“Vatelputhimselfinthewrong，“hesaid。“IfIwereMotherTonsard，I’dgivemyselfafewwoundsandgotobedandsayIwasill，andhave，thatShopmanandhiskeeperupbeforetheassizesandgettwenty，crownsdamages。MonsieurSarcuswouldgivethem。”
“InanycasetheShopmanwouldgivethemtostopthetalkitwould，make，“saidGodain。
Vaudoyer，theformerfield-keeper，amanfivefeetsixinchestall，withafacepittedwiththesmall-poxandfurrowedlikeanut-cracker，keptsilencewithahesitatingair。
“Well，youoldninny，doesthatruffleyou？”askedTonsard，attracted，bytheideaofdamages。“Iftheyhadbrokentwentycrowns’worthofmy，mother’sboneswecouldturnitintogoodaccount;wemightmakea，finefussforthreehundredfrancs;MonsieurGourdonwouldgotoLes，Aiguesandtellthemthatthemotherhadgotabrokenhip——“
“Andbreakit，too，“interruptedMadameTonsard;“theydothatin，Paris。”
“Itwouldcosttoomuch，“remarkedGodain。
“Ihavebeentoolongamongthepeoplewhoruleustobelievethat，matterswillgoasyouwantthem，“saidVaudoyeratlast，remembering，hispastofficialintercoursewiththecourtsandthegendarmerie。“If，itwereatSoulanges，now，itmightbedone;MonsieurSoudry，representsthegovernmentthere，andhedoesn’twishwelltothe，Shopman;butifyouattacktheShopmanandVatelthey’lldefend，themselvesviciously;they’llsay，’Thewomanwastoblame;shehada，tree，otherwiseshewouldhaveletherbundlebeexaminedonthe，highroad;shewouldn’thaverunaway;ifanaccidenthappenedtoher，itwasthroughherownfault。’No，youcan’ttrusttothatplan。”
“TheShopmandidn’tresistwhenIsuedhim，“saidCourtecuisse;“he，paidmeatonce。”
“I’llgotoSoulanges，ifyoulike，“saidBonnebault，“andconsult，MonsieurGourdon，theclerkofthecourt，andyoushallknowto-night，ifTHERE’SMONEYINIT。”
“Youareonlymakinganexcusetobeafterthatbiggooseofagirl，Socquard’sdaughter，“saidMarieTonsard，givingBonnebaultaslapon，theshoulderthatmadehislungshum。
JustthenaverseofanoldBurgundianChristmascarolwasheard：——
“Onefinemomentofhislife，Wasattheweddingfeast;
Hechangedthewaterintowine，——
Madeiraofthebest。”
EveryonerecognizedthevinousvoiceofoldFourchon，towhomthe，versemusthavebeenpeculiarlyagreeable;Moucheaccompaniedinhis，trebletones。
“Ha！they’refull！”criedoldMotherTonsardtoherdaughter-in-law;
“yourfatherisasredasagrid-iron，andthatchipo’theblockas，pinkasvine-shoot。”
“Yourhealths！”criedtheoldman，“andafinelotofscoundrelsyou，are！Allhail！”hesaidtohisgranddaughter，whomhespiedkissing，Bonnebault，“hail，Marie，fullofvice！Sataniswiththree;cursed，artthouamongwomen，etcetera。Allhail，thecompanypresent！youare，donefor，everyoneofyou！youmayjustsaygood-byetoyoursheaves。
Ibeingnews。Ialwaystoldyoutherichwouldcrushus;wellnow，the，Shopmanisgoingtohavethelawofyou！Ha！seewhatitisto，struggleagainstthosebourgeoisfellows，whohavemadesomanylaws，sincetheygotintopowerthatthey’vealawtoenforceeverytrick，theyplay——“
Aviolenthiccoughgaveasuddenturntotheideasofthe，distinguishedorator。
“IfVermichelwereonlyhereI’dblowinhisgullet，andhe’dgetan，ideaofsherrywine。Hey！whatawineitis！IfIwasn’taBurgundian，I’dbeaSpaniard！It’sGod’sownwine！thepopesaysmasswithit——
Hey！I’myoungagain！Say，Courtecuisse！ifyourwifewereonlyhere，we’dbeyoungtogether。Don’ttellme！Spanishwineisworthadozen，ofboiledwine。Let’shavearevolutionifit’sonlytoemptythe，cellars！”
“Butwhat’syournews，papa？”saidTonsard。
“There’llbenoharvestforyou;theShopmanhasgivenorderstostop，thegleaning。”
