Sheshallgotoashop,andgetnothingfromme。Shehasn’tasou;letherdoaswedid,——work。\"
Vinetdeparted,havingputhisplanintoSylvie’shead,herdoggedobstinacybeingwell—knowntohim。Theoldmaid,hewascertain,wouldthinktheschemeherown,andcarryitout。
Thelawyerfoundthecolonelinthesquare,smokingacigarwhilehewaitedforhim。
\"Halt!\"saidGouraud;\"youhavepulledmedown,butstonesenoughcamewithmetoburyyou——\"
\"Colonel!——\"
\"Colonelornot,Ishallgiveyouyourdeserts。Inthefirstplace,youshallnotbedeputy——\"
\"Colonel!——\"
\"Icontroltenvotesandtheelectiondependson——\"
\"Colonel,listentome。IstherenoonetomarrybutthatoldSylvie?
Ihavejustbeendefendingyoutoher;youareaccusedandconvictedofwritingtoPierrette;shesawyouleaveyourhouseatmidnightandcometothegirl’swindow——\"
\"Stuffandnonsense!\"
\"ShemeanstomarryherbrothertoBathildeandleaveherfortunetotheirchildren。\"
\"Rogronwon’thaveany。\"
\"Yeshewill,\"repliedVinet。\"ButIpromisetofindyousomeyoungandagreeablewomanwithahundredandfiftythousandfrancs?Don’tbeafool;howcanyouandIaffordtoquarrel?Thingshavegoneagainstyouinspiteofallmycare;butyoudon’tunderstandme。\"
\"Thenwemustunderstandeachother,\"saidthecolonel。\"Getmeawifewithahundredandfiftythousandfrancsbeforetheelections;ifnot——lookoutforyourself!Idon’tlikeunpleasantbed—fellows,andyou’vepulledtheblanketsallovertoyourside。Good—evening。\"
\"Youshallsee,\"saidVinet,graspingthecolonel’shandaffectionately。
*****
Aboutoneo’clockthatnightthreeclear,sharpcriesofanowl,wonderfullywellimitated,echoedthroughthesquare。Pierretteheardtheminherfeverishsleep;shejumpedup,moistwithperspiration,openedherwindow,sawBrigaut,andflungdownaballofsilk,towhichhefastenedaletter。Sylvie,agitatedbytheeventsofthedayandherownindecisionofmind,wasnotasleep;sheheardtheowl。
\"Ah,birdofill—omen!\"shethought。\"Why,Pierretteisgettingup!
Whatissheafter?\"
Hearingtheatticwindowopensoftly,Sylvierushedtoherownwindowandheardtherustleofpaperagainstherblinds。Shefastenedthestringsofherbed—gownandwentquicklyupstairstoPierrette’sroom,whereshefoundthepoorgirlunwindingthesilkandfreeingtheletter。
\"Ha!I’vecaughtyou!\"criedtheoldwoman,rushingtothewindow,fromwhichshesawJacquesrunningatfullspeed。\"Givemethatletter。\"
\"No,cousin,\"saidPierrette,who,byoneofthosestronginspirationsofyouthsustainedbyherownsoul,rosetoagrandeurofresistancesuchasweadmireinthehistoryofcertainpeoplesreducedtodespair。
\"Ha!youwillnot?\"criedSylvie,advancinguponthegirlwithafacefullofhatredandfury。
Pierrettefellbacktogettimetoputherletterinherhand,whichsheclenchedwithunnaturalforce。SeeingthismanoeuvreSylviegraspedthedelicatewhitehandofthegirlinherlobsterclawsandtriedtoopenit。Itwasafrightfulstruggle,aninfamousstruggle;
itwasmorethanaphysicalstruggle;itassailedthemind,thesoletreasureofthehumanbeing,thethought,whichGodhasplacedbeyondallearthlypowerandguardsasthesecretwaybetweenthesuffererandHimself。Thetwowomen,onedying,theotherinthevigorofhealth,lookedateachotherfixedly。Pierrette’seyesdartedonherexecutionerthelookthefamousTemplarontherackcastuponPhilippeleBel,whocouldnotbearitandfledthunderstricken。Sylvie,awomanandajealouswoman,answeredthatmagneticlookwithmalignantflashes。Adreadfulsilencereigned。TheclenchedhandoftheBretongirlresistedhercousin’seffortslikeablockofsteel。SylvietwistedPierrette’sarm,shetriedtoforcethefingersopen;unabletodososhestuckhernailsintotheflesh。Atlast,inhermadness,shesetherteethintothewrist,tryingtoconquerthegirlbypain。
Pierrettedefiedherstill,withthatsameterribleglanceofinnocence。Theangeroftheoldmaidgrewtosuchapitchthatitbecameblindfury。SheseizedPierrette’sarmandstrucktheclosedfistuponthewindow—sill,andthenuponthemarbleofthemantelpiece,aswecrackanuttogetthekernel。
\"Help!help!\"criedPierrette,\"theyaremurderingme!\"
\"Ha!youmaywellscream,whenIcatchyouwithaloverinthedeadofnight。\"
Andshebeatthehandpitilessly。
\"Help!help!\"criedPierrette,thebloodflowing。
Atthatinstant,loudknockswereheardatthefrontdoor。Exhausted,thetwowomenpausedamoment。
Rogron,awakenedanduneasy,notknowingwhatwashappening,hadgotup,gonetohissister’sroom,andnotfindingherwasfrightened。
Hearingtheknockshewentdown,unfastenedthefrontdoor,andwasnearlyknockedoverbyBrigaut,followedbyasortofphantom。
AtthismomentSylvie’seyeschancedtofallonPierrette’scorset,andsherememberedthepapers。Releasingthegirl’swristshespranguponthecorsetlikeatigeronitsprey,andshowedittoPierrettewithasmile,——thesmileofanIroquoisoverhisvictimbeforehescalpshim。
\"Iamdying,\"saidPierrette,fallingonherknees,\"oh,whowillsaveme?\"
\"I!\"saidawomanwithwhitehairandanagedparchmentface,inwhichtwograyeyesglittered。
\"Ah!grandmother,youhavecometoolate,\"criedthepoorchild,burstingintotears。
Pierrettefelluponherbed,herstrengthallgone,half—deadwiththeexhaustionwhich,inherfeeblestate,followedsoviolentastruggle。
Thetallgraywomantookherinherarms,asanurseliftsachild,andwentout,followedbyBrigaut,withoutawordtoSylvie,onwhomshecastoneglanceofmajesticaccusation。
Theapparitionofthataugustoldwoman,inherBretoncostume,shroudedinhercoif(asortofhoodedmantleofblackcloth),accompaniedbyBrigaut,appalledSylvie;shefanciedshesawdeath。
Sheslowlywentdownthestairs,listenedtothefrontdoorclosingbehindthem,andcamefacetofacewithherbrother,whoexclaimed:
\"Thentheyhaven’tkilledyou?\"
\"Gotobed,\"saidSylvie。\"To—morrowwewillseewhatwemustdo。\"
Shewentbacktoherownbed,rippedopenthecorset,andreadBrigaut’stwoletters,whichconfoundedher。Shewenttosleepinthegreatestperplexity,——notimaginingtheterribleresultstowhichherconductwastolead。
*****
TheletterssentbyBrigauttooldMadameLorrainreachedherinamomentofineffablejoy,whichtheperusalofthemtroubled。ThepooroldwomanhadgrieveddeeplyinlivingwithoutherPierrettebesideher,butshehadconsoledherlonelinesswiththethoughtthatthesacrificeofherselfwasintheinterestsofhergrandchild。Shewasblessedwithoneofthoseever—youngheartswhichareupheldandinvigoratedbytheideaofsacrifice。Heroldhusband,whoseonlyjoywashislittlegranddaughter,hadgrievedforPierrette;everydayhehadseemedtolookforher。Itwasanoldman’sgrief,——onwhichsucholdmenlive,ofwhichtheydie。
