"MonsieurBonnet，"saidthearchbishop，lookingattherector，"youhaveaccomplishedamiracle。"
　　"NotI，butGod，Monseigneur，"hereplied。
　　"Theysaidshewasdying，"saidMonsieurGrossetete，"butsheisdead;
　　thereisnothingleftofherbutspirit。"
　　"Asoul，"saidGerard。
　　"Andyetsheisstillthesame，"criedthe/procureur—general/。
　　"AstoicafterthemannerofthePorchphilosophers，"saidthetutor。
　　Theywalkedinsilencethewholelengthofthebalustrade，lookingatthelandscapestillredwiththedeclininglight。
　　"Tomewhosawthisscenethirteenyearsago，"saidthearchbishop，pointingtothefertileplain，thevalley，andthemountainsofMontegnac，"thismiracleisasextraordinaryasthatwehavejustwitnessed。ButhowcomesitthatyouallowMadameGraslintowalkabout？Sheoughttobeinherbed。"
　　"Shewasthere，"saidMadameSauviat;"fortendaysshedidnotleaveit;butto—daysheinsistedongettinguptotakealastlookatthelandscape。"
　　"Icanunderstandthatshewantedtobidfarewelltohergreatcreation，"saidMonsieurdeGrandville;"butsheriskedexpiringonthisterrace。"
　　"MonsieurRoubaudtoldusnottothwarther，"saidMadameSauviat。
　　"Whatastupendouswork！whatamiraclehasbeenaccomplished！"saidthearchbishop，whoseeyeswererovingoverthescenebeforehim。"Shehasliterallysownthedesert！Butweknow，monsieur，"headded，turningtoGerard，"thatyourscientificknowledgeandyourlaborshavealargeshareinit。"
　　"Theyhavebeenonlytheworkmen，"repliedthemayor。"Yes，thehandsonly;shehasbeenthethought。"
　　MadameSauviathereleftthegroup，tohear，ifpossible，thedecisionofthedoctors。
　　"Weneedsomeheroismourselves，"saidMonsieurdeGrandvilletotherectorandthearchbishop，"toenableustowitnessthisdeath。"
　　"Yes，"saidMonsieurGrossetete，whooverheardhim，"butweoughttodomuchforsuchafriend。"
　　Afterseveralturnsupanddowntheterrace，thesepersons，fullofsolemnthoughts，sawtwofarmersapproachingthem，sentasadeputationfromthevillage，wheretheinhabitantswereinastateofpainfulanxietytoknowthesentencepronouncedbythephysicianfromParis。
　　"Theyarestillconsulting，andasyetweknownothing，myfriends，"
　　saidthearchbishop。
　　Ashespoke，MonsieurRoubaudappearedcomingtowardthem，andtheyallhurriedtomeethim。
　　"Well？"saidthemayor。
　　"Shecannotliveforty—eighthourslonger，"repliedMonsieurRoubaud。
　　"Duringmyabsencethediseasehasfullydeveloped;MonsieurBianchondoesnotunderstandhowitwaspossibleforhertohavewalked。Suchphenomenalexhibitionsofstrengtharealwayscausedbygreatmentalexaltation。So，gentlemen，"saidthedoctortothepriests，"shebelongstoyounow;scienceisuseless，andmyillustriousfellow—
　　physicianthinksyouhavebarelytimeenoughforyourlastoffices。"
　　"Letusgonowandsaytheprayersforthefortyhours，"saidtherectortohisparishioners，turningtoleavetheterrace。"HisGracewilldoubtlessadministerthelastsacraments。"
　　Thearchbishopbowedhishead;hecouldnotspeak;hiseyeswerefulloftears。Everyonesatdown，orleanedagainstthebalustrade，absorbedinhisownthought。Thechurchbellspresentlysentforthafewsadcalls，andthenthewholepopulationwereseenhurryingtowardtheporch。ThegleamofthelightedtapersshonethroughthetreesinMonsieurBonnet’sgarden;thechantsresounded。Nocolorwasleftinthelandscapebutthedullredhueofthedusk;eventhebirdshadhushedtheirsongs;thetree—frogalonesentforthitslong，clear，melancholynote。
　　"Iwillgoanddomyduty，"saidthearchbishop，turningawaywithaslowsteplikeamanovercomewithemotion。
　　Theconsultationhadtakenplaceinthegreatsalonofthechateau。
　　Thisvastroomcommunicatedwithastatebedchamber，furnishedinreddamask，inwhichGraslinhaddisplayedacertainopulentmagnificence。
　　Veroniquehadnotentereditsixtimesinfourteenyears;thegrandapartmentswerequiteuselesstoher，andsheneverreceivedherfriendsthere。Butnowtheeffortshehadmadetoaccomplishherlastobligation，andtoovercomeherlastrepugnancehadexhaustedherstrength，andshewaswhollyunabletomountthestairstoherownrooms。