“Stopthegleaning！”criedthewholetavern，withonevoice，inwhich，theshrilltonesofthefourwomenpredominated。
“Yes，“saidMouche，“heisgoingtoissueanorder，andGroisonisto，takeitround，andpostitupalloverthecanton。Nooneistoglean，exceptthosewhohavepaupercertificates。”
“Andwhat’smore，“saidFourchon，“thefolksfromtheotherdistricts，won’tbeallowedhereatall。”
“What’sthat？”criedBonnebault，“doyoumeantotellmethatneither，mygrandmothernorI，noryourmother，Godain，cancomehereand，glean？Here’stomfooleryforyou;aprettyshowofauthority！Why，the，fellowisadevilletloosefromhell，——thatscoundrelofamayor！”
“Shallyougleanwhetherorno，Godain？”saidTonsardtothe，journeymanwheelwright，whowassayingafewwordstoCatherine。
“I？I’venoproperty;I’mapauper，“hereplied;“Ishallaskfora，certificate。”
“Whatdidtheygivemyfatherforhisotter，bibi？”saidMadame，TonsardtoMouche。
Thoughnearlyathislastgaspfromanover-taxeddigestionandtwo，bottlesofwine，Mouche，sittingonMadameTonsard’slap，laidhis，headonhisaunt’sneckandwhisperedslylyinherear：——
“Idon’tknow，buthehasgotgold。Ifyou’llfeedmehighfora，month，perhapsIcanfindouthishiding-place;hehasone，Iknow，that。”
“Father’sgotgold！”whisperedLaTonsardtoherhusband，whosevoice，wasloudestintheuproaroftheexciteddiscussion，inwhichall，presenttookpart。
“Hush！here’sGroison，“criedtheoldsentinel。
Perfectsilencereignedinthetavern。WhenGroisonhadgottoasafe，distance，MotherTonsardmadeasign，andthediscussionbeganagain，onthequestionastowhethertheyshouldpersistingleaning，as，before，withoutacertificate。
“You’llhavetogivein，“saidPereFourchon;“fortheShopmanhas，gonetoseetheprefectandgettroopstoenforcetheorder。They’ll，shootyoulikedogs，——andthat’swhatweare！”criedtheoldman，tryingtoconquerthethickeningofhisspeechproducedbyhis，potationsofsherry。
Thisfreshannouncement，absurdasitwas，madeallthedrinkers，thoughtful;theyreallybelievedthegovernmentcapableof，slaughteringthemwithoutpity。
“IrememberjustsuchtroublesnearToulouse，whenIwasstationed，there，“saidBonnebault。“Weweremarchedout，andthepeasantswere，cutandslashedandarrested。Everybodylaughedtoseethemtryto，resistcavalry。Tenweresenttothegalleys，andelevenputin，prison;thewholethingwascrushed。Hey！what？why，soldiersare，soldiers，andyouarenothingbutcivilianbeggars;they’vearight，theythink，tosabrepeasants，thedeviltakeyou！”
“Well，well，“saidTonsard，“whatisthereinallthattofrightenyou，likekids？Whatcantheygetoutofmymotheranddaughters？Put’em，inprison？well，thentheymustfeedthem;andtheShopmancan’t，imprisonthewholecountry。Besides，prisonersarebetterfedatthe，king’sexpensethantheyareattheirown;andthey’rekeptwarmer，too。”
“Youareapackoffools！”roaredFourchon。“Bettergnawatthe，bourgeoisthanattackhiminfront;otherwise，you’llgetyourbacks，broke。Ifyoulikethegalleys，sobeit，——that’sanotherthing！You，don’tworkashardthereasyoudointhefields，trueenough;butyou，don’thaveyourliberty。”
“Perhapsitwouldbewell，“saidVaudoyer，whowasamongthemore，valiantincounsel，“ifsomeofusriskedourskinstodeliverthe，neighborhoodofthatLanguedocfellowwhohasplantedhimselfatthe，gateoftheAvonne。”
“DoMichaud’sbusinessforhim？”saidNicolas;“I’mgoodforthat。”
“Thingsarenotripeforit，“saidoldFourchon。“Weshouldrisktoo，much，mychildren。Thebestwayistomakeourselveslookmiserable，andcryfamine;thentheShopmanandhiswifewillwanttohelpus，andyou’llgetmoreoutofthemthatwaythanyouwillbygleaning。”
