\"Pierrette,\"shesaid,\"youarenolongerachild;youarenearlyfifteen,anditisnotatallsurprisingthatyoushouldhavealover。\"
\"But,cousin,\"saidPierrette,raisinghereyeswithangelicsweetnesstothecold,sourfaceofhercousin,\"Whatisalover?\"
ItwouldhavebeenimpossibleforSylvietodefinealoverwithtruthanddecencytothegirl’smind。Insteadofseeinginthatquestiontheproofofadorableinnocence,sheconsidereditapieceofinsincerity。
\"Alover,Pierrette,isamanwholovesusandwishestomarryus。\"
\"Ah,\"saidPierrette,\"whenthathappensinBrittanywecalltheyoungmanasuitor。\"
\"Well,rememberthatinowningyourfeelingsforamanyoudonowrong,mydear。Thewrongisinhidingthem。Haveyoupleasedsomeofthemenwhovisithere?\"
\"Idon’tthinkso,cousin。\"
\"Doyouloveanyofthem?\"
\"No。\"
\"Certain?\"
\"Quitecertain。\"
\"Lookatme,Pierrette。\"
PierrettelookedatSylvie。
\"Amancalledtoyouthismorninginthesquare。\"
Pierretteloweredhereyes。
\"Youwenttoyourwindow,youopenedit,andyouspoketohim。\"
\"Nocousin,IwenttolookoutandIsawapeasant。\"
\"Pierrette,youhavemuchimprovedsinceyoumadeyourfirstcommunion;youhavebecomepiousandobedient,youloveGodandyourrelations;Iamsatisfiedwithyou。Idon’tsaythistopuffyouupwithpride。\"
Thehorriblecreaturehadmistakendespondency,submission,thesilenceofwretchedness,forvirtues!
Thesweetestofallconsolationstosufferingsouls,tomartyrs,toartists,intheworstofthatdivineagonywhichhatredandenvyforceuponthem,istomeetwithpraisewheretheyhavehithertofoundcensureandinjustice。Pierretteraisedhergratefuleyestohercousin,feelingthatshecouldalmostforgiveherforthesufferingsshehadcaused。
\"Butifitisallhypocrisy,ifIfindyouaserpentthatIhavewarmedinmybosom,youwillbeawickedgirl,aninfamouscreature!\"
\"IthinkIhavenothingtoreproachmyselfwith,\"saidPierrette,withapainfulrevulsionofherheartatthesuddenchangefromunexpectedpraisetothetonesofthehyena。
\"Youknowthattolieisamortalsin?\"
\"Yes,cousin。\"
\"Well,youarenowundertheeyeofGod,\"saidtheoldmaid,withasolemngesturetowardsthesky;\"sweartomethatyoudidnotknowthatpeasant。\"
\"Iwillnotswear,\"saidPierrette。
\"Ha!hewasnopeasant,youlittleviper。\"
Pierretterushedawaylikeafrightenedfawnterrifiedathertone。
Sylviecalledherinadreadfulvoice。
\"Thebellisringing,\"sheanswered。
\"Artfulwretch!\"thoughtSylvie。\"Sheisdepravedinmind;andnowI
amcertainthelittleadderhaswoundherselfroundthecolonel。Shehasheardussayhewasabaron。Tobeabaroness!littlefool!Ah!
I’llgetridofher,I’llapprenticeherout,andsoontoo!\"
Sylviewassolostinthoughtthatshedidnotnoticeherbrothercomingdownthepathandbemoaningtheinjurythefrosthaddonetohisdahlias。
\"Sylvie!whatareyouthinkingabout?Ithoughtyouwerelookingatthefish;sometimestheyjumpoutofthewater。\"
\"No,\"saidSylvie。
\"Howdidyousleep?\"andhebegantotellherabouthisowndreams。
\"Don’tyouthinkmyskinisgetting/tabid/?\"——awordintheRogronvocabulary。
EversinceRogronhadbeeninlove,——butletusnotprofanetheword,——eversincehehaddesiredtomarryMademoiselledeChargeboeuf,hewasveryuneasyabouthimselfandhishealth。AtthismomentPierrettecamedownthegardenstepsandcalledtothemfromadistancethatbreakfastwasready。Atsightofhercousin,Sylvie’sskinturnedgreenandyellow,herbilewasincommotion。ShelookedatthefloorofthecorridoranddeclaredthatPierretteoughttorubit。
\"Iwillrubitnowifyouwish,\"saidthelittleangel,notawareoftheinjurysuchworkmaydotoayounggirl。
Thedining—roomwasirreproachablyinorder。Sylviesatdownandpretendedallthroughbreakfasttowantthis,that,andtheotherthingwhichshewouldneverhavethoughtofinaquietermoment,andwhichshenowaskedforonlytomakePierretteriseagainandagainjustasthechildwasbeginningtoeatherfood。Butsuchmereteasingwasnotenough;shewantedasubjectonwhichtofindfault,andwasangrywithherselffornotfindingone。Shescarcelyansweredherbrother’ssillyremarks,yetshelookedathimonly;hereyesavoidedPierrette。Pierrettewasdeeplyconsciousofallthis。Shebroughtthemilkmixedwithcreamforeachcousininalargesilvergoblet,afterheatingitcarefullyinthe/bain—marie/。ThebrotherandsisterpouredinthecoffeemadebySylvieherselfonthetable。WhenSylviehadcarefullypreparedhers,shesawanatomofcoffee—groundsfloatingonthesurface。Onthisthestormbrokeforth。
\"Whatisthematter?\"askedRogron。
\"Thematteristhatmademoisellehasputdustinmymilk。DoyousupposeIamgoingtodrinkcoffeewithashesinit?Well,Iamnotsurprised;noonecandotwothingsatonce。Shewasn’tthinkingofthemilk!ablackbirdmighthaveflownthroughthekitchento—dayandshewouldn’thaveseenit!howshouldsheseethedustflying!andthenitwasmycoffee,ha!thatdidn’tsignify!\"
Asshespokeshewaslayingonthesideofherplatethecoffee—
groundsthathadrunthroughthefilter。
\"But,cousin,thatiscoffee,\"saidPierrette。
\"Oh!thenitisIwhotelllies,isit?\"criedSylvie,lookingatPierretteandblastingherwithafearfulflashofangerfromhereyes。
Organizationswhichhavenotbeenexhaustedbypowerfulemotionsoftenhaveavastamountofthevitalfluidattheirservice。ThisphenomenonoftheextremeclearnessoftheeyeinmomentsofangerwasthemoremarkedinMademoiselleRogronbecauseshehadoftenexercisedthepowerofhereyesinhershopbyopeningthemtotheirfullextentforthepurposeofinspiringherdependentswithsalutaryfear。
\"Youhadbetterdaretogivemethelie!\"continuedSylvie;\"youdeservetobesentfromthetabletogoandeatbyyourselfinthekitchen。\"
\"What’sthematterwithyoutwo?\"criedRogron,\"youareascrossasbearsthismorning。\"
\"MademoiselleknowswhatIhaveagainsther,\"saidSylvie。\"Ileavehertomakeuphermindbeforespeakingtoyou;forImeantoshowhermorekindnessthanshedeserves。\"
Pierrettewaslookingoutofthewindowtoavoidhercousin’seyes,whichfrightenedher。
\"Lookather!shepaysnomoreattentiontowhatIamsayingthanifI
werethatsugar—basin!Andyetmademoisellehasasharpear;shecanhearandanswerfromthetopofthehousewhensomeonetalkstoherfrombelow。Sheisperversityitself,——perversity,Isay;andyouneedn’texpectanygoodofher;doyouhearme,Jerome?\"
\"Whathasshedonewrong?\"askedRogron。
