Theywanttocrushus;andafterall，theyhavehardlyenoughtoliveon。\"
\"Ifitwasonlythebrother，\"saidMadameTiphaine，\"onemightputupwithhim;heisnotsoaggressive。GivehimaChinesepuzzleandhewillstayinacornerquietlyenough;itwouldtakehimawholewintertofinditout。ButMademoiselleSylvie，withthatvoicelikeahoarsehyenaandthoselobster—clawsofhands！Don’trepeatallthis，Julliard。\"
WhenJulliardhaddepartedthelittlewomansaidtoherhusband：——
\"IhaveaboriginesenoughwhomIamforcedtoreceive;thesetwowillfairlykillme。Withyourpermission，Ishalldeprivemyselfoftheirsociety。\"
\"Youaremistressinyourownhouse，\"repliedhe;\"butthatwillmakeenemies。TheRogronswillflingthemselvesintotheopposition，whichhithertohashadnorealstrengthinProvins。ThatRogronisalreadyintimatewithBaronGouraudandthelawyerVinet。\"
\"Then，\"saidMelanie，laughing，\"theywilldoyousomeservice。Wheretherearenoopponents，thereisnotriumph。Aliberalconspiracy，anillegalcabal，astruggleofanykind，willbringyouintotheforeground。\"
Thejusticelookedathisyoungwifewithasortofalarmedadmiration。
ThenextdayitwaswhisperedaboutthattheRogronshadnotaltogethersucceededinMadameTiphaine’ssalon。Thatlady’sspeechaboutaninnwasimmenselyadmired。ItwasawholemonthbeforeshereturnedMademoiselleSylvie’svisit。Insolenceofthiskindisverymuchnoticedintheprovinces。
DuringtheeveningwhichSylviehadspentatMadameTiphaine’sadisagreeablesceneoccurredbetweenherselfandoldMadameJulliardwhileplayingboston，aproposofatrickwhichSylviedeclaredtheoldladyhadmadeherloseonpurpose;fortheoldmaid，wholikedtotripothers，couldneverendurethesamegameonherself。Thenexttimeshewasinvitedoutthemistresstookcaretomakeupthecard—tablesbeforeshearrived;sothatSylviewasreducedtowanderingfromtabletotableasanonlooker，theplayersglancingatherwithscornfuleyes。AtMadameJulliardsenior’shouse，theyplayedwhist，agameSylviedidnotknow。
Theoldmaidatlastunderstoodthatshewasunderaban;butshehadnoconceptionofthereasonofit。Shefanciedherselfanobjectofjealousytoallthesepersons。Afteratimesheandherbrotherreceivednoinvitations，buttheystillpersistedinpayingeveningvisits。Satiricalpersonsmadefunofthem，——notspitefully，butamusingly;inveiglingthemtotalkabsurdlyabouttheeggsintheircornice，andtheirwonderfulcellarofwine，thelikeofwhichwasnotinProvins。
BeforelongtheRogronhousewascompletelyfinished，andthebrotherandsisterthenresolvedtogiveseveralsumptuousdinners，asmuchtoreturnthecivilitiestheyhadreceivedastoexhibittheirluxury。
Theinvitedguestsacceptedfromcuriosityonly。Thefirstdinnerwasgiventotheleadingpersonagesofthetown;toMonsieurandMadameTiphaine，withwhom，howevertheRogronshadneverdined;toMonsieurandMadameJulliard，seniorandjunior;toMonsieurLesourd，Monsieurlecure，andMonsieurandMadameGalardon。Itwasoneofthoseinterminableprovincialdinners，whereyousitattablefromfivetonineo’clock。MadameTiphainehadintroducedintoProvinstheParisiancustomoftakingleaveassoonascoffeehadbeenserved。Onthisoccasionshehadcompanyathomeandwasanxioustogetaway。TheRogronsaccompaniedherhusbandandherselftothestreetdoor，andwhentheyreturnedtothesalon，disconcertedatnotbeingabletokeeptheirchiefguests，therestofthepartywerepreparingtoimitateMadameTiphaine’sfashionwithcruelprovincialpromptness。
\"Theywon’tseeoursalonlightedup，\"saidSylvie，\"andthat’stheshowofthehouse。\"
TheRogronshadcountedonsurprisingtheirguests。Itwasthefirsttimeanyonehadbeenadmittedtothenowcelebratedhouse，andthecompanyassembledatMadameTiphaine’swaseagerlyawaitingheropinionofthemarvelsofthe\"Rogronpalace。\"
\"Well！\"criedlittleMadameMartener，\"you’veseentheLouvre;tellusallaboutit。\"
\"All？Well，itwouldbelikethedinner，——notmuch。\"
\"Butdodescribeit。\"
\"Well，tobeginwith，thatfrontdoor，thegildedgratingofwhichwehavealladmired，\"saidMadameTiphaine，\"opensuponalongcorridorwhichdividesthehouseunequally;ontherightsidethereisonewindow，ontheother，two。Atthegardenend，thecorridoropenswithaglassdooruponaporticowithstepstothelawn，wherethere’sasundialandaplasterstatueofSpartacus，paintedtoimitatebronze。
Behindthekitchen，thebuilderhasputthestaircase，andasortoflarderwhichwearesparedthesightof。Thestaircase，paintedtoimitateblackmarblewithyellowveins，turnsuponitselflikethoseyouseeincafesleadingfromtheground—floortotheentresol。Thebalustrade，ofwalnutwithbrassornamentsanddangerouslyslight，waspointedouttousasoneofthesevenwondersoftheworld。Thecellarstairsrununderit。Ontheothersideofthecorridoristhedining—
room，whichcommunicatesbyfolding—doorswithasalonofequalsize，thewindowsofwhichlookonthegarden。\"
\"Dearme，istherenoante—chamber？\"askedMadameAuffray。
\"Thecorridor，fullofdraughts，answersforanante—chamber，\"repliedMadameTiphaine。\"Ourfriendshavehad，theyassuredus，theeminentlynational，liberal，constitutional，andpatrioticfeelingtousenonebutFrenchwoodsinthehouse;sothefloorinthedining—roomischestnut，thesideboards，tables，andchairs，ofthesame。Whitecalicowindow—curtains，withredborders，areheldbackbyvulgarredstraps;thesemagnificentdraperiesrunonwoodencurtainrodsendinginbrasslion’s—paws。Aboveoneofthesideboardshangsadialsuspendedbyasortofnapkiningildedbronze，——anideathatseemedtopleasetheRogronshugely。Theytriedtomakemeadmiretheinvention;allIcouldmanagetosaywasthatifitwaseverpropertowrapanapkinroundadialitwascertainlyinadining—room。Onthesideboardweretwohugelampslikethoseonthecounterofarestaurant。Abovetheothersideboardhungabarometer，excessivelyornate，whichseemstoplayagreatpartintheirexistence;Rogrongazedatitashemightathisfuturewife。Betweenthetwowindowsisawhiteporcelainstoveinanicheoverloadedwithornament。Thewallsglowwithamagnificentpaper，crimsonandgold，suchasyouseeinthesamerestaurants，where，nodoubt，theRogronschoseit。Dinnerwasservedonwhiteandgoldchina，withadessertserviceoflightbluewithgreenflowers，buttheyshowedusanotherserviceinearthenwareforeverydayuse。Oppositetoeachsideboardwasalargecupboardcontaininglinen。Allwasclean，new，andhorriblysharpintone。However，Iadmitthedining—room;ithassomecharacter，thoughdisagreeable;itrepresentsthatofthemastersofthehouse。Butthereisnoenduringthefiveengravingsthathangonthewalls;theMinisteroftheInterioroughtreallytoframealawagainstthem。OnewasPoniatowskijumpingintotheElster;theothers，Napoleonpointingacannon，thedefenceatClichy，andthetwoMazepas，allingiltframesofthevulgarestdescription，——fittocarryofftheprizeofdisgust。Oh！howmuchIpreferMadameJulliard’spastelsoffruit，thoseexcellentLouisXV。pastels，whichareinkeepingwiththeolddining—roomanditsgraypanels，——defacedbyage，itistrue，buttheypossessthetrueprovincialcharacteristicsthatgowellwitholdfamilysilver，preciouschina，andoursimplehabits。Theprovincesareprovinces;theyareonlyridiculouswhentheymimicParis。I
