Theycouldonlyplaceathisdisposalawretchedvillagesacristy，withafewancientchasublesofthreadbaredamaskadornedwithimitationlace。
"Bah！"saidtheBishop。"LetusannounceourTeDeumfromthepulpit，nevertheless，MonsieurleCure。Thingswillarrangethemselves。"
Theyinstitutedasearchinthechurchesoftheneighborhood。
Allthemagnificenceofthesehumbleparishescombinedwouldnothavesufficedtoclothethechoristerofacathedralproperly。
Whiletheywerethusembarrassed，alargechestwasbroughtanddepositedinthepresbyteryfortheBishop，bytwounknownhorsemen，whodepartedontheinstant。Thechestwasopened；itcontainedacopeofclothofgold，amitreornamentedwithdiamonds，anarchbishop’scross，amagnificentcrosier，——allthepontificalvestmentswhichhadbeenstolenamonthpreviouslyfromthetreasuryofNotreDamed’Embrun。Inthechestwasapaper，onwhichthesewordswerewritten，"FromCravattetoMonseigneurBienvenu。"
"DidnotIsaythatthingswouldcomerightofthemselves？"saidtheBishop。Thenheadded，withasmile，"Tohimwhocontentshimselfwiththesurpliceofacurate，Godsendsthecopeofanarchbishop。"
"Monseigneur，"murmuredthecure，throwingbackhisheadwithasmile。
"God——ortheDevil。"
TheBishoplookedsteadilyatthecure，andrepeatedwithauthority，"God！"
WhenhereturnedtoChastelar，thepeoplecameouttostareathimasatacuriosity，allalongtheroad。Atthepriest’shouseinChastelarherejoinedMademoiselleBaptistineandMadameMagloire，whowerewaitingforhim，andhesaidtohissister:"Well！wasIintheright？Thepoorpriestwenttohispoormountaineerswithemptyhands，andhereturnsfromthemwithhishandsfull。
IsetoutbearingonlymyfaithinGod；Ihavebroughtbackthetreasureofacathedral。"
Thatevening，beforehewenttobed，hesaidagain:"Letusneverfearrobbersnormurderers。Thosearedangersfromwithout，pettydangers。Letusfearourselves。Prejudicesaretherealrobbers；
vicesaretherealmurderers。Thegreatdangersliewithinourselves。
Whatmattersitwhatthreatensourheadorourpurse！Letusthinkonlyofthatwhichthreatensoursoul。"
Then，turningtohissister:"Sister，neveraprecautiononthepartofthepriest，againsthisfellow—man。Thatwhichhisfellowdoes，Godpermits。Letusconfineourselvestoprayer，whenwethinkthatadangerisapproachingus。Letuspray，notforourselves，butthatourbrothermaynotfallintosinonouraccount。"
However，suchincidentswererareinhislife。Werelatethoseofwhichweknow；butgenerallyhepassedhislifeindoingthesamethingsatthesamemoment。Onemonthofhisyearresembledonehourofhisday。
Astowhatbecameof"thetreasure"ofthecathedralofEmbrun，weshouldbeembarrassedbyanyinquiryinthatdirection。
Itconsistedofveryhandsomethings，verytemptingthings，andthingswhichwereverywelladaptedtobestolenforthebenefitoftheunfortunate。Stolentheyhadalreadybeenelsewhere。
Halfoftheadventurewascompleted；itonlyremainedtoimpartanewdirectiontothetheft，andtocauseittotakeashorttripinthedirectionofthepoor。However，wemakenoassertionsonthispoint。Only，aratherobscurenotewasfoundamongtheBishop’spapers，whichmaybearsomerelationtothismatter，andwhichiscouchedintheseterms，"Thequestionis，todecidewhetherthisshouldbeturnedovertothecathedralortothehospital。"
CHAPTERVIII
PHILOSOPHYAFTERDRINKING
Thesenatorabovementionedwasacleverman，whohadmadehisownway，heedlessofthosethingswhichpresentobstacles，andwhicharecalledconscience，swornfaith，justice，duty:hehadmarchedstraighttohisgoal，withoutonceflinchinginthelineofhisadvancementandhisinterest。Hewasanoldattorney，softenedbysuccess；notabadmanbyanymeans，whorenderedallthesmallservicesinhispowertohissons，hissons—in—law，hisrelations，andeventohisfriends，havingwiselyseizedupon，inlife，goodsides，goodopportunities，goodwindfalls。
Everythingelseseemedtohimverystupid。Hewasintelligent，andjustsufficientlyeducatedtothinkhimselfadiscipleofEpicurus；
whilehewas，inreality，onlyaproductofPigault—Lebrun。Helaughedwillinglyandpleasantlyoverinfiniteandeternalthings，andatthe"CrotchetsofthatgoodoldfellowtheBishop。"
HeevensometimeslaughedathimwithanamiableauthorityinthepresenceofM。Myrielhimself，wholistenedtohim。
Onsomesemi—officialoccasionorother，Idonotrecollectwhat，Count***[thissenator]andM。Myrielweretodinewiththeprefect。
Atdessert，thesenator，whowasslightlyexhilarated，thoughstillperfectlydignified，exclaimed:——
"Egad，Bishop，let’shaveadiscussion。Itishardforasenatorandabishoptolookateachotherwithoutwinking。Wearetwoaugurs。
Iamgoingtomakeaconfessiontoyou。Ihaveaphilosophyofmyown。"
"Andyouareright，"repliedtheBishop。"Asonemakesone’sphilosophy，sooneliesonit。Youareonthebedofpurple，senator。"
Thesenatorwasencouraged，andwenton:——
"Letusbegoodfellows。"
"Gooddevilseven，"saidtheBishop。
"Ideclaretoyou，"continuedthesenator，"thattheMarquisd’Argens，Pyrrhon，Hobbes，andM。Naigeonarenorascals。
Ihaveallthephilosophersinmylibrarygildedontheedges。"
"Likeyourself，Count，"interposedtheBishop。
Thesenatorresumed:——
"IhateDiderot；heisanideologist，adeclaimer，andarevolutionist，abelieverinGodatbottom，andmorebigotedthanVoltaire。
VoltairemadesportofNeedham，andhewaswrong，forNeedham’seelsprovethatGodisuseless。Adropofvinegarinaspoonfulofflourpastesuppliesthefiatlux。Supposethedroptobelargerandthespoonfulbigger；youhavetheworld。Manistheeel。
ThenwhatisthegoodoftheEternalFather？TheJehovahhypothesistiresme，Bishop。Itisgoodfornothingbuttoproduceshallowpeople，whosereasoningishollow。DownwiththatgreatAll，whichtormentsme！
HurrahforZerowhichleavesmeinpeace！Betweenyouandme，andinordertoemptymysack，andmakeconfessiontomypastor，asitbehoovesmetodo，IwilladmittoyouthatIhavegoodsense。
IamnotenthusiasticoveryourJesus，whopreachesrenunciationandsacrificetothelastextremity。’Tisthecounselofanavariciousmantobeggars。Renunciation；why？Sacrifice；towhatend？
Idonotseeonewolfimmolatinghimselfforthehappinessofanotherwolf。Letussticktonature，then。Weareatthetop；
letushaveasuperiorphilosophy。Whatistheadvantageofbeingatthetop，ifoneseesnofurtherthantheendofotherpeople’snoses？Letuslivemerrily。Lifeisall。Thatmanhasanotherfutureelsewhere，onhigh，below，anywhere，Idon’tbelieve；
notonesinglewordofit。Ah！sacrificeandrenunciationarerecommendedtome；ImusttakeheedtoeverythingIdo；Imustcudgelmybrainsovergoodandevil，overthejustandtheunjust，overthefasandthenefas。Why？BecauseIshallhavetorenderanaccountofmyactions。When？Afterdeath。Whatafinedream！
Aftermydeathitwillbeaverycleverpersonwhocancatchme。
Haveahandfulofdustseizedbyashadow—hand，ifyoucan。
Letustellthetruth，wewhoareinitiated，andwhohaveraisedtheveilofIsis:thereisnosuchthingaseithergoodorevil；