Everyonecannowimaginethehappinesswhichthispooroldwoman,livinginasortofalmshouse,feltwhenshelearnedofagenerousaction,rareindeedbutnotimpossibleinFrance。TheheadofthehouseofCollinet,whosefailurein1814hadcausedtheLorrainsalossoftwenty—fourthousandfrancs,hadgonetoAmericawithhischildrenafterhisdisasters。Hehadtoohighacouragetoremainaruinedman。AfterelevenyearsofuntoldeffortcrownedbysuccesshereturnedtoNantestorecoverhisposition,leavinghiseldestsoninchargeofhistransatlantichouse。HefoundMadameLorrainofPen—HoelintheinstitutionofSaint—Jacques,andwaswitnessoftheresignationwithwhichthismostunfortunateofhiscreditorsborehermisery。
\"Godforgiveyou!\"saidtheoldwoman,\"sinceyougivemeonthebordersofmygravethemeansofsecuringthehappinessofmydeargranddaughter;butalas!itwillnotclearthedebtsofmypoorhusband!\"
MonsieurCollinetmadeovertothewidowboththecapitalandtheaccruedinterest,amountingtoaboutforty—twothousandfrancs。Hisothercreditors,prosperous,rich,andintelligentmerchants,hadeasilyborntheirlosses,whereasthemisfortunesoftheLorrainsseemedsoirremediabletooldMonsieurCollinetthathepromisedthewidowtopayoffherhusband’sdebts,totheamountoffortythousandfrancsmore。WhentheBourseofNantesheardofthisgenerousreparationtheywishedtoreceiveCollinettotheirboardbeforehiscertificatesweregrantedbytheRoyalcourtatRennes;butthemerchantrefusedthehonor,preferringtosubmittotheordinarycommercialrule。
MadameLorrainhadreceivedthemoneyonlythedaybeforethepostbroughtherBrigaut’sletter,enclosingthatofPierrette。Herfirstthoughthadbeen,asshesignedthereceipt:\"NowIcanlivewithmyPierretteandmarryhertothatgoodBrigaut,whowillmakeafortunewithmymoney。\"
ThereforethemomentshehadreadthefatallettersshemadeinstantpreparationstostartforProvins。SheleftNantesthatnightbythemail;forsomeonehadexplainedtoheritscelerity。InParisshetookthediligenceforTroyes,whichpassesthroughProvins,andbyhalf—pastelevenatnightshereachedFrappier’s,whereBrigaut,shockedatherdespairinglooks,toldherofPierrette’sstateandpromisedtobringthepoorgirltoherinstantly。Hiswordssoterrifiedthegrandmotherthatshecouldnotcontrolherimpatienceandfollowedhimtothesquare。WhenPierrettescreamed,thehorrorofthatcrywenttoherheartassharplyasitdidtoBrigaut’s。TogethertheywouldhaverousedtheneighborhoodifRogron,inhisterror,hadnotopenedthedoor。ThescreamoftheyounggirlatbaygavehergrandmotherthesuddenstrengthofangerwithwhichshecarriedherdearPierretteinherarmstoFrappier’shouse,whereMadameFrappierhastilyarrangedBrigaut’sownroomfortheoldwomanandhertreasure。Inthatpoorroom,onabedhalf—made,thesuffererwasdeposited;andthereshefaintedaway,holdingherhandstillclenched,wounded,bleeding,withthenailsdeepbeddedintheflesh。
Brigaut,Frappier,hiswife,andtheoldwomanstoodlookingatPierretteinsilence,allfouroftheminastateofindescribableamazement。
\"Whyisherhandbloody?\"saidthegrandmotheratlast。
Pierrette,overcomebythesleepwhichfollowsallabnormaldisplaysofstrength,anddimlyconsciousthatshewassafefromviolence,graduallyunbentherfingers。Brigaut’sletterfellfromthemlikeananswer。
\"Theytriedtotakemyletterfromher,\"saidBrigaut,fallingonhiskneesandpickingupthelinesinwhichhehadtoldhislittlefriendtocomeinstantlyandsoftlyawayfromthehouse。Hekissedwithpiouslovethemartyr’shand。
Itwasasightthatmadethosepresenttremblewhentheysawtheoldgraywoman,asublimespectre,standingbesidehergrandchild’spillow。Terrorandvengeancewrotetheirfierceexpressionsinthewrinklesthatlinedherskinofyellowivory;herforehead,halfhiddenbythestragglingmeshesofhergrayhair,expressedasolemnanger。Sheread,withapowerofintuitiongiventotheagedwhenneartheirgrave,Pierrette’swholelife,onwhichhermindhaddweltthroughoutherjourney。Shedivinedtheillnessofherdarling,andknewthatshewasthreatenedwithdeath。Twobigtearspainfullyroseinherwangrayeyes,fromwhichhertroubleshadwornbothlashesandeyebrows,twopearlsofanguish,formingwithinthemandgivingthemadreadfulbrightness;theneachtearswelledandrolleddownthewitheredcheek,butdidnotwetit。
\"Theyhavekilledher!\"shesaidatlast,claspingherhands。
Shefellonherkneeswhichstrucksharpblowsonthebrick—laidfloor,makingavownodoubttoSaintAnned’Auray,themostpowerfulofthemadonnasofBrittany。
\"AdoctorfromParis,\"shesaidtoBrigaut。\"Goandfetchone,Brigaut,go!\"
Shetookhimbytheshoulderandgavehimadespoticpushtosendhimfromtheroom。
\"Iwascoming,mylad,whenyouwroteme;Iamrich,——here,takethis,\"shecried,recallinghim,andunfasteningasshespokethestringsthattiedhershort—gown。Thenshedrewapaperfromherbosominwhichwereforty—twobank—bills,saying,\"Takewhatisnecessary,andbringbackthegreatestdoctorinParis。\"
\"Keepthose,\"saidFrappier;\"hecan’tchangethousandfrancnotesnow。Ihavemoney,andthediligencewillbepassingpresently;hecancertainlyfindaplaceonit。ButbeforehegoeswehadbetterconsultDoctorMartener;hewilltellusthebestphysicianinParis。Thediligencewon’tpassforoveranhour,——wehavetimeenough。\"
BrigautwokeupMonsieurMartener,andbroughthimatonce。ThedoctorwasnotalittlesurprisedtofindMademoiselleLorrainatFrappier’s。
BrigauttoldhimofthescenethathadjusttakenplaceattheRogrons’;butevensothedoctordidnotatfirstsuspectthehorrorofit,northeextentoftheinjurydone。MartenergavetheaddressofthecelebratedHoraceBianchon,andBrigautstartedforParisbythediligence。MonsieurMartenerthensatdownandexaminedfirstthebruisedandbloodyhandwhichlayoutsidethebed。
\"Shecouldnothavegiventhesewoundsherself,\"hesaid。
\"No;thehorriblewomantowhomIhadthemisfortunetotrustherwasmurderingher,\"saidthegrandmother。\"MypoorPierrettewasscreaming’Help!help!I’mdying,’——enoughtotouchtheheartofanexecutioner。\"
\"Butwhywasit?\"saidthedoctor,feelingPierrette’spulse。\"Sheisveryill,\"headded,examiningherwithalight。\"Shemusthavesufferedterribly;Idon’tunderstandwhyshehasnotbeenproperlycaredfor。\"
