Pierrette,whosetrueandnobleandextremesensibilitywastheantipodesoftheRogrons’hardness,hadadreadofbeingscolded;itwoundedhersosharplythatthetearswouldinstantlystartinherbeautiful,pureeyes。Shehadagreatstrugglewithherselfbeforeshecouldrepresstheenchantingsprightlinesswhichmadehersogreatafavoriteelsewhere。Afteratimeshedisplayeditonlyinthehomesofherlittlefriends。Bytheendofthefirstmonthshehadlearnedtobepassiveinhercousins’house,——somuchsothatRogrononedayaskedherifshewasill。Atthatsuddenquestion,sherantotheendofthegarden,andstoodcryingbesidetheriver,intowhichhertearsmayhavefallenassheherselfwasabouttofallintothesocialtorrent。
Oneday,inspiteofallhercare,shetoreherbestrepsfrockatMadameTiphaine’s,whereshewasspendingahappyday。Thepoorchildburstintotears,foreseeingthecruelthingswhichwouldbesaidtoherathome。Questionedbyherfriends,sheletfallafewwordsaboutherterriblecousin。MadameTiphainehappenedtohavesomerepsexactlylikethatofthefrock,andsheputinanewbreadthherself。
MademoiselleRogronfoundoutthetrick,assheexpressedit,whichthelittledevilhadplayedher。FromthatdayforthsherefusedtoletPierrettegotoanyof\"thosewomen’s\"houses。
ThelifethepoorgirlledinProvinswasdividedintothreedistinctphases。Thefirst,alreadyshown,inwhichshehadsomejoymingledwiththecoldkindnessofhercousinsandtheirsharpreproaches,lastedthreemonths。Sylvie’srefusaltolethergotoherlittlefriends,backedbythenecessityofbeginninghereducation,endedthefirstphaseofherlifeatProvins,theonlyperiodwhenthatlifewasbearabletoher。
Theseevents,producedattheRogronsbyPierrette’spresence,werestudiedbyVinetandthecolonelwiththecautionoffoxespreparingtoenterapoultry—yardanddisturbedbyseeingastrangefowl。Theybothcalledfromtimetotime,——butseldom,soasnottoalarmtheoldmaid;theytalkedwithRogronundervariouspretexts,andmadethemselvesmastersofhismindwithanaffectationofreserveandmodestywhichthegreatTartuffehimselfwouldhaverespected。ThecolonelandthelawyerwerespendingtheeveningwithRogronontheverydaywhenSylviehadrefusedinbitterlanguagetoletPierrettegoagaintoMadameTiphaine’s,orelsewhere。BeingtoldofthisrefusalthecolonelandthelawyerlookedateachotherwithanairwhichseemedtosaythattheyatleastknewProvinswell。
\"MadameTiphaineintendedtoinsultyou,\"saidthelawyer。\"WehavelongbeenwarningRogronofwhatwouldhappen。There’snogoodtobegotfromthosepeople。\"
\"Whatcanyouexpectfromtheanti—nationalparty!\"criedthecolonel,twirlinghismoustacheandinterruptingthelawyer。\"But,mademoiselle,ifwehadtriedtowarnyoufromthosepeopleyoumighthavesupposedwehadsomemaliciousmotiveinwhatwesaid。Ifyoulikeagameofcardsintheevening,whydon’tyouhaveitathome;
whynotplayyourbostonhere,inyourownhouse?Isitimpossibletofilltheplacesofthoseidiots,theJulliardsandalltherestofthem?VinetandIknowhowtoplayboston,andwecaneasilyfindafourth。Vinetmightpresenthiswifetoyou;sheischarming,and,whatismore,aChargeboeuf。YouwillnotbesoexactingasthoseapesoftheUppertown;/you/won’trequireagoodlittlehousewife,whoiscompelledbythemeannessofherfamilytodoherownwork,todresslikeaduchess。Poorwoman,shehasthecourageofalionandthemeeknessofalamb。\"
SylvieRogronshowedherlongyellowteethasshesmiledonthecolonel,whoborethesightheroicallyandassumedaflatteredair。
\"Ifweareonlyfourwecan’tplaybostoneverynight,\"saidSylvie。
\"Whynot?WhatdoyousupposeanoldsoldieroftheEmpirelikemedoeswithhimself?AndasforVinet,hiseveningsarealwaysfree。
Besides,you’llhaveplentyofothervisitors;Iwarrantyouthat,\"headded,witharathermysteriousair。
\"Whatyououghttodo,\"saidVinet,\"istotakeanopenstandagainsttheministerialistsofProvinsandformanoppositiontothem。Youwouldsoonseehowpopularthatwouldmakeyou;youwouldhaveasocietyaboutyouatonce。TheTiphaineswouldbefuriousatanoppositionsalon。Well,well,whynotlaughatothers,ifotherslaughatyou?——andtheydo;thecliquedoesn’tmincemattersintalkingaboutyou。\"
\"How’sthat?\"demandedSylvie。
Intheprovincesthereisalwaysavalveorafaucetthroughwhichgossipleaksfromonesocialsettoanother。VinetknewalltheslurscastupontheRogronsinthesalonsfromwhichtheywerenowexcluded。
Thedeputy—judgeandarchaeologistDesfondrillesbelongedtoneitherparty。Withotherindependentslikehim,herepeatedwhatheheardonbothsidesandVinetmadethemostofit。Thelawyer’sspitefultongueputvenomintoMadameTiphaine’sspeeches,andbyshowingRogronandSylvietheridiculetheyhadbroughtuponthemselvesherousedanundyingspiritofhatredinthosebitternatures,whichneededanobjectfortheirpettypassions。
AfewdayslaterVinetbroughthiswife,awell—bredwoman,neitherprettynorplain,timid,verygentle,anddeeplyconsciousofherfalseposition。MadameVinetwasfair—complexioned,fadedbythecaresofherpoorhousehold,andverysimplydressed。NowomancouldhavepleasedSylviemore。MadameVinetenduredherairs,andbentbeforethemlikeoneaccustomedtosubjection。Onthepoorwoman’sroundedbrowanddelicatelytimidcheekandinherslowandgentleglance,werethetracesofdeepreflection,ofthoseperceptivethoughtswhichwomenwhoareaccustomedtosufferburyintotalsilence。
Theinfluenceofthecolonel(whonowdisplayedtoSylviethegracesofacourtier,inmarkedcontradictiontohisusualmilitarybrusqueness),togetherwiththatoftheastuteVinet,wassoontoharmtheBretonchild。Shutupinthehouse,nolongerallowedtogooutexceptincompanywithheroldcousin,Pierrette,thatprettylittlesquirrel,wasatthemercyoftheincessantcry,\"Don’ttouchthat,child,letthatalone!\"Shewasperpetuallybeinglecturedonhercarriageandbehavior;ifshestoopedorroundedhershouldershercousinwouldcalltohertobeaserectasherself(Sylviewasrigidasasoldierpresentingarmstohiscolonel);sometimesindeedtheill—naturedoldmaidenforcedtheorderbyslapsonthebacktomakethegirlstraightenup。
ThusthefreeandjoyouslittlechildoftheMaraislearnedbydegreestorepressalllivelinessandtomakeherself,asbestshecould,anautomaton。
V
HISTORYOFPOORCOUSINSINTHEHOMEOFRICHONES
Oneevening,whichmarkedthebeginningofPierrette’ssecondphaseoflifeinhercousin’shouse,thechild,whomthethreeguestshadnotseenduringtheevening,cameintotheroomtokissherrelativesandsaygood—nighttothecompany。Sylvieturnedhercheekcoldlytotheprettycreature,asiftoavoidkissingher。ThemotionwassocruellysignificantthatthetearssprangtoPierrette’seyes。
\"Didyouprickyourself,littlegirl?\"saidtheatrociousVinet。
\"Whatisthematter?\"askedSylvie,severely。
\"Nothing,\"saidthepoorchild,goinguptoRogron。
\"Nothing?\"saidSylvie,\"that’snonsense;nobodycriesfornothing。\"
\"Whatisit,mylittledarling?\"saidMadameVinet。
\"Myrichcousinisn’taskindtomeasmypoorgrandmotherwas,\"
sobbedPierrette。
