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