preferthisoldsalonofmyhusband’sforefathers，withitsheavycurtainsofgreenandwhitedamask，theLouisXV。mantelpiece，thetwistedpier—glasses，theoldmirrorswiththeirbeadedmouldings，andthevenerablecardtables。Yes，IprefermyoldSevresvasesinroyalblue，mountedoncopper，myclockwiththoseimpossibleflowers，thatrococcochandelier，andthetapestriedfurniture，toallthefineryoftheRogronsalon。\"
\"Whatisthesalonlike？\"saidMonsieurMartener，delightedwiththepraisethehandsomeParisianbestowedsoadroitlyontheprovinces。
\"Asforthesalon，itisallred，——theredMademoiselleSylvieturnswhenshelosesatcards。\"
\"Sylvan—red，\"saidMonsieurTiphaine，whosesparklingsayinglongremainedinthevocabularyofProvins。
\"Window—curtains，red;furniture，red;mantelpiece，red，veinedyellow，candelabraandclockdittomountedonbronze，commonandheavyindesign，——RomanstandardswithGreekfoliage！Abovetheclockisthatinevitablegood—naturedlionwhichlooksatyouwithasimper，thelionofornamentation，withabigballunderhisfeet，symbolofthedecorativelion，whopasseshislifeholdingablackball，——
exactlylikeadeputyoftheLeft。Perhapsitismeantasaconstitutionalmyth。Thefaceoftheclockiscurious。Theglassoverthechimneyisframedinthatnewfashionofappliedmouldingswhichissotrumperyandvulgar。Fromtheceilinghangsachandeliercarefullywrappedingreenmuslin，andrightlytoo，foritisintheworsttaste，thesharpesttintofbronzewithhideousornaments。Thewallsarecoveredwitharedflockpapertoimitatevelvetenclosedinpanels，eachpaneldecoratedwithachromo—lithographinoneofthoseframesfestoonedwithstuccoflowerstorepresentwood—carving。Thefurniture，incashmereandelm—wood，consists，withclassicuniformity，oftwosofas，twoeasy—chairs，twoarmchairs，andsixcommonchairs。Avaseinalabaster，calledalaMedicis，keptunderglassstandsonatablebetweenthewindows;beforethewindows，whicharedrapedwithmagnificentredsilkcurtainsandlacecurtainsunderthem，arecard—tables。ThecarpetisAubusson，andyoumaybesuretheRogronsdidnotfailtolayhandsonthatmostvulgarofpatterns，largeflowersonaredground。Theroomlooksasifnooneeverlivedthere;therearenobooks，noengravings，noneofthoselittleknick—
knacksweallhavelyingabout，\"addedMadameTiphaine，glancingatherowntablecoveredwithfashionabletrifles，albums，andlittlepresentsgiventoherbyfriends;\"andtherearenoflowers，——itisallcoldandbarren，likeMademoiselleSylvieherself。Buffonsaysthestyleistheman，andcertainlysalonshavestylesoftheirown。\"
Fromthissketcheverybodycanseethesortofhousethebrotherandsisterlivedin，thoughtheycanneverimaginetheabsurditiesintowhichacleverbuilderdraggedtheignorantpair，——newinventions，fantasticornaments，asystemforpreventingsmokychimneys，anotherforpreventingdampwalls;paintedmarquetrypanelsonthestaircase，coloredglass，superfinelocks，——inshort，allthosevulgaritieswhichmakeahouseexpensiveandgratifythebourgeoistaste。
NoonechosetovisittheRogrons，whosesocialplansthuscametonothing。Theirinvitationswererefusedundervariousexcuses，——theeveningswerealreadyengagedtoMadameGarcelandandtheotherladiesoftheProvinsworld。TheRogronshadsupposedthatallthatwasrequiredtogainapositioninsocietywastogiveafewdinners。Butnooneanylongeracceptedthem，exceptafewyoungmenwhowenttomakefunoftheirhostandhostess，andcertaindiners—outwhowenteverywhere。
Frightenedatthelossoffortythousandfrancsswallowedupwithoutprofitinwhatshecalledher\"dearhouse，\"Sylvienowsettoworktorecoveritbyeconomy。Shegavenomoredinners，whichhadcostherfortyorfiftyfrancswithoutthewines，anddidnotfulfilhersocialhopes，hopesthatareashardtorealizeintheprovincesasinParis。
Shesentawayhercook，tookacountry—girltodothemenialwork，anddidherowncooking，asshesaid，\"forpleasure。\"
FourteenmonthsaftertheirreturntoProvins，thebrotherandsisterhadfallenintoasolitaryandwhollyunoccupiedcondition。TheirbanishmentfromsocietyrousedinSylvie’sheartadreadfulhatredagainsttheTiphaines，JulliardsandalltheothermembersofthesocialworldofProvins，whichshecalled\"theclique，\"andwithwhomherpersonalrelationsbecameextremelycold。Shewouldgladlyhavesetuparivalclique，butthelesserbourgeoisiewasmadeupofeithersmallshopkeeperswhowereonlyfreeonSundaysandfete—days，orsmirchedindividualslikethelawyerVinetandDoctorNeraud，andwhollyinadmissibleBonapartistslikeBaronGouraud，withwhom，however，Rogronthoughtlesslyalliedhimself，thoughtheupperbourgeoisiehadwarnedhimagainstthem。
Thebrotherandsisterwere，therefore，forcedtositbythefireofthestoveinthedining—room，talkingovertheirformerbusiness，tryingtorecallthefacesoftheircustomersandothermatterstheyhadintendedtoforget。Bytheendofthesecondwinterennuiweighedheavilyonthem。Theydidnotknowhowtogetthrougheachday;
sometimesastheywenttobedthewordsescapedthem，\"There’sanotherover！\"Theydraggedoutthemorningbystayinginbed，anddressingslowly。Rogronshavedhimselfeveryday，examinedhisface，consultedhissisteronanychangeshethoughthesawthere，arguedwiththeservantaboutthetemperatureofhishotwater，wanderedintothegarden，lookedtoseeiftheshrubswerebudding，satattheedgeofthewaterwherehehadbuilthimselfakiosk，examinedthejoineryofhishouse，——haditsprung？hadthewallssettled，thepanelscracked？
orhewouldcomeinfrettingaboutasickhen，andcomplainingtohissister，whowasnaggingtheservantasshesetthetable，ofthedampnesswhichwascomingoutinspotsupontheplaster。ThebarometerwasRogron’smostusefulbitofproperty。Heconsulteditatallhours，tappeditfamiliarlylikeafriend，saying：\"Vileweather！\"towhichhissisterwouldreply，\"Pooh！itisonlyseasonable。\"Ifanyonecalledtoseehimtheexcellenceofthatinstrumentwashischieftopicofconversation。