\"Yourgrandmothertookyourmoney,\"saidSylvie,\"andyourcousinwillleaveyouhers。\"
Thecolonelandthelawyerglancedateachother。
\"Iwouldratherberobbedandloved,\"saidPierrette。
\"Thenyoushallbesentbackwhenceyoucame。\"
\"Butwhathasthedearlittlethingdone?\"askedMadameVinet。
Vinetgavehiswifetheterrible,fixed,coldlookwithwhichmenenforcetheirabsolutedominion。Thehaplesshelot,punishedincessantlyfornothavingtheonethingthatwaswantedofher,afortune,tookuphercards。
\"Whathasshedone?\"saidSylvie,throwingupherheadwithsuchviolencethattheyellowwall—flowersinhercapnodded。\"Sheisalwayslookingabouttoannoyus。Sheopenedmywatchtoseetheinside,andmeddledwiththewheelandbrokethemainspring。
Mademoisellepaysnoheedtowhatissaidtoher。Iamalldaylongtellinghertotakecareofthings,andImightjustaswelltalktothatlamp。\"
Pierrette,ashamedatbeingreprovedbeforestrangers,creptsoftlyoutoftheroom。
\"Iamthinkingallthetimehowtosubduethatchild,\"saidRogron。
\"Isn’tsheoldenoughtogotoschool?\"askedMadameVinet。
Againshewassilencedbyalookfromherhusband,whohadbeencarefultotellhernothingofhisownorthecolonel’sschemes。
\"Thisiswhatcomesoftakingchargeofotherpeople’schildren!\"
criedthecolonel。\"Youmaystillhavesomeofyourown,youoryourbrother。Whydon’tyoubothmarry?\"
Sylviesmiledagreeablyonthecolonel。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshemetamantowhomtheideathatshecouldmarrydidnotseemabsurd。
\"MadameVinetisright,\"criedRogron;\"perhapsteachingwouldkeepPierrettequiet。Amasterwouldn’tcostmuch。\"
Thecolonel’sremarksopreoccupiedSylviethatshemadenoanswertoherbrother。
\"IfyouarewillingtobesecurityforthatoppositionjournalIwastalkingtoyouabout,\"saidVinet,\"youwillfindanexcellentmasterforthelittlecousininthemanagingeditor;weintendtoengagethatpoorschoolmasterwholosthisemploymentthroughtheencroachmentsoftheclergy。Mywifeisright;Pierretteisaroughdiamondthatwantspolishing。\"
\"Ithoughtyouwereabaron,\"saidSylvietothecolonel,whilethecardswerebeingdealt,andafteralongpauseinwhichtheyhadallbeenratherthoughtful。
\"Yes;butwhenIwasmadebaron,in1814,afterthebattleofNangis,wheremyregimentperformedmiracles,Ihadmoneyandinfluenceenoughtosecuretherank。ButnowmybaronyislikethegradeofgeneralwhichIheldin1815,——itneedsarevolutiontogiveitbacktome。\"
\"Ifyouwillsecuremyendorsementbyamortgage,\"saidRogron,answeringVinetafterlongconsideration,\"Iwillgiveit。\"
\"Thatcaneasilybearranged,\"saidVinet。\"Thenewpaperwillsoonrestorethecolonel’srights,andmakeyoursalonmorepowerfulinProvinsthanthoseofTiphaineandcompany。\"
\"Howso?\"askedSylvie。
WhilehiswifewasdealingandVinethimselfexplainingtheimportancetheywouldallgainbythepublicationofanindependentnewspaper,Pierrettewasdissolvedintears;herheartandhermindwereoneinthismatter;shefeltandknewthathercousinwasmoretoblamethanshewas。Thelittlecountrygirlinstinctivelyunderstoodthatcharityandbenevolenceoughttobeacompleteoffering。Shehatedherhandsomefrocksandallthethingsthatweremadeforher;shewasforcedtopaytoodearlyforsuchbenefits。Sheweptwithvexationathavinggivencauseforcomplaintagainsther,andresolvedtobehaveinfutureinsuchawayastocompelhercousinstofindnofurtherfaultwithher。ThethoughtthencameintohermindhowgrandBrigauthadbeeningivingherallhissavingswithoutaword。Poorchild!shefanciedhertroubleswerenowattheirworst;shelittleknewthatothermisfortuneswereevennowbeingplannedforherinthesalon。
AfewdayslaterPierrettehadawriting—master。Shewastaughttoread,write,andcipher。EnormousinjurywasthussupposedtobedonetotheRogrons’house。Ink—spotswerefoundonthetables,onthefurniture,onPierrette’sclothes;copy—booksandpenswereleftabout;sandwasscatteredeverywhere,booksweretornanddog’s—earedastheresultoftheselessons。Shewastoldinharshtermsthatshewouldhavetoearnherownliving,andnotbeaburdentoothers。AsshelistenedtothesecruelremarksPierrette’sthroatcontractedviolentlywithacutepain,herheartthrobbed。Shewasforcedtorestrainhertears,orshewasscoldedforweepingandtolditwasaninsulttothekindnessofhermagnanimouscousins。Rogronhadfoundthelifethatsuitedhim。HescoldedPierretteasheusedtoscoldhisclerks;hewouldcallherwhenatplay,andcompelhertostudy;hemadeherrepeatherlessons,andbecamehimselfthealmostsavagemasterofthepoorchild。Sylvie,onherside,considereditadutytoteachPierrettethelittlethatsheknewherselfaboutwomen’swork。
NeitherRogronnorhissisterhadtheslightestsoftnessintheirnatures。Theirnarrowminds,whichfoundrealpleasureinworryingthepoorchild,passedinsensiblyfromoutwardkindnesstoextremeseverity。Thisseveritywasnecessitated,theybelieved,bywhattheycalledtheself—willofthechild,whichhadnotbeenbrokenwhenyoungandwasveryobstinate。Hermasterswereignoranthowtogivetotheirinstructionsaformsuitedtotheintelligenceofthepupil,——athing,bythebye,whichmarksthedifferencebetweenpublicandprivateeducation。ThefaultwasfarlesswithPierrettethanwithhercousins。Ittookheraninfinitelengthoftimetolearntherudiments。Shewascalledstupidanddull,clumsyandawkwardformerenothings。Incessantlyabusedinwords,thechildsufferedstillmorefromtheharshlooksofhercousins。Sheacquiredthedoltishwaysofasheep;shedarednotdoanythingofherownimpulse,forallshedidwasmisinterpreted,misjudged,andill—received。Inallthingssheawaitedsilentlythegoodpleasureandtheordersofhercousins,keepingherthoughtswithinherownmindandshelteringherselfbehindapassiveobedience。Herbrilliantcolorsbegantofade。Sometimesshecomplainedoffeelingill。Whenhercousinasked,\"Where?\"thepoorlittlething,whohadpainsalloverher,answered,\"Everywhere。\"
\"Nonsense!whoeverheardofanyonesufferingeverywhere?\"criedSylvie。\"Ifyousufferedeverywhereyou’dbedead。\"
\"Peoplesufferintheirchests,\"saidRogron,wholikedtohearhimselfharangue,\"ortheyhavetoothache,headache,painsintheirfeetorstomach,butnoonehaspainseverywhere。Whatdoyoumeanbyeverywhere?Icantellyou;’everywhere’means/nowhere/。Don’tyouknowwhatyouaredoing?——youarecomplainingforcomplaining’ssake。\"
Pierretteendedbytotalsilence,seeinghowallhergirlishremarks,theflowersofherdawningintelligence,wererepliedtowithignorantcommonplaceswhichhernaturalgoodsensetoldherwereridiculous。
\"Youcomplain,\"saidRogron,\"butyou’vegottheappetiteofamonk。\"
Theonlypersonwhodidnotbruisethedelicatelittleflowerwasthefatservantwoman,Adele。Adelewouldgoupandwarmherbed,——doingitontheslyafteracertaineveningwhenSylviehadscoldedherforgivingthatcomforttothechild。
\"Childrenshouldbehardened,togivethemstrongconstitutions。AmI