\"Ishallcomplaintotheauthorities,\"saidthegrandmother。\"ThoseRogronsaskedmeformychildinaletter,sayingtheyhadtwelvethousandfrancsayearandwouldtakecareofher;hadtheytherighttomakehertheirservantandforcehertodoworkforwhichshehadnotthestrength?\"
\"Theydidnotchoosetoseethemostvisibleofallmaladiestowhichyounggirlsareliable。Sheneededtheutmostcare,\"criedMonsieurMartener。
PierrettewasawakenedbythelightwhichMadameFrappierwasholdingnearherface,andbythehorriblesufferingsinherheadcausedbythereactionofherstruggle。
\"Ah!MonsieurMartener,Iamveryill,\"shesaidinherprettyvoice。
\"Whereisthepain,mylittlefriend?\"askedthedoctor。
\"Here,\"shesaid,touchingherheadabovetheleftear。
\"There’sanabscess,\"saidthedoctor,afterfeelingtheheadforalongtimeandquestioningPierretteonhersufferings。\"Youmusttellusall,mychild,sothatwemayknowhowtocureyou。Whyisyourhandlikethis?Youcouldnothavegivenyourselfthatwound。\"
PierretterelatedthestrugglebetweenherselfandhercousinSylvie。
\"Makehertalk,\"saidthedoctortothegrandmother,\"andfindoutthewholetruth。IwillawaitthearrivalofthedoctorfromParis;andwewillsendforthesurgeoninchargeofthehospitalhere,andhaveaconsultation。Thecaseseemstomeaveryseriousone。MeantimeIwillsendyouaquietingdraughtsothatmademoisellemaysleep;sheneedssleep。\"
LeftalonewithhergranddaughtertheoldBretonwomanexertedherinfluenceoverthechildandmadehertellall;sheletherknowthatshehadmoneyenoughnowforallthree,andpromisedthatBrigautshouldlivewiththem。Thepoorgirladmittedhermartyrdom,notimaginingtheeventstowhichheradmissionswouldgiverise。ThemonstrosityoftwobeingswithoutaffectionandwithoutconceptionoffamilylifeopenedtotheoldwomanaworldofwoeasfarfromherknowledgeasthemoralsofsavagesmayhaveseemedtothefirstdiscovererswhosetfootinAmerica。
Thearrivalofhergrandmother,thecertaintyoflivingwithherincomfortsoothedPierrette’smindasthesleepingdraughtsoothedherbody。Theoldwomanwatchedherdarling,kissingherforehead,hair,andhands,astheholywomenofoldkissedthehandsofJesuswhentheylaidhiminthetomb。
IX
THEFAMILYCOUNCIL
Atnineo’clockthatmorningMonsieurMartenerwenttoseeMonsieurTiphaine,andrelatedtohimthescenebetweenPierretteandSylvie,andthetorturesofallkinds,moralandphysical,towhichtheRogronshadsubjectedtheircousin,andthetwoalarmingformsofillnesswhichtheircrueltyhaddeveloped。MonsieurTiphainesentforAuffraythenotary,oneofPierrette’sownrelationsonthematernalside。
AtthisparticulartimethewarbetweentheVinetpartyandtheTiphainepartywasatitsheight。ThescandalswhichtheRogronsandtheiradherentsweredisseminatingthroughthetownabouttheliaisonofMadameTiphaine’smotherwiththebankerduTillet,andthebankruptcyofherfather(aforger,theysaid),wereallthemoreexasperatingtotheTiphainesbecausethesethingsweremalicioustruths,notlibels。Suchwoundscutdeep;theygotothequickoffeelingsandofinterests。Thesespeeches,repeatedtothepartisansoftheTiphainesbythesamemouthswhichtoldtheRogronsofthesneersof\"thosewomen\"oftheTiphaineclique,fedthehatredsofbothsides,nowincreasedbythepoliticalelement。TheanimositiescausedatthistimeinFrancebythespiritofparty,theviolencesofwhichwereexcessive,wereeverywheremixedup,asinProvins,withselfishschemesandwoundedorvindictiveindividualinterests。Eachpartyeagerlyseizedonwhatevermightinjuretherivalparty。
Personalhatredsandself—lovemingledasmuchaspoliticalanimosityineventhesmallestmatters,andwerecarriedtohithertounheard—oflengths。Awholetownwouldberousedtoexcitementoversomeprivatestruggle,untilittookthecharacterofapoliticaldebate。
MonsieurTiphaineatonceperceivedinthecaseofPierretteagainsttheRogronsameansofhumbling,mortifying,anddishonoringthemastersofthatsalonwhereplansagainstthemonarchyweremadeandanoppositionjournalborn。Thepublicprosecutorwascalledin;andtogetherwithMonsieurAuffraythenotary,Pierrette’srelation,andMonsieurMartener,acautiousconsultationwasheldintheutmostsecrecyastothepropercoursetofollow。MonsieurMarteneragreedtoadvisePierrette’sgrandmothertoapplytothecourtstohaveAuffrayappointedguardiantohisyoungrelation。Theguardiancouldthenconvenea\"FamilyCouncil,\"and,backedbythetestimonyofthreedoctors,demandthegirl’sreleasefromtheauthorityoftheRogrons。
Theaffairthusmanagedwouldhavetogobeforethecourts,andthepublicprosecutor,MonsieurLesourd,wouldseethatitwastakentoacriminalcourtbydemandinganinquiry。
TowardsmiddayallProvinswasrousedbythestrangenewsofwhathadhappenedduringthenightattheRogrons’。Pierrette’scrieshadbeenfaintlyheard,thoughtheyweresoonover。Noonehadrisentoinquirewhattheymeant,buteveryonesaidthenextday,\"Didyouhearthosescreamsaboutoneinthemorning?\"Gossipandcommentssoonmagnifiedthehorribledrama,andacrowdcollectedinfrontofFrappier’sshop,askingtheworthycabinet—makerforinformation,andhearingfromhimhowPierrettewasbroughttohishousewithherfingersbrokenandthehandbloody。
Towardsoneintheafternoonthepost—chaiseofDoctorBianchon,whowasaccompaniedbyBrigaut,stoppedbeforethehouse,andMadameFrappierwentatoncetosummonMonsieurMartenerandthesurgeoninchargeofthehospital。Thusthegossipofthetownreceivedconfirmation。TheRogronsweredeclaredtohaveill—usedtheircousindeliberately,andtohavecomenearkillingher。Vinetheardthenewswhileattendingtohisbusinessinthelawcourts;helefteverythingandhurriedtotheRogrons。Rogronandhissisterhadjustfinishedbreakfast。Sylviewasreluctanttotellherbrotherofherdiscomfitureofthenightbefore;buthepressedherwithquestions,towhichshewouldmakenoanswerthan,\"That’snotyourbusiness。\"
Shewentandcamefromthekitchentothedining—roomonpretenceofpreparingthebreakfast,butchieflytoavoiddiscussion。ShewasalonewhenVinetentered。
\"Youknowwhat’shappened?\"saidthelawyer。
\"No,\"saidSylvie。
\"Youwillbearrestedonacriminalcharge,\"repliedVinet,\"fromthewaythingsarenowgoingaboutPierrette。\"
\"Acriminalcharge!\"criedRogron,whohadcomeintotheroom。\"Why?
