"Lifeisherereduced，yousee，toitssimplestexpression，"saidtherector，smiling，thoughhisfacedidnotlosethelookwhichthesadnessofhisheartconveyedtoit。"Ifwehadknownofyourarrival（butwhocouldhaveforeseenyourerrand？）Ursulewouldhavehadsomemountaintroutforyou;there’sabrookintheforestwheretheyareexcellent。Iforget，however，thatthisisAugustandtheGabouisdry。Myheadisconfusedwithallthesetroubles。"
　　"Thenyoulikeyourlifehere？"saidtheyoungabbe。
　　"Yes，monsieur;ifGodwills，IshalldierectorofMontegnac。Icouldhavewishedthatmyexamplewerefollowedbycertaindistinguishedmenwhohavethoughttheydidbetterthingsinbecomingphilanthropists。
　　Butmodernphilanthropyisaneviltosociety;theprinciplesoftheCatholicreligioncanalonecurethediseaseswhichpermeatesocialbodies。Insteadofdescribingthosediseasesandextendingtheirravagesbycomplainingelegies，theyshouldputtheirhandtotheworkandentertheLord’svineyardassimplelaborers。Mytaskisfarfrombeingaccomplishedhere，monsieur。Itisnotenoughtoreformthepeople，whomIfoundinafrightfulconditionofimpietyandwickedness;Iwishtodieinthemidstofagenerationoftruebelievers。"
　　"Youhaveonlydoneyourduty，monsieur，"saidtheyoungman，stillcoldly，forhisheartwasstirredwithenvy。
　　"Yes，monsieur，"repliedtherector，modestly，givinghiscompanionaglancewhichseemedtosay:Isthisafurthertest？"Ipraythatallmaydotheirdutythroughoutthekingdom。"
　　Thisremark，fullofdeepmeaning，wasstillfurtheremphasizedbyatoneofutterance，whichprovedthatin1829thispriest，asgrandinthoughtashewasnobleinhumilityofconduct，andwhosubordinatedhisthoughtstothoseofhissuperiors，sawclearlyintothedestiniesofbothchurchandmonarchy。
　　Whenthetwoafflictedwomencametheyoungabbe，veryimpatienttogetbacktoLimoges，lefttheparsonagetoseeifthehorseswereharnessed。Afewmomentslaterhereturnedtosaythatallwasready。
　　AllfourthenstartedundertheeyesofthewholepopulationofMontegnac，whichwasgatheredintheroadwaybeforethepost—house。
　　Themotherandsisterkeptsilence。Thetwopriests，seeingrocksaheadinmanysubjects，couldneithertalkindifferentlynorallowthemselvestobecheerful。Whileseekingforsomeneutralsubjectthecarriagecrossedtheplain，theaspectofwhichdrearyregionseemedtoinfluencethedurationoftheirmelancholysilence。
　　"Howcameyoutoadopttheecclesiasticalprofession？"askedtheAbbeGabriel，suddenly，withanimpulsivecuriositywhichseizedhimassoonasthecarriageturnedintothehigh—road。
　　"Ididnotlookuponthepriesthoodasaprofession，"repliedtherector，simply。"Icannotunderstandhowamancanbecomeapriestforanyotherreasonthantheundefinablepowerofvocation。IknowthatmanymenhaveservedintheLord’svineyardwhohavepreviouslywornouttheirheartsintheserviceofpassion;somehavelovedhopelessly，othershavehadtheirlovebetrayed;menhavelostthefloweroftheirlivesinburyingapreciouswifeoranadoredmistress;somehavebeendisgustedwithsociallifeataperiodwhenuncertaintyhoversovereverything，evenoverfeelings，anddoubtmockstendercertaintiesbycallingthembeliefs;othersabandonpoliticsataperiodwhenpowerseemstobeanexpiationandwhenthegovernedregardobedienceasfatality。Manyleaveasocietywithoutbanners;whereopposingforcesonlyunitetooverthrowgood。IdonotthinkthatanymanwouldgivehimselftoGodfromacovetousmotive。