andmybrothertheworseforit?\"saidSylvie。\"You’llmakePierrettea/peakling/\";thiswasawordintheRogronvocabularywhichmeantapunyandsufferinglittlebeing。
Thenaturallyendearingwaysoftheangelicchildweretreatedasdissimulation。Thefresh,pureblossomsofaffectionwhichbloomedinstinctivelyinthatyoungsoulwerepitilesslycrushed。Pierrettesufferedmanyacruelblowonthetenderfleshofherheart。Ifshetriedtosoftenthoseferociousnaturesbyinnocent,coaxingwilestheyaccusedherofdoingitwithanobject。\"Tellmeatoncewhatyouwant?\"Rogronwouldsay,brutally;\"youarenotcoaxingmefornothing。\"
Neitherbrothernorsisterbelievedinaffection,andPierrette’swholebeingwasaffection。ColonelGouraud,anxioustopleaseMademoiselleRogron,approvedofallshedidaboutPierrette。Vinetalsoencouragedtheminwhattheysaidagainsther。Heattributedallherso—calledmisdeedstotheobstinacyoftheBretoncharacter,anddeclaredthatnopower,nowill,couldeverconquerit。Rogronandhissisterweresoshrewdlyflatteredbythetwomanoeuvrersthattheformeragreedtogosecurityforthe\"CourrierdeProvins,\"andthelatterinvestedfivethousandfrancsintheenterprise。
Onthis,thecolonelandlawyertookthefield。Theygotahundredshares,offivehundredfrancseach,takenamongthefarmersandotherscalledindependents,andalsoamongthosewhohadboughtlandsofthenationaldomains,——whosefearstheyworkedupon。Theyevenextendedtheiroperationsthroughoutthedepartmentandalongitsborders。Eachshareholderofcoursesubscribedtothepaper。Thejudicialadvertisementsweredividedbetweenthe\"Bee—hive\"andthe\"Courrier。\"ThefirstissueofthelattercontainedapompouseulogyonRogron。HewaspresentedtothecommunityastheLaffitteofProvins。Thepublicmindhavingthusreceivedanimpetusinthisnewdirection,itwasmanifest,ofcourse,thatthecomingelectionswouldbecontested。MadameTiphaine,whosehighesthopewastotakeherhusbandtoParisasdeputy,wasindespair。AfterreadinganarticleinthenewpaperaimedatherandatJulliardjunior,sheremarked:
\"Unfortunatelyforme,Iforgotthatthereisalwaysascoundrelclosetoadupe,andthatfoolsaremagnetstoclevermenofthefoxbreed。\"
Assoonasthe\"Courrier\"wasfairlylaunchedonaradiusoffiftymiles,Vinetboughtanewcoatanddecentboots,waistcoats,andtrousers。Hesetupthegrayslouchhatsacredtoliberals,andshowedhislinen。Hiswifetookaservant,andappearedinpublicdressedasthewifeofaprominentmanshouldbe;hercapswerepretty。Vinetprovedgrateful——outofpolicy。HeandhisfriendCournant,theliberalnotaryandtherivaloftheministerialnotaryAuffray,becamethecloseadvisersoftheRogrons,towhomtheywereabletodoacoupleofsignalservices。TheleasesgrantedbyoldRogrontotheirfatherin1815,whenmatterswereatalowebb,wereabouttoexpire。
HorticultureandvegetablegardeninghaddevelopedenormouslyintheneighborhoodofProvins。ThelawyerandnotarysettoworktoenabletheRogronstoincreasetheirrentals。Vinetwontwolawsuitsagainsttwodistrictsonaquestionofplantingtrees,whichinvolvedfivehundredpoplars。Theproceedsofthepoplars,addedtothesavingsofthebrotherandsister,whoforthelastthreeyearshadlaidbysixthousandayearathighinterest,waswiselyinvestedinthepurchaseofimprovedlands。VinetalsoundertookandcarriedouttheejectmentofcertainpeasantstowhomtheelderRogronhadlentmoneyontheirfarms,andwhohadstrainedeverynervetopayoffthedebt,butinvain。ThecostoftheRogrons’finehousewasthusinameasurerecouped。Theirlandedproperty,lyingaroundProvinsandchosenbytheirfatherwiththesagaciouseyeofaninnkeeper,wasdividedintosmallholdings,thelargestofwhichdidnotexceedfiveacres,andrentedtosafetenants,menwhoownedotherparcelsofland,thatwereamplesecurityfortheirleases。Theseinvestmentsbroughtin,by1826,fivethousandfrancsayear。Taxeswerechargedtothetenants,andtherewerenobuildingsneedinginsuranceorrepairs。
BytheendofthesecondperiodofPierrette’sstayinProvinslifehadbecomesohardforher,thecoldindifferenceofallwhocametothehouse,thesillyfault—finding,andthetotalabsenceofaffectiononthepartofhercousinsgrewsobitter,shewasconsciousofachilldampnesslikethatofagravecreepingroundher,thattheboldideaofescaping,onfootandwithoutmoney,toBrittanyandtohergrandparentstookpossessionofhermind。Twoeventshinderedherfromattemptingit。OldLorraindied,andRogronwasappointedguardianofhislittlecousin。Ifthegrandmotherhaddiedfirst,wemaybelievethatRogron,advisedbyVinet,wouldhaveclaimedPierrette’seightthousandfrancsandreducedtheoldmantopenury。
\"Youmay,perhaps,inheritfromPierrette,\"saidVinet,withahorridsmile。\"Whoknowswhomayliveandwhomaydie?\"
Enlightenedbythatremark,RogrongaveoldMadameLorrainnopeaceuntilshehadsecuredtoPierrettethereversionoftheeightthousandfrancsatherdeath。
Pierrettewasdeeplyshockedbytheseevents。Shewasonthepointofmakingherfirstcommunion,——anotherreasonforresigningthehopeofescapefromProvins。Thisceremony,simpleandcustomaryasitwas,ledtogreatchangesintheRogronhousehold。SylvielearnedthatMonsieurlecurePerouxwasinstructingthelittleJulliards,Lesourds,Garcelands,andtherest。ShethereforemadeitapointofhonorthatPierretteshouldbeinstructedbythevicarhimself,MonsieurHabert,apriestwhowasthoughttobelongtothe/Congregation/,veryzealousfortheinterestsoftheChurch,andmuchfearedinProvins,——amanwhohidavastambitionbeneaththeausterityofsternprinciples。Thesisterofthispriest,anunmarriedwomanaboutthirtyyearsofage,keptaschoolforyoungladies。
Brotherandsisterlookedalike;bothwerethin,yellow,black—haired,andbilious。
LikeatrueBretongirl,cradledinthepracticesandpoetryofCatholicism,Pierretteopenedherheartandearstothewordsofthisimposingpriest。Sufferingspredisposethemindtodevotion,andnearlyallyounggirls,impelledbyinstinctivetenderness,areinclinedtomysticism,thedeepestaspectofreligion。ThepriestfoundgoodsoilinwhichtosowtheseedoftheGospelandthedogmasoftheChurch。Hecompletelychangedthecurrentofthegirl’sthoughts。PierrettelovedJesusChristinthelightinwhichheispresentedtoyounggirlsatthetimeoftheirfirstcommunion,asacelestialbridegroom;herphysicalandmoralsufferingsgainedameaningforher;shesawthefingerofGodinallthings。Hersoul,socruellyhurtalthoughshecouldnotaccusehercousinsofactualwrong,tookrefugeinthatspheretowhichallsufferersflyonthewingsofthecardinalvirtues,——Faith,Hope,Charity。Sheabandonedherthoughtsofescape。Sylvie,surprisedbythetransformationMonsieurHaberthadeffectedinPierrette,wascurioustoknowhowithadbeendone。Anditthuscameaboutthattheausterepriest,whilepreparingPierretteforherfirstcommunion,alsowontoGodthehithertoerringsoulofMademoiselleSylvie。Sylviebecamepious。
JeromeRogron,onwhomtheso—calledJesuitcouldgetnogrip(forjustthentheinfluenceofHisMajestythelate/Constitutionnel/theFirstwasmorepowerfuloverweaklingsthantheinfluenceoftheChurch),JeromeRogronremainedfaithfultoColonelGouraud,Vinet,andLiberalism。