thereisvegetation。Letusseekthereal。Letusgettothebottomofit。Letusgointoitthoroughly。Whatthedeuce！letusgotothebottomofit！Wemustscentoutthetruth；digintheearthforit，andseizeit。Thenitgivesyouexquisitejoys。
Thenyougrowstrong，andyoulaugh。Iamsquareonthebottom，Iam。Immortality，Bishop，isachance，awaitingfordeadmen’sshoes。Ah！whatacharmingpromise！trusttoit，ifyoulike！
WhatafinelotAdamhas！Wearesouls，andweshallbeangels，withbluewingsonourshoulder—blades。Docometomyassistance:
isitnotTertullianwhosaysthattheblessedshalltravelfromstartostar？Verywell。Weshallbethegrasshoppersofthestars。
Andthen，besides，weshallseeGod。Ta，ta，ta！Whattwaddlealltheseparadisesare！Godisanonsensicalmonster。IwouldnotsaythatintheMoniteur，egad！butImaywhisperitamongfriends。
Interpocula。Tosacrificetheworldtoparadiseistoletslipthepreyfortheshadow。Bethedupeoftheinfinite！
I’mnotsuchafool。Iamanought。IcallmyselfMonsieurleComteNought，senator。DidIexistbeforemybirth？No。ShallIexistafterdeath？No。WhatamI？Alittledustcollectedinanorganism。
WhatamItodoonthisearth？Thechoicerestswithme:
sufferorenjoy。Whitherwillsufferingleadme？Tonothingness；
butIshallhavesuffered。Whitherwillenjoymentleadme？
Tonothingness；butIshallhaveenjoyedmyself。Mychoiceismade。
Onemusteatorbeeaten。Ishalleat。Itisbettertobethetooththanthegrass。Suchismywisdom。Afterwhich，gowhitherI
pushthee，thegrave—diggeristhere；thePantheonforsomeofus:
allfallsintothegreathole。End。Finis。Totalliquidation。
Thisisthevanishing—point。Deathisdeath，believeme。
Ilaughattheideaoftherebeinganyonewhohasanythingtotellmeonthatsubject。Fablesofnurses；bugabooforchildren；
Jehovahformen。No；ourto—morrowisthenight。Beyondthetombthereisnothingbutequalnothingness。YouhavebeenSardanapalus，youhavebeenVincentdePaul——itmakesnodifference。Thatisthetruth。Thenliveyourlife，aboveallthings。Makeuseofyour_I_whileyouhaveit。Intruth，Bishop，ItellyouthatI
haveaphilosophyofmyown，andIhavemyphilosophers。Idon’tletmyselfbetakeninwiththatnonsense。Ofcourse，theremustbesomethingforthosewhoaredown，——forthebarefootedbeggars，knife—grinders，andmiserablewretches。Legends，chimeras，thesoul，immortality，paradise，thestars，areprovidedforthemtoswallow。
Theygobbleitdown。Theyspreaditontheirdrybread。
Hewhohasnothingelsehasthegood。God。Thatistheleasthecanhave。Iopposenoobjectiontothat；butIreserveMonsieurNaigeonformyself。ThegoodGodisgoodforthepopulace。"
TheBishopclappedhishands。
"That’stalking！"heexclaimed。"Whatanexcellentandreallymarvellousthingisthismaterialism！Noteveryonewhowantsitcanhaveit。Ah！whenonedoeshaveit，oneisnolongeradupe，onedoesnotstupidlyallowone’sselftobeexiledlikeCato，norstonedlikeStephen，norburnedalivelikeJeanned’Arc。Thosewhohavesucceededinprocuringthisadmirablematerialismhavethejoyoffeelingthemselvesirresponsible，andofthinkingthattheycandevoureverythingwithoutuneasiness，——places，sinecures，dignities，power，whetherwellorillacquired，lucrativerecantations，usefultreacheries，savorycapitulationsofconscience，——andthattheyshallenterthetombwiththeirdigestionaccomplished。Howagreeablethatis！
Idonotsaythatwithreferencetoyou，senator。Nevertheless，itisimpossibleformetorefrainfromcongratulatingyou。Yougreatlordshave，soyousay，aphilosophyofyourown，andforyourselves，whichisexquisite，refined，accessibletotherichalone，goodforallsauces，andwhichseasonsthevoluptuousnessoflifeadmirably。Thisphilosophyhasbeenextractedfromthedepths，andunearthedbyspecialseekers。Butyouaregood—naturedprinces，andyoudonotthinkitabadthingthatbeliefinthegoodGodshouldconstitutethephilosophyofthepeople，verymuchasthegoosestuffedwithchestnutsisthetruffledturkeyofthepoor。"
CHAPTERIX
THEBROTHERASDEPICTEDBYTHESISTER
InordertofurnishanideaoftheprivateestablishmentoftheBishopofD————，andofthemannerinwhichthosetwosaintedwomensubordinatedtheiractions，theirthoughts，theirfeminineinstinctseven，whichareeasilyalarmed，tothehabitsandpurposesoftheBishop，withouthiseventakingthetroubleofspeakinginordertoexplainthem，wecannotdobetterthantranscribeinthisplacealetterfromMademoiselleBaptistinetoMadametheVicomtessdeBoischevron，thefriendofherchildhood。Thisletterisinourpossession。
D————，Dec。16，18——。
MYGOODMADAM:Notadaypasseswithoutourspeakingofyou。
Itisourestablishedcustom；butthereisanotherreasonbesides。
Justimagine，whilewashinganddustingtheceilingsandwalls，MadamMagloirehasmadesomediscoveries；nowourtwochambershungwithantiquepaperwhitewashedover，wouldnotdiscreditachateauinthestyleofyours。MadamMagloirehaspulledoffallthepaper。
Therewerethingsbeneath。Mydrawing—room，whichcontainsnofurniture，andwhichweuseforspreadingoutthelinenafterwashing，isfifteenfeetinheight，eighteensquare，withaceilingwhichwasformerlypaintedandgilded，andwithbeams，asinyours。
Thiswascoveredwithaclothwhilethiswasthehospital。
Andthewoodworkwasoftheeraofourgrandmothers。Butmyroomistheoneyououghttosee。MadamMagloirehasdiscovered，underatleasttenthicknessesofpaperpastedontop，somepaintings，whichwithoutbeinggoodareverytolerable。ThesubjectisTelemachusbeingknightedbyMinervainsomegardens，thenameofwhichescapesme。Inshort，wheretheRomanladiesrepairedononesinglenight。WhatshallIsaytoyou？IhaveRomans，andRomanladies[hereoccursanillegibleword]，andthewholetrain。
MadamMagloirehascleaneditalloff；thissummersheisgoingtohavesomesmallinjuriesrepaired，andthewholerevarnished，andmychamberwillbearegularmuseum。Shehasalsofoundinacorneroftheattictwowoodenpier—tablesofancientfashion。
Theyaskedustwocrownsofsixfrancseachtoregildthem，butitismuchbettertogivethemoneytothepoor；andtheyareveryuglybesides，andIshouldmuchpreferaroundtableofmahogany。
Iamalwaysveryhappy。Mybrotherissogood。Hegivesallhehastothepoorandsick。Weareverymuchcramped。Thecountryistryinginthewinter，andwereallymustdosomethingforthosewhoareinneed。Wearealmostcomfortablylightedandwarmed。
Youseethatthesearegreattreats。
Mybrotherhaswaysofhisown。Whenhetalks，hesaysthatabishopoughttobeso。Justimagine！thedoorofourhouseisneverfastened。
Whoeverchoosestoenterfindshimselfatonceinmybrother’sroom。
Hefearsnothing，evenatnight。Thatishissortofbravery，hesays。
HedoesnotwishmeorMadameMagloirefeelanyfearforhim。
Heexposeshimselftoallsortsofdangers，andhedoesnotliketohaveusevenseemtonoticeit。Onemustknowhowtounderstandhim。
Hegoesoutintherain，hewalksinthewater，hetravelsinwinter。
Hefearsneithersuspiciousroadsnordangerousencounters，nornight。
Lastyearhewentquitealoneintoacountryofrobbers。Hewouldnottakeus。Hewasabsentforafortnight。Onhisreturnnothinghadhappenedtohim；hewasthoughttobedead，butwasperfectlywell，andsaid，"ThisisthewayIhavebeenrobbed！"Andthenheopenedatrunkfullofjewels，allthejewelsofthecathedralofEmbrun，whichthethieveshadgivenhim。