　　Whentheillustriousphysicianhadtakenthepatient’shandandfeltherpulsehelookedatMonsieurRoubaudandmadehimasign;thentogethertheyliftedherandcarriedherintothechamber。Alinehastilyopenedthedoors。Likeallstatebedstheoneinthisroomhadnosheets，andthetwodoctorslaidMadameGraslinonthedamaskcoverlet。Roubaudopenedthewindows，pushedbacktheouterblinds，andcalled。TheservantsandMadameSauviatwentin。Thetapersinthecandelabrawerelighted。
　　"Itisordained，"saidthedyingwoman，smiling，"thatmydeathshallbewhatthatofaChristianshouldbe——afestival！"
　　Duringtheconsultationshesaid:——
　　"The/procureur—general/hasdonehisprofessionalduty;Iwasgoing，andhehaspushedmeon。"
　　Theoldmotherlookedatherandlaidafingeronherlips。
　　"Mother，Ishallspeak，"repliedVeronique。"See！thehandofGodisinallthis;Iamdyinginaredroom——"
　　MadameSauviatwentout，unabletobearthosewords。
　　"Aline，"shesaid，"shewillspeak！shewillspeak！"
　　"Ah！madameisoutofhermind，"criedthefaithfulmaid，whowasbringingsheets。"Fetchtherector，madame。"
　　"Yourmistressmustbeundressed，"saidBianchontothemaid。
　　"Itwillbeverydifficulttodoit，monsieur;madameiswrappedinahair—clothgarment。"
　　"What！inthenineteenth—centurycansuchhorrorsberevived？"saidthegreatdoctor。
　　"MadameGraslinhasneverallowedmetotouchherstomach，"saidRoubaud。"Ihavebeenabletojudgeoftheprogressofthediseaseonlyfromherfaceandherpulse，andthelittleinformationIcouldgetfromhermotherandthemaid。"
　　Veroniquewasnowplacedonasofawhilethebedwasbeingmade。Thedoctorsspoketogetherinalowvoice。MadameSauviatandAlinemadethebed。Thefacesofthetwowomenwerefullofanguish;theirheartswerewrungbythethought，"Wearemakingherbedforthelasttime——
　　shewilldiehere！"
　　Theconsultationwasnotlong。ButBianchonexactedattheoutsetthatAlineshould，inspiteofthepatient’sresistance，cutoffthehairshirtandputonanight—dress。Thedoctorsreturnedtothesalonwhilethiswasbeingdone。WhenAlinepassedthemcarryingtheinstrumentoftorturewrappedinanapkin，shesaid:——
　　"Madame’sbodyisonegreatwound。"
　　Thedoctorsreturnedtothebedroom。
　　"YourwillisstrongerthanthatofNapoleon，madame，"saidBianchon，afteraskingafewquestions，towhichVeroniquerepliedveryclearly。
　　"YoukeepyourmindandyourfacultiesinthelaststagesofadiseasewhichrobbedtheEmperorofhisbrilliantintellect。FromwhatIknowofyouIthinkIoughttotellyouthetruth。"
　　"Iimploreyoutodoso，"shesaid。"Youareabletoestimatewhatstrengthremainstome;andIhaveneedofallmyvigorforafewhours。"
　　"Thinkonlyofyoursalvation，"repliedBianchon。
　　"IfGodhasgivenmegracetodieinpossessionofallmyfaculties，"
　　shesaidwithacelestialsmile，"besurethatthisfavorwillbeusedtothegloryofhisChurch。ThepossessionofmymindandsensesisnecessarytofulfilacommandofGod，whereasNapoleonhadaccomplishedallhisdestiny。"
　　Thedoctorslookedateachotherinastonishmentathearingthesewords，saidwithasmucheaseasthoughMadameGraslinwerestillpresidinginhersalon。
　　"Ah！hereisthedoctorwhoistocureme，"shesaidpresently，whenthearchbishop，summonedbyRoubaud，enteredtheroom。
　　Shecollectedallherstrengthandrosetoasittingposture，inordertobowgraciouslytoMonsieurBianchon，andbeghimtoacceptsomethingelsethanmoneyforthegoodnewshegaveher。Shesaidafewwordsinhermother’sear，andMadameSauviatimmediatelyledawaythedoctors;thenVeroniquerequestedthearchbishoptopostponetheirinterviewtilltherectorcouldcometoher，expressingawishtorestforawhile。Alinewatchedbesideher。
　　AtmidnightMadameGraslinawoke，andaskedforthearchbishopandrector，whomAlinesilentlyshowedhercloseathand，prayingforher。
　　Shemadeasigndismissinghermotherandthemaid，and，atanothersign，thetwopriestscametothebedside。
　　"Monseigneur，andyou，mydearrector，"shesaid，"willhearnothingyoudonotalreadyknow。Youwerethefirst，Monseigneur，tocastyoureyesintomyinnerself;youreadtherenearlyallmypast;andwhatyoureadsufficedyou。Myconfessor，thatguardianangelwhomheavenplacednearme，knowsmore;Ihavetoldhimall。You，whosemindsareenlightenedbythespiritoftheChurch，IwishtoconsultyouastothemannerinwhichIoughtasatrueChristiantoleavethislife。
　　You，austereandsaintlyspirits，thinkyouthatifGoddeignstopardononewhoserepentanceisthedeepest，themostabsolute，thatevershookahumansoul，thinkyouthateventhenIhavemademyfullexpiationherebelow？"