MademoiselleRogronnaturallymadetheacquaintanceofMademoiselleHabert,withwhomshesympathizeddeeply。Thetwospinsterslovedeachotherassisters。MademoiselleHabertofferedtotakePierretteintoherschooltospareSylvietheannoyanceofhereducation;butthebrotherandsisterbothdeclaredthatPierrette’sabsencewouldmakethehousetoolonely;theirattachmenttotheirlittlecousinseemedexcessive。
WhenGouraudandVinetbecameawareoftheadventofMademoiselleHabertonthescenetheyconcludedthattheambitiouspriestherbrotherhadthesamematrimonialplanforhissisterthatthecolonelwasformingforhimselfandSylvie。
\"Yoursisterwantstogetyoumarried,\"saidVinettoRogron。
\"Withwhom?\"askedRogron。
\"Withthatoldsorceressofaschoolmistress,\"criedthecolonel,twirlinghismoustache。
\"Shehasn’tsaidanythingtomeaboutit,\"saidRogron,naively。
SothoroughanoldmaidasSylviewascertaintomakegoodprogressinthewayofsalvation。Theinfluenceofthepriestwouldascertainlyincrease,andintheendaffectRogron,overwhomSylviehadgreatpower。ThetwoLiberals,whowerenaturallyalarmed,sawplainlythatifthepriestwereresolvedtomarryhissistertoRogron(afarmoresuitablemarriagethanthatofSylvietothecolonel)hecouldthendriveSylvieinextremedevotiontotheChurch,andputPierretteinaconvent。Theymightthereforeloseeighteenmonths’laborinflatteryandmeannessesofallsorts。Theirmindsweresuddenlyfilledwithabitter,silenthatredtothepriestandhissister,thoughtheyfeltthenecessityoflivingongoodtermswiththeminordertotracktheirmanoeuvres。MonsieurandMademoiselleHabert,whocouldplaybothwhistandboston,nowcameeveryeveningtotheRogrons。Theassiduityoftheonepairinducedtheassiduityoftheother。Thecolonelandlawyerfeltthattheywerepittedagainstadversarieswhowerefullyasstrongasthey,——apresentimentthatwassharedbythepriestandhissister。Thesituationsoonbecamethatofabattle—
field。PreciselyasthecolonelwasenablingSylvietotastetheunhoped—forjoysofbeingsoughtinmarriage,soMademoiselleHabertwasenvelopingthetimidRogroninthecotton—woolofherattentions,words,andglances。Neithersidecouldutterthatgrandwordofstatesmanship,\"Letusdivide!\"foreachwantedthewholeprey。
ThetwocleverfoxesoftheOppositionmadethemistakeofpullingthefirsttrigger。Vinet,underthespurofself—interest,bethoughthimselfofhiswife’sonlyfriends,andlookedupMademoiselledeChargeboeufandhermother。ThetwowomenwerelivinginpovertyatTroyesontwothousandfrancsayear。MademoiselleBathildedeChargeboeufwasoneofthosefinecreatureswhobelieveinmarriageforloveuptotheirtwenty—fifthyear,andchangetheiropinionwhentheyfindthemselvesstillunmarried。VinetmanagedtopersuadeMadamedeChargeboeuftojoinhermeanstohisandlivewithhisfamilyinProvins,whereBathilde,heassuredher,couldmarryafoolnamedRogron,and,cleverasshewas,takeherplaceinthebestsocietyoftheplace。
ThearrivalofMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeufinthelawyer’shouseholdwasagreatreinforcementfortheliberalparty;anditcreatedconsternationamongthearistocratsofProvinsandalsointheTiphaineclique。MadamedeBreautey,horrifiedtoseetwowomenofranksomisled,beggedthemtocometoher。ShewasshockedthattheroyalistsofTroyeshadsoneglectedthemotheranddaughter,whosesituationshenowlearnedforthefirsttime。
\"Howisitthatnooldcountrygentlemanhasmarriedthatdeargirl,whoiscutoutforaladyofthemanor?\"shesaid。\"Theyhaveletherruntoseed,andnowsheistobeflungattheheadofaRogron!\"
Sheransackedthewholedepartmentbutdidnotsucceedinfindinganygentlemanwillingtomarryagirlwhosemotherhadonlytwothousandfrancsayear。The\"clique\"andthesubprefectalsolookedaboutthemwiththesameobject,buttheywerealltoolate。MadamedeBreauteymadeterriblechargesagainsttheselfishnesswhichdegradedFrance,——
theconsequence,shesaid,ofmaterialism,andoftheimportancenowgivenbythelawstomoney:nobilitywasnolongerofvalue!norbeautyeither!SuchcreaturesastheRogrons,theVinets,couldstandupandfightwiththeKingofFrance!
BathildedeChargeboeufhadnotonlytheincontestablesuperiorityofbeautyoverherrival,butthatofdressaswell。Shewasdazzlinglyfair。Attwenty—fivehershoulderswerefullydeveloped,andthecurvesofherbeautifulfigurewereexquisite。Theroundnessofherthroat,thepurityofitslines,thewealthofhergoldenhair,thecharminggraceofhersmile,thedistinguishedcarriageofherhead,thecharacterofherfeatures,thefineeyesfinelyplacedbeneathawell—formedbrow,hereverymotion,nobleandhigh—bred,andherlightandgracefulfigure,——allwereinharmony。Herhandswerebeautiful,andherfeetslender。Healthgaveher,perhaps,toomuchthelookofahandsomebarmaid。\"Butthatcan’tbeadefectintheeyesofaRogron,\"sighedMadameTiphaine。MademoiselledeChargeboeuf’sdresswhenshemadeherfirstappearanceinProvinsattheRogrons’housewasverysimple。Herbrownmerinogownedgedwithgreenembroiderywaswornlow—necked;butatullefichu,carefullydrawndownbyhiddenstrings,coveredherneckandshoulders,thoughitopenedalittleinfront,whereitsfoldswerecaughttogetherwitha/sevigne/。BeneaththisdelicatefabricBathilde’sbeautiesseemedallthemoreenticingandcoquettish。Shetookoffhervelvetbonnetandhershawlonarriving,andshowedherprettyearsadornedwithwhatwerethencalled\"ear—drops\"ingold。Sheworealittle/jeannette/——ablackvelvetribbonwithaheartattached——roundherthroat,whereitshonelikethejetringwhichfantasticnaturehadfastenedroundthetailofawhiteangoracat。Sheknewallthelittletricksofagirlwhoseekstomarry;herfingersarrangedhercurlswhichwerenotintheleastoutoforder;sheentreatedRogrontofastenacuff—button,thusshowinghimherwrist,arequestwhichthatdazzledfoolrudelyrefused,hidinghisemotionsunderthemaskofindifference。Thetimidityoftheonlylovehewasevertofeelinthewholecourseofhislifetookanexternalappearanceofdislike。SylvieandherfriendCelesteHabertweredeceivedbyit;notsoVinet,thewiseheadofthisdoltishcircle,amongwhomnoonereallycopedwithhimbutthepriest,——thecolonelbeingforalongtimehisally。
OntheotherhandthecolonelwasbehavingtoSylvieverymuchasBathildebehavedtoRogron。Heputonacleanshirteveryeveningandworevelvetstocks,whichsetoffhismartialfeaturesandthespotlesswhiteofhiscollar。Headoptedthefashionofwhitepiquewaistcoats,andcausedtobemadeforhimanewsurtoutofbluecloth,onwhichhisredrosetteglowedfinely;allthisunderpretextofdoinghonortothenewguestsMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。
HeevenrefrainedfromsmokingfortwohoursprevioustohisappearanceintheRogrons’salon。Hisgrizzledhairwasbrushedinawavinglineacrossacraniumwhichwasochreintone。Heassumedtheairandmannerofapartyleader,ofamanwhowaspreparingtodriveouttheenemiesofFrance,theBourbons,onshort,tobeatofdrum。
ThesataniclawyerandthewilycolonelplayedthepriestandhissisteramorecrueltrickthaneventheimportationofthebeautifulMadamedeChargeboeuf,whowasconsideredbyalltheLiberalpartyandbyMadamedeBreauteyandheraristocraticcircletobefarhandsomerthanMadameTiphaine。Thesetwogreatstatesmenofthelittleprovincialtownmadeeverybodybelievethatthepriestwasinsympathywiththeirideas;sothatbeforelongProvinsbegantotalkofhimasaliberalecclesiastic。AssoonasthisnewsreachedthebishopMonsieurHabertwassentforandadmonishedtoceasehisvisitstotheRogrons;buthissistercontinuedtogothere。ThusthesalonRogronbecameafixedfactandaconstitutedpower。
BeforetheyearwasoutpoliticalintrigueswerenotlesslivelythanthematrimonialschemesoftheRogronsalon。Whiletheselfishinterestshiddenintheseheartswerestrugglingindeadlycombattheeventswhichresultedfromthemhadafatalcelebrity。EverybodyknowsthattheVilleleministrywasoverthrownbytheelectionsof1826。
Vinet,theLiberalcandidateatProvins,whohadborrowedmoneyofhisnotarytobuyadomainwhichmadehimeligibleforelection,cameveryneardefeatingMonsieurTiphaine,whosavedhiselectionbyonlytwovotes。TheheadquartersoftheLiberalswastheRogronsalon;amongthe/habitues/werethenotaryCournantandhiswife,andDoctorNeraud,whoseyouthwassaidtohavebeenstormy,butwhonowtookaseriousviewoflife;hegavehimselfuptostudyandwas,accordingtoallLiberals,afarmorecapablemanthanMonsieurMartener,thearistocraticphysician。AsfortheRogrons,theynomoreunderstoodtheirpresenttriumphthantheyhadformerlyunderstoodtheirostracism。
ThebeautifulBathilde,towhomVinethadexplainedPierretteasanenemy,wasextremelydisdainfultothegirl。Itseemedasthougheverybody’sselfishschemesdemandedthehumiliationofthatpoorvictim。MadameVinetcoulddonothingforher,groundassheherselfwasbeneaththoseimplacableself—interestswhichthelawyer’swifehadcomeatlasttoseeandcomprehend。Herhusband’simperiouswillhadalonetakenhertotheRogron’shouse,whereshehadsufferedmuchattheharshtreatmentoftheprettylittlecreature,whowouldoftenpressupagainstherasifdivininghersecretthoughts,sometimesaskingthepoorladytoshowherastitchinknittingortoteachherabitofembroidery。Thechildprovedinreturnthatifsheweretreatedgentlyshewouldunderstandwhatwastaughther,andsucceedinwhatshetriedtodoquitemarvellously。ButMadameVinetwassoonnolongernecessarytoherhusband’splans,andafterthearrivalofMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeufsheceasedtovisittheRogrons。
Sylvie,whonowindulgedintheideaofmarrying,begantoconsiderPierretteasanobstacle。Thegirlwasnearlyfourteen;thepallidwhitenessofherskin,asymptomofillnessentirelyoverlookedbytheignorantoldmaid,madeherexquisitelylovely。SylvietookitintoherheadtobalancethecostwhichPierrettehadbeentothembymakingaservantofher。Allthe/habitues/ofthehousetowhomshespokeofthematteradvisedthatsheshouldsendawayAdele。Whyshouldn’tPierrettetakecareofthehouseandcook?IftherewastoomuchworkatanytimeMademoiselleRogroncouldeasilyemploythecolonel’swoman—of—all—work,anexcellentcookandamostrespectableperson。Pierretteoughttolearnhowtocook,andrubfloors,andsweep,saidthelawyer;everygirlshouldbetaughttokeephouseproperlyandgotomarketandknowthepriceofthings。Thepoorlittlesoul,whoseself—devotionwasequaltohergenerosity,offeredherselfwillingly,pleasedtothinkthatshecouldearnthebitterbreadwhichsheateinthathouse。Adelewassentaway,andPierrettethuslosttheonlypersonwhomighthaveprotectedher。
Inspiteofthepoorchild’sstrengthofheartshewashenceforthcrusheddownphysicallyaswellasmentally。Hercousinshadlessconsiderationforherthanforaservant;shebelongedtothem!Shewasscoldedformerenothings,foranatomofdustleftonaglassglobeoramarblemantelpiece。Thehandsomeornamentsshehadonceadmirednowbecameodioustoher。Nomatterhowshestrovetodoright,herinexorablecousinsalwaysfoundsomethingtoreproveinwhatevershedid。InthecourseoftwoyearsPierretteneverreceivedtheslightestpraise,orheardakindlyword。Happinessforherlayinnotbeingscolded。Sheborewithangelicpatiencethemoroseill—humorofthetwocelibates,towhomalltenderfeelingswereabsolutelyunknown,andwhodailymadeherfeelherdependenceonthem。
Suchalifeforayounggirl,pressedasitwerebetweenthetwochopsofavise,increasedherillness。Shebegantofeelviolentinternaldistresses,secretpangssosuddenintheirattacksthatherstrengthwasunderminedandhernaturaldevelopmentarrested。Byslowdegreesandthroughdreadful,thoughhiddensufferings,thepoorchildcametothestateinwhichthecompanionofherchildhoodfoundherwhenhesangtoherhisBretondittyatthedawnoftheOctoberday。
VI
ANOLDMAID’SJEALOUSY
BeforewerelatethedomesticdramawhichthecomingofJacquesBrigautwasdestinedtobringaboutintheRogronfamilyitisbesttoexplainhowtheladcametobeinProvins;forheis,asitwere,asomewhatmutepersonageonthescene。
WhenheranfromthehouseBrigautwasnotonlyfrightenedbyPierrette’sgesture,hewashorrifiedbythechangehesawinhislittlefriend。Hecouldscarcelyrecognizethevoice,theeyes,thegesturesthatwereoncesolively,gay,andwithalsotender。Whenhehadgainedsomedistancefromthehousehislegsbegantotrembleunderhim;hotflushesrandownhisback。HehadseentheshadowofPierrette,butnotPierretteherself!TheladclimbedtotheUppertowntillhefoundaspotfromwhichhecouldseethesquareandthehousewherePierrettelived。Hegazedatitmournfully,lostinmanythoughts,asthoughhewereenteringsomegriefofwhichhecouldnotseetheend。Pierrettewasill;shewasnothappy;shepinedforBrittany——whatwasthematterwithher?Allthesequestionspassedandrepassedthroughhisheartandrentit,revealingtohisownsoultheextentofhisloveforhislittleadoptedsister。
Itisextremelyraretofindapassionexistingbetweentwochildrenofoppositesexes。ThecharmingstoryofPaulandVirginiadoesnot,anymorethanthisofPierretteandBrigaut,answerthequestionputbythatstrangemoralfact。ModernhistoryoffersonlytheillustriousinstanceoftheMarchesadiPescaraandherhusband。Destinedtomarrybytheirparentsfromtheirearliestyears,theyadoredeachotherandweremarried,andtheiruniongavetothesixteenthcenturythenoblespectacleofaperfectconjugallovewithoutaflaw。Whenthemarchesabecameawidowattheageofthirty—four,beautiful,intellectuallybrilliant,universallyadored,sherefusedtomarrysovereignsandburiedherselfinaconvent,seeingandknowingthenceforthonlynuns。