\"Atherage,too!tobeginsoyoung!\"screamedtheangryoldmaid。
Pierretterosetoclearthetableandgiveherselfsomethingtodo,forshecouldhardlybearthesceneanylonger。Thoughsuchlanguagewasnotnewtoher,shehadneverbeenabletogetusedtoit。Hercousin’srageseemedtoaccuseherofsomecrime。SheimaginedwhatherfurywouldbeifshecametoknowaboutBrigaut。Perhapshercousinwouldhavehimsentaway,andsheshouldlosehim!Allthemanythoughts,thedeepandrapidthoughtsofaslavecametoher,andsheresolvedtokeepabsolutesilenceaboutacircumstanceinwhichherconsciencetoldhertherewasnothingwrong。Butthecruel,bitterwordsshehadbeenmadetohearandthewoundingsuspicionsoshockedherthatasshereachedthekitchenshewastakenwithaconvulsionofthestomachandturneddeadlysick。Shedarednotcomplain;shewasnotsurethatanyonewouldhelpher。Whenshereturnedtothedining—
roomshewaswhiteasasheet,and,sayingshewasnotwell,shestartedtogotobed,draggingherselfupstepbystepbythebalusterandthinkingthatshewasgoingtodie。\"PoorBrigaut!\"shethought。
\"Thegirlisill,\"saidRogron。
\"Sheill!That’sonly/shamming/,\"repliedSylvie,inaloudvoicethatPierrettemighthear。\"Shewaswellenoughthismorning,Icantellyou。\"
ThislastblowstruckPierrettetotheearth;shewenttobedweepingandprayingtoGodtotakeheroutofthisworld。
VII
DOMESTICTYRANNY
ForamonthpastRogronhadceasedtocarrythe\"Constitutionnel\"toGouraud;thecolonelcameobsequiouslytofetchhispaper,gossipalittle,andtakeRogronofftowalkiftheweatherwasfine。Sureofseeingthecolonelandbeingabletoquestionhim,Sylviedressedherselfascoquettishlyassheknewhow。Theoldmaidthoughtshewasattractiveinagreengown,ayellowshawlwitharedborder,andawhitebonnetwithstragglinggrayfeathers。AboutthehourwhenthecolonelusuallycameSylviestationedherselfinthesalonwithherbrother,whomshehadcompelledtostayinthehouseinhisdressing—
gownandslippers。
\"Itisafineday,colonel,\"saidRogron,whenGouraudwithhisheavystepenteredtheroom。\"ButI’mnotdressed;mysisterwantedtogoout,andIwasgoingtokeepthehouse。Waitforme;I’llbereadysoon。\"
Sosaying,RogronleftSylviealonewiththecolonel。
\"Wherewereyougoing?youaredresseddivinely,\"saidGouraud,whonoticedacertainsolemnityonthepock—markedfaceoftheoldmaid。
\"Iwantedverymuchtogoout,butmylittlecousinisill,andI
cannotleaveher。\"
\"Whatisthematterwithher?\"
\"Idon’tknow;shehadtogotobed。\"
Gouraud’scaution,nottosayhisdistrust,wasconstantlyexcitedbytheresultsofhisalliancewithVinet。Itcertainlyappearedthatthelawyerhadgotthelion’sshareintheirenterprise。Vinetcontrolledthepaper,hereignedassolemasteroverit,hetooktherevenues;
whereasthecolonel,theresponsibleeditor,earnedlittle。VinetandCournanthaddonetheRogronsgreatservices;whereasGouraud,acolonelonhalf—pay,coulddonothing。Whowastobedeputy?Vinet。
Whowasthechiefauthorityintheparty?Vinet。Whomdidtheliberalsallconsult?Vinet。Moreover,thecolonelknewfullyaswellasVinethimselftheextentanddepthofthepassionsuddenlyarousedinRogronbythebeautifulBathildedeChargeboeuf。Thispassionhadnowbecomeintense,likeallthelastpassionsofmen。Bathilde’svoicemadehimtremble。AbsorbedinhisdesiresRogronhidthem;hedarednothopeforsuchamarriage。Tosoundhim,thecolonelmentionedthathewasthinkinghimselfofaskingforBathilde’shand。Rogronturnedpaleatthethoughtofsuchaformidablerival,andhadsincethenshowncoldnessandevenhatredtoGouraud。
ThusVinetreignedsupremeintheRogronhouseholdwhilehe,thecolonel,hadnoholdthereexceptbytheextremelyhypotheticaltieofhismendaciousaffectionforSylvie,whichitwasnotyetclearthatSylviereciprocated。Whenthelawyertoldhimofthepriest’smanoeuvre,andadvisedhimtobreakwithSylvieandmarryPierrette,hecertainlyflatteredGouraud’sfoible;butafteranalyzingtheinnerpurposeofthatadviceandexaminingthegroundallabouthim,thecolonelthoughtheperceivedinhisallytheintentionofseparatinghimfromSylvie,andprofitingbyherfearstothrowthewholeRogronpropertyintothehandsofMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。
Therefore,whenthecolonelwasleftalonewithSylviehisperspicacitypossesseditselfimmediatelyofcertainsignswhichbetrayedheruneasiness。Hesawatoncethatshewasunderarmsandhadmadethisplanforseeinghimalone。AshealreadysuspectedVinetofplayinghimsometrick,heattributedtheconferencetotheinstigationofthelawyer,andwasinstantlyonhisguard,ashewouldhavebeeninanenemy’scountry,——withaneyeallabouthim,aneartothefaintestsound,hismindonthequivive,andhishandonaweapon。Thecolonelhadthedefectofneverbelievingasinglewordsaidtohimbyawoman;sothatwhentheoldmaidbroughtPierretteonthescene,andtoldhimshehadgonetobedbeforemidday,heconcludedthatSylviehadlockedherupbywayofpunishmentandoutofjealousy。
\"Sheisgettingtobequitepretty,thatlittlething,\"hesaidwithaneasyair。
\"Shewillbepretty,\"repliedMademoiselleRogron。
\"YououghttosendhertoParisandputherinashop,\"continuedthecolonel。\"Shewouldmakeherfortune。Themillinersallwantprettygirls。\"
\"Isthatreallyyouradvice?\"askedSylvie,inatroubledvoice。
\"Good!\"thoughtthecolonel,\"Iwasright。VinetadvisedmetomarryPierrettejusttospoilmychancewiththeoldharridan。But,\"hesaidaloud,\"whatelsecanyoudowithher?There’sthatbeautifulgirlBathildedeChargeboeuf,nobleandwell—connected,reducedtosingle—
blessedness,——nobodywillhaveher。Pierrettehasnothing,andshe’llnevermarry。Asforbeauty,whatisit?Tome,forexample,youthandbeautyarenothing;forhaven’tIbeenacaptainofcavalryintheimperialguard,andcarriedmyspursintoallthecapitalsofEurope,andknownallthehandsomestwomenofthesecapitals?Don’ttalktome;Itellyouyouthandbeautyaredevilishlycommonandsilly。Atforty—eight,\"hewenton,addingafewyearstohisage,tomatchSylvie’s,\"aftersurvivingtheretreatfromMoscowandgoingthroughthatterriblecampaignofFrance,amanisbrokendown;I’mnothingbutanoldfellownow。Awomanlikeyouwouldpetmeandcareforme,andhermoney,joinedtomypoorpension,wouldgivemeeaseinmyolddays;ofcourseIshouldprefersuchawomantoalittleminxwhowouldworrythelifeoutofme,andbethirtyyearsold,withpassions,whenIshouldbesixty,withrheumatism。Atmyage,amanconsidersandcalculates。Totellyouthetruthbetweenourselves,I