Whenhereturnedonthatoccasion，Icouldnotrefrainfromscoldinghimalittle，takingcare，however，nottospeakexceptwhenthecarriagewasmakinganoise，sothatnoonemighthearme。
AtfirstIusedtosaytomyself，"Therearenodangerswhichwillstophim；heisterrible。"NowIhaveendedbygettingusedtoit。
ImakeasigntoMadamMagloirethatsheisnottoopposehim。
Heriskshimselfasheseesfit。IcarryoffMadamMagloire，Ientermychamber，Iprayforhimandfallasleep。Iamatease，becauseIknowthatifanythingweretohappentohim，itwouldbetheendofme。IshouldgotothegoodGodwithmybrotherandmybishop。IthascostMadamMagloiremoretroublethanitdidmetoaccustomherselftowhatshetermshisimprudences。Butnowthehabithasbeenacquired。Wepraytogether，wetrembletogether，andwefallasleep。Ifthedevilweretoenterthishouse，hewouldbeallowedtodoso。Afterall，whatisthereforustofearinthishouse？Thereisalwayssomeonewithuswhoisstrongerthanwe。Thedevilmaypassthroughit，butthegoodGoddwellshere。
Thissufficesme。Mybrotherhasnolongeranyneedofsayingawordtome。Iunderstandhimwithouthisspeaking，andweabandonourselvestothecareofProvidence。Thatisthewayonehastodowithamanwhopossessesgrandeurofsoul。
IhaveinterrogatedmybrotherwithregardtotheinformationwhichyoudesireonthesubjectoftheFauxfamily。Youareawarethatheknowseverything，andthathehasmemories，becauseheisstillaverygoodroyalist。TheyreallyareaveryancientNormanfamilyofthegeneralshipofCaen。FivehundredyearsagotherewasaRaouldeFaux，aJeandeFaux，andaThomasdeFaux，whoweregentlemen，andoneofwhomwasaseigneurdeRochefort。
ThelastwasGuy—Etienne—Alexandre，andwascommanderofaregiment，andsomethinginthelighthorseofBretagne。Hisdaughter，Marie—Louise，marriedAdrien—CharlesdeGramont，sonoftheDukeLouisdeGramont，peerofFrance，coloneloftheFrenchguards，andlieutenant—generalofthearmy。ItiswrittenFaux，Fauq，andFaoucq。
GoodMadame，recommendustotheprayersofyoursaintedrelative，MonsieurtheCardinal。AsforyourdearSylvanie，shehasdonewellinnotwastingthefewmomentswhichshepasseswithyouinwritingtome。Sheiswell，worksasyouwouldwish，andlovesme。
ThatisallthatIdesire。Thesouvenirwhichshesentthroughyoureachedmesafely，anditmakesmeveryhappy。Myhealthisnotsoverybad，andyetIgrowthinnereveryday。Farewell；mypaperisatanend，andthisforcesmetoleaveyou。Athousandgoodwishes。
BAPTISTINE。
P。S。Yourgrandnephewischarming。Doyouknowthathewillsoonbefiveyearsold？Yesterdayhesawsomeoneridingbyonhorsebackwhohadonknee—caps，andhesaid，"Whathashegotonhisknees？"
Heisacharmingchild！Hislittlebrotherisdragginganoldbroomabouttheroom，likeacarriage，andsaying，"Hu！"
Aswillbeperceivedfromthisletter，thesetwowomenunderstoodhowtomouldthemselvestotheBishop’swayswiththatspecialfemininegeniuswhichcomprehendsthemanbetterthanhecomprehendshimself。
TheBishopofD————，inspiteofthegentleandcandidairwhichneverdesertedhim，sometimesdidthingsthatweregrand，bold，andmagnificent，withoutseemingtohaveevenasuspicionofthefact。
Theytrembled，buttheylethimalone。SometimesMadameMagloireessayedaremonstranceinadvance，butneveratthetime，norafterwards。
Theyneverinterferedwithhimbysomuchasawordorsign，inanyactiononceenteredupon。Atcertainmoments，withouthishavingoccasiontomentionit，whenhewasnotevenconsciousofithimselfinallprobability，soperfectwashissimplicity，theyvaguelyfeltthathewasactingasabishop；thentheywerenothingmorethantwoshadowsinthehouse。Theyservedhimpassively；
andifobedienceconsistedindisappearing，theydisappeared。
Theyunderstood，withanadmirabledelicacyofinstinct，thatcertaincaresmaybeputunderconstraint。Thus，evenwhenbelievinghimtobeinperil，theyunderstood，Iwillnotsayhisthought，buthisnature，tosuchadegreethattheynolongerwatchedoverhim。
TheyconfidedhimtoGod。
Moreover，Baptistinesaid，aswehavejustread，thatherbrother’sendwouldproveherown。MadameMagloiredidnotsaythis，butsheknewit。
CHAPTERX
THEBISHOPINTHEPRESENCEOFANUNKNOWNLIGHT
Atanepochalittlelaterthanthedateofthelettercitedintheprecedingpages，hedidathingwhich，ifthewholetownwastobebelieved，wasevenmorehazardousthanhistripacrossthemountainsinfestedwithbandits。
InthecountrynearD————amanlivedquitealone。Thisman，wewillstateatonce，wasaformermemberoftheConvention。
HisnamewasG————
MemberoftheConvention，G————wasmentionedwithasortofhorrorinthelittleworldofD————AmemberoftheConvention——canyouimaginesuchathing？Thatexistedfromthetimewhenpeoplecalledeachotherthou，andwhentheysaid"citizen。"Thismanwasalmostamonster。Hehadnotvotedforthedeathoftheking，butalmost。Hewasaquasi—regicide。Hehadbeenaterribleman。
Howdidithappenthatsuchamanhadnotbeenbroughtbeforeaprovost’scourt，onthereturnofthelegitimateprinces？
Theyneednothavecutoffhishead，ifyouplease；clemencymustbeexercised，agreed；butagoodbanishmentforlife。Anexample，inshort，etc。Besides，hewasanatheist，likealltherestofthosepeople。Gossipofthegeeseaboutthevulture。
WasG————avultureafterall？Yes；ifheweretobejudgedbytheelementofferocityinthissolitudeofhis。Ashehadnotvotedforthedeathoftheking，hehadnotbeenincludedinthedecreesofexile，andhadbeenabletoremaininFrance。
Hedweltatadistanceofthree—quartersofanhourfromthecity，farfromanyhamlet，farfromanyroad，insomehiddenturnofaverywildvalley，nooneknewexactlywhere。Hehadthere，itwassaid，asortoffield，ahole，alair。Therewerenoneighbors，notevenpassers—by。Sincehehaddweltinthatvalley，thepathwhichledthitherhaddisappearedunderagrowthofgrass。
Thelocalitywasspokenofasthoughithadbeenthedwellingofahangman。
Nevertheless，theBishopmeditatedonthesubject，andfromtimetotimehegazedatthehorizonatapointwhereaclumpoftreesmarkedthevalleyoftheformermemberoftheConvention，andhesaid，"Thereisasoulyonderwhichislonely。"
Andheadded，deepinhisownmind，"Iowehimavisit。"
But，letusavowit，thisidea，whichseemednaturalatthefirstblush，appearedtohimafteramoment’sreflection，asstrange，impossible，andalmostrepulsive。For，atbottom，hesharedthegeneralimpression，andtheoldmemberoftheConventioninspiredhim，withouthisbeingclearlyconsciousofthefacthimself，withthatsentimentwhichbordersonhate，andwhichissowellexpressedbythewordestrangement。
Still，shouldthescabofthesheepcausetheshepherdtorecoil？
No。Butwhatasheep！
ThegoodBishopwasperplexed。Sometimeshesetoutinthatdirection；
thenhereturned。
Finally，therumoronedayspreadthroughthetownthatasortofyoungshepherd，whoservedthememberoftheConventioninhishovel，hadcomeinquestofadoctor；thattheoldwretchwasdying，thatparalysiswasgainingonhim，andthathewouldnotliveovernight。——"ThankGod！"someadded。