Whatfor?\"
\"Firstofall,\"saidthelawyer,lookingatSylvie,\"explaintomewithoutconcealmentandasifyoustoodbeforeGod,whathappenedinthishouselastnight——theytalkofamputatingPierrette’shand。\"
Sylvieturnedlividandshuddered。
\"Thenthereissometruthinit?\"saidVinet。
MademoiselleRogronrelatedthescene,tryingtoexcuseherself;but,proddedwithquestions,sheacknowledgedthefactsofthehorriblestruggle。
\"Ifyouhaveonlyinjuredherfingersyouwillbetakenbeforethepolicecourtforamisdemeanor;butiftheycutoffherhandyoumaybetriedattheAssizesforaworseoffence。TheTiphaineswilldotheirbesttogetyouthere。\"
Sylvie,moredeadthanalive,confessedherjealousy,and,whatwashardertodo,confessedalsothathersuspicionswereunfounded。
\"Heavens,whatacasethiswillmake!\"criedthelawyer。\"Youandyourbrothermayberuinedbyit;youwillbeabandonedbymostpeoplewhetheryouwinorlose。Ifyoulose,youwillhavetoleaveProvins。\"
\"Oh,mydearMonsieurVinet,youwhoaresuchagreatlawyer,\"saidRogron,terrified,\"adviseus!saveus!\"
ThecraftyVinetworkedtheterrorofthetwoimbecilestoitsutmost,declaringthatMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeufmightbeunwillingtoentertheirhouseagain。Tobeabandonedbywomenoftheirrankwouldbeaterriblecondemnation。Atlength,afteranhourofadroitmanoeuvring,itwasagreedthatVinetmusthavesomepowerfulmotiveintakingthecase,thatwouldimpressthemindsofallProvinsandexplainhiseffortsonbehalfoftheRogrons。ThismotivetheydeterminedshouldbeRogron’smarriagetoMademoiselledeChargeboeuf;itshouldbeannouncedthatverydayandthebannspublishedonSunday。Thecontractcouldbedrawnimmediately。
MademoiselleRogronagreed,inconsiderationofthemarriage,toappearinthecontractassettlinghercapitalonherbrother,retainingonlytheincomeofit。VinetmadeRogronandhissistercomprehendthenecessityofantedatingthedocumentbytwoorthreedays,soastocommitthemotheranddaughterintheeyesofthepublicandgivethemareasonforcontinuingtheirvisits。
\"SignthatcontractandI’lltakeuponmyselftogetyousafelyoutofthisaffair,\"saidthelawyer。\"Therewillbeaterriblefight;butI
willputmywholesoulintoit——you’llhavetomakemeavotiveoffering。\"
\"Oh,yes,yes,\"saidRogron。
Byhalf—pasteleventhelawyerhadplenarypowerstodrawthecontractandconductthedefenceoftheRogrons。Attwelveo’clockapplicationwasmadetoMonsieurTiphaine,asajudgesittinginchambers,againstBrigautandthewidowLorrainforhavingabductedPierretteLorrain,aminor,fromthehouseofherlegalguardian。InthiswaytheboldlawyerbecametheaggressorandmadeRogrontheinjuredparty。Hespokeofthematterfromthispointofviewinthecourt—house。
Thejudgepostponedthehearingtillfouro’clock。Needlesstodescribetheexcitementinthetown。MonsieurTiphaineknewthatbythreeo’clocktheconsultationofdoctorswouldbeoverandtheirreportdrawnup;hewishedAuffray,assurrogate—guardian,tobeatthehearingarmedwiththatreport。
TheannouncementofRogron’smarriageandthesacrificesmadetoitbySylvieinthecontractalienatedtwoimportantsupportersfromthebrotherandsister,namely,——MademoiselleHabertandthecolonel,whosehopeswerethusannihilated。Theyremained,however,ostensiblyontheRogronsideforthepurposeofinjuringit。Consequently,assoonasMonsieurMartenermentionedthealarmingconditionofPierrette’shead,CelesteandthecoloneltoldoftheblowshehadgivenherselfduringtheeveningwhenSylviehadforcedhertoleavethesalon;andtheyrelatedtheoldmaid’sbarbarousandunfeelingcomments,withotherstatementsprovinghercrueltytohersufferingcousin。Vinethadforeseenthisstorm;buthehadsecuredtheentirefortuneoftheRogronsforMademoiselledeChargeboeuf,andhepromisedhimselfthatinafewweekssheshouldbemistressoftheRogronhouse,andreignwithhimoverProvins,andevenbringaboutafusionwiththeBreauteysandthearistocratsintheinterestsofhisambition。
Frommiddaytofouro’clockalltheladiesoftheTiphainecliquesenttoinquireafterMademoiselleLorrain。She,poorgirl,waswhollyignorantofthecommotionshewascausinginthelittletown。InthemidstofhersufferingsshewasineffablyhappyinrecoveringhergrandmotherandBrigaut,thetwoobjectsofheraffection。Brigaut’seyeswereconstantlyfulloftears。Theoldgrandmothersatbythebedandcaressedherdarling。TothethreedoctorsshetoldeverydetailshehadobtainedfromPierretteastoherlifeintheRogronhouse。
HoraceBianchonexpressedhisindignationinvehementlanguage。
Shockedatsuchbarbarityheinsistedonallthephysiciansinthetownbeingcalledintoseethecase;theconsequencewasthatDr。
Neraud,thefriendoftheRogrons,waspresent。Thereportwasunanimouslysigned。Itisuselesstogiveatextofithere。IfMoliere’smedicaltermswerebarbarous,thoseofmodernsciencehavetheadvantageofbeingsoclearthattheexplanationofPierrette’smalady,thoughnaturalandunfortunatelycommon,horrifiedallears。
Atfouro’clock,aftertheusualrisingofthecourt,presidentTiphaineagaintookhisseat,whenMadameLorrain,accompaniedbyMonsieurAuffrayandBrigautandacrowdofinterestedpersons,enteredthecourt—room。Vinetwasalone。Thiscontraststruckthemindsofthosepresent。Thelawyer,whostillworehisrobe,turnedhiscoldfacetothejudge,settledhisspectaclesonhispallidgreeneyes,andtheninashrill,persistentvoicehestatedthattwostrangershadforcedthemselvesatnightintotheRogrondomicileandhadabductedtherefromtheminorLorrain。Thelegalrightswerewiththeguardian,whonowdemandedtherestorationofhisward。
MonsieurAuffrayrose,assurrogate—guardian,andrequestedtobeheard。
\"Ifthejudge,\"hesaid,\"willadmitthereport,whichIholdinmyhand,signedbyoneofthemostfamousphysiciansinParis,andbyallthephysiciansinProvins,hewillunderstandnotonlythatthedemandoftheSieurRogronissenseless,butalsothatthegrandmotheroftheminorhadgravecausetoinstantlyremoveherfromherpersecutors。
Herearethefacts。Thereportofthesephysiciansattributethealmostdyingconditionofthesaidminortotheill—treatmentshehasreceivedfromtheSieurRogronandhissister。Weshall,asthelawdirects,convokeaFamilyCouncilwiththeleastpossibledelay,anddiscussthequestionastowhetherornottheguardianshouldbedeposed。Andwenowaskthattheminorbenotreturnedtothedomicileofthesaidguardianbutthatshebeconfidedtosomememberofherfamilywhoshallbedesignatedbythejudge。\"
Vinetreplied,declaringthatthephysicians’reportoughttohavebeensubmittedtohiminorderthathemighthavedisprovedit。
\"Notsubmittedtoyourside,\"saidthejudge,severely,\"butpossiblytothe/procureurduroi/。Thecaseisheard。\"
Thejudgethenwroteatthebottomofthepetitionthefollowingorder:——
\"Whereasitappears,fromadeliberateandunanimousreportofallthephysiciansofthistown,togetherwithDoctorBianchonofthemedicalfacultyofParis,thattheminorLorrain,claimedbyJerome—DenisRogron,herguardian,isextremelyillinconsequenceofill—treatmentandpersonalassaultinthehouseofthesaidguardianandhissister:
\"We,presidentofthecourtofProvins,passinguponthesaidpetition,orderthatuntiltheFamilyCouncilisheldtheminorLorrainisnottobereturnedtothehouseholdofhersaidguardian,butshallbekeptinthatofhersurrogate—guardian。
\"Andfurther,consideringthestateinwhichthesaidminornowis,andthetracesofviolencewhich,accordingtothereportofthephysicians,arenowuponherperson,wecommissiontheattendingphysicianandthesurgeoninchargeofthehospitalofProvinstovisither,andincasetheinjuriesfromthesaidassaultbecomealarming,thematterwillbeheldtoawaittheactionofthecriminalcourts;andthiswithoutprejudicetothecivilsuitundertakenbyAuffraythesurrogate—guardian。\"
ThisseverejudgmentwasreadoutbyPresidentTiphaineinaloudanddistinctvoice。
\"Whynotsendthemtothegalleysatonce?\"saidVinet。\"Andallthisfussaboutagirlwhowascarryingonanintriguewithanapprenticetoacabinet—maker!Ifthecasegoesoninthisway,\"hecried,insolently,\"weshalldemandotherjudgesonthegroundoflegitimatesuspicion。\"
Vinetleftthecourt—room,andwentamongthechiefmenofhispartytoexplainRogron’sposition,declaringthathehadneversomuchasgivenafliptohiscousin,andthatthejudgehadviewedhimmuchlessasPierrette’sguardianthanasaleadingelectorinProvins。
TohearVinet,peoplemighthavesupposedthattheTiphainesweremakingagreatfussaboutnothing;themountingwasbringingforthamouse。Sylvie,aneminentlyvirtuousandpiouswoman,haddiscoveredanintriguebetweenherbrother’swardandaworkman,aBretonnamedBrigaut。Thescoundrelknewverywellthatthegirlwouldhavehergrandmother’smoney,andhewishedtoseduceher(Vinettotalkofthat!)。MademoiselleRogron,whohaddiscoveredlettersprovingthedepravityofthegirl,wasnotasmuchtoblameastheTiphainesweretryingtomakeout。Ifshedidusesomeviolencetogetpossessionofthoseletters(whichwasnowonder,whenweconsiderwhatBretonobstinacyis),howcouldRogronbeconsideredresponsibleforallthat?