　　Somemenhavelookeduponthepriesthoodasameansofregeneratingourcountry;but，accordingtomypoorlights，apriest—patriotisameaninglessthing。ThepriestcanonlybelongtoGod。IdidnotwishtoofferourFather——whoneverthelessacceptsall——thewreckofmyheartandthefragmentsofmywill;Igavemyselftohimwhole。Inoneofthosetouchingtheoriesofpaganreligion，thevictimsacrificedtothefalsegodsgoestothealtardeckedwithflowers。Thesignificanceofthatcustomhasalwaysdeeplytouchedme。Asacrificeisnothingwithoutgrace。Mylifeissimpleandwithouttheveryslightestromance。Myfather，whohasmadehisownwayintheworld，isastern，inflexibleman;hetreatshiswifeandhischildrenashetreatshimself。Ihaveneverseenasmileuponhislips。Hisironhand，hissternface，hisgloomy，roughactivity，oppressedusall——wife，children，clerksandservants——underanalmostsavagedespotism。I
　　could——Ispeakformyselfonly——Icouldhaveaccommodatedmyselftothislifeifthepowerthusexercisedhadhadanequalrepression;
　　but，captiousandvacillating，hetreatedusallwithintolerablealternations。Wewerealwaysignorantwhetherweweredoingrightorwhetherheconsideredustoblame;andthehorribleexpectancywhichresultsfromthatistortureindomesticlife。Astreetlifeseemsbetterthanahomeundersuchcircumstances。HadIbeenaloneinthehouseIwouldhaveborneallfrommyfatherwithoutmurmuring;butmyheartwastornbythebitter，unceasinganguishofmydearmother，whomIardentlylovedandwhosetearsputmesometimesintoafuryinwhichInearlylostmyreason。Myschooldays，whenboysareusuallysofullofmiseryandhardwork，weretomeagoldenperiod。Idreadedholidays。Mymotherherselfpreferredtocomeandseeme。WhenIhadfinishedmyphilosophicalcourseandwasforcedtoreturnhomeandbecomemyfather’sclerk，Icouldnotendureitmorethanafewmonths;mymind，bewilderedbythefeverofadolescence，threatenedtogiveway。OnasadautumneveningasIwaswalkingalonewithmymotheralongtheBoulevardBourdon，thenoneofthemostmelancholypartsofParis，Ipouredmyheartintohers，andItoldherthatIsawnopossiblelifebeforemeexceptintheChurch。Mytastes，myideas，allthatImostlovedwouldbecontinuallythwartedsolongasmyfatherlived。Underthecassockofapriesthewouldbeforcedtorespectme，andImightthusoncertainoccasionsbecometheprotectorofmyfamily。Mymotherweptmuch。Justatthisperiodmyeldestbrother（sinceageneralandkilledatLeipzig）hadenteredthearmyasaprivatesoldier，drivenfromhishomeforthesamereasonsthatmademewishtobeapriest。Ishowedmymotherthatherbestmeansofprotectionwouldbetomarrymysister，assoonasshewasoldenough，tosomemanofstrongcharacter，andtolookforhelptothisnewfamily。Underpretenceofavoidingtheconscriptionwithoutcostingmyfatherapennytobuymeoff，IenteredtheseminaryofSaint—Sulpiceattheageofnineteen。WithinthosecelebratedoldbuildingsIfoundapeaceandhappinessthatweretroubledonlybythethoughtofmymotherandmysister’ssufferings。Theirdomesticmisery，nodoubt，wentonincreasing;forwhenevertheysawmetheysoughttostrengthenmyresolution。PerhapsIhadbeeninitiatedintothesecretsofcharity，suchasourgreatSaintPauldefinesit，bymyowntrials。Atanyrate，Ilongedtostanchthewoundsofthepoorinsomeforgottencorneroftheearth，andtoprovebymyexample，ifGodwoulddeigntoblessmyefforts，thattheCatholicreligion，judgedbyitsactionsforhumanity，istheonlytrue，theonlybeneficentandnoblecivilizingforce。Duringthelastdaysofmydiaconate，grace，nodoubt，enlightenedme。Ihavefullyforgivenmyfather，regardinghimastheinstrumentofmydestiny。Mymother，thoughIwroteheralongandtenderletter，explainingallthingsandprovingtoherthatthefingerofGodwasguidingme，mypoormotherweptmanytearsasshesawmyhaircutoffbythescissorsoftheChurch。SheknewherselfhowmanypleasuresIrenounced，butshedidnotknowthesecretgloriestowhichIaspired。Womenaresotender！