shouldnotwishtohavechildren。\"
Sylvie’sfacewasanopenbooktothecolonelduringthistirade,andhernextquestionprovedtohimVinet’sperfidy。
\"Thenyoudon’tlovePierrette?\"shesaid。
\"Heavens!areyououtofyourmind,mydearSylvie?\"hecried。\"Canthosewhohavenoteethcracknuts?ThankGodI’vegotsomecommon—
senseandknowwhatI’mabout。\"
Sylviethusreassuredresolvednottoshowherownhand,andthoughtherselfveryshrewdinputtingherownideasintoherbrother’smouth。
\"Jerome,\"shesaid,\"thoughtofthematch。\"
\"Howcouldyourbrothertakeupsuchanincongruousidea?Why,itisonlyafewdaysagothat,inordertofindouthissecrets,ItoldhimIlovedBathilde。Heturnedaswhiteasyourcollar。\"
\"Mybrother!doesheloveBathilde?\"askedSylvie。
\"Madly,——andyetBathildeisonlyafterhismoney。\"(\"Oneforyou,Vinet!\"thoughtthecolonel。)\"Ican’tunderstandwhyheshouldhavetoldyouthataboutPierrette。No,Sylvie,\"hesaid,takingherhandandpressingitinacertainway,\"sinceyouhaveopenedthismatter\"
(hedrewnearertoher),\"well\"(hekissedherhand;asacavalrycaptainhehadalreadyprovedhiscourage),\"letmetellyouthatI
desirenowifebutyou。Thoughsuchamarriagemaylooklikeoneofconvenience,Ifeel,onmyside,asincereaffectionforyou。\"
\"ButifI/wish/youtomarryPierrette?ifIleavehermyfortune——
eh,colonel?\"
\"ButIdon’twanttobemiserableinmyhome,andinlessthantenyearsseeapopinjaylikeJulliardhoveringroundmywifeandaddressingversestoherinthenewspapers。I’mtoomuchofamantostandthat。No,Iwillnevermakeamarriagethatisdisproportionateinage。\"
\"Well,colonel,wewilltalkseriouslyofthisanothertime,\"saidSylvie,castingaglanceuponhimwhichshesupposedtobefulloflove,though,inpointoffact,itwasagooddeallikethatofanogress。Hercold,bluelipsofaviolettingedrewbackfromtheyellowteeth,andshethoughtshesmiled。
\"I’mready,\"saidRogron,cominginandcarryingoffthecolonel,whobowedinalover—likewaytotheoldmaid。
GourauddeterminedtopressonhismarriagewithSylvie,andmakehimselfmasterofthehouse;resolvingtoridhimself,throughhisinfluenceoverSylvieduringthehoneymoon,ofBathildeandCelesteHabert。So,duringtheirwalk,hetoldRogronhehadbeenjokingtheotherday;thathehadnorealintentionofaspiringtoBathilde;thathewasnotrichenoughtomarryawomanwithoutfortune;andthenheconfidedtohimhisrealwishes,declaringthathehadlongchosenSylvieforhergoodqualities,——inshort,heaspiredtothehonorofbeingRogron’sbrother—in—law。
\"Ah,colonel,mydearbaron!ifnothingiswantingbutmyconsentyouhaveitwithnofurtherdelaythanthelawrequires,\"criedRogron,delightedtoberidofhisformidablerival。
Sylviespentthemorninginherownroomconsideringhowthenewhouseholdcouldbearranged。Shedeterminedtobuildasecondstoreyforherbrotherandtofurnishtherestforherselfandherhusband;
butshealsoresolved,inthetrueold—maidishspirit,tosubjectthecoloneltocertainproofsbywhichtojudgeofhisheartandhismoralsbeforeshefinallycommittedherself。Shewasstillsuspicious,andwantedtomakesurethatPierrettehadnoprivateintercoursewiththecolonel。
Pierrettecamedownbeforethedinner—hourtolaythetable。Sylviehadbeenforcedtocookthedinner,andhadswornatthat\"cursedPierrette\"foraspotshehadmadeonhergown,——wasn’titplainthatifPierrettehaddoneherownworkSylviewouldn’thavegotthatgrease—spotonhersilkdress?
\"Oh,hereyouare,/peakling/?Youarelikethedogofthemarshalwhowokeupassoonasthesaucepansrattled。Ha!youwantustothinkyouareill,youlittleliar!\"
Thatidea:\"Youdidnottellthetruthaboutwhathappenedinthesquarethismorning,thereforeyoulieineverything,\"wasahammerwithwhichSylviebatteredtheheadandalsotheheartofthepoorgirlincessantly。
ToPierrette’sgreatastonishmentSylviesenthertodressinherbestclothesafterdinner。Theliveliestimaginationisneveruptotheleveloftheactivitywhichsuspicionexcitesinthemindofanoldmaid。Inthisparticularcase,thisparticularoldmaidcarriedthedayagainstpoliticians,lawyers,notaries,andallotherself—
interests。SylviedeterminedtoconsultVinet,afterexaminingherselfintoallthesuspiciouscircumstances。ShekeptPierretteclosetoher,soastofindoutfromthegirl’sfacewhetherthecolonelhadtoldherthetruth。
OnthisparticulareveningtheChargeboeufladieswerethefirsttoarrive。Bathilde,byVinet’sadvice,hadbecomemoreelaborateinherdress。Shenowworeacharminggownofbluevelveteen,withthesametransparentfichu,garnetpendantsinherears,herhairinringlets,thewily/jeannette/roundherthroat,blacksatinslippers,graysilkstockings,and/gantsdeSuede/;addtothesethingsthemannersofaqueenandthecoquetryofayounggirldeterminedtocaptureRogron。
Hermother,calmanddignified,retained,asdidherdaughter,acertainaristocraticinsolence,withwhichthetwowomenhedgedthemselvesandpreservedthespiritoftheircaste。Bathildewasawomanofintelligence,afactwhichVinetalonehaddiscoveredduringthetwomonths’staytheladieshadmadeathishouse。Whenhehadfullyfathomedthemindofthegirl,woundedanddisappointedasitwasbythefruitlessnessofherbeautyandheryouth,andenlightenedbythecontemptshefeltforthemenofaperiodinwhichmoneywastheonlyidol,Vinet,himselfsurprised,exclaimed,——
\"IfIcouldonlyhavemarriedyou,Bathilde,Ishouldto—daybeKeeperoftheSeals。IshouldcallmyselfVinetdeChargeboeuf,andtakemyseatasdeputyoftheRight。\"
Bathildehadnovulgarideainhermarriageintentions。Shedidnotmarrytobeamother,nortopossessahusband;shemarriedforfreedom,togainaresponsibleposition,tobecalled\"madame,\"andtoactasmenact。Rogronwasnothingbutanametoher;sheexpectedtomakesomethingofthefool,——avotingdeputy,forinstance,whoseinstigatorshewouldbe;moreover,shelongedtoavengeherselfonherfamily,whohadtakennonoticeofagirlwithoutmoney。Vinethadmuchenlargedandstrengthenedherideasbyadmiringandapprovingthem。
