prefect. If Monsieur + Gourdon thinks it too dear, then I’ll give you the preference; that’s only + fair, as we hunted together this morning!” + </p> + <p> + “Twenty francs!” said Blondet. “In good French you can’t call that <i>giving</i> + the preference.” + </p> + <p> + “Hey, my dear gentleman,” cried the old fellow. “Perhaps I don’t know + French, and I’ll ask it in good Burgundian; as long as I get the money, I + don’t care, I’ll talk Latin: ‘latinus, latina, latinum’! Besides, twenty + francs is what you promised me this morning. My children have already + stolen the silver you gave me; I wept about it, coming along,—ask + Charles if I didn’t. Not that I’d arrest ‘em for the value of ten francs + and have ‘em up before the judge, no! But just as soon as I earn a few + pennies, they make me drink and get ‘em out of me. Ah! it is hard, hard to + be reduced to go and get my wine elsewhere. But just see what children are + these days! That’s what we got by the Revolution; it is all for the + children now-a-days, and parents are suppressed. I’m bringing up Mouche on + another tack; he loves me, the little scamp,”—giving his grandson a + poke. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me you are making him a little thief, like all the rest,” + said Sibilet; “he never lies down at night without some sin on his + conscience.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Monsieur Sibilet, his conscience is as clean as yours any day! Poor + child! what can he steal? A little grass! that’s better than throttling a + man! He don’t know mathematics like you, nor subtraction, nor addition, + nor multiplication,—you are very unjust to us, that you are! You + call us a nest of brigands, but you are the cause of the misunderstandings + between our good landlord here, who is a worthy man, and the rest of us, + who are all worthy men,—there ain’t an honester part of the country + than this. Come, what do you mean? do I own property? don’t I go + half-naked, and Mouche too? Fine sheets we slept in, washed by the dew + every morning! and unless you want the air we breathe and the sunshine we + drink, I should like to know what we have that you can take away from us! + The rich folks rob as they sit in their chimney-corners,—and more + profitably, too, than by picking up a few sticks in the woods. I don’t see + no game-keepers or patrols after Monsieur Gaubertin, who came here as + naked as a worm and is now worth his millions. It’s easy said, ‘Robbers!’ + Here’s fifteen years that old Guerbet, the tax-gatherer at Soulanges, + carries his money along the roads by the dead of night, and nobody ever + took a farthing from him; is that like a land of robbers? has robbery made + us rich? Show me which of us two, your class or mine, live the idlest + lives and have the most to live on without earning it.” + </p> + <p> + “If you were to work,” said the abbe, “you would have property. God + blesses labor.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t want to contradict you, M’sieur l’abbe, for you are wiser than I, + and perhaps you’ll know how to explain something that puzzles me. Now see, + here I am, ain’t I?—that drunken, lazy, idle, good-for-nothing old + Fourchon, who had an education and was a farmer, and got down in the mud + and never got up again,—well, what difference is there between me + and that honest and worthy old Niseron, seventy years old (and that’s my + age) who has dug the soil for sixty years and got up every day before it + was light to go to his work, and has made himself an iron body and a fine + soul? Well, isn’t he as bad off as I am? His little granddaughter, + Pechina, is at service with Madame Michaud, whereas my little Mouche is as + free as air. So that poor good man gets rewarded for his virtues in + exactly the same way that I get punished for my vices. He don’t know what + a glass of good wine is, he’s as sober as an apostle, he buries the dead, + and I—I play for the living to dance. He is always in a peck o’ + troubles, while I slip along in a devil-may-care way. We have come along + about even in life; we’ve got the same snow on our heads, the same funds + in our pockets, and I supply him with rope to ring his bell. He’s a + republican and I’m not even a publican,—that’s all the difference as + far as I can see. A peasant may do good or do evil (according to your + ideas) and he’ll go out of the world just as he came into it, in rags; + while you wear the fine clothes.” + </p> + <p> + No one interrupted Pere Fourchon, who seemed to owe his eloquence to his + potations. At first Sibilet tried to cut him short, but desisted at a sign + from Blondet. The abbe, the general, and the countess, all understood from + the expression of the writer’s eye that he wanted to study the question of + pauperism from life, and perhaps take his revenge on Pere Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “What sort of education are you giving Mouche?” asked Blondet. “Do you + expect to make him any better than your daughters?” + </p> + <p> + “Does he ever speak to him of God?” said the priest. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no! Monsieur le cure, I don’t tell him to fear God, but men. God + is good; he has promised us poor folks, so you say, the kingdom of heaven, + because the rich people keep the earth to themselves. I tell him: ‘Mouche! + fear the prison, and keep out of it,—for that’s the way to the + scaffold. Don’t steal anything, make people give it to you. Theft leads to + murder, and murder brings down the justice of men. The razor of justice,—<i>that’s</i> + what you’ve got to fear; it lets the rich sleep easy and keeps the poor + awake. Learn to read. Education will teach you ways to grab money under + cover of the law, like that fine Monsieur Gaubertin; why, you can even be + a land-steward like Monsieur Sibilet here, who gets his rations out of + Monsieur le comte. The thing to do is to keep well with the rich, and pick + up the crumbs that fall from their tables.’ That’s what I call giving him + a good, solid education; and you’ll always find the little rascal on the + side of the law,—he’ll be a good citizen and take care of me.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean to make of him?” asked Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “A servant, to begin with,” returned Fourchon, “because then he’ll see his + masters close by, and learn something; he’ll complete his education, I’ll + warrant you. Good example will be a fortune to him, with the law on his + side like the rest of you. If M’sieur le comte would only take him in his + stables and let him learn to groom the horses, the boy will be mighty + pleased, for though I’ve taught him to fear men, he don’t fear animals.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a clever fellow, Pere Fourchon,” said Blondet; “you know what you + are talking about, and there’s sense in what you say.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sense? no; I left my sense at the Grand-I-Vert when I lost those + silver pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “How is it that a man of your capacity should have dropped so low? As + things are now, a peasant can only blame himself for his poverty; he is a + free man, and he can become a rich one. It is not as it used to be. If a + peasant lays by his money, he can always buy a bit of land and become his + own master.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve seen the olden time and I’ve seen the new, my dear wise gentleman,” + said Fourchon; “the sign over the door has changed, that’s true, but the + wine is the same,—to-day is the younger brother of yesterday, that’s + all. Put that in your newspaper! Are we poor folks free? We still belong + to the same parish, and its lord is always there,—I call him Toil. + The hoe, our sole property, has never left our hands. Let it be the old + lords or the present taxes which take the best of our earnings, the fact + remains that we sweat our lives out in toil.” + </p> + <p> + “But you could undertake a business, and try to make your fortune,” said + Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Try to make my fortune! And where shall I try? If I wish to leave my own + province, I must get a passport, and that costs forty sous. Here’s forty + years that I’ve never had a slut of a forty-sous piece jingling against + another in my pocket. If you want to travel you need as many crowns as + there are villages, and there are mighty few Fourchons who have enough to + get to six of ‘em. It is only the draft that gives us a chance to get + away. And what good does the army do us? The colonels live by the solider, + just as the rich folks live by the peasant; and out of every hundred of + ‘em you won’t find more than one of our breed. It is just as it is the + world over, one rolling in riches, for a hundred down in the mud. Why are + we in the mud? Ask God and the usurers. The best we can do is to stay in + our own parts, where we are penned like sheep by the force of + circumstances, as our fathers were by the rule of the lords. As for me, + what do I care what shackles they are that keep me here? let it be the law + of public necessity or the tyranny of the old lords, it is all the same; + we are condemned to dig the soil forever. There, where we are born, there + we dig it, that earth! and spade it, and manure it, and delve in it, for + you who are born rich just as we are born poor. The masses will always be + what they are, and stay what they are. The number of us who manage to rise + is nothing like the number of you who topple down! We know that well + enough, if we have no education! You mustn’t be after us with your sheriff + all the time,—not if you’re wise. We let you alone, and you must let + us alone. If not, and things get worse, you’ll have to feed us in your + prisons, where we’d be much better off than in our homes. You want to + remain our masters, and we shall always be enemies, just as we were thirty + years ago. You have everything, we have nothing; you can’t expect we + should ever be friends.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s what I call a declaration of war,” said the general. + </p> + <p> + “Monseigneur,” retorted Fourchon, “when Les Aigues belonged to that poor + Madame (God keep her soul and forgive her the sins of her youth!) we were + happy. <i>She</i> let us get our food from the fields and our fuel from + the forest; and was she any the poorer for it? And you, who are at least + as rich as she, you hunt us like wild beasts, neither more nor less, and + drag the poor before the courts. Well, evil will come of it! you’ll be the + cause of some great calamity. Haven’t I just seen your keeper, that + shuffling Vatel, half kill a poor old woman for a stick of wood? It is + such fellows as that who make you an enemy to the poor; and the talk is + very bitter against you. They curse you every bit as hard as they used to + bless the late Madame. The curse of the poor, monseigneur, is a seed that + grows,—grows taller than your tall oaks, and oak-wood builds the + scaffold. Nobody here tells you the truth; and here it is, yes, the truth! + I expect to die before long, and I risk very little in telling it to you, + the <i>truth</i>! I, who play for the peasants to dance at the great fetes + at Soulanges, I heed what the people say. Well, they’re all against you; + and they’ll make it impossible for you to stay here. If that damned + Michaud of yours doesn’t change, they’ll force you to change him. There! + that information <i>and</i> the otter are worth twenty francs, and more + too.” + </p> + <p> + As the old fellow uttered the last words a man’s step was heard, and the + individual just threatened by Fourchon entered unannounced. It was easy to + see from the glance he threw at the old man that the threat had reached + his ears, and all Fourchon’s insolence sank in a moment. The look produced + precisely the same effect upon him that the eye of a policeman produces on + a thief. Fourchon knew he was wrong, and that Michaud might very well + accuse him of saying these things merely to terrify the inhabitants of Les + Aigues. + </p> + <p> + “This is the minister of war,” said the general to Blondet, nodding at + Michaud. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, madame, for having entered without asking if you were willing + to receive me,” said the newcomer to the countess; “but I have urgent + reasons for speaking to the general at once.” + </p> + <p> + Michaud, as he said this, took notice of Sibilet, whose expression of keen + delight in Fourchon’s daring words was not seen by the four persons seated + at the table, because they were so preoccupied by the old man; whereas + Michaud, who for secret reasons watched Sibilet constantly, was struck + with his air and manner. + </p> + <p> + “He has earned his twenty francs, Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet; “the + otter is fully worth it.” + </p> + <p> + “Give him twenty francs,” said the general to the footman. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to take my otter away from me?” said Blondet to the general. + </p> + <p> + “I shall have it stuffed,” replied the latter. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! but that good gentleman said I might keep the skin,” cried Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” exclaimed the countess, hastily, “you shall have five francs + more for the skin; but go away now.” + </p> + <p> + The powerful odor emitted by the pair made the dining-room so horribly + offensive that Madame de Montcornet, whose senses were very delicate, + would have been forced to leave the room if Fourchon and Mouche had + remained. To this circumstance the old man was indebted for his + twenty-five francs. He left the room with a timid glance at Michaud, + making him an interminable series of bows. + </p> + <p> + “What I was saying to monseigneur, Monsieur Michaud,” he added, “was + really for your good.” + </p> + <p> + “Or for that of those who pay you,” replied Michaud, with a searching + look. + </p> + <p> + “When you have served the coffee, leave the room,” said the general to the + servants, “and see that the doors are shut.” + </p> + <p> + Blondet, who had not yet seen the bailiff of Les Aigues, was conscious, as + he now saw him, of a totally different impression from that conveyed by + Sibilet. Just as the steward inspired distrust and repulsion, so Michaud + commanded respect and confidence. The first attraction of his presence was + a happy face, of a fine oval, pure in outline, in which the nose bore + part,—a regularity which is lacking in the majority of French faces. + Though the features were correct in drawing, they were not without + expression, due, perhaps, to the harmonious coloring of the warm brown and + ochre tints, indicative of physical health and strength. The clear brown + eyes, which were bright and piercing, kept no reserves in the expression + of his thought; they looked straight into the eyes of others. The broad + white forehead was thrown still further into relief by his abundant black + hair. Honesty, decision, and a saintly serenity were the animating points + of this noble face, where a few deep lines upon the brow were the result + of the man’s military career. Doubt and suspicion could there be read the + moment they had entered his mind. His figure, like that of all men + selected for the elite of the cavalry service, though shapely and elegant, + was vigorously built. Michaud, who wore moustachios, whiskers, and a chin + beard, recalled that martial type of face which a deluge of patriotic + paintings and engravings came very near to making ridiculous. This type + had the defect of being common in the French army; perhaps the continuance + of the same emotions, the same camp sufferings from which none were + exempt, neither high nor low, and more especially the same efforts of + officers and men upon the battle-fields, may have contributed to produce + this uniformity of countenance. Michaud, who was dressed in dark blue + cloth, still wore the black satin stock and high boots of a soldier, which + increased the slight stiffness and rigidity of his bearing. The shoulders + sloped, the chest expanded, as though the man were still under arms. The + red ribbon of the Legion of honor was in his buttonhole. In short, to give + a last touch in one word about the moral qualities beneath this purely + physical presentment, it may be said that while the steward, from the time + he first entered upon his functions, never failed to call his master + “Monsieur le comte,” Michaud never addressed him otherwise than as + “General.” + </p> + <p> + Blondet exchanged another look with the Abbe Brossette, which meant, “What + a contrast!” as he signed to him to observe the two men. Then, as if to + know whether the character and mind and speech of the bailiff harmonized + with his form and countenance, he turned to Michaud and said:— + </p> + <p> + “I was out early this morning, and found your under-keepers still + sleeping.” + </p> + <p> + “At what hour?” said the late soldier, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Half-past seven.” + </p> + <p> + Michaud gave a half-roguish glance at the general. + </p> + <p> + “By what gate did monsieur leave the park?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “By the gate of Conches. The keeper, in his night-shirt, looked at me + through the window,” replied Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Gaillard had probably just gone to bed,” answered Michaud. “You said you + were out early, and I thought you meant day-break. If my man were at home + at that time, he must have been ill; but at half-past seven he was sure to + be in bed. We are up all night,” added Michaud, after a slight pause, + replying to a surprised look on the countess’s face, “but our watchfulness + is often wasted. You have just given twenty-five francs to a man who, not + an hour ago, was quietly helping to hide the traces of a robbery committed + upon you this very morning. I came to speak to you about it, general, when + you have finished breakfast; for something will have to be done.” + </p> + <p> + “You are always for maintaining the right, my dear Michaud, and ‘summum + jus, summum injuria.’ If you are not more tolerant, you will get into + trouble, so Sibilet here tells me. I wish you could have heard Pere + Fourchon just now; the wine he had been drinking made him speak out.” + </p> + <p> + “He frightened me,” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + “He said nothing I did not know long ago,” replied the general. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! the rascal wasn’t drunk; he was playing a part; for whose benefit I + leave you to guess. Perhaps you know?” returned Michaud, fixing an eye on + Sibilet which caused the latter to turn red. + </p> + <p> + “O rus!” cried Blondet, with another look at the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “But these poor creatures suffer,” said the countess, “and there is a + great deal of truth in what old Fourchon has just screamed at us,—for + I cannot call it speaking.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” replied Michaud, “do you suppose that for fourteen years the + soldiers of the Emperor slept on a bed of roses? My general is a count, he + is a grand officer of the Legion of honor, he has had perquisites and + endowments given to him; am I jealous of him, I who fought as he did? Do I + wish to cheat him of his glory, to steal his perquisites, to deny him the + honor due to his rank? The peasant should obey as the soldier obeys; he + should feel the loyalty of a soldier, his respect for acquired rights, and + strive to become an officer himself, honorably, by labor and not by theft. + The sabre and the plough are twins; though the soldier has something more + than the peasant,—he has death hanging over him at any minute.” + </p> + <p> + “I want to say that from the pulpit,” cried the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “Tolerant!” continued the keeper, replying to the general’s remark about + Sibilet, “I would tolerate a loss of ten per cent upon the gross returns + of Les Aigues; but as things are now thirty per cent is what you lose, + general; and, if Monsieur Sibilet’s accounts show it, I don’t understand + his tolerance, for he benevolently gives up a thousand or twelve hundred + francs a year.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Monsieur Michaud,” replied Sibilet, in a snappish tone, “I have + told Monsieur le comte that I would rather lose twelve hundred francs a + year than my life. Think of it seriously; I have warned you often enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Life!” exclaimed the countess; “you can’t mean that anybody’s life is in + danger?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t let us argue about state affairs here,” said the general, laughing. + “All this, my dear, merely means that Sibilet, in his capacity of + financier, is timid and cowardly, while the minister of war is brave and, + like his general, fears nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Call me prudent, Monsieur le comte,” interposed Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well!” cried Blondet, laughing, “so here we are, like Cooper’s + heroes in the forests of America, in the midst of sieges and savages.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, gentlemen, it is your business to govern without letting me hear + the wheels of the administration,” said Madame de Montcornet. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! madame,” said the cure, “but it may be right that you should know the + toil from which those pretty caps you wear are derived.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I can go without them,” replied the countess, laughing. “I + will be very respectful to a twenty-franc piece, and grow as miserly as + the country people themselves. Come, my dear abbe, give me your arm. Leave + the general with his two ministers, and let us go to the gate of the + Avonne to see Madame Michaud, for I have not had time since my arrival to + pay her a visit, and I want to inquire about my little protegee.” + </p> + <p> + And the pretty woman, already forgetting the rags and tatters of Mouche + and Fourchon, and their eyes full of hatred, and Sibilet’s warnings, went + to have herself made ready for the walk. + </p> + <p> + The abbe and Blondet obeyed the behest of the mistress of the house and + followed her from the dining-room, waiting till she was ready on the + terrace before the chateau. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of all this?” said Blondet to the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “I am a pariah; they dog me as they would a common enemy. I am forced to + keep my eyes and ears perpetually open to escape the traps they are + constantly laying to get me out of the place,” replied the abbe. “I am + even doubtful, between ourselves, as to whether they will not shoot me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you stay?” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “We can’t desert God’s cause any more than that of an emperor,” replied + the priest, with a simplicity that affected Blondet. He took the abbe’s + hand and shook it cordially. + </p> + <p> + “You see how it is, therefore, that I know very little of the plots that + are going on,” continued the abbe. “Still, I know enough to feel sure that + the general is under what in Artois and in Belgium is called an ‘evil + grudge.’” + </p> + <p> + A few words are here necessary about the curate of Blangy. + </p> + <p> + This priest, the fourth son of a worthy middle-class family of Autun, was + an intelligent man carrying his head high in his collar. Small and slight, + he redeemed his rather puny appearance by the precise and carefully + dressed air that belongs to Burgundians. He accepted the second-rate post + of Blangy out of pure devotion, for his religious convictions were joined + to political opinions that were equally strong. There was something of the + priest of the olden time about him; he held to the Church and to the + clergy passionately; saw the bearings of things, and no selfishness marred + his one ambition, which was <i>to serve</i>. That was his motto,—to + serve the Church and the monarchy wherever it was most threatened; to + serve in the lowest rank like a soldier who feels that he is destined, + sooner or later, to attain command through courage and the resolve to do + his duty. He made no compromises with his vows of chastity, and poverty, + and obedience; he fulfilled them, as he did the other duties of his + position, with that simplicity and cheerful good-humor which are the sure + indications of an honest heart, constrained to do right by natural + impulses as much as by the power and consistency of religious convictions. + </p> + <p> + The priest had seen at first sight Blondet’s attachment to the countess; + he saw that between a Troisville and a monarchical journalist he could + safely show himself to be a man of broad intelligence, because his calling + was certain to be respected. He usually came to the chateau very evening + to make the fourth at a game of whist. The journalist, able to recognize + the abbe’s real merits, showed him so much deference that the pair grew + into sympathy with each other; as usually happens when men of intelligence + meet their equals, or, if you prefer it, the ears that are able to hear + them. Swords are fond of their scabbards. + </p> + <p> + “But to what do you attribute this state of things, Monsieur l’abbe, you + who are able, through your disinterestedness, to look over the heads of + things?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall not talk platitudes after such a flattering speech as that,” said + the abbe, smiling. “What is going on in this valley is spreading more or + less throughout France; it is the outcome of the hopes which the upheaval + of 1789 caused to infiltrate, if I may use that expression, the minds of + the peasantry, the sons of the soil. The Revolution affected certain + localities more than others. This side of Burgundy, nearest to Paris, is + one of those places where the revolutionary ideas spread like the + overrunning of the Franks by the Gauls. Historically, the peasants are + still on the morrow of the Jacquerie; that defeat is burnt in upon their + brain. They have long forgotten the facts which have now passed into the + condition of an instinctive idea. That idea is bred in the peasant blood, + just as the idea of superiority was once bred in noble blood. The + revolution of 1789 was the retaliation of the vanquished. The peasants + then set foot in possession of the soil which the feudal law had denied + them for over twelve hundred years. Hence their desire for land, which + they now cut up among themselves until actually they divide a furrow into + two parts; which, by the bye, often hinders or prevents the collection of + taxes, for the value of such fractions of property is not sufficient to + pay the legal costs of recovering them.” + </p> + <p> + “Very true, for the obstinacy of the small owners—their + aggressiveness, if you choose—on this point is so great that in at + least one thousand cantons of the three thousand of French territory, it + is impossible for a rich man to buy an inch of land from a peasant,” said + Blondet, interrupting the abbe. “The peasants who are willing to divide up + their scraps of land among themselves would not sell a fraction on any + condition or at any price to the middle classes. The more money the rich + man offers, the more the vague uneasiness of the peasant increases. Legal + dispossession alone is able to bring the landed property of the peasant + into the market. Many persons have noticed this fact without being able to + find a reason for it.” + </p> + <p> + “This is the reason,” said the abbe, rightly believing that a pause with + Blondet was equivalent to a question: “twelve centuries have done nothing + for a caste whom the historic spectacle of civilization has never yet + diverted from its one predominating thought,—a caste which still + wears proudly the broad-brimmed hat of its masters, ever since an + abandoned fashion placed it upon their heads. That all-pervading thought, + the roots of which are in the bowels of the people, and which attached + them so vehemently to Napoleon (who was personally less to them than he + thought he was) and which explains the miracle of his return in 1815,—that + desire for land is the sole motive power of the peasant’s being. In the + eyes of the masses Napoleon, ever one with them through his million of + soldiers, is still the king born of the Revolution; the man who gave them + possession of the soil and sold to them the national domains. His + anointing was saturated with that idea.” + </p> + <p> + “An idea to which 1814 dealt a blow, an idea which monarchy should hold + sacred,” said Blondet, quickly; “for the people may some day find on the + steps of the throne a prince whose father bequeathed to him the head of + Louis XVI. as an heirloom.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is madame; don’t say any more,” said the abbe, in a low voice. + “Fourchon has frightened her; and it is very desirable to keep her here in + the interests of religion and of the throne, and, indeed, in those of the + people themselves.” + </p> + <p> + Michaud, the bailiff of Les Aigues, had come to the chateau in consequence + of the assault on Vatel’s eyes. But before we relate the consultation + which then and there took place, the chain of events requires a succinct + account of the circumstances under which the general purchased Les Aigues, + the serious causes which led to the appointment of Sibilet as steward of + that magnificent property, and the reasons why Michaud was made bailiff, + with all the other antecedents to which were due the tension of the minds + of all, and the fears expressed by Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + This rapid summary will have the merit of introducing some of the + principal actors in this drama, and of exhibiting their individual + interests; we shall thus be enabled to show the dangers which surrounded + the General comte de Montcornet at the moment when this history opens. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. A TALE OF THIEVES + </h2> + <p> + When Mademoiselle Laguerre first visited her estate, in 1791, she took as + steward the son of the ex-bailiff of Soulanges, named Gaubertin. The + little town of Soulanges, at present nothing more than the chief town of a + canton, was once the capital of a considerable county, in the days when + the House of Burgundy made war upon France. Ville-aux-Fayes, now the seat + of the sub-prefecture, then a mere fief, was a dependency of Soulanges, + like Les Aigues, Ronquerolles, Cerneux, Conches, and a score of other + parishes. The Soulanges have remained counts, whereas the Ronquerolles are + now marquises by the will of that power, called the Court, which made the + son of Captain du Plessis duke over the heads of the first families of the + Conquest. All of which serves to prove that towns, like families, are + variable in their destiny. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin, a young man without property of any kind, succeeded a steward + enriched by a management of thirty years, who preferred to become a + partner in the famous firm of Minoret rather than continue to administer + Les Aigues. In his own interests he introduced into his place as + land-steward Francois Gaubertin, his accountant for five years, whom he + now relied on to cover his retreat, and who, out of gratitude for his + instructions, promised to obtain for him a release in full of all claims + from Madame Laguerre, who by this time was terrified at the Revolution. + Gaubertin’s father, the attorney-general of the department, henceforth + protected the timid woman. This provincial Fouquier-Tinville raised a + false alarm of danger in the mind of the opera-divinity on the ground of + her former relations to the aristocracy, so as to give his son the equally + false credit of saving her life; on the strength of which Gaubertin the + younger obtained very easily the release of his predecessor. Mademoiselle + Laguerre then made Francois Gaubertin her prime minister, as much through + policy as from gratitude. The late steward had not spoiled her. He sent + her, every year, about thirty thousand francs, though Les Aigues brought + in at that time at least forty thousand. The unsuspecting opera-singer was + therefore much delighted when the new steward Gaubertin promised her + thirty-six thousand. + </p> + <p> + To explain the present fortune of the land-steward of Les Aigues before + the judgment-seat of probability, it is necessary to state its beginnings. + Pushed by his father’s influence, he became mayor of Blangy. Thus he was + able, contrary to law, to make the debtors pay in coin, by “terrorizing” + (a phrase of the day) such of them as might, in his opinion, be subjected + to the crushing demands of the Republic. He himself paid the citizens in + assignats as long as the system of paper money lasted,—a system + which, if it did not make the nation prosperous, at least made the + fortunes of private individuals. From 1793 to 1795, that is, for three + years, Francois Gaubertin wrung one hundred and fifty thousand francs out + of Les Aigues, with which he speculated on the stock-market in Paris. With + her purse full of assignats Mademoiselle was actually obliged to obtain + ready money from her diamonds, now useless to her. She gave them to + Gaubertin, who sold them, and faithfully returned to her their full price. + This proof of honesty touched her heart; henceforth she believed in + Gaubertin as she did in Piccini. + </p> + <p> + In 1796, at the time of his marriage with the citoyenne Isaure Mouchon, + daughter of an old “conventional,” a friend of his father, Gaubertin + possessed about three hundred and fifty thousand francs in money. As the + Directory seemed to him likely to last, he determined, before marrying, to + have the accounts of his five years’ stewardship ratified by Mademoiselle, + under pretext of a new departure. + </p> + <p> + “I am to be the head of a family,” he said to her; “you know the + reputation of land-stewards; my father-in-law is a republican of Roman + austerity, and a man of influence as well; I want to prove to him that I + am as upright as he.” + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Laguerre accepted his accounts at once in very flattering + terms. + </p> + <p> + In those earlier days the steward had endeavored, in order to win the + confidence of Madame des Aigues (as Mademoiselle was then called) to + repress the depredations of the peasantry; fearing, and not without + reason, that the revenues would suffer too severely, and that his private + bonus from the buyers of the timber would sensibly diminish. But in those + days the sovereign people felt the soil was their own everywhere; Madame + was afraid of the surrounding kings and told her Richelieu that the first + desire of her soul was to die in peace. The revenues of the late singer + were so far in excess of her expenses that she allowed all the worst, and, + as it proved, fatal precedents to be established. To avoid a lawsuit, she + allowed the neighbors to encroach upon her land. Knowing that the park + walls were sufficient protection, she did not fear any interruption of her + personal comfort, and cared for nothing but her peaceful existence, true + philosopher that she was! A few thousand a year more or less, the + indemnities exacted by the wood-merchants for the damages committed by the + peasants,—what were they to a careless and extravagant Opera-girl, + who had gained her hundred thousand francs a year at the cost of pleasure + only, and who had just submitted, without a word of remonstrance, to a + reduction of two thirds of an income of sixty thousand francs? + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” she said, in the easy tone of the wantons of the old time, + “people must live, even if they are republicans.” + </p> + <p> + The terrible Mademoiselle Cochet, her maid and female vizier, had tried to + enlighten her mistress when she saw the ascendency Gaubertin was obtaining + over one whom he began by calling “Madame” in defiance of the + revolutionary laws about equality; but Gaubertin, in his turn, enlightened + Mademoiselle Cochet by showing her a so-called denunciation sent to his + father, the prosecuting attorney, in which she was vehemently accused of + corresponding with Pitt and Coburg. From that time forward the two powers + went on shares—shares a la Montgomery. Cochet praised Gaubertin to + Madame, and Gaubertin praised Cochet. The waiting-maid had already made + her own bed, and knew she was down for sixty thousand francs in the will. + Madame could not do without Cochet, to whom she was accustomed. The woman + knew the secrets of dear mistress’s toilet; she alone could put dear + mistress to sleep at night with her gossip, and get her up in the morning + with her flattery; to the day of dear mistress’s death the maid never + could see the slightest change in her, and when dear mistress lay in her + coffin, she doubtless thought she had never seen her looking so well. + </p> + <p> + The annual pickings of Gaubertin and Mademoiselle Cochet, their wages and + perquisites, became so large that the most affectionate relative could not + possibly have been more devoted than they to their kindly mistress. There + is really no describing how a swindler cossets his dupe. A mother is not + so tender nor so solicitous for a beloved daughter as the practitioner of + tartuferie for his milch cow. What brilliant success attends the + performance of Tartufe behind the closed doors of a home! It is worth more + than friendship. Moliere died too soon; he would otherwise have shown us + the misery of Orgon, wearied by his family, harassed by his children, + regretting the blandishments of Tartufe, and thinking to himself, “Ah, + those were the good times!” + </p> + <p> + During the last eight years of her life the mistress of Les Aigues + received only thirty thousand francs of the fifty thousand really yielded + by the estate. Gaubertin had reached the same administrative results as + his predecessor, though farm rents and territorial products were notably + increased between 1791 and 1815,—not to speak of Madame’s continual + purchases. But Gaubertin’s fixed idea of acquiring Les Aigues at the old + lady’s death led him to depreciate the value of the magnificent estate in + the matter of its ostensible revenues. Mademoiselle Cochet, a sharer in + the scheme, was also to share the profits. As the ex-divinity in her + declining years received an income of twenty thousand francs from the + Funds called consolidated (how readily the tongue of politics can jest!), + and with difficulty spent the said sum yearly, she was much surprised at + the annual purchases made by her steward to use up the accumulating + revenues, remembering how in former times she had always drawn them in + advance. The result of having few wants in her old age seemed, to her + mind, a proof of the honesty and uprightness of Gaubertin and Mademoiselle + Cochet. + </p> + <p> + “Two pearls!” she said to the persons who came to see her. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin kept his accounts with apparent honesty. He entered all rentals + duly. Everything that could strike the feeble mind of the late singer, so + far as arithmetic went, was clear and precise. The steward took his + commission on all disbursements,—on the costs of working the estate, + on rentals made, on suits brought, on work done, on repairs of every kind,—details + which Madame never dreamed of verifying, and for which he sometimes + charged twice over by collusion with the contractors, whose silence was + bought by permission to charge the highest prices. These methods of + dealing conciliated public opinion in favor of Gaubertin, while Madame’s + praise was on every lip; for besides the payments she disbursed for work, + she gave away large sums of money in alms. + </p> + <p> + “May God preserve her, the dear lady!” was heard on all sides. + </p> + <p> + The truth was, everybody got something out of her, either indirectly or as + a downright gift. In reprisals, as it were, of her youth the old actress + was pillaged; so discreetly pillaged, however, that those who throve upon + her kept their depredations within certain limits lest even her eyes might + be opened and she should sell Les Aigues and return to Paris. + </p> + <p> + This system of “pickings” was, alas! the cause of Paul-Louis Carter’s + assassination; he committed the mistake of advertising the sale of his + estate and allowing it to be known that he should take away his wife, on + whom a number of the Tonsards of Lorraine were battening. Fearing to lose + Madame des Aigues, the marauders on the estate forbore to cut the young + trees, unless pushed to extremities by finding no branches within reach of + shears fastened to long poles. In the interests of robbery, they did as + little harm as they could; although, during the last years of Madame’s + life, the habit of cutting wood became more and more barefaced. On certain + clear nights not less than two hundred bundles were taken. As to the + gleaning of fields and vineyards, Les Aigues lost, as Sibilet had pointed + out, not less than one quarter of its products. + </p> + <p> + Madame des Aigues had forbidden Cochet to marry during her lifetime, with + the selfishness often shown in all countries by a mistress to a maid; + which is not more irrational than the mania for keeping possession, until + our last gasp, of property that is utterly useless to our material + comfort, at the risk of being poisoned by impatient heirs. Twenty days + after the old lady’s burial Mademoiselle Cochet married the brigadier of + the gendarmerie of Soulanges, named Soudry, a handsome man, forty-two + years of age, who, ever since 1800 (in which year the gendarmerie was + formed) had come every day to Les Aigues to see the waiting-maid, and + dined with her at least three times a week at the Gaubertins’. + </p> + <p> + During Madame’s lifetime dinner was served to her and to her company by + themselves. Neither Cochet nor Gaubertin, in spite of their great + familiarity with the mistress, was ever admitted to her table; the leading + lady of the Academie Royale retained, to her last hour, her sense of + etiquette, her style of dress, her rouge and her heeled slippers, her + carriage, her servants, and the majesty of her deportment. A divinity at + the Opera, a divinity within her range of Parisian social life, she + continued a divinity in the country solitudes, where her memory is still + worshipped, and still holds its own against that of the old monarchy in + the minds of the “best society” of Soulanges. + </p> + <p> + Soudry, who had paid his addresses to Mademoiselle Cochet from the time he + first came into the neighborhood, owned the finest house in Soulanges, an + income of six thousand francs, and the prospect of a retiring pension + whenever he should quit the service. As soon as Cochet became Madame + Soudry she was treated with great consideration in the town. Though she + kept the strictest secrecy as to the amount of her savings,—which + were intrusted, like those of Gaubertin, to the commissary of + wine-merchants of the department in Paris, a certain Leclercq, a native of + Soulanges, to whom Gaubertin supplied funds as sleeping partner in his + business,—public opinion credited the former waiting-maid with one + of the largest fortunes in the little town of twelve hundred inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + To the great astonishment of every one, Monsieur and Madame Soudry + acknowledged as legitimate, in their marriage contract, a natural son of + the gendarme, to whom, in future, Madame Soudry’s fortune was to descend. + At the time when this son was legally supplied with a mother, he had just + ended his law studies in Paris and was about to enter into practice, with + the intention of fitting himself for the magistracy. + </p> + <p> + It is scarcely necessary to remark that a mutual understanding of twenty + years had produced the closest intimacy between the families of Gaubertin + and Soudry. Both reciprocally declared themselves, to the end of their + days, “urbi et orbi,” to be the most upright and honorable persons in all + France. Such community of interests, based on the mutual knowledge of the + secret spots on the white garment of conscience, is one of the ties least + recognized and hardest to untie in this low world. You who read this + social drama, have you never felt a conviction as to two persons which has + led you to say to yourself, in order to explain the continuance of a + faithful devotion which made your own egotism blush, “They must surely + have committed some crime together”? + </p> + <p> + After an administration of twenty-five years, Gaubertin, the land-steward, + found himself in possession of six hundred thousand francs in money, and + Cochet had accumulated nearly two hundred and fifty thousand. The rapid + and constant turning over and over of their funds in the hands of Leclercq + and Company (on the quai Bethume, Ile Saint Louis, rivals of the famous + house of Grandet) was a great assistance to the fortunes of all parties. + On the death of Mademoiselle Laguerre, Jenny, the steward’s eldest + daughter was asked in marriage by Leclercq. Gaubertin expected at that + time to become owner of Les Aigues by means of a plot laid in the private + office of Lupin, the notary, whom the steward had set up and maintained in + business within the last twelve years. + </p> + <p> + Lupin, a son of the former steward of the estate of Soulanges, had lent + himself to various slight peculations,—investments at fifty per cent + below par, notices published surreptitiously, and all the other + manoeuvres, unhappily common in the provinces, to wrap a mantle, as the + saying is, over the clandestine manipulations of property. Lately a + company has been formed in Paris, so they say, to levy contributions upon + such plotters under a threat of outbidding them. But in 1816 France was + not, as it is now, lighted by a flaming publicity; the accomplices might + safely count on dividing Les Aigues among them, that is, between Cochet, + the notary, and Gaubertin, the latter of whom reserved to himself, “in + petto,” the intention of buying the others out for a sum down, as soon as + the property fairly stood in his own name. The lawyer employed by the + notary to manage the sale of the estate was under personal obligations to + Gaubertin, so that he favored the spoliation of the heirs, unless any of + the eleven farmers of Picardy should take it into their heads to think + they were cheated, and inquire into the real value of the property. + </p> + <p> + Just as those interested expected to find their fortunes made, a lawyer + came from Paris on the evening before the final settlement, and employed a + notary at Ville-aux-Fayes, who happened to be one of his former clerks, to + buy the estate of Les Aigues, which he did for eleven hundred thousand + francs. None of the conspirators dared outbid an offer of eleven hundred + thousand francs. Gaubertin suspected some treachery on Soudry’s part, and + Soudry and Lupin thought they were tricked by Gaubertin. But a statement + on the part of the purchasing agent, the notary of Ville-aux-Fayes, + disabused them of these suspicions. The latter, though suspecting the plan + formed by Gaubertin, Lupin, and Soudry, refrained from informing the + lawyer in Paris, for the reason that if the new owners indiscreetly + repeated his words, he would have too many enemies at his heels to be able + to stay where he was. This reticence, peculiar to provincials, was in this + particular case amply justified by succeeding events. If the dwellers in + the provinces are dissemblers, they are forced to be so; their excuse lies + in the danger expressed in the old proverb, “We must howl with the + wolves,” a meaning which underlies the character of Phillinte. + </p> + <p> + When General Montcornet took possession of Les Aigues, Gaubertin was no + longer rich enough to give up his place. In order to marry his daughter to + a rich banker he was obliged to give her a dowry of two hundred thousand + francs; he had to pay thirty thousand for his son’s practice; and all that + remained of his accumulations was three hundred and seventy thousand, out + of which he would be forced, sooner or later, to pay the dowry of his + remaining daughter, Elise, for whom he hoped to arrange a marriage at + least as good as that of her sister. The steward determined to study the + general, in order to find out if he could disgust him with the place,—hoping + still to be able to carry out his defeated plan in his own interests. + </p> + <p> + With the peculiar instinct which characterizes those who make their + fortunes by craft, Gaubertin believed in a resemblance of nature (which + was not improbable) between an old soldier and an Opera-singer. An + actress, and a general of the Empire,—surely they would have the + same extravagant habits, the same careless prodigality? To the one as to + the other, riches came capriciously and by lucky chances. If some soldiers + are wily and astute and clever politicians, they are exceptions; a soldier + is, usually, especially an accomplished cavalry officer like Montcornet, + guileless, confident, a novice in business, and little fitted to + understand details in the management of an estate. Gaubertin flattered + himself that he could catch and hold the general with the same net in + which Mademoiselle Laguerre had finished her days. But it so happened that + the Emperor had once, intentionally, allowed Montcornet to play the same + game in Pomerania that Gaubertin was playing at Les Aigues; consequently, + the general fully understood a system of plundering. + </p> + <p> + In planting cabbages, to use the expression of the first Duc de Biron, the + old cuirassier sought to divert his mind, by occupation, from dwelling on + his fall. Though he had yielded his “corps d’armee” to the Bourbons, that + duty (performed by other generals and termed the disbanding of the army of + the Loire) could not atone for the crime of having followed the man of the + Hundred-Days to his last battle-field. In presence of the allied army it + was impossible for the peer of 1815 to remain in the service, still less + at the Luxembourg. Accordingly, Montcornet betook himself to the country + by advice of a dismissed marshal, to plunder Nature herself. The general + was not deficient in the special cunning of an old military fox; and after + he had spent a few days in examining his new property, he saw that + Gaubertin was a steward of the old system,—a swindler, such as the + dukes and marshals of the Empire, those mushrooms bred from the common + earth, were well acquainted with. + </p> + <p> + The wily general, soon aware of Gaubertin’s great experience in rural + administration, felt it was politic to keep well with him until he had + himself learned the secrets of it; accordingly, he passed himself off as + another Mademoiselle Laguerre, a course which lulled the steward into + false security. This apparent simple-mindedness lasted all the time it + took the general to learn the strength and weakness of Les Aigues, to + master the details of its revenues and the manner of collecting them, and + to ascertain how and where the robberies occurred, together with the + betterments and economies which ought to be undertaken. Then, one fine + morning, having caught Gaubertin with his hand in the bag, as the saying + is, the general flew into one of those rages peculiar to the imperial + conquerors of many lands. In doing so he committed a capital blunder,—one + that would have ruined the whole life of a man of less wealth and less + consistency than himself, and from which came the evils, both small and + great, with which the present history teems. Brought up in the imperial + school, accustomed to deal with men as a dictator, and full of contempt + for “civilians,” Montcornet did not trouble himself to wear gloves when it + came to putting a rascal of a land-steward out of doors. Civil life and + its precautions were things unknown to the soldier already embittered by + his loss of rank. He humiliated Gaubertin ruthlessly, though the latter + drew the harsh treatment upon himself by a cynical reply which roused + Montcornet’s anger. + </p> + <p> + “You are living off my land,” said the general, with jesting severity. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I can live off the sky?” returned Gaubertin, with a sneer. + </p> + <p> + “Out of my sight, blackguard! I dismiss you!” cried the general, striking + him with his whip,—blows which the steward always denied having + received, for they were given behind closed doors. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not go without my release in full,” said Gaubertin, coldly, + keeping at a distance from the enraged soldier. + </p> + <p> + “We will see what is thought of you in a police court,” replied + Montcornet, shrugging his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + Hearing the threat, Gaubertin looked at the general and smiled. The smile + had the effect of relaxing Montcornet’s arms as though the sinews had been + cut. We must explain that smile. + </p> + <p> + For the last two years, Gaubertin’s brother-in-law, a man named Gendrin, + long a justice of the municipal court of Ville-aux-Fayes, had become the + president of that court through the influence of the Comte de Soulanges. + The latter was made peer of France in 1814, and remained faithful to the + Bourbons during the Hundred-Days, therefore the Keeper of the Seals + readily granted an appointment at his request. This relationship gave + Gaubertin a certain importance in the country. The president of the court + of a little town is, relatively, a greater personage than the president of + one of the royal courts of a great city, who has various equals, such as + generals, bishops, and prefects; whereas the judge of the court of a small + town has none,—the attorney-general and the sub-prefect being + removable at will. Young Soudry, a companion of Gaubertin’s son in Paris + as well as at Les Aigues, had just been appointed assistant attorney in + the capital of the department. Before the elder Soudry, a quartermaster in + the artillery, became a brigadier of gendarmes, he had been wounded in a + skirmish while defending Monsieur de Soulanges, then adjutant-general. At + the time of the creation of the gendarmerie, the Comte de Soulanges, who + by that time had become a colonel, asked for a brigade for his former + protector, and later still he solicited the post we have named for the + younger Soudry. Besides all these influences, the marriage of Mademoiselle + Gaubertin with a wealthy banker of the quai Bethume made the unjust + steward feel that he was far stronger in the community than a + lieutenant-general driven into retirement. + </p> + <p> + If this history provided no other instruction that that offered by the + quarrel between the general and his steward, it would still be useful to + many persons as a lesson for their conduct in life. He who reads + Machiavelli profitably, knows that human prudence consists in never + threatening; in doing but not saying; in promoting the retreat of an enemy + and never stepping, as the saying is, on the tail of the serpent; and in + avoiding, as one would murder, the infliction of a blow to the self-love + of any one lower than one’s self. An injury done to a person’s interest, + no matter how great it may be at the time, is forgiven or explained in the + long run; but self-love, vanity, never ceases to bleed from a wound given, + and never forgives it. The moral being is actually more sensitive, more + living as it were, than the physical being. The heart and the blood are + less impressible than the nerves. In short, our inward being rules us, no + matter what we do. You may reconcile two families who have half-killed + each other, as in Brittany and in La Vendee during the civil wars, but you + can no more reconcile the calumniators and the calumniated than you can + the spoilers and the despoiled. It is only in epic poems that men curse + each other before they kill. The savage, and the peasant who is much like + a savage, seldom speak unless to deceive an enemy. Ever since 1789 France + has been trying to make man believe, against all evidence, that they are + equal. To say to a man, “You are a swindler,” may be taken as a joke; but + to catch him in the act and prove it to him with a cane on his back, to + threaten him with a police-court and not follow up the threat, is to + remind him of the inequality of conditions. If the masses will not brook + any species of superiority, is it likely that a swindler will forgive that + of an honest man? + </p> + <p> + Montcornet might have dismissed his steward under pretext of paying off a + military obligation by putting some old soldier in his place; Gaubertin + and the general would have understood the matter, and the latter, by + sparing the steward’s self-love would have given him a chance to withdraw + quietly. Gaubertin, in that case, would have left his late employer in + peace, and possibly he might have taken himself and his savings to Paris + for investment. But being, as he was, ignominiously dismissed, the man + conceived against his late master one of those bitter hatreds which are + literally a part of existence in provincial life, the persistency, + duration, and plots of which would astonish diplomatists who are trained + to let nothing astonish them. A burning desire for vengeance led him to + settle at Ville-aux-Fayes, and to take a position where he could injure + Montcornet and stir up sufficient enmity against to force him to sell Les + Aigues. + </p> + <p> + The general was deceived by appearances; for Gaubertin’s external behavior + was not of a nature to warn or to alarm him. The late steward followed his + old custom of pretending, not exactly poverty, but limited means. For + years he had talked of his wife and three children, and the heavy expenses + of a large family. Mademoiselle Laguerre, to whom he had declared himself + too poor to educate his son in Paris, paid the costs herself, and allowed + her dear godson (for she was Claude Gaubertin’s sponsor) two thousand + francs a year. + </p> + <p> + The day after the quarrel, Gaubertin came, with a keeper named + Courtecuisse, and demanded with much insolence his release in full of all + claims, showing the general the one he had obtained from his late mistress + in such flattering terms, and asking, ironically, that a search should be + made for the property, real and otherwise, which he was supposed to have + stolen. If he had received fees from the wood-merchants on their purchases + and from the farmers on their leases, Mademoiselle Laguerre, he said, had + always allowed it; not only did she gain by the bargains he made, but + everything went on smoothly without troubling her. The country-people + would have died, he remarked, for Mademoiselle, whereas the general was + laying up for himself a store of difficulties. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin—and this trait is frequently to be seen in the majority of + those professions in which the property of others can be taken by means + not foreseen by the Code—considered himself a perfectly honest man. + In the first place, he had so long had possession of the money extorted + from Mademoiselle Laguerre’s farmers through fear, and paid in assignats, + that he regarded it as legitimately acquired. It was a mere matter of + exchange. He thought that in the end he should have quite as much risk + with coin as with paper. Besides, legally, Mademoiselle had no right to + receive any payment except in assignats. “Legally” is a fine, robust + adverb, which bolsters up many a fortune! Moreover, he reflected that ever + since great estates and land-agents had existed, that is, ever since the + origin of society, the said agents had set up, for their own use, an + argument such as we find our cooks using in this present day. Here it is, + in its simplicity:— + </p> + <p> + “If my mistress,” says the cook, “went to market herself, she would have + to pay more for her provisions than I charge her; she is the gainer, and + the profits I make do more good in my hands than in those of the dealers.” + </p> + <p> + “If Mademoiselle,” thought Gaubertin, “were to manage Les Aigues herself, + she would never get thirty thousand francs a year out of it; the peasants, + the dealers, the workmen would rob her of the rest. It is much better that + I should have it, and so enable her to live in peace.” + </p> + <p> + The Catholic religion, and it alone, is able to prevent these + capitulations of conscience. But, ever since 1789 religion has no + influence on two thirds of the French people. The peasants, whose minds + are keen and whose poverty drives them to imitation, had reached, + specially in the valley of Les Aigues, a frightful state of + demoralization. They went to mass on Sundays, but only at the outside of + the church, where it was their custom to meet and transact business and + make their weekly bargains. + </p> + <p> + We can now estimate the extent of the evil done by the careless + indifference of the great singer to the management of her property. + Mademoiselle Laguerre betrayed, through mere selfishness, the interests of + those who owned property, who are held in perpetual hatred by those who + own none. Since 1792 the land-owners of Paris have become of necessity a + combined body. If, alas, the feudal families, less numerous than the + middle-class families, did not perceive the necessity of combining in 1400 + under Louis XI., nor in 1600 under Richelieu, can we expect that in this + nineteenth century of progress the middle classes will prove to be more + permanently and solidly combined that the old nobility? An oligarchy of a + hundred thousand rich men presents all the dangers of a democracy with + none of its advantages. The principle of “every man for himself and for + his own,” the selfishness of individual interests, will kill the + oligarchical selfishness so necessary to the existence of modern society, + and which England has practised with such success for the last three + centuries. Whatever may be said or done, land-owners will never understand + the necessity of the sort of internal discipline which made the Church + such an admirable model of government, until, too late, they find + themselves in danger from one another. The audacity with which communism, + that living and acting logic of democracy, attacks society from the moral + side, shows plainly that the Samson of to-day, grown prudent, is + undermining the foundations of the cellar, instead of shaking the pillars + of the hall. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. CERTAIN LOST SOCIAL SPECIES + </h2> + <p> + The estate of Les Aigues could not do without a steward; for the general + had no intention of renouncing his winter pleasures in Paris, where he + owned a fine house in the rue Neuve-des-Mathurines. He therefore looked + about for a successor to Gaubertin; but it is very certain that his search + was not as eager as that of Gaubertin himself, who was seeking for the + right person to put in his way. + </p> + <p> + Of all confidential positions there is none that requires more trained + knowledge of its kind, or more activity, than that of land-steward to a + great estate. The difficulty of finding the right man is only fully known + to those wealthy landlords whose property lies beyond a certain circle + around Paris, beginning at a distance of about one hundred and fifty + miles. At that point agricultural productions for the markets of Paris, + which warrant rentals on long leases (collected often by other tenants who + are rich themselves), cease to be cultivated. The farmers who raise them + drive to the city in their own cabriolets to pay their rents in good + bank-bills, unless they send the money through their agents in the + markets. For this reason, the farms of the Seine-et-Oise, Seine-et-Marne, + the Oise, the Eure-et-Loir, the Lower Seine, and the Loiret are so + desirable that capital cannot always be invested there at one and a half + per cent. Compared to the returns on estates in Holland, England, and + Belgium, this result is enormous. But at one hundred miles from Paris an + estate requires such variety of working, its products are so different in + kind, that it becomes a business, with all the risks attendant on + manufacturing. The wealthy owner is really a merchant, forced to look for + a market for his products, like the owner of ironworks or cotton + factories. He does not even escape competition; the peasant, the small + proprietor, is at his heels with an avidity which leads to transactions to + which well-bred persons cannot condescend. + </p> + <p> + A land-steward must understand surveying, the customs of the locality, the + methods of sale and of labor, together with a little quibbling in the + interests of those he serves; he must also understand book-keeping and + commercial matters, and be in perfect health, with a liking for active + life and horse exercise. His duty being to represent his master and to be + always in communication with him, the steward ought not to be a man of the + people. As the salary of his office seldom exceeds three thousand francs, + the problem seems insoluble. How is it possible to obtain so many + qualifications for such a very moderate price,—in a region, + moreover, where the men who are provided with them are admissible to all + other employments? Bring down a stranger to fill the place, and you will + pay dear for the experience he must acquire. Train a young man on the + spot, and you are more than likely to get a thorn of ingratitude in your + side. It therefore becomes necessary to choose between incompetent + honesty, which injures your property through its blindness and inertia, + and the cleverness which looks out for itself. Hence the social + nomenclature and natural history of land-stewards as defined by a great + Polish noble. + </p> + <p> + “There are,” he said, “two kinds of stewards: he who thinks only of + himself, and he who thinks of himself and of us; happy the land-owner who + lays his hands on the latter! As for the steward who would think only of + us, he is not to be met with.” + </p> + <p> + Elsewhere can be found a steward who thought of this master’s interests as + well as of his own. (“Un Debut dans la vie,” “Scenes de la vie privee.”) + Gaubertin is the steward who thinks of himself only. To represent the + third figure of the problem would be to hold up to public admiration a + very unlikely personage, yet one that was not unknown to the old nobility, + though he has, alas! disappeared with them. (See “Le Cabinet des + Antiques,” “Scenes de la vie de province.”) Through the endless + subdivision of fortunes aristocratic habits and customs are inevitably + changed. If there be not now in France twenty great fortunes managed by + intendants, in fifty years from now there will not be a hundred estates in + the hands of stewards, unless a great change is made in the law. Every + land-owner will be brought by that time to look after his own interests. + </p> + <p> + This transformation, already begun, suggested the following answer of a + clever woman when asked why, since 1830, she stayed in Paris during the + summer. “Because,” she said, “I do not care to visit chateaux which are + now turned into farms.” What is to be the future of this question, getting + daily more and more imperative,—that of man to man, the poor man and + the rich man? This book is written to throw some light upon that terrible + social question. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to understand the perplexities which assailed the general after + he had dismissed Gaubertin. While saying to himself, vaguely, like other + persons free to do or not to do a thing, “I’ll dismiss that scamp”; he had + overlooked the risk and forgotten the explosion of his boiling anger,—the + anger of a choleric fire-eater at the moment when a flagrant imposition + forced him to raise the lids of his wilfully blind eyes. + </p> + <p> + Montcornet, a land-owner for the first time and a denizen of Paris, had + not provided himself with a steward before coming to Les Aigues; but after + studying the neighborhood carefully he saw it was indispensable to a man + like himself to have an intermediary to manage so many persons of low + degree. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin, who discovered during the excitement of the scene (which lasted + more than two hours) the difficulties in which the general would soon be + involved, jumped on his pony after leaving the room where the quarrel took + place, and galloped to Soulanges to consult the Soudrys. At his first + words, “The general and I have parted; whom can we put in my place without + his suspecting it?” the Soudrys understood their friend’s wishes. Do not + forget that Soudry, for the last seventeen years chief of police of the + canton, was doubly shrewd through his wife, an adept in the particular + wiliness of a waiting-maid of an Opera divinity. + </p> + <p> + “We may go far,” said Madame Soudry, “before we find any one to suit the + place as well as our poor Sibilet.” + </p> + <p> + “Made to order!” exclaimed Gaubertin, still scarlet with mortification. + “Lupin,” he added, turning to the notary, who was present, “go to + Ville-aux-Fayes and whisper it to Marechal, in case that big fire-eater + asks his advice.” + </p> + <p> + Marechal was the lawyer whom his former patron, when buying Les Aigues for + the general, had recommended to Monsieur de Montcornet as legal adviser. + </p> + <p> + Sibilet, eldest son of the clerk of the court at Ville-aux-Fayes, a + notary’s clerk, without a penny of his own, and twenty-five years old, had + fallen in love with the daughter of the chief-magistrate of Soulanges. The + latter, named Sarcus, had a salary of fifteen hundred francs, and was + married to a woman without fortune, the eldest sister of Monsieur Vermut, + the apothecary of Soulanges. Though an only daughter, Mademoiselle Sarcus, + whose beauty was her only dowry, could scarcely have lived on the salary + paid to a notary’s clerk in the provinces. Young Sibilet, a relative of + Gaubertin, by a connection rather difficult to trace through family + ramifications which make members of the middle classes in all the smaller + towns cousins to each other, owed a modest position in a government office + to the assistance of his father and Gaubertin. The unlucky fellow had the + terrible happiness of being the father of two children in three years. His + own father, blessed with five, was unable to assist him. His wife’s father + owned nothing beside his house at Soulanges and an income of two thousand + francs. Madame Sibilet the younger spent most of her time at her father’s + home with her two children, where Adolphe Sibilet, whose official duty + obliged him to travel through the department, came to see her from time to + time. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin’s exclamation, though easy to understand from this summary of + young Sibilet’s life, needs a few more explanatory details. + </p> + <p> + Adolphe Sibilet, supremely unlucky, as we have shown by the foregoing + sketch of him, was one of those men who cannot reach the heart of a woman + except by way of the altar and the mayor’s office. Endowed with the + suppleness of a steel-spring, he yielded to pressure, certain to revert to + his first thought. This treacherous habit is prompted by cowardice; but + the business training which Sibilet underwent in the office of a + provincial notary had taught him the art of concealing this defect under a + gruff manner which simulated a strength he did not possess. Many false + natures mask their hollowness in this way; be rough with them in return + and the effect produced is that of a balloon collapsed by a prick. Such + was Sibilet. But as most men are not observers, and as among observers + three fourths observe only after a thing has taken place, Adolphe + Sibilet’s grumbling manner was considered the result of an honest + frankness, of a capacity much praised by his master, and of a stubborn + uprightness which no temptation could shake. Some men are as much + benefited by their defects as others by their good qualities. + </p> + <p> + Adeline Sarcus, a pretty young woman, brought up by a mother (who died + three years before her marriage) as well as a mother can educate an only + daughter in a remote country town, was in love with the handsome son of + Lupin, the Soulanges notary. At the first signs of this romance, old + Lupin, who intended to marry his son to Mademoiselle Elise Gaubertin, lost + no time in sending young Amaury Lupin to Paris, to the care of his friend + and correspondent Crottat, the notary, where, under pretext of drawing + deeds and contracts, Amaury committed a variety of foolish acts, and made + debts, being led thereto by a certain Georges Marest, a clerk in the same + office, but a rich young man, who revealed to him the mysteries of + Parisian life. By the time Lupin the elder went to Paris to bring back his + son, Adeline Sarcus had become Madame Sibilet. In fact, when the adoring + Adolphe offered himself, her father, the old magistrate, prompted by young + Lupin’s father, hastened the marriage, to which Adeline yielded in sheer + despair. + </p> + <p> + The situation of clerk in a government registration office is not a + career. It is, like other such places which admit of no rise, one of the + many holes of the government sieve. Those who start in life in these holes + (the topographical, the professorial, the highway-and-canal departments) + are apt to discover, invariably too late, that cleverer men then they, + seated beside them, are fed, as the Opposition writers say, on the sweat + of the people, every time the sieve dips down into the taxation-pot by + means of a machine called the budget. Adolphe, working early and late and + earning little, soon found out the barren depths of his hole; and his + thoughts busied themselves, as he trotted from township to township, + spending his salary in shoe-leather and costs of travelling, with how to + find a permanent and more profitable place. + </p> + <p> + No one can imagine, unless he happens to squint and to have two legitimate + children, what ambitions three years of misery and love had developed in + this young man, who squinted both in mind and vision, and whose happiness + halted, as it were, on one leg. The chief cause of secret evil deeds and + hidden meanness is, perhaps, an incompleted happiness. Man can better bear + a state of hopeless misery than those terrible alternations of love and + sunshine with continual rain. If the body contracts disease, the mind + contracts the leprosy of envy. In petty minds that leprosy becomes a base + and brutal cupidity, both insolent and shrinking; in cultivated minds it + fosters anti-social doctrines, which serve a man as footholds by which to + rise above his superiors. May we not dignify with the title of proverb the + pregnant saying, “Tell me what thou hast, and I will tell thee of what + thou art thinking”? + </p> + <p> + Though Adolphe loved his wife, his hourly thought was: “I have made a + mistake; I have three balls and chains, but I have only two legs. I ought + to have made my fortune before I married. I could have found an Adeline + any day; but Adeline stands in the way of my getting a fortune now.” + </p> + <p> + Adolphe had been to see his relation Gaubertin three times in three years. + A few words exchanged between them let Gaubertin see the muck of a soul + ready to ferment under the hot temptations of legal robbery. He warily + sounded a nature that could be warped to the exigencies of any plan, + provided it was profitable. At each of the three visits Sibilet grumbled + at his fate. + </p> + <p> + “Employ me, cousin,” he said; “take me as a clerk and make me your + successor. You shall see how I work. I am capable of overthrowing + mountains to give my Adeline, I won’t say luxury, but a modest competence. + You made Monsieur Leclercq’s fortune; why won’t you put me in a bank in + Paris?” + </p> + <p> + “Some day, later on, I’ll find you a place,” Gaubertin would say; + “meantime make friends and acquaintance; such things help.” + </p> + <p> + Under these circumstances the letter which Madame Soudry hastily + dispatched brought Sibilet to Soulanges through a region of castles in the + air. His father-in-law, Sarcus, whom the Soudrys advised to take steps in + the interest of his daughter, had gone in the morning to see the general + and to propose Adolphe for the vacant post. By advice of Madame Soudry, + who was the oracle of the little town, the worthy man had taken his + daughter with him; and the sight of her had had a favorable effect upon + the Comte de Montcornet. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not decide,” he answered, “without thoroughly informing myself + about all applicants; but I will not look elsewhere until I have examined + whether or not your son-in-law possesses the requirements for the place.” + Then, turning to Madame Sibilet he added, “The satisfaction of settling so + charming a person at Les Aigues—” + </p> + <p> + “The mother of two children, general,” said Adeline, adroitly, to evade + the gallantry of the old cuirassier. + </p> + <p> + All the general’s inquiries were cleverly anticipated by the Soudrys, + Gaubertin, and Lupin, who quietly obtained for their candidate the + influence of the leading lawyers in the capital of the department, where a + royal court held sessions,—such as Counsellor Gendrin, a distant + relative of the judge at Ville-aux-Fayes; Baron Bourlac, attorney-general; + and another counsellor named Sarcus, a cousin thrice removed of the + candidate. The verdict of every one to whom the general applies was + favorable to the poor clerk,—“so interesting,” as they called him. + His marriage had made Sibilet as irreproachable as a novel of Miss + Edgeworth’s, and presented him, moreover, in the light of a disinterested + man. + </p> + <p> + The time which the dismissed steward remained at Les Aigues until his + successor could be appointed was employed in creating troubles and + annoyances for his late master; one of the little scenes which he thus + played off will give an idea of several others. + </p> + <p> + The morning of his final departure he contrived to meet, as it were + accidentally, Courtecuisse, the only keeper then employed at Les Aigues, + the great extent of which really needed at least three. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Monsieur Gaubertin,” said Courtecuisse, “so you have had trouble + with the count?” + </p> + <p> + “Who told you that?” answered Gaubertin. “Well, yes; the general expected + to order us about as he did his cavalry; he didn’t know Burgundians. The + count is not satisfied with my services, and as I am not satisfied with + his ways, we have dismissed each other, almost with fisticuffs, for he + raged like a whirlwind. Take care of yourself, Courtecuisse! Ah! my dear + fellow, I expected to give you a better master.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that,” said the keeper, “and I’d have served you well. Hang it, + when friends have known each other for twenty years, you know! You put me + here in the days of the poor dear sainted Madame. Ah, what a good woman + she was! none like her now! The place has lost a mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Courtecuisse, if you are willing, you might help us to a fine + stroke.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are going to stay here? I heard you were off to Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “No; I shall wait to see how things turn out; meantime I shall do business + at Ville-aux-Fayes. The general doesn’t know what he is dealing with in + these parts; he’ll make himself hated, don’t you see? I shall wait for + what turns up. Do your work here gently; he’ll tell you to manage the + people with a high hand, for he begins to see where his crops and his + woods are running to; but you’ll not be such a fool as to let the + country-folk maul you, and perhaps worse, for the sake of his timber.” + </p> + <p> + “But he would send me away, dear Monsieur Gaubertin, he would get rid of + me! and you know how happy I am living there at the gate of the Avonne.” + </p> + <p> + “The general will soon get sick of the whole place,” replied Gaubertin; + “you wouldn’t be long out even if he did happen to send you away. Besides, + you know those woods,” he added, waving his hand at the landscape; “I am + stronger there than the masters.” + </p> + <p> + This conversation took place in an open field. + </p> + <p> + “Those ‘Arminac’ Parisian fellows ought to stay in their own mud,” said + the keeper. + </p> + <p> + Ever since the quarrels of the fifteenth century the word ‘Arminac’ + (Armagnacs, Parisians, enemies of the Dukes of Burgundy) has continued to + be an insulting term along the borders of Upper Burgundy, where it is + differently corrupted according to locality. + </p> + <p> + “He’ll go back to it when beaten,” said Gaubertin, “and we’ll plough up + the park; for it is robbing the people to allow a man to keep nine hundred + acres of the best land in the valley for his own pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Four hundred families could get their living from it,” said Courtecuisse. + </p> + <p> + “If you want two acres for yourself you must help us to drive that cur + out,” remarked Gaubertin. + </p> + <p> + At the very moment that Gaubertin was fulminating this sentence of + excommunication, the worthy Sarcus was presenting his son-in-law Sibilet + to the Comte de Montcornet. They had come with Adeline and the children in + a wicker carryall, lent by Sarcus’s clerk, a Monsieur Gourdon, brother of + the Soulanges doctor, who was richer than the magistrate himself. The + general, pleased with the candor and dignity of the justice of the peace, + and with the graceful bearing of Adeline (both giving pledges in good + faith, for they were totally ignorant of the plans of Gaubertin), at once + granted all requests and gave such advantages to the family of the new + land-steward as to make the position equal to that of a sub-prefect of the + first class. + </p> + <p> + A lodge, built by Bouret as an object in the landscape and also as a home + for the steward, an elegant little building, the architecture of which was + sufficiently shown in the description of the gate of Blangy, was promised + to the Sibilets for their residence. The general also conceded the horse + which Mademoiselle Laguerre had provided for Gaubertin, in consideration + of the size of the estate and the distance he had to go to the markets + where the business of the property was transacted. He allowed two hundred + bushels of wheat, three hogsheads of wine, wood in sufficient quantity, + oats and barley in abundance, and three per cent on all receipts of + income. Where the latter in Mademoiselle Laguerre’s time had amounted to + forty thousand francs, the general now, in 1818, in view of the purchases + of land which Gaubertin had made for her, expected to receive at least + sixty thousand. The new land-steward might therefore receive before long + some two thousand francs in money. Lodged, fed, warmed, relieved of taxes, + the costs of a horse and a poultry-yard defrayed for him, and allowed to + plant a kitchen-garden, with no questions asked as to the day’s work of + the gardener, certainly such advantages represented much more than another + two thousand francs; for a man who was earning a miserable salary of + twelve hundred francs in a government office to step into the stewardship + of Les Aigues was a change from poverty to opulence. + </p> + <p> + “Be faithful to my interests,” said the general, “and I shall have more to + say to you. Doubtless I could get the collection of the rents of Conches, + Blangy, and Cerneux taken away from the collection of those of Soulanges + and given to you. In short, when you bring me in a clear sixty thousand a + year from Les Aigues you shall be still further rewarded.” + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, the worthy justice and his daughter, in the flush of their + joy, told Madame Soudry the promise the general had made about these + collections, without reflecting that the present collector of Soulanges, a + man named Guerbet, brother of the postmaster of Conches, was closely + allied, as we shall see later, with Gaubertin and the Gendrins. + </p> + <p> + “It won’t be so easy to do it, my dear,” said Madame Soudry; “but don’t + prevent the general from making the attempt; it is wonderful how easily + difficult things are done in Paris. I have seen the Chevalier Gluck at + dear Madame’s feet to get her to sing his music, and she did,—she + who so adored Piccini, one of the finest men of his day; never did <i>he</i> + come into Madame’s room without catching me round the waist and calling me + a dear rogue.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” cried Soudry, when his wife reported this news, “does he think he is + going to lead the notary by the nose, and upset everything to please + himself and make the whole valley march in line, as he did his + cuirassiers? These military fellows have a habit of command!—but + let’s have patience; Monsieur de Soulanges and Monsieur de Ronquerolles + will be on our side. Poor Guerbet! he little suspects who is trying to + pluck the best roses out of his garland!” + </p> + <p> + Pere Guerbet, the collector of Soulanges, was the wit, that is to say, the + jovial companion of the little town, and a hero in Madame Soudry’s salon. + Soudry’s speech gives a fair idea of the opinion which now grew up against + the master of Les Aigues from Conches to Ville-aux-Fayes, and wherever + else the public mind could be reached and poisoned by Gaubertin. + </p> + <p> + The installation of Sibilet took place in the autumn of 1817. The year + 1818 went by without the general being able to set foot at Les Aigues, for + his approaching marriage with Mademoiselle de Troisville, which was + celebrated in January, 1819, kept him the greater part of the summer near + Alencon, in the country-house of his prospective father-in-law. General + Montcornet possessed, besides Les Aigues and a magnificent house in Paris, + some sixty thousand francs a year in the Funds and the salary of a retired + lieutenant-general. Though Napoleon had made him a count of the Empire and + given him the following arms, a field quarterly, the first, azure, bordure + or, three pyramids argent; the second, vert, three hunting horns argent; + the third, gules, a cannon or on a gun-carriage sable, and, in chief, a + crescent or; the fourth, or, a crown vert, with the motto (eminently of + the middle ages!), “Sound the charge,”—Montcornet knew very well + that he was the son of a cabinet-maker in the faubourg Saint-Antoine, + though he was quite ready to forget it. He was eaten up with the desire to + be a peer of France, and dreamed of his grand cordon of the Legion of + honor, his Saint-Louis cross, and his income of one hundred and forty + thousand francs. Bitten by the demon of aristocracy, the sight of the blue + ribbon put him beside himself. The gallant cuirassier of Essling would + have licked up the mud on the Pont-Royal to be invited to the house of a + Navarreins, a Lenoncourt, a Grandlieu, a Maufrigneuse, a d’Espard, a + Vandenesse, a Verneuil, a Herouville, or a Chaulieu. + </p> + <p> + From 1818, when the impossibility of a change in favor of the Bonaparte + family was made clear to him, Montcornet had himself trumpeted in the + faubourg Saint-Germain by the wives of some of his friends, who offered + his hand and heart, his mansion and his fortune in return for an alliance + with some great family. + </p> + <p> + After several attempts, the Duchesse de Carigliano found a match for the + general in one of the three branches of the Troisville family,—that + of the viscount in the service of Russia ever since 1789, who had returned + to France in 1815. The viscount, poor as a younger son, had married a + Princess Scherbellof, worth about a million, but the arrival of two sons + and three daughters kept him poor. His family, ancient and formerly + powerful, now consisted of the Marquis de Troisville, peer of France, head + of the house and scutcheon, and two deputies, with numerous offspring, who + were busy, for their part, with the budget and the ministries and the + court, like fishes round bits of bread. Therefore, when Montcornet was + presented by Madame de Carigliano,—the Napoleonic duchess, who was + now a most devoted adherent of the Bourbons, he was favorably received. + The general asked, in return for his fortune and tender indulgence to his + wife, to be appointed to the Royal Guard, with the rank of marquis and + peer of France; but the branches of the Troisville family would do no more + than promise him their support. + </p> + <p> + “You know what that means,” said the duchess to her old friend, who + complained of the vagueness of the promise. “They cannot oblige the king + to do as they wish; they can only influence him.” + </p> + <p> + Montcornet made Virginie de Troisville his heir in the marriage + settlements. Completely under the control of his wife, as Blondet’s letter + has already shown, he was still without children, but Louis XVIII. had + received him, and given him the cordon of Saint-Louis, allowing him to + quarter his ridiculous arms with those of the Troisvilles, and promising + him the title of marquis as soon as he had deserved the peerage by his + services. + </p> + <p> + A few days after the audience at which this promise had been given, the + Duc de Barry was assassinated; the Marsan clique carried the day; the + Villele ministry came into power, and all the wires laid by the + Troisvilles were snapped; it became necessary to find new ways of + fastening them upon the ministry. + </p> + <p> + “We must bide our time,” said the Troisvilles to Montcornet, who was + always overwhelmed with politeness in the faubourg Saint-Germain. + </p> + <p> + This will explain how it was that the general did not return to Les Aigues + until May, 1820. + </p> + <p> + The ineffable happiness of the son of a shop-keeper of the faubourg + Saint-Antoine in possessing a young, elegant, intelligent, and gentle + wife, a Troisville, who had given him an entrance into all the salons of + the faubourg Saint-Germain, and the delight of making her enjoy the + pleasures of Paris, had kept him from Les Aigues and made him forget about + Gaubertin, even to his very name. In 1820 he took the countess to Burgundy + to show her the estate, and he accepted Sibilet’s accounts and leases + without looking closely into them; happiness never cavils. The countess, + well pleased to find the steward’s wife a charming young woman, made + presents to her and to the children, with whom she occasionally amused + herself. She ordered a few changes at Les Aigues, having sent to Paris for + an architect; proposing, to the general’s great delight, to spend six + months of every year on this magnificent estate. Montcornet’s savings were + soon spent on the architectural work and the exquisite new furniture sent + from Paris. Les Aigues thus received the last touch which made it a choice + example of all the diverse elegancies of four centuries. + </p> + <p> + In 1821 the general was almost peremptorily urged by Sibilet to be at Les + Aigues before the month of May. Important matters had to be decided. A + lease of nine years, to the amount of thirty thousand francs, granted by + Gaubertin in 1812 to a wood-merchant, fell in on the 15th of May of the + current year. Sibilet, anxious to prove his rectitude, was unwilling to be + responsible for the renewal of the lease. “You know, Monsieur le comte,” + he wrote, “that I do not choose to profit by such matters.” The + wood-merchant claimed an indemnity, extorted from Madame Laguerre, through + her hatred of litigation, and shared by him with Gaubertin. This indemnity + was based on the injury done to the woods by the peasants, who treated the + forest of Les Aigues as if they had a right to cut the timber. Messrs. + Gravelot Brothers, wood-merchants in Paris, refused to pay their last + quarter dues, offering to prove by an expert that the woods were reduced + one-fifth in value, through, they said, the injurious precedent + established by Madame Laguerre. + </p> + <p> + “I have already,” wrote Sibilet, “sued these men in the courts at + Ville-aux-Fayes, for they have taken legal residence there, on account of + this lease, with my old employer, Maitre Corbinet. I fear we shall lose + the suit.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a question of income, my dear,” said the general, showing the + letter to his wife. “Will you go down to Les Aigues a little earlier this + year than last?” + </p> + <p> + “Go yourself, and I will follow you when the weather is warmer,” said the + countess, not sorry to remain in Paris alone. + </p> + <p> + The general, who knew very well the canker that was eating into his + revenues, departed without his wife, resolved to take vigorous measures. + In so doing he reckoned, as we shall see, without his Gaubertin. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. THE GREAT REVOLUTIONS OF A LITTLE VALLEY + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Maitre Sibilet,” said the general to his steward, the morning after + his arrival, giving him a familiar title which showed how much he + appreciated his services, “so we are, to use a ministerial phrase, at a + crisis?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet, following the general. + </p> + <p> + The fortunate possessor of Les Aigues was walking up and down in front of + the steward’s house, along a little terrace where Madame Sibilet grew + flowers, at the end of which was a wide stretch of meadow-land watered by + the canal which Blondet has described. From this point the chateau of Les + Aigues was seen in the distance, and in like manner the profile, as it + were, of the steward’s lodge was seen from Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + “But,” resumed the general, “what’s the difficulty? If I do lose the suit + against the Gravelots, a money wound is not mortal, and I’ll have the + leasing of my forest so well advertised that there will be competition, + and I shall sell the timber at its true value.” + </p> + <p> + “Business is not done in that way, Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet. + “Suppose you get no lessees, what will you do?” + </p> + <p> + “Cut the timber myself and sell it—” + </p> + <p> + “You, a wood merchant?” said Sibilet. “Well, without looking at matters + here, how would it be in Paris? You would have to hire a wood-yard, pay + for a license and the taxes, also for the right of navigation, and duties, + and the costs of unloading; besides the salary of a trustworthy agent—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is impracticable,” said the general hastily, alarmed at the + prospect. “But why can’t I find persons to lease the right of cutting + timber as before?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte has enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are they?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, in the first place, Monsieur Gaubertin.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean the scoundrel whose place you took?” + </p> + <p> + “Not so loud, Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet, showing fear; “I beg of + you, not so loud,—my cook might hear us.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to tell me that I am not to speak on my own estate of a + villain who robbed me?” cried the general. + </p> + <p> + “For the sake of your own peace and comfort, come further away, Monsieur + le comte. Monsieur Gaubertin is mayor of Ville-aux-Fayes.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! I congratulate Ville-aux-Fayes. Thunder! what a nobly governed town!—” + </p> + <p> + “Do me the honor to listen, Monsieur le comte, and to believe that I am + talking of serious matters which may affect your future life in this + place.” + </p> + <p> + “I am listening; let us sit down on this bench here.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte, when you dismissed Gaubertin, he had to find some + employment, for he was not rich—” + </p> + <p> + “Not rich! when he stole twenty thousand francs a year from this estate?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte, I don’t pretend to excuse him,” replied Sibilet. “I + want to see Les Aigues prosperous, if it were only to prove Gaubertin’s + dishonest; but we ought not to abuse him openly for he is one of the most + dangerous scoundrels to be found in all Burgundy, and he is now in a + position to injure you.” + </p> + <p> + “In what way?” asked the general, sobering down. + </p> + <p> + “Gaubertin has control of nearly one third of the supplies sent to Paris. + As general agent of the timber business, he orders all the work of the + forests,—the felling, chopping, floating, and sending to market. + Being in close relations with the workmen, he is the arbiter of prices. It + has taken him three years to create this position, but he holds it now + like a fortress. He is essential to all dealers, never favoring one more + than another; he regulates the whole business in their interests, and + their affairs are better and more cheaply looked after by him than they + were in the old time by separate agents for each firm. For instance, he + has so completely put a stop to competition that he has absolute control + of the auction sales; the crown and the State are both dependent on him. + Their timber is sold under the hammer and falls invariably to Gaubertin’s + dealers; in fact, no others attempt now to bid against them. Last year + Monsieur Mariotte, of Auxerre, urged by the commissioner of domains, did + attempt to compete with Gaubertin. At first, Gaubertin let him buy the + standing wood at the usual prices; but when it came to cutting it, the + Avonnais workmen asked such enormous prices that Monsieur Mariotte was + obliged to bring laborers from Auxerre, whom the Ville-aux-Fayes workmen + attacked and drove away. The head of the coalition, and the ringleader of + the brawl were brought before the police court, and the suits cost + Monsieur Mariotte a great deal of money; for, besides the odium of having + convicted and punished poor men, he was forced to pay all costs, because + the losing side had not a farthing to do it with. A suit against laboring + men is sure to result in hatred to those who live among them. Let me warn + you of this; for if you follow the course you propose, you will have to + fight against the poor of this district at least. But that’s not all. + Counting it over, Monsieur Mariotte, a worthy man, found he was the loser + by his original lease. Forced to pay ready money, he was nevertheless + obliged to sell on time; Gaubertin delivered his timber at long credits + for the purpose of ruining his competitor. He undersold him by at least + five per cent, and the end of it is that poor Mariotte’s credit is badly + shaken. Gaubertin is now pressing and harassing the poor man so that he is + driven, they tell me, to leave not only Auxerre, but even Burgundy itself; + and he is right. In this way land-owners have long been sacrificed to + dealers who now set the market-prices, just as the furniture-dealers in + Paris dictate values to appraisers. But Gaubertin saves the owners so much + trouble and worry that they are really gainers.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” asked the general. + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, because the less complicated a business is, the + greater the profits to the owners,” answered Sibilet. “Besides which, + their income is more secure; and in all matters of rural improvement and + development that is the main thing, as you will find out. Then, too, + Monsieur Gaubertin is the friend and patron of working-men; he pays them + well and keeps them always at work; therefore, though their families live + on the estates, the woods leased to dealers and belonging to the + land-owners who trust the care of their property to Gaubertin (such as MM. + de Soulanges and de Ronquerolles) are not devastated. The dead wood is + gathered up, but that is all—” + </p> + <p> + “That rascal Gaubertin has lost no time!” cried the general. + </p> + <p> + “He is a bold man,” said Sibilet. “He really is, as he calls himself, the + steward of the best half of the department, instead of being merely the + steward of Les Aigues. He makes a little out of everybody, and that little + on every two millions brings him in forty to fifty thousand francs a year. + He says himself, ‘The fires on the Parisian hearths pay it all.’ He is + your enemy, Monsieur le comte. My advice to you is to capitulate and be + reconciled with him. He is intimate, as you know, with Soudry, the head of + the gendarmerie at Soulanges; with Monsieur Rigou, our mayor at Blangy; + the patrols are under his influence; therefore you will find it impossible + to repress the pilferings which are eating into your estate. During the + last two years your woods have been devastated. Consequently the Gravelots + are more than likely to win their suit. They say, very truly: ‘According + to the terms of the lease, the care of the woods is left to the owner; he + does not protect them, and we are injured; the owner is bound to pay us + damages.’ That’s fair enough; but it doesn’t follow that they should win + their case.” + </p> + <p> + “We must be ready to defend this suit at all costs,” said the general, + “and then we shall have no more of them.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall gratify Gaubertin,” remarked Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “How so?” + </p> + <p> + “Suing the Gravelots is the same as a hand to hand fight with Gaubertin, + who is their agent,” answered Sibilet. “He asks nothing better than such a + suit. He declares, so I hear, that he will bring you if necessary before + the Court of Appeals.” + </p> + <p> + “The rascal! the—” + </p> + <p> + “If you attempt to work your own woods,” continued Sibilet, turning the + knife in the wound, “you will find yourself at the mercy of workmen who + will force you to pay rich men’s prices instead of market-prices. In + short, they’ll put you, as they did that poor Mariotte, in a position + where you must sell at a loss. If you then try to lease the woods you will + get no tenants, for you cannot expect that any one should take risks for + himself which Mariotte only took for the crown and the State. Suppose a + man talks of his losses to the government! The government is a gentleman + who is, like your obedient servant when he was in its employ, a worthy man + with a frayed overcoat, who reads the newspapers at a desk. Let his salary + be twelve hundred or twelve thousand francs, his disposition is the same, + it is not a whit softer. Talk of reductions and releases from the public + treasury represented by the said gentleman! He’ll only pooh-pooh you as he + mends his pen. No, the law is the wrong road for you, Monsieur le comte.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what’s to be done?” cried the general, his blood boiling as he + tramped up and down before the bench. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet, abruptly, “what I say to you is not for + my own interests, certainly; but I advise you to sell Les Aigues and leave + the neighborhood.” + </p> + <p> + On hearing these words the general sprang back as if a cannon-ball had + struck him; then he looked at Sibilet with a shrewd, diplomatic eye. + </p> + <p> + “A general of the Imperial Guard running away from the rascals, when + Madame la comtesse likes Les Aigues!” he said. “No, I’ll sooner box + Gaubertin’s ears on the market-place of Ville-aux-Fayes, and force him to + fight me that I may shoot him like a dog.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte, Gaubertin is not such a fool as to let himself be + brought into collision with you. Besides, you could not openly insult the + mayor of so important a place as Ville-aux-Fayes.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll have him turned out; the Troisvilles can do that for me; it is a + question of income.” + </p> + <p> + “You won’t succeed, Monsieur le comte; Gaubertin’s arms are long; you will + get yourself into difficulties from which you cannot escape.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us think of the present,” interrupted the general. “About that suit?” + </p> + <p> + “That, Monsieur le comte, I can manage to win for you,” replied Sibilet, + with a knowing glance. + </p> + <p> + “Bravo, Sibilet!” said the general, shaking his steward’s hand; “how are + you going to do it?” + </p> + <p> + “You will win it on a writ of error,” replied Sibilet. “In my opinion the + Gravelots have the right of it. But it is not enough to be in the right, + they must also be in order as to legal forms, and that they have + neglected. The Gravelots ought to have summoned you to have the woods + better watched. They can’t ask for indemnity, at the close of a lease, for + damages which they know have been going on for nine years; there is a + clause in the lease as to this, on which we can file a bill of exceptions. + You will lose the suit at Ville-aux-Fayes, possibly in the upper court as + well, but we will carry it to Paris and you will win at the Court of + Appeals. The costs will be heavy and the expenses ruinous. You will have + to spend from twelve to fifteen thousand francs merely to win the suit,—but + you will win it, if you care to. The suit will only increase the enmity of + the Gravelots, for the expenses will be even heavier on them. You will be + their bugbear; you will be called litigious and calumniated in every way; + still, you can win—” + </p> + <p> + “Then, what’s to be done?” repeated the general, on whom Sibilet’s + arguments were beginning to produce the effect of a violent poison. + </p> + <p> + Just then the remembrance of the blows he had given Gaubertin with his + cane crossed his mind, and made him wish he had bestowed them on himself. + His flushed face was enough to show Sibilet the irritation that he felt. + </p> + <p> + “You ask me what can be done, Monsieur le comte? Why, only one thing, + compromise; but of course you can’t negotiate that yourself. I must be + thought to cheat you! We, poor devils, whose only fortune and comfort is + in our good name, it is hard on us to even seem to do a questionable + thing. We are always judged by appearances. Gaubertin himself saved + Mademoiselle Laguerre’s life during the Revolution, but it seemed to + others that he was robbing her. She rewarded him in her will with a + diamond worth ten thousand francs, which Madame Gaubertin now wears on her + head.” + </p> + <p> + The general gave Sibilet another glance still more diplomatic than the + first; but the steward seemed to take no notice of the challenge it + expressed. + </p> + <p> + “If I were to appear dishonest, Monsieur Gaubertin would be so overjoyed + that I could instantly obtain his help,” continued Sibilet. “He would + listen with all his ears if I said to him: ‘Suppose I were to extort + twenty thousand francs from Monsieur le comte for Messrs. Gravelot, on + condition that they shared them with me?’ If your adversaries consented to + that, Monsieur le comte, I should return you ten thousand francs; you lose + only the other ten, you save appearances, and the suit is quashed.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a fine fellow, Sibilet,” said the general, taking his hand and + shaking it. “If you can manage the future as well as you do the present, + I’ll call you the prince of stewards.” + </p> + <p> + “As to the future,” said Sibilet, “you won’t die of hunger if no timber is + cut for two or three years. Let us begin by putting proper keepers in the + woods. Between now and then things will flow as the water does in the + Avonne. Gaubertin may die, or get rich enough to retire from business; at + any rate, you will have sufficient time to find him a competitor. The cake + is too rich not to be shared. Look for another Gaubertin to oppose the + original.” + </p> + <p> + “Sibilet,” said the old soldier, delighted with this variety of solutions. + “I’ll give you three thousand francs if you’ll settle the matter as you + propose. For the rest, we’ll think about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet, “first and foremost have the forest + properly watched. See for yourself the condition in which the peasantry + have put it during your two years’ absence. What could I do? I am steward; + I am not a bailiff. To guard Les Aigues properly you need a mounted patrol + and three keepers.” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly shall have the estate properly guarded. So it is to be war, + is it? Very good, then we shall make war. That doesn’t frighten me,” said + Montcornet, rubbing his hands. + </p> + <p> + “A war of francs,” said Sibilet; “and you may find that more difficult + than the other kind; men can be killed but you can’t kill self-interest. + You will fight your enemy on the battle-field where all landlords are + compelled to fight,—I mean cash results. It is not enough to + produce, you must sell; and in order to sell, you must be on good terms + with everybody.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall have the country people on my side.” + </p> + <p> + “By what means?” + </p> + <p> + “By doing good among them.” + </p> + <p> + “Doing good to the valley peasants! to the petty shopkeepers of + Soulanges!” exclaimed Sibilet, squinting horribly, by reason of the irony + which flamed brighter in one eye than in the other. “Monsieur le comte + doesn’t know what he undertakes. Our Lord Jesus Christ would die again + upon the cross in this valley! If you wish an easy life, follow the + example of the late Mademoiselle Laguerre; let yourself be robbed, or else + make people afraid of you. Women, children, and the masses are all + governed by fear. That was the great secret of the Convention, and of the + Emperor, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens! is this the forest of Bondy?” cried the general. + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” said Sibilet’s wife, appearing at this moment, “your breakfast + is ready. Pray excuse him, Monsieur le comte; he has eaten nothing since + morning for he was obliged to go to Ronquerolles to deliver some barley.” + </p> + <p> + “Go, go, Sibilet,” said the general. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the count rose early, before daylight, and went to the + gate of the Avonne, intending to talk with the one forester whom he + employed and find out what the man’s sentiments really were. + </p> + <p> + Some seven or eight hundred acres of the forest of Les Aigues lie along + the banks of the Avonne; and to preserve the majestic beauty of the river + the large trees that border it have been left untouched for a distance of + three leagues on both sides in an almost straight line. The mistress of + Henri IV., to whom Les Aigues formerly belonged, was as fond of hunting as + the king himself. In 1593 she ordered a bridge to be built of a single + arch with shelving roadway by which to ride from the lower side of the + forest to a much larger portion of it, purchased by her, which lay upon + the slopes of the hills. The gate of the Avonne was built as a place of + meeting for the huntsmen; and we know the magnificence bestowed by the + architects of that day upon all buildings intended for the delight of the + crown and the nobility. Six avenues branched away from it, their place of + meeting forming a half-moon. In the centre of the semi-circular space + stood an obelisk surmounted by a round shield, formerly gilded, bearing on + one side the arms of Navarre and on the other those of the Countess de + Moret. Another half-moon, on the side toward the river, communicated with + the first by a straight avenue, at the opposite end of which the steep + rise of the Venetian-shaped bridge could be seen. Between two elegant iron + railings of the same character as that of the magnificent railing which + formerly surrounded the garden of the Place Royale in Paris, now so + unfortunately destroyed, stood a brick pavilion, with stone courses hewn + in facets like those of the chateau, with a very pointed roof and + window-casings of stone cut in the same manner. This old style, which gave + the building a regal air, is suitable only to prisons when used in cities; + but standing in the heart of forests it derives from its surroundings a + splendor of its own. A group of trees formed a screen, behind which the + kennels, an old falconry, a pheasantry, and the quarters of the huntsmen + were falling into ruins, after being in their day the wonder and + admiration of Burgundy. + </p> + <p> + In 1595, the royal hunting-parties set forth from this magnificent + pavilion, preceded by those fine dogs so dear to Rubens and to Paul + Veronese; the huntsmen mounted on high-steeping steeds with stout and + blue-white satiny haunches, seen no longer except in Wouverman’s amazing + work, followed by footmen in livery; the scene enlivened by whippers-in, + wearing the high top-boots with facings and the yellow leathern breeches + which have come down to the present day on the canvas of Van der Meulen. + The obelisk was erected in commemoration of the visit of the Bearnais, and + his hunt with the beautiful Comtesse de Moret; the date is given below the + arms of Navarre. That jealous woman, whose son was afterwards + legitimatized, would not allow the arms of France to figure on the + obelisk, regarding them as a rebuke. + </p> + <p> + At the time of which we write, when the general’s eyes rested on this + splendid ruin, moss had gathered for centuries on the four faces of the + roof; the hewn-stone courses, mangled by time, seemed to cry with yawning + mouths against the profanation; disjointed leaden settings let fall their + octagonal panes, so that the windows seemed blind of an eye here and + there. Yellow wallflowers bloomed about the copings; ivy slid its white + rootlets into every crevice. + </p> + <p> + All things bespoke a shameful want of care,—the seal set by mere + life-possessors on the ancient glories that they possess. Two windows on + the first floor were stuffed with hay. Through another, on the + ground-floor, was seen a room filled with tools and logs of wood; while a + cow pushed her muzzle through a fourth, proving that Courtecuisse, to + avoid having to walk from the pavilion to the pheasantry, had turned the + large hall of the central building into a stable,—a hall with + panelled ceiling, and in the centre of each panel the arms of all the + various possessors of Les Aigues! + </p> + <p> + Black and dirty palings disgraced the approach to the pavilion, making + square inclosures with plank roofs for pigs, ducks, and hens, the manure + of which was taken away every six months. A few ragged garments were hung + to dry on the brambles which boldly grew unchecked here and there. As the + general came along the avenue from the bridge, Madame Courtecuisse was + scouring a saucepan in which she had just made her coffee. The forester, + sitting on a chair in the sun, considered his wife as a savage considers + his. When he heard a horse’s hoofs he turned round, saw the count, and + seemed taken aback. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Courtecuisse, my man,” said the general, “I’m not surprised that + the peasants cut my woods before Messrs. Gravelot can do so. So you + consider your place a sinecure?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Monsieur le comte, I have watched the woods so many nights that + I’m ill from it. I’ve got a chill, and I suffer such pain this morning + that my wife has just made me a poultice in that saucepan.” + </p> + <p> + “My good fellow,” said the count, “I don’t know of any pain that a coffee + poultice cures except that of hunger. Listen to me, you rascal! I rode + through my forest yesterday, and then through those of Monsieur de + Soulanges and Monsieur de Ronquerolles. Theirs are carefully watched and + preserved, while mine is in a shameful state.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, monsieur! but they are the old lords of the neighborhood; everybody + respects their property. How can you expect me to fight against six + districts? I care for my life more than for your woods. A man who would + undertake to watch your woods as they ought to be watched would get a ball + in his head for wages in some dark corner of the forest—” + </p> + <p> + “Coward!” cried the general, trying to control the anger the man’s + insolent reply provoked in him. “Last night was as clear as day, yet it + cost me three hundred francs in actual robbery and over a thousand in + future damages. You will leave my service unless you do better. All + wrong-doing deserves some mercy; therefore these are my conditions: You + may have the fines, and I will pay you three francs for every indictment + you bring against these depredators. If I don’t get what I expect, you + know what you have to expect, and no pension either. Whereas, if you serve + me faithfully and contrive to stop these depredations, I’ll give you an + annuity of three hundred francs for life. You can think it over. Here are + six ways,” continued the count, pointing to the branching roads; “there’s + only one for you to take,—as for me also, who am not afraid of + balls; try and find the right one.” + </p> + <p> + Courtecuisse, a small man about forty-six years of age, with a full-moon + face, found his greatest happiness in doing nothing. He expected to live + and die in that pavilion, now considered by him <i>his</i> pavilion. His + two cows were pastured in the forest, from which he got his wood; and he + spent his time in looking after his garden instead of after the + delinquents. Such neglect of duty suited Gaubertin, and Courtecuisse knew + it did. The keeper chased only those depredators who were the objects of + his personal dislike,—young women who would not yield to his wishes, + or persons against whom he held a grudge; though for some time past he had + really felt no dislikes, for every one yielded to him on account of his + easy-going ways with them. + </p> + <p> + Courtecuisse had a place always kept for him at the table of the + Grand-I-Vert; the wood-pickers feared him no longer; indeed, his wife and + he received many gifts in kind from them; his wood was brought in; his + vineyard dug; in short, all delinquents at whom he blinked did him + service. + </p> + <p> + Counting on Gaubertin for the future, and feeling sure of two acres + whenever Les Aigues should be brought to the hammer, he was roughly + awakened by the curt speech of the general, who, after four quiescent + years, was now revealing his true character,—that of a bourgeois + rich man who was determined to be no longer deceived. Courtecuisse took + his cap, his game-bag, and his gun, put on his gaiters and his belt (which + bore the very recent arms of Montcornet), and started for Ville-aux-Fayes, + with the careless, indifferent air and manner under which country-people + often conceal very deep reflections, while he gazed at the woods and + whistled to the dogs to follow him. + </p> + <p> + “What! you complain of the Shopman when he proposes to make your fortune?” + said Gaubertin. “Doesn’t the fool offer to give you three francs for every + arrest you make, and the fines to boot? Have an understanding with your + friends and you can bring as many indictments as you please,—hundreds + if you like! With one thousand francs you can buy La Bachelerie from + Rigou, become a property owner, live in your own house, and work for + yourself, or rather, make others work for you, and take your ease. Only—now + listen to me—you must manage to arrest only such as haven’t a penny + in the world. You can’t shear sheep unless the wool is on their backs. + Take the Shopman’s offer and leave him to collect the costs,—if he + wants them; tastes differ. Didn’t old Mariotte prefer losses to profits, + in spite of my advice?” + </p> + <p> + Courtecuisse, filled with admiration for these words of wisdom, returned + home burning with the desire to be a land-owner and a bourgeois like the + rest. + </p> + <p> + When the general reached Les Aigues he related his expedition to Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte did very right,” said the steward, rubbing his hands; + “but he must not stop short half-way. The field-keeper of the district who + allows the country-people to prey upon the meadows and rob the harvests + ought to be changed. Monsieur le comte should have himself chosen mayor, + and appoint one of his old soldiers, who would have the courage to carry + out his orders, in place of Vaudoyer. A great land-owner should be master + in his own district. Just see what difficulties we have with the present + mayor!” + </p> + <p> + The mayor of the district of Blangy, formerly a Benedictine, named Rigou, + had married, in the first year of the Republic, the servant-woman of the + late priest of Blangy. In spite of the repugnance which a married monk + excited at the Prefecture, he had continued to be mayor after 1815, for + the reason that there was no-one else at Blangy who was capable of filling + the post. But in 1817, when the bishop sent the Abbe Brossette to the + parish of Blangy (which had then been vacant over twenty-five years), a + violent opposition not unnaturally broke out between the old apostate and + the young ecclesiastic, whose character is already known to us. The war + which was then and there declared between the mayor’s office and the + parsonage increased the popularity of the magistrate, who had hitherto + been more or less despised. Rigou, whom the peasants had disliked for + usurious dealings, now suddenly represented their political and financial + interests, supposed to be threatened by the Restoration, and more + especially by the clergy. + </p> + <p> + A copy of the “Constitutionnel,” that great organ of liberalism, after + making the rounds of the Cafe de la Paix, came back to Rigou on the + seventh day,—the subscription, standing in the name of old Socquard + the keeper of the coffee-house, being shared by twenty persons. Rigou + passed the paper on to Langlume the miller, who, in turn, gave it in + shreds to any one who knew how to read. The “Paris items,” and the + anti-religion jokes of the liberal sheet formed the public opinion of the + valley des Aigues. Rigou, like the <i>venerable</i> Abbe Gregoire, became + a hero. For him, as for certain Parisian bankers, politics spread a mantle + of popularity over his shameful dishonesty. + </p> + <p> + At this particular time the perjured monk, like Francois Keller the great + orator, was looked upon as a defender of the rights of the people,—he + who, not so very long before, dared not walk in the fields after dark, + lest he should stumble into pitfalls where he would seem to have been + killed by accident! Persecute a man politically and you not only magnify + him, but you redeem his past and make it innocent. The liberal party was a + great worker of miracles in this respect. Its dangerous journal, which had + the wit to make itself as commonplace, as calumniating, as credulous, and + as sillily perfidious as every audience made up the general masses, did in + all probability as much injury to private interests as it did to those of + the Church. + </p> + <p> + Rigou flattered himself that he should find in a Bonapartist general now + laid on the shelf, in a son of the people raised from nothing by the + Revolution, a sound enemy to the Bourbons and the priests. But the + general, bearing in mind his private ambitions, so arranged matters as to + evade the visit of Monsieur and Madame Rigou when he first came to Les + Aigues. + </p> + <p> + When you have become better acquainted with the terrible character of + Rigou, the lynx of the valley, you will understand the full extent of the + second capital blunder which the general’s aristocratic ambitions led him + to commit, and which the countess made all the greater by an offence which + will be described in the further history of Rigou. + </p> + <p> + If Montcornet had courted the mayor’s good-will, if he had sought his + friendship, perhaps the influence of the renegade might have neutralized + that of Gaubertin. Far from that, three suits were now pending in the + courts of Ville-aux-Fayes between the general and the ex-monk. Until the + present time the general had been so absorbed in his personal interests + and in his marriage that he had never remembered Rigou, but when Sibilet + advised him to get himself made mayor in Rigou’s place, he took + post-horses and went to see the prefect. + </p> + <p> + The prefect, Comte Martial de la Roche-Hugon, had been a friend of the + general since 1804; and it was a word from him said to Montcornet in a + conversation in Paris, which brought about the purchase of Les Aigues. + Comte Martial, a prefect under Napoleon, remained a prefect under the + Bourbons, and courted the bishop to retain his place. Now it happened that + Monseigneur had several times requested him to get rid of Rigou. Martial, + to whom the condition of the district was perfectly well known, was + delighted with the general’s request; so that in less than a month the + Comte de Montcornet was mayor of Blangy. + </p> + <p> + By one of those accidents which come about naturally, the general met, + while at the prefecture where his friend put him up, a non-commissioned + officer of the ex-Imperial guard, who had been cheated out of his retiring + pension. The general had already, under other circumstances, done a + service to the brave cavalryman, whose name was Groison; the man, + remembering it, now told him his troubles, admitting that he was + penniless. The general promised to get him his pension, and proposed that + he should take the place of field-keeper to the district of Blangy, as a + way of paying off his score of gratitude by devotion to the new mayor’s + interests. The appointments of master and man were made simultaneously, + and the general gave, as may be supposed, very firm instructions to his + subordinate. + </p> + <p> + Vaudoyer, the displaced keeper, a peasant on the Ronquerolles estate, was + only fit, like most field-keepers, to stalk about, and gossip, and let + himself be petted by the poor of the district, who asked nothing better + than to corrupt at subaltern authority,—the advanced guard, as it + were, of the land-owners. He knew Soudry, the brigadier at Soulanges, for + brigadiers of gendarmerie, performing functions that are semi-judicial in + drawing up criminal indictments, have much to do with the rural keepers, + who are, in fact, their natural spies. Soudry, being appealed to, sent + Vaudoyer to Gaubertin, who received his old acquaintance very cordially, + and invited him to drink while listening to the recital of his troubles. + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend,” said the mayor of Ville-aux-Fayes, who could talk to + every man in his own language, “what has happened to you is likely to + happen to us all. The nobles are back upon us. The men to whom the Emperor + gave titles make common cause with the old nobility. They all want to + crush the people, re-establish their former rights and take our property + from us. But we are Burgundians; we must resist, and drive those Arminacs + back to Paris. Return to Blangy; you shall be agent for Monsieur + Polissard, the wood-merchant, who is contractor for the forest of + Ronquerolles. Don’t be uneasy, my lad; I’ll find you enough to do for the + whole of the coming year. But remember one thing; the wood is for + ourselves! Not a single depredation, or the thing is at an end. Send all + interlopers to Les Aigues. If there’s brush or fagots to sell make people + buy ours; don’t let them buy of Les Aigues. You’ll get back to your place + as field-keeper before long; this thing can’t last. The general will get + sick of living among thieves. Did you know that that Shopman called me a + thief, me!—son of the stanchest and most incorruptible of + republicans; me!—the son in law of Mouchon, that famous + representative of the people, who died without leaving me enough to bury + him?” + </p> + <p> + The general raised the salary of the new field-keeper to three hundred + francs; and built a town-hall, in which he gave him a residence. Then he + married him to a daughter of one of his tenant-farmers, who had lately + died, leaving her an orphan with three acres of vineyard. Groison attached + himself to the general as a dog to his master. This legitimate fidelity + was admitted by the whole community. The keeper was feared and respected, + but like the captain of a vessel whose ship’s company hate him; the + peasantry shunned him as they would a leper. Met either in silence or with + sarcasms veiled under a show of good-humor, the new keeper was a sentinel + watched by other sentinels. He could do nothing against such numbers. The + delinquents took delight in plotting depredations which it was impossible + for him to prove, and the old soldier grew furious at his helplessness. + Groison found the excitement of a war of factions in his duties, and all + the pleasures of the chase,—a chase after petty delinquents. Trained + in real war to a loyalty which consists in part of playing a fair game, + this enemy of traitors came at last to hate these people, so treacherous + in their conspiracies, and so clever in their thefts that they mortified + his self-esteem. He soon observed that the depredations were committed + only at Les Aigues; all the other estates were respected. At first he + despised a peasantry ungrateful enough to pillage a general of the Empire, + an essentially kind and generous man; presently, however, he added hatred + to contempt. But multiply himself as he would, he could not be everywhere, + and the enemy pillaged everywhere that he was not. Groison made the + general understand that it was necessary to organize the defence on a war + footing, and proved to him the insufficiency of his own devoted efforts + and the evil disposition of the inhabitants of the valley. + </p> + <p> + “There is something behind it all, general,” he said; “these people are so + bold they fear nothing; they seem to rely on the favor of the good God.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall see,” replied the count. + </p> + <p> + Fatal word! The verb “to see” has no future tense for politicians. + </p> + <p> + At the moment, Montcornet was considering another difficulty, which seemed + to him more pressing. He needed an alter ego to do his work in the mayor’s + office during the months he lived in Paris. Obliged to find some man who + knew how to read and write for the position of assistant mayor, he knew of + none and could hear of none throughout the district but Langlume, the + tenant of his own flour-mill. The choice was disastrous. Not only were the + interests of mayor and miller diametrically opposed, but Langlume had long + hatched swindling projects with Rigou, who lent him money to carry on his + business, or to acquire property. The miller had bought the right to the + hay of certain fields for his horses, and Sibilet could not sell it except + to him. The hay of all the fields in the district was sold at better + prices than that of Les Aigues, though the yield of the latter was the + best. + </p> + <p> + Langlume, then, became the provisional mayor; but in France the + provisional is eternal,—though Frenchmen are suspected of loving + change. Acting by Rigou’s advice, he played a part of great devotion to + the general; and he was still assistant-mayor at the moment when, by the + omnipotence of the historian, this drama begins. + </p> + <p> + In the absence of the mayor, Rigou, necessarily a member of the district + council, reigned supreme, and brought forward resolutions all injuriously + affecting the general. At one time he caused money to be spent for + purposes that were profitable to the peasants only,—the greater part + of the expenses falling upon Les Aigues, which, by reason of its great + extent, paid two thirds of the taxes; at other times the council refused, + under his influence, certain useful and necessary allowances, such as an + increase in salary for the abbe, repairs or improvements to the parsonage, + or “wages” to the school-master. + </p> + <p> + “If the peasants once know how to read and write, what will become of us?” + said Langlume, naively, to the general, to excuse this anti-liberal action + taken against a brother of the Christian Doctrine whom the Abbe Brossette + wished to establish as a public school-master in Blangy. + </p> + <p> + The general, delighted with his old Groison, returned to Paris and + immediately looked about him for other old soldiers of the late imperial + guard, with whom to organize the defence of Les Aigues on a formidable + footing. By dint of searching out and questioning his friends and many + officers on half-pay, he unearthed Michaud, a former quartermaster at + headquarters of the cuirassiers of the guard; one of those men whom + troopers call “hard-to-cook,” a nickname derived from the mess kitchen + where refractory beans are not uncommon. Michaud picked out from among his + friends and acquaintances, three other men fit to be his helpers, and able + to guard the estate without fear and without reproach. + </p> + <p> + The first, named Steingel, a pure-blooded Alsacian, was a natural son of + the general of that name, who fell in one of Bonaparte’s first victories + with the army of Italy. Tall and strong, he belonged to the class of + soldiers accustomed, like the Russians, to obey, passively and absolutely. + Nothing hindered him in the performance of his duty; he would have + collared an emperor or a pope if such were his orders. He ignored danger. + Perfectly fearless, he had never received the smallest scratch during his + sixteen years’ campaigning. He slept in the open air or in his bed with + stoical indifference. At any increased labor or discomfort, he merely + remarked, “It seems to be the order of the day.” + </p> + <p> + The second man, Vatel, son of the regiment, corporal of voltigeurs, gay as + a lark, rather free and easy with the fair sex, brave to foolhardiness, + was capable of shooting a comrade with a laugh if ordered to execute him. + With no future before him and not knowing how to employ himself, the + prospect of finding an amusing little war in the functions of keeper, + attracted him; and as the grand army and the Emperor had hitherto stood + him in place of a religion, so now he swore to serve the brave Montcornet + against and through all and everything. His nature was of that essentially + wrangling quality to which a life without enemies seems dull and + objectless,—the nature, in short, of a litigant, or a policeman. If + it had not been for the presence of the sheriff’s officer, he would have + seized Tonsard and the bundle of wood at the Grand-I-Vert, snapping his + fingers at the law on the inviolability of a man’s domicile. + </p> + <p> + The third man, Gaillard, also an old soldier, risen to the rank of + sub-lieutenant, and covered with wounds, belonged to the class of + mechanical soldiers. The fate of the Emperor never left his mind and he + became indifferent to everything else. With the care of a natural daughter + on his hands, he accepted the place that was now offered to him as a means + of subsistence, taking it as he would have taken service in a regiment. + </p> + <p> + When the general reached Les Aigues, whither he had gone in advance of his + troopers, intending to send away Courtecuisse, he was amazed at + discovering the impudent audacity with which the keeper had fulfilled his + commands. There is a method of obeying which makes the obedience of the + servant a cutting sarcasm on the master’s order. But all things in this + world can be reduced to absurdity, and Courtecuisse in this instance went + beyond its limits. + </p> + <p> + One hundred and twenty-six indictments against depredators (most of whom + were in collusion with Courtecuisse) and sworn to before the justice court + of Soulanges, had resulted in sixty-nine commitments for trial, in virtue + of which Brunet, the sheriff’s officer, delighted at such a windfall of + fees, had rigorously enforced the warrants in such a way as to bring about + what is called, in legal language, a declaration of insolvency; a + condition of pauperism where the law becomes of course powerless. By this + declaration the sheriff proves that the defendant possesses no property of + any kind, and is therefore a pauper. Where there is absolutely nothing, + the creditor, like the king, loses his right to sue. The paupers in this + case, carefully selected by Courtecuisse, were scattered through five + neighboring districts, whither Brunet betook himself duly attended by his + satellites, Vermichel and Fourchon, to serve the writs. Later he + transmitted the papers to Sibilet with a bill of costs for five thousand + francs, requesting him to obtain the further orders of Monsieur le comte + de Montcornet. + </p> + <p> + Just as Sibilet, armed with these papers, was calmly explaining to the + count the result of the rash orders he had given to Courtecuisse, and + witnessing, as calmly, a burst of the most violent anger a general of the + French cavalry was ever known to indulge in, Courtecuisse entered to pay + his respects to his master and to bring his own account of eleven hundred + francs, the sum to which his promised commission now amounted. The natural + man took the bit in his teeth and ran off with the general, who totally + forgot his coronet and his field rank; he was a trooper once more, + vomiting curses of which he probably was ashamed when he thought of them + later. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! eleven hundred francs!” he shouted, “eleven hundred slaps in your + face! eleven hundred kicks!—Do you think I can’t see straight + through your lies? Out of my sight, or I’ll strike you flat!” + </p> + <p> + At the mere look of the general’s purple face and before that warrior + could get out the last words, Courtecuisse was off like a swallow. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte,” said Sibilet, gently, “you are wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Wrong! I, wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Monsieur le comte, take care, you will have trouble with that + rascal; he will sue you.” + </p> + <p> + “What do I care for that? Tell the scoundrel to leave the place instantly! + See that he takes nothing of mine, and pay him his wages.” + </p> + <p> + Four hours later the whole country-side was gossiping about this scene. + The general, they said, had assaulted the unfortunate Courtecuisse, and + refused to pay his wages and two thousand francs besides, which he owed + him. Extraordinary stories went the rounds, and the master of Les Aigues + was declared insane. The next day Brunet, who had served all the warrants + for the general, now brought him on behalf of Courtecuisse a summon to + appear before the police court. The lion was stung by gnats; but his + misery was only just beginning. + </p> + <p> + The installation of a keeper is not done without a few formalities; he + must, for instance, file an oath in the civil court. Some days therefore + elapsed before the three keepers really entered upon their functions. + Though the general had written to Michaud to bring his wife without + waiting until the lodge at the gate of the Avonne was ready for them, the + future head-keeper, or rather bailiff, was detained in Paris by his + marriage and his wife’s family, and did not reach Les Aigues until a + fortnight later. During those two weeks, and during the time still further + required for certain formalities which were carried out with very ill + grace by the authorities at Ville-aux-Fayes, the forest of Les Aigues was + shamefully devastated by the peasantry, who took advantage of the fact + that there was practically no watch over it. + </p> + <p> + The appearance of three keepers handsomely dressed in green cloth, the + Emperor’s color, with faces denoting firmness, and each of them well-made, + active, and capable of spending their nights in the woods, was a great + event in the valley, from Conches to Ville-aux-Fayes. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the district Groison was the only man who welcomed these + veterans. Delighted to be thus reinforced, he let fall a few threats + against thieves, who before long, he said, would be watched so closely + that they could do no damage. Thus the usual proclamation of all great + commanders was not lacking to the present war; in this case it was said + aloud and also whispered in secret. + </p> + <p> + Sibilet called the general’s attention to the fact that the gendarmerie of + Soulanges, and especially its brigadier, Soudry, were thoroughly and + hypocritically hostile to Les Aigues. He made him see the importance of + substituting another brigade, which might show a better spirit. + </p> + <p> + “With a good brigadier and a company of gendarmes devoted to your + interests, you could manage the country,” he said to him. + </p> + <p> + The general went to the Prefecture and obtained from the general in + command of the division the retirement of Soudry and the substitution of a + man named Viallet, an excellent gendarme at headquarters, who was much + praised by his general and the prefect. The company of gendarmes at + Soulanges were dispersed to other places in the department by the colonel + of the gendarmerie, an old friend of Montcornet, and chosen men were put + in their places with secret orders to keep watch over the estate of the + Comte de Montcornet, and prevent all future attempts to injure it; they + were also particularly enjoined not to allow themselves to be gained over + by the inhabitants of Soulanges. + </p> + <p> + This last revolutionary measure, carried out with such rapidity that there + was no possibility of countermining it created much astonishment in + Soulanges and in Ville-aux-Fayes. Soudry, who felt himself dismissed, + complained bitterly, and Gaubertin managed to get him appointed mayor, + which put the gendarmerie under his orders. An outcry was made about + tyranny. Montcornet became an object of general hatred. Not only were five + or six lives radically changed by him, but many personal vanities were + wounded. The peasants, taking their cue from words dropped by the small + tradesmen of Ville-aux-Fayes and Soulanges, and by Rigou, Langlume, + Guerbet, and the postmaster at Conches, thought they were on the eve of + losing what they called their rights. + </p> + <p> + The general stopped the suit brought by Courtecuisse by paying him all he + demanded. The man then purchased, nominally for two thousand francs, a + little property surrounded on all sides but one by the estate of Les + Aigues,—a sort of cover into which the game escaped. Rigou, the + owner, had never been willing to part with La Bachelerie, as it was + called, to the possessors of the estate, but he now took malicious + pleasure in selling it, at fifty per cent discount, to Courtecuisse; which + made the ex-keeper one of Rigou’s numerous henchmen, for all he actually + paid for the property was one thousand francs. + </p> + <p> + The three keepers, with Michaud the bailiff, and Groison the field-keeper + of Blangy, led henceforth the life of guerrillas. Living night and day in + the forest, they soon acquired that deep knowledge of woodland things + which becomes a science among foresters, saving them much loss of time; + they studied the tracks of animals, the species of the trees, and their + habits of growth, training their ears to every sound and to every murmur + of the woods. Still further, they observed faces, watched and understood + the different families in the various villages of the district, and knew + the individuals in each family, their habits, characters, and means of + living,—a far more difficult matter than most persons suppose. When + the peasants who obtained their living from Les Aigues saw these + well-planned measures of defence, they met them with dumb resistance or + sneering submission. + </p> + <p> + From the first, Michaud and Sibilet mutually disliked each other. The + frank and loyal soldier, with the sense of honor of a subaltern of the + young “garde,” hated the servile brutality and the discontented spirit of + the steward. He soon took note of the objections with which Sibilet + opposed all measures that were really judicious, and the reasons he gave + for those that were questionable. Instead of calming the general, Sibilet, + as the reader has already seen, constantly excited him and drove him to + harsh measures, all the while trying to daunt him by drawing his attention + to countless annoyances, petty vexations, and ever-recurring and + unconquerable difficulties. Without suspecting the role of spy and + exasperator undertaken by Sibilet (who secretly intended to eventually + make choice in his own interests between Gaubertin and the general) + Michaud felt that the steward’s nature was bad and grasping, and he was + unable to explain to himself its apparent honesty. The enmity which + separated the two functionaries was satisfactory to the general. Michaud’s + hatred led him to watch the steward, though he would not have condescended + to play the part of spy if the general had not required it. Sibilet fawned + upon the bailiff and flattered him, without being able to get anything + from him beyond an extreme politeness which the loyal soldier established + between them as a barrier. + </p> + <p> + Now, all preliminary details having been made known, the reader will + understand the conduct of the general’s enemies and the meaning of the + conversation which he had with what he called his two ministers, after + Madame de Montcornet, the abbe, and Blondet left the breakfast-table. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. CONCERNING THE MEDIOCRACY + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Michaud, what’s the news?” asked the general as soon as his wife + had left the room. + </p> + <p> + “General, if you will permit me to say so, it would be better not to talk + over matters in this room. Walls have ears, and I should like to be + certain that what we say reaches none but our own.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” said the general, “then let us walk towards the steward’s + lodge by the path through the fields; no one can overhear us there.” + </p> + <p> + A few moments later the general, with Michaud and Sibilet, was crossing + the meadows, while Madame de Montcornet, with the abbe and Blondet, was on + her way to the gate of the Avonne. + </p> + <p> + Michaud related the scene that had just taken place at the Grand-I-Vert. + </p> + <p> + “Vatel did wrong,” said Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “They made that plain to him at once,” replied Michaud, “by blinding him; + but that’s nothing. General, you remember the plan we agreed upon,—to + seize the cattle of those depredators against whom judgment was given? + Well, we can’t do it. Brunet, like his colleague Plissoud, is not loyal in + his support. They both warn the delinquents when they are about to make a + seizure. Vermichel, Brunet’s assistant, went to the Grand-I-Vert this + morning, ostensibly after Pere Fourchon; and Marie Tonsard, who is + intimate with Bonnebault, ran off at once to give the alarm at Conches. + The depredations have begun again.” + </p> + <p> + “A strong show of authority is becoming daily more and more necessary,” + said Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “What did I tell you?” cried the general. “We must demand the enforcement + of the judgment of the court, which carried with it imprisonment; we must + arrest for debt all those who do not pay the damages I have won and the + costs of the suits.” + </p> + <p> + “These fellows imagine the law is powerless, and tell each other that you + dare not arrest them,” said Sibilet. “They think they frighten you! They + have confederates at Ville-aux-Fayes; for even the prosecuting attorney + seems to have ignored the verdicts against them.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Michaud, seeing that the general looked thoughtful, “that + if you are willing to spend a good deal of money you can still protect the + property.” + </p> + <p> + “It is better to spend money than to act harshly,” remarked Sibilet. + </p> + <p> + “What is your plan?” asked the general of his bailiff. + </p> + <p> + “It is very simple,” said Michaud. “Inclose the whole forest with walls, + like those of the park, and you will be safe; the slightest depredation + then becomes a criminal offence and is taken to the assizes.” + </p> + <p> + “At a franc and a half the square foot for the material only, Monsieur le + comte would find his wall would cost him a third of the whole value of Les + Aigues,” said Sibilet, with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said Montcornet, “I shall go and see the attorney-general at + once.” + </p> + <p> + “The attorney-general,” remarked Sibilet, gently, “may perhaps share the + opinion of his subordinate; for the negligence shown by the latter is + probably the result of an agreement between them.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I wish to know it!” cried Montcornet. “If I have to get the whole of + them turned out, judges, civil authorities, and the attorney-general to + boot, I’ll do it; I’ll go the Keeper of the Seals, or to the king + himself.” + </p> + <p> + At a vehement sign made by Michaud the general stopped short and said to + Sibilet, as he turned to retrace his steps, “Good day, my dear fellow,”—words + which the steward understood. + </p> + <p> + “Does Monsieur le comte intend, as mayor, to enforce the necessary + measures to repress the abuse of gleaning?” he said, respectfully. “The + harvest is coming on, and if we are to publish the statutes about + certificates of pauperism and the prevention of paupers from other + districts gleaning our land, there is no time to be lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Do it at once, and arrange with Groison,” said the count. “With such a + class of people,” he added, “we must follow out the law.” + </p> + <p> + So, without a moment’s reflection, Montcornet gave in to a measure that + Sibilet had been proposing to him for more than a fortnight, to which he + had hitherto refused to consent; but now, in the violence of anger caused + by Vatel’s mishap, he instantly adopted it as the right thing to do. + </p> + <p> + When Sibilet was at some distance the general said in a low voice to his + bailiff:— + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear Michaud, what is it; why did you make me that sign?” + </p> + <p> + “You have an enemy within the walls, general, yet you tell him plans which + you ought not to confide even to the secret police.” + </p> + <p> + “I share your suspicions, my dear friend,” replied Montcornet, “but I + don’t intend to commit the same fault twice over. I shall not part with + another steward till I’m sure of a better. I am waiting to get rid of + Sibilet, till you understand the business of steward well enough to take + his place, and till Vatel is fit to succeed you. And yet, I have no ground + of complaint against Sibilet. He is honest and punctual in all his + dealings; he hasn’t kept back a hundred francs in all these five years. He + has a perfectly detestable nature, and that’s all one can say against him. + If it were otherwise, what would be his plan in acting as he does?” + </p> + <p> + “General,” said Michaud, gravely, “I will find out, for undoubtedly he has + one; and if you would only allow it, a good bribe to that old scoundrel + Fourchon will enable me to get at the truth; though after what he said + just now I suspect the old fellow of having more secrets than one in his + pouch. That swindling old cordwainer told me himself they want to drive + you from Les Aigues. And let me tell you, for you ought to know it, that + from Conches to Ville-aux-Fayes there is not a peasant, a petty tradesman, + a farmer, a tavern-keeper who isn’t laying by his money to buy a bit of + the estate. Fourchon confided to me that Tonsard has already put in his + claim. The idea that you can be forced to sell Les Aigues has gone from + end to end of the valley like an infection in the air. It may be that the + steward’s present house, with some adjoining land, will be the price paid + for Sibilet’s spying. Nothing is ever said among us that is not + immediately known at Ville-aux-Fayes. Sibilet is a relative of your enemy + Gaubertin. What you have just said about the attorney-general and the + others will probably be reported before you have reached the Prefecture. + You don’t know what the inhabitants of this district are.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t I know them? I know they are the scum of the earth! Do you suppose + I am going to yield to such blackguards?” cried the general. “Good + heavens, I’d rather burn Les Aigues myself!” + </p> + <p> + “No need to burn it; let us adopt a line of conduct which will baffle the + schemes of these Lilliputians. Judging by threats, general, they are + resolved on war to the knife against you; and therefore since you mention + incendiarism, let me beg of you to insure all your buildings, and all your + farmhouses.” + </p> + <p> + “Michaud, do you know whom they mean by ‘Shopman’? Yesterday, as I was + riding along by the Thune, I heard some little rascals cry out, ‘The + Shopman! here’s the Shopman!’ and then they ran away.” + </p> + <p> + “Ask Sibilet; the answer is in his line, he likes to make you angry,” said + Michaud, with a pained look. “But—if you will have an answer—well, + that’s a nickname these brigands have given you, general.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it mean?” + </p> + <p> + “It means, general—well, it refers to your father.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! the curs!” cried the count, turning livid. “Yes, Michaud, my father + was a shopkeeper, an upholsterer; the countess doesn’t know it. Oh! that I + should ever—well! after all, I have waltzed with queens and + empresses. I’ll tell her this very night,” he cried, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “They also call you a coward,” continued Michaud. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” + </p> + <p> + “They ask how you managed to save yourself at Essling when nearly all your + comrades perished.” + </p> + <p> + The accusation brought a smile to the general’s lips. “Michaud, I shall go + at once to the Prefecture!” he cried, with a sort of fury, “if it is only + to get the policies of insurance you ask for. Let Madame la comtesse know + that I have gone. Ha, ha! they want war, do they? Well, they shall have + it; I’ll take my pleasure in thwarting them,—every one of them, + those bourgeois of Soulanges, and their peasantry! We are in the enemy’s + country, therefore prudence! Tell the foresters to keep within the limits + of the law. Poor Vatel, take care of him. The countess is inclined to be + timid; she must know nothing of all this; otherwise I could never get her + to come back here.” + </p> + <p> + Neither the general nor Michaud understood their real peril. Michaud had + been too short a time in this Burgundian valley to realize the enemy’s + power, though he saw its action. The general, for his part, believed in + the supremacy of the law. + </p> + <p> + The law, such as the legislature of these days manufactures it, has not + the virtue we attribute to it. It strikes unequally; it is so modified in + many of its modes of application that it virtually refutes its own + principles. This fact may be noted more or less distinctly throughout all + ages. Is there any historian ignorant enough to assert that the decrees of + the most vigilant of powers were ever enforced throughout France?—for + instance, that the requisitions of the Convention for men, commodities, + and money were obeyed in Provence, in the depths of Normandy, on the + borders of Brittany, as they were at the great centres of social life? + What philosopher dares deny that a head falls to-day in such or such + department, while in a neighboring department another head stays on its + shoulders though guilty of a crime identically the same, and often more + horrible? We ask for equality in life, and inequality reigns in law and in + the death penalty! + </p> + <p> + When the population of a town falls below a certain figure the + administrative system is no longer the same. There are perhaps a hundred + cities in France where the laws are vigorously enforced, and there the + intelligence of the citizens rises to the conception of the problem of + public welfare and future security which the law seeks to solve; but + throughout the rest of France nothing is comprehended beyond immediate + gratification; people rebel against all that lessens it. Therefore in + nearly one half of France we find a power of inertia which defeats all + legal action, both municipal and governmental. This resistance, be it + understood, does not affect the essential things of public polity. The + collection of taxes, recruiting, punishment of great crimes, as a general + thing do systematically go on; but outside of such recognized necessities, + all legislative decrees which affect customs, morals, private interests, + and certain abuses, are a dead letter, owing to the sullen opposition of + the people. At the very moment when this book is going to press, this dumb + resistance, which opposed Louis XIV. in Brittany, may still be seen and + felt. See the unfortunate results of the game-laws, to which we are now + sacrificing yearly the lives of some twenty or thirty men for the sake of + preserving a few animals. + </p> + <p> + In France the law is, to at least twenty million of inhabitants, nothing + more than a bit of white paper posted on the doors of the church and the + town-hall. That gives rise to the term “papers,” which Mouche used to + express legality. Many mayors of cantons (not to speak of the district + mayors) put up their bundles of seeds and herbs with the printed statutes. + As for the district mayors, the number of those who do not know how to + read and write is really alarming, and the manner in which the civil + records are kept is even more so. The danger of this state of things, + well-known to the governing powers, is doubtless diminishing; but what + centralization (against which every one declaims, as it is the fashion in + France to declaim against all things good and useful and strong),—what + centralization cannot touch, the Power against which it will forever fling + itself in vain, is that which the general was now about to attack, and + which we shall take leave to call the Mediocracy. + </p> + <p> + A great outcry was made against the tyranny of the nobles; in these days + the cry is against that of capitalists, against abuses of power, which may + be merely the inevitable galling of the social yoke, called Compact by + Rousseau, Constitution by some, Charter by others; Czar here, King there, + Parliament in Great Britain; while in France the general levelling begun + in 1789 and continued in 1830 has paved the way for the juggling dominion + of the middle classes, and delivered the nation into their hands without + escape. The portrayal of one fact alone, unfortunately only too common in + these days, namely, the subjection of a canton, a little town, a + sub-prefecture, to the will of a family clique,—in short, the power + acquired by Gaubertin,—will show this social danger better than all + dogmatic statements put together. Many oppressed communities will + recognize the truth of this picture; many persons secretly and silently + crushed by this tyranny will find in these words an obituary, as it were, + which may half console them for their hidden woes. + </p> + <p> + At the very moment when the general imagined himself to be renewing a + warfare in which there had really been no truce, his former steward had + just completed the last meshes of the net-work in which he now held the + whole arrondissement of Ville-aux-Fayes. To avoid too many explanations it + is necessary to state, once for all, succinctly, the genealogical + ramifications by means of which Gaubertin wound himself about the country, + as a boa-constrictor winds around a tree,—with such art that a + passing traveller thinks he beholds some natural effect of the tropical + vegetation. + </p> + <p> + In 1793 there were three brothers of the name of Mouchon in the valley of + the Avonne. After 1793 they changed the name of the valley to that of the + Valley des Aigues, out of hatred to the old nobility. + </p> + <p> + The eldest brother, steward of the property of the Ronquerolles family, + was elected deputy of the department to the Convention. Like his friend, + Gaubertin’s father, the prosecutor of those days, who saved the Soulanges + family, he saved the property and the lives of the Ronquerolles. He had + two daughters; one married to Gendrin, the lawyer, the other to Gaubertin. + He died in 1804. + </p> + <p> + The second, through the influence of his elder brother, was made + postmaster at Conches. His only child was a daughter, married to a rich + farmer named Guerbet. He died in 1817. + </p> + <p> + The last of the Mouchons, who was a priest, and the curate of + Ville-aux-Fayes before the Revolution, was again a priest after the + re-establishment of Catholic worship, and again the curate of the same + little town. He was not willing to take the oath, and was hidden for a + long time in the hermitage of Les Aigues, under the protection of the + Gaubertins, father and son. Now about sixty-seven years of age, he was + treated with universal respect and affection, owing to the harmony of his + nature with that of the inhabitants. Parsimonious to the verge of avarice, + he was thought to be rich, and the credit of being so increased the + respect that was shown to him. Monseigneur the bishop paid the greatest + attention to the Abbe Mouchon, who was always spoken of as the venerable + curate of Ville-aux-Fayes; and the fact that he had several times refused + to go and live in a splendid parsonage attached to the Prefecture, where + Monseigneur wished to settle him, made him dearer still to his people. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin, now mayor of Ville-aux-Fayes, received steady support from his + brother-in-law Gendrin, who was judge of the municipal court. Gaubertin + the younger, the solicitor who had the most practice before this court and + much repute in the arrondissement, was already thinking of selling his + practice after five years’ exercise of it. He wanted to succeed his Uncle + Gendrin as counsellor whenever the latter should retire from the + profession. Gendrin’s only son was commissioner of mortgages. + </p> + <p> + Soudry’s son, who for the last two years had been prosecuting-attorney at + the prefecture, was Gaubertin’s henchman. The clever Madame Soudry had + secured the future of her husband’s son by marrying him to Rigou’s only + daughter. The united fortunes of the Soudrys and the ex-monk, which would + come eventually to the attorney, made that young man one of the most + important personages of the department. + </p> + <p> + The sub-prefect of Ville-aux-Fayes, Monsieur des Lupeaulx, nephew of the + general-secretary of one of the most important ministries in Paris, was + the prospective husband of Mademoiselle Elise Gaubertin, the mayor’s + youngest daughter, whose dowry, like that of her elder sister, was two + hundred thousand francs, not to speak of “expectations.” This functionary + showed much sense, though not aware of it, in falling in love with + Mademoiselle Elise when he first arrived at Ville-aux-Fayes, in 1819. If + it had not been for his social position, which made him “eligible,” he + would long ago have been forced to ask for his exchange. But Gaubertin in + marrying him to his daughter thought much more of the uncle, the + general-secretary, than of the nephew; and in return, the uncle, for the + sake of his nephew, gave all his influence to Gaubertin. + </p> + <p> + Thus the Church, the magistracy both removable and irremovable, the + municipality, and the prefecture, the four feet of power, walked as the + mayor pleased. Let us now see how that functionary strengthened himself in + the spheres above and below that in which he worked. + </p> + <p> + The department to which Ville-aux-Fayes belongs is one the number of whose + population gives it the right to elect six deputies. Ever since the + creation of the Left Centre of the Chamber, the arrondissement of + Ville-aux-Fayes had sent a deputy named Leclercq, formerly banking agent + of the wine department of the custom-house, a son-in-law of Gaubertin, and + now a governor of the Bank of France. The number of electors which this + rich valley sent to the electoral college was sufficient to insure, if + only through private dealing, the constant appointment of Monsieur de + Ronquerolles, the patron of the Mouchon family. The voters of + Ville-aux-Fayes lent their support to the prefect, on condition that the + Marquis de Ronquerolles was maintained in the college. Thus Gaubertin, who + was the first to broach the idea of this arrangement, was favorably + received at the Prefecture, which he often, in return, saved from petty + annoyances. The prefect always selected three firm ministerialists, and + two deputies of the Left Centre. The latter, one of them being the Marquis + de Ronquerolles, brother-in-law of the Comte de Serisy, and the other a + governor of the Bank of France, gave little or no alarm to the cabinet, + and the elections in this department were rated excellent at the ministry + of the interior. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de Soulanges, peer of France, selected to be the next marshal, + and faithful to the Bourbons, knew that his forests and other property + were all well-managed by the notary Lupin, and well-watched by Soudry. He + was a patron of Gendrin’s, having obtained his appointment as judge partly + by the help of Monsieur de Ronquerolles. + </p> + <p> + Messieurs Leclercq and de Ronquerolles sat in the Left Centre, but nearer + to the left than to the centre,—a political position which offers + great advantages to those who regard their political conscience as a + garment. + </p> + <p> + The brother of Monsieur Leclercq had obtained the situation of collector + at Ville-aux-Fayes, and Leclercq himself, Gaubertin’s son-in-law, had + lately bought a fine estate beyond the valley of the Avonne, which brought + him in a rental of thirty thousand francs, with park and chateau and a + controlling influence in its own canton. + </p> + <p> + Thus, in the upper regions of the State, in both Chambers, and in the + chief ministerial department, Gaubertin could rely on an influence that + was powerful and also active, and which he was careful not to weary with + unimportant requests. + </p> + <p> + The counsellor Gendrin, appointed judge by the Chamber, was the leading + spirit of the Supreme Court; for the chief justice, one of the three + ministerial deputies, left the management of it to Gendrin during half the + year. The counsel for the Prefecture, a cousin of Sarcus, called “Sarcus + the rich,” was the right-hand man of the prefect, himself a deputy. Even + without the family reasons which allied Gaubertin and young des Lupeaulx, + a brother of Madame Sarcus would still have been desirable as sub-prefect + to the arrondissement of Ville-aux-Fayes. Madame Sarcus, the counsellor’s + wife, was a Vallat of Soulanges, a family connected with the Gaubertins, + and she was said to have “distinguished” the notary Lupin in her youth. + Though she was now forty-five years old, with a son in the school of + engineers, Lupin never went to the Prefecture without paying his respects + and dining with her. + </p> + <p> + The nephew of Guerbet, the postmaster, whose father was, as we have seen, + collector of Soulanges, held the important situation of examining judge in + the municipal court of Ville-aux-Fayes. The third judge, son of Corbinet, + the notary, belonged body and soul to the all-powerful mayor; and, + finally, young Vigor, son of the lieutenant of the gendarmerie, was the + substitute judge. + </p> + <p> + Sibilet’s father, sheriff of the court, had married his sister to Monsieur + Vigor the lieutenant, and that individual, father of six children, was + cousin of the father of Gaubertin through his wife, a Gaubertin-Vallat. + Eighteen months previously the united efforts of the two deputies, + Monsieur de Soulanges and Gaubertin, had created the place of commissary + of police for the sheriff’s second son. + </p> + <p> + Sibilet’s eldest daughter married Monsieur Herve, a school-master, whose + school was transformed into a college as a result of this marriage, so + that for the past year Soulanges had rejoiced in the presence of a + professor. + </p> + <p> + The sheriff’s youngest son was employed on the government domains, with + the promise of succeeding the clerk of registrations so soon as that + officer had completed the term of service which enabled him to retire on a + pension. + </p> + <p> + The youngest Sibilet girl, now sixteen years old, was betrothed to + Corbinet, brother of the notary. And an old maid, Mademoiselle + Gaubertin-Vallat, sister of Madame Sibilet, the sheriff’s wife, held the + office for the sale of stamped paper. + </p> + <p> + Thus, wherever we turn in Ville-aux-Fayes we meet some member of the + invisible coalition, whose avowed chief, recognized as such by every one, + great and small, was the mayor of the town, the general agent for the + entire timber business, Gaubertin! + </p> + <p> + If we turn to the other end of the valley of the Avonne we shall see that + Gaubertin ruled at Soulanges through the Soudrys, through Lupin the + assistant mayor and steward of the Soulanges estate, who was necessarily + in constant communication with the Comte de Soulanges, through Sarcus, + justice of the peace, through Guerbet, the collector, through Gourdon, the + doctor, who had married a Gendrin-Vatebled. He governed Blangy through + Rigou, Conches through the post-master, the despotic ruler of his own + district. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin’s influence was so great and powerful that even the investments + and the savings of Rigou, Soudry, Gendrin, Guerbet, Lupin, even Sarcus the + rich himself, were managed by his advice. The town of Ville-aux-Fayes + believed implicitly in its mayor. Gaubertin’s ability was not less + extolled than his honesty and his kindness; he was the servant of his + relatives and constituents (always with an eye to a return of benefits), + and the whole municipality adored him. The town never ceased to blame + Monsieur Mariotte, of Auxerre, for having opposed and thwarted that worthy + Monsieur Gaubertin. + </p> + <p> + Not aware of their strength, no occasion for displaying it having arisen, + the bourgeoisie of Ville-aux-Fayes contented themselves with boasting that + no strangers intermeddled in their affairs and they believed themselves + excellent citizens and faithful public servants. Nothing, however, escaped + their despotic rule, which in itself was not perceived, the result being + considered a triumph of the locality. + </p> + <p> + The only stranger in this family community was the government engineer in + the highway department; and his dismissal in favor of the son of Sarcus + the rich was now being pressed, with a fair chance that this one weak + thread in the net would soon be strengthened. And yet this powerful + league, which monopolized all duties both public and private, sucked the + resources of the region, and fastened on power like limpets to a ship, + escaped all notice so completely that General Montcornet had no suspicion + of it. The prefect boasted of the prosperity of Ville-aux-Fayes and its + arrondissement; even the minister of the interior was heard to remark: + “There’s a model sub-prefecture, which runs on wheels; we should be lucky + indeed if all were like it.” Family designs were so involved with local + interests that here, as in many other little towns and even prefectures, a + functionary who did not belong to the place would have been forced to + resign within a year. + </p> + <p> + When this despotic middle-class cousinry seizes a victim, he is so + carefully gagged and bound that complaint is impossible; he is smeared + with slime and wax like a snail in a beehive. This invisible, + imperceptible tyranny is upheld by powerful reasons,—such as the + wish to be surrounded by their own family, to keep property in their own + hands, the mutual help they ought to lend each other, the guarantees given + to the administration by the fact that their agent is under the eyes of + his fellow-citizens and neighbors. What does all this lead to? To the fact + that local interests supersede all questions of public interest; the + centralized will of Paris is frequently overthrown in the provinces, the + truth of things is disguised, and country communities snap their fingers + at government. In short, after the main public necessities have been + attended to, it will be seen that the laws, instead of acting upon the + masses, receive their impulse from them; the populations adapt the law to + themselves and not themselves to the law. + </p> + <p> + Whoever has travelled in the south or west of France, or in Alsace, in any + other way than from inn to inn to see buildings and landscapes, will + surely admit the truth of these remarks. The results of middle-class + nepotism may be, at present, merely isolated evils; but the tendency of + existing laws is to increase them. This low-level despotism can and will + cause great disasters, and the events of the drama about to be played in + the valley of Les Aigues will prove it. + </p> + <p> + The monarchical and imperial systems, more rashly overthrown than people + realize, remedied these abuses by means of certain consecrated lives, by + classifications and categories and by those particular counterpoises since + so absurdly defined as “privileges.” There are no privileges now, when + every human being is free to climb the greased pole of power. But surely + it would be safer to allow open and avowed privileges than those which are + underhand, based on trickery, subversive of what should be public spirit, + and continuing the work of despotism to a lower and baser level than + heretofore. May we not have overthrown noble tyrants devoted to their + country’s good, to create the tyranny of selfish interests? Shall power + lurk in secret places, instead of radiating from its natural source? This + is worth thinking about. The spirit of local sectionalism, such as we have + now depicted, will soon be seen to invade the Chamber. + </p> + <p> + Montcornet’s friend, the late prefect, Comte de la Roche-Hugon, had lost + his position just before the last arrival of the general at Les Aigues. + This dismissal drove him into the ranks of the Liberal opposition, where + he became one of the chorus of the Left, a position he soon after + abandoned for an embassy. His successor, luckily for Montcornet, was a + son-in-law of the Marquis de Troisville, uncle of the countess, the Comte + de Casteran. He welcomed Montcornet as a relation and begged him to + continue his intimacy at the Prefecture. After listening to the general’s + complaints the Comte de Casteran invited the bishop, the attorney-general, + the colonel of the gendarmerie, counsellor Sarcus, and the general + commanding the division to meet him the next day at breakfast. + </p> + <p> + The attorney-general, Baron Bourlac (so famous in the Chanterie and Rifael + suits), was one of those men well-known to all governments, who attach + themselves to power, no matter in whose hands it is, and who make + themselves invaluable by such devotion. Having owed his elevation in the + first place to his fanaticism for the Emperor, he now owed the retention + of his official rank to his inflexible character and the conscientiousness + with which he fulfilled his duties. He who once implacably prosecuted the + remnant of the Chouans now prosecuted the Bonapartists as implacably. But + years and turmoils had somewhat subdued his energy and he had now become, + like other old devils incarnate, perfectly charming in manner and ways. + </p> + <p> + The general explained his position and the fears of his bailiff, and spoke + of the necessity of making an example and enforcing the rights of + property. + </p> + <p> + The high functionaries listened gravely, making, however, no reply beyond + mere platitudes, such as, “Undoubtedly, the laws must be upheld”; “Your + cause is that of all land-owners”; “We will consider it; but, situated as + we are, prudence is very necessary”; “A monarchy could certainly do more + for the people than the people would do for itself, even if it were, as in + 1793, the sovereign people”; “The masses suffer, and we are bound to do as + much for them as for ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + The relentless attorney-general expressed such kindly and benevolent views + respecting the condition of the lower classes that our future Utopians, + had they heard him, might have thought that the higher grade of government + officials were already aware of the difficulties of that problem which + modern society will be forced to solve. + </p> + <p> + It may be well to say here that at this period of the Restoration, various + bloody encounters had taken place in remote parts of the kingdom, caused + by this very question of the pillage of woods, and the marauding rights + which the peasants were everywhere arrogating to themselves. Neither the + government nor the court liked these outbreaks, nor the shedding of blood + which resulted from repression. Though they felt the necessity of rigorous + measures, they nevertheless treated as blunderers the officials who were + compelled to employ them, and dismissed them on the first pretence. The + prefects were therefore anxious to shuffle out of such difficulties + whenever possible. + </p> + <p> + At the very beginning of the conversation Sarcus (the rich) had made a + sign to the prefect and the attorney-general which Montcornet did not see, + but which set the tone of the discussion. The attorney-general was well + aware of the state of mind of the inhabitants of the valley des Aigues + through his subordinate, Soudry the young attorney. + </p> + <p> + “I foresee a terrible struggle,” the latter had said to him. “They mean to + kill the gendarmes; my spies tell me so. It will be very hard to convict + them for it. The instant the jury feel they are incurring the hatred of + the friends of the twenty or thirty prisoners, they will not sustain us,—we + could not get them to convict for death, nor even for the galleys. + Possibly by prosecuting in person you might get a few years’ imprisonment + for the actual murderers. Better shut our eyes than open them, if by + opening them we bring on a collision which costs bloodshed and several + thousand francs to the State,—not to speak of the cost of keeping + the guilty in prison. It is too high a price to pay for a victory which + will only reveal our judicial weakness to the eyes of all.” + </p> + <p> + Montcornet, who was wholly without suspicion of the strength and influence + of the Mediocracy in his happy valley, did not even mention Gaubertin, + whose hand kept these embers of opposition always alive, though + smouldering. After breakfast the attorney-general took Montcornet by the + arm and led him to the Prefect’s study. When the general left that room + after their conference, he wrote to his wife that he was starting for + Paris and should be absent a week. We shall see, after the execution of + certain measures suggested by Baron Bourlac, the attorney-general, whether + the secret advice he gave to Montcornet was wise, and whether in + conforming to it the count and Les Aigues were enabled to escape the “Evil + grudge.” + </p> + <p> + Some minds, eager for mere amusement, will complain that these various + explanations are far too long; but we once more call attention to the fact + that the historian of the manners, customs, and morals of his time must + obey a law far more stringent than that imposed on the historian of mere + facts. He must show the probability of everything, even the truth; + whereas, in the domain of history, properly so-called, the impossible must + be accepted for the sole reason that it did happen. The vicissitudes of + social or private life are brought about by a crowd of little causes + derived from a thousand conditions. The man of science is forced to clear + away the avalanche under which whole villages lie buried, to show you the + pebbles brought down from the summit which alone can determine the + formation of the mountain. If the historian of human life were simply + telling you of a suicide, five hundred of which occur yearly in Paris, the + melodrama is so commonplace that brief reasons and explanations are all + that need be given; but how shall he make you see that the + self-destruction of an estate could happen in these days when property is + reckoned of more value than life? “De re vestra agitur,” said a maker of + fables; this tale concerns the affairs and interests of all those, no + matter who they be, who possess anything. + </p> + <p> + Remember that this coalition of a whole canton and of a little town + against a general, who, in spite of his rash courage, had escaped the + dangers of actual war, is going on in other districts against other men + who seek only to do what is right by those districts. It is a coalition + which to-day threatens every man, the man of genius, the statesman, the + modern agriculturalist,—in short, all innovators. + </p> + <p> + This last explanation not only gives a true presentation of the personages + of this drama, and a serious meaning even to its petty details, but it + also throws a vivid light upon the scene where so many social interests + are now marshalling. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. THE SADNESS OF A HAPPY WOMAN + </h2> + <p> + At the moment when the general was getting into his caleche to go to the + Prefecture, the countess and the two gentlemen reached the gate of the + Avonne, where, for the last eighteen months, Michaud and his wife Olympe + had made their home. + </p> + <p> + Whose remembered the pavilion in the state in which we lately described it + would have supposed it had been rebuilt. The bricks fallen or broken by + time, and the cement lacking to their edges, were replaced; the slate roof + had been cleaned, and the effect of the white balustrade against its + bluish background restored the gay character of the architecture. The + approaches to the building, formerly choked up and sandy, were now cared + for by the man whose duty it was to keep the park roadways in order. The + poultry-yard, stables, and cow-shed, relegated to the buildings near the + pheasantry and hidden by clumps of trees, instead of afflicting the eye + with their foul details, now blended those soft murmurs and cooings and + the sound of flapping wings, which are among the most delightful + accompaniments of Nature’s eternal harmony, with the peculiar rustling + sounds of the forest. The whole scene possessed the double charm of a + natural, untouched forest and the elegance of an English park. The + surroundings of the pavilion, in keeping with its own exterior, presented + a certain noble, dignified, and cordial effect; while the hand of a young + and happy woman gave to its interior a very different look from what it + wore under the coarse neglect of Courtecuisse. + </p> + <p> + Just now the rich season of the year was putting forth its natural + splendors. The perfume of the flowerbeds blended with the wild odor of the + woods; and the meadows near by, where the grass had been lately cut, sent + up the fragrance of new-mown hay. + </p> + <p> + When the countess and her guests reached the end of one of the winding + paths which led to the pavilion, they saw Madame Michaud, sitting in the + open air before the door, employed in making a baby’s garment. The young + woman thus placed, thus employed, added the human charm that was needed to + complete the scene,—a charm so touching in its actuality that + painters have committed the error of endeavoring to convey it in their + pictures. Such artists forget that the SOUL of a landscape, if they + represent it truly, is so grand that the human element is crushed by it; + whereas such a scene added to Nature limits her to the proportions of the + personality, like a frame to which the mind of the spectator confines it. + When Poussin, the Raffaelle of France, made a landscape accessory to his + Shepherds of Arcadia he perceived plainly enough that man becomes + diminutive and abject when Nature is made the principal feature on a + canvas. In that picture August is in its glory, the harvest is ready, all + simple and strong human interests are represented. There we find realized + in nature the dream of many men whose uncertain life of mingled good and + evil harshly mixed makes them long for peace and rest. + </p> + <p> + Let us now relate, in few words, the romance of this home. Justin Michaud + did not reply very cordially to the advances made to him by the + illustrious colonel of cuirassiers when first offered the situation of + bailiff at Les Aigues. He was then thinking of re-entering the service. + But while the negotiations, which naturally took him to the Hotel + Montcornet, were going on, he met the countess’s head waiting-maid. This + young girl, who was entrusted to Madame de Montcornet by her parents, + worthy farmers in the neighborhood of Alencon, had hopes of a little + fortune, some twenty or thirty thousand francs, when the heirs were all of + age. Like other farmers who marry young, and whose own parents are still + living, the father and mother of the girl, being pinched for immediate + means, placed her with the young countess. Madame de Montcornet had her + taught to sew and to make dresses, arranged that she should take her meals + alone, and was rewarded for the care she bestowed on Olympe Charel by one + of those unconditional attachments which are so precious to Parisians. + </p> + <p> + Olympe Charel, a pretty Norman girl, rather stout, with fair hair of a + golden tint, an animated face lighted by intelligent eyes, and + distinguished by a finely curved thoroughbred nose, with a maidenly air in + spite of a certain swaying Spanish manner of carrying herself, possessed + all the points that a young girl born just above the level of the masses + is likely to acquire from whatever close companionship a mistress is + willing to allow her. Always suitably dressed, with modest bearing and + manner, and able to express herself well, Michaud was soon in love with + her,—all the more when he found that his sweetheart’s dowry would + one day be considerable. The obstacles came from the countess, who could + not bear to part with so invaluable a maid; but when Montcornet explained + to her the affairs at Les Aigues, she gave way, and the marriage was no + longer delayed, except to obtain the consent of the parents, which, of + course, was quickly given. + </p> + <p> + Michaud, like his general, looked upon his wife as a superior being, to + whom he owed military obedience without a single reservation. He found in + the peace of his home and his busy life out-of-doors the elements of a + happiness soldiers long for when they give up their profession,—enough + work to keep his body healthy, enough fatigue to let him know the charms + of rest. In spite of his well-known intrepidity, Michaud had never been + seriously wounded, and he had none of those physical pains which often + sour the temper of veterans. Like all really strong men, his temper was + even; his wife, therefore, loved him utterly. From the time they took up + their abode in the pavilion, this happy home was the scene of a long + honey-moon in harmony with Nature and with the art whose creations + surrounded them,—a circumstance rare indeed! The things about us are + seldom in keeping with the condition of our souls! + </p> + <p> + The picture was so pretty that the countess stopped short and pointed it + out to Blondet and the abbe; for they could see Madame Michaud from where + they stood, without her seeing them. + </p> + <p> + “I always come this way when I walk in the park,” said the countess, + softly. “I delight in looking at the pavilion and its two turtle-doves, as + much as I delight in a fine view.” + </p> + <p> + She leaned significantly on Blondet’s arm, as if to make him share + sentiments too delicate for words but which all women feel. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I were a gate-keeper at Les Aigues,” said Blondet, smiling. “Why! + what troubles you?” he added, noticing an expression of sadness on the + countess’s face. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” she replied. + </p> + <p> + Women are always hiding some important thought when they say, + hypocritically, “It is nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “A woman may be the victim of ideas which would seem very flimsy to you,” + she added, “but which, to us, are terrible. As for me, I envy Olympe’s + lot.” + </p> + <p> + “God hears you,” said the abbe, smiling as though to soften the sternness + of his remark. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Montcornet grew seriously uneasy when she noticed an expression + of fear and anxiety in Olympe’s face and attitude. By the way a woman + draws out her needle or sets her stitches another woman understands her + thoughts. In fact, though wearing a rose-colored dress, with her hair + carefully braided about her head, the bailiff’s wife was thinking of + matters that were out of keeping with her pretty dress, the glorious day, + and the work her hands were engaged on. Her beautiful brow, and the glance + she turned sometimes on the ground at her feet, sometimes on the foliage + around, evidently seeing nothing, betrayed some deep anxiety,—all + the more unconsciously because she supposed herself alone. + </p> + <p> + “Just as I was envying her! What can have saddened her?” whispered the + countess to the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” he replied in the same tone, “tell me why man is often seized + with vague and unaccountable presentiments of evil in the very midst of + some perfect happiness?” + </p> + <p> + “Abbe!” said Blondet, smiling, “you talk like a bishop. Napoleon said, + ‘Nothing is stolen, all is bought!’” + </p> + <p> + “Such a maxim, uttered by those imperial lips, takes the proportions of + society itself,” replied the priest. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Olympe, my dear girl, what is the matter?” said the countess going + up to her former maid. “You seem sad and thoughtful; is it a lover’s + quarrel?” + </p> + <p> + Madame Michaud’s face, as she rose, changed completely. + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” said Emile Blondet, in a fatherly tone, “I should like to know + what clouds that brow of yours, in this pavilion where you are almost as + well lodged as the Comte d’Artois at the Tuileries. It is like a nest of + nightingales in a grove! And what a husband we have!—the bravest + fellow of the young garde, and a handsome one, who loves us to + distraction! If I had known the advantages Montcornet has given you here I + should have left my diatribing business and made myself a bailiff.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not the place for a man of your talent, monsieur,” replied Olympe, + smiling at Blondet as an old acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “But what troubles you, dear?” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + “Madame, I’m afraid—” + </p> + <p> + “Afraid! of what?” said the countess, eagerly; for the word reminded her + of Mouche and Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “Afraid of the wolves, is that it?” said Emile, making Madame Michaud a + sign, which she did not understand. + </p> + <p> + “No, monsieur,—afraid of the peasants. I was born in Le Perche, + where of course there are some bad people, but I had no idea how wicked + people could be until I came here. I try not to meddle in Michaud’s + affairs, but I do know that he distrusts the peasants so much that he goes + armed, even in broad daylight, when he enters the forest. He warns his men + to be always on the alert. Every now and then things happen about here + that bode no good. The other day I was walking along the wall, near the + source of that little sandy rivulet which comes from the forest and enters + the park through a culvert about five hundred feet from here,—you + know it, madame? it is called Silver Spring, because of the star-flowers + Bouret is said to have sown there. Well, I overheard the talk of two women + who were washing their linen just where the path to Conches crosses the + brook; they did not know I was there. Our house can be seen from that + point, and one old woman pointed it out to the other, saying: ‘See what a + lot of money they have spent on the man who turned out Courtecuisse.’ + ‘They ought to pay a man well when they set him to harass poor people as + that man does,’ answered the other. ‘Well, it won’t be for long,’ said the + first one; ‘the thing is going to end soon. We have a right to our wood. + The late Madame allowed us to take it. That’s thirty years ago, so the + right is ours.’ ‘We’ll see what we shall see next winter,’ replied the + second. ‘My man has sworn the great oath that all the gendarmerie in the + world sha’n’t keep us from getting our wood; he says he means to get it + himself, and if the worst happens so much the worse for them!’ ‘Good God!’ + cried the other; ‘we can’t die of cold, and we must bake bread to eat! + They want for nothing, <i>those others</i>! the wife of that scoundrel of + a Michaud will be taken care of, I warrant you!’ And then, Madame, they + said such horrible things of me and of you and of Monsieur le comte; and + they finally declared that the farms would all be burned, and then the + chateau.” + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” said Emile, “idle talk! They have been robbing the general, and + they will not be allowed to rob him any longer. These people are furious, + that’s the whole of it. You must remember that the law and the government + are always strongest everywhere, even in Burgundy. In case of an outbreak + the general could bring a regiment of cavalry here, if necessary.” + </p> + <p> + The abbe made a sign to Madame Michaud from behind the countess, telling + her to say no more about her fears, which were doubtless the effect of + that second sight which true passion bestows. The soul, dwelling + exclusively on one only being, grasps in the end the moral elements that + surround it, and sees in them the makings of the future. The woman who + loves feels the same presentiments that later illuminate her motherhood. + Hence a certain melancholy, a certain inexplicable sadness which surprises + men, who are one and all distracted from any such concentration of their + souls by the cares of life and the continual necessity for action. All + true love becomes to a woman an active contemplation, which is more or + less lucid, more or less profound, according to her nature. + </p> + <p> + “Come, my dear, show your home to Monsieur Emile,” said the countess, + whose mind was so pre-occupied that she forgot La Pechina, who was the + ostensible object of her visit. + </p> + <p> + The interior of the restored pavilion was in keeping with its exterior. On + the ground-floor the old divisions had been replaced, and the architect, + sent from Paris with his own workmen (a cause of bitter complaint in the + neighborhood against the master of Les Aigues), had made four rooms out of + the space. First, an ante-chamber, at the farther end of which was a + winding wooden staircase, behind which came the kitchen; on either side of + the antechamber was a dining-room and a parlor panelled in oak now nearly + black, with armorial bearings in the divisions of the ceilings. The + architect chosen by Madame de Montcornet for the restoration of Les Aigues + had taken care to put the furniture of this room in keeping with its + original decoration. + </p> + <p> + At the time of which we write fashion had not yet given an exaggerated + value to the relics of past ages. The carved settee, the high-backed + chairs covered with tapestry, the consoles, the clocks, the tall + embroidery frames, the tables, the lustres, hidden away in the second-hand + shops of Auxerre and Ville-aux-Fayes were fifty per-cent cheaper than the + modern, ready-made furniture of the faubourg Saint Antoine. The architect + had therefore bought two or three cartloads of well-chosen old things, + which, added to a few others discarded at the chateau, made the little + salon of the gate of the Avonne an artistic creation. As to the + dining-room, he painted it in browns and hung it with what was called a + Scotch paper, and Madame Michaud added white cambric curtains with green + borders at the windows, mahogany chairs covered with green cloth, two + large buffets and a table, also in mahogany. This room, ornamented with + engravings of military scenes, was heated by a porcelain stove, on each + side of which were sporting-guns suspended on the walls. These adornments, + which cost but little, were talked of throughout the whole valley as the + last extreme of oriental luxury. Singular to say, they, more than anything + else, excited the envy of Gaubertin, and whenever he thought of his fixed + determination to bring Les Aigues to the hammer and cut it in pieces, he + reserved for himself, “in petto,” this beautiful pavilion. + </p> + <p> + On the next floor three chambers sufficed for the household. At the + windows were muslin curtains which reminded a Parisian of the particular + taste and fancy of bourgeois requirements. Left to herself in the + decoration of these rooms, Madame Michaud had chosen satin papers; on the + mantel-shelf of her bedroom—which was furnished in that vulgar style + of mahogany and Utrecht velvet which is seen everywhere, with its + high-backed bed and canopy to which embroidered muslin curtains are + fastened—stood an alabaster clock between two candelabra covered + with gauze and flanked by two vases filled with artificial flowers + protected by glass shades, a conjugal gift of the former cavalry sergeant. + Above, under the roof, the bedrooms of the cook, the man-of-all-work, and + La Pechina had benefited by the recent restoration. + </p> + <p> + “Olympe, my dear, you did not tell me all,” said the countess, entering + Madame Michaud’s bedroom, and leaving Emile and the abbe on the stairway, + whence they descended when they heard her shut the door. + </p> + <p> + Madame Michaud, to whom the abbe had contrived to whisper a word, was now + anxious to say no more about her fears, which were really greater than she + had intimated, and she therefore began to talk of a matter which reminded + the countess of the object of her visit. + </p> + <p> + “I love Michaud, madame, as you know. Well, how would you like to have, in + your own house, a rival always beside you?” + </p> + <p> + “A rival?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame; that swarthy girl you gave me to take care of loves Michaud + without knowing it, poor thing! The child’s conduct, long a mystery to me, + has been cleared up in my mind for some days.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, she is only thirteen years old!” + </p> + <p> + “I know that, madame. But you will admit that a woman who is three months + pregnant and means to nurse her child herself may have some fears; but as + I did not want to speak of this before those gentlemen, I talked a great + deal of nonsense when you questioned me,” said the generous creature, + adroitly. + </p> + <p> + Madame Michaud was not really afraid of Genevieve Niseron, but for the + last three days she was in mortal terror of some disaster from the + peasantry. + </p> + <p> + “How did you discover this?” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + “From everything and from nothing,” replied Olympe. “The poor little thing + moves with the slowness of a tortoise when she is obliged to obey me, but + she runs like a lizard when Justin asks for anything, she trembles like a + leaf at the sound of his voice; and her face is that of a saint ascending + to heaven when she looks at him. But she knows nothing about love; she has + no idea that she loves him.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor child!” said the countess with a smile and tone that were full of + naivete. + </p> + <p> + “And so,” continued Madame Michaud, answering with a smile the smile of + her late mistress, “Genevieve is gloomy when Justin is out of the house; + if I ask her what she is thinking of she replies that she is afraid of + Monsieur Rigou, or some such nonsense. She thinks people envy her, though + she is as black as the inside of a chimney. When Justin is patrolling the + woods at night the child is as anxious as I am. If I open my window to + listen for the trot of his horse, I see a light in her room, which shows + me that La Pechina (as they call here) is watching and waiting too. She + never goes to bed, any more than I do, till he comes in.” + </p> + <p> + “Thirteen!” exclaimed the countess; “unfortunate child!” + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunate? no. This passion will save her.” + </p> + <p> + “From what?” asked Madame de Montcornet. + </p> + <p> + “From the fate which overtakes nearly all the girls of her age in these + parts. Since I have taught her cleanliness she is much less ugly than she + was; in fact, there is something odd and wild about her which attracts + men. She is so changed that you would hardly recognize her. The son of + that infamous innkeeper of the Grand-I-Vert, Nicolas, the worst fellow in + the whole district, wants her; he hunts her like game. Though I can’t + believe that Monsieur Rigou, who changes his servant-girls every year or + two is persecuting such a little fright, it is quite certain that Nicolas + Tonsard is. Justin told me so. It would be a dreadful fate, for the people + of this valley actually live like beasts; but Justin and our two servants + and I watch her carefully. Therefore don’t be uneasy, madame; she never + goes out alone except in broad daylight, and then only as far as the gate + of Conches. If by chance she fell into an ambush, her feeling for Justin + would give her strength and wit to escape; for all women who have a + preference in their hearts can resist a man they hate.” + </p> + <p> + “It was about her that I came,” said the countess, “and I little thought + my visit could be so useful to you. That child, you know, can’t remain + thirteen; and she will probably grow better-looking.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, madame,” replied Olympe, smiling, “I am quite sure of Justin. What a + man! what a heart!—If you only knew what a depth of gratitude he + feels for his general, to whom, he says, he owes his happiness. He is only + too devoted; he would risk his life for him here, as he would on the field + of battle, and he forgets sometimes that he will one day be father of a + family.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I once regretted losing you,” said the countess, with a glance that + made Olympe blush; “but I regret it no longer, for I see you happy. What a + sublime and noble thing is married love!” she added, speaking out the + thought she had not dared express before the abbe. + </p> + <p> + Virginie de Troisville dropped into a revery, and Madame Michaud kept + silence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, at least the girl is honest, is she not?” said the countess, as if + waking from a dream. + </p> + <p> + “As honest as I am myself, madame.” + </p> + <p> + “Discreet?” + </p> + <p> + “As the grave.” + </p> + <p> + “Grateful?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! madame; she has moments of humility and gentleness towards me which + seem to show an angelic nature. She will kiss my hands and say the most + upsetting things. ‘Can we die of love?’ she asked me yesterday. ‘Why do + you ask me that?’ I said. ‘I want to know if love is a disease.’” + </p> + <p> + “Did she really say that?” + </p> + <p> + “If I could remember her exact words I would tell you a great deal more,” + replied Olympe; “she appears to know much more than I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think, my dear, that she could take your place in my service. I + can’t do without an Olympe,” said the countess, smiling in a rather sad + way. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, madame,—she is too young; but in two years’ time, yes. If + it becomes necessary that she should go away from here I will let you + know. She ought to be educated, and she knows nothing of the world. Her + grandfather, Pere Niseron, is a man who would let his throat be cut sooner + than tell a lie; he would die of hunger in a baker’s shop; he has the + strength of his opinions, and the girl was brought up to all such + principles. La Pechina would consider herself your equal; for the old man + has made her, as he says, a republican,—just as Pere Fourchon has + made Mouche a bohemian. As for me, I laugh at such ideas, but you might be + displeased. She would revere you as her benefactress, but never as her + superior. It can’t be otherwise; she is wild and free like the swallows—her + mother’s blood counts for a good deal in what she is.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was her mother?” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn’t madame know the story?” said Olympe. “Well, the son of the old + sexton at Blangy, a splendid fellow, so the people about here tell me, was + drafted at the great conscription. In 1809 young Niseron was still only an + artilleryman, in a corps d’armee stationed in Illyria and Dalmatia when it + received sudden orders to advance through Hungary and cut off the retreat + of the Austrian army in case the Emperor won the battle of Wagram. Michaud + told me all about Dalmatia, for he was there. Niseron, being so handsome a + man, captivated a Montenegrin girl of Zahara among the mountains, who was + not averse to the French garrison. This lost her the good-will of her + compatriots, and life in her own town became impossible after the + departure of the French. Zena Kropoli, called in derision the Frenchwoman, + followed the artillery, and came to France after the peace. Auguste + Niseron asked permission to marry her; but the poor woman died at + Vincennes in January, 1810, after giving birth to a daughter, our + Genevieve. The papers necessary to make the marriage legal arrived a few + days later. Auguste Niseron then wrote to his father to come and take the + child, with a wetnurse he had got from its own country; and it was lucky + he did, for he was killed soon after by the bursting of a shell at + Montereau. Registered by the name of Genevieve and baptized at Soulanges, + the little Dalmatian was taken under the protection of Mademoiselle + Laguerre, who was touched by her story. It seems as if it were the destiny + of the child to be taken care of by the owners of Les Aigues! Pere Niseron + obtained its clothes, and now and then some help in money from + Mademoiselle.” + </p> + <p> + The countess and Olympe were just then standing before a window from which + they could see Michaud approaching the abbe and Blondet, who were walking + up and down the wide, semi-circular gravelled space which repeated on the + park side of the pavilion the exterior half-moon; they were conversing + earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “Where is she?” said the countess; “you make me anxious to see her.” + </p> + <p> + “She is gone to carry milk to Mademoiselle Gaillard at the gate of + Conches; she will soon be back, for it is more than an hour since she + started.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll go and meet her with those gentlemen,” said Madame de + Montcornet, going downstairs. + </p> + <p> + Just as the countess opened her parasol, Michaud came up and told her that + the general had left her a widow for probably two days. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Michaud,” said the countess, eagerly, “don’t deceive me, there + is something serious going on. Your wife is frightened, and if there are + many persons like Pere Fourchon, this part of the country will be + uninhabitable—” + </p> + <p> + “If it were so, madame,” answered Michaud, laughing, “we should not be in + the land of the living, for nothing would be easier than to make away with + us. The peasant’s grumble, that is all. But as to passing from growls to + blows, from pilfering to crime, they care too much for life and the free + air of the fields. Olympe has been saying something that frightened you, + but you know she is in state to be frightened at nothing,” he added, + drawing his wife’s hand under his arm and pressing it to warn her to say + no more. + </p> + <p> + “Cornevin! Juliette!” cried Madame Michaud, who soon saw the head of her + old cook at the window. “I am going for a little walk; take care of the + premises.” + </p> + <p> + Two enormous dogs, who began to bark, proved that the effectiveness of the + garrison at the gate of the Avonne was not to be despised. Hearing the + dogs, Cornevin, an old Percheron, Olympe’s foster-father, came from behind + the trees, showing a head such as no other region than La Perche can + manufacture. Cornevin was undoubtedly a Chouan in 1794 and 1799. + </p> + <p> + The whole party accompanied the countess along that one of the six forest + avenues which led directly to the gate of Conches, crossing the + Silver-spring rivulet. Madame de Montcornet walked in front with Blondet. + The abbe and Michaud and his wife talked in a low voice of the revelation + that had just been made to the countess of the state of the country. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it is providential,” said the abbe; “for if madame is willing, we + might, perhaps, by dint of benefits and constant consideration of their + wants, change the hearts of these people.” + </p> + <p> + At about six hundred feet from the pavilion and below the brooke, the + countess caught sight of a broken red jug and some spilt milk. + </p> + <p> + “Something has happened to the poor child!” she cried, calling to Michaud + and his wife, who were returning to the pavilion. + </p> + <p> + “A misfortune like Perrette’s,” said Blondet, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “No; the poor child has been surprised and pursued, for the jug was thrown + outside the path,” said the abbe, examining the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that is certainly La Pechina’s step,” said Michaud; “the print of + the feet, which have turned, you see, quickly, shows sudden terror. The + child must have darted in the direction of the pavilion, trying to get + back there.” + </p> + <p> + Every one followed the traces which the bailiff pointed out as he walked + along examining them. Presently he stopped in the middle of the path about + a hundred feet from the broken jug, where the girl’s foot-prints ceased. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” he said, “she turned towards the Avonne; perhaps she was headed + off from the direction of the pavilion.” + </p> + <p> + “But she has been gone more than an hour,” cried Madame Michaud. + </p> + <p> + Alarm was in all faces. The abbe ran towards the pavilion, examining the + state of the road, while Michaud, impelled by the same thought, went up + the path towards Conches. + </p> + <p> + “Good God! she fell here,” said Michaud, returning from a place where the + footsteps stopped near the brook, to that where they had turned in the + road, and pointing to the ground, he added, “See!” + </p> + <p> + The marks were plainly seen of a body lying at full length on the sandy + path. + </p> + <p> + “The footprints which have entered the wood are those of some one who wore + knitted soles,” said the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “A woman, then,” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + “Down there, by the broken pitcher, are the footsteps of a man,” added + Michaud. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see traces of any other foot,” said the abbe, who was tracking + into the wood the prints of the woman’s feet. + </p> + <p> + “She must have been lifted and carried into the wood,” cried Michaud. + </p> + <p> + “That can’t be, if it is really a woman’s foot,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “It must be some trick of that wretch, Nicolas,” said Michaud. “He has + been watching La Pechina for some time. Only this morning I stood two + hours under the bridge of the Avonne to see what he was about. A woman may + have helped him.” + </p> + <p> + “It is dreadful!” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + “They call it amusing themselves,” added the priest, in a sad and grieved + tone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! La Pechina would never let them keep her,” said the bailiff; “she is + quite able to swim across the river. I shall look along the banks. Go + home, my dear Olympe; and you gentlemen and madame, please to follow the + avenue towards Conches.” + </p> + <p> + “What a country!” exclaimed the countess. + </p> + <p> + “There are scoundrels everywhere,” replied Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Is it true, Monsieur l’abbe,” asked Madame de Montcornet, “that I saved + the poor child from the clutches of Rigou?” + </p> + <p> + “Every young girl over fiften years of age whom you may protect at the + chateau is saved from that monster,” said the abbe. “In trying to get + possession of La Pechina from her earliest years, the apostate sought to + satisfy both his lust and his vengeance. When I took Pere Niseron as + sexton I told him what Rigou’s intentions were. That is one of the causes + of the late mayor’s rancor against me; his hatred grew out of it. Pere + Niseron said to him solemnly that he would kill him if any harm came to + Genevieve, and he made him responsible for all attempts upon the poor + child’s honor. I can’t help thinking that this pursuit of Nicolas is the + result of some infernal collusion with Rigou, who thinks he can do as he + likes with these people.” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn’t he fear the law?” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, he is father-in-law of the prosecuting-attorney,” + said the abbe, pausing to listen. “And then,” he resumed, “you have no + conception of the utter indifference of the rural police to what is done + around them. So long as the peasants do not burn the farm-houses and + buildings, commit no murders, poison no one, and pay their taxes, they let + them do as they like; and as these people are not restrained by any + religious principle, horrible things happen every day. On the other side + of the Avonne helpless old men are afraid to stay in their own homes, for + they are allowed nothing to eat; they wander out into the fields as far as + their tottering legs can bear them, knowing well that if they take to + their beds they will die for want of food. Monsieur Sarcus, the + magistrate, tells me that if they arrested and tried all criminals, the + costs would ruin the municipality.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he at least sees how things are?” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Monseigneur thoroughly understands the condition of the valley, and + especially the state of this district,” continued the abbe. “Religion + alone can cure such evils; the law seems to me powerless, modified as it + is now—” + </p> + <p> + The words were interrupted by loud cries from the woods, and the countess, + preceded by Emile and the abbe, sprang bravely into the brushwood in the + direction of the sounds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE OARISTYS, EIGHTEENTH ECLOGUE OF THEOCRITUS + </h2> + <h3> + LITTLE ADMIRED ON THE POLICE CALENDAR + </h3> + <p> + The sagacity of a savage, which Michaud’s new occupation had developed + among his faculties, joined to an acquaintance with the passions and + interests of Blangy, enabled him partially to understand a third idyll in + the Greek style, which poor villagers like Tonsard, and middle-aged rich + men like Rigou, translate <i>freely</i>—to use the classic word—in + the depths of their country solitudes. + </p> + <p> + Nicolas, Tonsard’s second son, had drawn an unlucky number at a recent + conscription. Two years earlier his elder brother had been pronounced, + through the influence of Soudry, Gaubertin, and Sarcus the rich, unfit for + military service, on account of a pretended weakness in the muscles of the + right arm; but as Jean-Louis had since wielded instruments of husbandry + with remarkable force and skill, a good deal of talk on the subject had + gone through the district. Soudry, Rigou, and Gaubertin, who were the + special protectors of the family, had warned Tonsard that he must not + expect to save Nicolas, who was tall and vigorous, from being recruited if + he drew a fatal number. Nevertheless Gaubertin and Rigou were so well + aware of the importance of conciliating bold men able and willing to do + mischief, if properly directed against Les Aigues, that Rigou held out + certain hopes of safety to Tonsard and his son. The late monk was + occasionally visited by Catherine Tonsard who was very devoted to her + brother Nicolas; on one such occasion Rigou advised her to appeal to the + general and the countess. + </p> + <p> + “They may be glad to do you this service to cajole you; in that case, it + is just so much gained from the enemy,” he said. “If the Shopman refuses, + then we shall see what we shall see.” + </p> + <p> + Rigou foresaw that the general’s refusal would pass as one wrong the more + done by the land-owner to the peasantry, and would bind Tonsard by an + additional motive of gratitude to the coalition, in case the crafty mind + of the innkeeper could suggest to him some plausible way of liberating + Nicolas. + </p> + <p> + Nicolas, who was soon to appear before the examining board, had little + hope of the general’s intervention because of the harm done to Les Aigues + by all the members of the Tonsard family. His passion, or to speak more + correctly, his caprice and obstinate pursuit of La Pechina, were so + aggravated by the prospect of his immediate departure, which left him no + time to seduce her, that he resolved on attempting violence. The child’s + contempt for her prosecutor, plainly shown, excited the Lovelace of the + Grand-I-Vert to a hatred whose fury was equalled only by his desires. For + the last three days he had been watching La Pechina, and the poor child + knew she was watched. Between Nicolas and his prey the same sort of + understanding existed which there is between the hunter and the game. When + the girl was at some little distance from the pavilion she saw Nicolas in + one of the paths which ran parallel to the walls of the park, leading to + the bridge of the Avonne. She could easily have escaped the man’s pursuit + had she appealed to her grandfather; but all young girls, even the most + unsophisticated, have a strange fear, possibly instinctive, of trusting to + their natural protectors under the like circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Genevieve had heard Pere Niseron take an oath to kill any man, no matter + who he was, who should dare to <i>touch</i> (that was his word) his + granddaughter. The old man thought the child amply protected by the halo + of white hair and honor which a spotless life of three-score years and ten + had laid upon his brow. The vision of bloody scenes terrifies the + imagination of young girls so that they need not dive to the bottom of + their hearts for other numerous and inquisitive reasons which seal their + lips. + </p> + <p> + When La Pechina started with the milk which Madame Michaud had sent to the + daughter of Gaillard, the keeper of the gate of Conches, whose cow had + just calved, she looked about her cautiously, like a cat when it ventures + out onto the street. She saw no signs of Nicolas; she listened to the + silence, as the poet says, and hearing nothing, she concluded that the + rascal had gone to his day’s work. The peasants were just beginning to cut + the rye; for they were in the habit of getting in their own harvests + first, so as to benefit by the best strength of the mowers. But Nicolas + was not a man to mind losing a day’s work,—especially now that he + expected to leave the country after the fair at Soulanges and begin, as + the country people say, the new life of a soldier. + </p> + <p> + When La Pechina, with the jug on her head, was about half-way, Nicolas + slid like a wild-cat down the trunk of an elm, among the branches of which + he was hiding, and fell like a thunderbolt in front of the girl, who flung + away her pitcher and trusted to her fleet legs to regain the pavilion. But + a hundred feet farther on, Catherine Tonsard, who was on the watch, rushed + out of the wood and knocked so violently against the flying girl that she + was thrown down. The violence of the fall made her unconscious. Catherine + picked her up and carried her into the woods to the middle of a tiny + meadow where the Silver-spring brook bubbled up. + </p> + <p> + Catherine Tonsard was tall and strong, and in every respect the type of + woman whom painters and sculptors take, as the Republic did in former + days, for their figures of Liberty. She charmed the young men of the + valley of the Avonne with her voluminous bosom, her muscular legs, and a + waist as robust as it was flexible; with her plump arms, her eyes that + could flash and sparkle, and her jaunty air; with the masses of hair + twisted in coils around her head, her masculine forehead and her red lips + curling with that same ferocious smile which Eugene Delacroix and David + (of Angers) caught and represented so admirably. True image of the People, + this fiery and swarthy creature seemed to emit revolt through her piercing + yellow eyes, blazing with the insolence of a soldier. She inherited from + her father so violent a nature that the whole family, except Tonsard, and + all who frequented the tavern feared her. + </p> + <p> + “Well, how are you now?” she said to La Pechina as the latter recovered + consciousness. + </p> + <p> + Catherine had placed her victim on a little mound beside the brook and was + bringing her to her senses with dashes of cold water. “Where am I?” said + the child, opening her beautiful black eyes through which a sun-ray seemed + to glide. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Catherine, “if it hadn’t been for me you’d have been killed.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said the girl, still bewildered; “what happened to me?” + </p> + <p> + “You stumbled over a root and fell flat in the road over there, as if + shot. Ha! how you did run!” + </p> + <p> + “It was your brother who made me,” said La Pechina, remembering Nicolas. + </p> + <p> + “My brother? I did not see him,” said Catherine. “What did he do to you, + poor fellow, that should make you fly as if he were a wolf? Isn’t he + handsomer than your Monsieur Michaud?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the girl, contemptuously. + </p> + <p> + “See here, little one; you are laying up a crop of evils for yourself by + loving those who persecute us. Why don’t you keep to our side?” + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t you come to church; and why do you steal things night and day?” + asked the child. + </p> + <p> + “So you let those people talk you over!” sneered Catherine. “They love us, + don’t they?—just as they love their food which they get out of us, + and they want new dishes every day. Did you ever know one of them to marry + a peasant-girl? Not they! Does Sarcus the rich let his son marry that + handsome Gatienne Giboulard? Not he, though she is the daughter of a rich + upholsterer. You have never been at the Tivoli ball at Soulanges in + Socquard’s tavern; you had better come. You’ll see ‘em all there, these + bourgeois fellows, and you’ll find they are not worth the money we shall + get out of them when we’ve pulled them down. Come to the fair this year!” + </p> + <p> + “They say it’s fine, that Soulanges fair!” cried La Pechina, artlessly. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell you what it is in two words,” said Catherine. “If you are + handsome, you are well ogled. What is the good of being as pretty as you + are if you are not admired by the men? Ha! when I heard one of them say + for the first time, ‘What a fine sprig of a girl!’ all my blood was on + fire. It was at Socquard’s, in the middle of a dance; my grandfather, + Fourchon, who was playing the clarionet, heard it and laughed. Tivoli + seemed to me as grand and fine as heaven itself. It’s lighted up, my dear, + with glass lamps, and you’ll think you are in paradise. All the gentlemen + of Soulanges and Auxerre and Ville-aux-Fayes will be there. Ever since + that first night I’ve loved the place where those words rang in my ears + like military music. It’s worthy giving your eternity to hear such words + said of you by a man you love.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, perhaps,” replied La Pechina, thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Then come, and get the praise of men; you’re sure of it!” cried + Catherine. “Ha! you’ll have a fine chance, handsome as you are, to pick up + good luck. There’s the son of Monsieur Lupin, Amaury, he might marry you. + But that’s not all; if you only knew what comforts you can find there + against vexation and worry. Why, Socquard’s boiled wine will make you + forget every trouble you ever had. Fancy! it can make you dream, and feel + as light as a bird. Didn’t you ever drink boiled wine? Then you don’t know + what life is.” + </p> + <p> + The privilege enjoyed by older persons to wet their throats with boiled + wine excites the curiosity of the children of the peasantry over twelve + years of age to such a degree that Genevieve had once put her lips to a + glass of boiled wine ordered by the doctor for her grandfather when ill. + The taste had left a sort of magic influence in the memory of the poor + child, which may explain the interest with which she listened, and on + which the evil-minded Catherine counted to carry out a plan already + half-successful. No doubt she was trying to bring her victim, giddy from + the fall, to the moral intoxication so dangerous to young women living in + the wilds of nature, whose imagination, deprived of other nourishment, is + all the more ardent when the occasion comes to exercise it. Boiled wine, + which Catherine had held in reserve, was to end the matter by intoxicating + the victim. + </p> + <p> + “What do they put into it?” asked La Pechina. + </p> + <p> + “All sorts of things,” replied Catherine, glancing back to see if her + brother were coming; “in the first place, those what d’ ye call ‘ems that + come from India, cinnamon, and herbs that change you by magic,—you + fancy you have everything you wish for; boiled wine makes you happy! you + can snap your fingers at all your troubles!” + </p> + <p> + “I should be afraid to drink boiled wine at a dance,” said La Pechina. + </p> + <p> + “Afraid of what?” asked Catherine. “There’s not the slightest danger. + Think what lots of people there will be. All the bourgeois will be looking + at us! Ah! it is one of those days that make up for all our misery. See it + and die,—for it’s enough to satisfy any one.” + </p> + <p> + “If Monsieur and Madame Michaud would only take me!” cried La Pechina, her + eyes blazing. + </p> + <p> + “Ask your grandfather Niseron; you have not given him up, poor dear man, + and he’d be pleased to see you admired like a little queen. Why do you + like those Arminacs the Michauds better than your grandfather and the + Burgundians. It’s bad to neglect your own people. Besides, why should the + Michauds object if your grandfather takes you to the fair? Oh! if you knew + what it is to reign over a man and put him beside himself, and say to him, + as I say to Godain, ‘Go there!’ and he goes, ‘Do that!’ and he does it! + You’ve got it in you, little one, to turn the head of a bourgeois like + that son of Monsieur Lupin. Monsieur Amaury took a fancy to my sister + Marie because she is fair and because he is half-afraid of me; but he’d + adore you, for ever since those people at the pavilion have spruced you up + a bit you’ve got the airs of an empress.” + </p> + <p> + Adroitly leading the innocent heart to forget Nicolas and so put it off + its guard, Catherine distilled into the girl the insidious nectar of + compliments. Unawares, she touched a secret wound. La Pechina, without + being other than a poor peasant girl, was a specimen of alarming + precocity, like many another creature doomed to die as prematurely as it + blooms. Strange product of Burgundian and Montenegrin blood, conceived and + born amid the toils of war, the girl was doubtless in many ways the result + of her congenital circumstances. Thin, slender, brown as a tobacco leaf, + and short in stature, she nevertheless possessed extraordinary strength,—a + strength unseen by the eyes of peasants, to whom the mysteries of the + nervous system are unknown. Nerves are not admitted into the medical rural + mind. + </p> + <p> + At thirteen years of age Genevieve had completed her growth, though she + was hardly as tall as an ordinary girl of her age. Did her face owe its + topaz skin, so dark and yet so brilliant, dark in tone and brilliant in + the quality of its tissue, giving a look of age to the childish face, to + her Montenegrin origin, or to the ardent sun of Burgundy? Medical science + may dismiss the inquiry. The premature old age on the surface of the face + was counterbalanced by the glow, the fire, the wealth of light which made + the eyes two stars. Like all eyes which fill with sunlight and need, + perhaps, some sheltering screen, the eyelids were fringed with lashes of + extraordinary length. The hair, of a bluish black, long and fine and + abundant, crowned a brow moulded like that of the Farnese Juno. That + magnificent diadem of hair, those grand Armenian eyes, that celestial brow + eclipsed the rest of the face. The nose, though pure in form as it left + the brow, and graceful in curve, ended in flattened and flaring nostrils. + Anger increased this effect at times, and then the face wore an absolutely + furious expression. All the lower part of the face, like the lower part of + the nose, seemed unfinished, as if the clay in the hands of the divine + sculptor had proved insufficient. Between the lower lip and the chin the + space was so short that any one taking La Pechina by the chin would have + rubbed the lip; but the teeth prevented all notice of this defect. One + might almost believe those little bones had souls, so brilliant were they, + so polished, so transparent, so exquisitely shaped, disclosed as they were + by too wide a mouth, curved in lines that bore resemblance to the + fantastic shapes of coral. The shells of the ears were so transparent to + the light that in the sunshine they were rose-colored. The complexion, + though sun-burned, showed a marvellous delicacy in the texture of the + skin. If, as Buffon declared, love lies in touch, the softness of the + girl’s skin must have had the penetrating and inciting influence of the + fragrance of daturas. The chest and indeed the whole body was alarmingly + thin; but the feet and hands, of alluring delicacy, showed remarkable + nervous power, and a vigorous organism. + </p> + <p> + This mixture of diabolical imperfections and divine beauties, harmonious + in spite of discords, for they blended in a species of savage dignity, + also this triumph of a powerful soul over a feeble body, as written in + those eyes, made the child, when once seen, unforgettable. Nature had + wished to make that frail young being a woman; the circumstances of her + conception moulded her with the face and body of a boy. A poet observing + the strange creature would have declared her native clime to be Arabia the + Blest; she belonged to the Afrite and Genii of Arabian tales. Her face + told no lies. She had the soul of that glance of fire, the intellect of + those lips made brilliant by the bewitching teeth, the thought enshrined + within that glorious brow, the passion of those nostrils ready at all + moments to snort flame. Therefore love, such as we imagine it on burning + sands, in lonely deserts, filled that heart of twenty in the breast of a + child, doomed, like the snowy heights of Montenegro, to wear no flowers of + the spring. + </p> + <p> + Observers ought now to understand how it was that La Pechina, from whom + passion issued by every pore, awakened in perverted natures the feelings + deadened by abuse; just as water fills the mouth at sight of those + twisted, blotched, and speckled fruits which gourmands know by experience, + and beneath whose skin nature has put the rarest flavors and perfumes. Why + did Nicolas, that vulgar laborer, pursue this being who was worthy of a + poet, while the eyes of the country-folk pitied her as a sickly deformity? + Why did Rigou, the old man, feel the passion of a young one for this girl? + Which of the two men was young, and which was old? Was the young peasant + as blase as the old usurer? Why did these two extremes of life meet in one + common and devilish caprice? Does the vigor that draws to its close + resemble the vigor that is only dawning? The moral perversities of men are + gulfs guarded by sphinxes; they begin and end in questions to which there + is no answer. + </p> + <p> + The exclamation, formerly quoted, of the countess, “Piccina!” when she + first saw Genevieve by the roadside, open-mouthed at sight of the carriage + and the elegantly dressed woman within it, will be understood. This girl, + almost a dwarf, of Montenegrin vigor, loved the handsome, noble bailiff, + as children of her age love, when they do love, that is to say, with + childlike passion, with the strength of youth, with the devotion which in + truly virgin souls gives birth to divinest poesy. Catherine had just swept + her coarse hands across the sensitive strings of that choice harp, strung + to the breaking-point. To dance before Michaud, to shine at the Soulanges + ball and inscribe herself on the memory of that adored master! What + glorious thoughts! To fling them into that volcanic head was like casting + live coals upon straw dried in the August sun. + </p> + <p> + “No, Catherine,” replied La Pechina, “I am ugly and puny; my lot is to sit + in a corner and never to be married, but live alone in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Men like weaklings,” said Catherine. “You see me, don’t you?” she added, + showing her handsome, strong arms. “I please Godain, who is a poor stick; + I please that little Charles, the count’s groom; but Lupin’s son is afraid + of me. I tell you it is the small kind of men who love me, and who say + when they see me go by at Ville-aux-Fayes and at Soulanges, ‘Ha! what a + fine girl!’ Now YOU, that’s another thing; you’ll please the fine men.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Catherine, if it were true—that!” cried the bewitched child. + </p> + <p> + “It is true, it is so true that Nicolas, the handsomest man in the canton, + is mad about you; he dreams of you, he is losing his mind; and yet all the + other girls are in love with him. He is a fine lad! If you’ll put on a + white dress and yellow ribbons, and come to Socquard’s for the midsummer + ball, you’ll be the handsomest girl there, and all the fine people from + Ville-aux-Fayes will see you. Come, won’t you?—See here, I’ve been + cutting grass for the cows, and I brought some boiled wine in my gourd; + Socquard gave it me this morning,” she added quickly, seeing the + half-delirious expression in La Pechina’s eyes which women understand so + well. “We’ll share it together, and you’ll fancy the men are in love with + you.” + </p> + <p> + During this conversation Nicolas, choosing the grassy spots to step on, + had noiselessly slipped behind the trunk of an old oak near which his + sister had seated La Pechina. Catherine, who had now and then cast her + eyes behind her, saw her brother as she turned to get the boiled wine. + </p> + <p> + “Here, take some,” she said, offering it. + </p> + <p> + “It burns me!” cried Genevieve, giving back the gourd, after taking two or + three swallows from it. + </p> + <p> + “Silly child!” replied Catherine; “see here!” and she emptied the rustic + bottle without taking breath. “See how it slips down; it goes like a + sunbeam into the stomach.” + </p> + <p> + “But I ought to be carrying the milk to Mademoiselle Gaillard,” cried + Genevieve; “and it is all spilt! Nicolas frightened me so!” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you like Nicolas?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Genevieve. “Why does he persecute me? He can get plenty + other girls, who are willing.” + </p> + <p> + “But if he likes you better than all the other girls in the valley—” + </p> + <p> + “So much the worse for him.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you don’t know him,” answered Catherine, as she seized the girl + rapidly by the waist and flung her on the grass, holding her down in that + position with her strong arms. At this moment Nicolas appeared. Seeing her + odious persecutor, the child screamed with all her might, and drove him + five feet away with a violent kick in the stomach; then she twisted + herself like an acrobat, with a dexterity for which Catherine was not + prepared, and rose to run away. Catherine, still on the ground, caught her + by one foot and threw her headlong on her face. This frightful fall + stopped the brave child’s cries for a moment. Nicolas attempted, + furiously, to seize his victim, but she, though giddy from the wine and + the fall, caught him by the throat in a grip of iron. + </p> + <p> + “Help! she’s strangling me, Catherine,” cried Nicolas, in a stifled voice. + </p> + <p> + La Pechina uttered piercing screams, which Catherine tried to choke by + putting her hands over the girl’s mouth, but she bit them and drew blood. + It was at this moment that Blondet, the countess, and the abbe appeared at + the edge of the wood. + </p> + <p> + “Here are those Aigues people!” exclaimed Catherine, helping Genevieve to + rise. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want to live?” hissed Nicolas in the child’s ear. + </p> + <p> + “What then?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Tell them we were all playing, and I’ll forgive you,” said Nicolas, in a + threatening voice. + </p> + <p> + “Little wretch, mind you say it!” repeated Catherine, whose glance was + more terrifying than her brother’s murderous threat. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will, if you let me alone,” replied the child. “But anyhow I will + never go out again without my scissors.” + </p> + <p> + “You are to hold your tongue, or I’ll drown you in the Avonne,” said + Catherine, ferociously. + </p> + <p> + “You are monsters,” cried the abbe, coming up; “you ought to be arrested + and taken to the assizes.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! and pray what do you do in your drawing-rooms?” said Nicolas, looking + full at the countess and Blondet. “You play and amuse yourselves, don’t + you? Well, so do we, in the fields which are ours. We can’t always work; + we must play sometimes,—ask my sister and La Pechina.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you fight if you call that playing?” cried Blondet. + </p> + <p> + Nicolas gave him a murderous look. + </p> + <p> + “Speak!” said Catherine, gripping La Pechina by the forearm and leaving a + blue bracelet on the flesh. “Were not we amusing ourselves?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame, we were amusing ourselves,” said the child, exhausted by her + display of strength, and now breaking down as though she were about to + faint. + </p> + <p> + “You hear what she says, madame,” said Catherine, boldly, giving the + countess one of those looks which women give each other like dagger + thrusts. + </p> + <p> + She took her brother’s arm, and the pair walked off, not mistaking the + opinion they left behind them in the minds of the three persons who had + interrupted the scene. Nicolas twice looked back, and twice encountered + Blondet’s gaze. The journalist continued to watch the tall scoundrel, who + was broad in the shoulders, healthy and vigorous in complexion, with black + hair curling tightly, and whose rather soft face showed upon its lips and + around the mouth certain lines which reveal the peculiar cruelty that + characterizes sluggards and voluptuaries. Catherine swung her petticoat, + striped blue and white, with an air of insolent coquetry. + </p> + <p> + “Cain and his wife!” said Blondet to the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “You are nearer the truth than you know,” replied the priest. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Monsieur le cure, what will they do to me?” said La Pechina, when the + brother and sister were out of sight. + </p> + <p> + The countess, as white as her handkerchief, was so overcome that she heard + neither Blondet nor the abbe nor La Pechina. + </p> + <p> + “It is enough to drive one from this terrestrial paradise,” she said at + last. “But the first thing of all is to save that child from their claws.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said Blondet in a low voice. “That child is a poem, a + living poem.” + </p> + <p> + Just then the Montenegrin girl was in a state where soul and body smoke, + as it were, after the conflagration of an anger which has driven all + forces, physical and intellectual, to their utmost tension. It is an + unspeakable and supreme splendor, which reveals itself only under the + pressure of some frenzy, be it resistance or victory, love or martyrdom. + She had left home in a dress with alternate lines of brown and yellow, and + a collarette which she pleated herself by rising before daylight; and she + had not yet noticed the condition of her gown soiled by her struggle on + the grass, and her collar torn in Catherine’s grasp. Feeling her hair + hanging loose, she looked about her for a comb. At this moment Michaud, + also attracted by the screams, came upon the scene. Seeing her god, La + Pechina recovered her full strength. “Monsieur Michaud,” she cried, “he + did not even touch me!” + </p> + <p> + The cry, the look, the action of the girl were an eloquent commentary, and + told more to Blondet and the abbe than Madame Michaud had told the + countess about the passion of that strange nature for the bailiff, who was + utterly unconscious of it. + </p> + <p> + “The scoundrel!” cried Michaud. + </p> + <p> + Then, with an involuntary and impotent gesture, such as mad men and wise + men can both be forced into giving, he shook his fist in the direction in + which he had caught sight of Nicolas disappearing with his sister. + </p> + <p> + “Then you were not playing?” said the abbe with a searching look at La + Pechina. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t fret her,” interposed the countess; “let us return to the + pavilion.” + </p> + <p> + Genevieve, though quite exhausted, found strength under Michaud’s eyes to + walk. The countess followed the bailiff through one of the by-paths known + to keepers and poachers where only two can go abreast, and which led to + the gate of the Avonne. + </p> + <p> + “Michaud,” said the countess when they reached the depth of the wood, “We + must find some way of ridding the neighborhood of such vile people; that + child is actually in danger of death.” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place,” replied Michaud, “Genevieve shall not leave the + pavilion. My wife will be glad to take the nephew of Vatel, who has the + care of the park roads, into the house. With Gounod (that is his name) and + old Cornevin, my wife’s foster-father, always at hand, La Pechina need + never go out without a protector.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell Monsieur to make up this extra expense to you,” said the + countess. “But this does not rid us of that Nicolas. How can we manage + that?” + </p> + <p> + “The means are easy and right at hand,” answered Michaud. “Nicolas is to + appear very soon before the court of appeals on the draft. The general, + instead of asking for his release, as the Tonsards expect, has only to + advise his being sent to the army—” + </p> + <p> + “If necessary, I will go myself,” said the countess, “and see my cousin, + de Casteran, the prefect. But until then, I tremble for that child—” + </p> + <p> + The words were said at the end of the path close to the open space by the + bridge. As they reached the edge of the bank the countess gave a cry; + Michaud advanced to help her, thinking she had struck her foot against a + stone; but he shuddered at the sight that met his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Marie Tonsard and Bonnebault, seated below the bank, seemed to be + conversing, but were no doubt hiding there to hear what passed. Evidently + they had left the wood as the party advanced towards them. + </p> + <p> + Bonnebault, a tall, wiry fellow, had lately returned to Conches after six + years’ service in the cavalry, with a permanent discharge due to his evil + conduct,—his example being likely to ruin better men. He wore + moustachios and a small chin-tuft; a peculiarity which, joined to his + military carriage, made him the reigning fancy of all the girls in the + valley. His hair, in common with that of other soldiers, was cut very + short behind, but he frizzed it on the top of his head, brushing up the + ends with a dandy air; on it his foraging cap was jauntily tilted to one + side. Compared to the peasants, who were mostly in rags, like Mouche and + Fourchon, he seemed gorgeous in his linen trousers, boots, and short + waistcoat. These articles, bought at the time of his liberation, were, it + is true, somewhat the worse for a life in the fields; but this village + cock-of-the-walk had others in reserve for balls and holidays. He lived, + it must be said, on the gifts of his female friends, which, liberal as + they were, hardly sufficed for the libations, the dissipations, and the + squanderings of all kinds which resulted from his intimacy with the Cafe + de la Paix. + </p> + <p> + Cowardice is like courage; of both there are various kinds. Bonnebault + would have fought like a brave soldier, but he was weak in presence of his + vices and his desires. Lazy as a lizard, that is to say, active only when + it suited him, without the slightest decency, arrogant and base, able for + much but neglectful of all, the sole pleasure of this “breaker of hearts + and plates,” to use a barrack term, was to do evil or inflict damage. Such + a nature does as much harm in rural communities as it does in a regiment. + Bonnebault, like Tonsard and like Fourchon, desired to live well and do + nothing; and he had his plans laid. Making the most of his gallant + appearance with increasing success, and of his talents for billiards with + alternate loss and gain, he flattered himself that the day would come when + he could marry Mademoiselle Aglae Socquard, only daughter of the + proprietor of the Cafe de la Paix, a resort which was to Soulanges what, + relatively speaking, Ranelagh is to the Bois de Boulogne. To get into the + business of tavern-keeping, to manage the public balls, what a fine career + for the marshal’s baton of a ne’er-do-well! These morals, this life, this + nature, were so plainly stamped upon the face of the low-lived profligate + that the countess was betrayed into an exclamation when she beheld the + pair, for they gave her the sensation of beholding snakes. + </p> + <p> + Marie, desperately in love with Bonnebault, would have robbed for his + benefit. Those moustachios, the swaggering gait of a trooper, the fellow’s + smart clothes, all went to her heart as the manners and charms of a de + Marsay touch that of a pretty Parisian. Each social sphere has its own + standard of distinction. The jealous Marie rebuffed Amaury Lupin, the + other dandy of the little town, her mind being made up to become Madame + Bonnebault. + </p> + <p> + “Hey! you there, hi! come on!” cried Nicolas and Catherine from afar, + catching sight of Marie and Bonnebault. + </p> + <p> + The sharp call echoed through the woods like the cry of savages. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the pair at his feet, Michaud shuddered and deeply repented having + spoken. If Bonnebault and Marie Tonsard had overheard the conversation, + nothing but harm could come of it. This event, insignificant as it seems, + was destined, in the irritated state of feeling then existing between Les + Aigues and the peasantry, to have a decisive influence on the fate of all,—just + as victory or defeat in battle sometimes depends upon a brook which + shepherds jump while cannon are unable to pass it. + </p> + <p> + Gallantly bowing to the countess, Bonnebault passed Marie’s arm through + his own with a conquering air and took himself off triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + “The King of Hearts of the valley,” muttered Michaud to the countess. “A + dangerous man. When he loses twenty francs at billiards he would murder + Rigou to get them back. He loves a crime as he does a pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen enough for to-day; take me home, gentlemen,” murmured the + countess, putting her hand on Emile’s arm. + </p> + <p> + She bowed sadly to Madame Michaud, after watching La Pechina safely back + to the pavilion. Olympe’s depression was transferred to her mistress. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, madame,” said the abbe, as they continued their way, “can it be that + the difficulty of doing good is about to deter you? For the last five + years I have slept on a pallet in a parsonage which has no furniture; I + say mass in a church without believers; I preach to no hearers; I minister + without fees or salary; I live on the six hundred francs the law allows + me, asking nothing of my bishop, and I give the third of that in charity. + Still, I am not hopeless. If you knew what my winters are in this place + you would understand the strength of those words,—I am not hopeless. + I keep myself warm with the belief that we can save this valley and bring + it back to God. No matter for ourselves, madame; think of the future! If + it is our duty to say to the poor, ‘Learn how to be poor; that is, how to + work, to endure, to strive,’ it is equally our duty to say to the rich, + ‘Learn your duty as prosperous men,’—that is to say, ‘Be wise, be + intelligent in your benevolence; pious and virtuous in the place to which + God has called you.’ Ah! madame, you are only the steward of Him who + grants you wealth; if you do not obey His behests you will never transmit + to your children the prosperity He gives you. You will rob your posterity. + If you follow in the steps of that poor singer’s selfishness, which caused + the evils that now terrify us, you will bring back the scaffolds on which + your fathers died for the faults of their fathers. To do good humbly, in + obscurity, in country solitudes, as Rigou now does evil,—ah! that + indeed is prayer in action and dear to God. If in every district three + souls only would work for good, France, our country, might be saved from + the abyss that yawns; into which we are rushing headlong, through + spiritual indifference to all that is not our own self-interest. Change! + you must change your morals, change your ethics, and that will change your + laws.” + </p> + <p> + Though deeply moved as she listened to this grand utterance of true + catholic charity, the countess answered in the fatal words, “We will + consider it,”—words of the rich, which contain that promise to the + ear which saves their purses and enables them to stand with arms crossed + in presence of all disaster, under pretext that they were powerless. + </p> + <p> + Hearing those words, the abbe bowed to Madame de Montcornet and turned off + into a path which led him direct to the gate of Blangy. + </p> + <p> + “Belshazzar’s feast is the everlasting symbol of the dying days of a + caste, of an oligarchy, of a power!” he thought as he walked away. “My + God! if it be Thy will to loose the poor like a torrent to reform society, + I know, I comprehend, why it is that Thou hast abandoned the wealthy to + their blindness!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. SHOWETH HOW THE TAVERN IS THE PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT + </h2> + <p> + Old Mother Tonsard’s screams brought a number of people from Blangy to + know what was happening at the Grand-I-Vert, the distance from the village + to the inn not being greater than that from the inn to the gate of Blangy. + One of these inquiring visitors was old Niseron, La Pechina’s grandfather, + who was on his way, after ringing the second Angelus, to dig the vine-rows + in his last little bit of ground. + </p> + <p> + Bent by toil, with pallid face and silvery hair, the old vinedresser, now + the sole representative of civic virtue in the community, had been, during + the Revolution, president of the Jacobin club at Ville-aux-Fayes, and a + juror in the revolutionary tribunal of the district. Jean-Francois + Niseron, carved out of the wood that the apostles were made of, was of the + type of Saint Peter; whom painters and sculptors have united in + representing with the square brow of the people, the thick, naturally + curling hair of the laborer, the muscles of the man of toil, the + complexion of a fisherman; with the large nose, the shrewd, half-mocking + lips that scoff at fate, the neck and shoulders of the strong man who cuts + his wood to cook his dinner while the doctrinaires of his opinions talk. + </p> + <p> + Such, at forty years of age on the breaking out of the Revolution, was + this man, strong as iron, pure as gold. Advocate of the people, he + believed in a republic through the very roll of that name, more formidable + in sound perhaps than in reality. He believed in the republic of + Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in the brotherhood of man, in the exchange of noble + sentiments, in the proclamation of virtue, in the choice of merit without + intrigue,—in short, in all that the narrow limits of one + arrondissement like Sparta made possible, and which the vast proportions + of an empire make chimerical. He signed his beliefs with his blood,—his + only son went to war; he did more, he signed them with the prosperity of + his life,—last sacrifice of self. Nephew and sole heir of the curate + of Blangy, the then all-powerful tribune might have enforced his rights + and recovered the property left by the priest to his pretty servant-girl, + Arsene; but he respected his uncle’s wishes and accepted poverty, which + came upon him as rapidly as the fall of his cherished republic came upon + France. + </p> + <p> + Never a farthing’s worth, never so much as the branch of a tree belonging + to another passed into the hands of this notable republican, who would + have made the republic acceptable to the world if he and such as he could + have guided it. He refused to buy the national domains; he denied the + right of the Republic to confiscate property. In reply to all demands of + the committee of public safety he asserted that the virtue of citizens + would do for their sacred country what low political intriguers did for + money. This patriot of antiquity publicly reproved Gaubertin’s father for + his secret treachery, his underhand bargaining, his malversations. He + reprimanded the virtuous Mouchon, that representative of the people whose + virtue was nothing more nor less than incapacity,—as it is with so + many other legislators who, gorged with the greatest political resources + that any nation ever gave, armed with the whole force of a people, are + still unable to bring forth from them the grandeur which Richelieu wrung + for France out of the weakness of a king. Consequently, citizen Niseron + became a living reproach to the people about him. They endeavored to put + him out of sight and mind with the reproachful remark, “Nothing satisfies + that man.” + </p> + <p> + The patriot peasant returned to his cot at Blangy and watched the + destruction, one by one, of his illusions; he saw his republic come to an + end at the heels of an emperor, while he himself fell into utter poverty, + to which Rigou stealthily managed to reduce him. And why? Because Niseron + had never been willing to accept anything from him. Reiterated refusals + showed the ex-priest in what profound contempt the nephew of the curate + held him; and now that icy scorn was revenged by the terrible threat as to + his little granddaughter, about which the Abbe Brossette spoke to the + countess. + </p> + <p> + The old man had composed in his own mind a history of the French republic, + filled with the glorious features which gave immortality to that heroic + period to the exclusion of all else. The infamous deeds, the massacres, + the spoliations, his virtuous soul ignored; he admired, with a single + mind, the devotedness of the people, the “Vengeur,” the gifts to the + nation, the uprising of the country to defend its frontier; and he still + pursued his dream that he might sleep in peace. + </p> + <p> + The Revolution produced many poets like old Niseron, who sang their poems + in the country solitudes, in the army, openly or secretly, by deeds buried + beneath the whirlwind of that storm, just as the wounded left behind to + die in the great wars of the empire cried out, “Long live the Emperor!” + This sublimity of soul belongs especially to France. The Abbe Brossette + respected the convictions of the old man, who became simply but deeply + attached to the priest from hearing him say, “The true republic is in the + Gospel.” The stanch republican carried the cross, and wore the sexton’s + robe, half-red, half-black, and was grave and dignified in church,—supporting + himself by the triple functions with which he was invested by the abbe, + who was able to give the fine old man, not, to be sure, enough to live on, + but enough to keep him from dying of hunger. + </p> + <p> + Niseron, the Aristides of Blangy, spoke little, like all noble dupes who + wrap themselves in the mantle of resignation; but he was never silent + against evil, and the peasants feared him as thieves fear the police. He + seldom came more than six times a year to the Grand-I-Vert, though he was + always warmly welcomed there. The old man cursed the want of charity of + the rich,—their selfishness disgusted him; and through this fiber of + his mind he seemed to the peasants to belong to them; they were in the + habit of saying, “Pere Niseron doesn’t like the rich; he’s one of us.” + </p> + <p> + The civic crown won by this noble life throughout the valley lay in these + words: “That good old Niseron! there’s not a more honest man.” Often taken + as umpire in certain kinds of disputes, he embodied the meaning of that + archaic term,—the village elder. Always extremely clean, though + threadbare, he wore breeches, coarse woollen stockings, hob-nailed shoes, + the distinctively French coat with large buttons and the broad-brimmed + felt hat to which all old peasants cling; but for daily wear he kept a + blue jacket so patched and darned that it looked like a bit of tapestry. + The pride of a man who feels he is free, and knows he is worthy of + freedom, gave to his countenance and his whole bearing a <i>something</i> + that was inexpressibly noble; you would have felt he wore a robe, not + rags. + </p> + <p> + “Hey! what’s happening so unusual?” he said, “I heard the noise down here + from the belfry.” + </p> + <p> + They told him of Vatel’s attack on the old woman, talking all at once + after the fashion of country-people. + </p> + <p> + “If she didn’t cut the tree, Vatel was wrong; but if she did cut it, you + have done two bad actions,” said Pere Niseron. + </p> + <p> + “Take some wine,” said Tonsard, offering a full glass to the old man. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we start?” said Vermichel to the sheriff’s officer. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Brunet, “we must do without Pere Fourchon and take the + assistant at Conches. Go on before me; I have a paper to carry to the + chateau. Rigou has gained his second suit, and I’ve got to deliver the + verdict.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, Monsieur Brunet, all the livelier for a couple of glasses of + brandy, mounted his gray mare after saying good-bye to Pere Niseron; for + the whole valley were desirous in their hearts of the good man’s esteem. + </p> + <p> + No science, not even that of statistics, can explain the rapidity with + which news flies in the country, nor how it spreads over those ignorant + and untaught regions which are, in France, a standing reproach to the + government and to capitalists. Contemporaneous history can show that a + famous banker, after driving post-horses to death between Waterloo and + Paris (everybody knows why—he gained what the Emperor had lost, a + commission!) carried the fatal news only three hours in advance of rumor. + So, not an hour after the encounter between old mother Tonsard and Vatel, + a number of the customers of the Grand-I-Vert assembled there to hear the + tale. + </p> + <p> + The first to come was Courtecuisse, in whom you would scarcely have + recognized the once jovial forester, the rubicund do-nothing, whose wife + made his morning coffee as we have before seen. Aged, and thin, and + haggard, he presented to all eyes a lesson that no one learned. “He tried + to climb higher than the ladder,” was what his neighbors said when others + pitied him and blamed Rigou. “He wanted to be a bourgeois himself.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, Courtecuisse did intend to pass for a bourgeois in buying the + Bachelerie, and he even boasted of it; though his wife went about the + roads gathering up the horse-droppings. She and Courtecuisse got up before + daylight, dug their garden, which was richly manured, and obtained several + yearly crops from it, without being able to do more than pay the interest + due to Rigou for the rest of the purchase-money. Their daughter, who was + living at service in Auxerre, sent them her wages; but in spite of all + their efforts, in spite of this help, the last day for the final payment + was approaching, and not a penny in hand with which to meet it. Madame + Courtecuisse, who in former times occasionally allowed herself a bottle of + boiled wine or a bit of roast meat, now drank nothing but water. + Courtecuisse was afraid to go to the Grand-I-Vert lest he should have to + leave three sous behind him. Deprived of power, he had lost his privilege + of free drinks, and he bitterly complained, like all other fools, of man’s + ingratitude. In short, he found, according to the experience of all + peasants bitten with the demon of proprietorship, that toil had increased + and food decreased. + </p> + <p> + “Courtecuisse has done too much to the property,” the people said, + secretly envying his position. “He ought to have waited till he had paid + the money down and was master before he put up those fruit palings.” + </p> + <p> + With the help of his wife he had managed to manure and cultivate the three + acres of land sold to him by Rigou, together with the garden adjoining the + house, which was beginning to be productive; and he was in danger of being + turned out of it all. Clothed in rags like Fourchon, poor Courtecuisse, + who lately wore the boots and gaiters of a huntsman, now thrust his feet + into sabots and accused “the rich” of Les Aigues of having caused his + destitution. These wearing anxieties had given to the fat little man and + his once smiling and rosy face a gloomy and dazed expression, as though he + were ill from the effects of poison or with some chronic malady. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the matter with you, Monsieur Courtecuisse; is your tongue tied?” + asked Tonsard, as the man continued silent after he had told him about the + battle which had just taken place. + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” cried Madame Tonsard; “he needn’t complain of the midwife who + cut his string,—she made a good job of it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is enough to make a man dumb, thinking from morning till night of some + way to escape Rigou,” said the premature old man, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” said old Mother Tonsard, “you’ve got a pretty daughter, seventeen + years old. If she’s a good girl you can easily manage matters with that + old jail bird—” + </p> + <p> + “We sent her to Auxerre two years ago to Madame Mariotte the elder, to + keep her out of harm’s way; I’d rather die than—” + </p> + <p> + “What a fool you are!” said Tonsard, “look at my girls,—are they any + the worse? He who dares to say they are not as virtuous as marble images + will have to do with my gun.” + </p> + <p> + “It’ll be hard to have to come to that,” said Courtecuisse, shaking his + head. “I’d rather earn the money by shooting one of those Arminacs.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I call it better for a girl to save a father than to wrap up her + virtue and let it mildew,” retorted the innkeeper. + </p> + <p> + Tonsard felt a sharp tap on his shoulder, delivered by Pere Niseron. + </p> + <p> + “That is not a right thing to say!” cried the old man. “A father is the + guardian of the honor of his family. It is by behaving as you do that + scorn and contempt are brought upon us; it is because of such conduct that + the People are accused of being unfit for liberty. The People should set + an example of civic virtue and honor to the rich. You all sell yourselves + to Rigou for gold; and if you don’t sell him your daughters, at any rate + you sell him your honor,—and it’s wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Just see what a position Courtecuisse is in,” said Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “See what a position I am in,” replied Pere Niseron; “but I sleep in + peace; there are no thorns in my pillow.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him talk, Tonsard,” whispered his wife, “you know they’re just <i>his + notions</i>, poor dear man.” + </p> + <p> + Bonnebault and Marie, Catherine and her brother came in at this moment in + a state of exasperation, which had begun with Nicolas’s failure, and was + raised to the highest pitch by Michaud’s advice to the countess about + Bonnebault. As Nicolas entered the tavern he was uttering frightful + threats against the Michaud family and Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + “The harvest’s coming; well, I vow I’ll not go before I’ve lighted my pipe + at their wheat-stacks,” he cried, striking his fist on the table as he sat + down. + </p> + <p> + “Mustn’t yelp like that before people,” said Godain, showing him Pere + Niseron. + </p> + <p> + “If the old fellow tells, I’ll wring his neck,” said Catherine. “He’s had + his day, that old peddler of foolish reasons! They call him virtuous; it’s + his temperament that keeps him so, that’s all.” + </p> + <p> + Strange and noteworthy sight!—that of those lifted heads, that group + of persons gathered in the reeking hovel, while old Mother Tonsard stood + sentinel at the door as security for the secret words of the drinkers. + </p> + <p> + Of all those faces, that of Godain, Catherine’s suitor, was perhaps the + most alarming, though the least pronounced. Godain,—a miser without + money,—the cruelest of misers, for he who seeks money surely takes + precedence of him who hoards it, one turning his eagerness within himself, + the other looking outside with terrible intentness,—Godain + represented the type of the majority of peasant faces. + </p> + <p> + He was a journeyman, small in frame, and saved from the draft by not + attaining the required military height; naturally lean and made more so by + hard work and the enforced sobriety under which reluctant workers like + Courtecuisse succumb. His face was no bigger than a man’s fist, and was + lighted by a pair of yellow eyes with greenish strips and brown spots, in + which a thirst for the possession of property was mingled with a + concupiscence which had no heat,—for desire, once at the + boiling-point, had now stiffened like lava. His skin, brown as that of a + mummy, was glued to his temples. His scanty beard bristled among his + wrinkles like stubble in the furrows. Godain never perspired, he + reabsorbed his substance. His hairy hands, formed like claws, nervous, + never still, seemed to be made of old wood. Though scarcely twenty-seven + years of age, white lines were beginning to show in his rusty black hair. + He wore a blouse, through the breast opening of which could be seen a + shirt of coarse linen, so black that he must have worn it a month and + washed it himself in the Thune. His sabots were mended with old iron. The + original stuff of his trousers was unrecognizable from the darns and the + infinite number of patches. On his head was a horrible cap, evidently cast + off and picked up in the doorway of some bourgeois house in + Ville-aux-Fayes. + </p> + <p> + Clear-sighted enough to estimate the elements of good fortune that centred + in Catherine Tonsard, his ambition was to succeed her father at the + Grand-I-Vert. He made use of all his craftiness and all his actual powers + to capture her; he promised her wealth, he also promised her the license + her mother had enjoyed; besides this, he offered his prospective + father-in-law an enormous rental, five hundred francs a year, for his inn, + until he could buy him out, trusting to an agreement he had made with + Monsieur Brunet to pay these costs by notes on stamped paper. By trade a + journeyman tool-maker, this gnome worked for the wheelwrights when work + was plentiful, but he also hired himself out for any extra labor which was + well paid. Though he possessed, unknown to the whole neighborhood, + eighteen hundred francs now in Gaubertin’s hands, he lived like a beggar, + slept in a barn, and gleaned at the harvests. He wore Gaubertin’s receipt + for his money sewn into the waist-belt of his trousers,—having it + renewed every year with its own added interest and the amount of his + savings. + </p> + <p> + “Hey! what do I care,” cried Nicolas, replying to Godain’s prudent advice + not to talk before Niseron. “If I’m doomed to be a soldier I’d rather the + sawdust of the basket sucked up my blood than have it dribbled out drop by + drop in the battles. I’ll deliver this country of at least one of those + Arminacs that the devil has launched upon us.” + </p> + <p> + And he related what he called Michaud’s plot against him, which Marie and + Bonnebault had overheard. + </p> + <p> + “Where do you expect France to find soldiers?” said the white-haired old + man, rising and standing before Nicolas during the silence which followed + the utterance of this threat. + </p> + <p> + “We serve our time and come home again,” remarked Bonnebault, twirling his + moustache. + </p> + <p> + Observing that all the worst characters of the neighborhood were + collecting, Pere Niseron shook his head and left the tavern, after + offering a farthing to Madame Tonsard in payment for his glass of wine. + When the worthy man had gone down the steps a movement of relief and + satisfaction passed through the assembled drinkers which would have told + whoever watched them that each man in that company felt he was rid of the + living image of his own conscience. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you say to all that, hey, Courtecuisse?” asked Vaudoyer, + who had just come in, and to whom Tonsard had related Vatel’s attempt. + </p> + <p> + Courtecuisse clacked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, and set his + glass on the table. + </p> + <p> + “Vatel put himself in the wrong,” he said. “If I were Mother Tonsard, I’d + give myself a few wounds and go to bed and say I was ill, and have that + Shopman and his keeper up before the assizes and get twenty crowns + damages. Monsieur Sarcus would give them.” + </p> + <p> + “In any case the Shopman would give them to stop the talk it would make,” + said Godain. + </p> + <p> + Vaudoyer, the former field-keeper, a man five feet six inches tall, with a + face pitted with the small-pox and furrowed like a nut-cracker, kept + silence with a hesitating air. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you old ninny, does that ruffle you?” asked Tonsard, attracted by + the idea of damages. “If they had broken twenty crowns’ worth of my + mother’s bones we could turn it into good account; we might make a fine + fuss for three hundred francs; Monsieur Gourdon would go to Les Aigues and + tell them that the mother had got a broken hip—” + </p> + <p> + “And break it, too,” interrupted Madame Tonsard; “they do that in Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “It would cost too much,” remarked Godain. + </p> + <p> + “I have been too long among the people who rule us to believe that matters + will go as you want them,” said Vaudoyer at last, remembering his past + official intercourse with the courts and the gendarmerie. “If it were at + Soulanges, now, it might be done; Monsieur Soudry represents the + government there, and he doesn’t wish well to the Shopman; but if you + attack the Shopman and Vatel they’ll defend themselves viciously; they’ll + say, ‘The woman was to blame; she had a tree, otherwise she would have let + her bundle be examined on the highroad; she wouldn’t have run away; if an + accident happened to her it was through her own fault.’ No, you can’t + trust to that plan.” + </p> + <p> + “The Shopman didn’t resist when I sued him,” said Courtecuisse; “he paid + me at once.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll go to Soulanges, if you like,” said Bonnebault, “and consult + Monsieur Gourdon, the clerk of the court, and you shall know to-night if + <i>there’s money in it</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “You are only making an excuse to be after that big goose of a girl, + Socquard’s daughter,” said Marie Tonsard, giving Bonnebault a slap on the + shoulder that made his lungs hum. + </p> + <p> + Just then a verse of an old Burgundian Christmas carol was heard:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “One fine moment of his life + Was at the wedding feast; + He changed the water into wine,— + Madeira of the best.” + </pre> + <p> + Every one recognized the vinous voice of old Fourchon, to whom the verse + must have been peculiarly agreeable; Mouche accompanied in his treble + tones. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! they’re full!” cried old Mother Tonsard to her daughter-in-law; “your + father is as red as a grid-iron, and that chip o’ the block as pink as + vine-shoot.” + </p> + <p> + “Your healths!” cried the old man, “and a fine lot of scoundrels you are! + All hail!” he said to his granddaughter, whom he spied kissing Bonnebault, + “hail, Marie, full of vice! Satan is with three; cursed art thou among + women, etcetera. All hail, the company present! you are done for, every + one of you! you may just say good-bye to your sheaves. I being news. I + always told you the rich would crush us; well now, the Shopman is going to + have the law of you! Ha! see what it is to struggle against those + bourgeois fellows, who have made so many laws since they got into power + that they’ve a law to enforce every trick they play—” + </p> + <p> + A violent hiccough gave a sudden turn to the ideas of the distinguished + orator. + </p> + <p> + “If Vermichel were only here I’d blow in his gullet, and he’d get an idea + of sherry wine. Hey! what a wine it is! If I wasn’t a Burgundian I’d be a + Spaniard! It’s God’s own wine! the pope says mass with it—Hey! I’m + young again! Say, Courtecuisse! if your wife were only here we’d be young + together. Don’t tell me! Spanish wine is worth a dozen of boiled wine. + Let’s have a revolution if it’s only to empty the cellars!” + </p> + <p> + “But what’s your news, papa?” said Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “There’ll be no harvest for you; the Shopman has given orders to stop the + gleaning.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop the gleaning!” cried the whole tavern, with one voice, in which the + shrill tones of the four women predominated. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Mouche, “he is going to issue an order, and Groison is to take + it round, and post it up all over the canton. No one is to glean except + those who have pauper certificates.” + </p> + <p> + “And what’s more,” said Fourchon, “the folks from the other districts + won’t be allowed here at all.” + </p> + <p> + “What’s that?” cried Bonnebault, “do you mean to tell me that neither my + grandmother nor I, nor your mother, Godain, can come here and glean? + Here’s tomfoolery for you; a pretty show of authority! Why, the fellow is + a devil let loose from hell,—that scoundrel of a mayor!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall you glean whether or no, Godain?” said Tonsard to the journeyman + wheelwright, who was saying a few words to Catherine. + </p> + <p> + “I? I’ve no property; I’m a pauper,” he replied; “I shall ask for a + certificate.” + </p> + <p> + “What did they give my father for his otter, bibi?” said Madame Tonsard to + Mouche. + </p> + <p> + Though nearly at his last gasp from an over-taxed digestion and two + bottles of wine, Mouche, sitting on Madame Tonsard’s lap, laid his head on + his aunt’s neck and whispered slyly in her ear:— + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, but he has got gold. If you’ll feed me high for a month, + perhaps I can find out his hiding-place; he has one, I know that.” + </p> + <p> + “Father’s got gold!” whispered La Tonsard to her husband, whose voice was + loudest in the uproar of the excited discussion, in which all present took + part. + </p> + <p> + “Hush! here’s Groison,” cried the old sentinel. + </p> + <p> + Perfect silence reigned in the tavern. When Groison had got to a safe + distance, Mother Tonsard made a sign, and the discussion began again on + the question as to whether they should persist in gleaning, as before, + without a certificate. + </p> + <p> + “You’ll have to give in,” said Pere Fourchon; “for the Shopman has gone to + see the prefect and get troops to enforce the order. They’ll shoot you + like dogs,—and that’s what we are!” cried the old man, trying to + conquer the thickening of his speech produced by his potations of sherry. + </p> + <p> + This fresh announcement, absurd as it was, made all the drinkers + thoughtful; they really believed the government capable of slaughtering + them without pity. + </p> + <p> + “I remember just such troubles near Toulouse, when I was stationed there,” + said Bonnebault. “We were marched out, and the peasants were cut and + slashed and arrested. Everybody laughed to see them try to resist cavalry. + Ten were sent to the galleys, and eleven put in prison; the whole thing + was crushed. Hey! what? why, soldiers are soldiers, and you are nothing + but civilian beggars; they’ve a right, they think, to sabre peasants, the + devil take you!