“Youareallblindmoles，“shoutedTonsard，“let’empickaquarrel，withtheirlawandtheirtroops，theycan’tputthewholecountryin，irons，andwe’veplentyoffriendsatVille-aux-Fayesandamongthe，oldlordswho’llsustainus。”
“That’strue，“saidCourtecuisse;“noneoftheotherland-owners，complain，itisonlytheShopman;MonsieurdeSoulangesandMonsieur，deRonquerollesandothers，theyaresatisfied。WhenIthinkthatif，thatcuirassierhadonlyhadthecouragetolethimselfbekilledlike，therestIshouldstillbehappyatthegateoftheAvonne，andthat，itwashethatturnedmylifetopsy-turvy，itjustputsmebeside，myself。”
“Theywon’tcalloutthetroopsforaShopmanwhohasseteveryonein，thedistrictagainsthim，“saidGodain。“Thefault’shisown;hetried，torideovereverybodyhere，andupseteverything;andthegovernment，willjustsaytohim，’Hushup。’“
“Thegovernmentneversaysanythingelse;itcan’t，poorgovernment！”
saidFourchon，seizedwithasuddentendernessforthegovernment。
“Yes，Ipityit，thatgoodgovernment;itisveryunlucky，——ithasn’t，apenny，likeus;butthat’sverystupidofagovernmentthatmakes，themoneyitself，verystupid！Ah！ifIwerethegovernment——“
“But，“criedCourtecuisse，“theytellmeinVille-aux-Fayesthat，MonsieurdeRonquerollestalkedaboutourrightsintheAssembly。”
“That’sinMonsieurRigou’snewspaper，“saidVaudoyer，whoinhis，capacityofex-field-keeperknewhowtoreadandwrite;“Ireadit——“
Inspiteofhisvinoustenderness，oldFourchon，likemanyofthe，lowerclasseswhosefacultiesarestimulatedbydrunkenness，was，following，withanintelligenteyeandakeenear，thiscurious，discussionwhichavarietyofasidesrenderedstillmorecurious。
Suddenly，hestoodupinthemiddleoftheroom。
“Listentotheoldone，he’sdrunk！”saidTonsard，“andwhenheis，he，istwiceasfullofdeviltry;hehashisownandthatofthewine——“
“Spanishwine，andthattreblesit！”criedFourchon，laughinglikea，satyr。“Mysons，don’tbuttyourheadstraightatthething，——you’re，tooweak;goatitsideways。Laylow，playdead;thelittlewomanis，scared。Itellyou，thething’llcometoanendbeforelong;she’ll，leavetheplace，andifshedoestheShopmanwillfollowher，for，she’shispassion。That’syourplan。Only，tomake’emgofaster，my，adviceistogetridoftheircounsellor，theirsupport，ourspy，our，ape——“
“Who’sthat？”
“Thedamnedabbe，ofcourse，“saidTonsard;“thathunteraftersins，whothinksthehostisfoodenoughforus。”
“That’strue，“criedVaudoyer;“wewerehappyenoughtillhecame。We，oughttogetridofthateaterofthegoodGod，——he’stherealenemy。”
“Finikin，“addedFourchon，usinganicknamewhichtheabbeowedtohis，primandratherpunyappearance，“mightbeledintotemptationand，fallintothepowerofsomeslygirl，forhefastssomuch。Thenifwe，couldcatchhimintheactanddrumhimupwithagoodcharivari，the，bishopwouldbeobligedtosendhimelsewhere。Itwouldpleaseold，Rigoudevilishwell。Nowifyourdaughter，Courtecuisse，wouldleave，Auxerre——she’saprettygirl，andifshe’dtaketopiety，shemight，saveusall。Hey！rantanplan！——“
“Whydon’tYOUdoit？”saidGodaintoCatherine，inalowvoice;
“there’dbescuttlesfullofmoneytohushupthetalk;andforthe，timebeingyou’dbemistresshere——“
“Shallweglean，orshallwenotglean？that’sthepoint，“said，Bonnebault。“Idon’tcaretwostrawsforyourabbe，notI;Ibelongto，Conches，wherewehaven’tablack-coattopokeupourconsciences。”