Thelawyerwentontomakethematterapartisanaffair,andtogiveitapoliticalcolor。
\"Theywholistentoonlyonebellhearonlyonesound,\"saidthewisemen。\"HaveyouheardwhatVinetsays?Vinetexplainsthingsclearly。\"
Frappier’shousebeingthoughtinjurioustoPierrette,owingtothenoiseinthestreetwhichincreasedthesufferingsinherhead,shewastakentothatofhersurrogateguardian,thechangebeingasnecessarymedicallyasitwasjudicially。Theremovalwasmadewiththeutmostcaution,andwascalculatedtoproduceagreatpubliceffect。Pierrettewaslaidonamattressandcarriedonastretcherbytwomen;aGraySisterwalkedbesideherwithabottleofsalvolatileinherhand,whilethegrandmother,Brigaut,MadameAuffray,andhermaidfollowed。Peoplewereattheirwindowsanddoorstoseetheprocessionpass。CertainlythestateinwhichtheysawPierrette,paleasdeath,gaveimmenseadvantagetothepartyagainsttheRogrons。TheAuffraysweredeterminedtoprovetothewholetownthatthejudgewasrightinthedecisionhehadgiven。PierretteandhergrandmotherwereinstalledonthesecondfloorofMonsieurAuffray’shouse。Thenotaryandhiswifegavehereverycarewiththegreatesthospitality,whichwasnotwithoutalittleostentationinit。Pierrettehadhergrandmothertonurseher;andMonsieurMartenerandthehead—surgeonofthehospitalattendedher。
Ontheeveningofthisdayexaggerationsbeganonbothsides。TheRogronsalonwascrowded。VinethadstirredupthewholeLiberalpartyonthesubject。TheChargeboeufladiesdinedwiththeRogrons,forthecontractwastobesignedthatevening。Vinethadhadthebannspostedatthemayor’sofficeintheafternoon。HemadelightofthePierretteaffair。IftheProvinscourtwasprejudiced,theRoyalcourtswouldappreciatethefacts,hesaid,andtheAuffrayswouldthinktwicebeforetheyflungthemselvesintosuchasuit。TheallianceoftheRogronswiththeChargeboeufswasanimmenseconsiderationinthemindsofacertainclassofpeople。TothemitmadetheRogronsaswhiteassnowandPierretteanevillydisposedlittlegirl,aserpentwarmedintheirbosom。
InMadameTiphaine’ssalonvengeancewashadforallthemischievousscandalsthattheVinetpartyhaddisseminatedforthepasttwoyears。
TheRogronsweremonsters,andtheguardianshouldundergoacriminaltrial。IntheLowertown,Pierrettewasquitewell;intheUppertownshewasdying;attheRogrons’shescratchedherwrist;atMadameTiphaine’sherfingerswerefracturedandonewastobecutoff。Thenextdaythe\"CourrierdeProvins,\"hadaplausiblearticle,extremelywell—written,amasterpieceofinsinuationsmixedwithlegalpoints,whichshowedthattherewasnocasewhateveragainstRogron。The\"Bee—
hive,\"whichdidnotappeartilltwodayslater,couldnotanswerwithoutbecomingdefamatory;itreplied,however,thatinanaffairlikethisitwasbesttowaituntilthelawtookitscourse。
TheFamilyCouncilwasselectedbythe/jugedepaix/ofthecantonofProvins,andconsistedofRogronandthetwoMessieursAuffray,thenearestrelatives,andMonsieurCiprey,nephewofPierrette’smaternalgrandmother。TothesewerejoinedMonsieurHabert,Pierrette’sconfessor,andColonelGouraud,whohadalwaysprofessedhimselfacomradeandfriendofherfather,ColonelLorrain。Theimpartialityofthejudgeintheseselectionswasmuchapplauded,——MonsieurHabertandColonelGouraudbeingconsideredthefirmfriendsoftheRogrons。
TheserioussituationinwhichRogronfoundhimselfmadehimaskfortheassistanceofalawyer(andhenamedVinet)attheFamilyCouncil。
Bythismanoeuvre,evidentlyadvisedbyVinethimself,RogronsucceededinpostponingthemeetingofthecounciltilltheendofDecember。AtthattimeMonsieurTiphaineandhiswifewouldbesettledinParisfortheopeningoftheChambers;andtheministerialpartywouldbeleftwithoutitshead。VinethadalreadyworkeduponDesfondrilles,thedeputy—judge,incasethemattershouldgo,afterthehearingbeforethecouncil,tothecriminalcourts。
VinetspokeforthreehoursbeforetheFamilyCouncil;heprovedtheexistenceofanintriguebetweenPierretteandBrigaut,whichjustifiedallMademoiselleRogron’sseverity。Heshowedhownaturalitwasthattheguardianshouldhaveleftthemanagementofhiswardtoawoman;hedweltonthefactthatRogronhadnotinterferedwithPierrette’seducationasplannedbyhissisterSylvie。ButinspiteofVinet’seffortstheCouncilwereunanimousinremovingRogronfromtheguardianship。MonsieurAuffraywasappointedinhisplace,andMonsieurCipreywasmadesurrogate。TheCouncilsummonedbeforeitandexaminedAdele,theservant—woman,whotestifiedagainstherlatemasters;alsoMademoiselleHabert,whorelatedthecruelremarksmadebyMademoiselleRogronontheeveningwhenPierrettehadgivenherselfafrightfulblow,heardbyallthecompany,andthespeechofMadamedeChargeboeufaboutthegirl’shealth。BrigautproducedtheletterhehadreceivedfromPierrette,whichprovedtheirinnocenceandstatedherill—treatment。Proofwasgiventhattheconditionoftheminorwastheresultofneglectonthepartoftheguardian,whowasresponsibleforallthatconcernedhisward。Pierrette’sillnesshadbeenapparenttoeveryone,eventopersonsinthetownwhowerestrangerstothefamily,yettheguardianhaddonenothingforher。Thechargeofill—
treatmentwasthereforesustainedagainstRogron;andthecasewouldnowgobeforethepublic。
Rogron,advisedbyVinet,opposedtheacceptanceofthereportoftheCouncilbythecourt。TheauthoritiesthenintervenedinconsequenceofPierrette’sstate,whichwasdailygrowingworse。Thetrialofthecase,thoughplacedatonceuponthedocket,waspostponeduntilthemonthofMarch,1828,towaitevents。
X
VERDICTS——LEGALANDOTHER
MeantimeRogron’smarriagewithMademoiselledeChargeboeuftookplace。Sylviemovedtothesecondfloorofthehouse,whichshesharedwithMadamedeChargeboeuf,forthefirstfloorwasentirelytakenupbythenewwife。ThebeautifulMadameRogronsucceededtothesocialplaceofthebeautifulMadameTiphaine。Theinfluenceofthemarriagewasimmense。NoonenowcametovisitSylvie,butMadameRogron’ssalonwasalwaysfull。
Sustainedbytheinfluenceofhismother—in—lawandthebankersduTilletandNucingen,MonsieurTiphainewasfortunateenoughtodosomeservicetotheadministration;hebecameoneofitschieforators,wasmadejudgeinthecivilcourts,andobtainedtheappointmentofhisnephewLesourdtohisownvacantplaceaspresidentofthecourtofProvins。ThisappointmentgreatlyannoyedDesfondrilles。TheKeeperoftheSealssentdownoneofhisownprotegestofillLesourd’splace。
ThepromotionofMonsieurTiphaineandhistranslationtoPariswerethereforeofnobenefitatalltotheVinetparty;butVinetneverthelessmadeacleveruseoftheresult。HehadalwaystoldtheProvinspeoplethattheywerebeingusedasastepping—stonetoraisethecraftyMadameTiphaineintograndeur;Tiphainehimselfhadtrickedthem;MadameTiphainedespisedbothProvinsanditspeopleinherheart,andwouldneverreturnthereagain。JustatthiscrisisMonsieurTiphaine’sfatherdied;hissoninheritedafineestateandsoldhishouseinProvinstoMonsieurJulliard。ThesaleprovedtothemindsofallhowlittletheTiphainesthoughtofProvins。Vinetwasright;Vinethadbeenatrueprophet。ThesethingshadgreatinfluenceonthequestionofPierrette’sguardianship。