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said Tonsard, “what is there in all that to frighten you + like kids? What can they get out of my mother and daughters? Put ‘em in + prison? well, then they must feed them; and the Shopman can’t imprison the + whole country. Besides, prisoners are better fed at the king’s expense + than they are at their own; and they’re kept warmer, too.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a pack of fools!” roared Fourchon. “Better gnaw at the bourgeois + than attack him in front; otherwise, you’ll get your backs broke. If you + like the galleys, so be it,—that’s another thing! You don’t work as + hard there as you do in the fields, true enough; but you don’t have your + liberty.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it would be well,” said Vaudoyer, who was among the more valiant + in counsel, “if some of us risked our skins to deliver the neighborhood of + that Languedoc fellow who has planted himself at the gate of the Avonne.” + </p> + <p> + “Do Michaud’s business for him?” said Nicolas; “I’m good for that.” + </p> + <p> + “Things are not ripe for it,” said old Fourchon. “We should risk too much, + my children. The best way is to make ourselves look miserable and cry + famine; then the Shopman and his wife will want to help us, and you’ll get + more out of them that way than you will by gleaning.” + </p> + <p> + “You are all blind moles,” shouted Tonsard, “let ‘em pick a quarrel with + their law and their troops, they can’t put the whole country in irons, and + we’ve plenty of friends at Ville-aux-Fayes and among the old lords who’ll + sustain us.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s true,” said Courtecuisse; “none of the other land-owners complain, + it is only the Shopman; Monsieur de Soulanges and Monsieur de Ronquerolles + and others, they are satisfied. When I think that if that cuirassier had + only had the courage to let himself be killed like the rest I should still + be happy at the gate of the Avonne, and that it was he that turned my life + topsy-turvy, it just puts me beside myself.” + </p> + <p> + “They won’t call out the troops for a Shopman who has set every one in the + district against him,” said Godain. “The fault’s his own; he tried to ride + over everybody here, and upset everything; and the government will just + say to him, ‘Hush up.’” + </p> + <p> + “The government never says anything else; it can’t, poor government!” said + Fourchon, seized with a sudden tenderness for the government. “Yes, I pity + it, that good government; it is very unlucky,—it hasn’t a penny, + like us; but that’s very stupid of a government that makes the money + itself, very stupid! Ah! if I were the government—” + </p> + <p> + “But,” cried Courtecuisse, “they tell me in Ville-aux-Fayes that Monsieur + de Ronquerolles talked about our rights in the Assembly.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s in Monsieur Rigou’s newspaper,” said Vaudoyer, who in his capacity + of ex-field-keeper knew how to read and write; “I read it—” + </p> + <p> + In spite of his vinous tenderness, old Fourchon, like many of the lower + classes whose faculties are stimulated by drunkenness, was following, with + an intelligent eye and a keen ear, this curious discussion which a variety + of asides rendered still more curious. Suddenly, he stood up in the middle + of the room. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to the old one, he’s drunk!” said Tonsard, “and when he is, he is + twice as full of deviltry; he has his own and that of the wine—” + </p> + <p> + “Spanish wine, and that trebles it!” cried Fourchon, laughing like a + satyr. “My sons, don’t butt your head straight at the thing,—you’re + too weak; go at it sideways. Lay low, play dead; the little woman is + scared. I tell you, the thing’ll come to an end before long; she’ll leave + the place, and if she does the Shopman will follow her, for she’s his + passion. That’s your plan. Only, to make ‘em go faster, my advice is to + get rid of their counsellor, their support, our spy, our ape—” + </p> + <p> + “Who’s that?” + </p> + <p> + “The damned abbe, of course,” said Tonsard; “that hunter after sins, who + thinks the host is food enough for us.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s true,” cried Vaudoyer; “we were happy enough till he came. We + ought to get rid of that eater of the good God,—he’s the real + enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “Finikin,” added Fourchon, using a nickname which the abbe owed to his + prim and rather puny appearance, “might be led into temptation and fall + into the power of some sly girl, for he fasts so much. Then if we could + catch him in the act and drum him up with a good charivari, the bishop + would be obliged to send him elsewhere. It would please old Rigou devilish + well. Now if your daughter, Courtecuisse, would leave Auxerre—she’s + a pretty girl, and if she’d take to piety, she might save us all. Hey! ran + tan plan!—” + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t <i>you</i> do it?” said Godain to Catherine, in a low voice; + “there’d be scuttles full of money to hush up the talk; and for the time + being you’d be mistress here—” + </p> + <p> + “Shall we glean, or shall we not glean? that’s the point,” said + Bonnebault. “I don’t care two straws for your abbe, not I; I belong to + Conches, where we haven’t a black-coat to poke up our consciences.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here,” said Vaudoyer, “we had better go and ask Rigou, who knows the + law, whether the Shopman can forbid gleaning, and he’ll tell us if we’ve + got the right of it. If the Shopman has the law on his side, well, then we + must do as the old one says,—see about taking things sideways.” + </p> + <p> + “Blood will be spilt,” said Nicolas, darkly, as he rose after drinking a + whole bottle of wine, which Catherine drew for him in order to keep him + silent. “If you’d only listen to me you’d down Michaud; but you are + miserable weaklings,—nothing but poor trash!” + </p> + <p> + “I’m not,” said Bonnebault. “If you are all safe friends who’ll keep your + tongues between your teeth, I’ll aim at the Shopman—Hey! how I’d + like to put a plum through his bottle; wouldn’t it avenge me on those + cursed officers?” + </p> + <p> + “Tut! tut!” cried Jean-Louis Tonsard, who was supposed to be, more or + less, Gaubertin’s son, and who had just entered the tavern. This fellow, + who was courting Rigou’s pretty servant-girl, had succeeded his nominal + father as clipper of hedges and shrubberies and other Tonsardial + occupations. Going about among the well-to-do houses, he talked with + masters and servants and picked up ideas which made him the man of the + world of the family, the shrewd head. We shall presently see that in + making love to Rigou’s servant-girl, Jean-Louis deserved his reputation + for shrewdness. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what have you to say, prophet?” said the innkeeper to his son. + </p> + <p> + “I say that you are playing into the hands of the rich folk,” replied + Jean-Louis. “Frighten the Aigues people to maintain your rights if you + choose; but if you drive them out of the place and make them sell the + estate, you are doing just what the bourgeois of the valley want, and it’s + against your own interest. If you help the bourgeois to divide the great + estates among them, where’s the national domain to be bought for nothing + at the next Revolution? Wait till then, and you’ll get your land without + paying for it, as Rigou got his; whereas if you go and thrust this estate + into the jaws of the rich folk of the valley, the rich folk will dribble + it back to you impoverished and at twice the price they paid for it. You + are working for their interests, I tell you; so does everybody who works + for Rigou,—look at Courtecuisse.” + </p> + <p> + The policy contained in this allocution was too deep for the drunken heads + of those present, who were all, except Courtecuisse, laying by their money + to buy a slice of the Aigues cake. So they let Jean-Louis harangue, and + continued, as in the Chamber of Deputies, their private confabs with one + another. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that’s so; you’ll be Rigou’s cats-paw!” cried Fourchon, who alone + understood his grandson. + </p> + <p> + Just then Langlume, the miller of Les Aigues, passed the tavern. Madame + Tonsard hailed him. + </p> + <p> + “Is it true,” she said, “that gleaning is to be forbidden?” + </p> + <p> + Langlume, a jovial white man, white with flour and dressed in + grayish-white clothes, came up the steps and looked in. Instantly all the + peasants became as sober as judges. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my children, I am forced to answer yes, and no. None but the poor + are to glean; but the measures they are going to take will turn out to + your advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” asked Godain. + </p> + <p> + “Why, they can prevent any but paupers from gleaning here,” said the + miller, winking in true Norman fashion; “but that doesn’t prevent you from + gleaning elsewhere,—unless all the mayors do as the Blangy mayor is + doing.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is true,” said Tonsard, in a threatening voice. + </p> + <p> + “As for me,” said Bonnebault, putting his foraging-cap over one ear and + making his hazel stick whiz in the air, “I’m off to Conches to warn the + friends.” + </p> + <p> + And the Lovelace of the valley departed, whistling the tune of the martial + song,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “You who know the hussars of the Guard, + Don’t you know the trombone of the regiment?” + </pre> + <p> + “I say, Marie! he’s going a queer way to get to Conches, that friend of + yours,” cried old Mother Tonsard to her granddaughter. + </p> + <p> + “He’s after Aglae!” said Marie, who made one bound to the door. “I’ll have + to thrash her once for all, that baggage!” she cried, viciously. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Vaudoyer,” said Tonsard, “go and see Rigou, and then we shall know + what to do; he’s our oracle, and his spittle doesn’t cost anything.” + </p> + <p> + “Another folly!” said Jean-Louis, in a low voice, “Rigou betrays + everybody; Annette tells me so; she says he’s more dangerous when he + listens to you than other folks are when they bluster.” + </p> + <p> + “I advise you to be cautious,” said Langlume. “The general has gone to the + prefecture about your misdeeds, and Sibilet tells me he has sworn an oath + to go to Paris and see the Chancellor of France and the King himself, and + the whole pack of them if necessary, to get the better of his peasantry.” + </p> + <p> + “His peasantry!” shouted every one. + </p> + <p> + “Ha, ha! so we don’t belong to ourselves any longer?” + </p> + <p> + As Tonsard asked the question, Vaudoyer left the house to see Rigou. + </p> + <p> + Langlume, who had already gone out, turned on the door-step, and answered:— + </p> + <p> + “Crowd of do-nothings! are you so rich that you think you are your own + masters?” + </p> + <p> + Though said with a laugh, the meaning contained in those words was + understood by all present, as horses understand the cut of a whip. + </p> + <p> + “Ran tan plan! masters indeed!” shouted old Fourchon. “I say, my lad,” he + added to Nicolas, “after your performance this morning it’s not my + clarionet that you’ll get between your thumb and four fingers!” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t plague him, or he’ll make you throw up your wine by a punch in the + stomach,” said Catherine, roughly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. A TYPE OF THE COUNTRY USURER + </h2> + <p> + Strategically, Rigou’s position at Blangy was that of a picket sentinel. + He watched Les Aigues, and watched it well. The police have no spies + comparable to those that serve hatred. + </p> + <p> + When the general first came to Les Aigues Rigou apparently formed some + plans about him which Montcornet’s marriage with a Troisville put an end + to; he seemed to have wished to patronize the new land-owner. In fact his + intentions were so patent that Gaubertin thought best to let him into the + secrets of the coalition against Les Aigues. Before accepting any part in + the affair, Rigou determined, as he said, to put the general between two + stools. + </p> + <p> + One day, after the countess was fairly installed, a little wicker carriage + painted green entered the grand courtyard of the chateau. The mayor, who + was flanked by his mayoress, got out and came round to the portico on the + garden side. As he did so Rigou saw Madame le comtesse at a window. She, + however, devoted to the bishop and to religion and to the Abbe Brossette, + sent word by Francois that “Madame was out.” + </p> + <p> + This act of incivility, worthy of a woman born in Russia, turned the face + of the ex-Benedictine yellow. If the countess had seen the man whom the + abbe told her was “a soul in hell who plunged into iniquity as into a bath + in his efforts to cool himself,” if she had seen his face then she might + have refrained from exciting the cold, deliberate hatred felt by the + liberals against the royalists, increased as it was in country-places by + the jealousies of neighborhood, where the recollections of wounded vanity + are kept constantly alive. + </p> + <p> + A few details about this man and his morals will not only throw light on + his share of the plot, called “the great affair” by his two associates, + but it will have the merit of picturing an extremely curious type of man,—one + of those rural existences which are peculiar to France, and which no + writer has hitherto sought to depict. Nothing about this man is without + significance,—neither his house, nor his manner of blowing the fire, + nor his ways of eating; his habits, morals, and opinions will vividly + illustrate the history of the valley. This renegade serves to show the + utility of democracy; he is at once its theory and its practice, its alpha + and its omega, in short, its “summum.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps you will remember certain masters of avarice pictured in former + scenes of this comedy of human life: in the first place the provincial + minister, Pere Grandet of Saumur, miserly as a tiger is cruel; next + Gobseck, the usurer, that Jesuit of gold, delighting only in its power, + and relishing the tears of the unfortunate because gold produced them; + then Baron Nucingen, lifting base and fraudulent money transactions to the + level of State policy. Then, too, you may remember that portrait of + domestic parsimony, old Hochon of Issoudun, and that other miser in behalf + of family interests, little la Baudraye of Sancerre. Well, human emotions—above + all, those of avarice—take on so many and diverse shades in the + diverse centres of social existence that there still remains upon the + stage of our comedy another miser to be studied, namely, Rigou,—Rigou, + the miser-egoist; full of tenderness for his own gratifications, cold and + hard to others; the ecclesiastical miser; the monk still a monk so far as + he can squeeze the juice of the fruit called good-living, and becoming + secular only to put a paw upon the public money. In the first place, let + us explain the continual pleasure that he took in sleeping under his own + roof. + </p> + <p> + Blangy—by that we mean the sixty houses described by Blondet in his + letter to Nathan—stands on a rise of land to the left of the Thune. + As all the houses are surrounded by gardens, the village is a very pretty + one. Some houses are built on the banks of the stream. At the upper end of + the long rise stands the church, formerly flanked by a parsonage, its apse + surrounded, as in many other villages, by a graveyard. The sacrilegious + old Rigou had bought the parsonage, which was originally built by an + excellent Catholic, Mademoiselle Choin, on land which she had bought for + the purpose. A terraced garden, from which the eye looked down upon + Blangy, Cerneux, and Soulanges standing between the two great seignorial + parks, separated the late parsonage from the church. On its opposite side + lay a meadow, bought by the last curate of the parish not long before his + death, which the distrustful Rigou had since surrounded with a wall. + </p> + <p> + The ex-monk and mayor having refused to sell back the parsonage for its + original purpose, the parish was obliged to buy a house belonging to a + peasant, which adjoined the church. It was necessary to spend five + thousand francs to repair and enlarge it and to enclose it in a little + garden, one wall of which was that of the sacristy, so that communication + between the parsonage and the church was still as close as it ever was. + </p> + <p> + These two houses, built on a line with the church, and seeming to belong + to it by their gardens, faced a piece of open ground planted by trees, + which might be called the square of Blangy,—all the more because the + count had lately built, directly opposite to the new parsonage, a communal + building intended for the mayor’s office, the home of the field-keeper, + and the quarters of that school of the Brothers of the Christian Doctrine, + for which the Abbe Brossette had hitherto begged in vain. Thus, not only + were the houses of the ex-monk and the young priest connected and yet + separated by the church, but they were in a position to watch each other. + Indeed, the whole village spied upon the abbe. The main street, which + began at the Thune, crept tortuously up the hill to the church. Vineyards, + the cottages of the peasantry, and a small grove crowned the heights. + </p> + <p> + Rigou’s house, the handsomest in the village, was built of the large + rubble-stone peculiar to Burgundy, imbedded in yellow mortar smoothed by + the trowel, which produced an uneven surface, still further broken here + and there by projecting points of the stone, which was mostly black. A + band of cement, in which no stones were allowed to show, surrounded each + window with a sort of frame, where time had made some slight, capricious + cracks, such as appear on plastered ceilings. The outer blinds, of a + clumsy pattern, were noticeable for their color, which was dragon-green. A + few mosses grew among the slates of the roof. The type is that of + Burgundian homesteads; the traveller will see thousands like it when + visiting this part of France. + </p> + <p> + A double door opened upon a passage, half-way down which was the well of + the staircase. By the entrance was the door of a large room with three + windows looking out upon the square. The kitchen, built behind and beneath + the staircase, was lighted from the courtyard, which was neatly paved with + cobble-stones and entered by a porte-cochere. Such was the ground-floor. + The first floor contained three bedrooms, above them a small attic + chamber. + </p> + <p> + A wood-shed, a coach-house, and a stable adjoined the kitchen, and formed + two sides of a square around the courtyard. Above these rather flimsy + buildings were lofts containing hay and grain, a fruit-room, and one + servant’s-chamber. + </p> + <p> + A poultry-yard, the stable, and a pigsty faced the house across the + courtyard. + </p> + <p> + The garden, about an acre in size and enclosed by walls, was a true + priest’s garden; that is, it was full of wall-fruit and fruit-trees, + grape-arbors, gravel-paths, closely trimmed box-trees, and square + vegetable patches, made rich with the manure from the stable. + </p> + <p> + Within, the large room, panelled in wainscot, was hung with old tapestry. + The walnut furniture, brown with age and covered with stuffs embroidered + in needle-work, was in keeping with the wainscot and with the ceiling, + which was also panelled. The latter had three projecting beams, but these + were painted, and between them the space was plastered. The mantel, also + in walnut, surmounted by a mirror in the most grotesque frame, had no + other ornament than two brass eggs standing on a marble base, each of + which opened in the middle; the upper half when turned over showed a + socket for a candle. These candlesticks for two lights, festooned with + chains (an invention of the reign of Louis XV.), were becoming rare. On a + green and gold bracket fastened to the wall opposite to the window was a + common but excellent clock. The curtains, which squeaked upon their rods, + were at least fifty years old; their material, of cotton in a square + pattern like that of mattresses, alternately pink and white, came from the + Indies. A sideboard and dinner-table completed the equipment of the room, + which was kept with extreme nicety. + </p> + <p> + At the corner of the fireplace was an immense sofa, Rigou’s especial seat. + In the angle, above a little “bonheur du jour,” which served him as a + desk, and hanging to a common screw, was a pair of bellows, the origin of + Rigou’s fortune. + </p> + <p> + From this succinct description, in style like that of an auction sale, it + will be easy to imagine that the bedrooms of Monsieur and Madame Rigou + were limited to mere necessaries; yet it would be a mistake to suppose + that such parsimony affected the essential excellence of those + necessaries. For instance, the most fastidious of women would have slept + well in Rigou’s bed, with fine linen sheets, excellent mattresses, made + luxurious by a feather-bed (doubtless bought for some abbe by a pious + female parishioner) and protected from draughts by thick curtains. All the + rest of Rigou’s belongings were made comfortable for his use, as we shall + see. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, he had reduced his wife, who could neither read, + write, nor cipher, to absolute obedience. After having ruled her deceased + master, the poor creature was now the servant of her husband; she cooked + and did the washing, with very little help from a pretty girl named + Annette, who was nineteen years old and as much a slave to Rigou as her + mistress, and whose wages were thirty francs a year. + </p> + <p> + Tall, thin, and withered, Madame Rigou, a woman with a yellow face red + about the cheek-bones, her head always wrapped in a colored handkerchief, + and wearing the same dress all the year round, did not leave the house for + two hours in a month’s time, but kept herself in exercise by doing the + hard work of a devoted servant. The keenest observer could not have found + a trace of the fine figure, the Rubens coloring, the splendid lines, the + superb teeth, the virginal eyes which first drew the attention of the Abbe + Niseron to the young girl. The birth of her only daughter, Madame Soudry, + Jr., had blighted her complexion, decayed her teeth, dimmed her eyes, and + even caused the dropping of their lashes. It almost seemed as if the + finger of God had fallen upon the wife of the priest. Like all well-to-do + country house-wives, she liked to see her closets full of silk gowns, made + and unmade, and jewels and laces which did her no good and only excited + the sin of envy and a desire for her death in the minds of all the young + women who served Rigou. She was one of those beings, half-woman, + half-animal, who are born to live by instinct. This ex-beautiful Arsene + was disinterested; and the bequest left to her by the late Abbe Niseron + would be inexplicable were it not for the curious circumstance which + prompted it, and which we give here for the edification of the vast tribe + of expectant heirs. + </p> + <p> + Madame Niseron, the wife of the old republican sexton, always paid the + greatest attention to her husband’s uncle, the priest of Blangy; the forty + or fifty thousand francs soon to be inherited from the old man of seventy + would put the family of his only nephew into a condition of affluence + which she impatiently awaited, for besides her only son (the father of La + Pechina) Madame Niseron had a charming little daughter, lively and + innocent,—one of those beings that seem perfected only because they + are to die, which she did at the age of fourteen from “pale color,” the + popular name for chlorosis among the peasantry. The darling of the + parsonage, where the child fluttered about her great uncle the abbe as she + did in her home, bringing clouds and sunshine with her, she grew to love + Mademoiselle Arsene, the pretty servant whom the old abbe engaged in 1789. + Arsene was the niece of his housekeeper, whose place the girl took by + request of the latter on her deathbed. + </p> + <p> + In 1791, just about the time that the Abbe Niseron offered his house as an + asylum to Rigou and his brother Jean, the little girl played one of her + mischievous but innocent tricks. She was playing with Arsene and some + other children at a game which consists in hiding an object which the rest + seek, and crying out, “You burn!” or “You freeze!” according as the + searchers approach or leave the hidden article. Little Genevieve took it + into her head to hide the bellows in Arsene’s bed. The bellows could not + be found, and the game came to an end; Genevieve was taken home by her + mother and forgot to put the bellows back on the nail. Arsene and her aunt + searched more than a week for them; then they stopped searching and + managed to do without them, the old abbe blowing his fire with an air-cane + made in the days when air-canes were the fashion,—a fashion which + was no doubt introduced by some courtier of the reign of Henri III. At + last, about a month before her death, the housekeeper, after a dinner at + which the Abbe Mouchon, the Niseron family, and the curate of Soulanges + were present, returned to her jeremiades about the loss of the bellows. + </p> + <p> + “Why! they’ve been these two weeks in Arsene’s bed!” cried the little one, + with a peal of laughter. “Great lazy thing! if she had taken the trouble + to make her bed she would have found them.” + </p> + <p> + As it was 1791 everybody laughed; but a dead silence succeeded the laugh. + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing laughable in that,” said the housekeeper; “since I have + been ill Arsene sleeps in my room.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of this explanation the Abbe Niseron looked thunderbolts at + Madame Niseron and his nephew, thinking they were plotting mischief + against him. The housekeeper died. Rigou contrived to work up the abbe’s + resentment to such a pitch that he made a will disinheriting Jean-Francois + Niseron in favor of Arsene Pichard. + </p> + <p> + In 1823 Rigou, perhaps out of a sense of gratitude, still blew the fire + with an air-cane, and left the bellows hanging to the screw. + </p> + <p> + Madame Niseron, idolizing her daughter, did not long survive her. Mother + and child died in 1794. The old abbe, too, was dead, and citizen Rigou + took charge of Arsene’s affairs by marrying her. A former convert in the + monastery, attached to Rigou as a dog is to his master, became the groom, + gardener, herdsman, valet, and steward of the sensual Harpagon. Arsene + Rigou, the daughter, married in 1821 without dowry to the + prosecuting-attorney, inheriting something of her mother’s rather vulgar + beauty, together with the crafty mind of her father. + </p> + <p> + Now about sixty-seven years of age, Rigou had never been ill in his life, + and nothing seemed able to lessen his aggressively good health. Tall, + lean, with brown circles round his eyes, the lids of which were nearly + black, any one who saw him of a morning, when as he dressed he exposed the + wrinkled, red, and granulated skin of his neck, would have compared him to + a condor,—all the more because his long nose, sharp at the tip, + increased the likeness by its sanguineous color. His head, partly bald, + would have frightened phrenologists by the shape of its skull, which was + like an ass’s backbone, an indication of despotic will. His grayish eyes, + half-covered by filmy, red-veined lids, were predestined to aid hypocrisy. + Two scanty locks of hair of an undecided color overhung the large ears, + which were long and without rim, a sure sign of cruelty, but cruelty of + the moral nature only, unless where it means actual insanity. The mouth, + very broad, with thin lips, indicated a sturdy eater and a determined + drinker by the drop of its corners, which turned downward like two commas, + from which drooled gravy when he ate and saliva when he talked. + Heliogabalus must have been like this. + </p> + <p> + His dress, which never varied, consisted of a long blue surtout with a + military collar, a black cravat, with waistcoat and trousers of black + cloth. His shoes, very thick soled, had iron nails outside, and inside + woollen linings knit by his wife in the winter evenings. Annette and her + mistress also knit the master’s stockings. Rigou’s name was Gregoire. + </p> + <p> + Though this sketch gives some idea of the man’s character, no one can + imagine the point to which, in his private and unthwarted life, the + ex-Benedictine had pushed the science of selfishness, good living, and + sensuality. In the first place, he dined alone, waited upon by his wife + and Annette, who themselves dined with Jean in the kitchen, while the + master digested his meal and disposed of his wine as he read “the news.” + </p> + <p> + In the country the special names of journals are never mentioned; they are + all called by the general name of “the news.” + </p> + <p> + Rigou’s dinner, like his breakfast and supper, was always of choice + delicacies, cooked with the art which distinguishes a priest’s housekeeper + from all other cooks. Madame Rigou made the butter herself twice a week. + Cream was a concomitant of many sauces. The vegetables came at a jump, as + it were, from their frames to the saucepan. Parisians, who are accustomed + to eat the fruits of the earth after they have had a second ripening in + the sun of a city, infected by the air of the streets, fermenting in close + shops, and watered from time to time by the market-women to give them a + deceitful freshness, have little idea of the exquisite flavors of really + fresh produce, to which nature has lent fugitive but powerful charms when + eaten as it were alive. + </p> + <p> + The butcher of Soulanges brought his best meat under fear of losing + Rigou’s custom. The poultry, raised on the premises, was of the finest + quality. + </p> + <p> + This system of secret pampering embraced everything in which Rigou was + personally concerned. Though the slippers of the knowing Thelemist were of + stout leather they were lined with lamb’s wool. Though his coat was of + rough cloth it did not touch his skin, for his shirt, washed and ironed at + home, was of the finest Frisian linen. His wife, Annette, and Jean drank + the common wine of the country, the wine he reserved from his own + vineyards; but in his private cellar, as well stocked as the cellars of + Belgium, the finest vintages of Burgundy rubbed sides with those of + Bordeaux, Champagne, Roussillon, not to speak of Spanish and Rhine wines, + all bought ten years in advance of use and bottled by Brother Jean. The + liqueurs in that cellar were those of the Isles, and came originally from + Madame Amphoux. Rigou had laid in a supply to last him the rest of his + days, at the national sale of a chateau in Burgundy. + </p> + <p> + The ex-monk ate and drank like Louis XIV. (one of the greatest consumers + of food and drink ever known), which reveals the costs of a life that was + more than voluptuous. Careful and very shrewd in managing his secret + prodigalities, he disputed all purchases as only churchmen can dispute. + Instead of taking infinite precautions against being cheated, the sly monk + kept patterns and samples, had the agreements reduced to writing, and + warned those who forwarded his wines or his provisions that if they fell + short of the mark in any way he should refuse to accept their + consignments. + </p> + <p> + Jean, who had charge of the fruit-room, was trained to keep fresh the + finest fruits grown in the department; so that Rigou ate pears and apples + and sometimes grapes, at Easter. + </p> + <p> + No prophet regarded as a God was ever more blindly obeyed than was Rigou + in his own home. A mere motion of his black eyelashes could plunge his + wife, Annette, and Jean into the deepest anxiety. He held his three slaves + by the multiplicity of their many duties, which were like a chain in his + hands. These poor creatures were under the perpetual yoke of some ordered + duty, with an eye always on them; but they had come to take a sort of + pleasure in accomplishing these tasks, and did not suffer under them. All + three had the comfort and well-being of that one man before their minds as + the sole end and object of all their thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Annette was (since 1795) the tenth pretty girl in Rigou’s service, and he + expected to go down to his grave with relays of such servants. Brought to + him at sixteen, she would be sent away at nineteen. All these girls, + carefully chosen at Auxerre, Clamecy, or in the Morvan, were enticed by + the promise of future prosperity; but Madame Rigou persisted in living. So + at the end of every three years some quarrel, usually brought about by the + insolence of the servant to the poor mistress, caused their dismissal. + </p> + <p> + Annette, who was a picture of delicate beauty, ingenuous and sparkling, + deserved to be a duchess. Rigou knew nothing of the love affair between + her and Jean-Louis Tonsard, which proves that he had let himself be fooled + by the girl,—the only one of his many servants whose ambition had + taught her to flatter the lynx as the only way to blind him. + </p> + <p> + This uncrowned Louis XV. did not keep himself wholly to his pretty + Annette. Being the mortgagee of lands bought by peasants who were unable + to pay for them, he kept a harem in the valley, from Soulanges to five + miles beyond Conches on the road to La Brie, without making other payments + than “extension of time,” for those fugitive pleasures which eat into the + fortunes of so many old men. + </p> + <p> + This luxurious life, a life like that of Bouret, cost Rigou almost + nothing. Thanks to his white slaves, he could cut and mow down and gather + in his wood, hay, and grain. To the peasant manual labor is a small + matter, especially if it serves to postpone the payment of interest due. + And so Rigou, while requiring little premiums on each month’s delay, + squeezed a great deal of manual labor out of his debtors,—positive + drudgery, to which they submitted thinking they gave little because + nothing left their pockets. Rigou sometimes obtained in this way more than + the principal of a debt. + </p> + <p> + Deep as a monk, silent as a Benedictine in the throes of writing history, + sly as a priest, deceitful as all misers, carefully keeping within the + limits of the law, the man might have been Tiberius in Rome, Richelieu + under Louis XIII., or Fouche, had the ambition seized him to go to the + Convention; but, instead of all that, Rigou had the common sense to remain + a Lucullus without ostentation, in other words, a parsimonious voluptuary. + To occupy his mind he indulged a hatred manufactured out of the whole + cloth. He harassed the Comte de Montcornet. He worked the peasants like + puppets by hidden wires, the handling of which amused him as though it + were a game of chess where the pawns were alive, the knights caracoled, + the bishops, like Fourchon, gabbled, the feudal castles shone in the sun, + and the queen maliciously checkmated the king. Every day, when he got out + of bed and saw from his window the proud towers of Les Aigues, the + chimneys of the pavilions, and the noble gates, he said to himself: “They + shall fall! I’ll dry up the brooks, I’ll chop down the woods.” But he had + two victims in mind, a chief one and a lesser one. Though he meditated the + dismemberment of the chateau, the apostate also intended to make an end of + the Abbe Brossette by pin-pricks. + </p> + <p> + To complete the portrait of the ex-priest it will suffice to add that he + went to mass regretting that his wife still lived, and expressed the + desire to be reconciled with the Church as soon as he became a widower. He + bowed deferentially to the Abbe Brossette whenever he met him, and spoke + to him courteously and without heat. As a general thing all men who belong + to the Church, or who have come out of it, have the patience of insects; + they owe this to the obligation they have been under, ecclesiastically, to + preserve decorum,—a training which has been lacking for the last + twenty years to the vast majority of the French nation, even those who + think themselves well-bred. All the monks which the Revolution brought out + of their monasteries and forced into business, public or private, showed + in their coldness and reserve the great advantage which ecclesiastical + discipline gives to the sons of the Church, even those who desert her. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin had understood Rigou from the days when the Abbe Niseron made + his will and the ex-monk married the heiress; he fathomed the craft hidden + behind the jaundiced face of that accomplished hypocrite; and he made + himself the man’s fellow-worshipper before the altar of the Golden Calf. + When the banking-house of Leclercq was first started he advised Rigou to + put fifty thousand francs into it, guaranteeing their security himself. + Rigou was all the more desirable as an investor, or sleeping partner, + because he drew no interest but allowed his capital to accumulate. At the + period of which we write it amounted to over a hundred thousand francs, + although in 1816 he had taken out one hundred and eighty thousand for + investment in the Public Funds, from which he derived an income of + seventeen thousand francs. Lupin the notary had cognizance of at least one + hundred thousand francs which Rigou had lent on small mortgages upon good + estates. Ostensibly, Rigou derived about fourteen thousand francs a year + from landed property actually owned by him. But as to his amassed hoard, + it was represented by an “x” which no rule of equations could evolve, just + as the devil alone knew the secret schemes he plotted with Langlume. + </p> + <p> + This dangerous usurer, who proposed to live a score of years longer, had + established fixed rules to work upon. He lent nothing to a peasant who + bought less than seven acres, and who could not pay one-half of the + purchase-money down. Rigou well understood the defects of the law of + dispossession when applied to small holdings, and the danger both to the + Public Treasury and to land-owners of the minute parcelling out of the + soil. How can you sue a peasant for the value of one row of vines when he + owns only five? The bird’s-eye view of self-interest is always twenty-five + years ahead of the perceptions of a legislative body. What a lesson for a + nation! Law will ever emanate from one brain, that of a man of genius, and + not from the nine hundred legislative heads, which, great as they may be + in themselves, are belittled and lost in a crowd. Rigou’s law contains the + essential element which has yet to be found and introduced into public law + to put an end to the absurd spectacle of landed property reduced to + halves, quarters, tenths, hundredths,—as in the district of + Argenteuil, where there are thirty thousand plots of land. + </p> + <p> + Such operations as those Rigou was concerned in require extensive + collusion, like those we have seen existing in this arrondissement. Lupin, + the notary, whom Rigou employed to draw at least one third of the deeds + annually entrusted to his notarial office, was devoted to him. This shark + could thus include in the mortgage note (signed always in presence of the + wife, when the borrower was married) the amount of the illegal interest. + The peasant, delighted to feel he had to pay only his five per cent + interest annually, always imagined he should be able to meet the payment + by working doubly hard or by improving the land and getting double returns + upon it. + </p> + <p> + Hence the deceitful hopes excited by what imbecile economists call “small + farming,”—a political blunder to which we owe such mistakes as + sending French money to Germany to buy horses which our own land had + ceased to breed; a blunder which before long will reduce the raising of + cattle until meat will be unattainable not only by the people, but by the + lower middle classes (see “Le Cure de Village.”) + </p> + <p> + So, not a little sweat bedewed men’s brows between Conches and + Ville-aux-Fayes to Rigou’s profit, all being willing to give it; whereas + the labor dearly paid for by the general, the only man who did spend money + in the district, brought him curses and hatred, which were showered upon + him simply because he was rich. How could such facts be understood unless + we had previously taken that rapid glance at the Mediocracy. Fourchon was + right; the middle classes now held the position of the former lords. The + small land-owners, of whom Courtecuisse is a type, were tenants in + mortmain of a Tiberius in the valley of the Avonne, just as, in Paris, + traders without money are the peasantry of the banking system. + </p> + <p> + Soudry followed Rigou’s example from Soulanges to a distance of fifteen + miles beyond Ville-aux-Fayes. These two usurers shared the district + between them. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin, whose rapacity was in a higher sphere, not only did not compete + against that of his associates, but he prevented all other capital in + Ville-aux-Fayes from being employed in the same fruitful manner. It is + easy to imagine what immense influence this triumvirate—Rigou, + Soudry, and Gaubertin—wielded in election periods over electors + whose fortunes depended on their good-will. + </p> + <p> + Hate, intelligence, and means at command, such were the three sides of the + terrible triangle which describes the general’s closest enemy, the spy + ever watching Les Aigues,—a shark having constant dealings with + sixty to eighty small land-owners, relations or connections of the + peasantry, who feared him as such men always fear their creditor. + </p> + <p> + Rigou was in his way another Tonsard. The one throve on thefts from + nature, the other waxed fat on legal plunder. Both liked to live well. It + was the same nature in two species,—the one natural, the other + whetted by his training in a cloister. + </p> + <p> + It was about four o’clock when Vaudoyer left the tavern of the + Grand-I-Vert to consult the former mayor. Rigou was at dinner. Finding the + front door locked, Vaudoyer looked above the window blinds and called out:— + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Rigou, it is I,—Vaudoyer.” + </p> + <p> + Jean came round from the porte-cochere and said to Vaudoyer:— + </p> + <p> + “Come into the garden; Monsieur has company.” + </p> + <p> + The company was Sibilet, who, under pretext of discussing the verdict + Brunet had just handed in, was talking to Rigou of quite other matters. He + had found the usurer finishing his dessert. On a square dinner-table + covered with a dazzling white cloth—for, regardless of his wife and + Annette who did the washing, Rigou exacted clean table-linen every day—the + steward noted strawberries, apricots, peaches, figs, and almonds, all the + fruits of the season in profusion, served in white porcelain dishes on + vine-leaves as daintily as at Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + Seeing Sibilet, Rigou told him to run the bolts of the inside + double-doors, which were added to the other doors as much to stifle sounds + as to keep out the cold air, and asked him what pressing business brought + him there in broad daylight when it was so much safer to confer together + at night. + </p> + <p> + “The Shopman talks of going to Paris to see the Keeper of the Seals; he is + capable of doing you a great deal of harm; he may ask for the dismissal of + your son-in-law, and the removal of the judges at Ville-aux-Fayes, + especially after reading the verdict just rendered in your favor. He has + turned at bay; he is shrewd, and he has an adviser in that abbe, who is + quite able to tilt with you and Gaubertin. Priests are powerful. + Monseigneur the bishop thinks a great deal of the Abbe Brossette. Madame + la comtesse talks of going herself to her cousin the prefect, the Comte de + Casteran, about Nicolas. Michaud begins to see into our game.” + </p> + <p> + “You are frightened,” said Rigou, softly, casting a look on Sibilet which + suspicion made less impassive than usual, and which was therefore + terrific. “You are debating whether it would not be better on the whole to + side with the Comte de Montcornet.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see where I am to get the four thousand francs I save honestly + and invest every year, after you have cut up and sold Les Aigues,” said + Sibilet, shortly. “Monsieur Gaubertin has made me many fine promises; but + the crisis is coming on; there will be fighting, surely. Promising before + victory and keeping a promise after it are two very different things.” + </p> + <p> + “I will talk to him about it,” replied Rigou, imperturbably. “Meantime + this is what I should say to you if I were in his place: ‘For the last + five years you have taken Monsieur Rigou four thousand francs a year, and + that worthy man gives you seven and a half per cent; which makes your + property in his hands at this moment over twenty-seven thousand francs, as + you have not drawn the interest. But there exists a private signed + agreement between you and Rigou, and the Shopman will dismiss his steward + whenever the Abbe Brossette lays that document before his eyes; the abbe + will be able to do so after receiving an anonymous letter which will + inform him of your double-dealing. You would therefore do better for + yourself by keeping well with us instead of clamoring for your pay in + advance,—all the more because Monsieur Rigou, who is not legally + bound to give you seven and a half per cent and the interest on your + interest, will make you in court a legal tender of your twenty thousand + francs, and you will not be able to touch that money until your suit, + prolonged by legal trickery, shall be decided by the court at + Ville-aux-Fayes. But if you act wisely you will find that when Monsieur + Rigou gets possession of your pavilion at Les Aigues, you will have very + nearly thirty thousand francs in his hands and thirty thousand more which + the said Rigou may entrust to you,—which will be all the more + advantageous to you then because the peasantry will have flung them + themselves upon the estate of Les Aigues, divided into small lots like the + poverty of the world.’ That’s what Monsieur Gaubertin might say to you. As + for me, I have nothing to say, for it is none of my business. Gaubertin + and I have our own quarrel with that son of the people who is ashamed of + his own father, and we follow our own course. If my friend Gaubertin feels + the need of using you, I don’t; I need no one, for everybody is at my + command. As to the Keeper of the Seals, that functionary is often changed; + whereas we—WE are always here, and can bide our time.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ve warned you,” returned Sibilet, feeling like a donkey under a + pack-saddle. + </p> + <p> + “Warned me of what?” said Rigou, artfully. + </p> + <p> + “Of what the Shopman is going to do,” answered the steward, humbly. “He + started for the Prefecture in a rage.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him go! If the Montcornets and their kind didn’t use wheels, what + would become of the carriage-makers?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall bring you three thousand francs to-night,” said Sibilet, “but you + ought to make over some of your maturing mortgages to me,—say, one + or two that would secure to me good lots of land.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there’s that of Courtecuisse. I myself want to be easy on him + because he is the best shot in the canton; but if I make over his mortgage + to you, you will seem to be harassing him on the Shopman’s account, and + that will be killing two birds with one stone; when Courtecuisse finds + himself a beggar, like Fourchon, he’ll be capable of anything. + Courtecuisse has ruined himself on the Bachelerie; he has cultivated all + the land, and trained fruit on the walls. The little property is now worth + four thousand francs, and the count will gladly pay you that to get + possession of the three acres that jut right into his land. If + Courtecuisse were not such an idle hound he could have paid his interest + with the game he might have killed there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, transfer the mortgage to me, and I’ll make my butter out of it; the + count shall buy the three acres, and I shall get the house and garden for + nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to give me out of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens! you’d milk an ox!” exclaimed Sibilet,—“when I have + just done you such a service, too. I have at last got the Shopman to + enforce the laws about gleaning—” + </p> + <p> + “Have you, my dear fellow?” said Rigou, who a few days earlier had + suggested this means of exasperating the peasantry to Sibilet, telling him + to advise the general to try it. “Then we’ve got him; he’s lost! But it + isn’t enough to hold him with one string; we must wind it round and round + him like a roll of tobacco. Slip the bolts of the door, my lad; tell my + wife to bring my coffee and the liqueurs, and tell Jean to harness up. I’m + off to Soulanges; will see you to-night!—Ah! Vaudoyer, good + afternoon,” said the late mayor as his former field-keeper entered the + room. “What’s the news?” + </p> + <p> + Vaudoyer related the talk which had just taken place at the tavern, and + asked Rigou’s opinion as to the legality of the rules which the general + thought of enforcing. + </p> + <p> + “He has the law with him,” said Rigou, curtly. “We have a hard landlord; + the Abbe Brossette is a malignant priest; he advises all such measures + because you don’t go to mass, you miserable unbelievers. I go; there’s a + God, I tell you. You peasants will have to bear everything, for the + Shopman will always get the better of you—” + </p> + <p> + “We shall glean,” said Vaudoyer, in that determined tone which + characterizes Burgundians. + </p> + <p> + “Without a certificate of pauperism?” asked the usurer. “They say the + Shopman has gone to the Prefecture to ask for troops so as to force you to + keep the law.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall glean as we have always gleaned,” repeated Vaudoyer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, glean then! Monsieur Sarcus will decide whether you have the right + to,” said Rigou, seeming to promise the help of the justice of the peace. + </p> + <p> + “We shall glean, and we shall do it in force, or Burgundy won’t be + Burgundy any longer,” said Vaudoyer. “If the gendarmes have sabres we have + scythes, and we’ll see what comes of it!” + </p> + <p> + At half-past four o’clock the great green gate of the former parsonage + turned on its hinges, and the bay horse, led by Jean, was brought round to + the front door. Madame Rigou and Annette came out on the steps and looked + at the little wicker carriage, painted green, with a leathern hood, where + their lord and master was comfortably seated on good cushions. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be late home, monsieur,” said Annette, with a little pout. + </p> + <p> + The village folk, already informed of the measures the general proposed to + take, were at their doors or standing in the main street as Rigou drove + by, believing that he was going to Soulanges in their defence. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Madame Courtecuisse, so our mayor is on his way to protect us,” + remarked an old woman as she knitted; the question of depredating in the + forest was of great interest to her, for her husband sold the stolen wood + at Soulanges. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! the good man, his heart bleeds to see the way we are treated; he is + as unhappy as we are about it,” replied the poor woman, who trembled at + the very name of her husband’s creditor, and praised him out of fear. + </p> + <p> + “And he himself, too,—they’ve shamefully ill-used him! Good-day, + Monsieur Rigou,” said the old knitter to the usurer, who bowed to her and + to his debtor’s wife. + </p> + <p> + As Rigou crossed the Thune, fordable at all seasons, Tonsard came out of + the tavern and met him on the high-road. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Pere Rigou,” he said, “so the Shopman means to make dogs of us?” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll see about that,” said the usurer, whipping up his horse. + </p> + <p> + “He’ll protect us,” said Tonsard, turning to a group of women and children + who were near him. + </p> + <p> + “Rigou is thinking as much about you as a cook thinks of the gudgeons he + is frying in his pan,” called out Fourchon. + </p> + <p> + “Take the clapper out of your throat when you are drunk,” said Mouche, + pulling his grandfather by the blouse, and tumbling him down on a bank + under a poplar tree. “If that hound of a mayor heard you say that, he’d + never buy any more of your tales.” + </p> + <p> + The truth was that Rigou was hurrying to Soulanges in consequence of the + warning given him by the steward of Les Aigues, which, in his heart, he + regarded as threatening the secret coalition of the valley. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + PART II + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE LEADING SOCIETY OF SOULANGES + </h2> + <p> + About six kilometres (speaking legally) from Blangy, and at the same + distance from Ville-aux-Fayes, on an elevation radiating from the long + hillside at the foot of which flows the Avonne, stands the little town of + Soulanges, surnamed La Jolie, with, perhaps, more right to that title than + Mantes. + </p> + <p> + At the foot of the hill, the Thune broadens over a clay bottom to a space + of some seventy acres, at the end of which the Soulanges mills, placed on + numerous little islets, present as graceful a group of buildings as any + landscape architect could devise. After watering the park of Soulanges, + where it feeds various other streams and artificial lakes, the Thune falls + into the Avonne through a fine broad channel. + </p> + <p> + The chateau of Soulanges, rebuilt under Louis XIV. from designs of Jules + Mansart, and one of the finest in Burgundy, stands facing the town; so + that Soulanges and its chateau mutually present to each other a charming + and even elegant vista. The main road winds between the town and the pond, + called by the country people, rather pompously, the lake of Soulanges. + </p> + <p> + The little town is one of those natural compositions which are extremely + rare in France, where <i>prettiness</i> of its own kind is absolutely + wanting. Here you would indeed find, as Blondet said in his letter, the + charm of Switzerland, the prettiness of the environs of Neuf-chatel; while + the bright vineyards which encircle Soulanges complete the resemblance,—leaving + out, be it said, the Alps and the Jura. The streets, placed one above + another on the slope of the hill, have but few houses; for each house + stands in its own garden, which produces a mass of greenery rarely seen in + a town. The roofs, red or blue, rising among flower-gardens, trees, and + trellised terraces, present an harmonious variety of aspects. + </p> + <p> + The church, an old Middle-Age structure, built of stone, thanks to the + munificence of the lords of Soulanges, who reserved for themselves first a + chapel near the chancel, then a crypt as their necropolis, has, by way of + portal, an immense arcade, like that of the church at Lonjumeau, and is + bordered by flower-beds adorned with statues, and flanked on either side + by columns with niches, which terminate in spires. This portal, often seen + in churches of the same period when chance has saved them from the ravages + of Calvinism, is surmounted by a triglyph, above which stands a statue of + the Virgin holding the infant Jesus. The sides of the structure are + externally of five arches, defined by stone ribs and lighted by windows + with small panes. The apse rests on arched abutments that are worthy of a + cathedral. The clock-tower, placed in a transept of the cross, is square + and surmounted by a belfry. The church can be seen from a great distance, + for it stands at the top of the great square, at the lower end of which + the high-road passes through the town. + </p> + <p> + This square, large for the size of the town, is surrounded by very + original buildings, all of different epochs. Many, half-wood, half-brick, + with their timbers faced with slate, date back to the Middle Ages. Others, + of stone, with balconies, show the form of gable so dear to our ancestors, + which belongs to the twelfth century. Several charm the eye with those old + projecting beams, carved with grotesque faces, which form the roof of a + sort of shed, and recall the days when the middle classes were exclusively + commercial. The finest house among them was that of the chief magistrate + of former days,—a house with a sculptured front on a line with the + church, to which it forms a fine accompaniment. Sold as national property, + it was bought in by the commune, which turned it into a town-hall and + court-house, where Monsieur Sarcus had presided ever since the + establishment of municipal judges. + </p> + <p> + This slight sketch will give an idea of the square of Soulanges, adorned + in the centre with a charming fountain brought from Italy in 1520 by the + Marechal de Soulanges, which was not unworthy of a great capital. An + unfailing jet of water, coming from a spring higher up the hill, was shed + by four Cupids in white marble, bearing shells in their arms and baskets + of grapes upon their heads. + </p> + <p> + Literary travellers who may pass this way (should any such follow Emile + Blondet) might imagine the spot to have inspired Moliere and the Spanish + drama, which held its footing so long on French boards, showing that + comedy is native to warm countries where so much of life is passed in the + public streets. The square of Soulanges is all the more a reminder of that + classic stage because the two principal streets, opening just on a line + with the fountain, afford the exit and entrances so necessary for the + dramatic masters and valets whose business it is either to meet or to + avoid each other. At the corner of one of these streets, called the rue de + la Fontaine, shone the notarial escutcheon of Maitre Lupin. The houses of + Messieurs Sarcus, Guerbet the collector, Brunet, Gourdon, clerk of the + court, and that of his brother the doctor, also that of old Monsieur + Gendrin-Vatebled, the keeper of the forests and streams,—all these + houses, kept with extreme neatness by their owners, who held firmly to the + flattering surname of their native town, stand in the neighborhood of the + square and form the aristocratic quarter of Soulanges. + </p> + <p> + The house of Madame Soudry—for the powerful individuality of + Mademoiselle Laguerre’s former waiting-maid took the lead of her husband + in the community—was modern, having been built by a rich + wine-merchant, born in Soulanges, who, after making his money in Paris, + returned there in 1793 to buy wheat for his native town. He was slain as + an “accapareur,” a monopolist, by the populace, instigated by a mason, the + uncle of Godain, with whom he had had some quarrel about the building of + his ambitious house. The settlement of his estate, sharply contested by + collateral heirs, dragged slowly along until, in 1798, Soudry, who had + then returned to Soulanges, was able to buy the wine-merchant’s palace for + three thousand francs in specie. He then let it, in the first instance, to + the government for the headquarters of the gendarmerie. In 1811 + Mademoiselle Cochet, whom Soudry consulted about all his affairs, strongly + objected to the renewal of the lease, making the house uninhabitable, she + declared, with barracks. The town of Soulanges, assisted by the + department, then erected a building for the gendarmerie in a street + running at right angles from the town-hall. Thereupon Soudry cleaned up + his house and restored its primitive lustre, not a little dimmed by the + stabling of horses and the occupancy of gendarmes. + </p> + <p> + The house, only one story high, with projecting windows in the roof, has a + view on three sides; one to the square, another to a lake, the third to a + garden. The fourth side looks on a courtyard which separates the Soudrys + from the adjoining house occupied by a grocer named Wattebled, a man of + the SECOND-CLASS society of Soulanges, father of the beautiful Madame + Plissoud, of whom we shall presently have occasion to speak. + </p> + <p> + All little towns have a renowned beauty, just as they have a Socquard and + a Cafe de la Paix. + </p> + <p> + It will be apparent to every one that the frontage of the Soudry mansion + on the lake must have a terraced garden confined by a stone balustrade + which overlooks both the lake and the main road. A flight of steps leads + down from the terrace to the road, and on it an orange-tree, a + pomegranate, a myrtle, and other ornamental shrubs are placed, + necessitating a greenhouse. On the side toward the square the house is + entered from a portico raised several steps above the level of the street. + According to the custom of small towns the gate of the courtyard, used + only for the service of the house or for any unusual arrival, was seldom + opened. Visitors, who mostly came on foot, entered by the portico. + </p> + <p> + The style of the Hotel Soudry is plain. The courses are indicated by + projecting lines; the windows are framed by mouldings alternately broad + and slender, like those of the Gabriel and Perronnet pavilion in the place + Louis XV. These ornaments in so small a town give a certain solid and + monumental air to the building which has become celebrated. + </p> + <p> + Opposite to this house, in another angle of the square stands the famous + Cafe de la Paix, the characteristics of which, together with the + fascinations of its Tivoli, will require, somewhat later, a less succinct + description than that we have given of the Soudry mansion. + </p> + <p> + Rigou very seldom came to Soulanges; everybody was in the habit of going + to him,—Lupin and Gaubertin, Soudry and Gendrin,—so much were + they afraid of him. But we shall presently understand why any educated + man, such as the ex-Benedictine, would have done as Rigou did, and kept + away from the little town, after reading the following sketch of the + personages who composed what was called in those parts “the leading + society of Soulanges.” + </p> + <p> + Of its principal figures, the most original, as you have already + suspected, was that of Madame Soudry, whose personality, to be duly + rendered, needs a minute and careful brush. + </p> + <p> + Madame Soudry, respectfully imitating Mademoiselle Laguerre, began by + allowing herself a “mere touch of rouge”; but this delicate tint had + changed through force of habit to those vermilion patches picturesquely + described by our ancestors as “carriage-wheels.” The wrinkles growing + deeper and deeper, it occurred to the ex-lady’s-maid to fill them up with + paint. Her forehead becoming unduly yellow, and the temples too shiny, she + “laid on” a little white, and renewed the veins of her youth with a + tracery of blue. All this color gave an exaggerated liveliness to her eyes + which were already tricksy enough, so that the mask of her face would seem + to a stranger even more than fantastic, though her friends and + acquaintances, accustomed to this fictitious brilliancy, actually declared + her handsome. + </p> + <p> + This ungainly creature, always decolletee, showed a bosom and a pair of + shoulders that were whitened and polished by the same process employed + upon her face; happily, for the sake of exhibiting her magnificent laces, + she partially veiled the charms of these chemical products. She always + wore the body of her dress stiffened with whalebone and made in a long + point and garnished with knots of ribbon, even on the point! Her + petticoats gave forth a creaking noise,—so much did the silk and the + furbelows abound. + </p> + <p> + This attire, which deserves the name of apparel (a word that before long + will be inexplicable), was, on the evening in question, of costly brocade,—for + Madame Soudry possessed over a hundred dresses, each richer than the + others, the remains of Mademoiselle Laguerre’s enormous and splendid + wardrobe, made over to fit Madame Soudry in the last fashion of the year + 1808. Her blond wig, frizzed and powdered, sustained a superb cap with + knots of cherry satin ribbon matching those on her dress. If you will + kindly imagine beneath this ultra-coquettish cap the face of a monkey of + extreme ugliness, on which a flat nose, fleshless as that of Death, is + separated by a strong hairy line from a mouth filled with false teeth, + whence issue sounds like the confused clacking of hunting-horns, you will + have some difficulty in understanding why the leading society of Soulanges + (all the town, in fact) thought this quasi-queen a beauty,—unless, + indeed, you remember the succinct statement recently made “ex professo,” + by one of the cleverest women of our time, on the art of making her sex + beautiful by surrounding accessories. + </p> + <p> + As to accessories, in the first place, Madame Soudry was surrounded by the + magnificent gifts accumulated by her late mistress, which the + ex-Benedictine called “fructus belli.” Then she made the most of her + ugliness by exaggerating it, and by assuming that indescribable air and + manner which belongs only to Parisian women, the secret of which is known + even to the most vulgar among them,—who are always more or less + mimics. She laced tight, wore an enormous bustle, also diamond earrings, + and her fingers were covered with rings. At the top of her corsage, + between two mounds of flesh well plastered with pearl-white, shone a + beetle made of topaz with a diamond head, the gift of dear mistress,—a + jewel renowned throughout the department. Like the late dear mistress, she + wore short sleeves and bare arms, and flirted an ivory fan, painted by + Boucher with two little rose-diamonds in the handle. + </p> + <p> + When she went out Madame Soudry carried a parasol of the true + eighteenth-century style; that is to say, a tall cane at the end of which + opened a green sun-shade with a green fringe. When she walked about the + terrace a stranger on the high-road, seeing her from afar, might have + thought her one of Watteau’s dames. + </p> + <p> + In her salon, hung with red damask, with curtains of the same lined with + silk, a fire on the hearth, a mantel-shelf adorned with bibelots of the + good time of Louis XV., and bearing candelabra in the form of lilies + upheld by Cupids—in this salon, filled with furniture in gilded wood + of the “pied de biche” pattern, it is not impossible to understand why the + people of Soulanges called the mistress of the house, “The beautiful + Madame Soulanges.” The mansion had actually become the civic pride of this + capital of a canton. + </p> + <p> + If the leading society of the little town believed in its queen, the queen + as surely believed in herself. By a phenomenon not in the least rare, + which the vanity of mothers and authors carries on at all moments under + our very eyes in behalf of their literary works or their marriageable + daughters, the late Mademoiselle Cochet was, at the end of seven years, so + completely buried under Madame Soudry, the mayoress, that she not only did + not remember her past, but she actually believed herself a well-bred + woman. She had studied the airs and graces, the dulcet tones, the + gestures, the ways of her mistress, so long that when she found herself in + the midst of an opulence of her own she was able to practice the natural + insolence of it. She knew her eighteenth century, and the tales of its + great lords and all their belongings, by heart. This back-stairs erudition + gave to her conversation a flavor of “oeil-de-boeuf”; her soubrette gossip + passed muster for courtly wit. Morally, the mayoress was, if you wish to + say so, tinsel; but to savages paste diamonds are as good as real ones. + </p> + <p> + The woman found herself courted and worshipped by the society in which she + lived, just as her mistress had been worshipped in former days. She gave + weekly dinners, with coffee and liqueurs to those who came in after the + dessert. No female head could have resisted the exhilarating force of such + continual adulation. In winter the warm salon, always well-lighted with + wax candles, was well-filled with the richest people of Soulanges, who + paid for the good liqueurs and the fine wines which came from dear + mistress’s cellars, with flatteries to their hostess. These visitors and + their wives had a life-interest, as it were, in this luxury; which was to + them a saving of lights and fuel. Thus it came to pass that in a circuit + of fifteen miles and even as far as Ville-aux-Fayes, every voice was ready + to declare: “Madame Soudry does the honors admirably. She keeps open + house; every one enjoys her salon; she knows how to carry herself and her + fortune; she always says the witty thing, she makes you laugh. And what + splendid silver! There is not another house like it short of Paris—” + </p> + <p> + The silver had been given to Mademoiselle Laguerre by Bouret. It was a + magnificent service made by the famous Germain, and Madame Soudry had + literally stolen it. At Mademoiselle Laguerre’s death she merely took it + into her own room, and the heirs, who knew nothing of the value of their + inheritance, never claimed it. + </p> + <p> + For some time past the twelve or fifteen personages who composed the + leading society of Soulanges spoke of Madame Soudry as the <i>intimate + friend</i> of Mademoiselle Laguerre, recoiling at the term + “waiting-woman,” and making believe that she had sacrificed herself to the + singer as her friend and companion. + </p> + <p> + Strange yet true! all these illusions became realities, and spread even to + the actual regions of the heart; Madame Soudry reigned supreme, in a way, + over her husband. + </p> + <p> + The gendarme, required to love a woman ten years older than himself who + kept the management of her fortune in her own hands, behaved to her in the + spirit of the ideas she had ended by adopting about her beauty. But + sometimes, when persons envied him or talked to him of his happiness, he + wished they were in his place, for, to hide his peccadilloes, he was + forced to take as many precautions as the husband of a young and adoring + wife; and it was not until very recently that he had been able to + introduce into the family a pretty servant-girl. + </p> + <p> + This portrait of the Queen of Soulanges may seem a little grotesque, but + many specimens of the same kind could be found in the provinces at that + period,—some more or less noble in blood, others belonging to the + higher banking-circles, like the widow of a receiver-general in Touraine + who still puts slices of veal upon her cheeks. This portrait, drawn from + nature, would be incomplete without the diamonds in which it is set; + without the surrounding courtiers, a sketch of whom is necessary, if only + to explain how formidable such Lilliputians are, and who are the makers of + public opinion in remote little towns. Let no one mistake me, however; + there are many localities which, like Soulanges, are neither hamlets, + villages, nor little towns, which have, nevertheless, the characteristics + of all. The inhabitants are very different from those of the large and + busy and vicious provincial cities. Country life influences the manners + and morals of the smaller places, and this mixture of tints will be found + to produce some truly original characters. + </p> + <p> + The most important personage after Madame Soudry was Lupin, the notary. + Though forty-five springs had bloomed for Lupin, he was still fresh and + rosy, thanks to the plumpness which fills out the skin of sedentary + persons; and he still sang ballads. Also, he retained the elegant evening + dress of society warblers. He looked almost Parisian in his + carefully-varnished boots, his sulphur-yellow waistcoats, his + tight-fitting coats, his handsome silk cravats, his fashionable trousers. + His hair was curled by the barber of Soulanges (the gossip of the town), + and he maintained the attitude of a man “a bonne fortunes” by his liaison + with Madame Sarcus, wife of Sarcus the rich, who was to his life, without + too close a comparison, what the campaigns of Italy were to Napoleon. He + alone of the leading society of Soulanges went to Paris, where he was + received by the Soulanges family. It was enough to hear him talk to + imagine the supremacy he wielded in his capacity as dandy and judge of + elegance. He passed judgment on all things by the use of three terms: “out + of date,” “antiquated,” “superannuated.”