SuchwastheperfectlovethatsuddenlydevelopeditselfintheheartoftheBretonworkman。Pierretteandhehadoftenprotectedeachother;withwhatblisshadhegivenherthemoneyforherjourney;hehadalmostkilledhimselfbyrunningafterthediligencewhenshelefthim。Pierrettehadknownnothingofallthat;butforhimtherecollectionhadwarmedandcomfortedthecold,hardlifehehadledforthelastthreeyears。ForPierrette’ssakehehadstruggledtoimprovehimself;hehadlearnedhistradeforPierrette;hehadcometoParisforPierrette,intendingtomakehisfortunefor/her/。Afterspendingafortnightinthecity,hehadnotbeenabletoholdoutagainstthedesiretoseeher,andhehadwalkedfromSaturdaynighttoMondaymorning。HeintendedtoreturntoParis;butthemovingsightofhislittlefriendnailedhimtoProvins。Awonderfulmagnetism(stilldeniedinspiteofmanyproofs)acteduponhimwithouthisknowledge。Tearsrolledfromhiseyeswhentheyroseinhers。IftoherhewasBrittanyandherhappychildhood,tohimshewaslifeitself。
AtsixteenyearsofageBrigautdidnotyetknowhowtodrawortomodelacornice;hewasignorantofmuch,buthehadearned,bypiece—
workdoneintheleisureofhisapprenticeship,somefourorfivefrancsaday。OnthishecouldliveinProvinsandbenearPierrette;
hewouldchoosethebestcabinet—makerinthetown,andlearntherestofhistradeinworkingforhim,andthuskeepwatchoverhisdarling。
Brigaut’smindwasmadeupashesattherethinking。HewentbacktoParisandfetchedhiscertificate,tools,andbaggage,andthreedayslaterhewasajourneymanintheestablishmentofMonsieurFrappier,thebestcabinet—makerinProvins。Active,steadyworkmen,notgiventojunketingandtaverns,aresorarethatmastersholdtoyoungmenlikeBrigautwhentheyfindthem。ToendBrigaut’shistoryonthispoint,wewillsayherethatbytheendofthemonthhewasmadeforeman,andwasfedandlodgedbyFrappier,whotaughthimarithmeticandlinedrawing。ThehouseandshopwereintheGrand’Rue,notahundredfeetfromthelittlesquarewherePierrettelived。
Brigautburiedhisloveinhisheartandcommittednoimprudence。HemadeMadameFrappiertellhimallsheknewabouttheRogrons。Amongotherthings,sherelatedtohimthewayinwhichtheirfatherhadlaidhandsonthepropertyofoldAuffray,Pierrette’sgrandfather。
Brigautobtainedotherinformationastothecharacterofthebrotherandsister。HemetPierrettesometimesinthemarketwithhercousin,andshudderedtoseetheheavybasketshewascarryingonherarm。OnSundayshewenttochurchtolookforher,dressedinherbestclothes。There,forthefirsttime,hebecameawarethatPierrettewasMademoiselleLorrain。Pierrettesawhimandmadehimahastysigntokeepoutofsight。Tohim,therewasaworldofthingsinthatlittlegesture,astherehadbeen,afortnightearlier,inthesignbywhichshetoldhimfromherwindowtorunaway。Ah!whatafortunehemustmakeinthecomingtenyearsinordertomarryhislittlefriend,towhom,hewastold,theRogronsweretoleavetheirhouse,ahundredacresofland,andtwelvethousandfrancsayear,notcountingtheirsavings!
TheperseveringBretonwasdeterminedtobethoroughlyeducatedforhistrade,andhesetaboutacquiringalltheknowledgethathelacked。AslongasonlytheprinciplesofhisworkwereconcernedhecouldlearnthoseinProvinsaswellasinParis,andthusremainnearPierrette,towhomhenowbecameanxioustoexplainhisprojectsandthesortofprotectionshecouldrelyonfromhim。Hewasdeterminedtoknowthereasonofherpallor,andofthedebilitywhichwasbeginningtoappearintheorganwhichisalwaysthelasttoshowthesignsoffailinglife,namelytheeyes;hewouldknow,too,thecauseofthesufferingswhichgaveherthatlookasthoughdeathwerenearandshemightdropatanymomentbeneathitsscythe。Thetwosigns,thetwogestures——notdenyingtheirfriendshipbutimploringcaution——
alarmedtheyoungBreton。EvidentlyPierrettewishedhimtowaitandnotattempttoseeher;otherwisetherewasdanger,therewasperilforher。Assheleftthechurchshewasabletogivehimonelook,andBrigautsawthathereyeswerefulloftears。ButhecouldhavesoonersquaredthecirclethanhaveguessedwhathadhappenedintheRogrons’
houseduringthefortnightwhichhadelapsedsincehisarrival。
ItwasnotwithoutkeenapprehensionthatPierrettecamedownstairsonthemorningafterBrigauthadinvadedhermorningdreamslikeanotherdream。ShewascertainthathercousinSylviemusthaveheardthesong,orshewouldnothaverisenandopenedherwindow;butPierrettewasignorantofthepowerfulreasonsthatmadetheoldmaidsoalert。
Forthelasteightdays,strangeeventsandbitterfeelingsagitatedthemindsofthechiefpersonageswhofrequentedtheRogronsalon。
Thesehiddenmatters,carefullyconcealedbyallconcerned,weredestinedtofallintheirresultslikeanavalancheonPierrette。Suchmysteriousthings,whichweoughtperhapstocalltheputrescenceofthehumanheart,lieatthebaseofthegreatestrevolutions,political,socialordomestic;butintellingofthemitisdesirabletoexplainthattheirsubtlesignificancecannotbegiveninamatter—
of—factnarrative。Thesesecretschemesandcalculationsdonotshowthemselvesasbrutallyandundisguisedlywhiletakingplaceastheymustwhenthehistoryofthemisrelated。Tosetdowninwritingthecircumlocutions,oratoricalprecautions,protractedconversations,andhoneyedwordsglossedoverthevenomofintentions,wouldmakeaslongabookasthatmagnificentpoemcalled\"ClarissaHarlowe。\"
MademoiselleHabertandMademoiselleSylviewereequallydesirousofmarrying,butonewastenyearsolderthantheother,andtheprobabilitiesoflifeallowedCelesteHaberttoexpectthatherchildrenwouldinheritalltheRogronproperty。Sylviewasforty—two,anageatwhichmarriageisbesetbyperils。Inconfidingtoeachothertheirideas,Celeste,instigatedbyhervindictivebrotherthepriest,enlightenedSylvieastothedangersshewouldincur。Sylvietrembled;shewasterriblyafraidofdeath,anideawhichshakesallcelibatestotheircentre。ButjustatthistimetheMartignacministrycameintopower,——aLiberalvictorywhichoverthrewtheVilleleadministration。TheVinetpartynowcarriedtheirheadshighinProvins。Vinethimselfbecameapersonage。TheLiberalsprophesiedhisadvancement;hewouldcertainlybedeputyandattorney—general。Asforthecolonel,hewouldbemademayorofProvins。Ah,toreignasMadameGarceland,thewifeofthepresentmayor,nowreigned!Sylviecouldnotholdoutagainstthathope;shedeterminedtoconsultadoctor,thoughtheproceedingwouldonlycoverherwithridicule。ToconsultMonsieurNeraud,theLiberalphysicianandtherivalofMonsieurMartener,wouldbeablunder。CelesteHabertofferedtohideSylvieinherdressing—roomwhilesheherselfconsultedMonsieurMartener,thephysicianofherestablishment,onthisdifficultmatter。WhetherMartenerwas,orwasnot,Celeste’saccompliceneednotbediscovered;atanyrate,hetoldhisclientthatevenatthirtythedanger,thoughslight,didexist。\"But,\"headded,\"withyourconstitution,youneedfearnothing。\"
\"Buthowaboutawomanoverforty?\"askedMademoiselleCeleste。
\"Amarriedwomanwhohashadchildrenhasnothingtofear。\"
\"ButImeananunmarriedwoman,likeMademoiselleRogron,forinstance?\"
\"Oh,that’sanotherthing,\"saidMonsieurMartener。\"SuccessfulchildbirthisthenoneofthosemiracleswhichGodsometimesallowshimself,butrarely。\"
