Allthesemanoeuvreswerecrownedwithcompletesuccess。In1834themothersofthefortynoblefamiliescomposingthehighsocietyofBesanconquotedMonsieurAmedeedeSoulasasthemostcharmingyoungmaninthetown；noonewouldhavedaredtodisputehisplaceascockofthewalkattheHoteldeRupt，andallBesanconregardedhimasRosaliedeWatteville\'sfuturehusband。TherehadevenbeensomeexchangeofideasonthesubjectbetweentheBaronessandAmedee，towhichtheBaron\'sapparentnonentitygavesomecertainty。
MademoiselledeWatteville，towhomherenormousprospectivefortuneatthattimelentconsiderableimportance，hadbeenbroughtupexclusivelywithintheprecinctsoftheHoteldeRupt——whichhermotherrarelyquitted，sodevotedwasshetoherdearArchbishop——andseverelyrepressedbyanexclusivelyreligiouseducation，andbyhermother\'sdespotism，whichheldherrigidlytoprinciples。Rosalieknewabsolutelynothing。IsitknowledgetohavelearnedgeographyfromGuthrie，sacredhistory，ancienthistory，thehistoryofFrance，andthefourrulesallpassedthroughthesieveofanoldJesuit？Dancingandmusicwereforbidden，asbeingmorelikelytocorruptlifethantograceit。TheBaronesstaughtherdaughtereveryconceivablestitchintapestryandwomen\'swork——plainsewing，embroidery，netting。AtseventeenRosaliehadneverreadanythingbutthe/Lettresedifiantes/
andsomeworksonheraldry。Nonewspaperhadeverdefiledhersight。
SheattendedmassattheCathedraleverymorning，takentherebyhermother，camebacktobreakfast，didneedleworkafteralittlewalkinthegarden，andreceivedvisitors，sittingwiththebaronessuntildinner-time。Then，afterdinner，exceptingonMondaysandFridays，sheaccompaniedMadamedeWattevilletootherhousestospendtheevening，withoutbeingallowedtotalkmorethanthematernalrulepermitted。
AteighteenMademoiselledeWattevillewasaslight，thingirlwithaflatfigure，fair，colorless，andinsignificanttothelastdegree。
Hereyes，ofaverylightblue，borrowedbeautyfromtheirlashes，which，whendowncast，threwashadowonhercheeks。Afewfrecklesmarredthewhitenessofherforehead，whichwasshapelyenough。HerfacewasexactlylikethoseofAlbertDurer\'ssaints，orthoseofthepaintersbeforePerugino；thesameplump，thoughslendermodeling，thesamedelicacysaddenedbyecstasy，thesamesevereguilelessness。
Everythingabouther，eventoherattitude，wassuggestiveofthosevirgins，whosebeautyisonlyrevealedinitsmysticalradiancetotheeyesofthestudiousconnoisseur。Shehadfinehandsthoughred，andaprettyfoot，thefootofanaristocrat。
Shehabituallyworesimplecheckedcottondresses；butonSundaysandintheeveninghermotherallowedhersilk。Thecutofherfrocks，madeatBesancon，almostmadeherugly，whilehermothertriedtoborrowgrace，beauty，andelegancefromParisfashions；forthroughMonsieurdeSoulassheprocuredthesmallesttriflesofherdressfromthence。Rosaliehadneverwornapairofsilkstockingsorthinboots，butalwayscottonstockingsandleathershoes。Onhighdaysshewasdressedinamuslinfrock，herhairplainlydressed，andhadbronzekidshoes。
Thiseducation，andherownmodestdemeanor，hidinRosalieaspiritofiron。Physiologistsandprofoundobserverswilltellyou，perhapstoyourastonishment，thattempers，characteristics，wit，orgeniusreappearinfamiliesatlongintervals，preciselylikewhatareknownashereditarydiseases。Thustalent，likethegout，sometimesskipsovertwogenerations。WehaveanillustriousexampleofthisphenomenoninGeorgeSand，inwhomareresuscitatedtheforce，thepower，andtheimaginativefacultyoftheMarechaldeSaxe，whosenaturalgranddaughtersheis。
ThedecisivecharacterandromanticdaringofthefamousWattevillehadreappearedinthesoulofhisgrand-niece，reinforcedbythetenacityandprideofbloodoftheRupts。Butthesequalities——orfaults，ifyouwillhaveitso——wereasdeeplyburiedinthisyounggirlishsoul，apparentlysoweakandyielding，astheseethinglavaswithinahillbeforeitbecomesavolcano。MadamedeWattevillealone，perhaps，suspectedthisinheritancefromtwostrains。ShewassoseveretoherRosalie，thatsherepliedonedaytotheArchbishop，whoblamedherforbeingtoohardonthechild，\"Leavemetomanageher，monseigneur。Iknowher!ShehasmorethanoneBeelzebubinherskin!\"
TheBaronesskeptallthekeenerwatchoverherdaughter，becausesheconsideredherhonorasamothertobeatstake。Afterall，shehadnothingelsetodo。ClotildedeRupt，atthistimefive-and-thirty，andasgoodaswidowed，withahusbandwhoturnedegg-cupsineveryvarietyofwood，whosethismindonmakingwheelswithsixspokesoutofiron-wood，andmanufacturedsnuff-boxesforeveryoneofhisacquaintance，flirtedinstrictproprietywithAmedeedeSoulas。Whenthisyoungmanwasinthehouse，shealternatelydismissedandrecalledherdaughter，andtriedtodetectsymptomsofjealousyinthatyouthfulsoul，soastohaveoccasiontorepressthem。Sheimitatedthepoliceinitsdealingswiththerepublicans；butshelaboredinvain。Rosalieshowednosymptomsofrebellion。Thenthearidbigotaccusedherdaughterofperfectinsensibility。RosalieknewhermotherwellenoughtobesurethatifshehadthoughtyoungMonsieurdeSoulas/nice/，shewouldhavedrawndownonherselfasmartreproof。Thus，toallhermother\'sincitementsherepliedmerelybysuchphrasesasarewronglycalledJesuitical——wrongly，becausetheJesuitswerestrong，andsuchreservationsarethe/chevauxdefrise/
behindwhichweaknesstakesrefuge。Thenthemotherregardedthegirlasadissembler。IfbymischanceasparkofthetruenatureoftheWattevillesandtheRuptsblazedout，themotherarmedherselfwiththerespectduefromchildrentotheirparentstoreduceRosalietopassiveobedience。
Thiscovertbattlewascarriedoninthemostsecretseclusionofdomesticlife，withcloseddoors。TheVicar-General，thedearAbbeGrancey，thefriendofthelateArchbishop，cleverashewasinhiscapacityofthechiefFatherConfessorofthediocese，couldnotdiscoverwhetherthestrugglehadstirredupsomehatredbetweenthemotheranddaughter，whetherthemotherwerejealousinanticipation，orwhetherthecourtAmedeewaspayingtothegirlthroughhermotherhadnotoversteppeditsduelimits。Beingafriendofthefamily，neithermothernordaughter，confessedtohim。Rosalie，alittletoomuchharried，morally，aboutyoungdeSoulas，couldnotabidehim，touseahomelyphrase，andwhenhespoketoher，tryingtotakeherheartbysurprise，shereceivedhimbutcoldly。Thisaversion，discernedonlybyhermother\'seyes，wasaconstantsubjectofadmonition。
\"Rosalie，IcannotimaginewhyyouaffectsuchcoldnesstowardsAmedee。Isitbecauseheisafriendofthefamily，andbecausewelikehim——yourfatherandI？\"
\"Well，mamma，\"repliedthepoorchildoneday，\"ifImadehimwelcome，shouldInotbestillmoreinthewrong？\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"criedMadamedeWatteville。\"Whatisthemeaningofsuchwords？Yourmotherisunjust，nodoubt，andaccordingtoyou，wouldbesoinanycase!Neverletsuchananswerpassyourlipsagaintoyourmother——\"andsoforth。
Thisquarrellastedthreehoursandthree-quarters。Rosalienotedthetime。Hermother，palewithfury，senthertoherroom，whereRosalieponderedonthemeaningofthisscenewithoutdiscoveringit，soguilelesswasshe。ThusyoungMonsieurdeSoulas，whowassupposedbyeveryonetobeveryneartheendhewasaimingat，allneckclothsset，andbydintofpotsofpatentblacking——anendwhichrequiredsomuchwaxingofhismoustaches，somanysmartwaistcoats，woreoutsomanyhorseshoesandstays——forheworealeathervest，thestaysofthe/lion/——Amedee，Isay，wasfurtherawaythananychancecomer，althoughhehadonhissidetheworthyandnobleAbbedeGrancey。
\"Madame，\"saidMonsieurdeSoulas，addressingtheBaroness，whilewaitingtillhissoupwascoolenoughtoswallow，andaffectingtogivearomanticturntohisnarrative，\"onefinemorningthemail-
coachdroppedattheHotelNationalagentlemanfromParis，who，afterseekingapartments，madeuphismindinfavorofthefirstfloorinMademoiselleGalard\'shouse，RueduPerron。ThenthestrangerwentstraighttotheMairie，andhadhimselfregisteredasaresidentwithallpoliticalqualifications。Finally，hehadhisnameenteredonthelistofthebarristerstotheCourt，showinghistitleindueform，andhelefthiscardonallhisnewcolleagues，theMinisterialofficials，theCouncillorsoftheCourt，andthemembersofthebench，withthename，\'ALBERTSAVARON。\'\"
\"ThenameofSavaronisfamous，\"saidMademoiselledeWatteville，whowasstronginheraldicinformation。\"TheSavaronsofSavarusareoneoftheoldest，noblest，andrichestfamiliesinBelgium。\"
\"HeisaFrenchman，andnoman\'sson，\"repliedAmedeedeSoulas。\"IfhewishestobearthearmsoftheSavaronsofSavarus，hemustaddabar-sinister。ThereisnooneleftoftheBrabantfamilybutaMademoiselledeSavarus，arichheiress，andunmarried。\"
\"Thebar-sinisteris，ofcourse，thebadgeofabastard；butthebastardofaComtedeSavarusisnoble，\"answeredRosalie。
\"Enough，thatwilldo，mademoiselle!\"saidtheBaroness。
\"Youinsistedonherlearningheraldry，\"saidMonsieurdeWatteville，\"andsheknowsitverywell。\"
\"Goon，Ibeg，MonsieurdeSoulas。\"
\"Youmaysupposethatinatownwhereeverythingisclassified，known，pigeon-holed，ticketed，andnumbered，asinBesancon，AlbertSavaronwasreceivedwithouthesitationbythelawyersofthetown。Theyweresatisfiedtosay，\'HereisamanwhodoesnotknowhisBesancon。Whothedevilcanhavesenthimhere？Whatcanhehopetodo？SendinghiscardtotheJudgesinsteadofcallinginperson!Whatablunder!\'Andso，threedaysafter，Savaronhadceasedtoexist。HetookashisservantoldMonsieurGalard\'sman——Galardbeingdead——Jerome，whocancookalittle。AlbertSavaronwasallthemorecompletelyforgotten，becausenoonehadseenhimormethimanywhere。\"
\"Then，doeshenotgotomass？\"askedMadamedeChavoncourt。
\"HegoesonSundaystoSaint-Pierre，buttotheearlyserviceateightinthemorning。Heriseseverynightbetweenoneandtwointhemorning，workstilleight，hashisbreakfast，andthengoesonworking。Hewalksinhisgarden，goingroundfifty，orperhapssixtytimes；thenhegoesin，dines，andgoestobedbetweensixandseven。\"
\"Howdidyoulearnallthat？\"MadamedeChavoncourtaskedMonsieurdeSoulas。
\"Inthefirstplace，madame，IliveintheRueNeuve，atthecorneroftheRueduPerron；Ilookoutonthehousewherethismysteriouspersonagelodges；then，ofcourse，therearecommunicationsbetweenmytigerandJerome。\"
\"AndyougossipwithBabylas？\"
\"Whatwouldyouhavemedooutriding？\"
\"Well——andhowwasitthatyouengagedastrangerforyourdefence？\"
askedtheBaroness，thusplacingtheconversationinthehandsoftheVicar-General。
\"ThePresidentoftheCourtplayedthispleaderatrickbyappointinghimtodefendattheAssizesahalf-wittedpeasantaccusedofforgery。
ButMonsieurSavaronprocuredthepoorman\'sacquittalbyprovinghisinnocenceandshowingthathehadbeenatoolinthehandsoftherealculprits。Notonlydidhislineofdefencesucceed，butitledtothearrestoftwoofthewitnesses，whowereprovedguiltyandcondemned。
HisspeechstrucktheCourtandthejury。Oneofthese，amerchant，placedadifficultcasenextdayinthehandsofMonsieurSavaron，andhewonit。Inthepositioninwhichwefoundourselves，MonsieurBerryerfindingitimpossibletocometoBesancon，MonsieurdeGarcenaultadvisedhimtoemploythisMonsieurAlbertSavaron，foretellingoursuccess。AssoonasIsawhimandheardhim，Ifeltfaithinhim，andIwasnotwrong。\"
\"Ishethensoextraordinary？\"askedMadamedeChavoncourt。
\"Certainly，madame，\"repliedtheVicar-General。
\"Well，tellusaboutit，\"saidMadamedeWatteville。
\"ThefirsttimeIsawhim，\"saidtheAbbedeGrancey，\"hereceivedmeinhisouterroomnexttheante-room——oldGalard\'sdrawing-room——whichhehashadpaintedlikeoldoak，andwhichIfoundentirelylinedwithlaw-books，arrangedonshelvesalsopaintedasoldoak。Thepaintingandthebooksarethesoledecorationoftheroom，forthefurnitureconsistsofanoldwritingtableofcarvedwood，sixoldarmchairscoveredwithtapestry，windowcurtainsofgraystuffborderedwithgreen，andagreencarpetoverthefloor。Theante-roomstoveheatsthislibraryaswell。AsIwaitedthereIdidnotpicturemyadvocateasayoungman。Butthissingularsettingisinperfectharmonywithhisperson；forMonsieurSavaroncameoutinablackmerinodressing-
gowntiedwitharedcord，redslippers，aredflannelwaistcoat，andaredsmoking-cap。\"
\"Thedevil\'scolors!\"exclaimedMadamedeWatteville。
\"Yes，\"saidtheAbbe；\"butamagnificenthead。Blackhairalreadystreakedwithalittlegray，hairlikethatofSaintPeterandSaintPaulinpictures，withthickshiningcurls，hairasstiffashorse-
hair；aroundwhitethroatlikeawoman\'s；asplendidforehead，furrowedbythestrongmedianlinewhichgreatschemes，greatthoughts，deepmeditationsstamponagreatman\'sbrow；anolivecomplexionmarbledwithred，asquarenose，eyesofflame，hollowcheeks，withtwolonglines，betrayingmuchsuffering，amouthwithasardonicsmile，andasmallchin，narrow，andtooshort；crow\'sfeetonhistemples；deep-seteyes，movingintheirsocketslikeburningballs；but，inspiteofalltheseindicationsofaviolentlypassionatenature，hismannerwascalm，deeplyresigned，andhisvoiceofpenetratingsweetness，whichsurprisedmeinCourtbyitseasyflow；atrueorator\'svoice，nowclearandappealing，sometimesinsinuating，butavoiceofthunderwhenneedful，andlendingitselftosarcasmtobecomeincisive。
\"MonsieurAlbertSavaronisofmiddleheight，neitherstoutnorthin。
Andhishandsarethoseofaprelate。
\"ThesecondtimeIcalledonhimhereceivedmeinhisbed-room，adjoiningthelibrary，andsmiledatmyastonishmentwhenIsawthereawretchedchestofdrawers，ashabbycarpet，acamp-bed，andcottonwindow-curtains。Hecameoutofhisprivateroom，towhichnooneisadmitted，asJeromeinformedme；themandidnotgoin，butmerelyknockedatthedoor。
\"Thethirdtimehewasbreakfastinginhislibraryonthemostfrugalfare；butonthisoccasion，ashehadspentthenightstudyingourdocuments，asIhadmyattorneywithme，andasthatworthyMonsieurGirardetislong-winded，Ihadleisuretostudythestranger。Hecertainlyisnoordinaryman。Thereismorethanonesecretbehindthatface，atoncesoterribleandsogentle，patientandyetimpatient，broadandyethollow。Isaw，too，thathestoopedalittle，likeallmenwhohavesomeheavyburdentobear。\"
\"WhydidsoeloquentamanleaveParis？ForwhatpurposedidhecometoBesancon？\"askedprettyMadamedeChavoncourt。\"Couldnoonetellhimhowlittlechanceastrangerhasofsucceedinghere？ThegoodfolksofBesanconwillmakeuseofhim，buttheywillnotallowhimtomakeuseofthem。Why，havingcome，didhemakesolittleeffortthatitneededafreakofthePresident\'stobringhimforward？\"
\"Aftercarefullystudyingthatfinehead，\"saidtheAbbe，lookingkeenlyattheladywhohadinterruptedhim，insuchawayastosuggestthattherewassomethinghewouldnottell，\"andespeciallyafterhearinghimthismorningreplytooneofthebigwigsoftheParisBar，Ibelievethatthisman，whomaybefive-and-thirty，willbyandbymakeagreatsensation。\"
\"Whyshouldwediscusshim？Youhavegainedyouraction，andpaidhim，\"saidMadamedeWatteville，watchingherdaughter，who，allthetimetheVicar-Generalhadbeenspeaking，seemedtohangonhislips。
Theconversationchanged，andnomorewasheardofAlbertSavaron。
TheportraitsketchedbythecleverestoftheVicars-GeneralofthediocesehadallthegreatercharmforRosaliebecausetherewasaromancebehindit。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshehadcomeacrossthemarvelous，theexceptional，whichsmilesoneveryyouthfulimagination，andwhichcuriosity，soeageratRosalie\'sage，goesforthtomeethalf-way。WhatanidealbeingwasthisAlbert——gloomy，unhappy，eloquent，laborious，ascomparedbyMademoiselledeWattevilletothatchubbyfatCount，burstingwithhealth，payingcompliments，andtalkingofthefashionsintheveryfaceofthesplendoroftheoldcountsofRupt。Amedeehadcosthermanyquarrelsandscoldings，and，indeed，sheknewhimonlytoowell；whilethisAlbertSavaronofferedmanyenigmastobesolved。
\"AlbertSavarondeSavarus，\"sherepeatedtoherself。
Now，toseehim，tocatchsightofhim!Thiswasthedesireofthegirltowhomdesirewashithertounknown。Sheponderedinherheart，inherfancy，inherbrain，theleastphrasesusedbytheAbbedeGrancey，forallhiswordshadtold。
\"Afineforehead!\"saidshetoherself，lookingattheheadofeverymanseatedatthetable；\"Idonotseeonefineone——MonsieurdeSoulas\'istooprominent；MonsieurdeGrancey\'sisfine，butheisseventy，andhasnohair，itisimpossibletoseewherehisforeheadends。\"
\"Whatisthematter，Rosalie；youareeatingnothing？\"
\"Iamnothungry，mamma，\"saidshe。\"Aprelate\'shands——\"shewentontoherself。\"IcannotrememberourhandsomeArchbishop\'shands，thoughheconfirmedme。\"
Finally，inthemidstofhercomingandgoinginthelabyrinthofhermeditations，sherememberedalightedwindowshehadseenfromherbed，gleamingthroughthetreesofthetwoadjoininggardens，whenshehadhappenedtowakeinthenight……\"Thenthatwashislight!\"
thoughtshe。\"Imightseehim!——Iwillseehim。\"
\"MonsieurdeGrancey，istheChapter\'slawsuitquitesettled？\"saidRosaliepoint-blanktotheVicar-General，duringamomentofsilence。
MadamedeWattevilleexchangedrapidglanceswiththeVicar-General。
\"Whatcanthatmattertoyou，mydearchild？\"shesaidtoRosalie，withanaffectedsweetnesswhichmadeherdaughtercautiousfortherestofherdays。
\"ItmightbecarriedtotheCourtofAppeal，butouradversarieswillthinktwiceaboutthat，\"repliedtheAbbe。
\"InevercouldhavebelievedthatRosaliewouldthinkaboutalawsuitallthroughadinner，\"remarkedMadamedeWatteville。
\"NorIeither，\"saidRosalie，inadreamywaythatmadeeveryonelaugh。\"ButMonsieurdeGranceywassofullofit，thatIwasinterested。\"
Thecompanyrosefromtableandreturnedtothedrawing-room。AllthroughtheeveningRosalielistenedincaseAlbertSavaronshouldbementionedagain；butbeyondthecongratulationsofferedbyeachnewcomertotheAbbeonhavinggainedhissuit，towhichnooneaddedanypraiseoftheadvocate，nomorewassaidaboutit。MademoiselledeWattevilleimpatientlylookedforwardtobedtime。Shehadpromisedherselftowakeatbetweentwoandthreeinthemorning，andtolookatAlbert\'sdressing-roomwindows。Whenthehourcame，shefeltalmostpleasureingazingattheglimmerfromthelawyer\'scandlesthatshonethroughthetrees，nowalmostbareoftheirleaves。Bythehelpofthestrongsightofayounggirl，whichcuriosityseemstomakelonger，shesawAlbertwriting，andfanciedshecoulddistinguishthecolorofthefurniture，whichshethoughtwasred。Fromthechimneyabovetheroofroseathickcolumnofsmoke。