TheBishoptookhisstaff，putonhiscloak，onaccountofhistoothreadbarecassock，aswehavementioned，andbecauseoftheeveningbreezewhichwassuretorisesoon，andsetout。
Thesunwassetting，andhadalmosttouchedthehorizonwhentheBishoparrivedattheexcommunicatedspot。Withacertainbeatingoftheheart，herecognizedthefactthathewasnearthelair。
Hestrodeoveraditch，leapedahedge，madehiswaythroughafenceofdeadboughs，enteredaneglectedpaddock，tookafewstepswithagooddealofboldness，andsuddenly，attheextremityofthewasteland，andbehindloftybrambles，hecaughtsightofthecavern。
Itwasaverylowhut，poor，small，andclean，withavinenailedagainsttheoutside。
Nearthedoor，inanoldwheel—chair，thearm—chairofthepeasants，therewasawhite—hairedman，smilingatthesun。
Neartheseatedmanstoodayoungboy，theshepherdlad。
Hewasofferingtheoldmanajarofmilk。
WhiletheBishopwaswatchinghim，theoldmanspoke:"Thankyou，"
hesaid，"Ineednothing。"Andhissmilequittedthesuntorestuponthechild。
TheBishopsteppedforward。Atthesoundwhichhemadeinwalking，theoldmanturnedhishead，andhisfaceexpressedthesumtotalofthesurprisewhichamancanstillfeelafteralonglife。
"ThisisthefirsttimesinceIhavebeenhere，"saidhe，"thatanyonehasenteredhere。Whoareyou，sir？"
TheBishopanswered:——
"MynameisBienvenuMyriel。"
"BienvenuMyriel？Ihaveheardthatname。AreyouthemanwhomthepeoplecallMonseigneurWelcome？"
"Iam。"
Theoldmanresumedwithahalf—smile"Inthatcase，youaremybishop？"
"Somethingofthatsort。"
"Enter，sir。"
ThememberoftheConventionextendedhishandtotheBishop，buttheBishopdidnottakeit。TheBishopconfinedhimselftotheremark:——
"IampleasedtoseethatIhavebeenmisinformed。Youcertainlydonotseemtometobeill。"
"Monsieur，"repliedtheoldman，"Iamgoingtorecover。"
Hepaused，andthensaid:——
"Ishalldiethreehourshence。"
Thenhecontinued:——
"Iamsomethingofadoctor；Iknowinwhatfashionthelasthourdrawson。Yesterday，onlymyfeetwerecold；to—day，thechillhasascendedtomyknees；nowIfeelitmountingtomywaist；
whenitreachestheheart，Ishallstop。Thesunisbeautiful，isitnot？Ihadmyselfwheeledoutheretotakealastlookatthings。Youcantalktome；itdoesnotfatigueme。Youhavedonewelltocomeandlookatamanwhoisonthepointofdeath。
Itiswellthatthereshouldbewitnessesatthatmoment。Onehasone’scaprices；Ishouldhavelikedtolastuntilthedawn，butI
knowthatIshallhardlylivethreehours。Itwillbenightthen。
Whatdoesitmatter，afterall？Dyingisasimpleaffair。
Onehasnoneedofthelightforthat。Sobeit。Ishalldiebystarlight。"
Theoldmanturnedtotheshepherdlad:——
"Gotothybed；thouwertawakealllastnight；thouarttired。"
Thechildenteredthehut。
Theoldmanfollowedhimwithhiseyes，andadded，asthoughspeakingtohimself:——
"Ishalldiewhilehesleeps。Thetwoslumbersmaybegoodneighbors。"
TheBishopwasnottouchedasitseemsthatheshouldhavebeen。
HedidnotthinkhediscernedGodinthismannerofdying；letussaythewhole，forthesepettycontradictionsofgreatheartsmustbeindicatedliketherest:he，whoonoccasion，wassofondoflaughingat"HisGrace，"wasrathershockedatnotbeingaddressedasMonseigneur，andhewasalmosttemptedtoretort"citizen。"
Hewasassailedbyafancyforpeevishfamiliarity，commonenoughtodoctorsandpriests，butwhichwasnothabitualwithhim。
Thisman，afterall，thismemberoftheConvention，thisrepresentativeofthepeople，hadbeenoneofthepowerfulonesoftheearth；
forthefirsttimeinhislife，probably，theBishopfeltinamoodtobesevere。
Meanwhile，thememberoftheConventionhadbeensurveyinghimwithamodestcordiality，inwhichonecouldhavedistinguished，possibly，thathumilitywhichissofittingwhenoneisonthevergeofreturningtodust。
TheBishop，onhisside，althoughhegenerallyrestrainedhiscuriosity，which，inhisopinion，borderedonafault，couldnotrefrainfromexaminingthememberoftheConventionwithanattentionwhich，asitdidnothaveitscourseinsympathy，wouldhaveservedhisconscienceasamatterofreproach，inconnectionwithanyotherman。
AmemberoftheConventionproducedonhimsomewhattheeffectofbeingoutsidethepaleofthelaw，evenofthelawofcharity。G————，calm，hisbodyalmostupright，hisvoicevibrating，wasoneofthoseoctogenarianswhoformthesubjectofastonishmenttothephysiologist。
TheRevolutionhadmanyofthesemen，proportionedtotheepoch。
Inthisoldmanonewasconsciousofamanputtotheproof。
Thoughsoneartohisend，hepreservedallthegesturesofhealth。
Inhisclearglance，inhisfirmtone，intherobustmovementofhisshoulders，therewassomethingcalculatedtodisconcertdeath。
Azrael，theMohammedanangelofthesepulchre，wouldhaveturnedback，andthoughtthathehadmistakenthedoor。G————seemedtobedyingbecausehewilleditso。Therewasfreedominhisagony。Hislegsaloneweremotionless。Itwastherethattheshadowsheldhimfast。
Hisfeetwerecoldanddead，buthisheadsurvivedwithallthepoweroflife，andseemedfulloflight。G————，atthissolemnmoment，resembledthekinginthattaleoftheOrientwhowasfleshaboveandmarblebelow。
Therewasastonethere。TheBishopsatdown。Theexordiumwasabrupt。
"Icongratulateyou，"saidhe，inthetonewhichoneusesforareprimand。"Youdidnotvoteforthedeathoftheking，afterall。"
TheoldmemberoftheConventiondidnotappeartonoticethebittermeaningunderlyingthewords"afterall。"Hereplied。
Thesmilehadquitedisappearedfromhisface。
"Donotcongratulatemetoomuch，sir。Ididvoteforthedeathofthetyrant。"
Itwasthetoneofausterityansweringthetoneofseverity。
"Whatdoyoumeantosay？"resumedtheBishop。
"Imeantosaythatmanhasatyrant，——ignorance。Ivotedforthedeathofthattyrant。Thattyrantengenderedroyalty，whichisauthorityfalselyunderstood，whilescienceisauthorityrightlyunderstood。
Manshouldbegovernedonlybyscience。"
"Andconscience，"addedtheBishop。
"Itisthesamething。Conscienceisthequantityofinnatesciencewhichwehavewithinus。"
MonseigneurBienvenulistenedinsomeastonishmenttothislanguage，whichwasverynewtohim。
ThememberoftheConventionresumed:——
"SofarasLouisXVI。wasconcerned，Isaid`no。’IdidnotthinkthatIhadtherighttokillaman；butIfeltitmydutytoexterminateevil。Ivotedtheendofthetyrant，thatistosay，theendofprostitutionforwoman，theendofslaveryforman，theendofnightforthechild。InvotingfortheRepublic，Ivotedforthat。Ivotedforfraternity，concord，thedawn。
Ihaveaidedintheoverthrowofprejudicesanderrors。Thecrumblingawayofprejudicesanderrorscauseslight。Wehavecausedthefalloftheoldworld，andtheoldworld，thatvaseofmiseries，hasbecome，throughitsupsettinguponthehumanrace，anurnofjoy。"
"Mixedjoy，"saidtheBishop。
"Youmaysaytroubledjoy，andto—day，afterthatfatalreturnofthepast，whichiscalled1814，joywhichhasdisappeared！
Alas！Theworkwasincomplete，Iadmit:wedemolishedtheancientregimeindeeds；wewerenotabletosuppressitentirelyinideas。
Todestroyabusesisnotsufficient；customsmustbemodified。