Breakfasttookupsomelittletime;withwhatdeliberationthosetwohumanbeingsmasticatedtheirfood！Theirdigestionswereperfect;
cancerofthestomachwasnottobedreadedbythem。Theymanagedtogetalongtilltwelveo’clockbyreadingthe\"Bee—hive\"andthe\"Constitutionnel。\"ThecostofsubscribingtotheParisianpaperwassharedbyVinetthelawyer，andBaronGouraud。RogronhimselfcarriedthepapertoGouraud，whohadbeenacolonelandlivedonthesquare，andwhoselongyarnswereRogron’sdelight;thelattersometimespuzzledoverthewarningshehadreceived，andaskedhimselfhowsuchalivelycompanioncouldbedangerous。Hewasfoolenoughtotellthecolonelhehadbeenwarnedagainsthim，andtorepeatallthe\"clique\"
hadsaid。Godknowshowthecolonel，whofearednoone，andwasequallytobedreadedwithpistolsorasword，gavetongueaboutMadameTiphaineandherAmadis，andtheministerialistsoftheUppertown，personscapableofanyvillanytogetplaces，andwhocountedthevotesatelectionstosuitthemselves，etc。
Abouttwoo’clockRogronstartedforalittlewalk。Hewasquitehappyifsomeshopkeeperstandingonthethresholdofhisdoorwouldstophimandsay，\"Well，pereRogron，howgoesitwith/you/？\"Thenhewouldtalk，andaskfornews，andgatherallthegossipofthetown。
HeusuallywentasfarastheUppertown，sometimestotheravines，accordingtotheweather。Occasionallyhewouldmeetoldmentakingtheirwalksabroadlikehimself。Suchmeetingswerejoyfuleventstohim。TherehappenedtobeinProvinsafewmenwearyofParisianlife，quietscholarswholivedwiththeirbooks。FancythebewildermentoftheignorantRogronwhenheheardadeputy—judgenamedDesfondrilles，moreofanarchaeologistthanamagistrate，sayingtooldMonsieurMartener，areallylearnedman，ashepointedtothevalley：——
\"ExplaintomewhytheidlersofEuropegotoSpainsteadofcomingtoProvins，whenthespringsherehaveasuperiorcurativevaluerecognizedbytheFrenchfaculty，——apotentialworthyofthemedicinalpropertiesofourroses。\"
\"Thatisoneofthecapricesofcaprice，\"saidtheoldgentleman。
\"Bordeauxwinewasunknownahundredyearsago。MarechaldeRichelieu，oneofthenotedmenofthelastcentury，theFrenchAlcibiades，wasappointedgovernorofGuyenne。Hislungswerediseased，and，heavenknowswhy！thewineofthecountrydidhimgoodandherecovered。
Bordeauxinstantlymadeahundredmillions;themarshalwideneditsterritorytoAngouleme，toCahors，——inshort，tooverahundredmilesofcircumference！itishardtotellwheretheBordeauxvineyardsend。
Andyettheyhaven’terectedanequestrianstatuetothemarshalinBordeaux！\"
\"Ah！ifanythingofthatkindhappenstoProvins，\"saidMonsieurDesfondrilles，\"letushopethatsomewhereintheUpperorLowertowntheywillsetupabas—reliefoftheheadofMonsieurOpoix，there—discovererofthemineralwatersofProvins。\"
\"Mydearfriend，therevivalofProvinsisimpossible，\"repliedMonsieurMartener;\"thetownwasmadebankruptlongago。\"
\"What！\"criedRogron，openinghiseyesverywide。
\"Itwasonceacapital，holdingitsownagainstParisinthetwelfthcentury，whentheComtesdeChampagneheldtheircourthere，justasKingReneheldhisinProvence，\"repliedthemanoflearning;\"forinthosedayscivilization，gaiety，poesy，elegance，andwomen，inshortallsocialsplendors，werenotfoundexclusivelyinParis。Itisasdifficultfortownsandcitiesasitisforcommercialhousestorecoverfromruin。NothingislefttousoftheoldProvinsbutthefragranceofourhistoricalgloryandthatofourroses，——andasub—
prefecture！\"
\"Ah！whatmightn’tFrancebeifshehadonlypreservedherfeudalcapitals！\"saidDesfondrilles。\"Cansub—prefectsreplacethepoetic，gallant，warlikeraceoftheThibaultswhomadeProvinswhatFerrarawastoItaly，WeimartoGermany，——whatMunichistryingtobeto—day。\"
\"WasProvinseveracapital？\"askedRogron。
\"Why！wheredoyoucomefrom？\"exclaimedthearchaeologist。\"Don’tyouknow，\"headded，strikingthegroundoftheUppertownwheretheystoodwithhiscane，\"don’tyouknowthatthewholeofthispartofProvinsisbuiltoncatacombs？\"
\"Catacombs？\"
\"Yes，catacombs，theextentandheightofwhichareyetundiscovered。
Theyarelikethenavesofcathedrals，andtherearepillarsinthem。\"
\"Monsieuriswritingagreatarchaeologicalworktoexplainthesestrangeconstructions，\"interposedMonsieurMartener，seeingthatthedeputy—judgewasabouttomounthishobby。
Rogroncamehomemuchcomfortedtoknowthathishousewasinthevalley。ThecryptsofProvinskepthimoccupiedforaweekinexplorations，andgaveatopicofconversationtotheunhappycelibatesformanyevenings。
InthecourseoftheseramblingsRogronpickedupvariousbitsofinformationaboutProvins，itsinhabitants，theirmarriages，togetherwithstalepoliticalnews;allofwhichhenarratedtohissister。
Scoresoftimesinhiswalkshewouldstopandsay，——oftentothesamepersononthesameday，——\"Well，what’sthenews？\"Whenhereachedhomehewouldflinghimselfonthesofalikeamanexhaustedwithlabor，whereashewasonlywornoutwiththeburdenofhisowndulness。
Dinnercameatlast，afterhehadgonetwentytimestothekitchenandback，comparedtheclocks，andopenedandshutallthedoorsofthehouse。Solongasthebrotherandsistercouldspendtheireveningsinpayingvisitstheymanagedtogetalongtillbedtime;butaftertheywerecompelledtostayathomethoseeveningsbecamelikeaparchingdesert。Sometimespersonspassingthroughthequietlittlesquarewouldhearunearthlynoisesasthoughthebrotherwerethrottlingthesister;amoment’slisteningwouldshowthattheywereonlyyawning。
Thesetwohumanmechanisms，havingnothingtogrindbetweentheirrustywheels，werecreakingandgratingateachother。Thebrothertalkedofmarrying，butonlyindespair。Hefeltoldandweary;thethoughtofawomanfrightenedhim。Sylvie，whobegantoseethenecessityofhavingathirdpersoninthehome，suddenlyrememberedthelittlecousin，aboutwhomnooneinProvinshadyetinquired，thefriendsofMadameLorrainprobablysupposingthatmotherandchildwerebothdead。