AfterIoncebelongedtoGodIfeltaboundlesspeace;Ifeltnoneeds，novanities，noneofthosecareswhichtroublemensomuch。IknewthatProvidencewouldtakecareofmeasathingofitsown。Ienteredaworldfromwhichallfearisbanished;wherethefutureiscertain;whereallthingsaredivine，eventhesilence。Thisquietudeisoneofthebenefactionsofgrace。Mymothercouldnotconceivethatamancouldespouseachurch。Nevertheless，seeingmehappy，withacloudlessbrow，shegrewhappierherself。AfterIwasordainedIcametotheLimousintovisitoneofmypaternalrelations，whochancedtospeaktomeofthethenconditionofMontegnac。Athoughtdartedintomymindwiththevividnessoflightning，andIsaidtomyselfinwardly:’Hereisthyvineyard！’Icamehere，andyousee，monsieur，thatmyhistoryisverysimpleanduneventful。"
　　AtthisinstantLimogescameintosight，bathedinthelastraysofthesettingsun。Whenthewomensawittheycouldnotrestraintheirtears;theyweptaloud。
　　IX
　　DENISE
　　Theyoungmanwhomthesetwodifferentloveswerenowontheirwaytocomfort，whoexcitedsomuchartlesscuriosity，somuchspurioussympathyandtruesolicitude，waslyingonhisprisonpalletinoneofthecondemnedcells。Aspywatchedbesidethedoortocatch，ifpossible，anywordsthatmightescapehim，eitherinsleeporinoneofhisviolentfuries;soanxiousweretheofficersofjusticetoexhaustallhumanmeansofdiscoveringJean—FrancoisTascheron’saccompliceandrecoverthesumsstolen。
　　ThedesVanneaulxhadpromisedarewardtothepolice，andthepolicekeptconstantwatchontheobstinatesilenceoftheprisoner。Whenthemanondutylookedthroughaloopholemadeforthepurposehesawtheconvictalwaysinthesameposition，boundinthestraight—jacket，hisheadsecuredbyaleatherthongeversincehehadattemptedtotearthestuffofthejacketwithhisteeth。
　　Jean—Francoisgazedsteadilyattheceilingwithafixedanddespairingeye，aburningeye，asifreddenedbytheterriblethoughtsbehindit。HewasalivingimageoftheantiquePrometheus;thememoryofsomelosthappinessgnawedathisheart。Whenthesolicitor—generalhimselfwenttoseehimthatmagistratecouldnothelptestifyinghissurpriseatacharactersoobstinatelypersistent。NosoonerdidanyoneenterhiscellthanJean—Francoisflewintoafrenzywhichexceededthelimitsknowntophysiciansforsuchattacks。Themomentheheardthekeyturninthelockortheboltsofthebarreddoorslide，alightfoamwhitenedhislips。
　　Jean—FrancoisTascheron，thentwenty—fiveyearsofage，wassmallbutwell—made。Hiswiry，crinkledhair，growinglowonhisforehead，indicatedenergy。Hiseyes，ofaclearandluminousyellow，weretooneartherootofthenose，——adefectwhichgavehimsomeresemblancetobirdsofprey。Thefacewasround，ofthewarmbrowncoloringwhichmarkstheinhabitantsofmiddleFrance。OnefeatureofhisphysiognomyconfirmedanassertionofLavaterastopersonswhoaredestinedtocommitmurder;hisfrontteethlappedeachother。Neverthelesshisfaceboreallthecharacteristicsofintegrityandasweetandartlessmoralnature;therewasnothingsurprisinginthefactthatawomanhadlovedhimpassionately。Hisfreshmouthwithitsdazzlingteethwascharming，butthevermilionofthelipswasofthered—leadtintwhichindicatesrepressedferocity，and，inmanyhumanbeings，afreeabandonmenttopleasure。Hisdemeanorshowednoneofthelowhabitsofaworkman。Intheeyesofthewomenwhowerepresentatthetrialitseemedevidentthatoneoftheirsexhadsoftenedthosemusclesusedtotoil，hadennobledthecountenanceoftherustic，andgivengracetohisperson。Womencanalwaysdetectthetracesofloveinaman，justasmencanseeinawomanwhether，asthesayingis，lovehaspassedthatway。