\"Why?\"askedCeleste。
Thedoctoransweredwithaterrifyingpathologicaldescription;heexplainedthattheelasticitygivenbynaturetoyouthfulmusclesandbonesdidnotexistatalaterage,especiallyinwomenwhoselivesweresedentary。
\"Soyouthinkthatanunmarriedwomanoughtnottomarryafterforty?\"
\"Notunlessshewaitssomeyears,\"repliedthedoctor。\"Butthen,ofcourse,itisnotmarriage,itisonlyanassociationofinterests。\"
Theresultoftheinterview,clearly,seriously,scientificallyandsensiblystated,wasthatanunmarriedwomanwouldmakeagreatmistakeinmarryingafterforty。WhenthedoctorhaddepartedMademoiselleCelestefoundSylvieinafrightfulstate,greenandyellow,andwiththepupilsofhereyesdilated。
\"Thenyoureallylovethecolonel?\"askedCeleste。
\"Istillhoped,\"repliedSylvie。
\"Well,then,wait!\"criedMademoiselleHabert,Jesuitically,awarethattimewouldridherofthecolonel。
Sylvie’snewdevotiontothechurchwarnedherthatthemoralityofsuchamarriagemightbedoubtful。Sheaccordinglysoundedherconscienceintheconfessional。ThesternpriestexplainedtheopinionsoftheChurch,whichseesinmarriageonlythepropagationofhumanity,andrebukessecondmarriagesandallpassionsbutthosewithasocialpurpose。Sylvie’sperplexitiesweregreat。Theseinternalstrugglesgaveextraordinaryforcetoherpassion,investingitwiththatinexplicableattractionwhich,fromthedaysofEve,thethingforbiddenpossessesforwomen。MademoiselleRogron’sperturbationdidnotescapethelynx—eyedlawyer。
Oneevening,afterthegamehadended,VinetapproachedhisdearfriendSylvie,tookherhand,andledhertoasofa。
\"Somethingtroublesyou,\"hesaid。
Shenoddedsadly。Thelawyerlettheothersdepart;RogronwalkedhomewiththeChargeboeufs,andwhenVinetwasalonewiththeoldmaidhewormedthetruthoutofher。
\"Cleverlyplayed,abbe!\"thoughthe。\"Butyou’veplayedintomyhands。\"
Thefoxylawyerwasmoredecidedinhisopinionthaneventhedoctor。
Headvisedmarriageintenyears。InwardlyhewasvowingthatthewholeRogronfortuneshouldgotoBathilde。Herubbedhishands,hispinchedlipsclosedmoretightlyashehurriedhome。TheinfluenceexercisedbyMonsieurHabert,physicianofthesoul,andbyVinet,doctorofthepurse,balancedeachotherperfectly。Rogronhadnopietyinhim;sothechurchmanandthemanoflaw,theblack—robedpair,werefairlymatched。
OndiscoveringthevictoryobtainedbyCeleste,inheranxietytomarryRogronherself,overSylvie,tornbetweenthefearofdeathandthejoyofbeingbaronnessandmayoress,thelawyersawhischanceofdrivingthecolonelfromthebattlefield。HeknewRogronwellenoughtobecertainhecouldmarryhimtoBathilde;Jeromehadalreadysuccumbedinwardlytohercharms,andVinetknewthatthefirsttimethepairwerealonetogetherthemarriagewouldbesettled。RogronhadreachedthepointofkeepinghiseyesfixedonCeleste,somuchdidhefeartolookatBathilde。VinethadnowpossessedhimselfofSylvie’ssecrets,andsawtheforcewithwhichshelovedthecolonel。Hefullyunderstoodthestruggleofsuchapassionintheheartofanoldmaidwhowasalsointhegraspofreligiousemotion,andhesawhiswaytoridhimselfofPierretteandthecolonelbothbymakingeachthecauseoftheother’soverthrow。
Thenextday,afterthecourthadrisen,VinetmetthecolonelandRogrontalkingawalktogether,accordingtotheirdailycustom。
Wheneverthethreemenwereseenincompanythewholetowntalkedofit。Thistriumvirate,heldinhorrorbythesub—prefect,themagistracy,andtheTiphaineclique,was,ontheotherhand,asourceofprideandvanitytotheLiberalsofProvins。Vinetwassoleeditorofthe\"Courrier\"andtheheadoftheparty;thecolonel,theworkingmanager,wasitsarm;Rogron,bymeansofhispurse,itsnerves。TheTiphainesdeclaredthatthethreemenwerealwaysplottingeviltothegovernment;theLiberalsadmiredthemasthedefendersofthepeople。
WhenRogronturnedtogohome,recalledbyasenseofhisdinner—hour,VinetstoppedthecolonelfromfollowinghimbytakingGouraud’sarm。
\"Well,colonel,\"hesaid,\"Iamgoingtotakeafearfulloadoffyourshoulders;youcandobetterthanmarrySylvie;ifyouplayyourcardsproperlyyoucanmarrythatlittlePierretteintwoyears’time。\"
HethereuponrelatedtheJesuit’smanoeuvreanditseffectonSylvie。
\"Whataskulkingtrick!\"criedthecolonel;\"andspreadingoveryears,too!\"
\"Colonel,\"saidVinet,gravely,\"Pierretteisacharmingcreature;
withheryoucanbehappyfortherestofyourlife;yourhealthissosoundthatthedifferenceinyourageswon’tseemdisproportionate。
But,allthesame,youmustn’tthinkitaneasythingtochangeadreadfulfatetoapleasantone。Toturnawomanwholovesyouintoafriendandconfidantisasperilousabusinessascrossingariverunderfireoftheenemy。Cavalrycolonelasyouare,anddaringtoo,youmuststudythepositionandmanoeuvreyourforceswiththesamewisdomyouhavedisplayedhitherto,andwhichhaswonusourpresentposition。IfIgettobeattorney—generalyoushallcommandthedepartment。Oh!ifyouhadbeenanelectorweshouldbefurtheradvancedthanwearenow;Ishouldhaveboughtthevotesofthosetwoclerksbythreateningthemwiththelossoftheirplaces,andweshouldhavehadamajority。\"
ThecolonelhadlongbeenthinkingaboutPierrette,butheconcealedhisthoughtswiththeutmostdissimulation。Hisroughnesstothechildwasonlyamask;butshecouldnotunderstandwhythemanwhoclaimedtobeherfather’soldcomradeshouldusuallytreathersoill,whensometimes,ifhemetheralone,hewouldchuckherunderthechinandgiveherafriendlykiss。ButaftertheconversationwithVinetrelatingtoSylvie’sfearsofmarriageGouraudbegantoseekopportunitiestofindPierrettealone;theroughcolonelmadehimselfassoftasacat;hetoldherhowbraveherfatherwasandwhatamisfortuneithadbeenforherthatshelosthim。
AfewdaysbeforeBrigaut’sarrivalSylviehadcomesuddenlyuponGouraudandPierrettetalkingtogether。Instantly,jealousyrushedintoherheartwithmonasticviolence。Jealousy,eminentlycredulousandsuspicious,isthepassioninwhichfancyhasmostfreedom,butforallthatitdoesnotgiveapersonintelligence;onthecontrary,ithindersthemfromhavingany;andinSylvie’scasejealousyonlyfilledherwithfantasticideas。When(afewmorningslater)sheheardBrigaut’sditty,shejumpedtotheconclusionthatthemanwhohadusedthewords\"Madam’lemariee,\"addressingthemtoPierrette,mustbethecolonel。Shewascertainshewasright,forshehadnoticedforaweekpastachangeinhismanners。Hewastheonlymanwho,inhersolitarylife,hadeverpaidheranyattention。Consequentlyshewatchedhimwithallhereyes,allhermind;andbygivingherselfuptohopesthatweresometimesflourishing,sometimesblighted,shehadbroughtthemattertosuchenormousproportionsthatshesawallthingsinamentalmirage。Touseacommonbutexcellentexpression,bydintoflookingintentlyshesawnothing。Alternatelysherepelled,admitted,andconqueredthesuppositionofthisrivalry。ShecomparedherselfwithPierrette;shewasforty—twoyearsold,withgrayhair;