　　"Yes，"saidthearchbishop;"yes，mydaughter。"
　　"No，myfather，no！"shesaidrisinginherbed，thelightningflashingfromhereyes。"Notfarfromherethereisagrave，whereanunhappymanislyingbeneaththeweightofadreadfulcrime;hereinthissumptuoushomeisawoman，crownedwiththefameofbenevolenceandvirtue。Thiswomanisblessed;thatpooryoungmaniscursed。Thecriminaliscoveredwithobloquy;Ireceivetherespectofall。Ihadthelargestshareinthesin;hehasashare，alargeshareinthegoodwhichhaswonformesuchgloryandsuchgratitude。FraudthatI
　　am，Ihavethehonor;he，themartyrtohisloyalty，hastheshame。I
　　shalldieinafewhours，andthecantonwillmournme;thewholedepartmentwillringwithmygooddeeds，mypiety，myvirtue;buthediedcoveredwithinsults，insightofawholepopulationrushing，withhatredtoamurderer，toseehimdie。You，myjudges，youareindulgenttome;yetIhearwithinmyselfanimperiousvoicewhichwillnotletmerest。Ah！thehandofGod，lesstenderthanyours，strikesmefromdaytoday，asiftowarnmethatallisnotexpiated。
　　Mysinscannotberedeemedexceptbyapublicconfession。Heishappy！
　　criminal，hegavehislifewithignominyinfaceofearthandheaven;
　　andI，IcheattheworldasIcheatedhumanjustice。ThehomageI
　　receivehumiliatesme;praisesearsmyheart。Doyounotsee，intheverycomingofthe/procureur—general/，acommandfromheavenechoingthevoiceinmyownsoulwhichcriestome:Confess！"
　　Thetwopriests，theprinceoftheChurchaswellasthehumblerector，thesetwogreatlights，eachinhisownway，stoodwiththeireyesloweredandweresilent。Deeplymovedbythegrandeurandtheresignationoftheguiltywoman，thejudgescouldnotpronouncehersentence。
　　"Mychild，"saidthearchbishopatlast，raisinghisnoblehead，maceratedbythecustomsofhisausterelife，"youaregoingbeyondthecommandmentsoftheChurch。ThegloryoftheChurchistomakeherdogmaconformtothehabitsandmannersofeachage;fortheChurchgoesonfromagetoageincompanywithhumanity。Accordingtoherpresentdecisionsecretconfessionhastakentheplaceofpublicconfession。Thissubstitutionhasmadethenewlaw。Thesufferingsyouhaveenduredsuffice。Dieinpeace:Godhasheardyou。"
　　"ButisnotthisdesireofaguiltywomaninconformitywiththelawofthefirstChurch，whichhasenrichedheavenwithasmanysaintsandmartyrsandconfessingsoulsastherearestarsinthefirmament？"
　　persistedVeronique，vehemently。"Whosaid:/Confessyourselvestooneanother/？Wasitnotthedisciples，wholivedwiththeSaviour？Letmeconfessmyshamepubliclyonmyknees。Itwillredeemmysintotheworld，tothatfamilyexiledandalmostextinctthroughme。Theworldoughttoknowthatmybenefactionsarenotanoffering，butthepaymentofadebt。Supposethatlater，aftermydeath，somethingtorefrommymemorythelyingveilwhichcoversme。Ah！thatideaismorethanIcanbear，itisdeathindeed！"
　　"Iseeinthistoomuchofcalculation，mychild，"saidthearchbishop，gravely。"Passionsarestilltoostronginyou;theoneI
　　thoughtextinctis——"
　　"Oh！Isweartoyou，Monseigneur，"shesaid，interruptingtheprelateandfixinghereyes，fullofhorror，uponhim，"myheartisaspurifiedasthatofaguiltyandrepentantwomancanbe;thereisnothingnowwithinmebutthethoughtofGod。"
　　"Monseigneur，"saidtherectorinatendervoice，"letusleavecelestialjusticetotakeitscourse。ItisnowfouryearssinceI
　　havestronglyopposedthiswish;itistheonlydifferencethathasevercomebetweenmypenitentandmyself。Ihaveseentothedepthsofthatsoul，andIknowthisearthhasnolongeranyholdthere。Thoughthetears，theremorse，thecontritionoffifteenyearsrelatetothemutualsinofthosetwopersons，believemetherearenoremainsofearthlypassioninthislongandterriblebewailing。Memorynolongerminglesitsflameswiththoseofanardentpenitence。Yes，tearshaveatlastextinguishedthatgreatfire。Iguarantee，"hesaid，stretchinghishandoverMadameGraslin’shead，andlettinghismoistenedeyesbeseen，"Iguaranteethepurityofthatangelicsoul。
　　AndalsoIseeinthisdesirethethoughtofreparationtoanabsentfamily，amemberofwhichGodhasbroughtbackherebyoneofthoseeventswhichrevealHisprovidence。"
　　Veroniquetookthetremblinghandoftherectorandkissedit。