\"MydearBathilde,\"hesaid,whileexplainingtohertheinfluenceofwomen,andshowingherthesphereofactioninwhichsheoughttowork,\"doyousupposethatTiphaine,amanofthemostordinarycapacity,couldevergettobeajudgeoftheRoyalcourtinParisbyhimself?No,itisMadameTiphainewhohasgothimelecteddeputy,anditisshewhowillpushhimwhentheygettoParis。Hermother,MadameRoguin,isashrewdwoman,whodoeswhatshelikeswiththefamousbankerduTillet,acronyofNucingen,andbothofthemalliesoftheKellers。Theadministrationisonthebestoftermswiththoselynxesofthebank。ThereisnoreasonwhyTiphaineshouldnotbejudge,throughhiswife,ofaRoyalcourt。MarryRogron;we’llhavehimelecteddeputyfromProvinsassoonasIgainanotherprecinctintheSeine—et—Marne。Youcanthengethimaplaceasreceiver—general,wherehe’llhavenothingtodobutsignhisname。Weshallbelongtotheopposition/if/theLiberalstriumph,butiftheBourbonsremain——
ah!thenweshallleangently,gentlytowardsthecentre。Besides,youmustrememberRogroncan’tliveforever,andthenyoucanmarryatitledman。Inshort,putyourselfinagoodposition,andtheChargeboeufswillbereadyenoughtoserveus。Yourpovertyhasnodoubttaughtyou,asminedidme,toknowwhatmenareworth。Wemustmakeuseofthemaswedoofpost—horses。Aman,orawoman,willtakeusalongtosuchorsuchadistance。\"
VinetendedbymakingBathildeasmalleditionofCatherinedeMedicis。Helefthiswifeathome,rejoicedtobealonewithhertwochildren,whilehewenteverynighttotheRogrons’withMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。Hearrivedthereinallthegloryofbettercircumstances。Hisspectacleswereofgold,hiswaistcoatsilk;
awhitecravat,blacktrousers,thinboots,ablackcoatmadeinParis,andagoldwatchandchain,madeuphisapparel。InplaceoftheformerVinet,paleandthin,snarlingandgloomy,thepresentVinetborehimselfwiththeairandmannerofamanofimportance;hemarchedboldlyforward,certainofsuccess,withthatpeculiarshowofsecuritywhichbelongstolawyerswhoknowthehiddenplacesofthelaw。Hisslylittleheadwaswell—brushed,hischinwell—shaved,whichgavehimamincingthoughfrigidlook,thatmadehimseemagreeableinthestyleofRobespierre。Certainlyhewouldmakeafineattorney—
general,endowedwithelastic,mischievous,andevenmurderouseloquence,oranoratoroftheshrewdtypeofBenjaminConstant。Thebitternessandthehatredwhichformerlyactuatedhimhadnowturnedintosoft—spokenperfidy;thepoisonwastransformedintoanodyne。
\"Good—evening,mydear;howareyou?\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf,greetingSylvie。
Bathildewentstraighttothefireplace,tookoffherbonnet,lookedatherselfintheglass,andplacedherprettyfootonthefenderthatRogronmightadmireit。
\"Whatisthematterwithyou?\"shesaidtohim,lookingdirectlyinhisface。\"Youhavenotbowedtome。Praywhyshouldweputonourbestvelvetgownstopleaseyou?\"
ShepushedpastPierrettetolaydownherhat,whichthelattertookfromherhand,andwhichshelethertakeexactlyasthoughshewereaservant。Menaresupposedtobeferocious,andtigerstoo;butneithertigers,vipers,diplomatists,lawyers,executionersorkingseverapproach,intheirgreatestatrocities,thegentlecruelty,thepoisonedsweetness,thesavagedisdainofoneyoungwomanforanother,whenshethinksherselfsuperiorinbirth,orfortune,orgrace,andsomequestionofmarriage,orprecedence,oranyofthefemininerivalries,israised。The\"Thankyou,mademoiselle,\"whichBathildesaidtoPierrettewasapoeminmanystrophes。ShewasnamedBathilde,andtheotherPierrette。ShewasaChargeboeuf,theotheraLorrain。
Pierrettewassmallandweak,Bathildewastallandfulloflife。
Pierrettewaslivingoncharity,Bathildeandhermotherlivedontheirmeans。Pierretteworeastuffgownwithachemisette,Bathildemadethevelvetofhersundulate。Bathildehadthefinestshouldersinthedepartment,andthearmofaqueen;Pierrette’sshoulder—bladeswereskinandbone。PierrettewasCinderella,Bathildewasthefairy。
Bathildewasabouttomarry,Pierrettewastodieamaid。Bathildewasadored,Pierrettewaslovedbynone。Bathilde’shairwasravishinglydressed,shehadsomuchtaste;Pierrette’swashiddenbeneathherBretoncap,andsheknewnothingofthefashions。Moral,Bathildewaseverything,Pierrettenothing。TheproudlittleBretongirlunderstoodthistragicpoem。
\"Good—evening,littlegirl,\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf,fromtheheightofhercondescendinggrandeur,andinthetoneofvoicewhichherpinchednosegaveher。
VinetputthelasttouchtothissortofinsultbylookingfixedlyatPierretteandsaying,inthreekeys,\"Oh!oh!oh!howfineweareto—night,Pierrette!\"
\"Fine!\"saidthepoorchild;\"youshouldsaythattoMademoiselledeChargeboeuf,nottome。\"
\"Oh!sheisalwaysbeautifullydressed,\"repliedthelawyer。\"Isn’tshe,Rogron?\"headded,turningtothemasterofthehouse,andgraspinghishand。
\"Yes,\"saidRogron。
\"Whydoyouforcehimtosaywhathedoesnotthink?\"saidBathilde;
\"nothingaboutmepleaseshim。Isn’tthattrue?\"sheadded,goinguptoRogronandstandingbeforehim。\"Lookatme,andsayifitisn’ttrue。\"
Rogronlookedatherfromheadtofoot,andgentlyclosedhiseyeslikeacatwhoseheadisbeingscratched。
\"Youaretoobeautiful,\"hesaid;\"toodangerous。\"
\"Why?\"
Rogronlookedatthefireandwassilent。JustthenMademoiselleHabertenteredtheroom,followedbythecolonel。
CelesteHabert,whohadnowbecomethecommonenemy,couldonlyreckonSylvieonherside;nevertheless,everybodypresentshowedherthemorecivilityandamiableattentionbecauseeachwasunderminingher。
Herbrother,thoughnolongerabletobeonthesceneofaction,waswellawareofwhatwasgoingon,andassoonasheperceivedthathissister’shopeswerekilledhebecameanimplacableandterribleantagonisttotheRogrons。
EveryonewillimmediatelypicturetothemselvesMademoiselleHabertwhentheyknowthatifshehadnotkeptaninstitutionforyoungladiesshewouldstillhavehadtheairofaschool—mistress。School—
mistresseshaveawayoftheirowninputtingontheircaps。JustasoldEnglishwomenhaveacquiredamonopolyinturbans,school—
mistresseshaveamonopolyofthesecaps。Flowersnodabovetheframe—
work,flowersthataremorethanartificial;lyingbyinclosetsforyearsthecapisbothnewandold,evenonthedayitisfirstworn。
Thesespinstersmakeitapointofhonortoresemblethelayfiguresofapainter;theysitontheirhips,neverontheirchairs。Whenanyonespeakstothemtheyturntheirwholebustsinsteadofsimplyturningtheirheads;andwhentheirgownscreakoneistemptedtobelievethatthemechanismofthesebeingsisoutoforder。
MademoiselleHabert,anidealofherspecies,hadasterneye,agrimmouth,andbeneathherwrinkledchinthestringsofhercap,alwayslimpandfaded,floatedasshemoved。Twomoles,ratherlargeandbrown,adornedthatchin,andfromthemsproutedhairswhichsheallowedtogrowrampantlikeclematis。Andfinally,tocompleteherportrait,shetooksnuff,andtookitungracefully。
Thecompanywenttoworkattheirboston。MademoiselleHabertsatoppositetoSylvie,withthecolonelathersideoppositetoMadamedeChargeboeuf。BathildewasnearhermotherandRogron。SylvieplacedPierrettebetweenherselfandthecolonel;Rogronhadsetoutasecondcard—table,incaseothercompanyarrived。Twolampswereonthechimney—piecebetweenthecandelabraandtheclock,andthetableswerelightedbycandlesatfortysousapound,paidforbythepriceofthecards。
\"Come,Pierrette,takeyourwork,mydear,\"saidSylvie,withtreacheroussoftness,noticingthatthegirlwaswatchingthecolonel’sgame。
SheusuallyaffectedtotreatPierrettewellbeforecompany。ThisdeceptionirritatedthehonestBretongirl,andmadeherdespisehercousin。Shetookherembroidery,butasshedrewherstitchesshestillwatchedGouraud’splay。Gouraudbehavedasifhedidnotknowthegirlwasnearhim。Sylvienoticedthisapparentindifferenceandthoughtitextremelysuspicious。Presentlysheundertooka/grandemisere/inhearts,thepoolbeingfullofcounters,besidescontainingtwenty—sevensous。Therestofthecompanyhadnowarrived;amongthemthedeputy—judgeDesfondrilles,whoforthelasttwomonthshadabandonedtheTiphainepartyandconnectedhimselfmoreorlesswiththeVinets。Hewasstandingbeforethechimney—piece,withhisbacktothefireandthetailsofhiscoatoverhisarms,lookingroundthefinesalonofwhichMademoiselledeChargeboeufwastheshiningornament;foritreallyseemedasifalltheredsofitsdecorationhadbeenmadeexpresslytoenhanceherstyleofbeauty。Silencereigned;Pierrettewaswatchingthegame,Sylvie’sattentionwasdistractedfromherbytheinterestofthe/grandemisere/。
\"Playthat,\"saidPierrettetothecolonel,pointingtoaheartinhishand。
Thecolonelbeganasequenceinhearts;theheartsalllaybetweenhimselfandSylvie;thecolonelwonherace,thoughitwasprotectedbyfivesmallhearts。
\"That’snotfair!\"shecried。\"Pierrettesawmyhand,andthecoloneltookheradvice。\"
\"But,mademoiselle,\"saidCeleste,\"itwasthecolonel’sgametoplayheartsafteryoubeganthem。\"
ThescenemadeMonsieurDesfondrillessmile;hiswasakeenmind,whichfoundmuchamusementinwatchingtheplayofalltheself—
interestsinProvins。
\"Yes,itwascertainlythecolonel’sgame,\"saidCournantthenotary,notknowingwhatthequestionwas。
SylviethrewalookatMademoiselleHabert,——oneofthoseglanceswhichpassfromoldmaidtooldmaid,felineandcruel。
\"Pierrette,youdidseemyhand,\"saidSylviefixinghereyesonthegirl。
\"No,cousin。\"
\"Iwaslookingatyouall,\"saidthedeputy—judge,\"andIcanswearthatPierrettesawnoone’shandbutthecolonel’s。\"
\"Pooh!\"saidGouraud,alarmed,\"littlegirlsknowhowtoslidetheireyesintoeverything。\"
\"Ah!\"exclaimedSylvie。
\"Yes,\"continuedGouraud。\"Idaresayshelookedintoyourhandtoplayyouatrick。Didn’tyou,littleone?\"
\"No,\"saidthetruthfulBreton,\"Iwouldn’tdosuchathing;ifIhad,itwouldhavebeeninmycousin’sinterests。\"
\"Youknowyouareastory—tellerandalittlefool,\"criedSylvie。
\"AfterwhathappenedthismorningdoyousupposeIcanbelieveawordyousay?Youarea——\"
PierrettedidnotwaitforSylvietofinishhersentence;foreseeingatorrentofinsults,sherushedawaywithoutalightandrantoherroom。Sylvieturnedwhitewithangerandmutteredbetweenherteeth,\"Sheshallpayforthis!\"
\"Shallyoupayforthe/misere/?\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf。
AsshespokePierrettestruckherheadagainstthedoorofthepassagewhichsomeonehadleftopen。
\"Good!I’mgladofit,\"criedSylvie,astheyheardtheblow。
\"Shemustbehurt,\"saidDesfondrilles。
\"Shedeservesit,\"repliedSylvie。
\"Itwasabadblow,\"saidMademoiselleHabert。
Sylviethoughtshemightescapepayingher/misere/ifshewenttoseeafterPierrette,butMadamedeChargeboeufstoppedher。
\"Payusfirst,\"shesaid,laughing;\"youwillforgetitwhenyoucomeback。\"
Theremark,basedontheoldmaid’strickeryandherbadfaithinpayingherdebtsatcardswasapprovedbytheothers。SylviesatdownandthoughtnomoreofPierrette,——anindifferencewhichsurprisednoone。Whenthegamewasover,abouthalfpastnineo’clock,sheflungherselfintoaneasychairatthecornerofthefireplaceanddidnotevenriseasherguestsdeparted。Thecolonelwastorturingher;shedidnotknowwhattothinkofhim。
\"Menaresofalse!\"shecried,asshewenttobed。
Pierrettehadgivenherselfafrightfulblowonthehead,justabovetheear,atthespotwhereyounggirlsparttheirhairwhentheyputtheir\"fronthair\"incurlpapers。Thenextdaytherewasalargeswelling。
\"Godhaspunishedyou,\"saidSylvieatthebreakfasttable。\"Youdisobeyedme;youtreatedmewithdisrespectinleavingtheroombeforeIhadfinishedmysentence;yougotwhatyoudeserved。\"
\"Nevertheless,\"saidRogron,\"sheoughttoputonacompressofsaltandwater。\"
\"Oh,itisnothingatall,cousin,\"saidPierrette。
Thepoorchildhadreachedapointwhereevensucharemarkseemedtoheraproofofkindness。
VIII
THELOVESOFJACQUESANDPIERRETTE
Theweekendedasithadbegun,incontinualtorture。Sylviegrewingenious,andfoundrefinementsoftyrannywithalmostsavagecruelty;theredIndiansmighthavetakenalessonfromher。Pierrettedarednotcomplainofhervaguesufferings,noroftheactualpainsshenowfeltinherhead。Theoriginofhercousin’spresentangerwasthenon—revelationofBrigaut’sarrival。WithBretonobstinacyPierrettewasdeterminedtokeepsilence,——aresolutionthatisperfectlyexplicable。ItiseasytoseehowherthoughtsturnedtoBrigaut,fearingsomedangerforhimifhewerediscovered,yetinstinctivelylongingtohavehimnearher,andhappyinknowinghewasinProvins。Whatjoytohaveseenhim!Thatsingleglimpsewaslikethelookanexilecastsuponhiscountry,orthemartyrliftstoheaven,wherehiseyes,giftedwithsecond—sight,canenterwhileflamesconsumehisbody。