Thusthedreadfulmartyrdombrutallyinflictedonthepoorchildbytwoimbeciletyrants(whichled,throughitsconsequences,totheterribleoperationoftrepanning,performedbyMonsieurMartenerundertheadviceofDoctorBianchon),——allthishorribledramareducedtojudicialformwaslefttofloatinthevilemesscalledinlegalparlancethecalendar。Thecasewasmadetodragthroughthedelaysandtheinterminablelabyrinthsofthelaw,bytheshufflingsofanunprincipledlawyer;andduringallthistimethecalumniatedgirllanguishedintheagonyoftheworstpainknowntoscience。
MonsieurMartener,togetherwiththeAuffrayfamily,weresooncharmedbythebeautyofPierrette’snatureandthecharacterofheroldgrandmother,whosefeelings,ideas,andwaysborethestampofRomanantiquity,——thismatronoftheMaraiswaslikeawomaninPlutarch。
DoctorMartenerstruggledbravelywithdeath,whichalreadygraspeditsprey。Fromthefirst,BianchonandthehospitalsurgeonhadconsideredPierrettedoomed;andtherenowtookplacebetweenthedoctorandthedisease,theformerrelyingonPierrette’syouth,oneofthosestruggleswhichphysiciansalonecomprehend,——therewardofwhich,incaseofsuccess,isneverfoundinthevenalpaynorinthepatientsthemselves,butinthegentlesatisfactionofconscience,intheinvisibleidealpalmgatheredbytrueartistsfromthecontentmentwhichfillstheirsoulafteraccomplishinganoblework。Thephysicianstrainstowardsgoodasanartisttowardsbeauty,eachimpelledbythatgrandsentimentwhichwecallvirtue。ThisdailycontestwipedoutofDoctorMartener’smindthepettyirritationsofthatothercontestoftheTiphainesandtheVinets,——asalwayshappenstomenwhentheyfindthemselvesfacetofacewithagreatandrealmiserytoconquer。
MonsieurMartenerhadbegunhiscareerinParis;butthecruelactivityofthecityanditsinsensibilitytoitsmassesofsufferinghadshockedhisgentlesoul,fittedonlyforthequietlifeoftheprovinces。Moreover,hewasundertheyokeofhisbeautifulnativeland。HereturnedtoProvins,wherehemarriedandsettled,andcaredalmostlovinglyforthepeople,whoweretohimlikealargefamily。
DuringthewholeofPierrette’sillnesshewascarefulnottospeakofher。Hisreluctancetoanswerthequestionsofthosewhoaskedaboutherwassoevidentthatpersonssoonceasedtoputthem。Pierrettewastohim,whatindeedshetrulywas,apoem,mysterious,profound,vastinsuffering,suchasdoctorsfindattimesintheirterribleexperience。Hefeltanadmirationforthisdelicateyoungcreaturewhichhewouldnotsharewithanyone。
Thisfeelingofthephysicianforhispatientwas,however,unconsciouslycommunicated(likealltruefeelings)toMonsieurandMadameAuffray,whosehousebecame,solongasPierrettewasinit,quietandsilent。Thechildren,whohadformerlyplayedsojoyouslywithher,agreedamongthemselveswiththelovinggraceofchildhoodtobeneithernoisynortroublesome。TheymadeitapointofhonortobegoodbecausePierrettewasill。MonsieurAuffray’shousewasintheUppertown,beneaththeruinsoftheChateau,anditwasbuiltuponasortofterraceformedbytheoverthrowoftheoldramparts。Theoccupantscouldhaveaviewofthevalleyfromthelittlefruit—gardenenclosedbywallswhichoverlookedthetown。Theroofsoftheotherhousescametoaboutthelevelofthelowerwallofthisgarden。Alongtheterraceranapath,bywhichMonsieurAuffray’sstudycouldbeenteredthroughaglassdoor;attheotherendofthepathwasanarborofgrapevinesandafig—tree,beneathwhichstoodaroundtable,abenchandsomechairs,paintedgreen。Pierrette’sbedroomwasabovethestudyofhernewguardian。MadameLorrainsleptinacotbesidehergrandchild。FromherwindowPierrettecouldseethewholeofthegloriousvalleyofProvins,whichshehardlyknew,soseldomhadsheleftthatdreadfulhouseoftheRogrons。Whentheweatherwasfineshelovedtodragherself,restingonhergrandmother’sarm,tothevine—cladarbor。Brigaut,unabletowork,camethreetimesadaytoseehislittlefriend;hewasgnawedbyagriefwhichmadehimindifferenttolife。HelayinwaitlikeadogforMonsieurMartener,andfollowedhimwhenheleftthehouse。Theoldgrandmother,drunkwithgrief,hadthecouragetoconcealherdespair;sheshowedherdarlingthesmilingfacesheformerlyworeatPen—Hoel。Inherdesiretoproducethatillusioninthegirl’smind,shemadeheralittleBretoncapliketheonePierrettehadwornonherfirstarrivalinProvins;itmadethedarlingseemmorelikeherchildlikeself;initshewasdelightfultolookupon,hersweetfacecircledwithahaloofcambricandflutedlace。Herskin,whitewiththewhitenessofunglazedporcelain,herforehead,wheresufferinghadprintedthesemblanceofdeepthought,thepurityofthelinesrefinedbyillness,theslownessoftheglances,andtheoccasionalfixityoftheeyes,madePierretteanalmostperfectembodimentofmelancholy。Shewasservedbyallwithasortoffanaticism;shewasfelttobesogentle,sotender,soloving。MadameMartenersentherpianotohersisterMadameAuffray,thinkingtoamusePierrettewhowaspassionatelyfondofmusic。ItwasapoemtowatchherlisteningtoathemeofWeber,orBeethoven,orHerold,——hereyesraised,herlipssilent,regrettingnodoubtthelifeescapingher。ThecurePerouxandMonsieurHabert,hertworeligiouscomforters,admiredhersaintlyresignation。Surelytheseraphicperfectionofyounggirlsandyoungmenmarkedwiththehecticofdeath,isawonderfulfactworthyoftheattentionalikeofphilosophersandofheedlessminds。Hewhohaseverseenoneofthesesublimedeparturesfromthislifecanneverremain,orbecome,anunbeliever。Suchbeingsexhale,asitwere,acelestialfragrance;
theirglancesspeakofGod;thevoicesareeloquentinthesimplestwords;oftentheyringlikesomeseraphicinstrumentrevealingthesecretsofthefuture。WhenMonsieurMartenerpraisedherforhavingfaithfullyfollowedaharshprescriptionthelittleangelreplied,andwithwhataglance!——
\"Iwanttolive,dearMonsieurMartener;butlessformyselfthanformygrandmother,formyBrigaut,forallofyouwhowillgrieveatmydeath。\"
ThefirsttimeshewentintothegardenonabeautifulsunnydayinNovemberattendedbyallthehousehold,MadameAuffrayaskedherifshewastired。
\"No,nowthatIhavenosufferingsbutthoseGodsendsIcanbearall,\"shesaid。\"Thejoyofbeinglovedgivesmestrengthtosuffer。\"
Thatwastheonlytime(andthenvaguely)thatsheeveralludedtoherhorriblemartyrdomattheRogrons,whomshenevermentioned,andofwhomnooneremindedher,knowingwellhowpainfulthememorymustbe。