　　"Youhaveoftenbeenverysterntome，dearpastor，butatthismomentIseewhereyoukeepyourapostolicgentleness。You，"shesaid，lookingatthearchbishop，"you，thesupremeheadofthiscornerofGod’skingdom，betome，inthismomentofignominy，asupport。Imustbowdownasthelowestofwomen，butyouwillliftmeuppardonedand——possibly——theequalofthosewhoneversinned。"
　　Thearchbishopwassilent，weighingnodoubtalltheconsiderationshispractisedeyeperceived。
　　"Monseigneur，"saidtherector，"religionhashadsomeheavyblows。
　　Thisreturntoancientcustoms，broughtaboutbythegreatnessofthesinanditsrepentance，mayitnotbeatriumphwehavenorighttorefuse？"
　　"Buttheywillsaywearefanatics！Theywilldeclarewehaveexactedthiscruelscene！"
　　Andagainthearchbishopwassilentandthoughtful。
　　AtthismomentHoraceBianchonandRoubaudenteredtheroom，afterknocking。AsthedooropenedVeroniquesawhermother，herson，andalltheservantsofthehouseholdontheirkneespraying。TherectorsofthetwoadjacentparisheshadcometoassistMonsieurBonnet，andalso，perhaps，topaytheirrespectstothegreatprelate，forwhomtheFrenchclergynowdesiredthehonorsofthecardinalate，hopingthattheclearnessofhisintellect，whichwasthoroughlyGallican，wouldenlightentheSacredCollege。
　　HoraceBianchonreturnedtoParis;beforedeparting，hecametobidfarewelltothedyingwomanandthankherforhermunificence。Slowlyheapproached，perceivingfromthefacesoftheprieststhatthewoundsofthesoulhadbeenthedeterminingcauseofthoseofthebody。HetookMadameGraslin’shand，laiditonthebedandfeltthepulse。Thedeepsilence，thatofasummernightinacountrysolitude，gaveadditionalsolemnitytothescene。Thegreatsalon，seenthroughthedoubledoors，waslightedupforthelittlecompanyofpersonswhowereprayingthere;allwereontheirkneesexceptthetwopriestswhowereseatedandreadingtheirbrevaries。Oneithersideofthegrandstatebedweretheprelateinhisvioletrobes，therector，andthetwophysicians。
　　"Sheisagitatedalmostuntodeath，"saidHoraceBianchon，who，likeallmenofgreattalent，sometimesusedspeechasgrandastheoccasionthatcalleditforth。
　　Thearchbishoproseasifsomeinwardimpulsedrovehim;hecalledtoMonsieurBonnet，andtogethertheycrossedtheroom，passedthroughthesalon，andwentoutupontheterrace，wheretheywalkedupanddownforsomemoments。Whentheyreturned，afterdiscussingthiscaseofecclesiasticaldiscipline，Roubaudmetthem。
　　XXI
　　CONFESSIONATTHEGATESOFTHETOMB
　　Atteno’clockinthemorningthearchbishop，wearinghispontificalrobes，cameintoMadameGraslin’schamber。Theprelate，aswellastherector，hadsuchconfidenceinthiswomanthattheygavehernoadviceorinstructionsastothelimitswithinwhichsheoughttomakeherconfession。
　　Veroniquenowsawanassemblageofclergyfromalltheneighboringdistricts。Monseigneurwasassistedbyfourvicars。Themagnificentvesselsshehadbestoweduponherdearparishchurchwerebroughttothehouseandgavesplendortotheceremony。Eightchoristersintheirwhiteandredsurplicesstoodintworowsfromthebedtothedoorofthesalon，eachholdingoneofthelargebronze—giltcandelabrawhichVeroniquehadorderedfromParis。Thecrossandthechurchbannerwereheldoneithersideofthebedbywhite—hairedsacristans。Thankstothedevotionofherservants，awoodenaltarbroughtfromthesacristyhadbeenerectedclosetothedoorofthesalon，andsopreparedanddecoratedthatMonseigneurcouldsaymassuponit。
　　MadameGraslinwasdeeplytouchedbytheseattentions，whichtheChurch，asageneralthing，grantsonlytoroyalpersonages。Thefoldingdoorsbetweenthesalonandthedining—roomwereopen，andshecouldseeavistaoftheground—floorroomsfilledwiththevillagepopulation。Herfriendshadthoughtofeverything;thesalonwasoccupiedexclusivelybythemselvesandtheservantsofthehousehold。
　　Inthefrontrankandgroupedbeforethedoorofthebedroomwerehernearestfriends，thoseonwhosediscretionreliancecouldbeplaced。
　　MM。Grossetete，deGrandville，Roubaud，Gerard，Clousier，Ruffin，tookthefirstplaces。Theyhadarrangedamongthemselvesthattheyshouldriseandstandinagroup，thuspreventingthewordsoftherepentantwomanfrombeingheardinthefartherrooms;buttheirtearsandsobswould，inanycase，havedrownedhervoice。