“Lookhere，“saidVaudoyer，“wehadbettergoandaskRigou，whoknows，thelaw，whethertheShopmancanforbidgleaning，andhe’lltellusif，we’vegottherightofit。IftheShopmanhasthelawonhisside，well，thenwemustdoastheoldonesays，——seeabouttakingthings，sideways。”
“Bloodwillbespilt，“saidNicolas，darkly，asheroseafterdrinking，awholebottleofwine，whichCatherinedrewforhiminordertokeep，himsilent。“Ifyou’donlylistentomeyou’ddownMichaud;butyou，aremiserableweaklings，——nothingbutpoortrash！”
“I’mnot，“saidBonnebault。“Ifyouareallsafefriendswho’llkeep，yourtonguesbetweenyourteeth，I’llaimattheShopman——Hey！how，I’dliketoputaplumthroughhisbottle;wouldn’titavengemeon，thosecursedofficers？”
“Tut！tut！”criedJean-LouisTonsard，whowassupposedtobe，moreor，less，Gaubertin’sson，andwhohadjustenteredthetavern。This，fellow，whowascourtingRigou’sprettyservant-girl，hadsucceeded，hisnominalfatherasclipperofhedgesandshrubberiesandother，Tonsardialoccupations。Goingaboutamongthewell-to-dohouses，he，talkedwithmastersandservantsandpickedupideaswhichmadehim，themanoftheworldofthefamily，theshrewdhead。Weshall，presentlyseethatinmakinglovetoRigou’sservant-girl，Jean-Louis，deservedhisreputationforshrewdness。
“Well，whathaveyoutosay，prophet？”saidtheinnkeepertohisson。
“Isaythatyouareplayingintothehandsoftherichfolk，“replied，Jean-Louis。“FrightentheAiguespeopletomaintainyourrightsifyou，choose;butifyoudrivethemoutoftheplaceandmakethemsellthe，estate，youaredoingjustwhatthebourgeoisofthevalleywant，and，it’sagainstyourowninterest。Ifyouhelpthebourgeoistodivide，thegreatestatesamongthem，where’sthenationaldomaintobebought，fornothingatthenextRevolution？Waittillthen，andyou’llget，yourlandwithoutpayingforit，asRigougothis;whereasifyougo，andthrustthisestateintothejawsoftherichfolkofthevalley，therichfolkwilldribbleitbacktoyouimpoverishedandattwice，thepricetheypaidforit。Youareworkingfortheirinterests，I
tellyou;sodoeseverybodywhoworksforRigou，——lookat，Courtecuisse。”
Thepolicycontainedinthisallocutionwastoodeepforthedrunken，headsofthosepresent，whowereall，exceptCourtecuisse，layingby，theirmoneytobuyasliceoftheAiguescake。SotheyletJean-Louis，harangue，andcontinued，asintheChamberofDeputies，theirprivate，confabswithoneanother。
“Yes，that’sso;you’llbeRigou’scats-paw！”criedFourchon，who，aloneunderstoodhisgrandson。
JustthenLanglume，themillerofLesAigues，passedthetavern。
MadameTonsardhailedhim。
“Isittrue，“shesaid，“thatgleaningistobeforbidden？”
Langlume，ajovialwhiteman，whitewithflouranddressedingrayish-
whiteclothes，cameupthestepsandlookedin。Instantlyallthe，peasantsbecameassoberasjudges。
“Well，mychildren，Iamforcedtoansweryes，andno。Nonebutthe，pooraretoglean;butthemeasurestheyaregoingtotakewillturn，outtoyouradvantage。”
“Howso？”askedGodain。
“Why，theycanpreventanybutpaupersfromgleaninghere，“saidthe，miller，winkingintrueNormanfashion;“butthatdoesn’tpreventyou，fromgleaningelsewhere，——unlessallthemayorsdoastheBlangymayor，isdoing。”
“Thenitistrue，“saidTonsard，inathreateningvoice。
“Asforme，“saidBonnebault，puttinghisforaging-capoveroneear，andmakinghishazelstickwhizintheair，“I’mofftoConchesto，warnthefriends。”
AndtheLovelaceofthevalleydeparted，whistlingthetuneofthe，martialsong，——
“YouwhoknowthehussarsoftheGuard，Don’tyouknowthetromboneoftheregiment？”
“Isay，Marie！he’sgoingaqueerwaytogettoConches，thatfriend，ofyours，“criedoldMotherTonsardtohergranddaughter。