[*] A man, a woman, or a piece of + furniture might be “out of date”; next, by a greater degree of + imperfection, “antiquated”; but as to the last term, it was the + superlative of contempt. The first might be remedied, the second was + hopeless, but the third,—oh, better far never to have left the void + of nothingness! As to praise, a single word sufficed him, doubly and + trebly uttered: “Charming!” was the positive of his admiration. “Charming, + charming!” made you feel you were safe; but after “Charming, charming, + charming!” the ladder might be discarded, for the heaven of perfection was + attained. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [*] “Croute,” “crouton,” and “croute-au-pot,” + untranslatable, and without equivalent in English. A + “croute” is the slang term for a man behind the age.—Tr. +</pre> + <p> + The tabellion,—he called himself “tabellion,” petty notary, and + keeper of notes (making fun of his calling in order to seem above it),—the + tabellion was on terms of spoken gallantry with Madame Soudry, who had a + weakness for Lupin, though he was blond and wore spectacles. Hitherto the + late Cochet had loved none but dark men, with moustachios and hairy hands, + of the Alcides type. But she made an exception in favor of Lupin on + account of his elegance, and, moreover, because she thought her glory at + Soulanges was not complete without an adorer; but, to Soudry’s despair, + the queen’s adorers never carried their adoration so far as to threaten + his rights. + </p> + <p> + Lupin had married an heiress in wooden shoes and blue woollen stockings, + the only daughter of a salt-dealer, who made his money during the + Revolution,—a period when contraband salt-traders made enormous + profits by reason of the reaction that set in against the gabelle. He + prudently left his wife at home, where Bebelle, as he called her, was + supported under his absence by a platonic passion for a handsome clerk who + had no other means than his salary,—a young man named Bonnac, + belonging to the second-class society, where he played the same role that + his master, the notary, played in the first. + </p> + <p> + Madame Lupin, a woman without any education whatever, appeared on great + occasions only, under the form of an enormous Burgundian barrel dressed in + velvet and surmounted by a little head sunken in shoulders of a + questionable color. No efforts could retain her waist-belt in its natural + place. “Bebelle” candidly admitted that prudence forbade her wearing + corsets. The imagination of a poet or, better still, that of an inventor, + could not have found on Bebelle’s back the slightest trace of that + seductive sinuosity which the vertebrae of all women who are women usually + produce. Bebelle, round as a tortoise, belonged to the genus of + invertebrate females. This alarming development of cellular tissue no + doubt reassured Lupin on the subject of the platonic passion of his fat + wife, whom he boldly called Bebelle without raising a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Your wife, what is she?” said Sarcus the rich, one day, when unable to + digest the fatal word “superannuated,” applied to a piece of furniture he + had just bought at a bargain. + </p> + <p> + “My wife is not like yours,” replied Lupin; “she is not defined as yet.” + </p> + <p> + Beneath his rosy exterior the notary possessed a subtle mind, and he had + the sense to say nothing about his property, which was fully as large as + that of Rigou. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur Lupin’s son, Amaury, was a great trouble to his father. An only + son, and one of the Don Juans of the valley, he utterly refused to follow + the paternal profession. He took advantage of his position as only son to + bleed the strong-box cruelly, without, however, exhausting the patience of + his father, who would say after every escapade, “Well, I was like that in + my young days.” Amaury never came to Madame Soudry’s; he said she bored + him; for, with a recollection of her early days, she attempted to + “educate” him, as she called it, whereas he much preferred the pleasures + and billiards of the Cafe de la Paix. He frequented the worst company of + Soulanges, even down to Bonnebault. He continued sowing his wild oats, as + Madame Soudry remarked, and replied to all his father’s remonstrances with + one perpetual request: “Send me back to Paris, for I am bored to death + here.” + </p> + <p> + Lupin ended, alas! like other gallants, by an attachment that was + semi-conjugal. His known passion, in spite of his former liaison with + Madame Sarcus, was for the wife of the under-sheriff of the municipal + court,—Madame Euphemie Plissoud, daughter of Wattebled the grocer, + who reigned in the second-class society as Madame Soudry did in the first. + Monsieur Plissoud, a competitor of Brunet, belonged to the under-world of + Soulanges on account of his wife’s conduct, which it was said he + authorized,—a report that drew upon him the contempt of the leading + society. + </p> + <p> + If Lupin was the musician of the leading society, Monsieur Gourdon, the + doctor, was its man of science. The town said of him, “We have here in our + midst a scientific man of the first order.” Madame Soudry (who believed + she understood music because she had ushered in Piccini and Gluck and had + dressed Mademoiselle Laguerre for the Opera) persuaded society, and even + Lupin himself, that he might have made his fortune by his voice, and, in + like manner, she was always regretting that the doctor did not publish his + scientific ideas. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur Gourdon merely repeated the ideas of Cuvier and Buffon, which + might not have enabled him to pose as a scientist before the Soulanges + world; but besides this he was making a collection of shells, and he + possessed an herbarium, and he knew how to stuff birds. He lived upon the + glory of having bequeathed his cabinet of natural history to the town of + Soulanges. After this was known he was considered throughout the + department as a great naturalist and the successor of Buffon. Like a + certain Genevese banker, whose pedantry, coldness, and puritan propriety + he copied, without possessing either his money or his shrewdness, Monsieur + Gourdon exhibited with great complacency the famous collection, consisting + of a bear and a monkey (both of which had died on their way to Soulanges), + all the rodents of the department, mice and field-mice and dormice, rats, + muskrats, and moles, etc.; all the interesting birds ever shot in + Burgundy, and an Alpine eagle caught in the Jura. Gourdon also possessed a + collection of lepidoptera,—a word which led society to hope for + monstrosities, and to say, when it saw them, “Why, they are only + butterflies!” Besides these things he had a fine array of fossil shells, + mostly the collections of his friends which they bequeathed to him, and + all the minerals of Burgundy and the Jura. + </p> + <p> + These treasures, laid out on shelves with glass doors (the drawers beneath + containing the insects), occupied the whole of the first floor of the + doctor’s house, and produced a certain effect through the oddity of the + names on the tickets, the magic effect of the colors, and the gathering + together of so many things which no one pays the slightest attention to + when seen in nature, though much admired under glass. Society took a + regular day to go and look at Monsieur Gourdon’s collection. + </p> + <p> + “I have,” he said to all inquirers, “five hundred ornithological objects, + two hundred mammifers, five thousand insects, three thousand shells, and + seven thousand specimens of minerals.” + </p> + <p> + “What patience you have had!” said the ladies. + </p> + <p> + “One must do something for one’s country,” replied the collector. + </p> + <p> + He drew an enormous profit from his carcasses by the mere repetition of + the words, “I have bequeathed everything to the town by my will.” Visitors + lauded his philanthropy; the authorities talked of devoting the second + floor of the town hall to the “Gourdon Museum,” after the collector’s + death. + </p> + <p> + “I rely upon the gratitude of my fellow-citizens to attach my name to the + gift,” he replied; “for I dare not hope they would place a marble bust of + me—” + </p> + <p> + “It would be the very least we could do for you,” they rejoined; “are you + not the glory of our town?” + </p> + <p> + Thus the man actually came to consider himself one of the celebrities of + Burgundy. The surest incomes are not from consols after all; those our + vanity obtains for us have better security. This man of science was, to + employ Lupin’s superlatives, happy! happy!! happy!!! + </p> + <p> + Gourdon, the clerk of the court, brother of the doctor, was a pitiful + little creature, whose features all gathered about his nose, so that the + nose seemed the point of departure for the forehead, the cheeks, and the + mouth, all of which were connected with it just as the ravines of a + mountain begin at the summit. This pinched little man was thought to be + one of the greatest poets in Burgundy,—a Piron, it was the fashion + to say. The dual merits of the two brothers gave rise to the remark: “We + have the brothers Gourdon at Soulanges—two very distinguished men; + men who could hold their own in Paris.” + </p> + <p> + Devoted to the game of cup-and-ball, the clerk of the court became + possessed by another mania,—that of composing an ode in honor of an + amusement which amounted to a passion in the eighteenth century. Manias + among mediocrats often run in couples. Gourdon junior gave birth to his + poem during the reign of Napoleon. That fact is sufficient to show the + sound and healthy school of poesy to which he belonged; Luce de Lancival, + Parny, Saint-Lambert, Rouche, Vigee, Andrieux, Berchoux were his heroes. + Delille was his god, until the day when the leading society of Soulanges + raised the question as to whether Gourdon were not superior to Delille; + after which the clerk of the court always called his competitor “Monsieur + l’Abbe Delille,” with exaggerated politeness. + </p> + <p> + The poems manufactured between 1780 and 1814 were all of one pattern, and + the one which Gourdon composed upon the Cup-and-Ball will give an idea of + them. They required a certain knack or proficiency in the art. “The + Chorister” is the Saturn of this abortive generation of jocular poems, all + in four cantos or thereabouts, for it was generally admitted that six + would wear the subject threadbare. + </p> + <p> + Gourdon’s poem entitled “Ode to the Cup-and-Ball” obeyed the poetic rules + which governed these works, rules that were invariable in their + application. Each poem contained in the first canto a description of the + “object sung,” preceded (as in the case of Gourdon) by a species of + invocation, of which the following is a model:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I sing the good game that belongeth to all, + The game, be it known, of the Cup and the Ball; + Dear to little and great, to the fools and the wise; + Charming game! where the cure of all tedium lies; + When we toss up the ball on the point of a stick + Palamedus himself might have envied the trick; + O Muse of the Loves and the Laughs and the Games, + Come down and assist me, for, true to your aims, + I have ruled off this paper in syllable squares. + Come, help me— +</pre> + <p> + After explaining the game and describing the handsomest cup-and-balls + recorded in history, after relating what fabulous custom it had formerly + brought to the Singe-Vert and to all dealers in toys and turned ivories, + and finally, after proving that the game attained to the dignity of + statics, Gourdon ended the first canto with the following conclusion, + which will remind the erudite reader of all the conclusions of the first + cantos of all these poems:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Tis thus that the arts and the sciences, too, + Find wisdom in things that seemed silly to you. +</pre> + <p> + The second canto, invariably employed to depict the manner of using “the + object,” explaining how to exhibit it in society and before women, and the + benefit to be derived therefrom, will be readily conceived by the friends + of this virtuous literature from the following quotation, which depicts + the player going through his performance under the eyes of his chosen + lady:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Now look at the player who sits in your midst, + On that ivory ball how his sharp eye is fixt; + He waits and he watches with keenest attention, + Its least little movement in all its precision; + The ball its parabola thrice has gone round, + At the end of the string to which it is bound. + Up it goes! but the player his triumph has missed, + For the disc has come down on his maladroit wrist; + But little he cares for the sting of the ball, + A smile from his mistress consoles for it all. +</pre> + <p> + It was this delineation, worthy of Virgil, which first raised a doubt as + to Delille’s superiority over Gourdon. The word “disc,” contested by the + opinionated Brunet, gave matter for discussions which lasted eleven + months; in fact, until Gourdon the scientist, one evening when all present + were on the point of getting seriously angry, annihilated the anti-discers + by observing:— + </p> + <p> + “The moon, called a <i>disc</i> by poets, is undoubtedly a ball.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that?” retorted Brunet. “We have never seen but one + side.” + </p> + <p> + The third canto told the regulation story,—in this instance, the + famous anecdote of the cup-and-ball which all the world knows by heart, + concerning a celebrated minister of Louis XVI. According to the sacred + formula delivered by the “Debats” from 1810 to 1814, in praise of these + glorious words, Gourdon’s ode “borrowed fresh charms from poesy to + embellish the tale.” + </p> + <p> + The fourth canto summed up the whole, and concluded with these daring + words,—not published, be it remarked, from 1810 to 1814; in fact, + they did not see the light till 1824, after Napoleon’s death. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Twas thus that I sang in the time of alarms. + Oh, if kings would consent to bear no other arms, + And people enjoyed what was best for them all, + The sweet little game of the Cup and the Ball, + Our Burgundy then might be free of all fear, + And return to the good days of Saturn and Rhea. +</pre> + <p> + These fine verses were published in a first and only edition from the + press of Bournier, printer of Ville-aux-Fayes. One hundred subscribers, in + the sum of three francs, guaranteed the dangerous precedent of immortality + to the poem,—a liberality that was all the greater because these + hundred persons had heard the poem from beginning to end a hundred times + over. + </p> + <p> + Madame Soudry had lately suppressed the cup-and-ball, which usually lay on + a pier-table in the salon and for the last seven years had given rise to + endless quotations, for she finally discovered in the toy a rival to her + own attractions. + </p> + <p> + As to the author, who boasted of future poems in his desk, it is enough to + quote the terms in which he mentioned to the leading society of Soulanges + a rival candidate for literary honors. + </p> + <p> + “Have you heard a curious piece of news?” he had said, two years earlier. + “There is another poet in Burgundy! Yes,” he added, remarking the + astonishment on all faces, “he comes from Macon. But you could never + imagine the subjects he takes up,—a perfect jumble, absolutely + unintelligible,—lakes, stars, waves, billows! not a single + philosophical image, not even a didactic effort! he is ignorant of the + very meaning of poetry. He calls the sky by its name. He says ‘moon,’ + bluntly, instead of naming it ‘the planet of night.’ That’s what the + desire to be thought original brings men to,” added Gourdon, mournfully. + “Poor young man! A Burgundian, and sing such stuff as that!—the pity + of it! If he had only consulted me, I would have pointed out to him the + noblest of all themes, wine,—a poem to be called the Baccheide; for + which, alas! I now feel myself too old.” + </p> + <p> + This great poet is still ignorant of his finest triumph (though he owes it + to the fact of being a Burgundian), namely, that of living in the town of + Soulanges, so rounded and perfected within itself that it knows nothing of + the modern Pleiades, not even their names. + </p> + <p> + A hundred Gourdons made poetry under the Empire, and yet they tell us it + was a period that neglected literature! Examine the “Journal de la + Libraire” and you will find poems on the game of draughts, on backgammon, + on tricks with cards, on geography, typography, comedy, etc.,—not to + mention the vaunted masterpieces of Delille on Piety, Imagination, + Conversation; and those of Berchoux on Gastromania and Dansomania, etc. + Who can foresee the chances and changes of taste, the caprices of fashion, + the transformations of the human mind? The generations as they pass along + sweep out of sight the last fragments of the idols they found on their + path and set up other gods,—to be overthrown like the rest. + </p> + <p> + Sarcus, a handsome little man with a dapple-gray head, devoted himself in + turn to Themis and to Flora,—in other words, to legislation and a + greenhouse. For the last twelve years he had been meditating a book on the + History of the Institution of Justices of the Peace, “whose political and + judiciary role,” he said, “had already passed through several phases, all + derived from the Code of Brumaire, year IV.; and to-day that institution, + so precious to the nation, had lost its power because the salaries were + not in keeping with the importance of its functions, which ought to be + performed by irremovable officials.” Rated in the community as an able + man, Sarcus was the accepted statesman of Madame Soudry’s salon; you can + readily imagine that he was the leading bore. They said he talked like a + book. Gaubertin prophesied he would receive the cross of the Legion of + honor, but not until the day when, as Leclercq’s successor, he should take + his seat on the benches of the Left Centre. + </p> + <p> + Guerbet, the collector, a man of parts, a heavy, fat, individual with a + buttery face, a toupet on his bald spot, gold earrings, which were always + in difficulty with his shirt-collar, had the hobby of pomology. Proud of + possessing the finest fruit-garden in the arrondissement, he gathered his + first crops a month later than those of Paris; his hot-beds supplied him + with pine-apples, nectarines, and peas, out of season. He brought bunches + of strawberries to Madame Soudry with pride when the fruit could be bought + for ten sous a basket in Paris. + </p> + <p> + Soulanges possessed a pharmaceutist named Vermut, a chemist, who was more + of a chemist than Sarcus was a statesman, or Lupin a singer, or Gourdon + the elder a scientist, or his brother a poet. Nevertheless, the leading + society of Soulanges did not take much notice of Vermut, and the + second-class society took none at all. The instinct of the first may have + led them to perceive the real superiority of this thinker, who said little + but smiled at their absurdities so satirically that they first doubted his + capacity and then whispered tales against it; as for the other class they + took no notice of him one way or the other. + </p> + <p> + Vermut was the butt of Madame Soudry’s salon. No society is complete + without a victim,—without an object to pity, ridicule, despise, and + protect. Vermut, full of his scientific problems, often came with his + cravat untied, his waistcoat unbuttoned, and his little green surtout + spotted. + </p> + <p> + The little man, gifted with the patience of a chemist, could not enjoy + (that is the term employed in the provinces to express the abolition of + domestic rule) Madame Vermut,—a charming woman, a lively woman, + capital company (for she could lose forty sous at cards and say nothing), + a woman who railed at her husband, annoyed him with epigrams, and declared + him to be an imbecile unable to distil anything but dulness. Madame Vermut + was one of those women who in the society of a small town are the life and + soul of amusement and who set things going. She supplied the salt of her + little world, kitchen-salt, it is true; her jokes were somewhat broad, but + society forgave them; though she was capable of saying to the cure Taupin, + a man of seventy years of age, with white hair, “Hold your tongue, my + lad.” + </p> + <p> + The miller of Soulanges, possessing an income of fifty thousand francs, + had an only daughter whom Lupin desired for his son Amaury, since he had + lost the hope of marrying him to Gaubertin’s daughter. This miller, a + Sarcus-Taupin, was the Nucingen of the little town. He was supposed to be + thrice a millionaire; but he never transacted business with others, and + thought only of grinding his wheat and keeping a monopoly of it; his most + noticeable point was a total absence of politeness and good manners. + </p> + <p> + The elder Guerbet, brother of the post-master at Conches, possessed an + income of ten thousand francs, besides his salary as collector. The + Gourdons were rich; the doctor had married the only daughter of old + Monsieur Gendrin-Vatebled, keeper of the forests and streams, whom the + family were now <i>expecting to die</i>, while the poet had married the + niece and sole heiress of the Abbe Taupin, the curate of Soulanges, a + stout priest who lived in his cure like a rat in his cheese. + </p> + <p> + This clever ecclesiastic, devoted to the leading society, kind and + obliging to the second, apostolic to the poor and unfortunate, made + himself beloved by the whole town. He was cousin of the miller and cousin + of the Sarcuses, and belonged therefore to the neighborhood and to its + mediocracy. He always dined out and saved expenses; he went to weddings + but came away before the ball; he paid the costs of public worship, + saying, “It is my business.” And the parish let him do it, with the + remark, “We have an excellent priest.” The bishop, who knew the Soulanges + people and was not at all misled as to the true value of the abbe, was + glad enough to keep in such a town a man who made religion acceptable, and + who knew how to fill his church and preach to sleepy heads. + </p> + <p> + It is unnecessary to remark that not only each of these worthy burghers + possessed some one of the special qualifications which are necessary to + existence in the provinces, but also that each cultivated his field in the + domain of vanity without a rival. Pere Guerbet understood finance, Soudry + might have been minister of war; if Cuvier had passed that way incognito, + the leading society of Soulanges would have proved to him that he knew + nothing in comparison with Monsieur Gourdon the doctor. “Adolphe Nourrit + with his thread of a voice,” remarked the notary with patronizing + indulgence, “was scarcely worthy to accompany the nightingale of + Soulanges.” As to the author of the “Cup-and-Ball” (which was then being + printed at Bournier’s), society was satisfied that a poet of his force + could not be met with in Paris, for Delille was now dead. + </p> + <p> + This provincial bourgeoisie, so comfortably satisfied with itself, took + the lead through the various superiorities of its members. Therefore the + imagination of those who ever resided, even for a short time, in a little + town of this kind can conceive the air of profound satisfaction upon the + faces of these people, who believed themselves the solar plexus of France, + all of them armed with incredible dexterity and shrewdness to do mischief,—all, + in their wisdom, declaring that the hero of Essling was a coward, Madame + de Montcornet a manoeuvring Parisian, and the Abbe Brossette an ambitious + little priest. + </p> + <p> + If Rigou, Soudry, and Gaubertin had lived at Ville-aux-Fayes, they would + have quarrelled; their various pretensions would have clashed; but fate + ordained that the Lucullus of Blangy felt too strongly the need of + solitude, in which to wallow at his ease in usury and sensuality, to live + anywhere but at Blangy; that Madame Soudry had sense enough to see that + she could reign nowhere else except at Soulanges; and that Ville-aux-Fayes + was Gaubertin’s place of business. Those who enjoy studying social nature + will admit that General Montcornet was pursued by special ill-luck in this + accidental separation of his dangerous enemies, who thus accomplished the + evolutions of their individual power and vanity at such distances from + each other that neither star interfered with the orbit of the other,—a + fact which doubled and trebled their powers of mischief. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, though all these worthy bourgeois, proud of their + accomplishments, considered their society as far superior in attractions + to that of Ville-aux-Fayes, and repeated with comic pomposity the local + dictum, “Soulanges is a town of society and social pleasures,” it must not + be supposed that Ville-aux-Fayes accepted this supremacy. The Gaubertin + salon ridiculed (“in petto”) the salon Soudry. By the manner in which + Gaubertin remarked, “We are a financial community, engaged in actual + business; we have the folly to fatigue ourselves in making fortunes,” it + was easy to perceive a latent antagonism between the earth and the moon. + The moon believed herself useful to the earth, and the earth governed the + moon. Earth and moon, however, lived in the closest intimacy. At the + carnival the leading society of Soulanges went in a body to four balls + given by Gaubertin, Gendrin, Leclercq, and Soudry, junior. Every Sunday + the latter, his wife, Monsieur, Madame, and Mademoiselle Elise Gaubertin + dined with the Soudrys at Soulanges. When the sub-prefect was invited, and + when the postmaster of Conches arrived to take pot-luck, Soulanges enjoyed + the sight of four official equipages drawn up at the door of the Soudry + mansion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE CONSPIRATORS IN THE QUEEN’S SALON + </h2> + <p> + Reaching Soulanges about half-past five o’clock, Rigou was sure of finding + the usual party assembled at the Soudrys’. There, as everywhere else in + town, the dinner-hour was three o’clock, according to the custom of the + last century. From five to nine the notables of Soulanges met in Madame + Soudry’s salon to exchange the news, make their political speeches, + comment upon the private lives of every one in the valley, and talk about + Les Aigues, which latter topic kept the conversation going for at least an + hour every day. It was everybody’s business to learn at least something of + what was going on, and also to pay their court to the mistress of the + house. + </p> + <p> + After this preliminary talk they played at boston, the only game the queen + understood. When the fat old Guerbet had mimicked Madame Isaure, + Gaubertin’s wife, laughed at her languishing airs, imitated her thin + voice, her pinched mouth, and her juvenile ways; when the Abbe Taupin had + related one of the tales of his repertory; when Lupin had told of some + event at Ville-aux-Fayes, and Madame Soudry had been deluged with + compliments ad nauseum, the company would say: “We have had a charming + game of boston.” + </p> + <p> + Too self-indulgent to be at the trouble of driving over to the Soudrys’ + merely to hear the vapid talk of its visitors and to see a Parisian monkey + in the guise of an old woman, Rigou, far superior in intelligence and + education to this petty society, never made his appearance unless business + brought him over to meet the notary. He excused himself from visiting on + the ground of his occupations, his habits, and his health, which latter + did not allow him, he said, to return at night along a road which led by + the foggy banks of the Thune. + </p> + <p> + The tall, stiff usurer always had an imposing effect upon Madame Soudry’s + company, who instinctively recognized in his nature the cruelty of the + tiger with steel claws, the craft of a savage, the wisdom of one born in a + cloister and ripened by the sun of gold,—a man to whom Gaubertin had + never yet been willing to fully commit himself. + </p> + <p> + The moment the little green carriole and the bay horse passed the Cafe de + la Paix, Urbain, Soudry’s man-servant, who was seated on a bench under the + dining-room windows, and was gossipping with the tavern-keeper, shades his + eyes with his hand to see who was coming. + </p> + <p> + “It’s Pere Rigou,” he said. “I must go round and open the door. Take his + horse, Socquard.” And Urbain, a former trooper, who could not get into the + gendarmerie and had therefore taken service with Soudry, went round the + house to open the gates of the courtyard. + </p> + <p> + Socquard, a famous personage throughout the valley, was treated, as you + see, with very little ceremony by the valet. But so it is with many + illustrious people who are so kind as to walk and to sneeze and to sleep + and to eat precisely like common mortals. + </p> + <p> + Socquard, born a Hercules, could carry a weight of eleven hundred pounds; + a blow of his fist applied on a man’s back would break the vertebral + column in two; he could bend an iron bar, or hold back a carriage drawn by + one horse. A Milo of Crotona in the valley, his fame had spread throughout + the department, where all sorts of foolish stories were current about him, + as about all celebrities. It was told how he had once carried a poor woman + and her donkey and her basket on his back to market; how he had been known + to eat a whole ox and drink the fourth of a hogshead of wine in one day, + etc. Gentle as a marriageable girl, Socquard, who was a stout, short man, + with a placid face, broad shoulders, and a deep chest, where his lungs + played like the bellows of a forge, possessed a flute-like voice, the + limpid tones of which surprised all those who heard them for the first + time. + </p> + <p> + Like Tonsard, whose renown released him from the necessity of giving + proofs of his ferocity, in fact, like all other men who are backed by + public opinion of one kind or another, Socquard never displayed his + extraordinary muscular force unless asked to do so by friends. He now took + the horse as the usurer drew up at the steps of the portico. + </p> + <p> + “Are you all well at home, Monsieur Rigou?” said the illustrious + innkeeper. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well, my good friend,” replied Rigou. “Do Plissoud and Bonnebault + and Viollet and Amaury still continue good customers?” + </p> + <p> + This question, uttered in a tone of good-natured interest, was by no means + one of those empty speeches which superiors are apt to bestow upon + inferiors. In his leisure moments Rigou thought over the smallest details + of “the affair,” and Fourchon had already warned him that there was + something suspicious in the intimacy between Plissoud, Bonnebault, and the + brigadier, Viollet. + </p> + <p> + Bonnebault, in payment of a few francs lost at cards, might very likely + tell the secrets he heard at Tonsard’s to Viollet; or he might let them + out over his punch without realizing the importance of such gossip. But as + the information of the old otter man might be instigated by thirst, Rigou + paid no attention except so far as it concerned Plissoud, whose situation + was likely to inspire him with a desire to counteract the coalition + against Les Aigues, if only to get his paws greased by one or the other of + the two parties. + </p> + <p> + Plissoud combined with his duties of under-sheriff other occupations which + were poorly remunerated, that of agent of insurance (a new form of + enterprise just beginning to show itself in France), agent, also, of a + society providing against the chances of recruitment. His insufficient pay + and a love of billiards and boiled wine made his future doubtful. Like + Fourchon, he cultivated the art of doing nothing, and expected his fortune + through some lucky but problematic chance. He hated the leading society, + but he had measured its power. He alone knew the middle-class coalition + organized by Gaubertin to its depths; and he continued to sneer at the + rich men of Soulanges and Ville-aux-Fayes, as if he alone represented the + opposition. Without money and not respected, he did not seem a person to + be feared professionally, and so Brunet, glad to have a despised + competitor, protected him and helped him along, to prevent him selling his + business to some eager young man, like Bonnac for instance, who might + force him, Brunet, to divide the patronage of the canton between them. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to those fellows, we keep the ball a-rolling,” said Socquard. “But + folks are trying to imitate my boiled wine.” + </p> + <p> + “Sue them,” said Rigou, sententiously. + </p> + <p> + “That would lead too far,” replied the innkeeper. + </p> + <p> + “Do your clients get on well together?” + </p> + <p> + “Tolerably, yes; sometimes they’ll have a row, but that’s only natural for + players.” + </p> + <p> + All heads were at the window of the Soudry salon which looked to the + square. Recognizing the father of his daughter-in-law, Soudry came to the + portico to receive him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, comrade,” said the mayor of Soulanges, “is Annette ill, that you + give us your company of an evening?” + </p> + <p> + Through an old habit acquired in the gendarmerie Soudry always went direct + to the point. + </p> + <p> + “No,—There’s trouble brewing,” replied Rigou, touching his right + fore-finger to the hand which Soudry held out to him. “I came to talk + about it, for it concerns our children in a way—” + </p> + <p> + Soudry, a handsome man dressed in blue, as though he were still a + gendarme, with a black collar, and spurs at his heels, took Rigou by the + arm and led him up to his imposing better-half. The glass door to the + terrace was open, and the guests were walking about enjoying the summer + evening, which brought out the full beauty of the glorious landscape which + we have already described. + </p> + <p> + “It is a long time since we have seen you, my dear Rigou,” said Madame + Soudry, taking the arm of the ex-Benedictine and leading him out upon the + terrace. + </p> + <p> + “My digestion is so troublesome!” he replied; “see! my color is almost as + high as yours.” + </p> + <p> + Rigou’s appearance on the terrace was the sign for an explosion of jovial + greetings on the part of the assembled company. + </p> + <p> + “And how may the lord of Blangy be?” said little Sarcus, justice of the + peace. + </p> + <p> + “Lord!” replied Rigou, bitterly, “I am not even cock of my own village + now.” + </p> + <p> + “The hens don’t say so, scamp!” exclaimed Madame Soudry, tapping her fan + on his arm. + </p> + <p> + “All well, my dear master?” said the notary, bowing to his chief client. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well,” replied Rigou, again putting his fore-finger into his + interlocutor’s hand. + </p> + <p> + This gesture, by which Rigou kept down the process of hand-shaking to the + coldest and stiffest of demonstrations would have revealed the whole man + to any observer who did not already know him. + </p> + <p> + “Let us find a corner where we can talk quietly,” said the ex-monk, + looking at Lupin and at Madame Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “Let us return to the salon,” replied the queen. + </p> + <p> + “What has the Shopman done now?” asked Soudry, sitting down beside his + wife and putting his arm about her waist. + </p> + <p> + Madame Soudry, like other old women, forgave a great deal in return for + such public marks of tenderness. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said Rigou, in a low voice, to set an example of caution, “he has + gone to the Prefecture to demand the enforcement of the penalties; he + wants the help of the authorities.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he’s lost,” said Lupin, rubbing his hands; “the peasants will + fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Fight!” cried Soudry, “that depends. If the prefect and the general, who + are friends, send a squadron of cavalry the peasants can’t fight. They + might at a pinch get the better of the gendarmes, but as for resisting a + charge of cavalry!—” + </p> + <p> + “Sibilet heard him say something much more dangerous than that,” said + Rigou; “and that’s what brings me here.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my poor Sophie!” cried Madame Soudry, sentimentally, alluding to her + <i>friend</i>, Mademoiselle Laguerre, “into what hands Les Aigues has + fallen! This is what we have gained by the Revolution!—a parcel of + swaggering epaulets! We might have foreseen that whenever the bottle was + turned upside down the dregs would spoil the wine!” + </p> + <p> + “He means to go to Paris and cabal with the Keeper of the Seals and others + to get the whole judiciary changed down here,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” cried Lupin, “then he sees his danger.” + </p> + <p> + “If they appoint my son-in-law attorney-general we can’t help ourselves; + the general will get him replaced by some Parisian devoted to his + interests,” continued Rigou. “If he gets a place in Paris for Gendrin and + makes Guerbet chief-justice of the court at Auxerre, he’ll knock down our + skittles! The gendarmerie is on his side now, and if he gets the courts as + well, and keeps such advisers as the abbe and Michaud we sha’n’t dance at + the wedding; he’ll play us some scurvy trick or other.” + </p> + <p> + “How is it that in all these five years you have never managed to get rid + of that abbe?” said Lupin. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t know him; he’s as suspicious as a blackbird,” replied Rigou. + “He is not a man at all, that priest; he doesn’t care for women; I can’t + find out that he has any passion; there’s no point at which one can attack + him. The general lays himself open by his temper. A man with a vice is the + servant of his enemies if they know how to pull its string. There are no + strong men but those who lead their vices instead of being led by them. + The peasants are all right; their hatred against the abbe keeps up; but we + can do nothing as yet. He’s like Michaud, in his way; such men are too + good for this world,—God ought to call them to himself.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a good plan to find some pretty servant-girl to scrub his + staircase,” remarked Madame Soudry. The words caused Rigou to give the + little jump with which crafty natures recognize the craft of others. + </p> + <p> + “The Shopman has another vice,” he said; “he loves his wife; we might get + hold of him that way.” + </p> + <p> + “We ought to find out how far she really influences him,” said Madame + Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “There’s the rub!” said Lupin. + </p> + <p> + “As for you, Lupin,” said Rigou, in a tone of authority, “be off to the + Prefecture and see the beautiful Madame Sarcus at once! You must get her + to tell you all the Shopman says and does at the Prefecture.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall have to stay all night,” replied Lupin. + </p> + <p> + “So much the better for Sarcus the rich; he’ll be the gainer,” said Rigou. + “She is not yet out of date, Madame Sarcus—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Monsieur Rigou,” said Madame Soudry, in a mincing tone, “are women + ever out of date?” + </p> + <p> + “You may be right about Madame Sarcus; she doesn’t paint before the + glass,” retorted Rigou, who was always disgusted by the exhibition of the + Cochet’s ancient charms. + </p> + <p> + Madame Soudry, who thought she used only a “suspicion” of rouge, did not + perceive the sarcasm and hastened to say:— + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible that women paint?” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Lupin,” said Rigou, without replying to this naivete, “go over to + Gaubertin’s to-morrow morning. Tell him that my fellow-mayor and I” + (striking Soudry on the thigh) “will break bread with him at breakfast + somewhere about midday. Tell him everything, so that we may all have + thought it over before we meet, for now’s the time to make an end of that + damned Shopman. As I drove over here I came to the conclusion it would be + best to get up a quarrel between the courts and him, so that the Keeper of + the Seals would be wary of making the changes he may ask in their + members.” + </p> + <p> + “Bravo for the son of the Church!” cried Lupin, slapping Rigou on the + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Madame Soudry was here struck by an idea which could come only to a former + waiting-maid of an Opera divinity. + </p> + <p> + “If,” she said, “one could only get the Shopman to the fete at Soulanges, + and throw some fine girl in his way who would turn his head, we could + easily set his wife against him by letting her know that the son of an + upholsterer has gone back to the style of his early loves.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my beauty!” said Soudry, “you have more sense in your head than the + Prefecture of police in Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s an idea which proves that Madame reigns by mind as well as by + beauty,” said Lupin, who was rewarded by a grimace which the leading + society of Soulanges were in the habit of accepting without protest for a + smile. + </p> + <p> + “One might do better still,” said Rigou, after some thought; “if we could + only turn it into a downright scandal.” + </p> + <p> + “Complaint and indictment! affair in the police court!” cried Lupin. “Oh! + that would be grand!” + </p> + <p> + “Glorious!” said Soudry, candidly. “What happiness to see the Comte de + Montcornet, grand cross of the Legion of honor, commander of the Order of + Saint Louis, and lieutenant-general, accused of having attempted, in a + public resort, the virtue—just think of it!” + </p> + <p> + “He loves his wife too well,” said Lupin, reflectively. “He couldn’t be + got to that.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s no obstacle,” remarked Rigou; “but I don’t know a single girl in + the whole arrondissement who is capable of making a sinner of a saint. I + have been looking out for one for the abbe.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you say to that handsome Gatienne Giboulard, of Auxerre, whom + Sarcus, junior, is mad after?” asked Lupin. + </p> + <p> + “That’s the only one,” answered Rigou, “but she is not suitable; she + thinks she has only to be seen to be admired; she’s not complying enough; + we want a witch and a sly-boots, too. Never mind, the right one will turn + up sooner or later.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Lupin, “the more pretty girls he sees the greater the chances + are.” + </p> + <p> + “But perhaps you can’t get the Shopman to the fair,” said the ex-gendarme. + “And if he does come, will he go to the Tivoli ball?” + </p> + <p> + “The reason that has always kept him away from the fair doesn’t exist this + year, my love,” said Madame Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “What reason, dearest?” asked Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “The Shopman wanted to marry Mademoiselle de Soulanges,” said the notary. + “The family replied that she was too young, and that mortified him. That + is why Monsieur de Soulanges and Monsieur de Montcornet, two old friends + who both served in the Imperial Guard, are so cool to each other that they + never speak. The Shopman doesn’t want to meet the Soulanges at the fair; + but this year the family are not coming.” + </p> + <p> + Usually the Soulanges party stayed at the chateau from July to October, + but the general was then in command of the artillery in Spain, under the + Duc d’Angouleme, and the countess had accompanied him. At the siege of + Cadiz the Comte de Soulanges obtained, as every one knows, the marshal’s + baton, which he kept till 1826. + </p> + <p> + “Very true,” cried Lupin. “Well, it is for you, papa,” he added, + addressing Rigou, “to manoeuvre the matter so that we can get him to the + fair; once there, we ought to be able to entrap him.” + </p> + <p> + The fair of Soulanges, which takes place on the 15th of August, is one of + the features of the town, and carries the palm over all other fairs in a + circuit of sixty miles, even those of the capital of the department. + Ville-aux-Fayes has no fair, for its fete-day, the Saint-Sylvestre, + happens in winter. + </p> + <p> + From the 12th to the 15th of August all sorts of merchants abounded at + Soulanges, and set up their booths in two parallel lines, two rows of the + well-known gray linen huts, which gave a lively appearance to the usually + deserted streets. The two weeks of the fair brought in a sort of harvest + to the little town, for the festival has the authority and prestige of + tradition. The peasants, as old Fourchon said, flocked in from the + districts to which labor bound them for the rest of the year. The + wonderful show on the counters of the improvised shops, the collection of + all sorts of merchandise, the coveted objects of the wants or the vanities + of these sons of the soil, who have no other shows or exhibitions to enjoy + exercise a periodical seduction over the minds of all, especially the + women and children. So, after the first of August the authorities posted + advertisements signed by Soudry, throughout the whole arrondissement, + offering protection to merchants, jugglers, mountebanks, prodigies of all + kinds, and stating how long the fair would last, and what would be its + principal attractions. + </p> + <p> + On these posters, about which it will be remembered Madame Tonsard + inquired of Vermichel, there was always, on the last line, the following + announcement: + </p> + <p> + “Tivoli will be illuminated with colored-glass lamps.” + </p> + <p> + The town had adopted as the place for public a dance-ground created by + Socquard out of a stony garden (stony, like the rest of the hill on which + Soulanges is built, where the gardens are of made land), and called by him + a Tivoli. This character of the soil explains the peculiar flavor of the + Soulanges wine,—a white wine, dry and spirituous, very like Madeira + or the Vouvray wine, or Johannisberger,—three vintages which + resemble one another. + </p> + <p> + The powerful effect produced by the Socquard ball upon the imaginations of + the whole country-side made the inhabitants thereof very proud of their + Tivoli. Such as had ventured as far as Paris declared that the Parisian + Tivoli was superior to that of Soulanges only in size. Gaubertin boldly + declared that, for his part, he preferred the Socquard ball to the + Parisian ball. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we’ll think it all over,” continued Rigou. “That Parisian fellow, + the editor of a newspaper, will soon get tired of his present amusement + and be glad of a change; perhaps we could through the servants give him + the idea of coming to the fair, and he’d bring the others; I’ll consider + it. Sibilet might—although, to be sure, his influence is devilishly + decreased of late—but he might get the general to think he could + curry popularity by coming.” + </p> + <p> + “Find out if the beautiful countess keeps the general at arm’s length,” + said Lupin; “that’s the point if you want him to fall into the farce at + Tivoli.” + </p> + <p> + “That little woman,” cried Madame Soudry, “is too much of a Parisian not + to know how to run with the hare and hold with the hounds.” + </p> + <p> + “Fourchon has got his granddaughter Catherine on good terms, he tells me, + with Charles, the Shopman’s groom. That gives us one ear more in Les + Aigues—Are you sure of the Abbe Taupin,” he added, as the priest + entered the room from the terrace. + </p> + <p> + “We hold him and the Abbe Mouchon, too, just as I hold Soudry,” said the + queen, stroking her husband’s chin; “you are not unhappy, dearest, are + you?” she said to Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “If I can plan a scandal against that Tartufe of a Brossette we can win,” + said Rigou, in a low voice. “But I am not sure if the local spirit can + succeed against the Church spirit. You don’t realize what that is. I, + myself, who am no fool, I can’t say what I’ll do when I fall ill. I + believe I shall try to be reconciled with the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Suffer me to hope it,” said the Abbe Taupin, for whose benefit Rigou had + raised his voice on the last words. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! the wrong I did in marrying prevents it,” replied Rigou. “I cannot + kill off Madame Rigou.” + </p> + <p> + “Meantime, let us think of Les Aigues,” said Madame Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the ex-monk. “Do you know, I begin to think that our associate + at Ville-aux-Fayes may be cleverer than the rest of us. I fancy that + Gaubertin wants Les Aigues for himself, and that he means to trick us in + the end.” + </p> + <p> + “But Les Aigues will not belong to any one of us; it will have to come + down, from roof to cellar,” said Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t be surprised if there were treasure buried in those cellars,” + observed Rigou, cleverly. + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, in the wars of the olden time the great lords, who were often + besieged and surprised, did bury their gold until they should be able to + recover it; and you know that the Marquis de Soulanges-Hautemer (in whom + the younger branch came to an end) was one of the victims of the Biron + conspiracy. The Comtesse de Moret received the property from Henri IV. + when it was confiscated.” + </p> + <p> + “See what it is to know the history of France!” said Soudry. “You are + right. It is time to come to an understanding with Gaubertin.” + </p> + <p> + “If he shirks,” said Rigou, “we must smoke him out.” + </p> + <p> + “He is rich enough now,” said Lupin, “to be an honest man.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll answer for him as I would for myself,” said Madame Soudry; “he’s the + most loyal man in the kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “We all believe in his loyalty,” said Rigou, “but nevertheless nothing + should be neglected, even among friends—By the bye, I think there is + some one in Soulanges who is hindering matters.” + </p> + <p> + “Who’s that?” asked Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “Plissoud,” replied Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Plissoud!” exclaimed Soudry. “Poor fool! Brunet holds him by the halter, + and his wife by the gullet; ask Lupin.” + </p> + <p> + “What can he do?” said Lupin. + </p> + <p> + “He means to warn Montcornet,” replied Rigou, “and get his influence and a + place—” + </p> + <p> + “It wouldn’t bring him more than his wife earns for him at Soulanges,” + said Madame Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “He tells everything to his wife when he is drunk,” remarked Lupin. “We + shall know it all in good time.” + </p> + <p> + “The beautiful Madame Plissoud has no secrets from you,” said Rigou; “we + may be easy about that.” + </p> + <p> + “Besides, she’s as stupid as she is beautiful,” said Madame Soudry. “I + wouldn’t change with her; for if I were a man I’d prefer an ugly woman who + has some mind, to a beauty who can’t say two words.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the notary, biting his lips, “but she can make others say + three.” + </p> + <p> + “Puppy!” cried Rigou, as he made for the door. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said Soudry, following him to the portico, “to-morrow, + early.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll come and fetch you—Ha! Lupin,” he said to the notary, who came + out with him to order his horse, “try to make sure that Madame Sarcus + hears all the Shopman says and does against us at the Prefecture.” + </p> + <p> + “If she doesn’t hear it, who will?” replied Lupin. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me,” said Rigou, smiling blandly, “but there are such a lot of + ninnies in there that I forgot there was one clever man.” + </p> + <p> + “The wonder is that I don’t grow rusty among them,” replied Lupin, + naively. + </p> + <p> + “Is it true that Soudry has hired a pretty servant?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Lupin; “for the last week our worthy mayor has set the + charms of his wife in full relief by comparing her with a little + peasant-girl about the age of an old ox; and we can’t yet imagine how he + settles it with Madame Soudry, for, would you believe it, he has the + audacity to go to bed early.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll find out to-morrow,” said the village Sardanapalus, trying to smile. + </p> + <p> + The two plotters shook hands as they parted. + </p> + <p> + Rigou, who did not like to be on the road after dark for, notwithstanding + his present popularity, he was cautious, called to his horse, “Get up, + Citizen,”—a joke this son of 1793 was fond of letting fly at the + Revolution. Popular revolutions have no more bitter enemies than those + they have trained themselves. + </p> + <p> + “Pere Rigou’s visits are pretty short,” said Gourdon the poet to Madame + Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “They are pleasant, if they are short,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “Like his own life,” said the doctor; “his abuse of pleasures will cut + that short.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the better,” remarked Soudry, “my son will step into the + property.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he bring you any news about Les Aigues?” asked the Abbe Taupin. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my dear abbe,” said Madame Soudry. “Those people are the scourge of + the neighborhood. I can’t comprehend how it is that Madame de Montcornet, + who is certainly a well-bred woman, doesn’t understand their interests + better.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet she has a model before her eyes,” said the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that?” asked Madame Soudry, smirking. + </p> + <p> + “The Soulanges.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes!” replied the queen after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am!” cried Madame Vermut, coming into the room; “and without my + re-active,—for Vermut is so inactive in all that concerns me that I + can’t call him an active of any kind.” + </p> + <p> + “What the devil is that cursed old Rigou doing there?” said Soudry to + Guerbet, as they saw the green chaise stop before the gate of the Tivoli. + “He is one of those tiger-cats whose every step has an object.” + </p> + <p> + “You may well say cursed,” replied the fat little collector. + </p> + <p> + “He has gone into the Cafe de la Paix,” remarked Gourdon, the doctor. + </p> + <p> + “And there’s some trouble there,” added Gourdon the poet; “I can hear them + yelping from here.” + </p> + <p> + “That cafe,” said the abbe, “is like the temple of Janus; it was called + the Cafe de la Guerre under the Empire, and then it was peace itself; the + most respectable of the bourgeoisie met there for conversation—” + </p> + <p> + “Conversation!” interrupted the justice of the peace. “What kind of + conversation was it which produced all the little Bourniers?” + </p> + <p> + “—but ever since it has been called, in honor of the Bourbons, the + Cafe de la Paix, fights take place there every day,” said Abbe Taupin, + finishing the sentence which the magistrate had taken the liberty of + interrupting. + </p> + <p> + This idea of the abbe was, like the quotations from “The Cup-and-Ball,” of + frequent recurrence. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that Burgundy will always be the land of fisticuffs?” asked + Pere Guerbet. + </p> + <p> + “That’s not ill said,” remarked the abbe; “not at all; in fact it’s almost + an exact history of our country.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know anything about the history of France,” blurted Soudry; “and + before I try to learn it, it is more important to me to know why old Rigou + has gone into the Cafe de la Paix with Socquard.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” returned the abbe, “wherever he goes and wherever he stays, you may + be quite certain it is for no charitable purpose.” + </p> + <p> + “That man gives me goose-flesh whenever I see him,” said Madame Vermut. + </p> + <p> + “He is so much to be feared,” remarked the doctor, “that if he had a spite + against me I should have no peace till he was dead and buried; he would + get out of his coffin to do you an ill-turn.” + </p> + <p> + “If any one can force the Shopman to come to the fair, and manage to catch + him in a trap, it’ll be Rigou,” said Soudry to his wife, in a low tone. + </p> + <p> + “Especially,” she replied, in a loud one, “if Gaubertin and you, my love, + help him.” + </p> + <p> + “There! didn’t I tell you so?” cried Guerbet, poking the justice of the + peace. “I knew he would find some pretty girl at Socquard’s,—there + he is, putting her into his carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite wrong, gentlemen,” said Madame Soudry; “Monsieur Rigou is + thinking of nothing but the great affair; and if I’m not mistaken, that + girl is only Tonsard’s daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “He is like the chemist who lays in a stock of vipers,” said old Guerbet. + </p> + <p> + “One would think you were intimate with Monsieur Vermut to hear you talk,” + said the doctor, pointing to the little apothecary, who was then crossing + the square. + </p> + <p> + “Poor fellow!” said the poet, who was suspected of occasionally sharpening + his wit with Madame Vermut; “just look at that waddle of his! and they say + he is learned!” + </p> + <p> + “Without him,” said the justice of the peace, “we should be hard put to it + about post-mortems; he found poison in poor Pigeron’s stomach so cleverly + that the chemists of Paris testified in the court at Auxerre that they + couldn’t have done better—” + </p> + <p> + “He didn’t find anything at all,” said Soudry; “but, as President Gendrin + says, it is a good thing to let people suppose that poison will always be + found—” + </p> + <p> + “Madame Pigeron was very wise to leave Auxerre,” said Madame Vermut; “she + was silly and wicked both. As if it were necessary to have recourse to + drugs to annul a husband! Are not there other ways quite as sure, but + innocent, to rid ourselves of that incumbrance? I would like to have a man + dare to question my conduct! The worthy Monsieur Vermut doesn’t hamper me + in the least,—but he has never been ill yet. As for Madame de + Montcornet, just see how she walks about the woods and the hermitage with + that journalist whom she brought from Paris at her own expense, and how + she pets him under the very eyes of the general!” + </p> + <p> + “At her own expense!” cried Madame Soudry. “Are you sure? If we could only + get proof of it, what a fine subject for an anonymous letter to the + general!” + </p> + <p> + “The general!” cried Madame Vermut, “he won’t interfere with things; he + plays his part.” + </p> + <p> + “What part, my dear?” asked Madame Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! the paternal part.” + </p> + <p> + “If poor little Pigeron had had the wisdom to play it, instead of + harassing his wife, he’d be alive now,” said the poet. + </p> + <p> + Madame Soudry leaned over to her neighbor, Monsieur Guerbet, and made one + of those apish grimaces which she had inherited from dear mistress, + together with her silver, by right of conquest, and twisting her face into + a series of them she made him look at Madame Vermut, who was coquetting + with the author of “The Cup-and-Ball.” + </p> + <p> + “What shocking style that woman has! what talk, what manners!” she said. + “I really don’t think I can admit her any longer into <i>our society</i>,—especially,” + she added, “when Monsieur Gourdon, the poet, is present.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s social morality!” said the abbe, who had heard and observed all + without saying a word. + </p> + <p> + After this epigram, or rather, this satire on the company, so true and so + concise that it hit every one, the usual game of boston was proposed. + </p> + <p> + Is not this a picture of life as it is at all stages of what we agree to + call society? Change the style, and you will find that nothing more and + nothing less is said in the gilded salons of Paris. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE CAFE DE LA PAIX + </h2> + <p> + It was about seven o’clock when Rigou drove by the Cafe de la Paix. The + setting sun, slanting its beams across the little town, was diffusing its + ruddy tints, and the clear mirror of the lake contrasted with the flashing + of the resplendent window-panes, which originated the strangest and most + improbable colors. + </p> + <p> + The deep schemer, who had grown pensive as he revolved his plots, let his + horse proceed so slowly that in passing the Cafe de la Paix he heard his + own name banded about in one of those noisy disputes which, according to + the Abbe Taupin, made the name of the establishment a gain-saying of its + customary condition. + </p> + <p> + For a clear understanding of the following scene we must explain the + topography of this region of plenty and of misrule, which began with the + cafe on the square, and ended on the country road with the famous Tivoli + where the conspirators proposed to entrap the general. The ground-floor of + the cafe, which stood at the angle of the square and the road, and was + built in the style of Rigou’s house, had three windows on the road and two + on the square, the latter being separated by a glass door through which + the house was entered. The cafe had, moreover, a double door which opened + on a side alley that separated it from the neighboring house (that of + Vallet the Soulanges mercer), which led to an inside courtyard. + </p> + <p> + The house, which was painted wholly in yellow, except the blinds, which + were green, is one of the few houses in the little town which has two + stories and an attic. And this is why: Before the astonishing rise in the + prosperity of Ville-aux-Fayes the first floor of this house, which had + four chambers, each containing a bed and the meagre furniture thought + necessary to justify the term “furnished lodgings,” was let to strangers + who were obliged to come to Soulanges on matters connected with the + courts, or to visitors who did not sleep at the chateau; but for the last + twenty-five years these rooms had had no other occupants than the + mountebanks, the merchants, the vendors of quack medicines who came to the + fair, or else commercial travellers. During the fair-time they were let + for four francs a day; and brought Socquard about two hundred and fifty + francs, not to speak of the profits on the consumption of food which the + guests took in his cafe. + </p> + <p> + The front of the house on the square was adorned with painted signs; on + the spaces that separated the windows from the glass door billiard-cues + were represented, lovingly tied together with ribbons, and above these + bows were depicted smoking bowls of punch, the bowls being in the form of + Greek vases. The words “Cafe de la Paix” were over the door, brilliantly + painted in yellow on a green ground, at each end of which rose pyramids of + tricolored billiard-balls. The window-sashes, painted green, had small + panes of the commonest glass. + </p> + <p> + A dozen arbor-vitae, which ought to be called cafe-trees, stood to the + left and right in pots, and presented their usual pretensions and sickly + appearance. Awnings, with which shopkeepers of the large cities protect + their windows from the head of the sun, were as yet an unknown luxury in + Soulanges. The beneficent liquids in the bottles which stood on boards + just behind the window-panes went through a periodic cooking. When the sun + concentrated its rays through the lenticular knobs in the glass it boiled + the Madeira, the syrups, the liqueurs, the preserved plums, and the + cherry-brandy set out for show; for the heat was so great that Aglae, her + father, and the waiter were forced to sit outside on benches poorly shaded + by the wilted shrubs,—which Mademoiselle kept alive with water that + was almost hot. All three, father, daughter, and servant, might be seen at + certain hours of the day stretched out there, fast asleep, like domestic + animals. + </p> + <p> + In 1804, the period when “Paul and Virginia” was the rage, the inside of + the cafe was hung with a paper which represented the chief scenes of that + romance. There could be seen Negroes gathering the coffee-crop, though + coffee was seldom seen in the establishment, not twenty cups of that + beverage being served in the month. Colonial products were of so little + account in the consumption of the place that if a stranger had asked for a + cup of chocolate Socquard would have been hard put to it to serve him. + Still, he would have done so with a nauseous brown broth made from tablets + in which there were more flour, crushed almonds, and brown sugar than pure + sugar and cacao, concoctions which were sold at two sous a cake by village + grocers, and manufactured for the purpose of ruining the sale of the + Spanish commodity. + </p> + <p> + As for coffee, Pere Socquard simply boiled it in a utensil known to all + such households as the “big brown pot”; he let the dregs (that were half + chicory) settle, and served the decoction, with a coolness worthy of a + Parisian waiter, in a china cup which, if flung to the ground, would not + have cracked. + </p> + <p> + At this period the sacred respect felt for sugar under the Emperor was not + yet dispelled in the town of Soulanges, and Aglae Socquard boldly served + three bits of it of the size of hazel-nuts to a foreign merchant who had + rashly asked for the literary beverage. + </p> + <p> + The wall decoration of the cafe, relieved by mirrors in gilt frames and + brackets on which the hats were hung, had not been changed since the days + when all Soulanges came to admire the romantic paper, also a counter + painted like mahogany with a Saint-Anne marble top, on which shone vessels + of plated metal and lamps with double-burners, which were, rumor said, + given to the beautiful Madame Socquard by Gaubertin. A sticky coating of + dirt covered everything, like that found on old pictures put away and long + forgotten in a garret. The tables painted to resemble marble, the benches + covered in red Utrecht velvet, the hanging glass lamp full of oil, which + fed two lights, fastened by a chain to the ceiling and adorned with glass + pendants, were the beginning of the celebrity of the then Cafe de la + Guerre. + </p> + <p> + There, from 1802 to 1804, all the bourgeois of Soulanges played at + dominoes and a game of cards called “brelan,” drank tiny glasses of + liqueur or boiled wine, and ate brandied fruits and biscuits; for the + dearness of colonial products had banished coffee, sugar, and chocolate. + Punch was a great luxury; so was “bavaroise.” These infusions were made + with a sugary substance resembling molasses, the name of which is now + lost, but which, at the time, made the fortune of its inventor. + </p> + <p> + These succinct details will recall to the memory of all travellers many + others that are analogous; and those persons who have never left Paris can + imagine the ceiling blackened with smoke and the mirrors specked with + millions of spots, showing in what freedom and independence the whole + order of diptera lived in the Cafe de la Paix. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful Madame Socquard, whose gallant adventures surpassed those of + the mistress of the Grand-I-Vert, sat there, enthroned, dressed in the + last fashion. She affected the style of a sultana, and wore a turban. + Sultanas, under the Empire, enjoyed a vogue equal to that of the “angel” + of to-day. The whole valley took pattern from the turbans, the + poke-bonnets, the fur caps, the Chinese head-gear of the handsome + Socquard, to whose luxury the big-wigs of Soulanges contributed. With a + waist beneath her arm-pits, after the fashion of our mothers, who were + proud of their imperial graces, Junie (she was named Junie!) made the + fortune of the house of Socquard. Her husband owed to her the ownership of + a vineyard, of the house they lived in, and also the Tivoli. The father of + Monsieur Lupin was said to have committed some follies for the handsome + Madame Socquard; and Gaubertin, who had taken her from him, certainly owed + him the little Bournier. + </p> + <p> + These details, together with the deep mystery with which Socquard + manufactured his boiled wine, are sufficient to explain why his name and + that of the Cafe de la Paix were popular; but there were other reasons for + their renown. Nothing better than wine could be got at Tonsard’s and the + other taverns in the valley; from Conches to Ville-aux-Fayes, in a + circumference of twenty miles, the Cafe Socquard was the only place where + the guests could play billiards and drink the punch so admirably concocted + by the proprietor. There alone could be found a display of foreign wines, + fine liqueurs, and brandied fruits. Its name resounded daily throughout + the valley, accompanied by ideas of superfine sensual pleasures such as + men whose stomachs are more sensitive than their hearts dream about. To + all these causes of popularity was added that of being an integral part of + the great festival of Soulanges. The Cafe de la Paix was to the town, in a + superior degree, what the tavern of the Grand-I-Vert was to the peasantry,—a + centre of venom; it was the point of contact and transmission between the + gossip of Ville-aux-Fayes and that of the valley. The Grand-I-Vert + supplied the milk and the Cafe de la Paix the cream, and Tonsard’s two + daughters were in daily communication between the two. + </p> + <p> + To Socquard’s mind the square of Soulanges was merely an appendage to his + cafe. Hercules went from door to door, talking with this one and that one, + and wearing in summer no other garment than a pair of trousers and a + half-buttoned waistcoat. If any one entered the tavern, the people with + whom he gossiped warned him, and he slowly and reluctantly returned. + </p> + <p> + Rigou stopped his horse, and getting out of the chaise, fastened the + bridle to one of the posts near the gate of the Tivoli. Then he made a + pretext to listen to what was going on without being noticed, and placed + himself between two windows through one of which he could, by advancing + his head, see the persons in the room, watch their gestures, and catch the + louder tones which came through the glass of the windows and which the + quiet of the street enabled him to hear. + </p> + <p> + “If I were to tell old Rigou that your brother Nicolas is after La + Pechina,” cried an angry voice, “and that he waylays her, he’d rip the + entrails out of every one of you,—pack of scoundrels that you are at + the Grand-I-Vert!” + </p> + <p> + “If you play me such a trick as that, Aglae,” said the shrill voice of + Marie Tonsard, “you sha’n’t tell anything more except to the worms in your + coffin. Don’t meddle with my brother’s business or with mine and + Bonnebault’s either.” + </p> + <p> + Marie, instigated by her grandmother, had, as we see, followed Bonnebault; + she had watched him through the very window where Rigou was now standing, + and had seen him displaying his graces and paying compliments so agreeable + to Mademoiselle Socquard that she was forced to smile upon him. That smile + had brought about the scene in the midst of which the revelation that + interested Rigou came out. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, Pere Rigou, what are you doing here?” said Socquard, slapping + the usurer on the shoulder; he was coming from a barn at the end of the + garden, where he kept various contrivances for the public games, such as + weighing-machines, merry-go-rounds, see-saws, all in readiness for the + Tivoli when opened. Socquard stepped noiselessly, for he was wearing a + pair of those yellow leather-slippers which cost so little by the gross + that they have an enormous sale in the provinces. + </p> + <p> + “If you have any fresh lemons, I’d like a glass of lemonade,” said Rigou; + “it is a warm evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is making that racket?” said Socquard, looking through the window and + seeing his daughter and Marie Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “They are quarrelling for Bonnebault,” said Rigou, sardonically. + </p> + <p> + The anger of the father was at once controlled by the interest of the + tavern-keeper. The tavern-keeper judged it prudent to listen outside, as + Rigou was doing; the father was inclined to enter and declare that + Bonnebault, possessed of admirable qualities in the eyes of a + tavern-keeper, had none at all as son-in-law to one of the notables of + Soulanges. And yet Pere Socquard had received but few offers for his + daughter. At twenty-two Aglae already rivalled in size and weight Madame + Vermichel, whose agility seemed phenomenal. Sitting behind a counter + increased the adipose tendency which she derived from her father. + </p> + <p> + “What devil is it that gets into girls?” said Socquard to Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” replied the ex-Benedictine, “of all the devils, that’s the one the + Church has most to do with.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Bonnebault came out of the billiard-room with a cue in his hand, + and struck Marie sharply, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “You’ve made me miss my stroke; but I’ll not miss you, and I’ll give it to + you till you muffle that clapper of yours.” + </p> + <p> + Socquard and Rigou, who now thought it wise to interfere, entered the cafe + by the front door, raising such a crowd of flies that the light from the + windows was obscured; the sound was like that of the distant practising of + a drum-corps. After their first excitement was over, the big flies with + the bluish bellies, accompanied by the stinging little ones, returned to + their quarters in the windows, where on three tiers of planks, the paint + of which was indistinguishable under the fly-specks, were rows of viscous + bottles ranged like soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Marie was crying. To be struck before a rival by the man she loves is one + of those humiliations that no woman can endure, no matter what her place + on the social ladder may be; and the lower that place is, the more violent + is the expression of her wrath. The Tonsard girl took no notice of Rigou + or of Socquard; she flung herself on a bench, in gloomy and sullen + silence, which the ex-monk carefully watched. + </p> + <p> + “Get a fresh lemon, Aglae,” said Pere Socquard, “and go and rinse that + glass yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “You did right to send her away,” whispered Rigou, “or she might have been + hurt”; and he glanced significantly at the hand with which Marie grasped a + stool she had caught up to throw at Aglae’s head. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Marie,” said Socquard, standing before her, “people don’t come here + to fling stools; if you were to break one of my mirrors, the milk of your + cows wouldn’t pay for the damage.” + </p> + <p> + “Pere Socquard, your daughter is a reptile; I’m worth a dozen of her, I’d + have you know. If you don’t want Bonnebault for a son-in-law, it is high + time for you to tell him to go and play billiards somewhere else; he’s + losing a hundred sous every minute.” + </p> + <p> + In the middle of this flux of words, screamed rather than said, Socquard + took Marie round the waist and flung her out of the door, in spite of her + cries and resistance. It was none too soon; for Bonnebault rushed out of + the billiard-room, his eyes blazing. + </p> + <p> + “It sha’n’t end so!” cried Marie Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “Begone!” shouted Bonnebault, whom Viollet held back round the body lest + he should do the girl some hurt. “Go to the devil, or I will never speak + to you or look at you again!” + </p> + <p> + “You!” said Marie, flinging him a furious glance. “Give me back my money, + and I’ll leave you to Mademoiselle Socquard if she is rich enough to keep + you.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Marie, frightened when she saw that even Socquard-Alcides could + scarcely hold Bonnebault, who sprang after her like a tiger, took to + flight along the road. + </p> + <p> + Rigou followed, and told her to get into his carriole to escape + Bonnebault, whose shouts reached the hotel Soudry; then, after hiding + Marie under the leather curtains, he came back to the cafe to drink his + lemonade and examine the group it now contained, composed of Plissoud, + Amaury, Viollet, and the waiter, who were all trying to pacify Bonnebault. + </p> + <p> + “Come, hussar, it’s your turn to play,” said Amaury, a small, fair young + man, with a dull eye. + </p> + <p> + “Besides, she’s taken herself off,” said Viollet. + </p> + <p> + If any one ever betrayed astonishment it was Plissoud when he beheld the + usurer of Blangy sitting at one of the tables, and more occupied in + watching him, Plissoud, than in noticing the quarrel that was going on. In + spite of himself, the sheriff allowed his face to show the species of + bewilderment which a man feels at an unexpected meeting with a person whom + he hates and is plotting against, and he speedily withdrew into the + billiard-room. + </p> + <p> + “Adieu, Pere Socquard,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll get your carriage,” said the innkeeper; “take your time.” + </p> + <p> + “How shall I find out what those fellows have been saying over their + pool?” Rigou was asking himself, when he happened to see the waiter’s face + in the mirror beside him. + </p> + <p> + The waiter was a jack at all trades; he cultivated Socquard’s vines, swept + out the cafe and the billiard-room, kept the garden in order, and watered + the Tivoli, all for fifty francs a year. He was always without a jacket, + except on grand occasions; usually his sole garments were a pair of blue + linen trousers, heavy shoes, and a striped velvet waistcoat, over which he + wore an apron of homespun linen when at work in the cafe or billiard-room. + This apron, with strings, was the badge of his functions. The fellow had + been hired by Socquard at the last annual fair; for in this valley, as + throughout Burgundy, servants are hired in the market-place by the year, + exactly as one buys horses. + </p> + <p> + “What’s your name?” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Michel, at your service,” replied the waiter. + </p> + <p> + “Doesn’t old Fourchon come here sometimes?” + </p> + <p> + “Two or three times a week, with Monsieur Vermichel, who gives me a couple + of sous to warn him if his wife’s after them.” + </p> + <p> + “He’s a fine old fellow, Pere Fourchon; knows a great deal and is full of + good sense,” said Rigou, paying for his lemonade and leaving the + evil-smelling place when he saw Pere Socquard leading his horse round. + </p> + <p> + Just as he was about to get into the carriage, Rigou noticed the chemist + crossing the square and hailed him with a “Ho, there, Monsieur Vermut!” + Recognizing the rich man, Vermut hurried up. Rigou joined him, and said in + a low voice:— + </p> + <p> + “Are there any drugs that can eat into the tissue of the skin so as to + produce a real disease, like a whitlow on the finger, for instance?” + </p> + <p> + “If Monsieur Gourdon would help, yes,” answered the little chemist. + </p> + <p> + “Vermut, not a word of all this, or you and I will quarrel; but speak of + the matter to Monsieur Gourdon, and tell him to come and see me the day + after to-morrow. I may be able to procure him the delicate operation of + cutting off a forefinger.” + </p> + <p> + Then, leaving the little man thoroughly bewildered, Rigou got into the + carriole beside Marie Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you little viper,” he said, taking her by the arm when he had + fastened the reins to a hook in front of the leathern apron which closed + the carriole and the horse had started on a trot, “do you think you can + keep Bonnebault by giving way to such violence? If you were a wise girl + you would promote his marriage with that hogshead of stupidity and take + your revenge afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + Marie could not help smiling as she answered:— + </p> + <p> + “Ah, how bad you are! you are the master of us all in wickedness.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, Marie; I like the peasants, but it won’t do for any one of + you to come between my teeth and a mouthful of game. Your brother Nicolas, + as Aglae said, is after La Pechina. That must not be; I protect her, that + girl. She is to be my heiress for thirty thousand francs, and I intend to + marry her well. I know that Nicolas, helped by your sister Catherine, came + near killing the little thing this morning. You are to see your brother + and sister at once, and say to them: ‘If you let La Pechina alone, Pere + Rigou will save Nicolas from the conscription.’” + </p> + <p> + “You are the devil incarnate!” cried Marie. “They do say you’ve signed a + compact with him. Is that true?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Rigou, gravely. + </p> + <p> + “I heard it, but I didn’t believe it.” + </p> + <p> + “He has guaranteed that no attacks aimed at me shall hurt me; that I shall + never be robbed; that I shall live a hundred years and succeed in + everything I undertake, and be as young to the day of my death as a + two-year old cockerel—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that’s so,” said Marie, “it must be <i>devilishly</i> easy for + you to save my brother from the conscription—” + </p> + <p> + “If he chooses, that’s to say. He’ll have to lose a finger,” returned + Rigou. “I’ll tell him how.” + </p> + <p> + “Look out, you are taking the upper road!” exclaimed Marie. + </p> + <p> + “I never go by the lower at night,” said the ex-monk. + </p> + <p> + “On account of the cross?” said Marie, naively. + </p> + <p> + “That’s it, sly-boots,” replied her diabolical companion. + </p> + <p> + They had reached a spot where the high-road cuts through a slight + elevation of ground, making on each side of it a rather steep slope, such + as we often see on the mail-roads of France. At the end of this little + gorge, which is about a hundred feet long, the roads to Ronquerolles and + to Cerneux meet and form an open space, in the centre of which stands a + cross. From either slope a man could aim at a victim and kill him at close + quarters, with all the more ease because the little hill is covered with + vines, and the evil-doer could lie in ambush among the briers and brambles + that overgrow them. We can readily imagine why the usurer did not take + that road after dark. The Thune flows round the little hill; and the place + is called the Close of the Cross. No spot was ever more adapted for + revenge or murder, for the road to Ronquerolles continues to the bridge + over the Avonne in front of the pavilion of the Rendezvous, while that to + Cerneux leads off above the mail-road; so that between the four roads,—to + Les Aigues, Ville-aux-Fayes, Ronquerolles, and Cerneux,—a murderer + could choose his line of retreat and leave his pursuers in uncertainty. + </p> + <p> + “I shall drop you at the entrance of the village,” said Rigou when they + neared the first houses of Blangy. + </p> + <p> + “Because you are afraid of Annette, old coward!” cried Marie. “When are + you going to send her away? you have had her now three years. What amuses + me is that your old woman still lives; the good God knows how to revenge + himself.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE TRIUMVIRATE OF VILLE-AUX-FAYES + </h2> + <p> + The cautious usurer compelled his wife and Jean to go to bed and to rise + by daylight; assuring them that the house would never be attacked if he + sat up till midnight, and he never himself rose till late. Not only had he + thus secured himself from interruption between seven at night and five the + next morning but he had accustomed his wife and Jean to respect his + morning sleep and that of Hagar, whose room was directly behind his. + </p> + <p> + So, on the following morning, about half past six, Madame Rigou, who + herself took care of the poultry-yard with some assistance from Jean, + knocked timidly at her husband’s door. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Rigou,” she said, “you told me to wake you.” + </p> + <p> + The tones of that voice, the attitude of the woman, her frightened air as + she obeyed an order the execution of which might be ill-received, showed + the utter self-abnegation in which the poor creature lived, and the + affection she still bore to her petty tyrant. + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” replied Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I wake Annette?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “No, let her sleep; she has been up half the night,” he replied, gravely. + </p> + <p> + The man was always grave, even when he allowed himself to jest. Annette + had in fact opened the door secretly to Sibilet, Fourchon, and Catherine + Tonsard, who all came at different hours between eleven and two o’clock. + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes later Rigou, dressed with more care than usual, came + downstairs and greeted his wife with a “Good-morning, my old woman,” which + made her happier than if counts had knelt at her feet. + </p> + <p> + “Jean,” he said to the ex-lay-brother, “don’t leave the house; if any one + robs me it will be worse for you than for me.” + </p> + <p> + By thus mingling mildness and severity, hopes and rebuffs, the clever + egoist kept his three slaves faithful and close at his heels, like dogs. + </p> + <p> + Taking the upper-road, so-called, to avoid the Close of the Cross, Rigou + reached the square of Soulanges about eight o’clock. + </p> + <p> + Just as he was fastening his rein to the post nearest the little door with + three steps, a blind opened and Soudry showed his face, pitted with the + small-pox, which the expression of his small black eyes rendered crafty. + </p> + <p> + “Let’s begin by taking a crust here before we start,” he said; “we sha’n’t + get breakfast at Ville-aux-Fayes before one o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + Then he softly called a servant-girl, as young and pretty as Annette, who + came down noiselessly, and received his order for ham and bread; after + which he went himself to the cellar and fetched some wine. + </p> + <p> + Rigou contemplated for the hundredth time the well-known dining-room, + floored in oak, with stuccoed ceiling and cornice, its high wainscot and + handsome cupboards finely painted, its porcelain stone and magnificent + tall clock,—all the property of Mademoiselle Laguerre. The + chair-backs were in the form of lyres, painted white and highly varnished; + the seats were of green morocco with gilt nails. A massive mahogany table + was covered with green oilcloth, with large squares of a deeper shade of + green, and a plain border of the lighter. The floor, laid in Hungarian + point, was carefully waxed by Urbain and showed the care which + ex-waiting-women know how to exact out of their servants. + </p> + <p> + “Bah! it cost too much,” thought Rigou for the hundredth time. “I can eat + as good a dinner in my room as here, and I have the income of the money + this useless splendor would have wasted. Where is Madame Soudry?” he + asked, as the mayor returned armed with a venerable bottle. + </p> + <p> + “Asleep.” + </p> + <p> + “And you no longer disturb her slumbers?” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + The ex-gendarme winked with a knowing air, and pointed to the ham which + Jeannette, the pretty maid, was just bringing in. + </p> + <p> + “That will pick you up, a pretty bit like that,” he said. “It was cured in + the house; we cut into it only yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you find her?” said the ex-Benedictine in Soudry’s ear. + </p> + <p> + “She is like the ham,” replied the ex-gendarme, winking again; “I have had + her only a week.” + </p> + <p> + Jeannette, still in her night-cap, with a short petticoat and her bare + feet in slippers, had slipped on a bodice made with straps over the arms + in true peasant fashion, over which she had crossed a neckerchief which + did not entirely hide her fresh and youthful attractions, which were at + least as appetizing as the ham she carried. Short and plump, with bare + arms mottled red, ending in large, dimpled hands with short but well-made + fingers, she was a picture of health. The face was that of a true + Burgundian,—ruddy, but white about the temples, throat, and ears; + the hair was chestnut; the corners of the eyes turned up towards the top + of the ears; the nostrils were wide, the mouth sensual, and a little down + lay along the cheeks; all this, together with a jaunty expression, + tempered however by a deceitfully modest attitude, made her the model of a + roguish servant-girl. + </p> + <p> + “On my honor, Jeannette is as good as the ham,” said Rigou. “If I hadn’t + an Annette I should want a Jeannette.” + </p> + <p> + “One is as good as the other,” said the ex-gendarme, “for your Annette is + fair and delicate. How is Madame Rigou,—is she asleep?” added + Soudry, roughly, to let Rigou see he understood his joke. + </p> + <p> + “She wakes with the cock, but she goes to roost with the hens,” replied + Rigou. “As for me, I sit up and read the ‘Constitutionnel.’ My wife lets + me sleep at night and in the morning too; she wouldn’t come into my room + for all the world.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s just the other way here,” replied Jeanette. “Madame sits up with the + company playing cards; sometimes there are sixteen of them in the salon; + Monsieur goes to bed at eight o’clock, and we get up at daylight—” + </p> + <p> + “You think that’s different,” said Rigou, “but it comes to the same thing + in the end. Well, my dear, you come to me and I’ll send Annette here, and + that will be the same thing and different too.” + </p> + <p> + “Old scamp, you’ll make her ashamed,” said Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! gendarme; you want your field to yourself! Well, we all get our + happiness where we can find it.” + </p> + <p> + Jeanette, by her master’s order, disappeared to lay out his clothes. + </p> + <p> + “You must have promised to marry her when your wife dies,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “At your age and mine,” replied Soudry, “there’s no other way.” + </p> + <p> + “With girls of any ambition it would be one way to become a widower,” + added Rigou; “especially if Madame Soudry found fault with Jeannette for + her way of scrubbing the staircase.” + </p> + <p> + The remark made the two husbands pensive. When Jeannette returned and + announced that all was ready, Soudry said to her, “Come and help me!”—a + precaution which made the ex-monk smile. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a difference, indeed!” said he. “As for me, I’d leave you alone + with Annette, my good friend.” + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later Soudry, in his best clothes, got into the + wicker carriage, and the two friends drove round the lake of Soulanges to + Ville-aux-Fayes. + </p> + <p> + “Look at it!” said Rigou, as they reached an eminence from which the + chateau of Soulanges could be seen in profile. + </p> + <p> + The old revolutionary put into the tone of his words all the hatred which + the rural middle classes feel to the great chateaux and the great estates. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I hope it will never be destroyed as long as I live,” said + Soudry. “The Comte de Soulanges was my general; he did me kindness; he got + my pension, and he allows Lupin to manage the estate. After Lupin some of + us will have it, and as long as the Soulanges family exists they and their + property will be respected. Such folks are large-minded; they let every + one make his profit, and they find it pays.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but the Comte de Soulanges has three children, who, at his death, + may not agree,” replied Rigou. “The husband of his daughter and his sons + may go to law, and end by selling the lead and iron mines to + manufacturers, from whom we shall manage to get them back.” + </p> + <p> + The chateau just then showed up in profile, as if to defy the ex-monk. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! look at it; in those days they built well,” cried Soudry. “But just + now Monsieur le Comte is economizing, so as to make Soulanges the entailed + estate of his peerage.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend,” said Rigou, “entailed estates won’t exist much longer.” + </p> + <p> + When the topic of public matters was exhausted, the worthy pair began to + discuss the merits of their pretty maids in terms too Burgundian to be + printed here. That inexhaustible subject carried them so far that before + they knew it they saw the capital of the arrondissement over which + Gaubertin reigned, and which we hope excites enough curiosity in the + reader’s mind to justify a short digression. + </p> + <p> + The name of Ville-aux-Fayes, singular as it is, is explained as the + corruption of the words (in low Latin) “Villa in Fago,”—the manor of + the woods. This name indicates that a forest once covered the delta formed + by the Avonne before it joins its confluent the Yonne. Some Frank + doubtless built a fortress on the hill which slopes gently to the long + plain. The savage conqueror separated his vantage-ground from the delta by + a wide and deep moat and made the position a formidable one, essentially + seignorial, convenient for enforcing tolls across the bridges and for + protecting his rights of profit on all grains ground in the mills. + </p> + <p> + That is the history of the beginning of Ville-aux-Fayes. Wherever feudal + or ecclesiastical dominion established there we find gathered together + interests, inhabitants, and, later, towns when the localities were in a + position to maintain them and to found and develop great industries. The + method of floating timber discovered by Jean Rouvet in 1549, which + required certain convenient stations to intercept it, was the making of + Ville-aux-Fayes, which, up to that time, had been, compared to Soulanges, + a mere village. Ville-aux-Fayes became a storage place for timber, which + covered the shores of the two rivers for a distance of over thirty miles. + The work of taking out of the water, computing the lost logs, and making + the rafts which the Yonne carried down to the Seine, brought together a + large concourse of workmen. Such a population increased consumption and + encouraged trade. Thus Ville-aux-Fayes, which had but six hundred + inhabitants at the end of the seventeenth century, had two thousand in + 1790, and Gaubertin had now raised the number to four thousand, by the + following means. + </p> + <p> + When the legislative assembly decreed the new laying out of territory, + Ville-aux-Fayes, which was situated where, geographically, a + sub-prefecture was needed, was chosen instead of Soulanges as chief town + or capital of the arrondissement. The increased population of Paris, by + increasing the demand for and the value of wood as fuel, necessarily + increased the commerce of Ville-aux-Fayes. Gaubertin had founded his + fortune, after losing his stewardship, on this growing business, + estimating the effect of peace on the population of Paris, which did + actually increase by over one-third between 1815 and 1825. + </p> + <p> + The shape of Ville-aux-Fayes followed the conformation of the ground. Each + side of the promontory was lined with wharves. The dam to stop the timber + from floating further down was just below a hill covered by the forest of + Soulanges. Between the dam and the town lay a suburb. The lower town, + covering the greater part of the delta, came down to the shores of the + lake of the Avonne. + </p> + <p> + Above the lower town some five hundred houses with gardens, standing on + the heights, were grouped round three sides of the promontory, and enjoyed + the varied scene of the diamond waters of the lake, the rafts in + construction along its edge, and the piles of wood upon the shores. The + waters, laden with timber from the river and the rapids which fed the + mill-races and the sluices of a few manufactories, presented an animated + scene, all the more charming because inclosed in the greenery of forests, + while the long valley of Les Aigues offered a glorious contrast to the + dark foil of the heights above the town itself. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin had built himself a house on the level of the delta, intending + to make a place which should improve the locality and render the lower + town as desirable as the upper. It was a modern house built of stone, with + a balcony of iron railings, outside blinds, painted windows, and no + ornament but a line of fret-work under the eaves, a slate roof, one story + in height with a garret, a fine courtyard, and behind it an English garden + bathed by the waters of the Avonne. The elegance of the place compelled + the department to build a fine edifice nearly opposite to it for the + sub-prefecture, provisionally lodged in a mere kennel. The town itself + also built a town-hall. The law-courts had lately been installed in a new + edifice; so that Ville-aux-Fayes owed to the active influence of its + present mayor a number of really imposing public buildings. The + gendarmerie had also built barracks which completed the square formed by + the marketplace. + </p> + <p> + These changes, on which the inhabitants prided themselves, were due to the + impetus given by Gaubertin, who within a day or two had received the cross + of the Legion of honor, in anticipation of the coming birthday of the + king. In a town so situated and so modern there was of course, neither + aristocracy nor nobility. Consequently, the rich merchants of + Ville-aux-Fayes, proud of their own independence, willingly espoused the + cause of the peasantry against a count of the Empire who had taken sides + with the Restoration. To them the oppressors were the oppressed. The + spirit of this commercial town was so well known to the government that + they send there as sub-prefect a man with a conciliatory temper, a pupil + of his uncle, the well-known des Lupeaulx, one of those men, accustomed to + compromise, who are familiar with the difficulties and necessities of + administration, but whom puritan politicians, doing infinitely worse + things, call corrupt. + </p> + <p> + The interior of Gaubertin’s house was decorated with the unmeaning + commonplaces of modern luxury. Rich papers with gold borders, bronze + chandeliers, mahogany furniture of a new pattern, astral lamps, round + tables with marble tops, white china with gilt lines for dessert, red + morocco chairs and mezzo-tint engravings in the dining-room, and blue + cashmere furniture in the salon,—all details of a chilling and + perfectly unmeaning character, but which to the eyes of Ville-aux-Fayes + seemed the last efforts of Sardanapalian luxury. Madame Gaubertin played + the role of elegance with great effect; she assumed little airs and was + lackadaisical at forty-five years of age, as though certain of the homage + of her court. + </p> + <p> + We ask those who really know France, if these houses—those of Rigou, + Soudry, and Gaubertin—are not a perfect presentation of the village, + the little town, and the seat of a sub-prefecture? + </p> + <p> + Without being a man of mind, or a man of talent, Gaubertin had the + appearance of being both. He owed the accuracy of his perception and his + consummate art to an extreme keenness after gain. He desired wealth, not + for his wife, not for his children, not for himself, not for his family, + not for the reputation that money gives; after the gratification of his + revenge (the hope of which kept him alive) he loved the touch of money, + like Nucingen, who, it was said, kept fingering the gold in his pockets. + The rush of business was Gaubertin’s wine; and though he had his belly + full of it, he had all the eagerness of one who was empty. As with valets + of the drama, intrigues, tricks to play, mischief to organize, deceptions, + commercial over-reachings, accounts to render and receive, disputes, and + quarrels of self-interest, exhilarated him, kept his blood in circulation, + and his bile flowing. He went and came on foot, on horseback, in a + carriage, by water; he was at all auctions and timber sales in Paris, + thinking of everything, keeping hundreds of wires in his hands and never + getting them tangled. + </p> + <p> + Quick, decided in his movements as in his ideas, short and squat in + figure, with a thin nose, a fiery eye, an ear on the “qui vive,” there was + something of the hunting-dog about him. His brown face, very round and + sunburned, from which the tanned ears stood out predominantly,—for + he always wore a cap,—was in keeping with that character. His nose + turned up; his tightly-closed lips could never have opened to say a kindly + thing. His bushy whiskers formed a pair of black and shiny tufts beneath + the highly-colored cheek-bones, and were lost in his cravat. Hair that was + pepper-and-salt in color and frizzled naturally in stages like those of a + judge’s wig, seeming scorched by the fury of the fire which heated his + brown skull and gleamed in his gray eyes surrounded by circular wrinkles + (no doubt from a habit of always blinking when he looked across the + country in full sunlight), completed the characteristics of his + physiognomy. His lean and vigorous hands were hairy, knobbed, and + claw-like, like those of men who do their share of labor. His personality + was agreeable to those with whom he had to do, for he wrapped it in a + misleading gayety; he knew how to talk a great deal without saying a word + of what he meant to keep unsaid. He wrote little, so as to deny anything + that escaped him which might prove unfavorable in its after effects upon + his interests. His books and papers were kept by a cashier,—an + honest man, whom men of Gaubertin’s stamp always seek to get hold of, and + whom they make, in their own selfish interests, their first dupe. + </p> + <p> + When Rigou’s little green chaise appeared, towards twelve o’clock, in the + broad avenue which skirts the river, Gaubertin, in cap, boots, and jacket, + was returning from the wharves. He hastened his steps,—feeling very + sure that Rigou’s object in coming over could only be “the great affair.” + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, gendarme; good morning, paunch of gall and wisdom,” he + said, giving a little slap to the stomachs of his two visitors. “We have + business to talk over, and, faith! we’ll do it glass in hand; that’s the + true way to take things.” + </p> + <p> + “If you do your business that way, you ought to be fatter than you are,” + said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “I work too hard; I’m not like you two, confined to the house and + bewitched there, like old dotards. Well, well, after all that’s the best + way; you can do your business comfortably in an arm-chair, with your back + to the fire and your belly at table; custom goes to you, I have to go + after it. But now, come in, come in! the house is yours for the time you + stay.” + </p> + <p> + A servant, in blue livery edged with scarlet, took the horse by the bridle + and led him into the courtyard, where were the offices and the stable. + </p> + <p> + Gaubertin left his guests to walk about the garden for a moment, while he + went to give his orders and arrange about the breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my wolves,” he said, as he returned, rubbing his hands, “the + gendarmerie of Soulanges were seen this morning at daybreak, marching + towards Conches; no doubt they mean to arrest the peasants for + depredations; ha, ha! things are getting warm, warm! By this time,” he + added, looking at his watch, “those fellows may have been arrested.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you all say over there? Has anything been decided?” + </p> + <p> + “What is there to decide?” asked Rigou. “We have no part in it,” he added, + looking at Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “How do you mean nothing to decide? If Les Aigues is sold as the result of + our coalition, who is to gain five or six hundred thousand francs out of + it? Do you expect me to, all alone? No, my inside is not strong enough to + split up two millions, with three children to establish, and a wife who + hasn’t the first idea about the value of money; no, I must have + associates. Here’s the gendarme, he has plenty of funds all ready. I know + he doesn’t hold a single mortgage that isn’t ready to mature; he only + lends now on notes at sight of which I endorse. I’ll go into this thing by + the amount of eight hundred thousand francs; my son, the judge, two + hundred thousand; and I count on the gendarme for two hundred thousand + more; now, how much will you put in, skull-cap?” + </p> + <p> + “All the rest,” replied Rigou, stiffly. + </p> + <p> + “The devil! well, I wish I had my hand where your heart is!” exclaimed + Gaubertin. “Now what are you going to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever you do; tell your plan.” + </p> + <p> + “My plan,” said Gaubertin, “is to take double, and sell half to the + Conches, and Cerneux, and Blangy folks who want to buy. Soudry has his + clients, and you yours, and I, mine. That’s not the difficulty. The thing + is, how are we going to arrange among ourselves? How shall we divide up + the great lots?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing easier,” said Rigou. “We’ll each take what we like best. I, for + one, shall stand in nobody’s way; I’ll take the woods in common with + Soudry and my son-in-law; the timber has been so injured that you won’t + care for it now, and you may have all the rest. Faith, it is worth the + money you’ll put into it!” + </p> + <p> + “Will you sign that agreement?” said Soudry. + </p> + <p> + “A written agreement is worth nothing,” replied Gaubertin. “Besides, you + know I am playing above board; I have perfect confidence in Rigou, and he + shall be the purchaser.” + </p> + <p> + “That will satisfy me,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “I will make only one condition,” added Gaubertin. “I must have the + pavilion of the Rendezvous, with all its appurtenances, and fifty acres of + the surrounding land. I shall make it my country-house, and it shall be + near my woods. Madame Gaubertin—Madame Isaure, for that’s what she + wants people to call her—says she shall make it her villa.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m willing,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, between ourselves,” continued Gaubertin, after looking about + him on all sides and making sure that no one could overhear him, “do you + think they are capable of striking a blow?” + </p> + <p> + “Such as?” asked Rigou, who never allowed himself to understand a hint. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if the worst of the band, the best shot, sent a ball whistling + round the ears of the count—just to frighten him?” + </p> + <p> + “He’s a man to rush at an assailant and collar him.” + </p> + <p> + “Michaud, then.” + </p> + <p> + “Michaud would do nothing at the moment, but he’d watch and spy till he + found out the man and those who instigated him.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said Gaubertin; “those peasants must make a riot and a + few must be sent to the galleys. Well, so much the better for us; the + authorities will catch the worst, whom we shall want to get rid of after + they’ve done the work. There are those blackguards, the Tonsards and + Bonnebault—” + </p> + <p> + “Tonsard is ready for mischief,” said Soudry, “I know that; and we’ll work + him up by Vaudoyer and Courtecuisse.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll answer for Courtecuisse,” said Rigou. + </p> + <p> + “And I hold Vaudoyer in the hollow of my hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Be cautious!” said Rigou; “before everything else be cautious.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, papa skull-cap, do you mean to tell me that there’s any harm in + speaking of things as they are? Is it we who are indicting and arresting, + or gleaning or depredating? If Monsieur le comte knows what he’s about and + leases the woods to the receiver-general it is all up with our schemes,—‘Farewell + baskets, the vintage is o’er’; in that case you will lose more than I. + What we say here is between ourselves and for ourselves; for I certainly + wouldn’t say a word to Vaudoyer that I couldn’t repeat to God and man. But + it is not forbidden, I suppose, to profit by any events that may take + place. The peasantry of this canton are hot-headed; the general’s + exactions, his severity, Michaud’s persecutions, and those of his keepers + have exasperated them; to-day things have come to a crisis and I’ll bet + there’s a rumpus going on now with the gendarmerie. And so, let’s go and + breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + Madame Gaubertin came into the garden just then. She was a rather fair + woman with long curls, called English, hanging down her cheeks, who played + the style of sentimental virtue, pretended never to have known love, + talked platonics to all the men about her, and kept the + prosecuting-attorney at her beck and call. She was given to caps with + large bows, but preferred to wear only her hair. She danced, and at + forty-five years of age had the mincing manner of a girl; her feet, + however, were large and her hands frightful. She wished to be called + Isaure, because among her other oddities and absurdities she had the taste + to repudiate the name of Gaubertin as vulgar. Her eyes were light and her + hair of an undecided color, something like dirty nankeen. Such as she was, + she was taken as a model by a number of young ladies, who stabbed the + skies with their glances, and posed as angels. + </p> + <p> + “Well, gentlemen,” she said, bowing, “I have some strange news for you. + The gendarmerie have returned.” + </p> + <p> + “Did they make any prisoners?” + </p> + <p> + “None; the general, it seems, had previously obtained the pardon of the + depredators. It was given in honor of this happy anniversary of the king’s + restoration to France.” + </p> + <p> + The three associates looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + “He is cleverer than I thought for, that big cuirassier!” said Gaubertin. + “Well, come to breakfast. After all, the game is not lost, only postponed; + it is your affair now, Rigou.” + </p> + <p> + Soudry and Rigou drove back disappointed, not being able as yet to plan + any other catastrophe to serve their ends and relying, as Gaubertin + advised, on what might turn up. Like certain Jacobins at the outset of the + Revolution who were furious with Louis XVI.‘s conciliations, and who + provoked severe measures at court in the hope of producing anarchy, which + to them meant fortune and power, the formidable enemies of General + Montcornet staked their present hopes on the severity which Michaud and + his keepers were likely to employ against future depredators. Gaubertin + promised them his assistance, without explaining who were his + co-operators, for he did not wish them to know about his relations with + Sibilet. Nothing can equal the prudence of a man of Gaubertin’s stamp, + unless it be that of an ex-gendarme or an unfrocked priest. This plot + could not have been brought to a successful issue,—a successfully + evil issue,—unless by three such men as these, steeped in hatred and + self-interest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. VICTORY WITHOUT A FIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Madame Michaud’s fears were the effect of that second sight which comes of + true passion. Exclusively absorbed by one only being, the soul finally + grasps the whole moral world which surrounds that being; it sees clearly. + A woman when she loves feels the same presentiments which disquiet her + later when a mother. + </p> + <p> + While the poor young woman listened to the confused voices coming from + afar across an unknown space, a scene was really happening in the tavern + of the Grand-I-Vert which threatened her husband’s life. + </p> + <p> + About five o’clock that morning early risers had seen the gendarmerie of + Soulanges on its way to Conches. The news circulated rapidly; and those + whom it chiefly interested were much surprised to learn from others, who + lived on high ground, that a detachment commanded by the lieutenant of + Ville-aux-Fayes had marched through the forest of Les Aigues. As it was a + Monday, there were already good reasons why the peasants should be at the + tavern; but it was also the eve of the anniversary of the restoration of + the Bourbons, and though the frequenters of Tonsard’s den had no need of + that “august cause” (as they said in those days) to explain their presence + at the Grand-I-Vert, they did not fail to make the most of it if the mere + shadow of an official functionary appeared. + </p> + <p> + Vaudoyer, Courtecuisse, Tonsard and his family, Godain, and an old + vine-dresser named Laroche, were there early in the morning. The latter + was a man who scratched a living from day to day; he was one of the + delinquents collected in Blangy under the sort of subscription invented by + Sibilet and Courtecuisse to disgust the general by the results of his + indictments. Blangy had supplied three men, twelve women, also eight girls + and five boys for whom parent were answerable, all of whom were in a + condition of pauperism; but they were the only ones who could be found + that were so. The year 1823 had been a very profitable one to the + peasantry, and 1826 as likely, through the enormous quantity of wine + yielded, to bring them in a good deal of money; add to this the works at + Les Aigues, undertaken by the general, which had put a great deal more in + circulation throughout the three districts which bordered on the estate. + It had therefore been quite difficult to find in Blangy, Conches, and + Cerneux, one hundred and twenty indigent persons against whom to bring the + suits; and in order to do so, they had taken old women, mothers, and + grandmothers of those who owned property but who possessed nothing of + their own, like Tonsard’s mother. Laroche, an old laborer, possessed + absolutely nothing; he was not, like Tonsard, hot-blooded and vicious,—his + motive power was a cold, dull hatred; he toiled in silence with a sullen + face; work was intolerable to him, but he had to work to live; his + features were hard and their expression repulsive. Though sixty years old, + he was still strong, except that his back was bent; he saw no future + before him, no spot that he could call his own, and he envied those who + possessed the land; for this reason he had no pity on the forests of Les + Aigues, and took pleasure in despoiling them uselessly. + </p> + <p> + “Will they be allowed to put us in prison?” he was saying. “After Conches + they’ll come to Blangy. I’m an old offender, and I shall get three + months.” + </p> + <p> + “What can we do against the gendarmerie, old drunkard?” said Vaudoyer. + </p> + <p> + “Why! cut the legs of their horses with our scythes. That’ll bring them + down; their muskets are not loaded, and when they find us ten to one + against them they’ll decamp. If the three villages all rose and killed two + or three gendarmes, they couldn’t guillotine the whole of us. They’d have + to give way, as they did on the other side of Burgundy, where they sent a + regiment. Bah! that regiment came back again, and the peasants cut the + woods just as much as they ever did.” + </p> + <p> + “If we kill,” said Vaudoyer; “it is better to kill one man; the question + is, how to do it without danger and frighten those Arminacs so that + they’ll be driven out of the place.” + </p> + <p> + “Which one shall we kill?” asked Laroche. + </p> + <p> + “Michaud,” said Courtecuisse. “Vaudoyer is right, he’s perfectly right. + You’ll see that when a keeper is sent to the shades there won’t be one of + them willing to stay even in broad daylight to watch us. Now they’re there + night and day,—demons!” + </p> + <p> + “Wherever one goes,” said old Mother Tonsard,—who was seventy-eight + years old, and presented a parchment face honey-combed with the small-pox, + lighted by a pair of green eyes, and framed with dirty-white hair, which + escaped in strands from a red handkerchief,—“wherever one goes, + there they are! they stop us, they open our bundles, and if there’s a + single branch, a single twig of a miserable hazel, they seize the whole + bundle, and they say they’ll arrest us. Ha, the villains! there’s no + deceiving them; if they suspect you, you’ve got to undo the bundle. Dogs! + all three are not worth a farthing! Yes, kill ‘em, and it won’t ruin + France, I tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “Little Vatel is not so bad,” said Madame Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “He!” said Laroche, “he does his business, like the others; when there’s a + joke going he’ll joke with you, but you are none the better with him for + that. He’s worse than the rest,—heartless to poor folks, like + Michaud himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Michaud has got a pretty wife, though,” said Nicolas Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “She’s with young,” said the old woman; “and if this thing goes on + there’ll be a queer kind of baptism for the little one when she calves.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! those Arminacs!” cried Marie Tonsard; “there’s no laughing with them; + and if you did, they’d threaten to arrest you.” + </p> + <p> + “You’ve tried your hand at cajoling them, have you?” said Courtecuisse. + </p> + <p> + “You may bet on that.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Tonsard with a determined air, “they are men like other men, + and they can be got rid of.” + </p> + <p> + “But I tell you,” said Marie, continuing her topic, “they won’t be + cajoled; I don’t know what’s the matter with them; that bully at the + pavilion, he’s married, but Vatel, Gaillard, and Steingel are not; they’ve + not a woman belonging to them; indeed, there’s not a woman in the place + who would marry them.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we shall see how things go at the harvest and the vintage,” said + Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “They can’t stop the gleaning,” said the old woman. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know that,” remarked Madame Tonsard. “Groison said that the mayor + was going to publish a notice that no one should glean without a + certificate of pauperism; and who’s to give that certificate? Himself, of + course. He won’t give many, I tell you! And they say he is going to issue + an order that no one shall enter the fields till the carts are all + loaded.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, the fellow’s a pestilence!” cried Tonsard, beside himself with rage. + </p> + <p> + “I heard that only yesterday,” said Madame Tonsard. “I offered Groison a + glass of brandy to get something out of him.” + </p> + <p> + “Groison! there’s another lucky fellow!” said Vaudoyer, “they’ve built him + a house and given him a good wife, and he’s got an income and clothes fit + for a king. There was I, field-keeper for twenty years, and all I got was + the rheumatism.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he’s very lucky,” said Godain, “he owns property—” + </p> + <p> + “And we go without, like the fools that we are,” said Vaudoyer. “Come, + let’s be off and find out what’s going on at Conches; they are not so + patient over there as we are.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” said Laroche, who was none too steady on his legs. “If I don’t + exterminate one of two of those fellows may I lose my name.” + </p> + <p> + “You!” said Tonsard, “you’d let them put the whole district in prison; but + I—if they dare to touch my old mother, there’s my gun and it never + misses.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Laroche to Vaudoyer, “I tell you that if they make a single + prisoner at Conches one gendarme shall fall.” + </p> + <p> + “He has said it, old Laroche!” cried Courtecuisse. + </p> + <p> + “He has said it,” remarked Vaudoyer, “but he hasn’t done it, and he won’t + do it. What good would it do to get yourself guillotined for some gendarme + or other? No, if you kill, I say, kill Michaud.” + </p> + <p> + During this scene Catherine Tonsard stood sentinel at the door to warn the + drinkers to keep silent if any one passed. In spite of their half-drunken + legs they sprang rather than walked out of the tavern, and their bellicose + temper started them at a good pace on the road to Conches, which led for + over a mile along the park wall of Les Aigues. + </p> + <p> + Conches was a true Burgundian village, with one street, which was crossed + by the main road. The houses were built either of brick or of + cobblestones, and were squalid in aspect. Following the mail-road from + Ville-aux-Fayes, the village was seen from the rear and there it presented + rather a picturesque effect. Between the road and the Ronquerolles woods, + which continued those of Les Aigues and crowned the heights, flowed a + little river, and several houses, rather prettily grouped, enlivened the + scene. The church and the parsonage stood alone and were seen from the + park of Les Aigues, which came nearly up to them. In front of the church + was a square bordered by trees, where the conspirators of the Grand-I-Vert + saw the gendarmerie and hastened their already hasty steps. Just then + three men on horseback rode rapidly out of the park of Les Aigues and the + peasants at once recognized the general, his groom, and Michaud the + bailiff, who came at a gallop into the square. Tonsard and his party + arrived a minute or two after them. The delinquents, men and women, had + made no resistance, and were standing between five of the Soulanges + gendarmes and fifteen of those from Ville-aux-Fayes. The whole village had + assembled. The fathers, mothers, and children of the prisoners were going + and coming and bringing them what they might want in prison. It was a + curious scene, that of a population one and all exasperated, but nearly + all silent, as though they had made up their minds to a course of action. + The old women and the young ones alone spoke. The children, boys and + girls, were perched on piles of wood and heaps of stones to get a better + sight of what was happening. + </p> + <p> + “They have chosen their time, those hussars of the guillotine,” said one + old woman; “they are making a fete of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to let ‘em carry of your man like that? How shall you + manage to live for three months?—the best of the year, too, when he + could earn so much.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s they who rob us,” replied the woman, looking at the gendarmes with a + threatening air. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that, old woman?” said the sergeant. “If you insult + us it won’t take long to settle you.” + </p> + <p> + “I meant nothing,” said the old woman, in a humble and piteous tone. + </p> + <p> + “I heard you say something just now you may have cause to repent of.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, be calm, all of you,” said the mayor of Conches, who was also + the postmaster. “What the devil is the use of talking? These men, as you + know very well, are under orders and must obey.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s true; it’s the owner of Les Aigues who persecutes us—But + patience!” + </p> + <p> + Just then the general rode into the square and his arrival caused a few + groans which did not trouble him in the least. He rode straight up to the + lieutenant in command, and after saying a few words gave him a paper; the + officer then turned to his men and said: “Release your prisoners; the + general has obtained their pardon.” + </p> + <p> + General Montcornet was then speaking to the mayor; after a few moments’ + conversation in a low tone, the latter, addressing the delinquents, who + expected to sleep in prison and were a good deal surprised to find + themselves free, said to them:— + </p> + <p> + “My friends, thank Monsieur le comte. You owe your release to him. He went + to Paris and obtained your pardon in honor of the anniversary of the + king’s restoration. I hope that in future you will conduct yourself + properly to a man who has behaved so well to you, and that you will in + future respect his property. Long live the King!” + </p> + <p> + The peasants shouted “Long live the King!” with enthusiasm, to avoid + shouting, “Hurrah for the Comte de Montcornet!” + </p> + <p> + The scene was a bit of policy arranged between the general, the prefect, + and the attorney-general; for they were all anxious, while showing enough + firmness to keep the local authorities up to their duty and awe the + country-people, to be as gentle as possible, fully realizing as they did + the difficulties of the question. In fact, if resistance had occurred, the + government would have been in a tight place. As Laroche truly said, they + could not guillotine or even convict a whole community. + </p> + <p> + The general invited the mayor of Conches, the lieutenant, and the sergeant + to breakfast. The conspirators of the Grand-I-Vert adjourned to the tavern + of Conches, where the delinquents spent in drink the money their relations + had given them to take to prison, sharing it with the Blangy people, who + were naturally part of the wedding,—the word “wedding” being applied + indiscriminately in Burgundy to all such rejoicings. To drink, quarrel, + fight, eat and go home drunk and sick,—that is a wedding to these + peasants. + </p> + <p> + The general, who had come by the park, took his guests back through the + forest that they might see for themselves the injury done to the timber, + and so judge of the importance of the question. + </p> + <p> + Just as Rigou and Soudry were on their way back to Blangy, the count and + countess, Emile Blondet, the lieutenant of gendarmerie, the sergeant, and + the mayor of Conches were finishing their breakfast in the splendid + dining-room where Bouret’s luxury had left the delightful traces already + described by Blondet in his letter to Nathan. + </p> + <p> + “It would be a terrible pity to abandon this beautiful home,” said the + lieutenant, who had never before been at Les Aigues, and who was glancing + over a glass of champagne at the circling nymphs that supported the + ceiling. + </p> + <p> + “We intend to defend it to the death,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “If I say that,” continued the lieutenant, looking at his sergeant as if + to enjoin silence, “it is because the general’s enemies are not only among + the peasantry—” + </p> + <p> + The worthy man was quite moved by the excellence of the breakfast, the + magnificence of the silver service, the imperial luxury that surrounded + him, and Blondet’s clever talk excited him as much as the champagne he had + imbibed. + </p> + <p> + “Enemies! have I enemies?” said the general, surprised. + </p> + <p> + “He, so kind!” added the countess. + </p> + <p> + “But you are on bad terms with our mayor, Monsieur Gaubertin,” said the + lieutenant. “It would be wise, for the sake of the future, to be + reconciled with him.” + </p> + <p> + “With him!” cried the count. “Then you don’t know that he was my former + steward, and a swindler!” + </p> + <p> + “A swindler no longer,” said the lieutenant, “for he is mayor of + Ville-aux-Fayes.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha, ha!” laughed Blondet, “the lieutenant’s wit is keen; evidently a + mayor is essentially an honest man.” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant, convinced by the count’s words that it was useless to + attempt to enlighten him, said no more on that subject, and the + conversation changed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE FOREST AND THE HARVEST + </h2> + <p> + The scene at Conches had, apparently, a good effect on the peasantry; on + the other hand, the count’s faithful keepers were more than ever watchful + that only dead wood should be gathered in the forest of Les Aigues. But + for the last twenty years the woods had been so thoroughly cleared out + that very little else than live wood was now there; and this the peasantry + set about killing, in preparation for winter, by a simple process, the + results of which could only be discovered in the course of time. Tonsard’s + mother went daily into the forest; the keepers saw her enter; knew where + she would come out; watched for her and made her open her bundle, where, + to be sure, were only fallen branches, dried chips, and broken and + withered twigs. The old woman would whine and complain at the distance she + had to go at her age to gather such a miserable bunch of fagots. But she + did not tell that she had been in the thickest part of the wood and had + removed the earth at the base of certain young trees, round which she had + then cut off a ring of bark, replacing the earth, moss, and dead leaves + just as they were before she touched them. It was impossible that any one + could discover this annular incision, made, not like a cut, but more like + the ripping or gnawing of animals or those destructive insects called in + different regions borers, or turks, or white worms, which are the first + stage of cockchafers. These destructive pests are fond of the bark of + trees; they get between the bark and the sap-wood and eat their way round. + If the tree is large enough for the insect to pass into its second state + (of larvae, in which it remains dormant until its second metamorphose) + before it has gone round the trunk, the tree lives, because so long as + even a small bit of the sap-wood remains covered by the bark, the tree + will still grow and recover itself. To realize to what a degree entomology + affects agriculture, horticulture, and all earth products, we must know + that naturalists like Latreille, the Comte Dejean, Klugg of Berlin, Gene + of Turin, etc., find that the vast majority of all known insects live at + the sacrifice of vegetation; that the coleoptera (a catalogue of which has + lately been published by Monsieur Dejean) have twenty-seven thousand + species, and that, in spite of the most earnest research on the part of + entomologists of all countries, there is an enormous number of species of + whom they cannot trace the triple transformations which belong to all + insects; that there is, in short, not only a special insect to every + plant, but that all terrestrial products, however much they may be + manipulated by human industry, have their particular parasite. Thus flax, + after covering the human body and hanging the human being, after roaming + the world on the back of an army, becomes writing-paper; and those who + write or who read are familiar with the habits and morals of an insect + called the “paper-louse,” an insect of really marvellous celerity and + behavior; it undergoes its mysterious transformations in a ream of white + paper which you have carefully put away; you see it gliding and frisking + along in its shining robe, that looks like isinglass or mica,—truly + a little fish of another element. + </p> + <p> + The borer is the despair of the land-owner; he works underground; no + Sicilian vespers for him until he becomes a cockchafer! If the populations + only realized with what untold disasters they are threatened in case they + let the cockchafers and the caterpillars get the upper hand, they would + pay more attention than they do to municipal regulations. + </p> + <p> + Holland came near perishing; its dikes were undermined by the teredo, and + science is unable to discover the insect from which that mollusk derives, + just as science still remains ignorant of the metamorphoses of the + cochineal. The ergot, or spur, of rye is apparently a population of + insects where the genius of science has been able, so far, to discover + only one slight movement. Thus, while awaiting the harvest and gleaning, + fifty old women imitated the borer at the feet of five or six hundred + trees which were fated to become skeletons and to put forth no more leaves + in the spring. They were carefully chosen in the least accessible places, + so that the surrounding branches concealed them. + </p> + <p> + Who conveyed the secret information by which this was done? No one. + Courtecuisse happened to complain in Tonsard’s tavern of having found a + tree wilting in his garden; it seemed he said, to have a disease, and he + suspected a borer; for he, Courtecuisse, knew what borers were, and if + they once circled a tree just below the ground, the tree died. Thereupon + he explained the process. The old women at once set to work at the same + destruction, with the mystery and cleverness of gnomes; and their efforts + were doubled by the rules now enforced by the mayor of Blangy and + necessarily followed by the mayors of the adjoining districts. + </p> + <p> + The great land-owners of the department applauded General de Montcornet’s + course; and the prefect in his private drawing-room declared that if, + instead of living in Paris, other land-owners would come and live on their + estates and follow such a course together, a solution of the difficulty + could be obtained; for certain measures, added the prefect, ought to be + taken, and taken in concert, modified by benefactions and by an + enlightened philanthropy, such as every one could see actuated in General + Montcornet. + </p> + <p> + The general and his wife, assisted by the abbe, tried the effects of such + benevolence. They studied the subject, and endeavored to show by + incontestable results to those who pillaged them that more money could be + made by legitimate toil. They supplied flax and paid for the spinning; the + countess had the thread woven into linen suitable for towels, aprons, and + coarse napkins for kitchen use, and for underclothing for the very poor. + The general began improvements which needed many laborers, and he employed + none but those in the adjoining districts. Sibilet was in charge of the + works and the Abbe Brossette gave the countess lists of the most needy, + and often brought them to her himself. Madame de Montcornet attended to + these matters personally in the great antechamber which opened upon the + portico. It was a beautiful waiting-room, floored with squares of white + and red marble, warmed by a porcelain stove, and furnished with benches + covered with red plush. + </p> + <p> + It was there that one morning, just before harvest, old Mother Tonsard + brought her granddaughter Catherine, who had to make, she said, a dreadful + confession,—dreadful for the honor of a poor but honest family. + While the old woman addressed the countess Catherine stood in an attitude + of conscious guilt. Then she related on her own account the unfortunate + “situation” in which she was placed, which she had confided to none but + her grandmother; for her mother, she knew, would turn her out, and her + father, an honorable man, might kill her. If she only had a thousand + francs she could be married to a poor laborer named Godain, who <i>knew + all</i>, and who loved her like a brother; he could buy a poor bit of + ground and build a cottage if she had that sum. It was very touching. The + countess promised the money; resolving to devote the price of some fancy + to this marriage. The happy marriages of Michaud and Groison encouraged + her. Besides, such a wedding would be a good example to the people of the + neighborhood and stimulate to virtuous conduct. The marriage of Catherine + Tonsard and Godain was accordingly arranged by means of the countess’s + thousand francs. + </p> + <p> + Another time a horrible old woman, Mother Bonnebault, who lived in a hut + between the gate of Conches and the village, brought back a great bundle + of skeins of linen thread. + </p> + <p> + “Madame la comtesse has done wonders,” said the abbe, full of hope as to + the moral progress of his savages. “That old woman did immense damage to + your woods, but now she has no time for it; she stays at home and spins + from morning till night; her time is all taken up and well paid for.” + </p> + <p> + Peace reigned everywhere. Groison made very satisfactory reports; + depredations seemed to have ceased, and it is even possible that the state + of the neighborhood and the feeling of the inhabitants might really have + changed if it had not been for the revengeful eagerness of Gaubertin, the + cabals of the leading society of Soulanges, and the intrigues of Rigou, + who one and all, with “the affair” in view, blew the embers of hatred and + crime in the hearts of the peasantry of the valley des Aigues. + </p> + <p> + The keepers still complained of finding a great many branches cut with + shears in the deeper parts of the wood and left to dry, evidently as a + provision for winter. They watched for the delinquents without ever being + able to catch them. The count, assisted by Groison, had given certificates + of pauperism to only thirty or forty of the real poor of the district; but + the other two mayors had been less strict. The more clement the count + showed himself in the affair at Conches the more determined he was to + enforce the laws about gleaning, which had now degenerated into theft. He + did not interfere with the management of three of his farms which were + leased to tenants, nor with those whose tenants worked for his profit, of + which he had a number; but he managed six farms himself, each of about two + hundred acres, and he now published a notice that it was forbidden, under + pain of being arrested and made to pay the fine imposed by the courts, to + enter those fields before the crop was carried away. The order concerned + only his own immediate property. Rigou, who knew the country well, had let + his farm-lands in portions and on short leases to men who knew how to get + in their own crops, and who paid him in grain; therefore gleaning did not + affect him. The other proprietors were peasants, and no nefarious gleaning + was attempted on their land. + </p> + <p> + When the harvest began the count went himself to Michaud to see how things + were going on. Groison, who advised him to do this, was to be present + himself at the gleaning of each particular field. The inhabitants of + cities can have no idea what gleaning is to the inhabitants of the + country; the passion of these sons of the soil for it seems inexplicable; + there are women who will give up well-paid employments to glean. The wheat + they pick up seems to them sweeter than any other; and the provision they + thus make for their chief and most substantial food has to them an + extraordinary attraction. Mothers take their babes and their little girls + and boys; the feeblest old men drag themselves into the wheat-fields; and + even those who own property are paupers for the nonce. All gleaners appear + in rags. + </p> + <p> + The count and Michaud were present on horseback when the first tattered + batch entered the first fields from which the wheat had been carried. It + was ten o’clock in the morning. August had been a hot month, the sky was + cloudless, blue as a periwinkle; the earth was baked, the wheat flamed, + the harvestmen worked with their faces scorched by the reflection of the + sun-rays on the hard and arid earth. All were silent, their shirts wet + with perspiration; while from time to time, they slaked their thirst with + water from round, earthenware jugs, furnished with two handles and a + mouth-piece stoppered with a willow stick. + </p> + <p> + At the father end of the stubble-field stood the carts which contained the + sheaves, and near them a group of at least a hundred beings who far + exceeded the hideous conceptions of Murillo and Teniers, the boldest + painters of such scenes, or of Callot, that poet of the fantastic in + poverty. The pictured bronze legs, the bare heads, the ragged garments so + curiously faded, so damp with grease, so darned and spotted and + discolored, in short, the painters’ ideal of the material of abject + poverty was far surpassed by this scene; while the expression on those + faces, greedy, anxious, doltish, idiotic, savage, showed the everlasting + advantage which nature possesses over art by its comparison with the + immortal compositions of those princes of color. There were old women with + necks like turkeys, and hairless, scarlet eyelids, who stretched their + heads forward like setters before a partridge; there were children, silent + as soldiers under arms, little girls who stamped like animals waiting for + their food; the natures of childhood and old age were crushed beneath the + fierceness of a savage greed,—greed for the property of others now + their own by long abuse. All eyes were savage, all gestures menacing; but + every one kept silence in presence of the count, the field-keeper, and the + bailiff. At this moment all classes were represented,—the great + land-owners, the farmers, the working men, the paupers; the social + question was defined to the eye; hunger had convoked the actors in the + scene. The sun threw into relief the hard and hollow features of those + faces; it burned the bare feet dusty with the soil; children were present + with no clothing but a torn blouse, their blond hair tangled with straw + and chips; some women brought their babes just able to walk, and left them + rolling in the furrows. + </p> + <p> + The gloomy scene was harrowing to the old soldier, whose heart was kind, + and he said to Michaud: “It pains me to see it. One must know the + importance of these measures to be able to insist upon them.” + </p> + <p> + “If every land-owner followed your example, lived on his property, and did + the good that you and yours are doing, general, there would be, I won’t + say no poor, for they are always with us, but no poor man who could not + live by his labor.” + </p> + <p> + “The mayors of Conches, Cerneux, and Soulanges have sent us all their + paupers,” said Groison, who had now looked at the certificates; “they had + no right to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but our people will go to their districts,” said the general. “For + the time being we have done enough by preventing the gleaning before the + sheaves were taken away; we had better go step by step,” he added, turning + to leave the field. + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear him?” said Mother Tonsard to the old Bonnebault woman, for + the general’s last words were said in a rather louder tone than the rest, + and reached the ears of the two old women who were posted in the road + which led beside the field. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes! we haven’t got to the end yet,—a tooth to-day and + to-morrow an ear; if they could find a sauce for our livers they’d eat ‘em + as they do a calf’s!” said old Bonnebault, whose threatening face was + turned in profile to the general as he passed her, though in the twinkling + of an eye she changed its expression to one of hypocritical softness and + submission as she hastened to make him a profound curtsey. + </p> + <p> + “So you are gleaning, are you, though my wife helps you to earn so much + money?” + </p> + <p> + “Hey! my dear gentleman, may God preserve you in good health! but, don’t + you see, my grandson squanders all I earn, and I’m forced to scratch up a + little wheat to get bread in the winter,—yes, yes, I glean just a + bit; it all helps.” + </p> + <p> + The gleaning proved of little profit to the gleaners. The farmers and + tenant-farmers, finding themselves backed up, took care that their wheat + was well reaped, and superintended the making of the sheaves and their + safe removal, so that little or none of the pillage of former years could + take place. + </p> + <p> + Accustomed to get a good proportion of wheat in their gleaning, the false + as well as the true poor, forgetting the count’s pardon at Conches, now + felt a deep but silent anger against him, which was aggravated by the + Tonsards, Courtecuisse, Bonnebault, Laroche, Vaudoyer, Godain, and their + adherents. Matters went worse still after the vintage; for the gathering + of the refuse grape was not allowed until Sibilet had examined the vines + with extreme care. This last restriction exasperated these sons of the + soil to the highest pitch; but when so great a social distance separates + the angered class from the threatened class, words and threats are lost; + nothing comes to the surface or is perceived but facts; meantime the + malcontents work underground like moles. + </p> + <p> + The fair of Soulanges took place as usual quite peacefully, except for + certain jarrings between the leading society and the second-class society + of Soulanges, brought about by the despotism of the queen, who could not + tolerate the empire founded and established over the heart of the + brilliant Lupin by the beautiful Euphemie Plissoud, for she herself laid + permanent claim to his fickle fervors. + </p> + <p> + The count and countess did not appear at the fair nor at the Tivoli fete; + and that, again, was counted a wrong by the Soudrys, the Gaubertins, and + their adherents; it was pride, it was disdain, said the Soudry salon. + During this time the countess was filling the void caused by Emile’s + return to Paris with the immense interest and pleasure all fine souls take + in the good they are doing, or think they do; and the count, for his part, + applied himself no less zealously to changes and ameliorations in the + management of his estate, which he expected and believed would modify and + benefit the condition of the people and hence their characters. Madame de + Montcornet, assisted by the advice and experience of the Abbe Brossette, + came, little by little, to have a thorough and statistical knowledge of + all the poor families of the district, their respective condition, their + wants, their means of subsistence, and the sort of help she must give to + each to obtain work so as not to make them lazy or idle. + </p> + <p> + The countess had placed Genevieve Niseron, La Pechina, in a convent at + Auxerre, under pretext of having her taught to sew that she might employ + her in her own house, but really to save her from the shameful attempts of + Nicolas Tonsard, whom Rigou had managed to save from the conscription. The + countess also believed that a religious education, the cloister, and + monastic supervision, would subdue the ardent passions of the precocious + little girl, whose Montenegrin blood seemed to her like a threatening + flame which might one day set fire to the domestic happiness of her + faithful Olympe. + </p> + <p> + So all was at peace at the chateau des Aigues. The count, misled by + Sibilet, reassured by Michaud, congratulated himself on his firmness, and + thanked his wife for having contributed by her benevolence to the immense + comfort of their tranquillity. The question of the sale of his timber was + laid aside till he should go to Paris and arrange with the dealers. He had + not the slightest notion of how to do business, and he was in total + ignorance of the power wielded by Gaubertin over the current of the Yonne,—the + main line of conveyance which supplied the timber of the Paris market. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE GREYHOUND + </h2> + <p> + Towards the middle of September Emile Blondet, who had gone to Paris to + publish a book, returned to refresh himself at Les Aigues and to think + over the work he was planning for the winter. At Les Aigues, the loving + and sincere qualities which succeed adolescence in a young man’s soul + reappeared in the used-up journalist. + </p> + <p> + “What a fine soul!” was the comment of the count and the countess when + they spoke of him. + </p> + <p> + Men who are accustomed to move among the abysses of social nature, to + understand all and to repress nothing, make themselves an oasis in the + heart, where they forget their perversities and those of others; they + become within that narrow and sacred circle,—saints; there, they + possess the delicacy of women, they give themselves up to a momentary + realization of their ideal, they become angelic for some one being who + adores them, and they are not playing comedy; they join their soul to + innocence, so to speak; they feel the need to brush off the mud, to heal + their sores, to bathe their wounds. At Les Aigues Emile Blondet was + without bitterness, without sarcasm, almost without wit; he made no + epigrams, he was gentle as a lamb, and platonically tender. + </p> + <p> + “He is such a good young fellow that I miss him terribly when he is not + here,” said the general. “I do wish he could make a fortune and not lead + that Paris life of his.” + </p> + <p> + Never did the glorious landscape and park of Les Aigues seem as + luxuriantly beautiful as it did just then. The first autumn days were + beginning, when the earth, languid from her procreations and delivered of + her products, exhales the delightful odors of vegetation. At this time the + woods, especially, are delicious; they begin to take the russet warmth of + Sienna earth, and the green-bronze tones which form the lovely tapestry + beneath which they hide from the cold of winter. + </p> + <p> + Nature, having shown herself in springtime jaunty and joyous as a brunette + glowing with hope, becomes in autumn sad and gentle as a blonde full of + pensive memories; the turf yellows, the last flowers unfold their pale + corollas, the white-eyed daisies are fewer in the grass, only their + crimson calices are seen. Yellows abound; the shady places are lighter for + lack of leafage, but darker in tone; the sun, already oblique, slides its + furtive orange rays athwart them, leaving long luminous traces which + rapidly disappear, like the train of a woman’s gown as she bids adieu. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the second day after his arrival, Emile was at a window + of his bedroom, which opened upon a terrace with a balustrade from which a + noble view could be seen. This balcony ran the whole length of the + apartments of the countess, on the side of the chateau towards the forests + and the Blangy landscape. The pond, which would have been called a lake + were Les Aigues nearer Paris, was partly in view, so was the long canal; + the Silver-spring, coming from across the pavilion of the Rendezvous, + crossed the lawn with its sheeny ribbon, reflecting the yellow sand. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the park, between the village and the walls, lay the cultivated + parts of Blangy,—meadows where the cows were grazing, small + properties surrounded by hedges, filled with fruit of all kinds, nut and + apple trees. By way of frame, the heights on which the noble forest-trees + were ranged, tier above tier, closed in the scene. The countess had come + out in her slippers to look at the flowers in her balcony, which were + sending up their morning fragrance; she wore a cambric dressing-gown, + beneath which the rosy tints of her white shoulders could be seen; a + coquettish little cap was placed in a bewitching manner on her hair, which + escaped it recklessly; her little feet showed their warm flesh color + through the transparent stockings; the cambric gown, unconfined at the + waist, floated open as the breeze took it, and showed an embroidered + petticoat. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! are you there?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you looking at?” + </p> + <p> + “A pretty question! You have torn me from the contemplation of Nature. + Tell me, countess, will you go for a walk in the woods this morning before + breakfast?” + </p> + <p> + “What an idea! You know I have a horror of walking.” + </p> + <p> + “We will only walk a little way; I’ll drive you in the tilbury and take + Joseph to hold the horses. You have never once set foot in your forest; + and I have just noticed something very curious, a phenomenon; there are + spots where the tree-tops are the color of Florentine bronze, the leaves + are dried—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll dress.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you do, we can’t get off for two hours. Take a shawl, put on a + bonnet, and boots; that’s all you want. I shall tell them to harness.” + </p> + <p> + “You always make me do what you want; I’ll be ready in a minute.” + </p> + <p> + “General,” said Blondet, waking the count, who grumbled and turned over, + like a man who wants his morning sleep. “We are going for a drive; won’t + you come?” + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later the tilbury was slowly rolling along the park + avenue, followed by a liveried groom on horseback. + </p> + <p> + The morning was a September morning. The dark blue of the sky burst forth + here and there from the gray of the clouds, which seemed the sky itself, + the ether seeming to be the accessory; long lines of ultramarine lay upon + the horizon, but in strata, which alternated with other lines like + sand-bars; these tones changed and grew green at the level of the forests. + The earth beneath this overhanging mantle was moistly warm, like a woman + when she rises; it exhaled sweet, luscious odors, which yet were wild, not + civilized,—the scent of cultivation was added to the scents of the + woods. Just then the Angelus was ringing at Blangy, and the sounds of the + bell, mingling with the wild concert of the forest, gave harmony to the + silence. Here and there were rising vapors, white, diaphanous. + </p> + <p> + Seeing these lovely preparations of Nature, the fancy had seized Olympe + Michaud to accompany her husband, who had to give an order to a keeper + whose house was not far off. The Soulanges doctor advised her to walk as + long as she could do so without fatigue; she was afraid of the midday heat + and went out only in the early morning or evening. Michaud now took her + with him, and they were followed by the dog he loved best,—a + handsome greyhound, mouse-colored with white spots, greedy, like all + greyhounds, and as full of vices as most animals who know they are loved + and petted. + </p> + <p> + So, then the tilbury reached the pavilion of the Rendezvous, the countess, + who stopped to ask how Madame Michaud felt, was told she had gone into the + forest with her husband. + </p> + <p> + “Such weather inspires everybody,” said Blondet, turning his horse at + hazard into one of the six avenues of the forest; “Joseph, you know the + woods, don’t you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, monsieur.” + </p> + <p> + And away they went. The avenue they took happened to be one of the most + delightful in the forest; it soon turned and grew narrower, and presently + became a winding way, on which the sunshine flickered through rifts in the + leafy roof, and where the breeze brought odors of lavender, and thyme, and + the wild mint, and that of falling leaves, which sighed as they fell. + Dew-drops on the trees and on the grass were scattered like seeds by the + passing of the light carriage; the occupants as they rolled along caught + glimpses of the mysterious visions of the woods,—those cool depths, + where the verdure is moist and dark, where the light softens as it fades; + those white-birch glades o’ertopped by some centennial tree, the Hercules + of the forest; those glorious assemblages of knotted, mossy trunks, + whitened and furrowed, and the banks of delicate wild plants and fragile + flowers which grow between a woodland road and the forest. The brooks + sang. Truly there is a nameless pleasure in driving a woman along the ups + and downs of a slippery way carpeted with moss, where she pretends to be + afraid or really is so, and you are conscious that she is drawing closer + to you, letting you feel, voluntarily or involuntarily, the cool moisture + of her arm, the weight of her round, white shoulder, though she merely + smiles when told that she hinders you in driving. The horse seems to know + the secret of these interruptions, and he looks about him from right to + left. + </p> + <p> + It was a new sight to the countess; this nature so vigorous in its + effects, so little seen and yet so grand, threw her into a languid revery; + she leaned back in the tilbury and yielded herself up to the pleasure of + being there with Emile; her eyes were charmed, her heart spoke, she + answered to the inward voice that harmonized with hers. He, too, glanced + at her furtively; he enjoyed that dreamy meditation, while the ribbons of + the bonnet floated on the morning breeze with the silky curls of the + golden hair. In consequence of going they knew not where, they presently + came to a locked gate, of which they had not the key. Joseph was called + up, but neither had he a key. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, let us walk; Joseph can take care of the tilbury; we shall + easily find it again.” + </p> + <p> + Emile and the countess plunged into the forest, and soon reached a small + interior cleared space, such as is often met with in the woods. Twenty + years earlier the charcoal-burners had made it their kiln, and the place + still remained open, quite a large circumference having been burned over. + But during those twenty years Nature had made herself a garden of flowers, + a blooming “parterre” for her own enjoyment, just as an artist gives + himself the delight of painting a picture for his own happiness. The + enchanting spot was surrounded by fine trees, whose tops hung over like + vast fringes and made a dais above this flowery couch where slept the + goddess. The charcoal-burners had followed a path to a pond, always full + of water. The path is there still; it invites you to step into it by a + turn full of mystery; then suddenly it stops short and you come upon a + bank where a thousand roots run down to the water and make a sort of + canvas in the air. This hidden pond has a narrow grassy edge, where a few + willows and poplars lend their fickle shade to a bank of turf which some + lazy or pensive charcoal-burner must have made for his enjoyment. The + frogs hop about, the teal bathe in the pond, the water-fowl come and go, a + hare starts; you are the master of this delicious bath, decorated with + iris and bulrushes. Above your head the trees take many attitudes; here + the trunks twine down like boa-constrictors, there the beeches stand erect + as a Greek column. The snails and the slugs move peacefully about. A tench + shows its gills, a squirrel looks at you; and at last, after Emile and the + countess, tired with her walk, were seated, a bird, but I know not what + bird it was, sang its autumn song, its farewell song, to which the other + songsters listened,—a song welcome to love, and heard by every organ + of the being. + </p> + <p> + “What silence!” said the countess, with emotion and in a whisper, as if + not to trouble this deep peace. + </p> + <p> + They looked at the green patches on the water,—worlds where life was + organizing; they pointed to the lizard playing in the sun and escaping at + their approach,—behavior which has won him the title of “the friend + of man.” “Proving, too, how well he knows him,” said Emile. They watched + the frogs, who, less distrustful, returned to the surface of the pond, + winking their carbuncle eyes as they sat upon the water-cresses. The sweet + and simple poetry of Nature permeated these two souls surfeited with the + conventional things of life, and filled them with contemplative emotion. + Suddenly Blondet shuddered. Turning to the countess he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear that?” + </p> + <p> + “What?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “A curious noise.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you literary men who live in your studies and know nothing of the + country! that is only a woodpecker tapping a tree. I dare say you don’t + even know the most curious fact in the history of that bird. As soon as he + has given his tap, and he gives millions to pierce an oak, he flies behind + the tree to see if he is yet through it; and he does this every instant.” + </p> + <p> + “The noise I heard, dear instructress of natural history, was not a noise + made by an animal; there was evidence of mind in it, and that proclaims a + man.” + </p> + <p> + The countess was seized with panic, and she darted back through the wild + flower-garden, seeking the path by which to leave the forest. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” cried Blondet, rushing after her. + </p> + <p> + “I thought I saw eyes,” she said, when they regained the path through + which they had reached the charcoal-burner’s open. + </p> + <p> + Just then they heard the low death-rattle of a creature whose throat was + suddenly cut, and the countess, with her fears redoubled, fled so quickly + that Blondet could scarcely follow her. She ran like a will-o’-the-wisp, + and did not listen to Blondet who called to her, “You are mistaken.” On + she ran, and Emile with her, till they suddenly came upon Michaud and his + wife, who were walking along arm-in-arm. Emile was panting and the + countess out of breath, and it was some time before they could speak; then + they explained. Michaud joined Blondet in laughing at the countess’s + terror; then the bailiff showed the two wanderers the way to find the + tilbury. When they reached the gate Madame Michaud called, “Prince!” + </p> + <p> + “Prince! Prince!” called the bailiff; then he whistled,—but no + greyhound. + </p> + <p> + Emile mentioned the curious noise that began their adventure. + </p> + <p> + “My wife heard that noise,” said Michaud, “and I laughed at her.” + </p> + <p> + “They have killed Prince!” exclaimed the countess. “I am sure of it; they + killed him by cutting his throat at one blow. What I heard was the groan + of a dying animal.” + </p> + <p> + “The devil!” cried Michaud; “the matter must be cleared up.” + </p> + <p> + Emile and the bailiff left the two ladies with Joseph and the horses, and + returned to the wild garden of the open. They went down the bank to the + pond; looked everywhere along the slope, but found no clue. Blondet jumped + back first, and as he did so he saw, in a thicket which stood on higher + ground, one of those trees he had noticed in the morning with withered + heads. He showed it to Michaud, and proposed to go to it. The two sprang + forward in a straight line across the forest, avoiding the trunks and + going round the matted tangles of brier and holly until they found the + tree. + </p> + <p> + “It is a fine elm,” said Michaud, “but there’s a worm in it,—a worm + which gnaws round the bark close to the roots.” + </p> + <p> + He stopped and took up a bit of the bark, saying: “See how they work.” + </p> + <p> + “You have a great many worms in this forest,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + Just then Michaud noticed a red spot; a moment more and he saw the head of + his greyhound. He sighed. + </p> + <p> + “The scoundrels!” he said. “Madame was right.” + </p> + <p> + Michaud and Blondet examined the body and found, just as the countess had + said, that some one had cut the greyhound’s throat. To prevent his barking + he had been decoyed with a bit of meat, which was still between his tongue + and his palate. + </p> + <p> + “Poor brute; he died of self-indulgence.” + </p> + <p> + “Like all princes,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Some one, whoever it is, has just gone, fearing that we might catch him + or her,” said Michaud. “A serious offence has been committed. But for all + that, I see no branches about and no lopped trees.” + </p> + <p> + Blondet and the bailiff began a cautious search, looking at each spot + where they set their feet before setting them. Presently Blondet pointed + to a tree beneath which the grass was flattened down and two hollows made. + </p> + <p> + “Some one knelt there, and it must have been a woman, for a man would not + have left such a quantity of flattened grass around the impression of his + two knees; yes, see! that is the outline of a petticoat.” + </p> + <p> + The bailiff, after examining the base of the tree, found the beginning of + a hole beneath the bark; but he did not find the worm with the tough skin, + shiny and squamous, covered with brown specks, ending in a tail not unlike + that of a cockchafer, and having also the latter’s head, antennae, and the + two vigorous hooks or shears with which the creature cuts into the wood. + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” said Blondet, “now I understand the enormous number of + <i>dead</i> trees that I noticed this morning from the terrace of the + chateau, and which brought me here to find out the cause of the + phenomenon. Worms are at work; but they are no other than your peasants.” + </p> + <p> + The bailiff gave vent to an oath and rushed off, followed by Blondet, to + rejoin the countess, whom he requested to take his wife home with her. + Then he jumped on Joseph’s horse, leaving the man to return on foot, and + disappeared with great rapidity to cut off the retreat of the woman who + had killed his dog, hoping to catch her with the bloody bill-hook in her + hand and the tool used to make the incisions in the bark of the tree. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go and tell the general at once, before he breakfasts,” cried the + countess; “he might die of anger.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll prepare him,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “They have killed the dog,” said Olympe, in tears. + </p> + <p> + “You loved the poor greyhound, dear, enough to weep for him?” said the + countess. + </p> + <p> + “I think of Prince as a warning; I fear some danger to my husband.” + </p> + <p> + “How they have ruined this beautiful morning for us,” said the countess, + with an adorable little pout. + </p> + <p> + “How they have ruined the country,” said Olympe, gravely. + </p> + <p> + They met the general near the chateau. + </p> + <p> + “Where have you been?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “You shall know in a minute,” said Blondet, mysteriously, as he helped the + countess and Madame Michaud to alight. A moment more and the two gentlemen + were alone on the terrace of the apartments. + </p> + <p> + “You have plenty of moral strength, general; you won’t put yourself in a + passion, will you?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the general; “but come to the point or I shall think you are + making fun of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you see those trees with dead leaves?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you see those others that are wilting?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, every one of them has been killed by the peasants you think you + have won over by your benefits.” + </p> + <p> + And Blondet related the events of the morning. + </p> + <p> + The general was so pale that Blondet was frightened. + </p> + <p> + “Come, curse, swear, be furious! your self-control may hurt you more than + anger!” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll go and smoke,” said the general, turning toward the kiosk. + </p> + <p> + During breakfast Michaud came in; he had found no one. Sibilet, whom the + count had sent for, came also. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Sibilet, and you, Monsieur Michaud, are to make it known, + cautiously, that I will pay a thousand francs to whoever will arrest <i>in + the act</i> the person or persons who are killing my trees; they must also + discover the instrument with which the work is done, and where it was + bought. I have settled upon a plan.” + </p> + <p> + “Those people never betray one another,” said Sibilet, “if the crime done + is for their benefit and premeditated. There is no denying that this + diabolical business has been planned, carefully planned and contrived.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but a thousand francs means a couple of acres of land.” + </p> + <p> + “We can try,” said Sibilet; “fifteen hundred francs might buy you a + traitor, especially if you promise secrecy.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good; but let us act as if we suspected nothing, I especially; if + not, we shall be the victims of some collusion; one has to be as wary with + these brigands as with the enemy in war.” + </p> + <p> + “But the enemy is here,” said Blondet. + </p> + <p> + Sibilet threw him the furtive glance of a man who understood the meaning + of the words, and then he withdrew. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t like your Sibilet,” said Blondet, when he had seen the steward + leave the house. “That man is playing false.” + </p> + <p> + “Up to this time he has done nothing I could complain of,” said the + general. + </p> + <p> + Blondet went off to write letters. He had lost the careless gayety of his + first arrival, and was now uneasy and preoccupied; but he had no vague + presentiments like those of Madame Michaud; he was, rather, in full + expectation of certain foreseen misfortunes. He said to himself, “This + affair will come to some bad end; and if the general does not take + decisive action and will not abandon a battle-field where he is + overwhelmed by numbers there must be a catastrophe; and who knows who will + come out safe and sound,—perhaps neither he nor his wife. Good God! + that adorable little creature! so devoted, so perfect! how can he expose + her thus! He thinks he loves her! Well, I’ll share their danger, and if I + can’t save them I’ll suffer with them.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. RURAL VIRTUE + </h2> + <p> + That night Marie Tonsard was stationed on the road to Soulanges, sitting + on the rail of a culvert waiting for Bonnebault, who had spent the day, as + usual, at the Cafe de la Paix. She heard him coming at some distance, and + his step told her that he was drunk, and she knew also that he had lost + money, for he always sang if he won. + </p> + <p> + “Is that you, Bonnebault?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my girl.” + </p> + <p> + “What’s the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “I owe twenty-five francs, and they may wring my neck twenty-five times + before I can pay them.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I know how you can get five hundred,” she said in his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! by killing a man; but I prefer to live.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your tongue. Vaudoyer will give us five hundred francs if you will + let him catch your mother at a tree.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d rather kill a man than sell my mother. There’s your old grandmother; + why don’t you sell her?” + </p> + <p> + “If I tried to, my father would get angry and stop the trick.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s true. Well, anyhow, my mother sha’n’t go to prison, poor old + thing! She cooks my food and keeps me in clothes, I’m sure I don’t know + how. Go to prison,—and through me! I shouldn’t have any bowels + within me; no, no! And for fear any one else should sell her, I’ll tell + her this very night not to kill any more trees.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my father may say and do what he likes, but I shall tell him there + are five hundred francs to be had, and perhaps he’ll ask my grandmother if + she’ll earn them. They’ll never put an old woman seventy-eight years of + age in prison,—though, to be sure, she’d be better off there than in + her garret.” + </p> + <p> + “Five hundred francs! well, yes; I’ll speak to my mother,” said + Bonnebault, “and if it suits her to give ‘em to me, I’ll let her have part + to take to prison. She could knit, and amuse herself; and she’d be well + fed and lodged, and have less trouble than she has at Conches. Well, + to-morrow, my girl, I’ll see you about it; I haven’t time to stop now.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning at daybreak Bonnebault and his old mother knocked at the + door of the Grand-I-Vert. Mother Tonsard was the only person up. + </p> + <p> + “Marie!” called Bonnebault, “that matter is settled.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean about the trees?” said Mother Tonsard; “yes, it is all settled; + I’ve taken it.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense!” cried Mother Bonnebault, “my son has got the promise of an + acre of land from Monsieur Rigou—” + </p> + <p> + The two old women squabbled as to which of them should be sold by her + children. The noise of the quarrel woke up the household. Tonsard and + Bonnebault took sides for their respective mothers. + </p> + <p> + “Pull straws,” suggested Tonsard’s wife. + </p> + <p> + The short straw gave it in favor of the tavern. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, in the forest of Ville-aux-Fayes at daybreak, the + gendarmes arrested old Mother Tonsard caught “in flagrante delicto” by the + bailiff, his assistants, and the field-keeper, with a rusty file which + served to tear the tree, and a chisel, used by the delinquent to scoop + round the bark just as the insect bores its way. The indictment stated + that sixty trees thus destroyed were found within a radius of five hundred + feet. The old woman was sent to Auxerre, the case coming under the + jurisdiction of the assize-court. + </p> + <p> + Michaud could not refrain from saying when he discovered Mother Tonsard at + the foot of the tree: “These are the persons on whom the general and + Madame la comtesse have showered benefits! Faith, if Madame would only + listen to me, she wouldn’t give that dowry to the Tonsard girl, who is + more worthless than her grandmother.” + </p> + <p> + The old woman raised her gray eyes and darted a venomous look at Michaud. + When the count learned who the guilty person was, he forbade his wife to + give the money to Catherine Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte is perfectly right,” said Sibilet. “I know that Godain + bought that land three days before Catherine came to speak to Madame. She + is quite capable, that girl, of pretending she is with child, to get the + money; very likely Godain has had nothing to do with it.” + </p> + <p> + “What a community!” said Blondet; “the scoundrels of Paris are saints by + comparison.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, monsieur,” said Sibilet, “self-interest makes people guilty of + horrors everywhere. Do you know who betrayed the old woman?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Her granddaughter Marie; she was jealous of her sister’s marriage, and to + get the money for her own—” + </p> + <p> + “It is awful!” said the count. “Why! they’d murder!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes,” said Sibilet, “for a very small sum. They care so little for + life, those people; they hate to have to work all their lives. Ah + monsieur, queer things happen in country places, as queer as those of + Paris,—but you will never believe it.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us be kind and benevolent,” said the countess. + </p> + <p> + The evening after the arrest Bonnebault came to the tavern of the + Grand-I-Vert, where all the Tonsard family were in great jubilation. “Oh + yes, yes!” said he, “make the most of your rejoicing; but I’ve just heard + from Vaudoyer that the countess, to punish you, withdraws the thousand + francs promised to Godain; her husband won’t let her give them.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s that villain of a Michaud who has put him up to it,” said Tonsard. + “My mother heard him say he would; she told me at Ville-aux-Fayes where I + went to carry her some money and her clothes. Well; let that countess keep + her money! our five hundred francs shall help Godain buy the land; and + we’ll revenge ourselves for this thing. Ha! Michaud meddles with our + private matters, does he? it will bring him more harm than good. What + business is it of his, I’d like to know? let him keep to the woods! It’s + he who is at the bottom of all this trouble—he found the clue that + day my mother cut the throat of his dog. Suppose I were to meddle in the + affairs of the chateau? Suppose I were to tell the general that his wife + is off walking in the woods before he is up in the morning, with a young + man.” + </p> + <p> + “The general, the general!” sneered Courtecuisse; “they can do what they + like with him. But it’s Michaud who stirs him up, the mischief-maker! a + fellow who don’t know his business; in my day, things went differently.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Tonsard, “those were the good days for all of us—weren’t + they, Vaudoyer?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the latter, “and the fact is that if Michaud were got rid of + we should be left in peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough said,” replied Tonsard. “We’ll talk of this later—by + moonlight—in the open field.” + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of October the countess returned to Paris, leaving the + general at Les Aigues. He was not to rejoin her till some time later, but + she did not wish to lose the first night of the Italian Opera, and + moreover she was lonely and bored; she missed Emile, who was recalled by + his avocations, for he had helped her to pass the hours when the general + was scouring the country or attending to business. + </p> + <p> + November was a true winter month, gray and gloomy, a mixture of snow and + rain, frost and thaw. The trial of Mother Tonsard had required witnesses + at Auxerre, and Michaud had given his testimony. Monsieur Rigou had + interested himself for the old woman, and employed a lawyer on her behalf + who relied in his defence on the absence of disinterested witnesses; but + the testimony of Michaud and his assistants and the field-keeper was found + to outweigh this objection. Tonsard’s mother was sentenced to five years’ + imprisonment, and the lawyer said to her son:— + </p> + <p> + “It was Michaud’s testimony which got her that.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX THE CATASTROPHE + </h2> + <p> + One Saturday evening, Courtecuisse, Bonnebault, Godain, Tonsard, his + daughters, wife, and Pere Fourchon, also Vaudoyer and several mechanics + were supping at the tavern. The moon was at half-full, the first snow had + melted, and frost had just stiffened the ground so that a man’s step left + no traces. They were eating a stew of hare caught in a trap; all were + drinking and laughing. It was the day after the wedding of Catherine and + Godain, and the wedded pair were to be conducted to their new home, which + was not far from that of Courtecuisse; for when Rigou sold an acre of land + it was sure to be isolated and close to the woods. Courtecuisse and + Vaudoyer had brought their guns to accompany the bride. The neighborhood + was otherwise fast asleep; not a light was to be seen; none but the + wedding party were awake, but they made noise enough. In the midst of it + the old Bonnebault woman entered, and every one looked at her. + </p> + <p> + “I think she is going to lie-in,” she whispered in Tonsard’s ear. “<i>He</i> + has saddled his horse and is going for the doctor at Soulanges.” + </p> + <p> + “Sit down,” said Tonsard, giving her his place at the table, and going + himself to lie on a bench. + </p> + <p> + Just then the gallop of a horse passing rapidly along the road was heard. + Tonsard, Courtecuisse, and Vaudoyer went out hurriedly, and saw Michaud on + his way to the village. + </p> + <p> + “He knows what he’s about,” said Courtecuisse; “he came down by the + terrace and he means to go by Blangy and the road,—it’s the safest + way.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Tonsard, “but he will bring the doctor back with him.” + </p> + <p> + “He won’t find him,” said Courtecuisse, “the doctor has been sent for to + Conches for the postmistress.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he’ll go from Soulanges to Conches by the mail-road; that’s + shortest.” + </p> + <p> + “And safest too, for us,” said Courtecuisse, “there’s a fine moon, and + there are no keepers on the roads as there are in the woods; one can hear + much farther; and down there, by the pavilions, behind the hedges, just + where they join the little wood, one can aim at a man from behind, like a + rabbit, at five hundred feet.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be half-past eleven before he comes past there,” said Tonsard, + “it will take him half an hour to go to Soulanges and as much more to get + back,—but look here! suppose Monsieur Gourdon were on the road?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t trouble about that,” said Courtecuisse, “I’ll stand ten minutes + away from you to the right on the road towards Blangy, and Vaudoyer will + be ten minutes away on your left towards Conches; if anything comes along, + the mail, or the gendarmes, or whatever it is, we’ll fire a shot into the + ground,—a muffled sound, you’ll know it.” + </p> + <p> + “But suppose I miss him?” said Tonsard. + </p> + <p> + “He’s right,” said Courtecuisse, “I’m the best shot; Vaudoyer, I’ll go + with you; Bonnebault may watch in my place; he can give a cry; that’s + easier heard and less suspicious.” + </p> + <p> + All three returned to the tavern and the wedding festivities went on; but + about eleven o’clock Vaudoyer, Courtecuisse, Tonsard, and Bonnebault went + out, carrying their guns, though none of the women took any notice of + them. They came back in about three-quarters of an hour, and sat drinking + till past one o’clock. Tonsard’s girls and their mother and the old + Bonnebault woman had plied the miller, the mechanics, and the two + peasants, as well as Fourchon, with so much drink that they were all on + the ground and snoring when the four men left the tavern; on their return, + the sleepers were shaken and roused, and every one seemed to them, as + before, in his place. + </p> + <p> + While this orgy was going on Michaud’s household was in a scene of mortal + anxiety. Olympe had felt false pains, and her husband, thinking she was + about to be delivered, rode off instantly in haste for the doctor. But the + poor woman’s pains ceased as soon as she realized that Michaud was gone; + for her mind was so preoccupied by the danger her husband ran at that hour + of the night, in a lawless region filled with determined foes, that the + anguish of her soul was powerful enough to deaden and momentarily subdue + those of the body. In vain her servant-woman declared her fears were + imaginary; she seemed not to comprehend a word that was said to her, and + sat by the fire in her bed-chamber listening to every sound. In her + terror, which increased every moment, she had the man wakened, meaning to + give him some order which still she did not give. At last, the poor woman + wandered up and down, coming and going in feverish agitation; she looked + out of all the windows and opened them in spite of the cold; then she went + downstairs and opened the door into the courtyard, looking out and + listening. “Nothing! nothing!” she said. Then she went up again in + despair. About a quarter past twelve, she cried out: “Here he is! I hear + the horse!” Again she went down, followed by the man who went to open the + iron gate of the courtyard. “It is strange,” she said, “that he should + return by the Conches woods!” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she stood still, horrorstruck, motionless, voiceless. The man + shared her terror, for, in the furious gallop of the horse, the clang of + the empty stirrups, the neigh of the frightened animal, there was + something, they scarcely knew what, of unspeakable warning. Soon, too soon + for the unhappy wife, the horse reached the gate, panting and sweating, + but alone; he had broken the bridle, no doubt by entangling it. Olympe + gazed with haggard eyes at the servant as he opened the gate; she saw the + horse, and then, without a word, she ran to the chateau like a madwoman; + when she reached it she fell to the ground beneath the general’s windows + crying out: “Monsieur, they have murdered him!” + </p> + <p> + The cry was so terrible it awoke the count; he rang violently, bringing + the whole household to their feet; and the groans of Madame Michaud, who + as she lay on the ground, gave birth to a child that died in being born, + brought the general and all the servants about her. They raised the poor + dying woman, who expired, saying to the general: “They have murdered him!” + </p> + <p> + “Joseph!” cried the count to his valet, “go for the doctor; there may yet + be time to save her. No, better bring the curate; the poor woman is dead, + and her child too. My God! my God! how thankful I am that my wife is not + here. And you,” he said to the gardener, “go and find out what has + happened.” + </p> + <p> + “I can tell you,” said the pavilion servant, coming up, “Monsieur + Michaud’s horse has come back alone, the reins broke, his legs bloody; and + there’s a spot of blood on the saddle.” + </p> + <p> + “What can be done at this time of night?” cried the count. “Call up + Groison, send for the keepers, saddle the horses; we’ll beat the country.” + </p> + <p> + By daybreak, eight persons—the count, Groison, the three keepers, + and two gendarmes sent from Soulanges with their sergeant—searched + the country. It was not till the middle of the morning that they found the + body of the bailiff in a copse between the mail-road and the smaller road + leading to Ville-aux-Fayes, at the end of the park of Les Aigues, not far + from Conches. Two gendarmes started, one to Ville-aux-Fayes for the + prosecuting attorney, the other to Soulanges for the justice of the peace. + Meantime the general, assisted by the sergeant, noted down the facts. They + found on the road, just above the two pavilions, the print of the stamping + of the horse’s feet as he roared, and the traces of his frightened gallop + from there to the first opening in the woods above the hedge. The horse, + no longer guided, turned into the wood-path. Michaud’s hat was found + there. The animal evidently took the nearest way to reach his stable. The + bailiff had a ball though his back which broke the spine. + </p> + <p> + Groison and the sergeant studied the ground around the spot where the + horse reared (which might be called, in judicial language, the theatre of + the crime) with remarkable sagacity, but without obtaining any clue. The + earth was too frozen to show the footprints of the murderer, and all they + found was the paper of a cartridge. When the attorney and the judge and + Monsieur Gourdon, the doctor, arrived and raised the body to make the + autopsy, it was found that the ball, which corresponded with the fragments + of the wad, was an ammunition ball, evidently from a military musket; and + no such musket existed in the district of Blangy. The judge and Monsieur + Soudry the attorney, who came that evening to the chateau, thought it best + to collect all the facts and await events. The same opinion was expressed + by the sergeant and the lieutenant of the gendarmerie. + </p> + <p> + “It is impossible that it can be anything but a planned attack on the part + of the peasants,” said the sergeant; “but there are two districts, Conches + and Blangy, in each of which there are five or six persons capable of + being concerned in the murder. The one that I suspect most, Tonsard, + passed the night carousing in the Grand-I-Vert; but your assistant, + general, the miller Langlume, was there, and he says that Tonsard did not + leave the tavern. They were all so drunk they could not stand; they took + the bride home at half-past one; and the return of the horse proves that + Michaud was murdered between eleven o’clock and midnight. At a quarter + past ten Groison saw the whole company assembled at table, and Monsieur + Michaud passed there on his way to Soulanges, which he reached at eleven. + His horse reared between the two pavilions on the mail-road; but he may + have been shot before reaching Blangy and yet have stayed in the saddle + for some little time. We should have to issue warrants for at least twenty + persons and arrest them; but I know these peasants, and so do these + gentlemen; you might keep them a year in prison and you would get nothing + out of them but denials. What could you do with all those who were at + Tonsard’s?” + </p> + <p> + They sent for Langlume, the miller, and the assistant of General + Montcornet as mayor; he related what had taken place in the tavern, and + gave the names of all present; none had gone out except for a minute or + two into the courtyard. He had left the room for a moment with Tonsard + about eleven o’clock; they had spoken of the moon and the weather, and + heard nothing. At two o’clock the whole party had taken the bride and + bridegroom to their own house. + </p> + <p> + The general arranged with the sergeant, the lieutenant, and the civil + authorities to send to Paris for the cleverest detective in the service of + the police, who should come to the chateau as a workman, and behave so ill + as to be dismissed; he should then take to drinking and frequent the + Grand-I-Vert and remain in the neighborhood in the character of an + ill-wisher to the general. The best plan they could follow was to watch + and wait for a momentary revelation, and then make the most of it. + </p> + <p> + “If I have to spend twenty thousand francs I’ll discover the murderer of + my poor Michaud,” the general was never weary of saying. + </p> + <p> + He went off with that idea in his head, and returned from Paris in the + month of January with one of the shrewdest satellites of the chief of the + detective police, who was brought down ostensibly to do some work to the + interior of the chateau. The man was discovered poaching. He was arrested, + and turned off, and soon after—early in February—the general + rejoined his wife in Paris. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. THE TRIUMPH OF THE VANQUISHED + </h2> + <p> + One evening in the month of May, when the fine weather had come and the + Parisians had returned to Les Aigues, Monsieur de Troisville,—who + had been persuaded to accompany his daughter,—Blondet, the Abbe + Brossette, the general, and the sub-prefect of Ville-aux-Fayes, who was on + a visit to the chateau, were all playing either whist or chess. It was + about half-past eleven o’clock when Joseph entered and told his master + that the worthless poaching workman who had been dismissed wanted to see + him,—something about a bill which he said the general still owed + him. “He is very drunk,” added Joseph. + </p> + <p> + “Very good, I’ll go and speak to him.” + </p> + <p> + The general went out upon the lawn to some distance from the house. + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le comte,” said the detective, “nothing will ever be got out of + these people. All that I have been able to gather is that if you continue + to stay in this place and try to make the peasants renounce the pilfering + habits which Mademoiselle Laguerre allowed them to acquire, they will + shoot you as well as your bailiff. There is no use in my staying here; for + they distrust me even more than they do the keepers.” + </p> + <p> + The count paid his spy, who left the place the next day, and his departure + justified the suspicions entertained about him by the accomplices in the + death of Michaud. + </p> + <p> + When the general returned to the salon there were such signs of emotion + upon his face that his wife asked him, anxiously, what news he had just + heard. + </p> + <p> + “Dear wife,” he said, “I don’t want to frighten you, and yet it is right + you should know that Michaud’s death was intended as a warning for us to + leave this part of the country.” + </p> + <p> + “If I were in your place,” said Monsieur de Troisville, “I would not leave + it. I myself have had just such difficulties in Normandy, only under + another form; I persisted in my course, and now everything goes well.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur le marquis,” said the sub-prefect, “Normandy and Burgundy are + two very different regions. The grape heats the blood far more than the + apple. We know much less of law and legal proceedings; we live among the + woods; the large industries are unknown among us; we are still savages. If + I might give my advice to Monsieur le comte it would be to sell this + estate and put the money in the Funds; he would double his income and have + no anxieties. If he likes living in the country he could buy a chateau + near Paris with a park as beautiful as that of Les Aigues, surrounded by + walls, where no one can annoy him, and where he can let all his farms and + receive the money in good bank-bills, and have no law suits from one + year’s end to another. He could come and go in three or four hours, and + Monsieur Blondet and Monsieur le marquis would not be so often away from + you, Madame la comtesse.” + </p> + <p> + “I, retreat before the peasantry when I did not recoil before the Danube!” + cried the general. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but what became of your cuirassiers?” asked Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Such a fine estate!” + </p> + <p> + “It will sell to-day for over two millions.” + </p> + <p> + “The chateau alone must have cost that,” remarked Monsieur de Troisville. + </p> + <p> + “One of the best properties in a circumference of sixty miles,” said the + sub-prefect; “but you can find a better near Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “How much income does one get from two millions?” asked the countess. + </p> + <p> + “Now-a-days, about eighty thousand francs,” replied Blondet. + </p> + <p> + “Les Aigues does not bring in, all told, more than thirty thousand,” said + the countess; “and lately you have been at such immense expenses,—you + have surrounded the woods this year with ditches.” + </p> + <p> + “You could get,” added Blondet, “a royal chateau for four hundred thousand + francs near Paris. In these days people buy the follies of others.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you cared for Les Aigues!” said the count to his wife. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you feel that I care a thousand times more for your life?” she + replied. “Besides, ever since the death of my poor Olympe and Michaud’s + murder the country is odious to me; all the faces I meet seem to wear a + treacherous or threatening expression.” + </p> + <p> + The next evening the sub-prefect, having ended his visit at the chateau, + was welcomed in the salon of Monsieur Gaubertin at Ville-aux-Fayes in + these words:— + </p> + <p> + “Well, Monsieur des Lupeaulx, so you have returned from Les Aigues?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the sub-prefect with a little air of triumph and a look of + tender regard at Mademoiselle Elise, “and I am very much afraid to say we + may lose the general; he talks of selling his property—” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur Gaubertin, I speak for my pavilion. I can on longer endure the + noise, the dust of Ville-aux-Fayes; like a poor imprisoned bird I gasp for + the air of the fields, the woodland breezes,” said Madame Isaure, in a + lackadaisical voice, with her eyes half-closed and her head bending to her + left shoulder as she played carelessly with the long curls of her blond + hair. + </p> + <p> + “Pray be prudent, madame!” said her husband in a low voice; “your + indiscretions will not help me to buy the pavilion.” Then, turning to the + sub-prefect, he added, “Haven’t they yet discovered the men who were + concerned in the murder of the bailiff?” + </p> + <p> + “It seems not,” replied the sub-prefect. + </p> + <p> + “That will injure the sale of Les Aigues,” said Gaubertin to the company + generally, “I know very well that I would not buy the place. The peasantry + over there are such a bad set of people; even in the days of Mademoiselle + Laguerre I had trouble with them, and God knows she let them do as they + liked.” + </p> + <p> + At the end of the month of May the general still gave no sign that he + intended to sell Les Aigues; in fact, he was undecided. One night, about + ten o’clock, he was returning from the forest through one of the six + avenues that led to the pavilion of the Rendezvous. He dismissed the + keeper who accompanied him, as he was then so near the chateau. At a turn + of the road a man armed with a gun came from behind a bush. + </p> + <p> + “General,” he said, “this is the third time I have had you at the end of + my barrel, and the third time that I give you your life.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you want to kill me, Bonnebault?” said the general, without + showing the least emotion. + </p> + <p> + “Faith, if I don’t, somebody else will; but I, you see, I like the men who + served the Emperor, and I can’t make up my mind to shoot you like a + partridge. Don’t question me, for I’ll tell you nothing; but you’ve got + enemies, powerful enemies, cleverer than you, and they’ll end by crushing + you. I am to have a thousand crowns if I kill you, and then I can marry + Marie Tonsard. Well, give me enough to buy a few acres of land and a bit + of a cottage, and I’ll keep on saying, as I have done, that I’ve found no + chances. That will give you time to sell your property and get away; but + make haste. I’m an honest lad still, scamp as I am; but another fellow + won’t spare you.” + </p> + <p> + “If I give you what you ask, will you tell me who offered you those three + thousand francs?” said the general. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know myself; and the person who is urging me to do the thing is + some one I love too well to tell of. Besides, even if you did know it was + Marie Tonsard, that wouldn’t help you; Marie Tonsard would be as silent as + that wall, and I should deny every word I’ve said.” + </p> + <p> + “Come and see me to-morrow,” said the general. + </p> + <p> + “Enough,” replied Bonnebault; “and if they begin to say I’m too dilatory, + I’ll let you know in time.” + </p> + <p> + A week after that singular conversation the whole arrondissement, indeed + the whole department, was covered with posters, advertising the sale of + Les Aigues at the office of Maitre Corbineau, the notary of Soulanges. All + the lots were knocked down to Rigou, and the price paid amounted to two + millions five hundred thousand francs. The next day Rigou had the names + changed; Monsieur Gaubertin took the woods, Rigou and Soudry the vineyards + and the farms. The chateau and the park were sold over again in small lots + among the sons of the soil, the peasantry,—excepting the pavilion, + its dependencies, and fifty surrounding acres, which Monsieur Gaubertin + retained as a gift to his poetic and sentimental spouse. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Many years after these events, during the year 1837, one of the most + remarkable political writers of the day, Emile Blondet, reached the last + stages of a poverty which he had so far hidden beneath an outward + appearance of ease and elegance. He was thinking of taking some desperate + step, realizing, as he did, that his writings, his mind, his knowledge, + his ability for the direction of affairs, had made him nothing better than + a mere functionary, mechanically serving the ends of others; seeing that + every avenue was closed to him and all places taken; feeling that he had + reached middle-life without fame and without fortune; that fools and + middle-class men of no training had taken the places of the courtiers and + incapables of the Restoration, and that the government was reconstituted + such as it was before 1830. One evening, when he had come very near + committing suicide (a folly he had so often laughed at), while his mind + travelled back over his miserable existence calumniated and worn down with + toil far more than with the dissipations charged against him, the noble + and beautiful face of a woman rose before his eyes, like a statue rising + pure and unbroken amid the saddest ruins. Just then the porter brought him + a letter sealed with black from the Comtesse de Montcornet, telling him of + the death of her husband, who had again taken service in the army and + commanded a division. The count had left her his property, and she had no + children. The letter, though dignified, showed Blondet very plainly that + the woman of forty whom he had loved in his youth offered him a friendly + hand and a large fortune. + </p> + <p> + A few days ago the marriage of the Comtesse de Montcornet with Monsieur + Blondet, appointed prefect in one of the departments, was celebrated in + Paris. On their way to take possession of the prefecture, they followed + the road which led past what had formerly been Les Aigues. They stopped + the carriage near the spot where the two pavilions had once stood, wishing + to see the places so full of tender memories for each. The country was no + longer recognizable. The mysterious woods, the park avenues, all were + cleared away; the landscape looked like a tailor’s pattern-card. The sons + of the soil had taken possession of the earth as victors and conquerors. + It was cut up into a thousand little lots, and the population had tripled + between Conches and Blangy. The levelling and cultivation of the noble + park, once so carefully tended, so delightful in its beauty, threw into + isolated relief the pavilion of the Rendezvous, now the Villa Buen-Retiro + of Madame Isaure Gaubertin; it was the only building left standing, and it + commanded the whole landscape, or as we might better call it, the stretch + of cornfields which now constituted the landscape. The building seemed + magnified into a chateau, so miserable were the little houses which the + peasants had built around it. + </p> + <p> + “This is progress!” cried Emile. “It is a page out of Jean-Jacques’ + ‘Social Compact’! and I—I am harnessed to the social machine that + works it! Good God! what will the kings be soon? More than that, what will + the nations themselves be fifty years hence under this state of things?” + </p> + <p> + “But you love me; you are beside me. I think the present delightful. What + do I care for such a distant future?” said his wife. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes! by your side, hurrah for the present!” cried the lover, gayly, + “and the devil take the future.” + </p> + <p> + Then he signed to the coachman, and as the horses sprang forward along the + road, the wedded pair returned to the enjoyment of their honeymoon. + </p> + <h3> + 1845. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + ADDENDUM + </h2> + <h3> + The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy. + </h3> + <p> + Note: Sons of the Soil is also known as The Peasantry and is referred to + by that title when mentioned in other addendums. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Blondet, Emile + Jealousies of a Country Town + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life + Modeste Mignon + Another Study of Woman + The Secrets of a Princess + A Daughter of Eve + The Firm of Nucingen + + Blondet, Virginie + Jealousies of a Country Town + The Secrets of a Princess + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Another Study of Woman + The Member for Arcis + A Daughter of Eve + + Bourlac, Bernard-Jean-Baptiste-Macloud, Baron de + The Seamy Side of History + + Brossette, Abbe + Beatrix + + Carigliano, Duchesse de + At the Sign of the Cat and Racket + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + The Member for Arcis + + Casteran, De + The Chouans + The Seamy Side of History + Jealousies of a Country Town + Beatrix + + Laguerre, Mademoiselle + A Prince of Bohemia + + La Roche-Hugon, Martial de + Domestic Peace + A Daughter of Eve + The Member for Arcis + The Middle Classes + Cousin Betty + + Lupin, Amaury + A Start in Life + + Marest, Georges + A Start in Life + + Minorets, The + The Government Clerks + + Montcornet, Marechal, Comte de + Domestic Peace + Lost Illusions + A Distinguished Provincial at Paris + Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life + A Man of Business + Cousin Betty + + Navarreins, Duc de + A Bachelor’s Establishment + Colonel Chabert + The Muse of the Department + The Thirteen + Jealousies of a Country Town + Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life + The Country Parson + The Magic Skin + The Gondreville Mystery + The Secrets of a Princess + Cousin Betty + + Ronquerolles, Marquis de + The Imaginary Mistress + Ursule Mirouet + A Woman of Thirty + Another Study of Woman + The Thirteen + The Member for Arcis + + Scherbelloff, Princesse (or Scherbellof or Sherbelloff) + Jealousies of a Country Town + + Soulanges, Comte Leon de + Domestic Peace + + Soulanges, Comtesse Hortense de + Domestic Peace + The Thirteen + + Steingel + The Gondreville Mystery + + Troisville, Guibelin, Vicomte de + The Seamy Side of History + The Chouans + Jealousies of a Country Town +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1417 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |