第1章

DEDICATION

ToMademoiselleAnnaHanska：

DearChild，——You，thejoyofthehousehold，you，whosepinkorwhitepelerinefluttersinsummeramongthegrovesofWierzschovnialikeawill—o’—the—wisp，followedbythetendereyesofyourfatherandyourmother，——howcanIdedicateto/you/astoryfullofmelancholy？Andyet，oughtnotsorrowstobespokenoftoayounggirlidolizedasyouare，sincethedaymaycomewhenyoursweethandswillbecalledtoministertothem？Itissodifficult，Anna，tofindinthehistoryofourmannersandmoralsasubjectthatisworthyofyoureyes，thatnochoicehasbeenleftme;butperhapsyouwillbemadetofeelhowfortunateyourfateiswhenyoureadthestorysenttoyoubyYouroldfriend，DeBalzac。

PIERRETTE

I

THELORRAINS

AtthedawnofanOctoberdayin1827ayoungfellowaboutsixteenyearsofage，whoseclothingproclaimedwhatmodernphraseologysoinsolentlycallsaproletary，wasstandinginasmallsquareofLowerProvins。Atthatearlyhourhecouldexaminewithoutbeingobservedthevarioushousessurroundingtheopenspace，whichwasoblonginform。Themillsalongtheriverwerealreadyworking;thewhirroftheirwheels，repeatedbytheechoesoftheUpperTowninthekeenairandsparklingclearnessoftheearlymorning，onlyintensifiedthegeneralsilencesothatthewheelsofadiligencecouldbeheardaleagueawayalongthehighroad。Thetwolongestsidesofthesquare，separatedbyanavenueoflindens，werebuiltinthesimplestylewhichexpressessowellthepeacefulandmatter—of—factlifeofthebourgeoisie。Nosignsofcommerceweretobeseen;ontheotherhand，theluxuriousporte—cocheresoftherichwerefew，andthosefewturnedseldomontheirhinges，exceptingthatofMonsieurMartener，aphysician，whoseprofessionobligedhimtokeepacabriolet，andtouseit。Afewofthehouse—frontswerecoveredbygrapevines，othersbyrosesclimbingtothesecond—storywindows，throughwhichtheywaftedthefragranceoftheirscatteredbunches。OneendofthesquareentersthemainstreetoftheLowerTown，thegardensofwhichreachtothebankofoneofthetworiverswhichwaterthevalleyofProvins。Theotherendofthesquareentersastreetwhichrunsparalleltothemainstreet。

Atthelatter，whichwasalsothequietestendofthesquare，theyoungworkmanrecognizedthehouseofwhichhewasinsearch，whichshowedafrontofwhitestonegroovedinlinestorepresentcourses，windowswithclosedgrayblinds，andslenderironbalconiesdecoratedwithrosettespaintedyellow。Abovethegroundfloorandthefirstfloorwerethreedormerwindowsprojectingfromaslateroof;onthepeakofthecentralonewasanewweather—vane。Thismoderninnovationrepresentedahunterintheattitudeofshootingahare。Thefrontdoorwasreachedbythreestonesteps。Ononesideofthisdooraleadenpipedischargedthesink—waterintoasmallstreet—gutter，showingthewhereaboutsofthekitchen。Ontheothersideweretwowindows，carefullyclosedbygrayshuttersinwhichwereheart—shapedopeningscuttoadmitthelight;thesewindowsseemedtobethoseofthedining—room。Intheelevationgainedbythethreestepswerevent—

holestothecellar，closedbypaintedironshuttersfantasticallycutinopen—work。Everythingwasnew。Inthisrepairedandrestoredhouse，thefresh—coloredlookofwhichcontrastedwiththetime—wornexteriorsofalltheotherhouses，anobserverwouldinstantlyperceivethepaltrytasteandperfectself—satisfactionoftheretiredpettyshopkeeper。

Theyoungmanlookedatthesedetailswithanexpressionofpleasurethatseemedtohavesomethingrathersadinit;hiseyesrovedfromthekitchentotheroof，withamotionthatshowedadeliberatepurpose。Therosyglowoftherisingsunfellonacalicocurtainatoneofthegarretwindows，theothersbeingwithoutthatluxury。Ashecaughtsightofittheyoungfellow’sfacebrightenedgaily。Hesteppedbackalittleway，leanedagainstalinden，andsang，inthedrawlingtonepeculiartothewestofFrance，thefollowingBretonditty，publishedbyBruguiere，acomposertowhomweareindebtedformanycharmingmelodies。InBrittany，theyoungvillagerssingthissongtoallnewly—marriedcouplesontheirwedding—day：——

\"We’vecometowishyouhappinessinmarriage，Tom’sieuryourhusbandAswellastoyou：

\"Youhavejustbeenbound，madam’lamariee，WithbondsofgoldThatonlydeathunbinds：

\"Youwillgonomoretoballsorgayassemblies;

YoumuststayathomeWhileweshallgo。

\"HaveyouthoughtwellhowyouarepledgedtobeTruetoyourspouse，Andlovehimlikeyourself？

\"Receivetheseflowersourhandsdonowpresentyou;

Alas！yourfleetinghonorsWillfadeasthey。\"

Thisnativeair（assweetasthatadaptedbyChateaubriandto/Masoeur，tesouvient—ilencore/），sunginthislittletownoftheBriedistrict，musthavebeentotheearsofaBretonmaidenthetouchstoneofimperiousmemories，sofaithfullydoesitpicturethemannersandcustoms，thesurroundingsandtheheartinessofhernobleoldland，whereasortofmelancholyreigns，hardlytobedefined;caused，perhaps，bytheaspectoflifeinBrittany，whichisdeeplytouching。

Thispowerofawakeningaworldofgraveandsweetandtendermemoriesbyafamiliarandsometimeslivelyditty，istheprivilegeofthosepopularsongswhicharethesuperstitionsofmusic，——ifwemayusetheword\"superstition\"assignifyingallthatremainsaftertheruinofapeople，allthatsurvivestheirrevolutions。

Ashefinishedthefirstcouple，thesinger，whonevertookhiseyesfromtheatticcurtain，sawnosignsoflife。Whilehesangthesecond，thecurtainstirred。Whenthewords\"Receivetheseflowers\"

weresung，ayouthfulfaceappeared;awhitehandcautiouslyopenedthecasement，andagirlmadeasignwithherheadtothesingerasheendedwiththemelancholythoughtofthesimpleverses，——\"Alas！yourfleetinghonorswillfadeasthey。\"

Tohertheyoungworkmansuddenlyshowed，drawingitfromwithinhisjacket，ayellowflower，verycommoninBrittany，andsometimestobefoundinLaBrie（where，however，itisrare），——thefurze，orbroom。

\"Isitreallyyou，Brigaut？\"saidthegirl，inalowvoice。

\"Yes，Pierrette，yes。IaminParis。Ihavestartedtomakemyway;

butI’mreadytosettlehere，nearyou。\"

Justthenthefasteningofawindowcreakedinaroomonthefirstfloor，directlybelowPierrette’sattic。Thegirlshowedtheutmostterror，andsaidtoBrigaut，quickly：——

\"Runaway！\"

Theladjumpedlikeafrightenedfrogtoabendinthestreetcausedbytheprojectionofamilljustwherethesquareopensintothemainthoroughfare;butinspiteofhisagilityhishob—nailedshoesechoedonthestoneswithasoundeasilydistinguishedfromthemusicofthemill，andnodoubtheardbythepersonwhoopenedthewindow。

Thatpersonwasawoman。Nomanwouldhavetornhimselffromthecomfortofamorningnaptolistentoaminstrelinajacket;nonebutamaidawakestosongsoflove。Notonlywasthiswomanamaid，butshewasanoldmaid。Whenshehadopenedherblindswiththefurtivemotionofthebat，shelookedinalldirections，butsawnothing，andonlyheard，faintly，theflyingfootfallsofthelad。Cantherebeanythingmoredreadfulthanthematutinalapparitionofanuglyoldmaidatherwindow？Ofallthegrotesquesightswhichamusetheeyesoftravellersincountrytowns，thatisthemostunpleasant。Itistoorepulsivetolaughat。Thisparticularoldmaid，whoseearwassokeen，wasdenudedofalltheadventitiousaids，ofwhateverkind，whichsheemployedasembellishments;herfalsefrontandhercollarettewerelacking;sheworethathorriblelittlebagofblacksilkonwhicholdwomeninsistoncoveringtheirskulls，anditwasnowrevealedbeneaththenight—capwhichhadbeenpushedasideinsleep。Thisrumpledconditiongaveamenacingexpressiontothehead，suchaspaintersbestowonwitches。Thetemples，ears，andnapeoftheneck，weredisclosedinalltheirwitheredhorror，——thewrinklesbeingmarkedinscarletlinesthatcontrastedwiththewould—bewhiteofthebed—gownwhichwastiedroundherneckbyanarrowtape。Thegapingofthisgarmentrevealedabreasttobelikenedonlytothatofanoldpeasantwomanwhocaresnothingaboutherpersonalugliness。Thefleshlessarmwaslikeastickonwhichabitofstuffwashung。Seenatherwindow，thisspinsterseemedtallfromthelengthandangularityofherface，whichrecalledtheexaggeratedproportionsofcertainSwissheads。Thecharacteroftheircountenance——thefeaturesbeingmarkedbyatotalwantofharmony——wasthatofhardnessinthelines，sharpnessinthetones;whileanunfeelingspirit，pervadingall，wouldhavefilledaphysiognomistwithdisgust。Thesecharacteristics，fullyvisibleatthismoment，wereusuallymodifiedinpublicbyasortofcommercialsmile，——abourgeoissmirkwhichmimickedgood—humor;sothatpersonsmeetingwiththisoldmaidmightverywelltakeherforakindlywoman。Sheownedthehouseonshareswithherbrother。Thebrother，by—the—bye，wassleepingsotranquillyinhisownchamberthattheorchestraoftheOpera—housecouldnothaveawakenedhim，wonderfulasitsdiapasonissaidtobe。

Theoldmaidstretchedherneckoutofthewindow，twistedit，andraisedhercold，pale—bluelittleeyes，withtheirshortlashessetinlidsthatwerealwaysratherswollen，totheatticwindow，endeavoringtoseePierrette。Perceivingtheuselessnessofthatattempt，sheretreatedintoherroomwithamovementlikethatofatortoisewhichdrawsinitsheadafterprotrudingitfromitscarapace。Theblindswerethenclosed，andthesilenceofthestreetwasunbrokenexceptbypeasantscominginfromthecountry，orveryearlypersonsmovingabout。

Whenthereisanoldmaidinahouse，watch—dogsareunnecessary;nottheslightesteventcanoccurthatshedoesnotseeandcommentuponandpursuetoitsutmostconsequences。Theforegoingtriflingcircumstancewasthereforedestinedtogiverisetogravesuppositions，andtoopenthewayforoneofthoseobscuredramaswhichtakeplaceinfamilies，andarenonethelessterriblebecausetheyaresecret，——if，indeed，wemayapplytheword\"drama\"tosuchdomesticoccurrences。

Pierrettedidnotgobacktobed。Toher，Brigaut’sarrivalwasanimmenseevent。Duringthenight——thatEdenofthewretched——sheescapedthevexationsandfault—findingssheboreduringtheday。Liketheheroofaballad，GermanorRussian，Iforgetwhich，hersleepseemedtoherthehappylife;herwakinghoursabaddream。Shehadjusthadheronlypleasurablewakinginthreeyears。Thememoriesofherchildhoodhadsungtheirmelodiousdittiesinhersoul。Thefirstcoupletwasheardinadream;thesecondmadeherspringoutofbed;

atthethird，shedoubtedherears，——thesorrowfularealldisciplesofSaintThomas;butwhenthefourthwassung，standinginhernight—

gownwithbarefeetbythewindow，sherecognizedBrigaut，thecompanionofherchildhood。Ah，yes！itwastrulythewell—knownsquarejacketwiththebobtails，thepocketsofwhichstuckoutatthehips，——thejacketofblueclothwhichisclassicinBrittany;there，too，werethewaistcoatofprintedcotton，thelinenshirtfastenedbyagoldheart，thelargerollingcollar，theearrings，thestoutshoes，thetrousersofblue—graydrillingunevenlycoloredbythevariouslengthsofthewarp，——inshort，allthosehumble，strong，anddurablethingswhichmaketheappareloftheBretonpeasantry。Thebigbuttonsofwhitehornwhichfastenedthejacketmadethegirl’sheartbeat。

Whenshesawthebunchofbroomhereyesfilledwithtears;thenadreadfulfeardrovebackintoherheartthehappymemoriesthatwerebuddingthere。Shethoughthercousinsleepingintheroombeneathhermighthaveheardthenoiseshemadeinjumpingoutofbedandrunningtothewindow。Thefearwasjust;theoldmaidwascoming，andshemadeBrigauttheterrifiedsignwhichtheladobeyedwithouttheleastunderstandingit。Suchinstinctivesubmissiontoagirl’sbiddingshowsoneofthoseinnocentandabsoluteaffectionswhichappearfromcenturytocenturyonthisearth，wheretheyblossom，likethealoesofIsolaBella，twiceorthriceinahundredyears。Whoeverhadseentheladasheranawaywouldhavelovedtheingenuouschivalryofhismostingenuousfeeling。

JacquesBrigautwasworthyofPierretteLorrain，whowasjustfifteen。

Twochildren！Pierrettecouldnotkeepfromcryingasshewatchedhisflightintheterrorhergesturehadconveyedtohim。Thenshesatdowninashabbyarmchairplacedbeforealittletableabovewhichhungamirror。Sherestedherelbowsonthetable，putherheadinherhands，andsatthinkingforanhour，callingtomemorytheMarais，thevillageofPen—Hoel，theperilousvoyagesonapondinaboatuntiedforherfromanoldwillowbylittleJacques;thentheoldfacesofhergrandfatherandgrandmother，thesufferingsofhermother，andthehandsomefaceofMajorBrigaut，——inshort，thewholeofhercarelesschildhood。Itwasalladream，aluminousjoyonthegloomybackgroundofthepresent。

Herbeautifulchestnuthairescapedindisorderfromhercap，rumpledinsleep，——acambriccapwithruffles，whichshehadmadeherself。Oneachsideofherforeheadwerelittleringletsescapingfromgraycurl—papers。Fromthebackofherheadhungaheavybraidofhairthatwashalfunplaited。Theexcessivewhitenessofherfacebetrayedthatterriblemaladyofgirlhoodwhichgoesbythenameofchlorosis，deprivesthebodyofitsnaturalcolors，destroystheappetite，andshowsadisorderedstateoftheorganism。Thewaxytoneswereinallthevisiblepartsofherflesh。Theneckandshouldersexplainedbytheirblanchedpalenessthewastedarms，flungforwardandcrosseduponthetable。Herfeetseemedenervated，shrunkenfromillness。Hernight—gowncameonlytoherkneesandshowedtheflaccidmuscles，theblueveins，theimpoverishedfleshofthelegs。Thecold，towhichshepaidnoheed，turnedherlipsviolet，andasadsmile，drawingupthecornersofasensitivemouth，showedteeththatwerewhiteasivoryandquitesmall，——pretty，transparentteeth，inkeepingwiththedelicateears，therathersharpbutdaintynose，andthegeneraloutlineofherface，which，inspiteofitsroundness，waslovely。Alltheanimationofthischarmingfacewasintheeyes，theirisofwhich，brownlikeSpanishtobaccoandfleckedwithblack，shonewithgoldenreflectionsroundpupilsthatwerebrilliantandintense。

Pierrettewasmadetobegay，butshewassad。Herlostgaietywasstilltobeseeninthevivaciousformsoftheeye，intheingenuousgraceofherbrow，inthesmoothcurveofherchin。Thelongeyelasheslayuponthecheek—bones，madeprominentbysuffering。Thepalenessofherface，whichwasunnaturallywhite，madethelinesandallthedetailsinfinitelypure。Theearalonewasalittlemasterpieceofmodelling，——inmarble，youmightsay。Pierrettesufferedinmanyways。

Perhapsyouwouldliketoknowherhistory，andthisisit。

Pierrette’smotherwasaDemoiselleAuffrayofProvins，half—sisterbythefather’ssideofMadameRogron，motherofthepresentownersofthehouse。

MonsieurAuffray，herhusband，hadmarriedattheageofeighteen;hissecondmarriagetookplacewhenhewasnearlysixty—nine。Bythefirst，hehadanonlydaughter，veryplain，whowasmarriedatsixteentoaninnkeeperofProvinsnamedRogron。

ByhissecondmarriagetheworthyAuffrayhadanotherdaughter;butthisonewascharming。Therewas，ofcourse，anenormousdifferenceintheagesofthesedaughters;theonebythefirstmarriagewasfiftyyearsoldwhenthesecondchildwasborn。Bythistimetheeldest，MadameRogron，hadtwogrown—upchildren。

Theyoungestdaughteroftheoldmanwasmarriedateighteentoamanofherchoice，aBretonofficernamedLorrain，captainintheImperialGuard。Loveoftenmakesamanambitious。Thecaptain，anxioustorisetoacolonelcy，exchangedintoalineregiment。Whilehe，thenamajor，andhiswifeenjoyedthemselvesinParisontheallowancemadetothembyMonsieurandMadameAuffray，orscouredGermanyatthebeckandcalloftheEmperor’sbattlesandtruces，oldAuffrayhimself（formerlyagrocer）died，attheageofeighty—eight，withouthavingfoundtimetomakeawill。Hispropertywasadministeredbyhisdaughter，MadameRogron，andherhusbandsocompletelyintheirownintereststhatnothingremainedfortheoldman’swidowbeyondthehouseshelivedinonthelittlesquare，andafewacresofland。Thiswidow，themotherofMadameLorrain，wasonlythirty—eightatthetimeofherhusband’sdeath。Likemanywidows，shecametotheunwisedecisionofremarrying。Shesoldthehouseandlandtoherstep—

daughter，MadameRogron，andmarriedayoungphysiciannamedNeraud，whowastedherwholefortune。Shediedofgriefandmiserytwoyearslater。

Thustheshareofherfather’spropertywhichoughttohavecometoMadameLorraindisappearedalmostentirely，beingreducedtothesmallsumofeightthousandfrancs。MajorLorrainwaskilledatthebattleofMontereau，leavinghiswife，thentwenty—oneyearsofage，withalittledaughteroffourteenmonths，andnoothermeansthanthepensiontowhichshewasentitledandaneventualinheritancefromherlatehusband’sparents，MonsieurandMadameLorrain，retailshopkeepersatPen—Hoel，avillageintheVendee，situatedinthatpartofitwhichiscalledtheMarais。TheseLorrains，grandfatherandgrandmotherofPierretteLorrain，soldwoodforbuildingpurposes，slates，tiles，pantiles，pipes，etc。Theirbusiness，eitherfromtheirownincapacityorthroughill—luck，didbadly，andgavethemscarcelyenoughtoliveon。Thefailureofthewell—knownfirmofCollinetatNantes，causedbytheeventsof1814whichledtoasuddenfallincolonialproducts，deprivedthemoftwenty—fourthousandfrancswhichtheyhadjustdepositedwiththathouse。

Thearrivaloftheirdaughter—in—lawwasthereforewelcometothem。

HerpensionofeighthundredfrancswasahandsomeincomeatPen—Hoel。

Theeightthousandfrancswhichthewidow’shalf—brotherandsisterRogronsenttoherfromherfather’sestate（afteramultitudeoflegalformalities）wereplacedbyherintheLorrains’business，theygivingheramortgageonalittlehousewhichtheyownedatNantes，letforthreehundredfrancs，andbarelyworthtenthousand。

MadameLorraintheyounger，Pierrette’smother，diedin1819。ThechildofoldAuffrayandhisyoungwifewassmall，delicate，andweakly;thedampclimateoftheMaraisdidnotagreewithher。Butherhusband’sfamilypersuadedher，inordertokeepherwiththem，thatinnootherquarteroftheworldcouldshefindamorehealthyregion。

Shewassopettedandtenderlycaredforthatherdeath，whenitcame，broughtnothingbuthonortotheoldLorrains。

SomepersonsdeclaredthatBrigaut，anoldVendeen，oneofthosemenofironwhoservedunderCharette，underMercier，undertheMarquisdeMontauran，andtheBaronduGuenic，inthewarsagainsttheRepublic，countedforagooddealinthewillingnessoftheyoungerMadameLorraintoremainintheMarais。Ifitwereso，hissoulmusthavebeenatrulylovinganddevotedone。AllPen—Hoelsawhim——hewascalledrespectfullyMajorBrigaut，thegradehehadheldintheCatholicarmy——spendinghisdaysandhiseveningsintheLorrains’

parlor，besidethewindowoftheimperialmajor。Towardthelast，thecurateofPen—HoelmadecertainrepresentationstooldMadameLorrain，begginghertopersuadeherdaughter—in—lawtomarryBrigaut，andpromisingtohavethemajorappointedjusticeofpeaceforthecantonofPen—Hoel，throughtheinfluenceoftheVicomtedeKergarouet。Thedeathofthepooryoungwomanputanendtothematter。

Pierrettewasleftinchargeofhergrandparentswhoowedherfourhundredfrancsayear，interestonthelittlepropertyplacedintheirhands。Thissmallsumwasnowappliedtohermaintenance。Theoldpeople，whoweregrowinglessandlessfitforbusiness，soonfoundthemselvesconfrontedbyanactiveandcapablecompetitor，againstwhomtheysaidhardthings，allthewhiledoingnothingtodefeathim。

MajorBrigaut，theirfriendandadviser，diedsixmonthsafterhisfriend，theyoungerMadameLorrain，——perhapsofgrief，perhapsofhiswounds，ofwhichhehadreceivedtwenty—seven。

Likeasoundmerchant，thecompetitorsetaboutruininghisadversariesinordertogetridofallrivalry。Withhisconnivance，theLorrainsborrowedmoneyonnotes，whichtheywereunabletomeet，andwhichdrovethemintheirolddaysintobankruptcy。Pierrette’sclaimuponthehouseinNanteswassupersededbythelegalrightsofhergrandmother，whoenforcedthemtosecurethedailybreadofherpoorhusband。Thehousewassoldforninethousandfivehundredfrancs，ofwhichonethousandfivehundredwentforcosts。TheremainingeightthousandcametoMadameLorain，wholivedupontheincomeoftheminasortofalmshouseatNantes，likethatofSainte—

PerineinParis，calledSaint—Jacques，wherethetwooldpeoplehadbedandboardforahumblepayment。

AsitwasimpossibletokeepPierrette，theirruinedlittlegranddaughter，withthem，theoldLorrainsbethoughtthemselvesofheruncleandauntRogron，inProvins，towhomtheywrote。TheseRogronsweredead。Thelettermight，therefore，haveeasilybeenlost;butifanythingherebelowcantaketheplaceofProvidence，itisthepost。

Postalspirit，incomparablyabovepublicspirit，exceedsinbrilliancyofresourceandinventiontheablestromance—writers。Whenthepostgetsholdofaletter，worth，toit，fromthreetotensous，anddoesnotimmediatelyknowwheretofindthepersontowhomthatletterisaddressed，itdisplaysafinancialanxietyonlytobemetwithinverypertinaciouscreditors。Thepostgoesandcomesandferretsthroughalltheeighty—sixdepartments。Difficultiesonlyarousethegeniusoftheclerks，whomayreallybecalledmen—of—letters，andwhosetabouttosearchforthatunknownhumanbeingwithasmuchardorasthemathematiciansoftheBureaugivetolongitudes。Theyliterallyransackthewholekingdom。Atthefirstrayofhopeallthepost—

officesinParisarealert。Sometimesthereceiverofamissingletterisamazedatthenetworkofscrawleddirectionswhichcoversbothbackandfrontofthemissive，——gloriousvouchersfortheadministrativepersistencywithwhichtheposthasbeenatwork。Ifamanundertookwhatthepostaccomplishes，hewouldlosetenthousandfrancsintravel，time，andmoney，torecovertensous。TheletteroftheoldLorrains，addressedtoMonsieurRogronofProvins（whohadthenbeendeadayear）wasconveyedbythepostinduetimetoMonsieurRogron，sonofthedeceased，amercerintherueSaint—DenisinParis。Andthisiswherethepostalspiritobtainsitsgreatesttriumph。Anheirisalwaysmoreorlessanxioustoknowifhehaspickedupeveryscrapofhisinheritance，ifhehasnotoverlookedacredit，oratrunkofoldclothes。TheTreasuryknowsthat。AletteraddressedtothelateRogronatProvinswascertaintopiquethecuriosityofRogron，Jr。，orMademoiselleRogron，theheirsinParis。OutofthathumaninteresttheTreasurywasabletoearnsixtycentimes。

TheseRogrons，towardwhomtheoldLorrains，thoughdreadingtopartwiththeirdearlittlegranddaughter，stretchedtheirsupplicatinghands，became，inthisway，andmostunexpectedly，themastersofPierrette’sdestiny。Itisthereforeindispensabletoexplainboththeirantecedentsandtheircharacter。

II

THEROGRONS

PereRogron，thatinnkeeperofProvinstowhomoldAuffrayhadmarriedhisdaughterbyhisfirstwife，wasanindividualwithaninflamedface，aveinynose，andcheeksonwhichBacchushaddrawnhisscarletandbulbousvine—marks。Thoughshort，fat，andpot—bellied，withstoutlegsandthickhands，hewasgiftedwiththeshrewdnessoftheSwissinnkeepers，whomheresembled。Certainlyhewasnothandsome，andhiswifelookedlikehim。Neverwasacouplebettermatched。Rogronlikedgoodlivingandtobewaiteduponbyprettygirls。Hebelongedtotheclassofegoistswhosebehaviorisbrutal;hegavewaytohisvicesanddidtheirwillopenlyinthefaceofIsrael。Grasping，selfish，withoutdecency，andalwaysgratifyinghisownfancies，hedevouredhisearningsuntilthedaywhenhisteethfailedhim。Selfishnessstayedbyhim。Inhisolddayshesoldhisinn，collected（aswehaveseen）allhecouldofhislatefather—in—law’sproperty，andwenttoliveinthelittlehouseinthesquareofProvins，boughtforatriflefromthewidowofoldAuffray，Pierrette’sgrandmother。

Rogronandhiswifehadabouttwothousandfrancsayearfromtwenty—

sevenlotsoflandintheneighborhoodofProvins，andfromthesaleoftheirinnfortwentythousand。OldAuffray’shouse，thoughoutofrepair，wasinhabitedjustasitwasbytheRogrons，——oldratslikewrackandruin。Rogronhimselftooktohorticultureandspenthissavingsinenlargingthegarden;hecarriedittotheriver’sedgebetweentwowallsandbuiltasortofstoneembankmentacrosstheend，whereaquaticnature，lefttoherself，displayedthecharmsofherflora。

IntheearlyyearsoftheirmarriagetheRogronshadasonandadaughter，bothhideous;forsuchhumanbeingsdegenerate。Putouttonurseatalowprice，theselucklesschildrencamehomeinduetime，aftertheworstofvillagetraining，——allowedtocryforhoursaftertheirwet—nurse，whoworkedinthefields，leavingthemshutuptoscreamforherinoneofthosedamp，dark，lowroomswhichserveashomesfortheFrenchpeasantry。Treatedthus，thefeaturesofthechildrencoarsened;theirvoicesgrewharsh;theymortifiedtheirmother’svanity，andthatmadeherstrivetocorrecttheirbadhabitsbyasternnesswhichtheseverityoftheirfatherconvertedthroughcomparisontokindness。Asageneralthing，theywerelefttorunlooseaboutthestablesandcourtyardsoftheinn，orthestreetsofthetown;sometimestheywerewhipped;sometimestheyweresent，togetridofthem，totheirgrandfatherAuffray，whodidnotlikethem。

TheinjusticetheRogronsdeclaredtheoldmandidtotheirchildren，justifiedthemtotheirownmindsintakingthegreaterpartof\"theoldscoundrel’s\"property。However，Rogrondidsendhissontoschool，anddidbuyhimaman，oneofhisowncartmen，tosavehimfromtheconscription。Assoonashisdaughter，Sylvie，wasthirteen，hesenthertoParis，tomakeherwayasapprenticeinashop。Twoyearslaterhedespatchedhisson，Jerome—Denis，tothesamecareer。Whenhisfriendsthecarriersandthosewhofrequentedtheinn，askedhimwhathemeanttodowithhischildren，PereRogronexplainedhissystemwithaconcisenesswhich，inviewofthatofmostfathers，hadthemeritoffrankness。

\"WhentheyareoldenoughtounderstandmeIshallgive’emakickandsay：’Goandmakeyourownwayintheworld！’\"hereplied，emptyinghisglassandwipinghislipswiththebackofhishand。Thenhewinkedathisquestionerwithaknowinglook。\"Hey！hey！theyarenogreaterfoolsthanIwas，\"headded。\"Myfathergavemethreekicks;I

shallonlygivethemone;heputonelouisintomyhand;Ishallputtenintheirs，thereforethey’llbebetteroffthanIwas。That’sthewaytodo。AfterI’mgone，what’sleftwillbetheirs。Thenotariescanfindthemandgiveittothem。Whatnonsensetobotherone’sselfaboutchildren。Mineowemetheirlife。I’vefedthem，andIdon’taskanythingfromthem，——Icallthatquits，hey，neighbor？Ibeganasacartman，butthatdidn’tpreventmemarryingthedaughterofthatoldscoundrelAuffray。\"

SylvieRogronwassent（withsixhundredfrancsforherboard）asapprenticetocertainshopkeepersoriginallyfromProvinsandnowsettledinParisintherueSaint—Denis。Twoyearslatershewas\"atpar，\"astheysay;sheearnedherownliving;atanyrateherparentspaidnothingforher。Thatiswhatiscalledbeing\"atpar\"intherueSaint—Denis。Sylviehadasalaryoffourhundredfrancs。Atnineteenyearsofageshewasindependent。Attwenty，shewastheseconddemoiselleintheMaisonJulliard，wholesalesilkdealersatthe\"ChineseWorm\"rueSaint—Denis。Thehistoryofthesisterwasthatofthebrother。YoungJerome—DenisRogronenteredtheestablishmentofoneofthelargestwholesalemercersinthesamestreet，theMaisonGuepin，atthe\"ThreeDistaffs。\"WhenSylvieRogron，agedtwenty—one，hadrisentobeforewomanatathousandfrancsayearJerome—Denis，withevenbetterluck，washead—clerkateighteen，withasalaryoftwelvehundredfrancs。

BrotherandsistermetonSundaysandfete—days，whichtheypassedineconomicalamusements;theydinedoutofParis，andwenttoSaint—

Cloud，Meudon，Belleville，orVincennes。Towardsthecloseoftheyear1815theyclubbedtheirsavings，amountingtoabouttwentythousandfrancs，earnedbythesweatoftheirbrows，andboughtofMadameGueneethepropertyandgood—willofhercelebratedshop，the\"FamilySister，\"oneofthelargestretailestablishmentsinthequarter。

Sylviekeptthebooksanddidthewriting。Jerome—Deniswasmasterandhead—clerkboth。In1821，afterfiveyears’experience，competitionbecamesofiercethatitwasallthebrotherandsistercoulddotocarryonthebusinessandmaintainitsreputation。

ThoughSylviewasatthistimescarcelyforty，hernaturalugliness，combinedwithhardworkandacertaincrabbedlook（causedasmuchbytheconformationofherfeaturesasbyhercares），madeherseemlikeawomanoffifty。Atthirty—eightJeromeRogronpresentedtotheeyesofhiscustomersthesilliestfacethateverlookedoveracounter。

Hisretreatingforehead，flattenedbyfatigue，wasmarkedbythreelongwrinkles。Hisgrizzledhair，cutclose，expressedinsomeindefinablewaythestupidityofacold—bloodedanimal。Theglanceofhisbluisheyeshadneitherflamenorthoughtinit。Hisround，flatfaceexcitednosympathy，norevenalaughonthelipsofthosewhomightbeexaminingthevarietiesoftheParisianspecies;onthecontrary，itsaddenedthem。Hewas，likehisfather，shortandfat，buthisfigurelackedthelatter’sbrutalobesity，andshowed，instead，analmostridiculousdebility。Hisfather’shighcolorwaschangedinhimtothelividflabbinesspeculiartopersonswholiveincloseback—shops，orinthoserailedcagescalledcounting—rooms，forevertyingupbundles，receivingandmakingchange，snarlingattheclerks，andrepeatingthesameoldspeechestocustomers。

Thesmallamountofbrainspossessedbythebrotherandsisterhadbeenwhollyabsorbedinmaintainingtheirbusiness，ingettingandkeepingmoney，andinlearningthespeciallawsandusagesoftheParisianmarket。Thread，needles，ribbons，pins，buttons，tailors’

furnishings，inshort，theenormousquantityofthingswhichgotomakeupamercer’sstock，hadtakenalltheircapacity。Outsideoftheirbusinesstheyknewabsolutelynothing;theywereevenignorantofParis。TothemthegreatcitywasmerelyaregionspreadingaroundtheRueSaint—Denis。Theirnarrownaturescouldseenofieldexcepttheshop。Theywerecleverenoughinnaggingtheirclerksandtheiryoungwomenandinprovingthemtoblame。Theirhappinesslayinseeingallhandsbusyatthecounters，exhibitingthemerchandise，andfoldingitupagain。Whentheyheardthesixoreightvoicesoftheyoungmenandwomengliblygabblingtheconsecratedphrasesbywhichclerksreplytotheremarksofcustomers，thedaywasfinetothem，theweatherbeautiful！Butonthereallyfinedays，whentheblueoftheheavensbrightenedallParis，andtheParisianswalkedabouttoenjoythemselvesandcaredforno\"goods\"butthosetheycarriedontheirback，thedaywasovercasttotheRogrons。\"Badweatherforsales，\"saidthatpairofimbeciles。

TheskillwithwhichRogroncouldtieupaparcelmadehimanobjectofadmirationtoallhisapprentices。Hecouldfoldandtieandseeallthathappenedinthestreetandinthefarthestrecessesoftheshopbythetimehehandedtheparceltohiscustomerwitha\"Hereitis，madame;/nothingelse/to—day？\"Butthepoorfoolwouldhavebeenruinedwithouthissister。Sylviehadcommon—senseandageniusfortrade。SheadvisedherbrotherintheirpurchasesandwouldpitilesslysendhimtoremotepartsofFrancetosaveatrifleofcost。Theshrewdnesswhichallwomenmoreorlesspossess，notbeingemployedintheserviceofherheart，haddriftedintothatofspeculation。A

businesstopayfor，——thatthoughtwasthemainspringwhichkeptthemachinegoingandgaveitaninfernalactivity。

Rogronwasreallyonlyhead—clerk;heunderstoodnothingofhisbusinessasawhole;self—interest，thatgreatmotorofthemind，hadfailedinhiscasetoinstructhim。Hewasoftenaghastwhenhissisterorderedsomearticletobesoldbelowcost，foreseeingtheendofitsfashion;laterheadmiredheridioticallyforhercleverness。

Hereasonedneitherillnorwell;hewassimplyincapableofreasoningatall;buthehadthesensetosubordinatehimselftohissister，andhedidsofromaconsiderationthatwasoutsideofthebusiness。\"Sheismyelder，\"hesaid。Perhapsanexistencelikehis，alwayssolitary，reducedtothesatisfactionofmereneeds，deprivedofmoneyandallpleasuresinyouth，mayexplaintophysiologistsandthinkerstheclownishexpressionoftheface，thefeeblenessofmind，thevacantsillinessoftheman。Hissisterhadsteadilypreventedhimfrommarrying，afraidperhapstoloseherpoweroverhim，andseeingonlyasourceofexpenseandinjuryinsomewomanwhowouldcertainlybeyoungerandundoubtedlylessuglythanherself。

Sillinesshastwowaysofcomportingitself;ittalks，orissilent。

Silentsillinesscanbeborne;butRogron’ssillinesswasloquacious。

Themanhadahabitofchatteringtohisclerks，explainingtheminutiaeofthebusiness，andornamentinghistalkwiththoseflatjokeswhichmaybecalledthe\"chaff\"ofshopkeeping。Rogron，listenedto，ofcourse，byhissubordinatesandperfectlysatisfiedwithhimself，hadcomeatlastintopossessionofaphraseologyofhisown。

Thischattererbelievedhimselfanorator。Thenecessityofexplainingtocustomerswhattheywant，ofguessingattheirdesires，andgivingthemdesiresforwhattheydonotwant，exercisesthetongueofallretailshopkeepers。Thepettydealeracquiresthefacultyofutteringwordsandsentencesinwhichthereisabsolutelynomeaning，butwhichhaveamarkedsuccess。Heexplainstohiscustomersmattersofmanufacturethattheyknownothingof;thatalonegiveshimapassingsuperiorityoverthem;buttakehimawayfromhisthousandandoneexplanationsabouthisthousandandonearticles，andheis，relativelytothought，likeafishoutofwaterinthesun。

RogronandSylvie，twomechanismsbaptizedbymistake，didnotpossess，latentoractive，thefeelingswhichgivelifetotheheart。

Theirnatureswereshrivelledandharsh，hardenedbytoil，byprivation，bytheremembranceoftheirsufferingsduringalongandcruelapprenticeshiptolife。Neitherofthemcomplainedoftheirtrials。Theywerenotsomuchimplacableasimpracticableintheirdealingswithothersinmisfortune。Tothem，virtue，honor，loyalty，allhumansentimentsconsistedsolelyinthepaymentoftheirbills。

Irritableandirritating，withoutfeelings，andsordidintheireconomy，thebrotherandsisterboreadreadfulreputationamongtheothermerchantsoftherueSaint—Denis。HaditnotbeenfortheirconnectionwithProvins，wheretheywentthreeorfourtimesayear，whentheycouldclosetheshopforadayortwo，theywouldhavehadnoclerksoryoungwomen。ButoldRogron，theirfather，sentthemalltheunfortunateyoungpeopleofhisneighborhood，whoseparentswishedtostarttheminbusinessinParis。Heobtainedtheseapprenticesbyboasting，outofvanity，ofhisson’ssuccess。Parents，attractedbytheprospectoftheirchildrenbeingwell—trainedandcloselywatched，andalso，bythehopeoftheirsucceeding，eventually，tothebusiness，sentwhicheverchildwasmostinthewayathometothecareofthebrotherandsister。Butnosoonerhadtheclerksortheyoungwomenfoundawayofescapefromthatdreadfulestablishmentthantheyfled，withrejoicingsthatincreasedthealreadybadnameoftheRogrons。Newvictimsweresuppliedyearlybytheindefatigableoldfather。

Fromthetimeshewasfifteen，SylvieRogron，trainedtothesimperingofasaleswoman，hadtwofaces，——theamiablefaceoftheseller，thenaturalfaceofasourspinster。Heracquiredcountenancewasamarvellousbitofmimicry。Shewasallsmiles。Hervoice，softandwheedling，gaveacommercialcharmtobusiness。Herrealfacewasthatwehavealreadyseenprojectingfromthehalf—openedblinds;themeresightofherwouldhaveputtoflightthemostresoluteCossackof1815，muchasthathordeweresaidtolikeallkindsofFrenchwomen。

WhentheletterfromtheLorrainsreachedthebrotherandsister，theywereinmourningfortheirfather，fromwhomtheyinheritedthehousewhichhadbeenasgoodasstolenfromPierrette’sgrandmother，alsocertainlandsboughtbytheirfather，andcertainmoneysacquiredbyusuriousloansandmortgagestothepeasantry，whosebitsofgroundtheolddrunkardexpectedtopossess。Theyearlytakingofstockwasjustover。Thepriceofthe\"FamilySister\"had，atlast，beenpaidinfull。TheRogronsownedaboutsixtythousandfrancs’worthofmerchandise，fortythousandinabankorintheircash—box，andthevalueoftheirbusiness。Sittingonabenchcoveredwithstriped—greenUtrechtvelvetplacedinasquarerecessjustbehindtheirprivatecounter（thecounteroftheirforewomanbeingsimilaranddirectlyopposite）thebrotherandsisterconsultedastowhattheyshoulddo。

Allretailshopkeepersaspiretobecomemembersofthebourgeoisie。Bysellingthegood—willoftheirbusiness，thepairwouldhaveoverahundredandfiftythousandfrancs，notcountingtheinheritancefromtheirfather。ByplacingtheirpresentavailablepropertyinthepublicFunds，theywouldeachobtainaboutfourthousandfrancsayear，andbytakingtheproceedsoftheirbusiness，whensold，theycouldrepairandimprovethehousetheyinheritedfromtheirfather，whichwouldthusbeagoodinvestment。TheycouldthengoandliveinahouseoftheirowninProvins。TheirforewomanwasthedaughterofarichfarmeratDonnemarie，burdenedwithninechildren，towhomhehadendeavoredtogiveagoodstartinlife，beingawarethatathisdeathhisproperty，dividedintonineparts，wouldbebutlittleforanyoneofthem。Infiveyears，however，themanhadlostsevenchildren，——afactwhichmadetheforewomansointerestingthatRogronhadtried，unsuccessfully，togethertomarryhim;butsheshowedanaversionforhermasterwhichbaffledhismanoeuvres。Besides，MademoiselleSylviewasnotinfavorofthematch;infact，shesteadilyopposedherbrother’smarriage，andsought，instead，tomaketheshrewdyoungwomantheirsuccessor。

Nopassingobservercanformtheleastideaofthecryptogramicexistenceofacertainclassofshopkeepers;helooksatthemandaskshimself，\"Onwhat，andwhy，dotheylive？whencehavetheycome？wheredotheygo？\"Heislostinsuchquestions，butfindsnoanswertothem。Todiscoverthefalseseedofpoesywhichliesinthoseheadsandfructifiesinthoselives，itisnecessarytodigintothem;andwhenwedothatwesooncometoathinsubsoilbeneaththesurface。

TheParisianshopkeepernurtureshissoulonsomehopeorother，moreorlessattainable，withoutwhichhewoulddoubtlessperish。Onedreamsofbuildingormanagingatheatre;anotherlongsforthehonorsofmayoralty;thisonedesiresacountry—house，tenmilesfromPariswithaso—called\"park，\"whichhewilladornwithstatuesoftintedplasterandfountainswhichsquirtmerethreadsofwater，butonwhichhewillspendamintofmoney;others，again，dreamofdistinctionandahighgradeintheNationalGuard。Provins，thatterrestrialparadise，filledthebrotherandsisterwiththefanaticallongingswhichallthelovelytownsofFranceinspireintheirinhabitants。LetussayittothegloryofLaChampagne，thisloveiswarranted。

Provins，oneofthemostcharmingtownsinallFrance，rivalsFrangistanandthevalleyofCashmere;notonlydoesitcontainthepoesyofSaadi，thePersianHomer，butitoffersmanypharmaceuticaltreasurestomedicalscience。ThecrusadesbroughtrosesfromJerichotothisenchantingvalley，wherebychancetheygainednewcharmswhilelosingnoneoftheircolors。TheProvinsrosesareknowntheworldover。ButProvinsisnotonlytheFrenchPersia，itisalsoBaden，Aix，Cheltenham，——forithasmedicinalsprings。ThiswasthespotwhichappearedfromtimetotimebeforetheeyesofthetwoshopkeepersinthemuddyregionsofSaint—Denis。

AftercrossingthegrayplainswhichliebetweenLaFerte—GaucherandProvins，adesertandyetproductive，adesertofwheat，youreachahill。Suddenlyyoubeholdatyourfeetatownwateredbytworivers;

atthefeetoftherockonwhichyoustandstretchesaverdantvalley，fullofenchantinglinesandfugitivehorizons。IfyoucomefromParisyouwillpassthroughthewholelengthofProvinsontheeverlastinghighroadofFrance，whichhereskirtsthehillsideandisencumberedwithbeggarsandblindmen，whowillfollowyouwiththeirpitifulvoiceswhileyoutrytoexaminetheunexpectedpicturesquenessoftheregion。IfyoucomefromTroyesyouwillapproachthetownonthevalleyside。Thechateau，theoldtown，anditsformerrampartsareterracedonthehillside，thenewtownisbelow。TheygobythenamesofUpperandLowerProvins。Theupperisanairytownwithsteepstreetscommandingfineviews，surroundedbysunkenroad—waysandravinesfilledwithchestnuttreeswhichgashthesidesofthehillwiththeirdeepgulleys。Theuppertownissilent，clean，solemn，surmountedbytheimposingruinsoftheoldchateau。Thelowerisatownofmills，wateredbytheVoulzieandtheDurtain，tworiversofBrie，narrow，sluggish，anddeep;atownofinns，shops，retiredmerchants;filledwithdiligences，travelling—carriages，andwaggons。

Thetwotowns，orratherthistownwithitshistoricalmemories，itsmelancholyruins，thegaietyofitsvalley，theromanticcharmofitsravinesfilledwithtangledshrubberyandwildflowers，itsriversbankedwithgardens，excitestheloveofallitschildren，whodoastheAuvergnats，theSavoyards，infact，allFrenchfolksdo，namely，leaveProvinstomaketheirfortunes，andalwaysreturn。\"Dieinone’sform，\"theproverbmadeforharesandfaithfulsouls，seemsalsothemottoofaProvinsnative。

ThusthetwoRogronsthoughtconstantlyoftheirdearProvins。WhileJeromesoldhisthreadhesawtheUppertown;ashepiledupthecardsonwhichwerebuttonshecontemplatedthevalley;whenherolledandunrolledhisribbonshefollowedtheshiningrivers。Lookingupathisshelveshesawtheravineswherehehadoftenescapedhisfather’sangerandgonea—nuttingorgatheringblackberries。ButthelittlesquareintheLowertownwasthechiefobjectofhisthoughts;heimaginedhowhecouldimprovehishouse：hedreamedofanewfront，newbedrooms，asalon，abilliard—room，adining—room，andthekitchengardenoutofwhichhewouldmakeanEnglishpleasure—ground，withlawns，grottos，fountains，andstatuary。Thebedroomsatpresentoccupiedbythebrotherandsister，onthesecondfloorofahousewiththreewindowsfrontandsixstoreyshighintherueSaint—Denis，werefurnishedwiththemerestnecessaries，yetnooneinParishadfinerfurniturethanthey——infancy。WhenJeromewalkedthestreetshestoppedshort，struckwithadmirationatthehandsomethingsintheupholsterers’windows，andatthedraperieshecovetedforhishouse。

Whenhecamehomehewouldsaytohissister：\"Ifoundinsuchashop，suchandsuchapieceoffurniturethatwilljustdoforthesalon。\"

Thenextdayhewouldbuyanotherpiece，andanother，andsoon。Herejected，thefollowingmonth，thearticlesofthemonthsbefore。TheBudgetitself，couldnothavepaidforhisarchitecturalschemes。Hewantedeverythinghesaw，butabandonedeachthingforthelastthing。

Whenhesawthebalconiesofnewhouses，whenhestudiedexternalornamentation，hethoughtallsuchthings，mouldings，carvings，etc。，outofplaceinParis。\"Ah！\"hewouldsay，\"thosefinethingswouldlookmuchbetteratProvins。\"Whenhestoodonhisdoorstepleaningagainstthelintel，digestinghismorningmeal，withavacanteye，themercerwasgazingatthehouseofhisfancygildedbythesunofhisdream;hewalkedinhisgarden;heheardthejetfromhisfountainfallinginpearlydropsuponaslaboflimestone;heplayedonhisownbilliard—table;hegatheredhisownflowers。

Sylvie，ontheotherhand，wasthinkingsodeeply，peninhand，thatsheforgottoscoldtheclerks;shewasreceivingthebourgeoisieofProvins，shewaslookingatherselfinthemirrorsofhersalon，andadmiringthebeautiesofamarvellouscap。ThebrotherandsisterbegantothinktheatmosphereoftherueSaint—Denisunhealthy，andthesmellofthemudinthemarketsmadethemlongforthefragranceoftheProvinsroses。Theywerethevictimsofagenuinenostalgia，andalsoofamonomania，frustratedatpresentbythenecessityofsellingtheirtapesandbobbinsbeforetheycouldleaveParis。ThepromisedlandofthevalleyofProvinsattractedtheseHebrewsallthemorebecausetheyhadreallysuffered，andforalongtime，astheycrossedbreathlesslythesandywastesofamercer’sbusiness。

TheLorrains’letterreachedtheminthemidstofmeditationsinspiredbythisgloriousfuture。Theyknewscarcelyanythingabouttheircousin，PierretteLorrain。TheirfathergotpossessionoftheAuffraypropertyaftertheylefthome，andtheoldmansaidlittletoanyoneofhisbusinessaffairs。TheyhardlyrememberedtheirauntLorrain。IttookanhourofgenealogicaldiscussionbeforetheymadeherouttobetheyoungersisteroftheirownmotherbythesecondmarriageoftheirgrandfatherAuffray。ItimmediatelystruckthemthatthissecondmarriagehadbeenfatallyinjurioustotheirinterestsbydividingtheAuffraypropertybetweentwodaughters。Intimespasttheyhadheardtheirfather，whowasgiventosneering，complainofit。

ThebrotherandsisterconsideredtheapplicationoftheLorrainsfromthepointofviewofsuchreminiscences，whichwerenotatallfavorableforPierrette。Totakechargeofanorphan，agirl，acousin，whomightbecometheirlegalheirincaseneitherofthemmarried，——thiswasamatterthatneededdiscussion。Thequestionwasconsideredanddebatedunderallitsaspects。Inthefirstplace，theyhadneverseenPierrette。Then，whatatroubleitwouldbetohaveayounggirltolookafter。Wouldn’titcommitthemtosomeobligationstowardsher？Couldtheysendthegirlawayiftheydidnotlikeher？

Besides，wouldn’ttheyhavetomarryher？andifJeromefoundayoke—

mateamongtheheiressesofProvinstheyoughttokeepalltheirpropertyforhischildren。AyokemateforJerome，accordingtoSylvie，meantastupid，richanduglygirlwhowouldletherselfbegoverned。

TheydecidedtorefusetheLorrainrequest。Sylvieagreedtowritetheanswer。Businessbeingratherurgentjustthenshedelayedwriting，andtheforewomancomingforwardwithanofferforthestockandgood—

willofthe\"FamilySister，\"whichthebrotherandsisteraccepted，thematterwententirelyoutoftheoldmaid’smind。

SylvieRogronandherbrotherdepartedforProvinsfouryearsbeforethetimewhenthecomingofBrigautthrewsuchexcitementintoPierrette’slife。ButthedoingsofthepairaftertheirarrivalatProvinsareasnecessarytorelateastheirlifeinParis;forProvinswasdestinedtobenotlessfataltoPierrettethanthecommercialantecedentsofhercousins！

III

PATHOLOGYOFRETIREDMERCERS

WhenthepettyshopkeeperwhohascometoParisfromtheprovincesreturnstotheprovincesfromParishebringswithhimafewideas;

thenhelosestheminthehabitsandwaysofprovinciallifeintowhichheplunges，andhisreformingnotionsleavehim。Fromthistheredoresult，however，certaintrifling，slow，successivechangesbywhichParisscratchesthesurfaceoftheprovincialtowns。Thisprocessmarksthetransitionoftheex—shopkeeperintothesubstantialbourgeois，butitactslikeanillnessuponhim。Noretailshopkeepercanpasswithimpunityfromhisperpetualchatterintodeadsilence，fromhisParisianactivitytothestillnessofprovinciallife。Whentheseworthypersonshavelaidbypropertytheyspendaportionofitonsomedesireoverwhichtheyhavelongbroodedandintowhichtheynowturntheirremainingimpulses，nolongerrestrainedbyforceofwill。Thosewhohavenotbeennursingafixedideaeithertravelorrushintothepoliticalinterestsoftheirmunicipality。Otherstaketohuntingorfishingandtormenttheirfarmersortenants;othersagainbecomeusurersorstock—jobbers。AsfortheschemeoftheRogrons，brotherandsister，weknowwhatthatwas;theyhadtosatisfyanimperiousdesiretohandlethetrowelandremodeltheiroldhouseintoacharmingnewone。

ThisfixedideaproduceduponthesquareofLowerProvinsthefrontofthebuildingwhichBrigauthadbeenexamining;alsotheinteriorarrangementsofthehouseanditshandsomefurniture。Thecontractordidnotdriveanailwithoutconsultingtheowners，withoutrequiringthemtosigntheplansandspecifications，withoutexplainingtothematfulllengthandineverydetailthenatureofeacharticleunderdiscussion，whereitwasmanufactured，andwhatwereitsvariousprices。Astothechoicerthings，each，theyweretold，hadbeenusedbyMonsieurTiphaine，orMadameJulliard，orMonsieurthemayor，thenotablesoftheplace。TheideaofhavingthingsdoneastherichbourgeoisofProvinsdidthemcarriedthedayforthecontractor。

\"Oh，ifMonsieurGarcelandhasitinhishouse，putitin，\"saidMademoiselleRogron。\"Itmustbeallright;histasteisgood。\"

\"Sylvie，see，hewantsustohaveovolosinthecorniceofthecorridor。\"

\"Doyoucallthoseovolos？\"

\"Yes，mademoiselle。\"

\"Whatanoddname！Ineverhearditbefore。\"

\"Butyouhaveseenthething？\"

\"Yes。\"

\"DoyouunderstandLatin？\"

\"No。\"

\"Well，itmeanseggs——fromtheLatin/ovum/。\"

\"Whatqueerfellowsyouare，youarchitects！\"criedRogron。\"Itissteppingonegg—shellstodealwithyou。\"

\"Shallwepaintthecorridor？\"askedthebuilder。

\"Goodheavens，no！\"criedSylvie。\"Thatwouldbefivehundredfrancsmore！\"

\"Oh，butthesalonandthestaircasearetooprettynottohavethecorridordecoratedtoo，\"saidtheman。\"ThatlittleMadameLesourdhadherspaintedlastyear。\"

\"Andnow，herhusband，asking’sattorney，isobligedtoleaveProvins。\"

\"Ah，he’llbechiefjusticesomeofthesedays，\"saidthebuilder。

\"HowaboutMonsieurTiphaine？\"

\"MonsieurTiphaine？he’sgotaprettywifeandissuretogeton。

He’llgotoParis。Shallwepaintthecorridor？\"

\"Yes，yes，\"saidRogron。\"TheLesourdsmustbemadetoseethatweareasgoodasthey。\"

ThefirstyearaftertheRogronsreturnedtoProvinswasentirelytakenupbysuchdiscussions，bythepleasureofwatchingtheworkmen，bythesurpriseoccasionedtothetownspeopleandtherepliestoquestionsofallkindswhichresultedtherefrom，andalsobytheattemptsmadebySylvieandherbrothertobesociallyintimatewiththeprincipalfamiliesofProvins。

TheRogronshadnevergoneintoanysociety;theyhadneverlefttheirshop，knowingabsolutelynooneinParis，andnowtheywereathirstforthepleasuresofsociallife。OntheirarrivalinProvinstheyfoundtheirformermastersinParis（longsincereturnedtotheprovinces），MonsieurandMadameJulliard，latelyofthe\"ChineseWorm，\"theirchildrenandgrandchildren;theGuepinfamily，orrathertheGuepinclan，theyoungestscionofwhichnowkeptthe\"ThreeDistaffs\";andthirdly，MadameGueneefromwhomtheyhadpurchasedthe\"FamilySister，\"andwhosethreedaughtersweremarriedandsettledinProvins。Thesethreeraces，Julliard，Guepin，andGuenee，hadspreadthroughthetownlikedog—grassthroughalawn。Themayor，MonsieurGarceland，wastheson—in—lawofMonsieurGuepin;thecurate，AbbePeroux，wasownbrothertoMadameJulliard;thejudge，MonsieurTiphainejunior，wasbrothertoMadameGuenee，whosignedherself\"/nee/Tiphaine。\"

ThequeenofthetownwasthebeautifulMadameTiphainejunior，onlydaughterofMadameRoguin，therichwifeofaformernotaryinParis，whosenamewasnevermentioned。Clever，delicate，andpretty，marriedintheprovincestopleasehermother，whoforspecialreasonsdidnotwantherwithher，andtookherfromaconventonlyafewdaysbeforethewedding，MelanieTiphaineconsideredherselfanexileinProvins，whereshebehavedtoadmiration。Handsomelydowered，shestillhadhopes。AsforMonsieurTiphaine，hisoldfatherhadmadetohiseldestdaughterMadameGueneesuchadvancesonherinheritancethatanestatewortheightthousandfrancsayear，situatedwithinfifteenmilesofProvins，wastocomewhollytohim。ConsequentlytheTiphaineswouldpossess，soonerorlater，somefortythousandfrancsayear，andwerenot\"badlyoff，\"astheysay。TheoneoverwhelmingdesireofthebeautifulMadameTiphainewastogetMonsieurTiphaineelecteddeputy。

AsdeputyhewouldbecomeajudgeinParis;andshewasfirmlyresolvedtopushhimupintotheRoyalcourts。Forthesereasonsshetickledallvanitiesandstrovetopleaseallparties;and——whatisfarmoredifficult——shesucceeded。TwiceaweekshereceivedthebourgeoisieofProvinsatherhouseintheUppertown。Thisintelligentyoungwomanoftwentyhadnotasyetmadeasingleblunderormisstepontheslipperypathshehadtaken。Shegratifiedeverybody’sself—love，andpettedtheirhobbies;seriouswiththeserious，agirlwithgirls，instinctivelyamotherwithmothers，gaywithyoungwivesanddisposedtohelpthem，gracioustoall，——inshort，apearl，atreasure，theprideofProvins。Shehadneveryetsaidawordofherintentionsandwishes，butalltheelectorsofProvinswereawaitingthetimewhentheirdearMonsieurTiphainehadreachedtherequiredagefornomination。Everymanintheplace，certainofhisowntalents，regardedthefuturedeputyashisparticularfriend，hisprotector。Ofcourse，MonsieurTiphainewouldattaintohonors;hewouldbeKeeperoftheSeals，andthen，whatwouldn’thedoforProvins！

SuchwerethepleasantmeansbywhichMadameTiphainehadcometoruleoverthelittletown。MadameGuenee，MonsieurTiphaine’ssister，afterhavingmarriedhereldestdaughtertoMonsieurLesourd，prosecutingattorney，hersecondtoMonsieurMartener，thedoctor，andthethirdtoMonsieurAuffray，thenotary，hadherselfmarriedMonsieurGalardon，thecollector。MotheranddaughtersallconsideredMonsieurTiphaineastherichestandablestmaninthefamily。TheprosecutingattorneyhadthestrongestinterestinsendinghisuncletoParis，expectingtostepintohisshoesasjudgeofthelocalcourtofProvins。ThefourladiesformedasortofcourtroundMadameTiphaine，whoseideasandadvicetheyfollowedonalloccasions。MonsieurJulliard，theeldestsonoftheoldmerchant，whohadmarriedtheonlydaughterofarichfarmer，setupasudden，secret，anddisinterestedpassionforMadameTiphaine，thatangeldescendedfromtheParisianskies。ThecleverMelanie，tooclevertoinvolveherselfwithJulliard，butquitecapableofkeepinghimintheconditionofAmadisandmakingthemostofhisfolly，advisedhimtostartajournal，intendingherselftoplaythepartofEgeria。Forthelasttwoyears，therefore，Julliard，possessedbyhisromanticpassion，hadpublishedthesaidnewspaper，calledthe\"Bee—hive，\"whichcontainedarticlesliterary，archaeological，andmedical，writteninthefamily。Theadvertisementspaidexpenses。Thesubscriptions，twohundredinall，madetheprofits。Everynowandthenmelancholyverses，totallyincomprehensibleinLaBrie，appeared，addressed，\"TOHER！！！\"withthreeexclamationmarks。TheclanJulliardwasthusunitedtotheotherclans，andthesalonofMadameTiphainebecame，naturally，thefirstinthetown。ThefewaristocratswholivedinProvinswere，ofcourse，apart，andformedasinglesalonintheUppertown，atthehouseoftheoldComtessedeBreautey。

Duringthefirstsixmonthsoftheirtransplantation，theRogrons，favoredbytheirformeracquaintancewithseveralofthesepeople，werereceived，firstbyMadameJulliardtheelder，andbytheformerMadameGuenee，nowMadameGalardon（fromwhomtheyhadboughttheirbusiness），andnext，afteragooddealofdifficulty，byMadameTiphaine。AllpartieswishedtostudytheRogronsbeforeadmittingthem。Itwasdifficult，ofcourse，tokeepoutmerchantsoftherueSaint—Denis，originallyfromProvins，whohadreturnedtothetowntospendtheirfortunes。Still，theobjectofallsocietyistoamalgamatepersonsofequalwealth，education，manners，customs，accomplishments，andcharacter。NowtheGuepins，Guenees，andJulliardshadabetterpositionamongthebourgeoisiethantheRogrons，whosefatherhadbeenheldincontemptonaccountofhisprivatelife，andhisconductinthematteroftheAuffrayproperty，——

thefactsofwhichwereknowntothenotaryAuffray，MadameGalardon’sson—in—law。

Inthesociallifeofthesepeople，towhichMadameTiphainehadgivenacertaintoneofelegance，allwashomogeneous;thecomponentpartsunderstoodeachother，kneweachother’scharacters，andbehavedandconversedinamannerthatwasagreeabletoall。TheRogronsflatteredthemselvesthatbeingreceivedbyMonsieurGarceland，themayor，theywouldsoonbeongoodtermswithallthebestfamiliesinthetown。

Sylvieappliedherselftolearnboston。Rogron，incapableofplayingagame，twirledhisthumbsandhadnothingtosayexcepttodiscourseonhisnewhouse。Wordsseemedtochokehim;hewouldgetup，trytospeak，becomefrightened，andsitdownagain，withcomicaldistortionofthelips。Sylvienaivelybetrayedhernaturalselfatcards。Sharp，irritable，whiningwhenshelost，insolentwhenshewon，naggingandquarrelsome，sheannoyedherpartnersasmuchasheradversaries，andbecamethescourgeofsociety。Andyet，possessedbyasilly，unconcealedambition，Rogronandhissisterwerebentonplayingapartinthesocietyofalittletownalreadyinpossessionofaclosecorporationoftwelvealliedfamilies。Allowingthattherestorationoftheirhousehadcostthemthirtythousandfrancs，thebrotherandsisterpossessedbetweenthematleasttenthousandfrancsayear。

Thistheyconsideredwealth，andwithittheyendeavoredtoimpresssociety，whichimmediatelytookthemeasureoftheirvulgarity，crassignorance，andfoolishenvy。OntheeveningwhentheywerepresentedtothebeautifulMadameTiphaine，whohadalreadyeyedthematMadameGarceland’sandatMadameJulliardtheelder’s，thequeenofthetownremarkedtoJulliardjunior，whostayedafewmomentsaftertherestofthecompanytotalkwithherandherhusband：——

\"YouallseemtobetakenwiththoseRogrons。\"

\"No，no，\"saidAmadis，\"theyboremymotherandannoymywife。WhenMademoiselleSylviewasapprenticed，thirtyyearsago，tomyfather，noneofthemcouldendureher。\"

\"Ihaveagreatmind，\"saidMadameTiphaine，puttingherprettyfootonthebarofthefender，\"tomakeitunderstoodthatmysalonisnotaninn。\"

Julliardraisedhiseyestotheceiling，asiftosay，\"Goodheavens？

whatwit，whatintellect！\"

\"Iwishmysocietytobeselect;anditcertainlywillnotbeifI

admitthoseRogrons。\"

\"Theyhaveneitherheart，normind，normanners\";saidMonsieurTiphaine。\"If，aftersellingthreadfortwentyyears，asmysisterdidforexample——\"

\"Yoursister，mydear，\"saidhiswifeinaparenthesis，\"cannotbeoutofplaceinanysalon。\"

\"——if，\"hecontinued，\"peoplearestupidenoughnottothrowofftheshopandpolishtheirmanners，iftheydon’tknowanybetterthantomistaketheCountsofChampagneforthe/accounts/ofawine—shop，asRogrondidthisevening，theyhadbetter，inmyopinion，stayathome。\"

\"Theyaresimplyimpudent，\"saidJulliard。\"TohearthemtalkyouwouldsupposetherewasnootherhandsomehouseinProvinsbuttheirs。