Themillistherenolonger；thewindisstillthere。"
"Youhavedemolished。Itmaybeofusetodemolish，butIdistrustademolitioncomplicatedwithwrath。"
"Righthasitswrath，Bishop；andthewrathofrightisanelementofprogress。Inanycase，andinspiteofwhatevermaybesaid，theFrenchRevolutionisthemostimportantstepofthehumanracesincetheadventofChrist。Incomplete，itmaybe，butsublime。
Itsetfreealltheunknownsocialquantities；itsoftenedspirits，itcalmed，appeased，enlightened；itcausedthewavesofcivilizationtoflowovertheearth。Itwasagoodthing。TheFrenchRevolutionistheconsecrationofhumanity。"
TheBishopcouldnotrefrainfrommurmuring:——
"Yes？’93！"
ThememberoftheConventionstraightenedhimselfupinhischairwithanalmostlugubrioussolemnity，andexclaimed，sofarasadyingmaniscapableofexclamation:——
"Ah，thereyougo；’93！Iwasexpectingthatword。Acloudhadbeenformingforthespaceoffifteenhundredyears；attheendoffifteenhundredyearsitburst。Youareputtingthethunderboltonitstrial。"
TheBishopfelt，without，perhaps，confessingit，thatsomethingwithinhimhadsufferedextinction。Nevertheless，heputagoodfaceonthematter。Hereplied:——
"Thejudgespeaksinthenameofjustice；thepriestspeaksinthenameofpity，whichisnothingbutamoreloftyjustice。
Athunderboltshouldcommitnoerror。"Andheadded，regardingthememberoftheConventionsteadilythewhile，"LouisXVII。？"
TheconventionarystretchedforthhishandandgraspedtheBishop’sarm。
"LouisXVII。！letussee。Forwhomdoyoumourn？isitfortheinnocentchild？verygood；inthatcaseImournwithyou。
Isitfortheroyalchild？Idemandtimeforreflection。
Tome，thebrotherofCartouche，aninnocentchildwhowashungupbythearmpitsinthePlacedeGreve，untildeathensued，forthesolecrimeofhavingbeenthebrotherofCartouche，isnolesspainfulthanthegrandsonofLouisXV。，aninnocentchild，martyredinthetoweroftheTemple，forthesolecrimeofhavingbeengrandsonofLouisXV。"
"Monsieur，"saidtheBishop，"Ilikenotthisconjunctionofnames。"
"Cartouche？LouisXV。？Towhichofthetwodoyouobject？"
Amomentarysilenceensued。TheBishopalmostregrettedhavingcome，andyethefeltvaguelyandstrangelyshaken。
Theconventionaryresumed:——
"Ah，MonsieurPriest，youlovenotthecruditiesofthetrue。
Christlovedthem。HeseizedarodandclearedouttheTemple。
Hisscourge，fulloflightnings，wasaharshspeakeroftruths。
Whenhecried，`Siniteparvulos，’hemadenodistinctionbetweenthelittlechildren。ItwouldnothaveembarrassedhimtobringtogethertheDauphinofBarabbasandtheDauphinofHerod。Innocence，Monsieur，isitsowncrown。Innocencehasnoneedtobeahighness。
Itisasaugustinragsasinfleursdelys。"
"Thatistrue，"saidtheBishopinalowvoice。
"Ipersist，"continuedtheconventionaryG————"YouhavementionedLouisXVII。tome。Letuscometoanunderstanding。Shallweweepforalltheinnocent，allmartyrs，allchildren，thelowlyaswellastheexalted？Iagreetothat。Butinthatcase，asI
havetoldyou，wemustgobackfurtherthan’93，andourtearsmustbeginbeforeLouisXVII。Iwillweepwithyouoverthechildrenofkings，providedthatyouwillweepwithmeoverthechildrenofthepeople。"
"Iweepforall，"saidtheBishop。
"Equally！"exclaimedconventionaryG————；"andifthebalancemustincline，letitbeonthesideofthepeople。Theyhavebeensufferinglonger。"
Anothersilenceensued。Theconventionarywasthefirsttobreakit。
Heraisedhimselfononeelbow，tookabitofhischeekbetweenhisthumbandhisforefinger，asonedoesmechanicallywhenoneinterrogatesandjudges，andappealedtotheBishopwithagazefullofalltheforcesofthedeathagony。Itwasalmostanexplosion。
"Yes，sir，thepeoplehavebeensufferingalongwhile。Andhold！
thatisnotall，either；whyhaveyoujustquestionedmeandtalkedtomeaboutLouisXVII。？Iknowyounot。EversinceIhavebeeninthesepartsIhavedweltinthisenclosurealone，neversettingfootoutside，andseeingnoonebutthatchildwhohelpsme。
Yournamehasreachedmeinaconfusedmanner，itistrue，andverybadlypronounced，Imustadmit；butthatsignifiesnothing:clevermenhavesomanywaysofimposingonthathonestgoodman，thepeople。
Bytheway，Ididnothearthesoundofyourcarriage；youhaveleftityonder，behindthecoppiceattheforkoftheroads，nodoubt。
Idonotknowyou，Itellyou。YouhavetoldmethatyouaretheBishop；
butthataffordsmenoinformationastoyourmoralpersonality。
Inshort，Irepeatmyquestion。Whoareyou？Youareabishop；
thatistosay，aprinceofthechurch，oneofthosegildedmenwithheraldicbearingsandrevenues，whohavevastprebends，——
thebishopricofD————fifteenthousandfrancssettledincome，tenthousandinperquisites；total，twenty—fivethousandfrancs，——
whohavekitchens，whohaveliveries，whomakegoodcheer，whoeatmoor—hensonFriday，whostrutabout，alackeybefore，alackeybehind，inagalacoach，andwhohavepalaces，andwhorollintheircarriagesinthenameofJesusChristwhowentbarefoot！
Youareaprelate，——revenues，palace，horses，servants，goodtable，allthesensualitiesoflife；youhavethisliketherest，andliketherest，youenjoyit；itiswell；butthissayseithertoomuchortoolittle；thisdoesnotenlightenmeupontheintrinsicandessentialvalueofthemanwhocomeswiththeprobableintentionofbringingwisdomtome。TowhomdoIspeak？
Whoareyou？"
TheBishophunghisheadandreplied，"Vermissum——Iamaworm。"
"Awormoftheearthinacarriage？"growledtheconventionary。
Itwastheconventionary’sturntobearrogant，andtheBishop’stobehumble。
TheBishopresumedmildly:——
"Sobeit，sir。Butexplaintomehowmycarriage，whichisafewpacesoffbehindthetreesyonder，howmygoodtableandthemoor—henswhichIeatonFriday，howmytwenty—fivethousandfrancsincome，howmypalaceandmylackeysprovethatclemencyisnotaduty，andthat’93wasnotinexorable。
Theconventionarypassedhishandacrosshisbrow，asthoughtosweepawayacloud。
"Beforereplyingtoyou，"hesaid，"Ibeseechyoutopardonme。
Ihavejustcommittedawrong，sir。Youareatmyhouse，youaremyguest，Ioweyoucourtesy。Youdiscussmyideas，anditbecomesmetoconfinemyselftocombatingyourarguments。YourrichesandyourpleasuresareadvantageswhichIholdoveryouinthedebate；
butgoodtastedictatesthatIshallnotmakeuseofthem。Ipromiseyoutomakenouseoftheminthefuture。"
"Ithankyou，"saidtheBishop。
G————resumed。
"Letusreturntotheexplanationwhichyouhaveaskedofme。
Wherewerewe？Whatwereyousayingtome？That’93wasinexorable？"
"Inexorable；yes，"saidtheBishop。"WhatthinkyouofMaratclappinghishandsattheguillotine？"
"WhatthinkyouofBossuetchantingtheTeDeumoverthedragonnades？"
Theretortwasaharshone，butitattaineditsmarkwiththedirectnessofapointofsteel。TheBishopquiveredunderit；
noreplyoccurredtohim；buthewasoffendedbythismodeofalludingtoBossuet。Thebestofmindswillhavetheirfetiches，andtheysometimesfeelvaguelywoundedbythewantofrespectoflogic。
Theconventionarybegantopant；theasthmaoftheagonywhichismingledwiththelastbreathsinterruptedhisvoice；