SylvieRogronneverlostanything;shewastoothoroughlyanoldmaideventomislaythesmallestarticle;butshepretendedtohavesuddenlyfoundtheLorrains’letter，soastomentionPierrettenaturallytoherbrother，whowasgreatlypleasedatthepossibilityofhavingalittlegirlinthehouse。SylvierepliedtoMadameLorrain’sletterhalfaffectionately，halfcommercially，asonemaysay，explainingthedelaybytheirchangeofabodeandthesettlementoftheiraffairs。Sheseemeddesirousofreceivingherlittlecousin，andhintedthatPierrettewouldperhapsinherittwelvethousandfrancsayearifherbrotherJeromedidnotmarry。
Perhapsitisnecessarytohavebeen，likeNebuchadnezzar，somethingofawildbeast，andshutupinacageattheJardindesPlanteswithoutotherpreythanthebutcher’smeatdoledoutbythekeeper，oraretiredmerchantdeprivedofthejoysoftormentinghisclerks，tounderstandtheimpatiencewithwhichthebrotherandsisterawaitedthearrivaloftheircousinLorrain。Threedaysaftertheletterhadgone，thepairwerealreadyaskingthemselveswhenshewouldgetthere。
SylvieperceivedinherspuriousbenevolencetowardsherpoorcousinameansofrecoveringherpositioninthesocialworldofProvins。SheaccordinglywenttocallonMadameTiphaine，ofwhosereprobationshewasconscious，inordertoimpartthefactofPierrette’sapproachingarrival，——deploringthegirl’sunfortunateposition，andposingherselfasbeingonlytoohappytosuccorherandgiveherapositionasdaughterandfutureheiress。
\"Youhavebeenratherlongindiscoveringher，\"saidMadameTiphaine，withatouchofsarcasm。
AfewwordssaidinalowvoicebyMadameGarceland，whilethecardswerebeingdealt，recalledtothemindsofthosewhoheardhertheshamefulconductofoldRogronabouttheAuffrayproperty;thenotaryexplainedtheiniquity。
\"Whereisthelittlegirlnow？\"askedMonsieurTiphaine，politely。
\"InBrittany，\"saidRogron。
\"Brittanyisalargeplace，\"remarkedMonsieurLesourd。
\"HergrandfatherandgrandmotherLorrainwrotetous——whenwasthat，mydear？\"saidRogronaddressinghissister。
Sylvie，whowasjustthenaskingMadameGarcelandwhereshehadboughtthestuffforhergown，answeredhastily，withoutthinkingoftheeffectofherwords：——
\"Beforewesoldthebusiness。\"
\"Andhaveyouonlyjustansweredtheletter，mademoiselle？\"askedthenotary。
Sylvieturnedasredasalivecoal。
\"WewrotetotheInstitutionofSaint—Jacques，\"remarkedRogron。
\"Thatisasortofhospitaloralmshouseforoldpeople，\"saidMonsieurDesfondrilles，whoknewNantes。\"Shecan’tbethere;theyreceivenooneundersixty。\"
\"Sheisthere，withhergrandmotherLorrain，\"saidRogron。
\"Hermotherhadalittlefortune，theeightthousandfrancswhichyourfather——no，Imeanofcourseyourgrandfather——lefttoher，\"saidthenotary，makingtheblunderintentionally。
\"Ah！\"saidRogron，stupidly，notunderstandingthenotary’ssarcasm。
\"Thenyouknownothingaboutyourcousin’spositionormeans？\"askedMonsieurTiphaine。
\"IfMonsieurRogronhadknownit，\"saidthedeputy—judge，\"hewouldneverhaveleftherallthistimeinanestablishmentofthatkind。I
remembernowthatahouseinNantesbelongingtoMonsieurandMadameLorrainwassoldunderanorderofthecourt，andthatMademoiselleLorrain’sclaimwasswallowedup。Iknowthis，forIwascommissioneratthetime。\"
ThenotaryspokeofColonelLorrain，who，hadhelived，wouldhavebeenmuchamazedtoknowthathisdaughterwasinsuchaninstitution。
TheRogronsbeataretreat，sayingtoeachotherthattheworldwasverymalicious。Sylvieperceivedthatthenewsofherbenevolencehadmisseditseffect，——infact，shehadlostgroundinallminds;andshefeltthathenceforthshewasforbiddentoattemptanintimacywiththeupperclassofProvins。AfterthiseveningtheRogronsnolongerconcealedtheirhatredofthatclassandallitsadherents。ThebrothertoldthesisterthescandalsthatColonelGouraudandthelawyerVinethadputintohisheadabouttheTiphaines，theGuenees，theGarcelands，theJulliards，andothers：——
\"Ideclare，Sylvie，Idon’tseewhyMadameTiphaineshouldturnuphernoseatshopkeepingintherueSaint—Denis;itismorehonestthanwhatshecomesfrom。MadameRoguin，hermother，iscousintothoseGuillaumesofthe’Cat—playing—ball’whogaveupthebusinesstoJosephLebas，theirson—in—law。HerfatheristhatRoguinwhofailedin1819，andruinedthehouseofCesarBirotteau。MadameTiphaine’sfortunewasstolen，——forwhatelseareyoutocallitwhenanotary’swifewhoisveryrichletsherhusbandmakeafraudulentbankruptcy？
Finedoings！andshemarriesherdaughterinProvinstogetheroutoftheway，——allonaccountofherownrelationswithduTillet。Andsuchpeoplesetuptobeproud！Well，well，that’stheworld！\"
OnthedaywhenJeromeRogronandhissisterbegantodeclaimagainst\"theclique\"theywere，withoutbeingawareofit，ontheroadtohavingasocietyoftheirown;theirhousewastobecomearendezvousforotherinterestsseekingacentre，——thoseofthehithertofloatingelementsoftheliberalpartyinProvins。Andthisishowitcameabout：ThelaunchoftheRogronsinsocietyhadbeenwatchedwithgreatcuriositybyColonelGouraudandthelawyerVinet，twomendrawntogether，firstbytheirostracism，nextbytheiropinions。Theybothprofessedpatriotismandforthesamereason，——theywishedtobecomeofconsequence。TheLiberalsinProvinswere，sofar，confinedtooneoldsoldierwhokeptacafe，aninnkeeper，MonsieurCournantanotary，DoctorNeraud，andafewstraypersons，mostlyfarmersorthosewhohadboughtlandsofthepublicdomain。
Thecolonelandthelawyer，delightedtolayhandsonafoolwhosemoneywouldbeusefultotheirschemes，andwhomighthimself，incertaincases，bemadetobellthecat，whilehishousewouldserveasameeting—groundforthescatteredelementsoftheparty，madethemostoftheRogrons’ill—willagainsttheupperclassesoftheplace。
Thethreehadalreadyaslighttieintheirunitedsubscriptiontothe\"Constitutionnel\";itwouldcertainlynotbedifficultforthecoloneltomakeaLiberaloftheex—mercer，thoughRogronknewsolittleofpoliticsthathewascapableofregardingtheexploitsofSergeantMercierasthoseofabrothershopkeeper。