　　Atthismomentandbeforeallelseinthataudience，twopersonspresented，toanobserver，apowerfullyaffectingsight。OnewasDeniseTascheron。Herforeigngarments，ofQuakersimplicity，madeherunrecognizablebyherformervillageacquaintance。Theotherwasquiteanotherpersonage，anacquaintancenottobeforgotten，andhisapparitiontherewaslikeastreakofluridlight。The/procureur—
　　general/camesuddenlytoaperceptionofthetruth;thepartthathehadplayedtoMadameGraslinunrolleditselfbeforehim;hedivinedittoitsfullestextent。Lessinfluenced，asasonofthenineteenthcentury，bythereligiousaspectofthematter，MonsieurdeGrandville’sheartwasfilledwithanawfuldread;forhesawbeforehim，hecontemplatedthedramaofthatwoman’shiddenselfatthehotelGraslinduringthetrialofJean—FrancoisTascheron。Thattragicperiodcamebackdistinctlytohismemory，——lightedevennowbythemother’seyes，shiningwithhatred，whichfelluponhimwherehestood，likedropsofmoltenlead。Thatoldwoman，standingtenfeetfromhim，forgavenothing。Thatman，representinghumanjustice，trembled。Pale，strucktotheheart，hedarednotcasthiseyesuponthebedwherelaythewomanhehadlovedsowell，nowlividbeneaththehandofdeath，gatheringstrengthtoconqueragonyfromthegreatnessofhersinanditsrepentance。ThemeresightofVeronique’sthinprofile，sharplydefinedinwhiteuponthecrimsondamask，causedhimavertigo。
　　Ateleveno’clockthemassbegan。AftertheepistlehadbeenreadbytherectorofVizaythearchbishopremovedhisdalmaticandadvancedtothethresholdofthebedroomdoor。
　　"Christians，gatherheretoassistintheceremonyofextremeunctionwhichweareabouttoadministertothemistressofthishouse，"hesaid，"youwhojoinyourprayerstothoseoftheChurchandintercedewithGodtoobtainfromHimhereternalsalvation，youarenowtolearnthatshedoesnotfeelherselfworthy，inthis，herlasthour，toreceivetheholyviaticumwithouthavingmade，fortheedificationofherfellows，apublicconfessionofthegreatestofhersins。Wehaveresistedherpiouswish，althoughthisactofcontritionwaslonginuseduringtheearlyagesofChristianity。But，asthispoorwomantellsusthatherconfessionmayservetorehabilitateanunfortunatesonofthisparish，weleaveherfreetofollowtheinspirationsofherrepentance。"
　　Afterthesewords，saidwithpastoralunctionanddignity，thearchbishopturnedasidetogiveplacetoVeronique。Thedyingwomancameforward，supportedbyheroldmotherandtherector，——themotherfromwhomshederivedherbody，theChurch，thespiritualmotherofhersoul。Shekneltdownonacushion，claspedherhands，andseemedtocollectherselfforafewmoments，asiftogatherfromsomesourcedescendingfromheaventhepowertospeak。Atthismomentthesilencewasalmostterrifying。Nonedaredlookattheirneighbor。Alleyeswerelowered。AndyettheeyesofVeronique，whensheraisedthem，encounteredthoseofthe/procureur—general/，andtheexpressiononthatblanchedfacebroughtthecolortohers。
　　"Icouldnotdieinpeace，"saidVeronique，inavoiceofdeepemotion，"ifIsufferedthefalseimpressionyouallhaveofmetoremain。Youseeinmeaguiltywoman，whoasksyourprayers，andwhoseekstomakeherselfworthyofpardonbythispublicconfessionofhersin。Thatsinwassogreat，itsconsequencesweresofatal，thatperhapsnopenancecanatoneforit。ButthemorehumiliationIsubmittohereonearth，thelessImayhavetodreadthewrathofGodintheheavenlykingdomtowhichIamgoing。Myfather，whohadgreatconfidenceinme，commendedtomycare（nowtwentyyearsago）asonofthisparish，inwhomhehadseenagreatdesiretoimprovehimself，anaptitudeforstudy，andfinecharacteristics。ImeantheunfortunateJean—FrancoisTascheron，whothenceforthattachedhimselftomeashisbenefactress。HowdidtheaffectionIfeltforhimbecomeaguiltyone？Ithinkmyselfexcusedfromexplainingthis。Perhapsitcouldbeshownthatthepurestsentimentsbywhichweactinthisworldwereinsensiblydivertedfromtheircoursebyuntoldsacrifices，byreasonsarisingfromourhumanfrailty，bymanycauseswhichmightappeartodismisstheevilofmysin。Butevenifthenoblestaffectionsmovedme，wasIlessguilty？