still，therewasaperfectlucidityofsoulinhiseyes。Hewenton:——
"Letmesayafewwordsmoreinthisandthatdirection；
Iamwilling。ApartfromtheRevolution，which，takenasawhole，isanimmensehumanaffirmation，’93is，alas！arejoinder。
Youthinkitinexorable，sir；butwhatofthewholemonarchy，sir？
Carrierisabandit；butwhatnamedoyougivetoMontrevel？
Fouquier—Tainvilleisarascal；butwhatisyouropinionastoLamoignon—Baville？Maillardisterrible；butSaulx—Tavannes，ifyouplease？Ducheneseniorisferocious；butwhatepithetwillyouallowmefortheelderLetellier？Jourdan—Coupe—Teteisamonster；butnotsogreataoneasM。theMarquisdeLouvois。
Sir，sir，IamsorryforMarieAntoinette，archduchessandqueen；
butIamalsosorryforthatpoorHuguenotwoman，who，in1685，underLouistheGreat，sir，whilewithanursinginfant，wasbound，nakedtothewaist，toastake，andthechildkeptatadistance；
herbreastswelledwithmilkandherheartwithanguish；
thelittleone，hungryandpale，beheldthatbreastandcriedandagonized；theexecutionersaidtothewoman，amotherandanurse，`Abjure！’givingherherchoicebetweenthedeathofherinfantandthedeathofherconscience。WhatsayyoutothattortureofTantalusasappliedtoamother？Bearthiswellinmindsir:
theFrenchRevolutionhaditsreasonsforexistence；itswrathwillbeabsolvedbythefuture；itsresultistheworldmadebetter。
Fromitsmostterribleblowstherecomesforthacaressforthehumanrace。Iabridge，Istop，Ihavetoomuchtheadvantage；
moreover，Iamdying。"
AndceasingtogazeattheBishop，theconventionaryconcludedhisthoughtsinthesetranquilwords:——
"Yes，thebrutalitiesofprogressarecalledrevolutions。
Whentheyareover，thisfactisrecognized，——thatthehumanracehasbeentreatedharshly，butthatithasprogressed。"
TheconventionarydoubtednotthathehadsuccessivelyconqueredalltheinmostintrenchmentsoftheBishop。Oneremained，however，andfromthisintrenchment，thelastresourceofMonseigneurBienvenu’sresistance，cameforththisreply，whereinappearednearlyalltheharshnessofthebeginning:——
"ProgressshouldbelieveinGod。Goodcannothaveanimpiousservitor。
Hewhoisanatheistisbutabadleaderforthehumanrace。"
Theformerrepresentativeofthepeoplemadenoreply。Hewasseizedwithafitoftrembling。Helookedtowardsheaven，andinhisglanceateargatheredslowly。Whentheeyelidwasfull，theteartrickleddownhislividcheek，andhesaid，almostinastammer，quitelow，andtohimself，whilehiseyeswereplungedinthedepths:——
"Othou！Oideal！Thoualoneexistest！"
TheBishopexperiencedanindescribableshock。
Afterapause，theoldmanraisedafingerheavenwardandsaid:——
"Theinfiniteis。Heisthere。Iftheinfinitehadnoperson，personwouldbewithoutlimit；itwouldnotbeinfinite；
inotherwords，itwouldnotexist。Thereis，then，an_I_。
That_I_oftheinfiniteisGod。"
Thedyingmanhadpronouncedtheselastwordsinaloudvoice，andwiththeshiverofecstasy，asthoughhebeheldsomeone。
Whenhehadspoken，hiseyesclosed。Theefforthadexhaustedhim。
Itwasevidentthathehadjustlivedthroughinamomentthefewhourswhichhadbeenlefttohim。Thatwhichhehadsaidbroughthimnearertohimwhoisindeath。Thesuprememomentwasapproaching。
TheBishopunderstoodthis；timepressed；itwasasapriestthathehadcome:fromextremecoldnesshehadpassedbydegreestoextremeemotion；hegazedatthoseclosedeyes，hetookthatwrinkled，agedandice—coldhandinhis，andbentoverthedyingman。
"ThishouristhehourofGod。Doyounotthinkthatitwouldberegrettableifwehadmetinvain？"
Theconventionaryopenedhiseyesagain。Agravitymingledwithgloomwasimprintedonhiscountenance。
"Bishop，"saidhe，withaslownesswhichprobablyarosemorefromhisdignityofsoulthanfromthefailingofhisstrength，"Ihavepassedmylifeinmeditation，study，andcontemplation。
Iwassixtyyearsofagewhenmycountrycalledmeandcommandedmetoconcernmyselfwithitsaffairs。Iobeyed。Abusesexisted，Icombatedthem；tyranniesexisted，Idestroyedthem；rightsandprinciplesexisted，Iproclaimedandconfessedthem。Ourterritorywasinvaded，Idefendedit；Francewasmenaced，Iofferedmybreast。
Iwasnotrich；Iampoor。Ihavebeenoneofthemastersofthestate；thevaultsofthetreasurywereencumberedwithspecietosuchadegreethatwewereforcedtoshoreupthewalls，whichwereonthepointofburstingbeneaththeweightofgoldandsilver；IdinedinDeadTreeStreet，attwenty—twosous。
Ihavesuccoredtheoppressed，Ihavecomfortedthesuffering。
Itoretheclothfromthealtar，itistrue；butitwastobindupthewoundsofmycountry。Ihavealwaysupheldthemarchforwardofthehumanrace，forwardtowardsthelight，andIhavesometimesresistedprogresswithoutpity。Ihave，whentheoccasionoffered，protectedmyownadversaries，menofyourprofession。AndthereisatPeteghem，inFlanders，attheveryspotwheretheMerovingiankingshadtheirsummerpalace，aconventofUrbanists，theAbbeyofSainteClaireenBeaulieu，whichIsavedin1793。Ihavedonemydutyaccordingtomypowers，andallthegoodthatIwasable。
Afterwhich，Iwashunteddown，pursued，persecuted，blackened，jeeredat，scorned，cursed，proscribed。Formanyyearspast，Iwithmywhitehairhavebeenconsciousthatmanypeoplethinktheyhavetherighttodespiseme；tothepoorignorantmassesIpresentthevisageofonedamned。AndIacceptthisisolationofhatred，withouthatinganyonemyself。NowIameighty—sixyearsold；
Iamonthepointofdeath。Whatisitthatyouhavecometoaskofme？"
"Yourblessing，"saidtheBishop。
Andhekneltdown。
WhentheBishopraisedhisheadagain，thefaceoftheconventionaryhadbecomeaugust。Hehadjustexpired。
TheBishopreturnedhome，deeplyabsorbedinthoughtswhichcannotbeknowntous。Hepassedthewholenightinprayer。
OnthefollowingmorningsomeboldandcuriouspersonsattemptedtospeaktohimaboutmemberoftheConventionG————；hecontentedhimselfwithpointingheavenward。
Fromthatmomentheredoubledhistendernessandbrotherlyfeelingtowardsallchildrenandsufferers。
Anyallusionto"thatoldwretchofaG————"causedhimtofallintoasingularpreoccupation。Noonecouldsaythatthepassageofthatsoulbeforehis，andthereflectionofthatgrandconscienceuponhis，didnotcountforsomethinginhisapproachtoperfection。
This"pastoralvisit"naturallyfurnishedanoccasionforamurmurofcommentinallthelittlelocalcoteries。
"Wasthebedsideofsuchadyingmanasthattheproperplaceforabishop？Therewasevidentlynoconversiontobeexpected。
Allthoserevolutionistsarebacksliders。Thenwhygothere？
Whatwastheretobeseenthere？Hemusthavebeenverycuriousindeedtoseeasoulcarriedoffbythedevil。"
Onedayadowageroftheimpertinentvarietywhothinksherselfspiritual，addressedthissallytohim，"Monseigneur，peopleareinquiringwhenYourGreatnesswillreceivetheredcap！"——"Oh！oh！that’sacoarsecolor，"repliedtheBishop。
"Itisluckythatthosewhodespiseitinacaprevereitinahat。"
CHAPTERXI
ARESTRICTION
Weshouldincuragreatriskofdeceivingourselves，werewetoconcludefromthisthatMonseigneurWelcomewas"aphilosophicalbishop，"