TheexpectedarrivalofPierrettebroughttosuddenfruitiontheselfishideasofthetwomen，inspiredastheywerebythefollyandignoranceofthecelibates。SeeingthatSylviehadlostallchanceofestablishingherselfinthegoodsocietyoftheplace，anafterthoughtcametothecolonel。Oldsoldiershaveseensomanyhorrorsinalllands，somanygrinningcorpsesonbattle—fields，thatnophysiognomiesrepelthem;andGouraudbegantocasthiseyesontheoldmaid’sfortune。Thisimperialcolonel，ashort，fatman，woreenormousringsinearsthatwerebushywithtuftsofhair。Hissparseandgrizzledwhiskerswerecalledin1799\"fins。\"Hisjollyredfacewasratherdiscolored，likethoseofallwhohadlivedtotelloftheBeresina。Thelowerhalfofhisbig，pointedstomachmarkedthestraightlinewhichcharacterizesacavalryofficer。GouraudhadcommandedtheSecondHussars。Hisgraymoustachehidahugeblusteringmouth，——ifwemayuseatermwhichalonedescribesthatgulf。Hedidnoteathisfood，heengulfedit。Asabrecuthadslithisnose，bywhichhisspeechwasmadethickandverynasal，likethatattributedtoCapuchins。Hishands，whichwereshortandbroad，wereofthekindthatmakewomensay：\"Youhavethehandsofarascal。\"Hislegsseemedslenderforhistorso。Inthatfatandactivebodyanabsolutelylawlessspiritdisporteditself，andathoroughexperienceofthethingsoflife，togetherwithaprofoundcontemptforsocialconvention，layhiddenbeneaththeapparentindifferenceofasoldier。
ColonelGouraudworethecrossofanofficeroftheLegionofhonor，andhisemolumentsfromthat，togetherwithhissalaryasaretiredofficer，gavehiminallaboutthreethousandfrancsayear。
Thelawyer，tallandthin，hadliberalopinionsinplaceoftalent，andhisonlyrevenuewasthemeagreprofitsofhisoffice。InProvinslawyerspleadtheirowncases。ThecourtwasunfavorabletoVinetonaccountofhisopinions;consequently，eventhefarmerswhowereLiberals，whenitcametolawsuitspreferredtoemploysomelawyerwhowasmorecongenialtothejudges。Vinetwasregardedwithdisfavorinotherways。HewassaidtohaveseducedarichgirlintheneighborhoodofCoulommiers，andthushaveforcedherparentstomarryhertohim。MadameVinetwasaChargeboeuf，anoldandnoblefamilyofLaBrie，whosenamecomesfromtheexploitofasquireduringtheexpeditionofSaintLouistoEgypt。Sheincurredthedispleasureofherfatherandmother，whoarranged，unknowntoVinet，toleavetheirentirefortunetotheirson，doubtlesscharginghimprivately，topayoveraportionofittohissister’schildren。
Thusthefirstboldeffortoftheambitiousmanwasafailure。Pursuedbypoverty，andashamednottogivehiswifethemeansofmakingasuitableappearance，hehadmadedesperateeffortstoenterpubliclife，buttheChargeboeuffamilyrefusedhimtheirinfluence。TheseRoyalistsdisapproved，onmoralgrounds，ofhisforcedmarriage;
besides，hewasnamedVinet，andhowcouldtheybeexpectedtoprotectaplebian？Thushewasdrivenfrombranchtobranchwhenhetriedtogetsomegoodoutofhismarriage。Repulsedbyeveryone，filledwithhatredforthefamilyofhiswife，forthegovernmentwhichdeniedhimaplace，forthesocialworldofProvins，whichrefusedtoadmithim，Vinetsubmittedtohisfate;buthisgallincreased。HebecameaLiberalinthebeliefthathisfortunemightyetbemadebythetriumphoftheopposition，andhelivedinamiserablelittlehouseintheUppertownfromwhichhiswifeseldomissued。MadameVinethadfoundnoonetodefendhersincehermarriageexceptanoldMadamedeChargeboeuf，awidowwithonedaughter，wholivedatTroyes。Theunfortunateyoungwoman，destinedforbetterthings，wasabsolutelyaloneinherhomewithasinglechild。
Therearesomekindsofpovertywhichmaybenoblyacceptedandgailyborne;butVinet，devouredbyambition，andfeelinghimselfguiltytowardshiswife，wasfullofdarklingrage;hisconsciencegrewelastic;andhefinallycametothinkanymeansofsuccesspermissible。Hisyoungfacechanged。Personsaboutthecourtsweresometimesfrightenedastheylookedathisviperish，flathead，hisslitmouth，hiseyesgleamingthroughglasses，andheardhissharp，persistentvoicewhichraspedtheirnerves。Hismuddyskin，withitssicklytonesofgreenandyellow，expressedthejaundiceofhisbalkedambition，hisperpetualdisappointmentsandhishiddenwretchedness。
Hecouldtalkandargue;hewaswell—informedandshrewd，andwasnotwithoutsmartnessandmetaphor。Accustomedtolookateverythingfromthestandpointofhisownsuccess，hewaswellfittedforapolitician。Amanwhoshrinksfromnothingsolongasitislegal，isstrong;andVinet’sstrengthlaythere。
Thisfutureathleteofparliamentarydebate，whowasdestinedtoshareinproclaimingthedynastyofthehouseofOrleanshadaterribleinfluenceonPierrette’sfate。AtthepresentmomenthewasbentonmakingforhimselfaweaponbyfoundinganewspaperatProvins。AfterstudyingtheRogronsatadistance（thecolonelaidinghim）hehadcometotheconclusionthatthebrothermightbemadeuseful。Thistimehewasnotmistaken;hisdaysofpovertywereover，aftersevenwretchedyears，whenevenhisdailybreadwassometimeslacking。ThedaywhenGouraudtoldhiminthelittlesquarethattheRogronshadfinallyquarrelledwiththebourgeoisaristocracyoftheUppertown，henudgedthecolonelintheribssignificantly，andsaid，withaknowinglook：——
\"Onewomanoranother——handsomeorugly——/you/don’tcare;marryMademoiselleRogronandwecanorganizesomethingatonce。\"
\"Ihavebeenthinkingofit，\"repliedGouraud，\"butthefactistheyhavesentforthedaughterofColonelLorrain，andshe’stheirnextofkin。\"
\"Youcangetthemtomakeawillinyourfavor。Ha！youwouldgetaverycomfortablehouse。\"
\"Asforthelittlegirl——well，well，let’sseeher，\"saidthecolonel，withaleeringandthoroughlywickedlook，whichprovedtoamanofVinet’squalityhowlittlerespecttheoldtroopercouldfeelforanygirl。
IV
PIERRETTE
Afterhergrandfatherandgrandmotherenteredthesortofhospitalinwhichtheysadlyexpectedtoendtheirdays，Pierrette，beingyoungandproud，sufferedsoterriblyatlivingthereoncharitythatshewasthankfulwhensheheardshehadrichrelations。WhenBrigaut，thesonofhermother’sfriendthemajor，andthecompanionofherchildhood，whowaslearninghistradeasacabinet—makeratNantes，heardofherdepartureheofferedherthemoneytopayherwaytoParisinthediligence，——sixtyfrancs，thetotalofhis/pour—boires/
asanapprentice，slowlyamassed，andacceptedbyPierrettewiththesublimeindifferenceoftrueaffection，showingthatinalikecasesheherselfwouldbeaffrontedbythanks。
BrigautwasinthehabitofgoingeverySundaytoSaint—JacquestoplaywithPierretteandtrytoconsoleher。Thevigorousyoungworkmanknewthedeardelightofbestowingacompleteanddevotedprotectiononanobjectinvoluntarilychosenbyhisheart。MorethanonceheandPierrette，sittingonSundaysinacornerofthegarden，hadembroideredtheveilofthefuturewiththeiryouthfulprojects;theapprentice，armedwithhisplane，scouredtheworldtomaketheirfortune，whilePierrettewaited。