RatherletmeconfessthatI，whobyeducation，bypositionintheworld，mightconsidermyselfsuperiortotheyouthmyfatherconfidedtome，andfromwhomIwasseparatedbythenaturaldelicacyofoursex，——Ilistened，fatally，tothepromptingsofthedevil。Isoonfoundmyselftoomuchthemotherofthatyoungmantobeinsensibletohismuteanddelicateadmiration。Healone，hefirst，recognizedmytruevalue。Butperhapsahorriblecalculationenteredmymind。Ithoughthowdiscreetayouthwouldbewhoowedhisalltome，andwhomthechancesoflifehadputsofarawayfromme，thoughwewerebornequals。Imadeevenmyreputationforbenevolence，mypiousoccupations，acloaktoscreenmyconduct。Alas！——andthisisdoubtlessoneofmygreatestsins——Ihidmypassionundercoverofthealtar。Themostvirtuousofmyactions——theloveIboremymother，theactsofdevotionwhichweresincereandtrueinthemidstofmywrong—
　　doing——all，allweremadetoservetheendsofadesperatepassion，andwerelinksinthechainthatheldme。Mypoorbelovedmother，whohearsmenow，wasforalongtime，ignorantly，anaccompliceinmysin。Whenhereyeswereopened，toomanydangerousfactsexistednottogivehermother’sheartthestrengthtobesilent。Silencewithherhasbeenthehighestvirtue。HerloveforherdaughterhasgonebeyondherlovetoGod。Ah！Iheredischargehersolemnlyfromtheheavyburdenofsecrecywhichshehasborne。Sheshallendherdayswithoutcompellingeithereyesorbrowtolie。Lethermotherhoodstandclearofblame;letthatnoble，sacredoldage，crownedwithvirtue，shinewithitsnaturallustre，freedofthatlinkwhichboundherindirectlytoinfamy！"
　　Tearscheckedthedyingwoman’svoiceforaninstant;Alinegavehersaltstoinhale。
　　"ThereisnoonewhohasnotbeenbettertomethanIdeserve，"shewenton，——"eventhedevotedservantwhodoesthislastservice;shehasfeignedignoranceofwhatsheknew，butatleastshewasinthesecretofthepenancesbywhichIhavedestroyedthefleshthatsinned。IherebegpardonoftheworldforthelongdeceptiontowhichIhavebeenledbytheterriblelogicofsociety。Jean—FrancoisTascheronwasnotasguiltyasheseemed。Ah！youwhohearme，I
　　imploreyoutorememberhisyouth，andthemadnessexcitedinhimpartlybytheremorsethatseizeduponme，partlybyinvoluntaryseductions。Morethanthat！itwasasenseofhonor，thoughamistakenhonor，whichcausedthemostawfuloftheseevils。Neitherofuscouldendureourperpetualdeceit。Heappealed，unhappyman，tomyownrightfeeling;hesoughttomakeourfatalloveaslittlewoundingtoothersasitcouldbe。Wemeanttohideourselvesawayforever。ThusIwasthecause，thesolecause，ofhiscrime。Drivenbynecessity，theunhappyman，guiltyoftoomuchdevotiontoanidol，chosefromallevilactstheonewhichmightbehereafterreparable。Iknewnothingofittillthemomentofexecution。AtthatmomentthehandofGodthrewdownthatscaffoldingoffalsecontrivances——Iheardthecries;
　　theyechoinmyears！Idivinedthestruggle，whichIcouldnotstop，——I，thecauseofit！Tascheronwasmaddened;Iswearit。"
　　HereVeroniqueturnedhereyesuponMonsieurdeGrandville，andasobwasheardtoissuefromDeniseTascheron’sbreast。
　　"Helosthismindwhenhesawwhathethoughthishappinessdestroyedbyunforeseencircumstances。Theunhappyman，misledbyhislove，wentheadlongfromadelinquentacttocrime——fromrobberytoadoublemurder。Heleftmymother’shouseaninnocentman，hereturnedaguiltyone。Ialoneknewthattherewasneitherpremeditationnoranyoftheaggravatingcircumstancesonwhichhewassentencedtodeath。A
　　hundredtimesIthoughtofbetrayingmyselftosavehim;ahundredtimesahorribleandnecessaryrestraintstoppedthewordsuponmylips。Undoubtedly，mypresencenearthescenehadcontributedtogivehimtheodious，infamous，ignoblecourageofamurderer。Wereitnotforme，hewouldhavefled。Ihadformedthatsoul，trainedthatmind，enlargedthatheart;Iknewit;hewasincapableofcowardiceormeanness。Dojusticetothatinvoluntarilyguiltyarm，dojusticetohim，whomGod，inhismercy，hasallowedtosleepinhisquietgrave，whereyouhaveweptforhim，suspecting，itmaybe，theextenuatingtruth。Punish，cursetheguiltycreaturebeforeyou！Horrifiedbythecrimewhenoncecommitted，Ididmybesttohidemyshareinit。
　　Trustedbymyfather——I，whowaschildless——toleadachildtoGod，I
　　ledhimtothescaffold！Ah！punishme，curseme，thehourhascome！"
　　Sayingthesewords，hereyesshonewiththestoicprideofasavage。