Pierrette’sglancehadbeensothoroughlyunderstoodbythemajor’ssonthat,asheplanedhisplanksortookhismeasuresorjoinedhiswood,hewasworkinghisbrainstofindoutsomewayofcommunicatingwithher。Heendedbychoosingthesimplestofallschemes。AtacertainhourofthenightPierrettemustloweraletterbyastringfromherwindow。Inthemidstofthegirl’sownsufferings,shetoowassustainedbythehopeofbeingabletocommunicatewithBrigaut。
Thesamedesirewasinbothhearts;parted,theyunderstoodeachother!Ateveryshocktoherheart,everythrobofpaininherhead,Pierrettesaidtoherself,\"Brigautishere!\"andthatthoughtenabledhertolivewithoutcomplaint。
Onemorninginthemarket,Brigaut,lyinginwait,wasabletogetnearher。Thoughhesawhertrembleandturnpale,likeanautumnleafabouttoflutterdown,hedidnotlosehishead,butquietlyboughtfruitofthemarket—womanwithwhomSylviewasbargaining。HefoundhischanceofslippinganotetoPierrette,allthewhilejokingthewomanwiththeeaseofamanaccustomedtosuchmanoeuvres;socoolwasheinaction,thoughthebloodhummedinhisearsandrushedboilingthroughhisveinsandarteries。Hehadthefirmnessofagalley—slavewithout,andtheshrinkingsofinnocencewithinhim,——
likecertainmothersintheirmomentsofmortaltrial,whenheldbetweentwodangers,twocatastrophes。
Pierrette’sinwardcommotionwaslikeBrigaut’s。Sheslippedthenoteintothepocketofherapron。Thehecticspotsuponhercheekbonesturnedtoacherry—scarlet。Thesetwochildrenwentthrough,allunknowntothemselves,manymoreemotionsthangotothemake—upofadozenordinaryloves。Thismomentinthemarket—placeleftintheirsoulsawell—springofpassionatefeeling。Sylvie,whodidnotrecognizetheBretonaccent,tooknonoticeofBrigaut,andPierrettewenthomesafelywithhertreasure。
Thelettersofthesetwopoorchildrenwerefatedtoserveasdocumentsinaterriblejudicialinquiry;otherwise,withoutthefatalcircumstancesthatoccasionedthatinquiry,theywouldneverhavebeenheardof。HereistheonewhichPierrettereadthatnightinherchamber:——
MydearPierrette,——Atmidnight,wheneverybodyisasleepbutme,whoamwatchingyou,Iwillcomeeverynightunderyourwindow。
Letdownastringlongenoughtoreachme;itwillnotmakeanynoise;youmustfastentotheendofitwhateveryouwritetome。
Iwilltiemyletterinthesameway。Ihear/they/havetaughtyoutoreadandwrite,——thosewickedrelationswhoweretodoyougood,andhavedoneyousomuchharm。You,Pierrette,thedaughterofacolonelwhodiedforFrance,reducedbythosemonsterstobetheirservant!Thatiswhereallyourprettycolorandhealthhavegone。MyPierrette,whathasbecomeofher?whathavetheydonewithher。Iseeplainlyyouarenotthesame,nothappy。Oh!
Pierrette,letusgobacktoBrittany。Icanearnenoughnowtogiveyouwhatyouneed;foryouyourselfcanearnthreefrancsadayandIcanearnfourorfive;andthirtysousisallIwanttoliveon。Ah!Pierrette,howIhaveprayedthegoodGodforyoueversinceIcamehere!Ihaveaskedhimtogivemeallyoursufferings,andyouallpleasures。Whydoyoustaywiththem?whydotheykeepyou?Yourgrandmotherismoretoyouthanthey。Theyarevipers;theyhavetakenyourgaietyawayfromyou。YoudonotevenwalkasyouoncedidinBrittany。Letusgoback。Iamheretoserveyou,todoyourwill;tellmewhatyouwish。IfyouneedmoneyIhaveahundredandfiftyfrancs;Icansendthemupbythestring,thoughIwouldliketokissyourdearhandsandlaythemoneyinthem。Ah,dearPierrette,itisalongtimenowthattheblueskyhasbeenovercastforme。Ihavenothadtwohours’
happinesssinceIputyouintothatdiligenceofevil。AndwhenI
sawyoutheothermorning,lookinglikeashadow,Icouldnotreachyou;thathagofacousincamebetweenus。ButatleastwecanhavetheconsolationofprayingtoGodtogethereverySundayinchurch;perhapshewillhearusallthemorewhenwepraytogether。
Notgood—by,mydear,Pierrette,but/to—night/。
ThislettersoaffectedPierrettethatshesatformorethananhourreadingandre—readingandgazingatit。Thensherememberedwithanguishthatshehadnothingtowritewith。Shesummonedcouragetomakethedifficultjourneyfromhergarrettothedining—room,wheresheobtainedpen,paper,andink,andreturnedsafelywithoutwakingherterriblecousin。Afewminutesbeforemidnightshehadfinishedthefollowingletter:——
MyFriend,——Oh!yes,myfriend;forthereisnoonebutyou,Jacques,andmygrandmothertoloveme。Godforgiveme,butyouaretheonlytwopersonswhomIlove,bothalike,neithermorenorless。Iwastoolittletoknowmydearmamma;butyou,Jacques,andmygrandmother,andmygrandfather,——Godgranthimheaven,forhesufferedmuchfromhisruin,whichwasmine,——butyoutwowhoareleft,Iloveyouboth,unhappyasIam。Indeed,toknowhowmuchIloveyou,youwillhavetoknowhowmuchIsuffer;butI
don’twishthat,itwouldgrieveyoutoomuch。/They/speaktomeaswewouldnotspeaktoadog;/they/treatmeliketheworstofgirls;andyetIdoexaminemyselfbeforeGod,andIcannotfindthatIdowrongbythem。BeforeyousangtomethemarriagesongI
sawthemercyofGodinmysufferings;forIhadprayedtohimtotakemefromtheworld,andIfeltsoillIsaidtomyself,\"Godhearsme!\"But,Jacques,nowyouarehere,IwanttoliveandgobacktoBrittany,tomygrandmammawholovesme,though/they/sayshestoleeightthousandfrancsofmine。Jacques,isthatso?Iftheyareminecouldyougetthem!Butitisnottrue,forifmygrandmotherhadeightthousandfrancsshewouldnotliveatSaint—
Jacques。
Idon’twanttotroubleherlastdays,mykind,goodgrandmamma,withtheknowledgeofmytroubles;shemightdieofit。Ah!ifsheknewtheymadehergrandchildscrubthepotsandpans,——shewhousedtosaytome,whenIwantedtohelpherafterhertroubles,\"Don’ttouchthat,mydarling;leaveit——leaveit——youwillspoilyourprettyfingers。\"Ah!myhandsarenevercleannow。SometimesIcanhardlycarrythebaskethomefrommarket,itcutsmyarm。
StillIdon’tthinkmycousinsmeantobecruel;butitistheirwayalwaystoscold,anditseemsthatIhavenorighttoleavethem。MycousinRogronismyguardian。OnedaywhenIwantedtorunawaybecauseIcouldnotbearit,andtoldthemso,mycousinSylviesaidthegendarmeswouldgoafterme,forthelawwasmymaster。Oh!Iknownowthatcousinscannottaketheplaceoffatherormother,anymorethanthesaintscantaketheplaceofGod。
MypoorJacques,whatdoyousupposeIcoulddowithyourmoney?