InOctober，1824，whenthechildhadcompletedhereleventhyear，shewasentrustedbythetwooldpeopleandbyBrigaut，allthreesorrowfullysad，totheconductorofthediligencefromNantestoParis，withanentreatytoputhersafelyonthediligencefromParistoProvinsandtotakegoodcareofher。PoorBrigaut！heranlikeadogafterthecoachlookingathisdearPierretteaslongashewasable。Inspiteofhersignsheranoverthreemiles，andwhenatlasthewasexhaustedhiseyes，wetwithtears，stillfollowedher。She，too，wascryingwhenshesawhimnolongerrunningbyher，andputtingherheadoutofthewindowshewatchedhim，standingstock—stillandlookingafterher，asthelumberingvehicledisappeared。
TheLorrainsandBrigautknewsolittleoflifethatthegirlhadnotapennywhenshearrivedinParis。Theconductor，towhomshehadmentionedherrichfriends，paidherexpensesatthehotel，andmadetheconductoroftheProvinsdiligencepayhim，tellinghimtotakegoodcareofthegirlandtoseethatthechargeswerepaidbythefamily，exactlyasthoughshewereacaseofgoods。FourdaysafterherdeparturefromNantes，aboutnineo’clockofaMondaynight，akindoldconductoroftheMessageries—royales，tookPierrettebythehand，andwhiletheportersweredischargingintheGrand’RuethepackagesandpassengersforProvins，heledthelittlegirl，whoseonlybaggagewasabundlecontainingtwodresses，twochemises，andtwopairsofstockings，toMademoiselleRogron’shouse，whichwaspointedouttohimbythedirectoratthecoachoffice。
\"Good—evening，mademoiselleandtherestofthecompany。I’vebroughtyouacousin，andheresheis;andanicelittlegirltoo，uponmyword。Youhaveforty—sevenfrancstopayme，andsignmybook。\"
MademoiselleSylvieandherbrotherweredumbwithpleasureandamazement。
\"Excuseme，\"saidtheconductor，\"thecoachiswaiting。Signmybookandpaymeforty—sevenfrancs，sixtycentimes，andwhateveryoupleaseformyselfandtheconductorfromNantes;we’vetakencareofthelittlegirlasifshewereourown;andpaidforherbedsandherfood，alsoherfaretoProvins，andotherlittlethings。\"
\"Forty—sevenfrancs，twelvesous！\"saidSylvie。
\"Youarenotgoingtodisputeit？\"criedtheman。
\"Where’sthebill？\"saidRogron。
\"Bill！lookatthebook。\"
\"Stoptalking，andpayhim，\"saidSylvie，\"Youseethere’snothingelsetobedone。\"
Rogronwenttogetthemoney，andgavethemanforty—sevenfrancs，twelvesous。
\"Andnothingformycomradeandme？\"saidtheconductor。
Sylvietooktwofrancsfromthedepthsoftheoldvelvetbagwhichheldherkeys。
\"Thankyou，no，\"saidtheman;\"keep’emyourself。Wewouldrathercareforthelittleoneforherownsake。\"Hepickeduphisbookanddeparted，sayingtotheservant—girl：\"Whatapair！itseemstherearecrocodilesoutofEgypt！\"
\"Suchmenarealwaysbrutal，\"saidSylvie，whooverheadthewords。
\"Theytookgoodcareofthelittlegirl，anyhow，\"saidAdelewithherhandsonherhips。
\"Wedon’thavetolivewithhim，\"remarkedRogron。
\"Where’sthelittleonetosleep？\"askedAdele。
SuchwasthearrivalofPierretteLorraininthehomeofhercousins，whogazedatherwithstolideyes;shewastossedtothemlikeapackage，withnointermediatestatebetweenthewretchedchamberatSaint—Jacquesandthedining—roomofhercousins，whichseemedtoherapalace。Shewasshyandspeechless。ToallothereyesthanthoseoftheRogronsthelittleBretongirlwouldhaveseemedenchantingasshestoodthereinherpetticoatofcoarseblueflannel，withapinkcambricapron，thickshoes，bluestockings，andawhitekerchief，herhandsbeingcoveredbyredworstedmittensedgedwithwhite，boughtforherbytheconductor。HerdaintyBretoncap（whichhadbeenwashedinParis，forthejourneyfromNanteshadrumpledit）waslikeahaloroundherhappylittleface。Thisnationalcap，ofthefinestlawn，trimmedwithstiffenedlacepleatedinflatfolds，deservesdescription，itwassodaintyandsimple。Thelightcomingthroughthetextureandthelaceproducedapartialshadow，thesoftshadowofalightupontheskin，whichgaveherthevirginalgracethatallpaintersseekandLeopoldRobertfoundfortheRaffaelesquefaceofthewomanwhoholdsachildinhispictureof\"TheGleaners。\"Beneaththisflutedframeoflightsparkledawhiteandrosyandartlessface，glowingwithvigoroushealth。Thewarmthoftheroombroughtthebloodtothecheeks，tothetipsoftheprettyears，tothelipsandtheendofthedelicatenose，makingthenaturalwhiteofthecomplexionwhiterstill。
\"Well，areyounotgoingtosayanything？IamyourcousinSylvie，andthatisyourcousinRogron。\"
\"Doyouwantsomethingtoeat？\"askedRogron。
\"WhendidyouleaveNantes？\"askedSylvie。
\"Isshedumb？\"saidRogron。
\"Poorlittledear，shehashardlyanyclothes，\"criedAdele，whohadopenedthechild’sbundle，tiedupinahandkerchiefoftheoldLorrains。
\"Kissyourcousin，\"saidSylvie。
PierrettekissedRogron。
\"Kissyourcousin，\"saidRogron。
PierrettekissedSylvie。
\"Sheistiredoutwithherjourney，poorlittlething;shewantstogotosleep，\"saidAdele。
Pierrettewasovercomewithasuddenandinvincibleaversionforhertworelatives，——afeelingthatnoonehadeverbeforeexcitedinher。
SylvieandthemaidtookheruptobedintheroomwhereBrigautafterwardsnoticedthewhitecottoncurtain。Initwasalittlebedwithapolepaintedblue，fromwhichhungacalicocurtain;awalnutbureauwithoutamarbletop，asmalltable，alooking—glass，averycommonnight—tablewithoutadoor，andthreechairscompletedthefurnitureoftheroom。Thewalls，whichslopedinfront，werehungwithashabbypaper，bluewithblackflowers。Thetiledfloor，stainedredandpolished，wasicytothefeet。Therewasnocarpetexceptforastripatthebedside。Themantelpieceofcommonmarblewasadornedbyamirror，twocandelabraincopper—gilt，andavulgaralabastercupinwhichtwopigeons，forminghandles，weredrinking。
\"Youwillbecomfortablehere，mylittlegirl？\"saidSylvie。
\"Oh，it’sbeautiful！\"saidthechild，inhersilveryvoice。
\"She’snotdifficulttoplease，\"mutteredthestoutservant。\"Sha’n’tIwarmherbed？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，\"saidSylvie，\"thesheetsmaybedamp。\"
Adelebroughtoneofherownnight—capswhenshereturnedwiththewarming—pan，andPierrette，whohadneversleptinanythingbutthecoarsestlinensheets，wasamazedatthefinenessandsoftnessofthecottonones。Whenshewasfairlyinbedandtuckedup，Adele，goingdownstairswithSylvie，couldnotrefrainfromsaying，\"Allshehasisn’tworththreefrancs，mademoiselle。\"
Eversincehereconomicalregimebegan，Sylviehadcompelledthemaidtositinthedining—roomsothatonefireandonelampcoulddoforall;exceptwhenColonelGouraudandVinetcame，onwhichoccasionsAdelewassenttothekitchen。
Pierrette’sarrivalenlivenedtherestoftheevening。