\"DearMadameAuffray,\"shesaidonedayatnoonontheterrace,asshegazedatthevalley,warmedbyaglorioussunandcoloredwiththeglowingtintsofautumn,\"mydeathinyourhousegivesmemorehappinessthanIhavehadsinceIleftBrittany。\"
MadameAuffraywhisperedinhersisterMartener’sear:——
\"Howshewouldhaveloved!\"
Intruth,hertones,herlooksgavetoherwordsapricelessvalue。
MonsieurMartenercorrespondedwithDoctorBianchon,anddidnothingofimportancewithouthisadvice。Hehopedinthefirstplacetoregularthefunctionsofnatureandtodrawawaytheabscessintheheadthroughtheear。ThemorePierrettesuffered,themorehehoped。
Hegainedsomeslightsuccessattimes,andthatwasagreattriumph。
ForseveraldaysPierrette’sappetitereturnedandenabledhertotakenourishingfoodforwhichherillnesshadgivenherarepugnance;thecolorofherskinchanged;buttheconditionofherheadwasterrible。
MonsieurMartenerentreatedthegreatphysicianhisadvisertocomedown。Bianchoncame,stayedtwodays,andresolvedtoundertakeanoperation。TosparethefeelingsofpoorMartenerhewenttoParisandbroughtbackwithhimthecelebratedDesplein。Thustheoperationwasperformedbythegreatestsurgeonofancientormoderntimes;butthatterribledivinersaidtoMartenerashedepartedwithBianchon,hisbest—lovedpupil:——
\"Nothingbutamiraclecansaveher。AsHoracetoldyou,cariesofthebonehasbegun。Atheragethebonesaresotender。\"
TheoperationwasperformedatthebeginningofMarch,1828。Duringallthatmonth,distressedbyPierrette’shorriblesufferings,MonsieurMartenermadeseveraljourneystoParis;thereheconsultedDespleinandBianchon,andevenwentsofarastoproposetothemanoperationofthenatureoflithotrity,whichconsistsinpassingintotheheadahollowinstrumentbythehelpofwhichanheroicremedycanbeappliedtothediseasedbone,toarresttheprogressofthecaries。
EventheboldDespleindarednotattemptthathigh—handedsurgicalmeasure,whichdespairalonehadsuggestedtoMartener。WhenhereturnedhomefromParisheseemedtohisfriendsmoroseandgloomy。
HewasforcedtoannounceonthatfataleveningtotheAuffraysandMadameLorrainandtothetwopriestsandBrigautthatsciencecoulddonomoreforPierrette,whoserecoverywasnowinGod’shandsonly。
Theconsternationamongthemwasterrible。Thegrandmothermadeavow,andrequestedtheprieststosayamasseverymorningatdaybreakbeforePierretterose,——amassatwhichsheandBrigautmightbepresent。
Thetrialcameon。Whilethevictimlaydying,Vinetwascalumniatingherincourt。ThejudgeapprovedandacceptedthereportoftheFamilyCouncil,andVinetinstantlyappealed。Thenewlyappointed/procureurduroi/madearequisitionwhichnecessitatedfreshevidence。Rogronandhissisterwereforcedtogivebailtoavoidgoingtoprison。TheorderforfreshevidenceincludedthatofPierretteherself。WhenMonsieurDesfondrillescametotheAuffrays’toreceiveit,Pierrettewasdying,herconfessorwasatherbedsideabouttoadministerextremeunction。Atthatmomentsheentreatedallpresenttoforgivehercousinsassheherselfforgavethem,sayingwithhersimplegoodsensethatthejudgmentofthesethingsbelongedtoGodalone。
\"Grandmother,\"shesaid,\"leaveallyouhavetoBrigaut\"(Brigautburstintotears);\"and,\"continuedPierrette,\"giveathousandfrancstothatkindAdelewhowarmedmybed。IfAdelehadremainedwithmycousinsIshouldnotnowbedying。\"
Itwasatthreeo’clockontheTuesdayofEasterweek,onabeautiful,brightday,thattheangelceasedtosuffer。Herheroicgrandmotherwishedtowatchallthatnightwiththepriests,andtosewwithherstiffoldfingersherdarling’sshroud。TowardseveningBrigautlefttheAuffray’shouseandwenttoFrappier’s。
\"Ineednotaskyou,mypoorboy,fornews,\"saidthecabinet—maker。
\"PereFrappier,yes,itisendedforher——butnotforme。\"
Hecastalookuponthedifferentwoodspileduparoundtheshop,——alookofpainfulmeaning。
\"Iunderstandyou,Brigaut,\"saidhisworthymaster。\"Takeallyouwant。\"Andheshowedhimtheoakenplanksoftwo—inchthickness。
\"Don’thelpme,MonsieurFrappier,\"saidtheBreton,\"Iwishtodoitalone。\"
HepassedthenightinplaningandfittingPierrette’scoffin,andmorethanoncehisplanetookoffatasinglepassaribbonofwoodwhichwaswetwithtears。ThegoodmanFrappiersmokedhispipeandwatchedhimsilently,sayingonly,whenthefourpieceswerejoinedtogether,——
\"Makethecovertoslide;herpoorgrandmotherwillnothearthenails。\"
AtdaybreakBrigautwentouttofetchtheleadtolinethecoffin。Byastrangechance,thesheetsofleadcostjustthesumhehadgivenPierretteforherjourneyfromNantestoProvins。ThebraveBreton,whowasabletoresisttheawfulpainofhimselfmakingthecoffinofhisdearoneandliningwithhismemoriesthoseburialplanks,couldnotbearupagainstthisstrangereminder。Hisstrengthgaveway;hewasnotabletoliftthelead,andtheplumber,seeingthis,camewithhim,andofferedtoaccompanyhimtothehouseandsolderthelastsheetwhenthebodyhadbeenlaidinthecoffin。
TheBretonburnedtheplaneandallthetoolshehadused。ThenhesettledhisaccountswithFrappierandbadehimfarewell。Theheroismwithwhichthepoorladpersonallyperformed,likethegrandmother,thelastofficesforPierrettemadehimasharerintheawfulscenewhichcrownedthetyrannyoftheRogrons。
BrigautandtheplumberreachedthehouseofMonsieurAuffrayjustintimetodecidebytheirownmainforceaninfamousandshockingjudicialquestion。Theroomwherethedeadgirllaywasfullofpeople,andpresentedtotheeyesofthetwomenasingularsight。TheRogronemissarieswerestandingbesidethebodyoftheirvictim,totortureherevenafterdeath。Thecorpseofthechild,solemninitsbeauty,layonthecot—bedofhergrandmother。Pierrette’seyeswereclosed,thebrownhairsmootheduponherbrow,thebodyswathedinacoarsecottonsheet。
Beforethebed,onherknees,herhairindisorder,herhandsstretchedout,herfaceonfire,theoldLorrainwascryingout,\"No,no,itshallnotbedone!\"
AtthefootofthebedstoodMonsieurAuffrayandthetwopriests。Thetaperswerestillburning。
Oppositetothegrandmotherwasthesurgeonofthehospital,withanassistant,andnearhimstoodDoctorNeraudandVinet。Thesurgeonworehisdissectingapron;theassistanthadopenedacaseofinstrumentsandwashandinghimaknife。
ThisscenewasinterruptedbythenoiseofthecoffinwhichBrigautandtheplumbersetdownuponthefloor。ThenBrigaut,advancing,washorrifiedatthesightofMadameLorrain,whowasnowweeping。
\"Whatisthematter?\"heasked,standingbesideherandgraspingthechiselconvulsivelyinhishand。
\"This,\"saidtheoldwoman,\"/this/,Brigaut:theywanttoopenthebodyofmychildandcutintoherhead,andstabherheartafterherdeathastheydidwhenshewasliving。\"
\"Who?\"saidBrigaut,inavoicethatmighthavedeafenedthemenoflaw。
\"TheRogrons。\"
\"InthesacrednameofGod!——\"
\"Stop,Brigaut,\"saidMonsieurAuffray,seeingtheladbrandishhischisel。
\"MonsieurAuffray,\"saidBrigaut,aswhiteashisdeadcompanion,\"I