ora"patrioticcure。"Hismeeting，whichmayalmostbedesignatedashisunion，withconventionaryG————，leftbehinditinhismindasortofastonishment，whichrenderedhimstillmoregentle。
Thatisall。
AlthoughMonseigneurBienvenuwasfarfrombeingapolitician，thisis，perhaps，theplacetoindicateverybrieflywhathisattitudewasintheeventsofthatepoch，supposingthatMonseigneurBienvenueverdreamedofhavinganattitude。
Letus，then，gobackafewyears。
SometimeaftertheelevationofM。Myrieltotheepiscopate，theEmperorhadmadehimabaronoftheEmpire，incompanywithmanyotherbishops。ThearrestofthePopetookplace，aseveryoneknows，onthenightofthe5thtothe6thofJuly，1809；onthisoccasion，M。MyrielwassummonedbyNapoleontothesynodofthebishopsofFranceandItalyconvenedatParis。ThissynodwasheldatNotre—Dame，andassembledforthefirsttimeonthe15thofJune，1811，underthepresidencyofCardinalFesch。M。Myrielwasoneoftheninety—fivebishopswhoattendedit。Buthewaspresentonlyatonesittingandatthreeorfourprivateconferences。
Bishopofamountaindiocese，livingsoveryclosetonature，inrusticityanddeprivation，itappearedthatheimportedamongtheseeminentpersonages，ideaswhichalteredthetemperatureoftheassembly。HeverysoonreturnedtoD————Hewasinterrogatedastothisspeedyreturn，andhereplied:"Iembarrassedthem。
Theoutsideairpenetratedtothemthroughme。Iproducedonthemtheeffectofanopendoor。"
Onanotheroccasionhesaid，"Whatwouldyouhave？Thosegentlemenareprinces。Iamonlyapoorpeasantbishop。"
Thefactisthathedispleasedthem。Amongotherstrangethings，itissaidthathechancedtoremarkoneevening，whenhefoundhimselfatthehouseofoneofhismostnotablecolleagues:"Whatbeautifulclocks！Whatbeautifulcarpets！Whatbeautifulliveries！
Theymustbeagreattrouble。Iwouldnothaveallthosesuperfluities，cryingincessantlyinmyears:`Therearepeoplewhoarehungry！
Therearepeoplewhoarecold！Therearepoorpeople！Therearepoorpeople！’"
Letusremark，bytheway，thatthehatredofluxuryisnotanintelligenthatred。Thishatredwouldinvolvethehatredofthearts。Nevertheless，inchurchmen，luxuryiswrong，exceptinconnectionwithrepresentationsandceremonies。Itseemstorevealhabitswhichhaveverylittlethatischaritableaboutthem。
Anopulentpriestisacontradiction。Thepriestmustkeepclosetothepoor。Now，canonecomeincontactincessantlynightanddaywithallthisdistress，allthesemisfortunes，andthispoverty，withouthavingaboutone’sownpersonalittleofthatmisery，likethedustoflabor？Isitpossibletoimagineamannearabrazierwhoisnotwarm？Canoneimagineaworkmanwhoisworkingnearafurnace，andwhohasneitherasingedhair，norblackenednails，noradropofsweat，noraspeckofashesonhisface？Thefirstproofofcharityinthepriest，inthebishopespecially，ispoverty。
Thisis，nodoubt，whattheBishopofD————thought。
Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thathesharedwhatwecallthe"ideasofthecentury"oncertaindelicatepoints。Hetookverylittlepartinthetheologicalquarrelsofthemoment，andmaintainedsilenceonquestionsinwhichChurchandStatewereimplicated；butifhehadbeenstronglypressed，itseemsthathewouldhavebeenfoundtobeanultramontaneratherthanagallican。Sincewearemakingaportrait，andsincewedonotwishtoconcealanything，weareforcedtoaddthathewasglacialtowardsNapoleoninhisdecline。
Beginningwith1813，hegaveinhisadherencetoorapplaudedallhostilemanifestations。Herefusedtoseehim，ashepassedthroughonhisreturnfromtheislandofElba，andheabstainedfromorderingpublicprayersfortheEmperorinhisdioceseduringtheHundredDays。
Besideshissister，MademoiselleBaptistine，hehadtwobrothers，oneageneral，theotheraprefect。Hewrotetobothwithtolerablefrequency。Hewasharshforatimetowardstheformer，because，holdingacommandinProvenceattheepochofthedisembarkationatCannes，thegeneralhadputhimselfattheheadoftwelvehundredmenandhadpursuedtheEmperorasthoughthelatterhadbeenapersonwhomoneisdesirousofallowingtoescape。Hiscorrespondencewiththeotherbrother，theex—prefect，afine，worthymanwholivedinretirementatParis，RueCassette，remainedmoreaffectionate。
ThusMonseigneurBienvenualsohadhishourofpartyspirit，hishourofbitterness，hiscloud。Theshadowofthepassionsofthemomenttraversedthisgrandandgentlespiritoccupiedwitheternalthings。
Certainly，suchamanwouldhavedonewellnottoentertainanypoliticalopinions。Lettherebenomistakeastoourmeaning:
wearenotconfoundingwhatiscalled"politicalopinions"withthegrandaspirationforprogress，withthesublimefaith，patriotic，democratic，humane，whichinourdayshouldbetheveryfoundationofeverygenerousintellect。Withoutgoingdeeplyintoquestionswhichareonlyindirectlyconnectedwiththesubjectofthisbook，wewillsimplysaythis:ItwouldhavebeenwellifMonseigneurBienvenuhadnotbeenaRoyalist，andifhisglancehadneverbeen，forasingleinstant，turnedawayfromthatserenecontemplationinwhichisdistinctlydiscernible，abovethefictionsandthehatredsofthisworld，abovethestormyvicissitudesofhumanthings，thebeamingofthosethreepureradiances，truth，justice，andcharity。
WhileadmittingthatitwasnotforapoliticalofficethatGodcreatedMonseigneurWelcome，weshouldhaveunderstoodandadmiredhisprotestinthenameofrightandliberty，hisproudopposition，hisjustbutperilousresistancetotheall—powerfulNapoleon。
Butthatwhichpleasesusinpeoplewhoarerisingpleasesuslessinthecaseofpeoplewhoarefalling。Weonlylovethefraysolongasthereisdanger，andinanycase，thecombatantsofthefirsthourhavealonetherighttobetheexterminatorsofthelast。Hewhohasnotbeenastubbornaccuserinprosperityshouldholdhispeaceinthefaceofruin。Thedenunciatorofsuccessistheonlylegitimateexecutionerofthefall。
Asforus，whenProvidenceintervenesandstrikes，weletitwork。
1812commencedtodisarmus。In1813thecowardlybreachofsilenceofthattaciturnlegislativebody，emboldenedbycatastrophe，possessedonlytraitswhicharousedindignation。Anditwasacrimetoapplaud，in1814，inthepresenceofthosemarshalswhobetrayed；
inthepresenceofthatsenatewhichpassedfromonedunghilltoanother，insultingafterhavingdeified；inthepresenceofthatidolatrywhichwasloosingitsfootingandspittingonitsidol，——
itwasadutytoturnasidethehead。In1815，whenthesupremedisastersfilledtheair，whenFrancewasseizedwithashiverattheirsinisterapproach，whenWaterloocouldbedimlydiscernedopeningbeforeNapoleon，themournfulacclamationofthearmyandthepeopletothecondemnedofdestinyhadnothinglaughableinit，and，aftermakingallallowanceforthedespot，aheartlikethatoftheBishopofD————，oughtnotperhapstohavefailedtorecognizetheaugustandtouchingfeaturespresentedbytheembraceofagreatnationandagreatmanonthebrinkoftheabyss。