“He’safterAglae！”saidMarie，whomadeoneboundtothedoor。“I’ll，havetothrashheronceforall，thatbaggage！”shecried，viciously。
“Come，Vaudoyer，“saidTonsard，“goandseeRigou，andthenweshall，knowwhattodo;he’souroracle，andhisspittledoesn’tcost，anything。”
“Anotherfolly！”saidJean-Louis，inalowvoice，“Rigoubetrays，everybody;Annettetellsmeso;shesayshe’smoredangerouswhenhe，listenstoyouthanotherfolksarewhentheybluster。”
“Iadviseyoutobecautious，“saidLanglume。“Thegeneralhasgoneto，theprefectureaboutyourmisdeeds，andSibilettellsmehehassworn，anoathtogotoParisandseetheChancellorofFranceandtheKing，himself，andthewholepackofthemifnecessary，togetthebetterof，hispeasantry。”
“Hispeasantry！”shoutedeveryone。
“Ha，ha！sowedon’tbelongtoourselvesanylonger？”
AsTonsardaskedthequestion，VaudoyerleftthehousetoseeRigou。
Langlume，whohadalreadygoneout，turnedonthedoor-step，and，answered：——
“Crowdofdo-nothings！areyousorichthatyouthinkyouareyourown，masters？”
Thoughsaidwithalaugh，themeaningcontainedinthosewordswas，understoodbyallpresent，ashorsesunderstandthecutofawhip。
“Rantanplan！mastersindeed！”shoutedoldFourchon。“Isay，mylad，“
headdedtoNicolas，“afteryourperformancethismorningit’snotmy，clarionetthatyou’llgetbetweenyourthumbandfourfingers！”
“Don’tplaguehim，orhe’llmakeyouthrowupyourwinebyapunchin，thestomach，“saidCatherine，roughly。
CHAPTERXIII
ATYPEOFTHECOUNTRYUSURER
Strategically，Rigou’spositionatBlangywasthatofapicket，sentinel。HewatchedLesAigues，andwatcheditwell。Thepolicehave，nospiescomparabletothosethatservehatred。
WhenthegeneralfirstcametoLesAiguesRigouapparentlyformedsome，plansabouthimwhichMontcornet’smarriagewithaTroisvilleputan，endto;heseemedtohavewishedtopatronizethenewland-owner。In，facthisintentionsweresopatentthatGaubertinthoughtbesttolet，himintothesecretsofthecoalitionagainstLesAigues。Before，acceptinganypartintheaffair，Rigoudetermined，ashesaid，toput，thegeneralbetweentwostools。
Oneday，afterthecountesswasfairlyinstalled，alittlewicker，carriagepaintedgreenenteredthegrandcourtyardofthechateau。The，mayor，whowasflankedbyhismayoress，gotoutandcameroundtothe，porticoonthegardenside。AshedidsoRigousawMadamelecomtesse，atawindow。She，however，devotedtothebishopandtoreligionand，totheAbbeBrossette，sentwordbyFrancoisthat“Madamewasout。”
Thisactofincivility，worthyofawomanborninRussia，turnedthe，faceoftheex-Benedictineyellow。Ifthecountesshadseentheman，whomtheabbetoldherwas“asoulinhellwhoplungedintoiniquity，asintoabathinhiseffortstocoolhimself，“ifshehadseenhis，facethenshemighthaverefrainedfromexcitingthecold，deliberate，hatredfeltbytheliberalsagainsttheroyalists，increasedasitwas，incountry-placesbythejealousiesofneighborhood，wherethe，recollectionsofwoundedvanityarekeptconstantlyalive。
Afewdetailsaboutthismanandhismoralswillnotonlythrowlight，onhisshareoftheplot，called“thegreataffair“byhistwo，associates，butitwillhavethemeritofpicturinganextremely，curioustypeofman，——oneofthoseruralexistenceswhicharepeculiar，toFrance，andwhichnowriterhashithertosoughttodepict。Nothing，aboutthismaniswithoutsignificance，——neitherhishouse，norhis，mannerofblowingthefire，norhiswaysofeating;hishabits，morals，andopinionswillvividlyillustratethehistoryofthe，valley。Thisrenegadeservestoshowtheutilityofdemocracy;heis，atonceitstheoryanditspractice，itsalphaanditsomega，in，short，its“summum。”