　　Thearchbishop，standingbehindher，andasifprotectingherwiththepastoralcross，abandonedhisimpassibledemeanorandcoveredhiseyeswithhisrighthand。Amuffledcrywasheard，asthoughsomeoneweredying。Twopersons，GerardandRoubaud，receivedandcarriedawayintheirarms，DeniseTascheron，unconscious。ThatsightseemedforaninstanttoquenchthefireinVeronique’seyes;shewasevidentlyuneasy;butsoonherself—controlandserenityofmartyrdomresumedtheirsway。
　　"Younowknow，"shecontinued，"thatIdeserveneitherpraiseorblessingformyconducthere。IhaveledinsightofHeaven，asecretlifeofbitterpenancewhichHeavenwillestimate。MylifebeforemenhasbeenanimmensereparationfortheevilsIhavecaused;Ihavemarkedmyrepentanceineffaceablyontheearth;itwilllastalmosteternallyherebelow。Itiswrittenonthosefertilefields，intheprosperousvillage，intherivuletsbroughtfromthemountainstowatertheplainoncebarrenandfruitless，nowgreenandfertile。Notatreewillbecutforahundredyearstocomebutthepeopleofthisregionwillknowoftheremorsethatmadeitgrow。Myrepentantsoulwillstilllivehereamongyou。Whatyouwillowetoitsefforts，toafortunehonorablyacquired，istheheritageofitsrepentance，——therepentanceofherwhocausedthecrime。Allhasbeenrepairedsofarassocietyisconcerned;butIamstillresponsibleforthatlife，crushedinitsbud，——alifeconfidedtomeandforwhichIamnowrequiredtorenderanaccount。"
　　Theflameofhereyeswasveiledintears。
　　"Thereishere，beforeme，aman，"shecontinued，"who，becausehedidhisdutystrictly，hasbeentomeanobjectofhatredwhichIthoughteternal。Hewasthefirstinflictorofmypunishment。Myfeetwerestilltoodeepinblood，Iwastoonearthedeed，nottohatejustice。
　　Solongasthatrootofangerlayinmyheart，Iknewtherewasstillalingeringremnantofcondemnablepassion。Ihadnothingtoforgivethatman，IhaveonlyhadtopurifythatcornerofmyheartwhereEvillurked。Howeverharditmayhavebeentowinthatvictory，itiswon。"
　　MonsieurdeGrandvilleturnedafacetoVeroniquethatwasbathedintears。Humanjusticeseemedatthatmomenttofeelremorse。Whentheconfessingwomanraisedherheadasiftocontinue，shemettheagonizinglookofoldmanGrossetete，whostretchedhissupplicatinghandstoherasiftosay，"Enough，enough！"Atthesameinstantasoundoftearsandsobswasheard。Movedbysuchsympathy，unabletobearthebalmofthisgeneralpardon，shewasseizedwithfaintness。
　　Seeingthatherdaughter’svitalforcewasgoneatlast，theoldmothersummonedthevigorofheryouthtocarryheraway。
　　"Christians，"saidthearchbishop，"youhaveheardtheconfessionofthatpenitentwoman;itconfirmsthesentenceofhumanjustice。YououghttoseeinthisfreshreasontojoinyourprayerstothoseoftheChurchwhichofferstoGodtheholysacrificeofthemass，toimplorehismercyinfavorofsodeeparepentance。"
　　Theserviceswenton。Veronique，lyingonthebed，followedthemwithalookofsuchinwardcontentmentthatsheseemed，toeveryeye，nolongerthesamewoman。Onherfacewasthecandidandvirtuousexpressionofthepureyounggirlsuchasshehadbeeninherparents’
　　home。Thedawnofeternallifewasalreadywhiteningherbrowandglorifyingherfacewithitscelestialtints。Doubtlesssheheardthemysticharmonies，andgatheredstrengthtolivefromherdesiretouniteherselfoncemorewithGodinthelastcommunion。Therectorcamebesidethebedandgaveherabsolution。Thearchbishopadministeredthesacredoilswithafatherlytendernessthatshowedtoalltherepresenthowdearthelostbutnowrecoveredlambhadbeentohim。Then，withthesacredanointing，heclosedtothethingsofearththoseeyeswhichhaddonesuchevil，andlaidthesealoftheChurchuponthelipsthatwereoncetooeloquent。Theears，bywhichsomanyevilinspirationshadpenetratedhermind，wereclosedforever。Allthesenses，deadenedbyrepentance，werethussanctified，andthespiritofevilcouldhavenofurtherpowerwithinhersoul。
　　NeverdidassistantsofthisceremonymorefullyunderstandthegrandeurandprofundityofthesacramentthanthosewhonowsawtheactsoftheChurchjustlyfollowingtheconfessionofthatdyingwoman。