Pierrettewasdelicatelyfair,witheyessoftenoughtowarmawitheredheart。Shehadhearditsaidthatmenoffiftywereapttoloveyounggirlsofjustthatkind。BeforethecolonelhadcomeregularlytothehouseSylviehadheardintheTiphaines’salonstrangestoriesofhislifeandmorals。Oldmaidspreserveintheirlove—affairstheexaggeratedPlatonicsentimentswhichyounggirlsoftwentyarewonttoprofess;theyholdtothesefixeddoctrineslikeallwhohavelittleexperienceoflifeandnopersonalknowledgeofhowgreatsocialforcesmodify,impair,andbringtonoughtsuchgrandandnobleideas。ThemerethoughtofbeingjiltedbythecolonelwastorturetoSylvie’sbrain。Shelayinherbedgoingoverandoverherowndesires,Pierrette’sconduct,andthesongwhichhadawakenedherwiththeword\"marriage。\"Likethefoolshewas,insteadoflookingthroughtheblindstoseethelover,sheopenedherwindowwithoutreflectingthatPierrettewouldhearher。IfshehadhadthecommoninstinctofaspyshewouldhaveseenBrigaut,andthefataldramathenbegunwouldneverhavetakenplace。
ItwasPierrette’sduty,weakasshewas,totakedownthebarsthatclosedthewoodenshuttersofthekitchen,whichsheopenedandfastenedback;thensheopenedinlikemannertheglassdoorleadingfromthecorridortothegarden。Shetookthevariousbroomsthatwereusedforsweepingthecarpets,thedining—room,thepassagesandstairs,togetherwiththeotherutensils,withacareandparticularitywhichnoservant,notevenaDutchwoman,givestoherwork。Shehatedreproof。Happinessforherwasinseeingthecoldbluepallideyesofhercousin,notsatisfied(thattheyneverwere),butcalm,afterglancingaboutherwiththelookofanowner,——thatwonderfulglancewhichseeswhatescapeseventhemostvigilanteyesofothers。Pierrette’sskinwasmoistwithherlaborwhenshereturnedtothekitchentoputitinorder,andlightthestovethatshemightcarryuphotwatertohertwocousins(aluxurysheneverhadforherself)andthemeansoflightingfiresintheirrooms。Afterthisshelaidthetableforbreakfastandlitthestoveinthedining—room。
Forallthesevariousfiresshehadtofetchwoodandkindlingfromthecellar,leavingthewarmroomsforadampandchillyatmosphere。
Suchsuddentransitions,madewiththequicknessofyouth,oftentoescapeaharshwordorobeyanorder,aggravatedtheconditionofherhealth。Shedidnotknowshewasill,andyetshesuffered。Shebegantohavestrangecravings;shelikedrawvegetablesandsalads,andatethemsecretly。Theinnocentchildwasquiteunawarethatherconditionwasthatofseriousillnesswhichneededtheutmostcare。IfNeraud,theRogrons’doctor,hadtoldthistoPierrettebeforeBrigaut’sarrivalshewouldonlyhavesmiled;lifewassobittershecouldsmileatdeath。Butnowherfeelingschanged;thechild,towhosephysicalsufferingswasaddedtheanguishofBretonhomesickness(amoralmaladysowell—knownthatcolonelsinthearmyallowforitamongtheirmen),wassuddenlycontenttobeinProvins。Thesightofthatyellowflower,thesong,thepresenceofherfriend,revivedherasaplantlongwithoutwaterrevivesunderrain。Unconsciouslyshewantedtolive,andeventhoughtshedidnotsuffer。
Pierretteslippedtimidlyintohercousin’sbedroom,madethefire,leftthehotwater,saidafewwords,andwenttowakeRogronanddothesameofficesforhim。Thenshewentdowntotakeinthemilk,thebread,andtheotherprovisionsleftbythedealers。ShestoodsometimeonthesillofthedoorhopingthatBrigautwouldhavethesensetocometoher;butbythattimehewasalreadyonhiswaytoParis。
Shehadfinishedthearrangementofthedining—roomandwasbusyinthekitchenwhensheheardhercousinSylviecomingdown。MademoiselleRogronappearedinabrownsilkdressing—gownandacapwithbows;herfalsefrontwasawry,hernight—gownshowedabovethesilkwrapper,herslippersweredownatheel。ShegaveaneyetoeverythingandthencamestraighttoPierrette,whowasawaitingherorderstoknowwhattoprepareforbreakfast。
\"Ha!hereyouare,lovesickyounglady!\"saidSylvie,inamockingtone。
\"Whatisit,cousin?\"
\"Youcameintomyroomlikeaslycat,andyoucreptoutthesameway,thoughyouknewverywellIhadsomethingtosaytoyou。\"
\"Tome?\"
\"Youhadaserenadethismorning,asifyouwereaprincess。\"
\"Aserenade!\"exclaimedPierrette。
\"Aserenade!\"saidSylvie,mimickingher;\"andyou’vealover,too。\"
\"Whatisalover,cousin?\"
Sylvieavoidedanswering,andsaid:——
\"Doyoudaretotellme,mademoiselle,thatamandidnotcomeunderyourwindowandtalktoyouofmarriage?\"
PersecutionhadtaughtPierrettethewarinessofslaves;sosheansweredbravely:——
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,——\"
\"Whomeans?——yourdog?\"saidSylvie,sharply。
\"Ishouldhavesaid’cousin,’\"repliedthegirl,humbly。
\"Anddidn’tyougetupandgoinyourbarefeettothewindow?——whichwillgiveyouanillness;andserveyouright,too。Andperhapsyoudidn’ttalktoyourlover,either?\"
\"No,cousin。\"
\"Iknowyouhavemanyfaults,butIdidnotthinkyoutoldlies。Youhadbetterthinkthisover,mademoiselle;youwillhavetoexplainthisaffairtoyourcousinandtome,oryourcousinwillbeobligedtotakeseveremeasures。\"
Theoldmaid,exasperatedbyjealousyandcuriosity,meanttofrightenthegirl。Pierrette,likeallthosewhosuffermorethantheyhavestrengthtobear,keptsilence。Silenceistheonlyweaponbywhichsuchvictimscanconquer;itbafflestheCossackchargesofenvy,thesavageskirmishingsofsuspicion;itdoesattimesgivevictory,crushingandcomplete,——forwhatismorecompletethansilence?itisabsolute;itisoneoftheattributesofinfinity。SylviewatchedPierrettenarrowly。Thegirlcolored;butthecolor,insteadofrisingevenly,cameoutinpatchesonhercheekbones,inburningandsignificantspots。Amother,seeingthatsymptomofillness,wouldhavechangedhertoneatonce;shewouldhavetakenthechildonherlapandquestionedher;infact,shewouldlongagohavetenderlyunderstoodthesignsofPierrette’spureandperfectinnocence;shewouldhaveseenherweaknessandknownthatthedisturbanceofthedigestiveorgansandtheotherfunctionsofthebodywasabouttoaffectthelungs。Thoseeloquentpatcheswouldhavewarnedherofanimminentdanger。Butanoldmaid,oneinwhomthefamilyinstinctshaveneverbeenawakened,towhomtheneedsofchildhoodandtheprecautionsrequiredforadolescencewereunknown,hadneithertheindulgencenorthecompassionateintelligenceofamother;suchsufferingsasthoseofPierrette,insteadofsofteningherheartonlymadeitmorecallous。
\"Sheblushes,sheisguilty!\"thoughtSylvie。
Pierrette’ssilencewasthusinterpretedtoherinjury。
\"Pierrette,\"continuedSylvie,\"beforeyourcousincomesdownwemusthavesometalktogether。Come,\"shesaid,inarathersoftertone,\"shutthestreetdoor;ifanyonecomestheywillrungandweshallhearthem。\"
Inspiteofthedampmistwhichwasrisingfromtheriver,SylvietookPierrettealongthewindinggravelpathwhichledacrossthelawntotheedgeoftherockterrace,——apicturesquelittlequay,coveredwithirisandaquaticplants。Shenowchangedhertactics,thinkingshemightcatchPierrettetrippingbysoftness;thehyenabecameacat。