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