\"Wemustgethersomeclothesto—morrow，\"saidSylvie;\"shehasabsolutelynothing。\"
\"Noshoesbutthoseshehadon，whichweighapound，\"saidAdele。
\"That’salwaysso，intheirpartofthecountry，\"remarkedRogron。
\"Howshelookedatherroom！thoughitreallyisn’thandsomeenoughforacousinofyours，mademoiselle。\"
\"Itisgoodenough;holdyourtongue，\"saidSylvie。
\"Gracious，whatchemises！coarseenoughtoscratchherskinoff;notathingcansheusehere，\"saidAdele，emptyingthebundle。
Master，mistress，andservantwerebusytillpastteno’clock，decidingwhatcambrictheyshouldbuyforthenewchemises，howmanypairsofstockings，howmanyunder—petticoats，andwhatmaterial，andinreckoningupthewholecostofPierrette’soutfit。
\"Youwon’tgetoffunderthreehundredfrancs，\"saidRogron，whocouldrememberthedifferentprices，andaddthemupfromhisformershop—
keepinghabit。
\"Threehundredfrancs！\"criedSylvie。
\"Yes，threehundred。Additup。\"
Thebrotherandsisterwentoverthecalculationoncemore，andfoundthecostwouldbefullythreehundredfrancs，notcountingthemaking。
\"Threehundredfrancsatonestroke！\"saidSylvietoherselfasshegotintobed。
*****
Pierrettewasoneofthosechildrenoflovewhomloveendowswithitstenderness，itsvivacity，itsgaiety，itsnobility，itsdevotion。
Nothinghadsofardisturbedorwoundedaheartthatwasdelicateasthatofafawn，butwhichwasnowpainfullyrepressedbythecoldgreetingofhercousins。IfBrittanyhadbeenfullofoutwardmisery，atleastitwasfulloflove。TheoldLorrainswerethemostincapableofmerchants，buttheywerealsothemostloving，frank，caressing，offriends，likeallwhoareincautiousandfreefromcalculation。TheirlittlegranddaughterhadreceivednoothereducationatPen—Hoelthanthatofnature。Pierrettewentwheresheliked，inaboatonthepond，orroamingthevillageandthefieldswithJacquesBrigaut，hercomrade，exactlyasPaulandVirginiamighthavedone。Pettedbyeverybody，freeasair，theygailychasedthejoysofchildhood。Insummertheyrantowatchthefishing，theycaughtthemany—coloredinsects，theygatheredflowers，theygardened;inwintertheymadeslides，theybuiltsnow—menorhuts，orpeltedeachotherwithsnowballs。Welcomedbyall，theymetwithsmileswherevertheywent。
Whenthetimecametobegintheireducation，disasterscame，too。
Jacques，leftwithoutmeansatthedeathofhisfather，wasapprenticedbyhisrelativestoacabinet—maker，andfedbycharity，asPierrettewassoontobeatSaint—Jacques。Untilthelittlegirlwastakenwithhergrandparentstothatasylum，shehadknownnothingbutfondcaressesandprotectionfromeveryone。Accustomedtoconfideinsomuchlove，thelittledarlingmissedintheserichrelatives，soeagerlydesired，thekindlylooksandwayswhichalltheworld，evenstrangersandtheconductorsofthecoaches，hadbestoweduponher。
Herbewilderment，alreadygreat，wasincreasedbythemoralatmosphereshehadentered。Theheartturnssuddenlycoldorhotlikethebody。
Thepoorchildwantedtocry，withoutknowingwhy;butbeingverytiredshewenttosleep。
Thenextmorning，Pierrettebeing，likeallcountrychildren，accustomedtogetupearly，wasawaketwohoursbeforethecook。Shedressedherself，steppingontiptoeaboutherroom，lookedoutatthelittlesquare，startedtogodownstairsandwasstruckwithamazementbythebeautiesofthestaircase。Shestoppedtoexamineallitsdetails：thepaintedwalls，thebrasses，thevariousornamentations，thewindowfixtures。Thenshewentdowntothegarden—door，butwasunabletoopenit，andreturnedtoherroomtowaituntilAdeleshouldbestirring。AssoonasthewomanwenttothekitchenPierretteflewtothegardenandtookpossessionofit，rantotheriver，wasamazedatthekiosk，andsatdowninit;truly，shehadenoughtoseeandtowonderatuntilhercousinswereup。AtbreakfastSylviesaidtoher：——
\"Wasityou，littleone，whowastrottingovermyheadbydaybreak，andmakingthatracketonthestairs？YouwokemesothatIcouldn’tgotosleepagain。Youmustbeverygoodandquiet，andamuseyourselfwithoutnoise。Yourcousindoesn’tlikenoise。\"
\"Andyoumustwipeyourfeet，\"saidRogron。\"Youwentintothekioskwithyourdirtyshoes，andthey’vetrackedalloverthefloor。Yourcousinlikescleanliness。Agreatgirllikeyououghttobeclean。
Weren’tyoucleaninBrittany？ButIrecollectwhenIwentdowntheretobuythreaditwaspitiabletoseethefolks，——theywerelikesavages。Atanyrateshehasagoodappetite，\"addedRogron，lookingathissister;\"onewouldthinkshehadn’teatenanythingfordays。\"
Thus，fromtheverystartPierrettewashurtbytheremarksofhertwocousins，——hurt，sheknewnotwhy。Herstraightforward，opennature，hithertolefttoitself，wasnotgiventoreflection。Incapableofthinkingthathercousinswerehard，shewasfatedtofinditoutslowlythroughsuffering。Afterbreakfastthebrotherandsister，pleasedwithPierrette’sastonishmentatthehouseandanxioustoenjoyit，tookhertothesalontoshowheritssplendorsandteachhernottotouchthem。Manycelibates，drivenbylonelinessandthemoralnecessityofcaringforsomething，substitutefactitiousaffectionsfornaturalones;theylovedogs，cats，canaries，servants，ortheirconfessor。RogronandSylviehadcometothepassoflovingimmoderatelytheirhouseandfurniture，whichhadcostthemsodear。
SylviebeganbyhelpingAdeleinthemorningstodustandarrangethefurniture，underpretencethatshedidnotknowhowtokeepitlookingasgoodasnew。Thisdustingwassoonadesiredoccupationtoher，andthefurniture，insteadoflosingitsvalueinhereyes，becameevermoreprecious。Tousethingswithouthurtingthemorsoilingthemorscratchingthewoodworkorcloudingthevarnish，thatwastheproblemwhichsoonbecamethemaniaoftheoldmaid’slife。Sylviehadaclosetfullofbitsofwool，wax，varnish，andbrushes，whichshehadlearnedtousewiththedexterityofacabinet—maker;shehadherfeatherdustersandherdusting—cloths;andsherubbedawaywithoutfearofhurtingherself，——shewassostrong。Theglanceofhercoldblueeyes，hardassteel，wasforeverrovingoverthefurnitureandunderit，andyoucouldassoonhavefoundatenderspotinherheartasabitoffluffunderthesofa。
AftertheremarksmadeatMadameTiphaine’s，SylviedarednotflinchfromthethreehundredfrancsforPierrette’sclothes。Duringthefirstweekhertimewaswhollytakenup，andPierrette’stoo，byfrockstoorderandtryon，chemisesandpetticoatstocutoutandhavemadebyaseamstresswhowentoutbytheday。Pierrettedidnotknowhowtosew。
\"That’sprettybringingup！\"saidRogron。\"Don’tyouknowhowtodoanything，littlegirl？\"