　　Thusprepared，VeroniquereceivedthebodyofJesusChristwithanexpressionofhopeandjoywhichmeltedtheiceofunbeliefagainstwhichtherectorhadsooftenbruisedhimself。Roubaud，confoundedinallhisopinions，becameaCatholiconthespot。Thescenewastouchingandyetawesome;thesolemnityofitseveryfeaturewassogreatthatpaintersmighthavefoundtherethesubjectofamasterpiece。
　　Whenthisfuneralpartwasover，andthedyingwomanheardthepriestsbeginthereadingofthegospelofSaintJohn，shesignedtohermothertobringherson，whohadbeentakenfromtheroombyhistutor。WhenshesawFranciskneelingbythebedsidethepardonedmotherfeltshehadtherighttolayherhanduponhisheadandblesshim。Doingso，shedied。
　　OldMadameSauviatwasthere，atherpost，erectasshehadbeenfortwentyyears。Thiswoman，heroicafterherfashion，closedherdaughter’seyes——thoseeyesthathadweptsomuch——andkissedthem。
　　Allthepriests，followedbythechoristers，surroundedthebed。Bytheflaminglightofthetorchestheychantedtheterrible/DeProfundis/，theechoesofwhichtoldthepopulationkneelingbeforethechateau，thefriendsprayinginthesalon，theservantsintheadjoiningrooms，thatthemotherofthecantonwasdead。Thehymnwasaccompaniedwithmoansandtears。Theconfessionofthatgrandwomanhadnotbeenaudiblebeyondthethresholdofthesalon，andnonebutlovingearshadheardit。
　　Whenthepeasantsoftheneighborhood，joiningwiththoseofMontegnac，came，onebyone，tolayupontheirbenefactressthecustomarypalm，togetherwiththeirlastfarewellmingledwithprayersandtears，theysawthemanofjustice，crushedbygrief，holdingthehandofthewomanwhom，withoutintendingit，hehadsocruellybutsojustlystricken。
　　Twodayslaterthe/procureur—general/，Grossetete，thearchbishop，andthemayor，holdingthecornersoftheblackpall，conductedthebodyofMadameGraslintoitslastresting—place。Itwaslaidinthegraveindeepsilence;notawordwassaid;noonehadstrengthtospeak;alleyeswerefulloftears。"Sheisnowasaint！"wassaidbythepeasantsastheywentawayalongtheroadsofthecantontowhichshehadgivenprosperity，——sayingthewordstohercreationsasthoughtheywereanimatebeings。
　　NoonethoughtitstrangethatMadameGraslinwasburiedbesidethebodyofJean—FrancoisTascheron。Shehadnotaskedit;buttheoldmother，asthelastactofhertenderpity，hadrequestedthesextontomakethegravethere，——puttingtogetherthosewhomearthhadsoviolentlyparted，andwhosesoulswerenowreunitedthroughrepentanceinpurgatory。
　　MadameGraslin’swillwasfoundtobeallthatwasexpectedofit。ShefoundedscholarshipsandhospitalbedsatLimogessolelyforworking—
　　men;sheassignedaconsiderablesum——threehundredthousandfrancsinsixyears——forthepurchaseofthatpartofthevillagecalledLesTascherons，whereshedirectedthatahospitalshouldbebuilt。Thishospital，intendedfortheindigentoldpersonsofthecanton，forthesick，forlying—inwomenifpaupers，andforfoundlings，wastobecalledtheTascheronHospital。VeroniqueorderedittobeplacedinchargeoftheGraySisters，andfixedthesalariesofthesurgeonandthephysicianatfourthousandfrancsforeach。SherequestedRoubaudtobethefirstphysicianofthishospital，placinguponhimthechoiceofthesurgeon，andrequestinghimtosuperintendtheerectionofthebuildingwithreferencetosanitaryarrangements，conjointlywithGerard，whowastobethearchitect。ShealsogavetothevillageofMontegnacanextentofpasturelandsufficienttopayallitstaxes。Thechurch，sheendowedwithafundtobeusedforaspecialpurpose，namely:watchwastobekeptoveryoungworkmen，andcasesdiscoveredinwhichsomevillageyouthmightshowadispositionforart，orscience，ormanufactures;theinterestofthefundwasthentobeusedinfosteringit。Theintelligentbenevolenceofthetestatrixnamedthesumthatshouldbetakenforeachoftheseencouragements。
　　ThenewsofMadameGraslin’sdeath，receivedthroughoutthedepartmentasacalamity，wasnotaccompaniedbyanyrumorinjurioustothememoryofthiswoman。Thisdiscretionwasahomagerenderedtosomanyvirtuesbythehard—workingCatholicpopulation，whichrenewedinthislittlecornerofFrancethemiraclesofthe"LettresEdifiantes。"
　　Gerard，appointedguardianofFrancisGraslin，andobliged，bytermsofthewill，toresideatthechateau，movedthere。ButhedidnotmarryDeniseTascheronuntilthreemonthsafterVeronique’sdeath。Inher，Francisfoundasecondmother。