Withthisexception，hewasinallthingsjust，true，equitable，intelligent，humbleanddignified，beneficentandkindly，whichisonlyanothersortofbenevolence。Hewasapriest，asage，andaman。Itmustbeadmitted，thateveninthepoliticalviewswithwhichwehavejustreproachedhim，andwhichwearedisposedtojudgealmostwithseverity，hewastolerantandeasy，moreso，perhaps，thanwewhoarespeakinghere。Theporterofthetown—hallhadbeenplacedtherebytheEmperor。Hewasanoldnon—commissionedofficeroftheoldguard，amemberoftheLegionofHonoratAusterlitz，asmuchofaBonapartistastheeagle。
Thispoorfellowoccasionallyletslipinconsiderateremarks，whichthelawthenstigmatizedasseditiousspeeches。AftertheimperialprofiledisappearedfromtheLegionofHonor，heneverdressedhimselfinhisregimentals，ashesaid，sothatheshouldnotbeobligedtowearhiscross。HehadhimselfdevoutlyremovedtheimperialeffigyfromthecrosswhichNapoleonhadgivenhim；
thismadeahole，andhewouldnotputanythinginitsplace。
"Iwilldie，"hesaid，"ratherthanwearthethreefrogsuponmyheart！"HelikedtoscoffaloudatLouisXVIII。"ThegoutyoldcreatureinEnglishgaiters！"hesaid；"lethimtakehimselfofftoPrussiawiththatqueueofhis。"Hewashappytocombineinthesameimprecationthetwothingswhichhemostdetested，PrussiaandEngland。Hediditsooftenthathelosthisplace。
Therehewas，turnedoutofthehouse，withhiswifeandchildren，andwithoutbread。TheBishopsentforhim，reprovedhimgently，andappointedhimbeadleinthecathedral。
InthecourseofnineyearsMonseigneurBienvenuhad，bydintofholydeedsandgentlemanners，filledthetownofD————
withasortoftenderandfilialreverence。EvenhisconducttowardsNapoleonhadbeenacceptedandtacitlypardoned，asitwere，bythepeople，thegoodandweaklyflockwhoadoredtheiremperor，butlovedtheirbishop。
CHAPTERXII
THESOLITUDEOFMONSEIGNEURWELCOME
Abishopisalmostalwayssurroundedbyafullsquadronoflittleabbes，justasageneralisbyacoveyofyoungofficers。
ThisiswhatthatcharmingSaintFrancoisdeSalescallssomewhere"lespretresblancs—becs，"callowpriests。Everycareerhasitsaspirants，whoformatrainforthosewhohaveattainedeminenceinit。
Thereisnopowerwhichhasnotitsdependents。Thereisnofortunewhichhasnotitscourt。Theseekersofthefutureeddyaroundthesplendidpresent。Everymetropolishasitsstaffofofficials。
Everybishopwhopossessestheleastinfluencehasabouthimhispatrolofcherubimfromtheseminary，whichgoestheround，andmaintainsgoodorderintheepiscopalpalace，andmountsguardovermonseigneur’ssmile。Topleaseabishopisequivalenttogettingone’sfootinthestirrupforasub—diaconate。Itisnecessarytowalkone’spathdiscreetly；theapostleshipdoesnotdisdainthecanonship。
Justastherearebigwigselsewhere，therearebigmitresintheChurch。
ThesearethebishopswhostandwellatCourt，whoarerich，wellendowed，skilful，acceptedbytheworld，whoknowhowtopray，nodoubt，butwhoknowalsohowtobeg，whofeellittlescrupleatmakingawholediocesedanceattendanceintheirperson，whoareconnectinglinksbetweenthesacristyanddiplomacy，whoareabbesratherthanpriests，prelatesratherthanbishops。
Happythosewhoapproachthem！Beingpersonsofinfluence，theycreateashoweraboutthem，upontheassiduousandthefavored，anduponalltheyoungmenwhounderstandtheartofpleasing，oflargeparishes，prebends，archidiaconates，chaplaincies，andcathedralposts，whileawaitingepiscopalhonors。Astheyadvancethemselves，theycausetheirsatellitestoprogressalso；
itisawholesolarsystemonthemarch。Theirradiancecastsagleamofpurpleovertheirsuite。Theirprosperityiscrumbledupbehindthescenes，intonicelittlepromotions。Thelargerthedioceseofthepatron，thefatterthecuracyforthefavorite。Andthen，thereisRome。Abishopwhounderstandshowtobecomeanarchbishop，anarchbishopwhoknowshowtobecomeacardinal，carriesyouwithhimasconclavist；youenteracourtofpapaljurisdiction，youreceivethepallium，andbehold！youareanauditor，thenapapalchamberlain，thenmonsignor，andfromaGracetoanEminenceisonlyastep，andbetweentheEminenceandtheHolinessthereisbutthesmokeofaballot。Everyskull—capmaydreamofthetiara。
Thepriestisnowadaystheonlymanwhocanbecomeakinginaregularmanner；andwhataking！thesupremeking。Thenwhatanurseryofaspirationsisaseminary！Howmanyblushingchoristers，howmanyyouthfulabbesbearontheirheadsPerrette’spotofmilk！
Whoknowshoweasyitisforambitiontocallitselfvocation？
ingoodfaith，perchance，anddeceivingitself，devoteethatitis。
MonseigneurBienvenu，poor，humble，retiring，wasnotaccountedamongthebigmitres。Thiswasplainfromthecompleteabsenceofyoungpriestsabouthim。Wehaveseenthathe"didnottake"
inParis。Notasinglefuturedreamedofengraftingitselfonthissolitaryoldman。Notasinglesproutingambitioncommittedthefollyofputtingforthitsfoliageinhisshadow。Hiscanonsandgrand—vicarsweregoodoldmen，rathervulgarlikehimself，walleduplikehiminthisdiocese，withoutexittoacardinalship，andwhoresembledtheirbishop，withthisdifference，thattheywerefinishedandhewascompleted。TheimpossibilityofgrowinggreatunderMonseigneurBienvenuwassowellunderstood，thatnosoonerhadtheyoungmenwhomheordainedlefttheseminarythantheygotthemselvesrecommendedtothearchbishopsofAixorofAuch，andwentoffinagreathurry。For，inshort，werepeatit，menwishtobepushed。Asaintwhodwellsinaparoxysmofabnegationisadangerousneighbor；hemightcommunicatetoyou，bycontagion，anincurablepoverty，ananchylosisofthejoints，whichareusefulinadvancement，andinshort，morerenunciationthanyoudesire；
andthisinfectiousvirtueisavoided。HencetheisolationofMonseigneurBienvenu。Weliveinthemidstofagloomysociety。
Success；thatisthelessonwhichfallsdropbydropfromtheslopeofcorruption。
Beitsaidinpassing，thatsuccessisaveryhideousthing。Itsfalseresemblancetomeritdeceivesmen。Forthemasses，successhasalmostthesameprofileassupremacy。Success，thatMenaechmusoftalent，hasonedupe，——history。JuvenalandTacitusalonegrumbleatit。
Inourday，aphilosophywhichisalmostofficialhasenteredintoitsservice，wearstheliveryofsuccess，andperformstheserviceofitsantechamber。Succeed:theory。Prosperityarguescapacity。
Wininthelottery，andbehold！youareacleverman。Hewhotriumphsisvenerated。Bebornwithasilverspooninyourmouth！
everythingliesinthat。Belucky，andyouwillhavealltherest；
behappy，andpeoplewillthinkyougreat。Outsideoffiveorsiximmenseexceptions，whichcomposethesplendorofacentury，contemporaryadmirationisnothingbutshort—sightedness。Gildingisgold。Itdoesnoharmtobethefirstarrivalbypurechance，solongasyoudoarrive。ThecommonherdisanoldNarcissuswhoadoreshimself，andwhoapplaudsthevulgarherd。ThatenormousabilitybyvirtueofwhichoneisMoses，Aeschylus，Dante，MichaelAngelo，orNapoleon，themultitudeawardsonthespot，andbyacclamation，towhomsoeverattainshisobject，inwhatsoeveritmayconsist。
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