Pierrette，whoknewnothingbuthowtolove，madeapretty，childishgesture。
\"WhatdidyoudoinBrittany？\"askedRogron。
\"Iplayed，\"sheanswered，naively。\"Everybodyplayedwithme。
Grandmammaandgrandpapatheytoldmestories。Ah！theyalllovedme！\"
\"Hey！\"saidRogron;\"didn’tyoutakeiteasy！\"
Pierretteopenedhereyeswide，notcomprehending。
\"Sheisasstupidasanowl，\"saidSylvietoMademoiselleBorain，thebestseamstressinProvins。
\"She’ssoyoung，\"saidtheworkwoman，lookingkindlyatPierrette，whosedelicatelittlemuzzlewasturneduptoherwithacoaxinglook。
Pierrettepreferredthesewing—womentoherrelations。Shewasendearinginherwayswiththem，shewatchedtheirwork，andmadethemthoseprettyspeechesthatseemliketheflowersofchildhood，andwhichhercousinhadalreadysilenced，forthatgauntwomanlovedtoimpressthoseunderherwithsalutaryawe。Thesewing—womenweredelightedwithPierrette。Theirwork，however，wasnotcarriedonwithoutmanyandloudgrumblings。
\"Thatchildwillmakeuspaythroughthenose！\"criedSylvietoherbrother。
\"Standstill，mydear，anddon’tplagueus;itisallforyouandnotforme，\"shewouldsaytoPierrettewhenthechildwasbeingmeasured。
Sometimesitwas，whenPierrettewouldasktheseamstresssomequestion，\"LetMademoiselleBoraindoherwork，anddon’ttalktoher;
itisnotyouwhoarepayingforhertime。\"
\"Mademoiselle，\"saidMademoiselleBorain，\"amItoback—stitchthis？\"
\"Yes，doitfirmly;Idon’twanttobemakingsuchanoutfitasthiseveryday。\"
SylvieputthesamespiritofemulationintoPierrette’soutfitthatshehadformerlyputintothehouse。ShewasdeterminedthathercousinshouldbeaswelldressedasMadameGarceland’slittlegirl。
SheboughtthechildfashionablebootsofbronzedkidlikethosethelittleTiphaineswore，veryfinecottonstockings，acorsetbythebestmaker，adressofbluereps，aprettycapelinedwithwhitesilk，——allthisthatshe，Sylvie，mightholdherownagainstthechildrenofthewomenwhohadrejectedher。Theunderclotheswerequiteinkeepingwiththevisiblearticlesofdress，forSylviefearedtheexaminingeyesofthevariousmothers。Pierrette’schemiseswereoffineMadapolamcalico。MademoiselleBorainhadmentionedthatthesub—
prefect’slittlegirlsworecambricdrawers，embroideredandtrimmedinthelateststyle。Pierrettehadthesame。Sylvieorderedforheracharminglittledrawnbonnetofbluevelvetlinedwithwhitesatin，preciselyliketheonewornbyDr。Martener’slittledaughter。
Thusattired，PierrettewasthemostenchantinglittlegirlinallProvins。OnSunday，afterchurch，alltheladieskissedher;MesdamesTiphaine，Garceland，Galardon，Julliard，andtherestfellinlovewiththesweetlittleBretongirl。ThisenthusiasmwasdeeplyflatteringtooldSylvie’sself—love;sheregardeditaslessduetoPierrettethantoherownbenevolence。Sheended，however，inbeingaffrontedbyhercousin’ssuccess。Pierrettewasconstantlyinvitedout，andSylvieallowedhertogo，alwaysforthepurposeoftriumphingover\"thoseladies。\"Pierrettewasmuchindemandforgamesorlittlepartiesanddinnerswiththeirownlittlegirls。ShehadsucceededwheretheRogronshadfailed;andMademoiselleSylviesoongrewindignantthatPierrettewasaskedtootherchildren’shouseswhenthosechildrennevercametohers。Theartlesslittlethingdidnotconcealthepleasureshefoundinhervisitstotheseladies，whoseaffectionatemannerscontrastedstrangelywiththeharshnessofhertwocousins。Amotherwouldhaverejoicedinthehappinessofherlittleone，buttheRogronshadtakenPierrettefortheirownsakes，notforhers;theirfeelings，farfrombeingparental，weredyedinselfishnessandasortofcommercialcalculation。
Thehandsomeoutfit，thefineSundaydresses，andtheevery—dayfrockswerethebeginningofPierrette’stroubles。Likeallchildrenfreetoamusethemselves，whoareaccustomedtofollowthedictatesoftheirownlivelyfancies，shewasveryhardonherclothes，hershoes，andaboveallonthoseembroidereddrawers。Amotherwhenshereprovesherchildthinksonlyofthechild;hervoiceisgentle;shedoesnotraiseitunlessdriventoextremities，orwhenthechildismuchinfault。Buthere，inthisgreatmatterofPierrette’sclothes，thecousins’moneywasthefirstconsideration;theirinterestsweretobethoughtof，notthechild’s。Childrenhavetheperceptionsofthecanineraceforthesentimentsofthosewhorulethem;theyknowinstinctivelywhethertheyarelovedoronlytolerated。Pureandinnocentheartsaremoredistressedbyshadesofdifferencethanbycontrasts;achilddoesnotunderstandevil，butitknowswhentheinstinctofthegoodandthebeautifulwhichnaturehasimplantedinitisshocked。ThelectureswhichPierrettenowdrewuponherselfonproprietyofbehavior，modesty，andeconomyweremerelythecorollaryoftheonetheme，\"Pierrettewillruinus。\"
Theseperpetualfault—findings，whichweredestinedtohaveafatalresultforthepoorchild，broughtthetwocelibatesbacktotheoldbeatentrackoftheirshop—keepinghabits，fromwhichtheirremovaltoProvinshadpartedthem，andinwhichtheirnatureswerenowtoexpandandflourish。Accustomedintheolddaystoruleandtomakeinquisitions，toorderaboutandreprovetheirclerkssharply，Rogronandhissisterhadactuallysufferedforwantofvictims。Littlemindsneedtopractisedespotismtorelievetheirnerves，justasgreatsoulsthirstforequalityinfriendshiptoexercisetheirhearts。
Narrownaturesexpandbypersecutingasmuchasothersthroughbeneficence;theyprovetheirpowerovertheirfellowsbycrueltyrannyasothersdobylovingkindness;theysimplygothewaytheirtemperamentsdrivethem。Addtothisthepropulsionofself—interestandyoumayreadtheenigmaofmostsocialmatters。
ThenceforthPierrettebecameanecessitytothelivesofhercousins。
Fromthedayofhercomingtheirmindswereoccupied，——first，withheroutfit，andthenwiththenoveltyofathirdpresence。Buteverynewthing，asentimentandevenatyranny，ismouldedastimegoesonintofreshshapes。SylviebeganbycallingPierrette\"mydear，\"or\"littleone。\"Thensheabandonedthegentlertermsfor\"Pierrette\"only。Herreprimands，atfirstonlycross，becamesharpandangry;andnosoonerweretheirfeetonthepathoffault—findingthanthebrotherandsistermaderapidstrides。Theywerenolongerboredtodeath！Itwasnottheirdeliberateintentiontobewickedandcruel;itwassimplytheblindinstinctofanimbeciletyranny。ThepairbelievedtheyweredoingPierretteaservice，justastheyhadthoughttheirharshnessabenefittotheirapprentices。