　　TowardeveningofthedaywearenowrelatingJean—Francoisheardtheslidingofboltsandthenoiseofthekeyinthelock。Heturnedhisheadviolentlyandgaveventtothehorriblegrowlwithwhichhisfrenziesbegan;buthetrembledalloverwhenthebelovedheadsofhissisterandhismotherstoodoutagainstthefadinglight，andbehindthemthefaceoftherectorofMontegnac。
　　"Thewretches！isthiswhytheykeepmealive？"hesaid，closinghiseyes。
　　Denise，whohadlatelybeenconfinedinaprison，wasdistrustfulofeverything;thespyhadnodoubthiddenhimselfmerelytoreturninafewmoments。Thegirlflungherselfonherbrother，benthertearfulfacetohisandwhispered:——
　　"Theymaybelisteningtous。"
　　"Otherwisetheywouldnothaveletyoucomehere，"herepliedinaloudvoice。"Ihavelongaskedthefavorthatnoneofmyfamilyshouldbeadmittedhere。"
　　"Oh！howtheyhaveboundhim！"criedthemother。"Mypoorchild！mypoorboy！"andshefellonherkneesbesidethepallet，hidingherheadinthecassockofthepriest，whowasstandingbyher。
　　"IfJeanwillpromisemetobequiet，"saidtherector，"andnotattempttoinjurehimself，andtobehaveproperlywhilewearewithhim，Iwillasktohavehimunbound;buttheleastviolationofhispromisewillreflectonme。"
　　"IdosowanttomoveasIplease，dearMonsieurBonnet，"saidthecriminal，hiseyesmoisteningwithtears，"thatIgiveyoumywordtodoasyouwish。"
　　Therectorwentout，andreturnedwiththejailer，andthejacketwastakenoff。
　　"Youwon’tkillmeto—night，willyou？"saidtheturnkey。
　　Jeanmadenoanswer。
　　"Poorbrother！"saidDenise，openingabasketwhichhadjustpassedthrougharigorousexamination。"Herearesomeofthethingsyoulike;
　　Idaresaytheydon’tfeedyoufortheloveofGod。"
　　Sheshowedhimsomefruit，gatheredassoonastherectorhadtoldhershecouldgotothejail，anda/galette/hismotherhadimmediatelybakedforhim。Thisattention，whichremindedhimofhisboyhood，thevoiceandgesturesofhissister，thepresenceofhismotherandtherector，broughtonareactionandheburstintotears。
　　"Ah！Denise，"hesaid，"Ihavenothadagoodmealforsixmonths。I
　　eatonlywhendriventoitbyhunger。"
　　Themotherandsisterwentoutandthenreturned;withthenaturalhousekeepingspiritofsuchwomen，whowanttogivetheirmenmaterialcomfort，theysoonhadasupperfortheirpoorchild。Inthistheofficialshelpedthem;foranorderhadbeengiventodoallthatcouldwithsafetybedoneforthecondemnedman。ThedesVanneaulxhadcontributed，withmelancholyhope，towardthecomfortofthemanfromwhomtheystillexpectedtorecovertheirinheritance。ThuspoorJean—
　　Francoishadalastglimpseoffamilyjoys，ifjoystheycouldbecalledundersuchcircumstances。
　　"Ismyappealrejected？"hesaidtoMonsieurBonnet。
　　"Yes，mychild;nothingisleftforyoutodobuttomakeaChristianend。Thislifeisnothingincomparisontothatwhichawaitsyou;youmustthinknowofyoureternalhappiness。Youcanpayyourdebttomanwithyourlife，butGodisnotcontentwithsuchalittlethingasthat。"
　　"Giveupmylife！Ah！youdonotknowallthatIamleaving。"
　　Deniselookedatherbrotherasiftowarnhimthateveninmattersofreligionhemustbecautious。
　　"Letussaynomoreaboutit，"heresumed，eatingthefruitwithanaviditywhichtoldofhisinwardfire。"WhenamI——"
　　"No，no！saynothingofthatbeforeme！"saidthemother。
　　"ButIshouldbeeasierinmindifIknew，"hesaid，inalowvoicetotherector。
　　"Alwaysthesamenature，"exclaimedMonsieurBonnet。Thenhebentdowntotheprisoner’searandwhispered，"IfyouwillreconcileyourselfthisnightwithGodsothatyourrepentancewillenablemetoabsolveyou，itwillbeto—morrow。Wehavealreadygainedmuchincalmingyou，"hesaid，aloud。
　　Hearingtheselastwords，Jean’slipsturnedpale，hiseyesrolledupinaviolentspasm，andanangryshudderpassedthroughhisframe。