Keepitforourjourney。Oh!howIthinkofyouandPen—Hoel,andthebigpong,——that’swherewehadouronlyhappydays。Ishallhavenomore,forIfeelIamgoingfrombadtoworse。Iamveryill,Jacques。Ihavedreadfulpainsinmyhead,andinmybones,andback,whichkillme,andIhavenoappetiteexceptforhorridthings,——rootsandleavesandsuchthings。SometimesIcry,whenI
amallalone,fortheywon’tletmedoanythingIlikeiftheyknowit,notevencry。IhavetohidetooffermytearstoHimtowhomweowethemercieswhichwecallafflictions。ItmusthavebeenHewhogaveyoutheblessedthoughttocomeandsingthemarriagesongbeneathmywindow。Ah!Jacques,mycousinheardyou,andshesaidIhadalover。Ifyouwishtobemylover,lovemewell。Ipromisetoloveyoualways,asIdidinthepast,andtobeYourfaithfulservant,PierretteLorrain。
Youwilllovemealways,won’tyou?
Shehadbroughtacrustofbreadfromthekitchen,inwhichshenowmadeaholefortheletter,andfasteneditlikeaweighttoherstring。Atmidnight,havingopenedherwindowwithextremecaution,sheloweredtheletterwiththecrust,whichmadenonoiseagainsteitherthewallofthehouseortheblinds。PresentlyshefeltthestringpulledbyBrigaut,whobrokeitandthencreptsoftlyaway。
Whenhereachedthemiddleofthesquareshecouldseehimindistinctlybythestarlight;buthesawherquiteclearlyinthezoneoflightthrownbythecandle。Thetwochildrenstoodthusforoveranhour,Pierrettemakinghimsignstogo,hestarting,sheremaining,hecomingbacktohispost,andPierretteagainsigningthathemustleaveher。Thiswasrepeatedtillthechildclosedherwindow,wenttobed,andblewoutthecandle。Onceinbedshefellasleep,happyinheartthoughsufferinginbody,——shehadBrigaut’sletterunderherpillow。Shesleptasthepersecutedsleep,——aslumberbrightwithangels;thatslumberfullofheavenlyarabesques,inatmospheresofgoldandlapis—lazuli,perceivedandgiventousbyRaffaelle。
ThemoralnaturehadsuchempireoverthatfrailphysicalnaturethatonthemorrowPierretteroselightandjoyousasalark,asradiantandasgay。SuchachangecouldnotescapethevigilanteyeofhercousinSylvie,who,thistime,insteadofscoldingher,setaboutwatchingherwiththescrutinyofamagpie。\"Whatreasonisthereforsuchhappiness?\"wasathoughtofjealousy,notoftyranny。IfthecolonelhadnotbeeninSylvie’smindshewouldhavesaidtoPierretteasformerly,\"Pierrette,youareverynoise,andveryregardlessofwhatyouhaveoftenbeentold。\"Butnowtheoldmaidresolvedtospyuponherasonlyoldmaidscanspy。Thedaywasstillandgloomy,liketheweatherthatprecedesastorm。
\"Youdon’tappeartobeillnow,mademoiselle,\"saidSylvieatdinner。
\"Didn’tItellyousheputitallontoannoyus?\"shecried,addressingherbrother,andnotwaitingforPierrette’sanswer。
\"Onthecontrary,cousin,Ihaveasortoffever——\"
\"Fever!whatfever?Youareasgayasalark。Perhapsyouhaveseensomeoneagain?\"
Pierrettetrembledanddroppedhereyesonherplate。
\"Tartufe!\"criedSylvie;\"andonlyfourteenyearsold!whatanature!
Doyoumeantocometoabadend?\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,\"saidPierrette,raisinghersweetandluminousbrowneyestohercousin。
\"Thisevening,\"saidSylvie,\"youaretostayinthedining—roomwithacandle,anddoyoursewing。Youarenotwantedinthesalon;I
sha’n’thaveyoulookingintomyhandtohelpyourfavorites。\"
Pierrettemadenosign。
\"Artfulcreature!\"criedSylvie,leavingtheroom。
Rogron,whodidnotunderstandhissister’sanger,saidtoPierrette:
\"Whatisallthisabout?Trytopleaseyourcousin,Pierrette;sheisveryindulgenttoyou,verygentle,andifyouputheroutoftemperthefaultiscertainlyyours。Whydoyousquabbleso?FormypartI
liketoliveinpeace。LookatMademoiselleBathildeandtakepatternbyher。\"
Pierrettefeltabletobeareverything。Brigautwouldcomeatmidnightandbringherananswer,andthathopewastheviaticumofherday。
Butshewasusingupherlaststrength。Shedidnotgotobed,andstoodwaitingforthehourtostrike。Atlastmidnightsounded;softlysheopenedthewindow;thistimesheusedastringmadebytyingbitsoftwinetogether。SheheardBrigaut’sstep,andondrawingupthecordshefoundthefollowingletter,whichfilledherwithjoy:——
MydearPierrette,——Asyouaresoillyoumustnottireyourselfbywaitingforme。YouwillhearmeifIcrylikeanowl。Happilymyfathertaughtmetoimitatetheirnote。SowhenyouhearthecrythreetimesyouwillknowIamthere,andthenyoumustletdownthecord。ButIshallnotcomeagainforsomedays。Ihopethentobringyougoodnews。
Oh!Pierrette,don’ttalkofdying!Pierrette,don’tthinksuchthings!Allmyheartshook,IfeltasthoughIweredeadmyselfatthemereidea。No,myPierrette,youmustnotdie;youwilllivehappy,andsoonyoushallbedeliveredfromyourpersecutors。IfI
donotsucceedinwhatIamundertakingforyourrescue,Ishallappealtothelaw,andIshallspeakoutbeforeheavenandearthandtellhowyourwickedrelationsaretreatingyou。Iamcertainthatyouhavenotmanymoredaystosuffer;havepatience,myPierrette!JacquesiswatchingoveryouasintheolddayswhenweslidonthepondandIpulledyououtoftheholeinwhichwewerenearlydrownedtogether。
Adieu,mydearPierrette;inafewdays,ifGodwills,weshallbehappy。Alas,Idarenottellyoutheonlythingthatmayhinderourmeeting。ButGodlovesus!InafewdaysIshallseemydearPierretteatliberty,withouttroubles,withoutanyonetohindermylookingatyou——for,ah!Pierrette,Ihungertoseeyou——
Pierrette,Pierrette,whodeignstolovemeandtotellmeso。
Yes,Pierrette,IwillbeyourloverwhenIhaveearnedthefortuneyoudeserve;tillthenIwillbetoyouonlyadevotedservantwhoselifeisyourstodowhatyoupleasewithit。Adieu。
JacquesBrigaut。
Hereisaletterofwhichthemajor’ssonsaidnothingtoPierrette。
HewroteittoMadameLorrainatNantes:——
MadameLorrain,——Yourgranddaughterwilldie,worn—outwithill—
treatment,ifyoudonotcometofetchher。Icouldscarcelyrecognizeher;andtoshowyouthestateofthingsIenclosealetterIhavereceivedfromPierrette。Youarethoughtheretohavetakenthemoneyofyourgranddaughter,andyououghttojustifyyourself。Ifyoucan,comeatonce。Wemaystillbehappy;
butifdelayPierrettewillbedead。
Iam,withrespect,yourdevotedservant,JacquesBrigaut。
AtMonsieurFrappier’s,Cabinet—maker,Grand’Rue,Provins。
Brigaut’sfearwasthatthegrandmotherwasdead。