hearyoubecauseyouareMonsieurAuffray,butatthismomentIwillnotlistento——\"
\"Thelaw!\"saidAuffray。
\"Istherelaw?istherejustice?\"criedtheBreton。\"Justice,thisisit!\"andheadvancedtothelawyerandthedoctors,threateningthemwithhischisel。
\"Myfriend,\"saidthecurate,\"thelawhasbeeninvokedbythelawyerofMonsieurRogron,whoisundertheweightofaseriousaccusation;
anditisimpossibleforustorefusehimthemeansofjustification。
ThelawyerofMonsieurRogronclaimsthatifthepoorchilddiedofanabscessinherheadherformerguardiancannotbeblamed,foritisprovedthatPierretteconcealedtheeffectsoftheblowwhichshegavetoherself——\"
\"Enough!\"saidBrigaut。
\"Myclient——\"beganVinet。
\"Yourclient,\"criedtheBreton,\"shallgotohellandItothescaffold;forifoneofyoudarestotouchherwhomyourclienthaskilled,Iwillkillhimifmyweapondoesitsduty。\"
\"Thisisinterferencewiththelaw,\"saidVinet。\"Ishallinstantlyinformthecourt。\"
Thefivemenlefttheroom。
\"Oh,myson!\"criedtheoldwoman,risingfromherkneesandfallingonBrigaut’sneck,\"letusburyherquick,——theywillcomeback。\"
\"Ifwesolderthelead,\"saidtheplumber,\"theymaynotdaretoopenit。\"
MonsieurAuffrayhastenedtohisbrother—in—law,MonsieurLesourd,totryandsettlethematter。Vinetwasnotunwilling。Pierrettebeingdeadthesuitabouttheguardianshipfell,ofcourse,totheground。
Alltheastutelawyerwantedwastheeffectproducedbyhisrequest。
AtmiddayMonsieurDesfondrillesmadehisreportonthecase,andthecourtrenderedadecisionthattherewasnogroundforfurtheraction。
RogrondarednotgotoPierrette’sfuneral,atwhichthewholetownwaspresent。Vinetwishedtoforcehimthere,butthemiserablemanwasafraidofexcitinguniversalhorror。
BrigautleftProvinsafterwatchingthefillingupofthegravewherePierrettelay,andwentonfoottoParis。HewroteapetitiontotheDauphinessasking,inthenameofhisfather,thathemightentertheRoyalguard,towhichhewasatonceadmitted。WhentheexpeditiontoAlgierswasundertakenhewrotetoheragain,toobtainemploymentinit。Hewasthenasergeant;MarshalBourmontgavehimanappointmentassub—lieutenantinalineregiment。Themajor’ssonbehavedlikeamanwhowishedtodie。Deathhas,however,respectedJacquesBrigautuptothepresenttime;althoughhehasdistinguishedhimselfinalltherecentexpeditionshehasneveryetbeenwounded。Heisnowmajorinaregimentofinfantry。Noofficerismoretaciturnormoretrustworthy。Outsideofhisdutyheisalmostmute;hewalksaloneandlivesmechanically。Everyonedivinesandrespectsahiddensorrow。Hepossessesforty—sixthousandfrancs,whicholdMadameLorrain,whodiedinParisin1829,bequeathedtohim。
Attheelectionsof1830Vinetwasmadeadeputy。Theservicesherenderedthenewgovernmenthavenowearnedhimthepositionof/procureur—general/。Hisinfluenceissuchthathewillalwaysremainadeputy。Rogronisreceiver—generalinthesametownwhereVinetfulfilshislegalfunctions;andbyoneofthosecurioustricksofchancewhichdosooftenoccur,MonsieurTiphaineispresidentoftheRoyalcourtinthesametown,——fortheworthymangaveinhisadhesiontothedynastyofJulywithouttheslightesthesitation。Theex—beautifulMadameTiphainelivesonexcellenttermswiththebeautifulMadameRogron。VinetishandinglovewithMadameTiphaine。
AstotheimbecileRogron,hemakessuchremarksas,\"Louis—Philippewillneverbereallykingtillheisabletomakenobles。\"
Thespeechisevidentlynothisown。Hishealthisfailing,whichallowsMadameRogrontohopeshemaysoonmarrytheGeneralMarquisdeMontriveau,peerofFrance,whocommandsthedepartment,andispayingherattentions。Vinetisinhiselement,seekingvictims;heneverbelievesintheinnocenceofanaccusedperson。Thisthoroughbredprosecutorisheldtobeoneofthemostamiablemenonthecircuit;
andheisnolesslikedinParisandintheChamber;atcourtheisacharmingcourtier。
AccordingtoacertainpromisemadebyVinet,GeneralBaronGouraud,thatnoblerelicofourgloriousarmies,marriedaMademoiselleMatifat,twenty—fiveyearsold,daughterofadruggistintheruedesLombards,whosedowrywasahundredthousandfrancs。Hecommands(asVinetprophesied)adepartmentintheneighborhoodofParis。HewasnamedpeerofFranceforhisconductintheriotswhichoccurredduringtheministryofCasimirPerier。BaronGouraudwasoneofthegeneralswhotookthechurchofSaint—Merry,delightedtorapthoserascallycivilianswhohadvexedhimforyearsovertheknuckles;forwhichservicehewasrewardedwiththegrandcordonoftheLegionofhonor。
NoneofthepersonagesconnectedwithPierrette’sdeatheverfelttheslightestremorseaboutit。MonsieurDesfondrillesisstillarchaeological,but,inordertocompasshisownelection,the/procureurgeneral/VinettookpainstohavehimappointedpresidentoftheProvinscourt。Sylviehasalittlecircle,andmanagesherbrother’sproperty;shelendsherownmoneyathighinterest,anddoesnotspendmorethantwelvehundredfrancsayear。
Fromtimetotime,whensomeformersonordaughterofProvinsreturnsfromParistosettledown,youmayhearthemask,astheyleaveMademoiselleRogron’shouse,\"Wasn’tthereapainfulstoryagainsttheRogrons,——somethingaboutaward?\"
\"Mereprejudice,\"repliesMonsieurDesfondrilles。\"Certainpersonstriedtomakeusbelievefalsehoods。OutofkindnessofhearttheRogronstookinagirlnamedPierrette,quiteprettybutwithnomoney。Justasshewasgrowingupshehadanintriguewithayoungman,andstoodatherwindowbarefootedtalkingtohim。Theloverspassednotestoeachotherbyastring。Shetookcoldinthiswayanddied,havingnoconstitution。TheRogronsbehavedadmirably。Theymadenoclaimoncertainpropertywhichwastocometoher,——theygaveitalluptothegrandmother。Themoralofitwas,mygoodfriend,thatthedevilpunishesthosewhotrytobenefitothers。\"
\"Ah!thatisquiteanotherstoryfromtheoneoldFrappiertoldme。\"
\"Frappierconsultshiswine—cellarmorethanhedoeshismemory,\"
remarkedanotherofMademoiselleRogron’svisitors。
\"Butthatoldpriest,MonsieurHabertsays——\"
\"Oh,he!don’tyouknowwhy?\"
\"No。\"
\"HewantedtomarryhissistertoMonsieurRogron,thereceiver—
general。\"
*****
TwomenthinkofPierrettedaily:DoctorMartenerandMajorBrigaut;
theyaloneknowthehideoustruth。
TogivethattruthitstrueproportionswemusttransportthescenetotheRomeofthemiddleages,whereasublimeyounggirl,BeatriceCenci,wasbroughttothescaffoldbymotivesandintriguesthatwerealmostidenticalwiththosewhichlaidourPierretteinhergrave。
BeatriceCencihadbutonedefender,——anartist,apainter。Inourdayhistory,andlivingmen,onthefaithofGuidoReni’sportrait,condemnthePope,andknowthatBeatricewasamosttendervictimofinfamouspassionsandbasefeuds。
WemustallagreethatlegalitywouldbeafinethingforsocialscoundrelismIFTHEREWERENOGOD。