　　"AmIcalm？"heaskedhimself。HappilyhiseyesencounteredthetearfulfaceofDenise，andherecoveredhisself—control。"Sobeit，"
　　hesaidtotherector;"thereisnoonebutyoutowhomIwouldlisten;theyhaveknownhowtoconquerme。"
　　Andheflunghimselfonhismother’sbreast。
　　"Myson，"saidthemother，weeping，"listentoMonsieurBonnet;heriskshislife，thedearrector，ingoingtoyouto——"shehesitated，andthensaid，"tothegateofeternallife。"
　　ThenshekissedJean’sheadandheldittoherbreastforsomemoments。
　　"Willhe，indeed，gowithme？"askedJean，lookingattherector，whobowedhisheadinassent。"Well，yes，Iwilllistentohim;Iwilldoallheasksofme。"
　　"Youpromiseit？"saidDenise。"Thesavingofyoursouliswhatweseek。Besides，youwouldnothaveallLimogesandthevillagesaythataTascheronknowsnothowtodieanobledeath？Andthen，too，thinkthatallyoulosehereyouwillregaininheaven，wherepardonedsoulswillmeetagain。"
　　Thissuperhumaneffortparchedthethroatoftheheroicgirl。Shewassilentafterthis，likehermother，butshehadtriumphed。Thecriminal，furiousatseeinghishappinesstornfromhimbythelaw，nowquiveredatthesublimeCatholictruthsosimplyexpressedbyhissister。Allwomen，evenyoungpeasant—womenlikeDenise，knowhowtotouchthesedelicatechords;fordoesnoteverywomanseektomakeloveeternal？Denisehadtouchedtwochords，eachmostsensitive。
　　Awakenedpridecalledontheothervirtueschilledbymiseryandhardenedbydespair。Jeantookhissister’shandandkissedit，andlaiditonhisheartinadeeplysignificantmanner;heapplieditbothgentlyandforcibly。
　　"Yes，"hesaid，"Imustrenounceall;thisisthelastbeatingofmyheart，itslastthought。Keepthem，Denise。"
　　Andhegaveheroneofthoseglancesbywhichamanincrucialmomentstriestoputhissoulintothesoulofanotherhumanbeing。
　　Thisthought，thisword，was，intruth，alasttestament，anunspokenlegacy，tobeasfaithfullytransmittedasitwastrustfullygiven。Itwassofullyunderstoodbymother，sister，andpriest，thattheyallwithoneaccordturnedtheirfacesfromeachother，tohidetheirtearsandkeepthesecretoftheirthoughtsintheirownbreasts。
　　Thosefewwordswerethedyingagonyofapassion，thefarewellofasoultothegloriousthingsofearth，inaccordancewithtrueCatholicrenunciation。Therector，comprehendingthemajestyofallgreathumanthings，evencriminalthings，judgedofthismysteriouspassionbytheenormityofthesin。HeraisedhiseyestoheavenasiftoinvokethemercyofGod。Thencecometheconsolations，theinfinitetendernessesoftheCatholicreligion，——sohumane，sogentlewiththehandthatdescendstoman，showinghimthelawofhigherspheres;soawful，sodivine，withthatotherhandheldouttoleadhimintoheaven。
　　Denisehadnowsignificantlyshowntherectorthespotbywhichtostrikethatrockandmakethewatersofrepentanceflow。Butsuddenly，asthoughthememoriesevokedweredragginghimbackwards，Jean—
　　Francoisgavetheharrowingcryofthehyenawhenthehuntersovertakeit。
　　"No，no！"hecried，fallingonhisknees，"Iwilllive！Mother，givemeyourclothes;Icanescape！Mercy，mercy！Goseetheking;tellhim——"
　　Hestopped，gaveahorribleroar，andclungconvulsivelytotherector’scassock。
　　"Go，"saidMonsieurBonnet，inalowvoice，totheagitatedwomen。
　　Jeanheardthewords;heraisedhishead，gazedathismotherandsister，thenhestoppedandkissedtheirfeet。
　　"Letussayfarewellnow;donotcomeback;leavemealonewithMonsieurBonnet。Youneednotbeuneasyaboutmeanylonger，"hesaid，pressinghismotherandhissistertohimwithastrengthinwhichheseemedtoputallhislife。
　　"Howisitwedonotdieofthis？"saidDenisetohermotherastheypassedthroughthewicket。
　　Itwasnearlyeighto’clockwhenthispartingtookplace。AtthegateoftheprisonthetwowomenmettheAbbedeRastignac，whoaskedthemnewsoftheprisoner。