ThoughthisletteroftheyouthwhominherinnocenceshecalledherloverwasalmostenigmaticaltoPierrette,shebelievedinitwithallhervirginfaith。Herheartwasfilledwiththatsensationwhichtravellersinthedesertfeelwhentheyseefromafarthepalm—treesroundawell。Inafewdayshermiserywouldend——Jacquessaidso。Shereliedonthispromiseofherchildhood’sfriend;andyet,asshelaidtheletterbesidetheother,adreadfulthoughtcametoherinforebodingwords。
\"PoorJacques,\"shesaidtoherself,\"hedoesnotknowtheholeintowhichIhavenowfallen!\"
SylviehadheardPierrette,andshehadalsoheardBrigautunderherwindow。Shejumpedoutofbedandrushedtothewindowtolookthroughtheblindsintothesquareandthereshesaw,inthemoonlight,amanhurryinginthedirectionofthecolonel’shouse,infrontofwhichBrigauthappenedtostop。Theoldmaidgentlyopenedherdoor,wentupstairs,wasamazedtofindalightinPierrette’sroom,lookedthroughthekeyhole,andcouldseenothing。
\"Pierrette,\"shesaid,\"areyouill?\"
\"No,cousin,\"saidPierrette,surprised。
\"Whyisyourcandleburningatthistimeofnight?Openthedoor;I
mustknowwhatthismeans。\"
Pierrettewenttothedoorbare—footed,andassoonasSylvieenteredtheroomshesawthecord,whichPierrettehadforgottentoputaway,notdreamingofasurprise。Sylviejumpeduponit。
\"Whatisthatfor?\"sheasked。
\"Nothing,cousin。\"
\"Nothing!\"shecried。\"Alwayslying;you’llnevergettoheaventhatway。Gotobed;you’lltakecold。\"
Sheaskednomorequestionsandwentaway,leavingPierretteterrifiedbyherunusualclemency。Insteadofexplodingwithrage,SylviehadsuddenlydeterminedtosurprisePierretteandthecoloneltogether,toseizetheirlettersandconfoundthetwoloverswhoweredeceivingher。Pierrette,inspiredbyasenseofdanger,sewedthelettersintohercorsetandcoveredthemwithcalico。
HereendthelovesofPierretteandBrigaut。
PierretterejoicedinthethoughtthatJacqueshaddeterminedtoholdnocommunicationwithherforsomedays,becausehercousin’ssuspicionswouldbequietedbyfindingnothingtofeedthem。Sylviedidinfactspendthenextthreenightsonherlegs,andeacheveninginwatchingtheinnocentcolonel,withoutdiscoveringeitherinhimorinPierrette,orinthehouseoroutofit,anythingthatbetrayedtheirunderstanding。ShesentPierrettetoconfession,andseizedthatmomenttosearchthechild’sroom,withthemethodandpenetrationofaspyoracustom—houseofficer。Shefoundnothing。Herfuryreachedtheapogeeofhumansentiments。IfPierrettehadbeenthereshewouldcertainlyhavestruckherremorselessly。Toawomanofhertemper,jealousywaslessasentimentthananoccupation;sheexistedinit,itmadeherheartbeat,shefeltemotionshithertocompletelyunknowntoher;theslightestsoundormovementkeptheronthequivive;shewatchedPierrettewithgloomyintentness。
\"Thatmiserablelittlewretchwillkillme,\"shesaid。
Sylvie’sseveritytohercousinreachedthepointofrefinedcruelty,andmadethedeplorableconditionofthepoorgirlworsedaily。Shehadfeverregularly,andthepainsinherheadbecameintolerable。Bytheendoftheweekeventhevisitorsatthehousenoticedhersufferingface,whichwouldhavetouchedtopityallselfishnesslesscruelthantheirs。IthappenedthatDoctorNeraud,possiblybyVinet’sadvice,didnotcometothehouseduringthatweek。Thecolonel,knowinghimselfsuspectedbySylvie,wasafraidtoriskhismarriagebyshowinganysolicitudeforPierrette。Bathildeexplainedthevisiblechangeinthegirlbyhernaturalgrowth。Butatlast,oneSundayevening,whenPierrettewasinthesalon,hersufferingsovercameherandshefaintedaway。Thecolonel,whofirstsawhergoing,caughtherinhisarmsandcarriedhertoasofa。
\"Shediditonpurpose,\"saidSylvie,lookingatMademoiselleHabertandtherestwhowereplayingbostonwithher。
\"Iassureyouthatyourcousinisveryill,\"saidthecolonel。
\"Sheseemedwellenoughinyourarms,\"Sylviesaidtohiminalowvoice,withasavagesmile。
\"Thecolonelisright,\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf。\"Yououghttosendforadoctor。Thismorningatchurcheveryonewasspeaking,astheycameout,ofMademoiselleLorrain’sappearance。\"
\"Iamdying,\"saidPierrette。
DesfondrillescalledtoSylvieandtoldhertounfastenhercousin’sgown。Sylviewentuptothegirl,saying,\"Itisonlyatantrum。\"
Sheunfastenedthegownandwasabouttotouchthecorset,whenPierrette,rousedbythedanger,satupwithsuperhumanstrength,exclaiming,\"No,no,Iwillgotobed。\"
Sylviehad,however,touchedthecorsetandfeltthepapers。SheletPierrettego,sayingtothecompany:
\"Whatdoyouthinknowofherillness?Itellyouitisallapretence。Youhavenoideaoftheperversityofthatchild。\"
Afterthecard—playingwasovershekeptVinetfromfollowingtheotherguests;shewasfuriousandwantedvengeance,andwasgrosslyrudetothecolonelwhenhebadehergood—night。Gouraudthrewalookatthelawyerwhichthreatenedhimtothedepthsofhisbeingandseemedtoputaballinhisentrails。SylvietoldVinettoremain。
Whentheywerealone,shesaid,——
\"Neverinmylife,neverinmyborndays,willImarrythecolonel。\"
\"NowthatyouhavecometothatdecisionImayspeak,\"saidthelawyer。\"Thecolonelismyfriend,butIammoreyoursthanhis。
RogronhasdonemeserviceswhichIcanneverforget。IamasstrongafriendasIamanenemy。OnceintheChamberIshallrisetopower,andIwillmakeyourbrotherareceiver—general。Nowsweartome,beforeIsaymore,thatyouwillneverrepeatwhatItellyou。\"
(Sylviemadeanaffirmativesign。)\"Inthefirstplace,thebravecolonelisagambler——\"
\"Ah!\"exclaimedSylvie。
\"Ifithadnotbeenfortheembarrassmentsthisvicehasbroughtuponhim,hemighthavebeenamarshalofFrance,\"continuedVinet。\"Heiscapableofrunningthroughyourproperty;butheisveryastute;youcannotbesureofnothavingchildren,andyoutoldmeyourselftherisksyoufeared。No,ifyouwanttomarry,waittillIamintheChamberandthentakethatoldDesfondrilles,whoshallbemadechiefjustice。IfyouwantrevengeonthecolonelmakeyourbrothermarryMademoiselledeChargeboeuf,——Icangetherconsent;shehastwothousandfrancsayear,andyouwillbeconnectedwiththedeChargeboeufsasIam。RecollectwhatItellyou,theChargeboeufswillbegladtoclaimusforcousinssomeday。\"
\"GouraudlovesPierrette,\"wasSylvie’sonlyanswer。
\"Heisquitecapableofit,\"saidVinet,\"andcapableofmarryingherafteryourdeath。\"
\"Afinecalculation!\"shesaid。
\"Itellyouthatmanhastheshrewdnessofthedevil。Marryyourbrotherandannouncethatyoumeantoremainunmarriedandwillleaveyourpropertytoyournephewsandnieces。ThatwillstrikeablowatGouraudandPierretteboth!andyou’llseethefacesthey’llmake。\"
\"Ah!that’strue,\"criedtheoldmaid,\"Icanservethembothright。