　　"HewillnodoubtbereconciledwithGod，"saidDenise。"Ifrepentancehasnotyetbegun，heisverynearit。"
　　Thebishopwassoonafterinformedthattheclergywouldtriumphonthisoccasion，andthatthecriminalwouldgotothescaffoldwiththemostedifyingreligioussentiments。Theprelate，withwhomwastheattorney—general，expressedawishtoseetherector。MonsieurBonnetdidnotreachthepalacebeforemidnight。TheAbbeGabriel，whomademanytripsbetweenthepalaceandthejail，judgeditnecessarytofetchtherectorintheepiscopalcoach;forthepoorpriestwasinastateofexhaustionwhichalmostdeprivedhimoftheuseofhislegs。
　　Theeffectofhisday，theprospectofthemorrow，thesightofthesecretstrugglehehadwitnessed，andthefullrepentancewhichhadatlastovertakenhisstubbornlambwhenthegreatreckoningofeternitywasbroughthometohim，——allthesethingshadcombinedtobreakdownMonsieurBonnet，whosenervous，electricalnatureenteredintothesufferingsofothersasthoughtheywerehisown。Soulsthatresemblethatnoblesoulespousesoardentlytheimpressions，miseries，passions，sufferingsofthoseinwhomtheyareinterested，thattheyactuallyfeelthem，andinahorriblemanner，too;fortheyareabletomeasuretheirextent，——aknowledgewhichescapesotherswhoareblindedbyselfishnessofheartortheparoxysmofgrief。ItisherethatapriestlikeMonsieurBonnetbecomesanartistwhofeels，ratherthananartistwhojudges。
　　Whentherectorenteredthebishop’ssalonandfoundtherethetwogrand—vicars，theAbbedeRastignac，MonsieurdeGrandville，andthe/procureur—general/，hefeltconvincedthatsomethingmorewasexpectedofhim。
　　"Monsieur，"saidthebishop，"haveyouobtainedanyfactswhichyoucan，withoutviolatingyourduty，confidetotheofficersofthelawfortheirguidance？"
　　"Monseigneur，inordertogiveabsolutiontothatpoor，wanderingchild，IwaitednotonlytillhisrepentancewasassincereandascompleteastheChurchcouldwish，butIhavealsoexactedfromhimtherestitutionofthemoney。"
　　"Thisrestitution，"saidthe/procureur—general/，"bringsmehereto—night;itwill，ofcourse，bemadeinsuchawayastothrowlightonthemysteriouspartsofthisaffair。Thecriminalcertainlyhadaccomplices。"
　　"Theinterestsofhumanjustice，"saidtherector，"arenotthoseforwhichIact。Iamignorantofhowtherestitutionwillbemade，butI
　　knowitwilltakeplace。Insendingformetoministertomyparishioner，MonseigneurplacedmeundertheconditionswhichgivetorectorsintheirparishesthesamepowerswhichMonseigneurexercisesinhisdiocese，——barring，ofcourse，allquestionsofdisciplineandecclesiasticalobedience。"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidthebishop。"Butthequestionhereishowtoobtainfromthecondemnedmanvoluntaryinformationwhichmayenlightenjustice。"
　　"MymissionistowinsoulstoGod，"saidMonsieurBonnet。
　　MonsieurdeGrancourshruggedhisshouldersslightly，buthiscolleague，theAbbeDutheilnoddedhisheadinsignofapproval。
　　"Tascheronisnodoubtendeavoringtoshieldsomeone，whomtherestitutionwillnodoubtbringtolight，"saidthe/procureur—
　　general/。
　　"Monsieur，"repliedtherector，"Iknowabsolutelynothingwhichwouldeitherconfuteorjustifyyoursuspicion。Besides，thesecretsofconfessionareinviolable。"
　　"Willtherestitutionreallytakeplace？"askedthemanoflaw。
　　"Yes，monsieur，"repliedthemanofGod。
　　"Thatisenoughforme，"saidthe/procureur—general/，whoreliedonthepolicetoobtaintherequiredinformation;asifpassionsandpersonalinterestswerenottenfoldmoreastutethanthepolice。
　　Thenextday，thisbeingmarket—day，Jean—FrancoisTascheronwasledtoexecutioninamannertosatisfyboththepiousandthepoliticalspiritsofthetown。Exemplaryinbehavior，piousandhumble，hekissedthecrucifix，whichMonsieurBonnetheldtohislipswithatremblinghand。Theunhappymanwaswatchedandexamined;hisglancewasparticularlyspiedupon;wouldhiseyesroveinsearchofsomeoneinthecrowdorinahouse？Hisdiscretiondid，asamatteroffact，holdfirmtothelast。HediedasaChristianshould，repentantandabsolved。
　　Thepoorrectorwascarriedawayunconsciousfromthefootofthescaffold，thoughhedidnotevenseethefatalknife。
　　Duringthefollowingnight，onthehigh—roadfifteenmilesfromLimoges，Denise，thoughnearlyexhaustedbyfatigueandgrief，beggedherfathertolethergoagaintoLimogesandtakewithherLouis—
　　MarieTascheron，oneofherbrothers。
　　"Whatmorehaveyoutodointhattown？"askedherfather，frowning。
　　"Father，"shesaid，"notonlymustwepaythelawyerwhodefendedhim，butwemustalsorestorethemoneywhichhehashidden。"
　　"Youareright，"saidthehonestman，pullingoutaleathernpouchhecarriedwithhim。
　　"No，no，"saidDenise，"heisnolongeryourson。Itisnotforthosewhocursedhim，butforthosewholovedhim，torewardthelawyer。"
　　"WewillwaitforyouatHavre，"saidthefather。
　　DeniseandherbrotherreturnedtoLimogesbeforedaylight。Whenthepoliceheard，later，ofthisreturntheywereneverabletodiscoverwherethebrotherandsisterhadhiddenthemselves。
　　DeniseandLouiswenttotheuppertowncautiously，aboutfouro’clockthatafternoon，glidingalongintheshadowofthehouses。Thepoorgirldarednotraisehereyes，fearingtomeettheglancesofthosewhohadseenherbrother’sexecution。AftercallingonMonsieurBonnet，whoinspiteofhisweakness，consentedtoserveasfatherandguardiantoDeniseinthematter，theyallwenttothelawyer’shouseintheruedelaComedie。
　　"Good—morning，mypoorchildren，"saidthelawyer，bowingtoMonsieurBonnet;"howcanIbeofservicetoyou？Perhapsyouwouldlikemetoclaimyourbrother’sbodyandsendittoyou？"
　　"No，monsieur，"repliedDenise，weepingatanideawhichhadneveryetoccurredtoher。"Icometopayhisdebttoyou——sofar，atleast，asmoneycanpayaneternaldebt。"
　　"Praysitdown，"saidthelawyer;noticingthatDeniseandtherectorwerestillstanding。
　　Deniseturnedawaytotakefromhercorsettwonotesoffivehundredfrancseach，whichwerefastenedbyapintoherchemise;thenshesatdownandofferedthemtoherbrother’sdefender。Therectorgavethelawyeraflashinglookwhichwasinstantlymoistenedbyatear。
　　"Keepthemoneyforyourself，mypoorgirl，"saidthelawyer。"Therichdonotpaysogenerouslyforalostcause。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidDenise，"Icannotobeyyou。"
　　"Thenthemoneyisnotyours？"saidthelawyer。
　　"Youaremistaken，"shereplied，lookingatMonsieurBonnetasiftoknowwhetherGodwouldbeangryatthelie。
　　Therectorkepthiseyeslowered。
　　"Well，then，"saidthelawyer，takingonenoteoffivehundredfrancsandofferingtheothertotherector，"Iwillshareitwiththepoor。
　　Now，Denise，changethisone，whichisreallymine，"hewenton，givingherthenote，"foryourvelvetribbonandyourgoldcross。I
　　willhangthecrossabovemymanteltoremindmeofthebestandpurestyounggirl’sheartIhaveeverknowninmywholeexperienceasalawyer。"
　　"Iwillgiveittoyouwithoutsellingit，"criedDenise，takingoffher/jeannette/andofferingittohim。
　　"Monsieur，"saidtherector，"Iacceptthefivehundredfrancstopayfortheexhumationofthepoorlad’sbodyanditstransportationtoMontegnac。Godhasnodoubtpardonedhim，andJeanwillrisewithmyflockonthatlastdaywhentherighteousandtherepentantwillbecalledtogethertotherighthandoftheFather。"
　　"Sobeit，"repliedthelawyer。