Perhapsyouwillremembercertainmastersofavaricepicturedin，formerscenesofthiscomedyofhumanlife：inthefirstplacethe，provincialminister，PereGrandetofSaumur，miserlyasatigeris，cruel;nextGobseck，theusurer，thatJesuitofgold，delightingonly，initspower，andrelishingthetearsoftheunfortunatebecausegold，producedthem;thenBaronNucingen，liftingbaseandfraudulentmoney，transactionstothelevelofStatepolicy。Then，too，youmayremember，thatportraitofdomesticparsimony，oldHochonofIssoudun，andthat，othermiserinbehalfoffamilyinterests，littlelaBaudrayeof，Sancerre。Well，humanemotions——aboveall，thoseofavarice——takeon，somanyanddiverseshadesinthediversecentresofsocialexistence，thattherestillremainsuponthestageofourcomedyanothermiserto，bestudied，namely，Rigou，——Rigou，themiser-egoist;fullof，tendernessforhisowngratifications，coldandhardtoothers;the，ecclesiasticalmiser;themonkstillamonksofarashecansqueeze，thejuiceofthefruitcalledgood-living，andbecomingsecularonly，toputapawuponthepublicmoney。Inthefirstplace，letusexplain，thecontinualpleasurethathetookinsleepingunderhisownroof。
Blangy——bythatwemeanthesixtyhousesdescribedbyBlondetinhis，lettertoNathan——standsonariseoflandtotheleftoftheThune。
Asallthehousesaresurroundedbygardens，thevillageisavery，prettyone。Somehousesarebuiltonthebanksofthestream。Atthe，upperendofthelongrisestandsthechurch，formerlyflankedbya，parsonage，itsapsesurrounded，asinmanyothervillages，bya，graveyard。ThesacrilegiousoldRigouhadboughttheparsonage，which，wasoriginallybuiltbyanexcellentCatholic，MademoiselleChoin，on，landwhichshehadboughtforthepurpose。Aterracedgarden，from，whichtheeyelookeddownuponBlangy，Cerneux，andSoulangesstanding，betweenthetwogreatseignorialparks，separatedthelateparsonage，fromthechurch。Onitsoppositesidelayameadow，boughtbythelast，curateoftheparishnotlongbeforehisdeath，whichthedistrustful，Rigouhadsincesurroundedwithawall。
Theex-monkandmayorhavingrefusedtosellbacktheparsonagefor，itsoriginalpurpose，theparishwasobligedtobuyahousebelonging，toapeasant，whichadjoinedthechurch。Itwasnecessarytospend，fivethousandfrancstorepairandenlargeitandtoencloseitina，littlegarden，onewallofwhichwasthatofthesacristy，sothat，communicationbetweentheparsonageandthechurchwasstillasclose，asiteverwas。
Thesetwohouses，builtonalinewiththechurch，andseemingto，belongtoitbytheirgardens，facedapieceofopengroundplantedby，trees，whichmightbecalledthesquareofBlangy，——allthemore，becausethecounthadlatelybuilt，directlyoppositetothenew，parsonage，acommunalbuildingintendedforthemayor’soffice，the，homeofthefield-keeper，andthequartersofthatschoolofthe，BrothersoftheChristianDoctrine，forwhichtheAbbeBrossettehad，hithertobeggedinvain。Thus，notonlywerethehousesoftheex-monk，andtheyoungpriestconnectedandyetseparatedbythechurch，but，theywereinapositiontowatcheachother。Indeed，thewholevillage，spiedupontheabbe。Themainstreet，whichbeganattheThune，crept，tortuouslyupthehilltothechurch。Vineyards，thecottagesofthe，peasantry，andasmallgrovecrownedtheheights。
Rigou’shouse，thehandsomestinthevillage，wasbuiltofthelarge，rubble-stonepeculiartoBurgundy，imbeddedinyellowmortarsmoothed，bythetrowel，whichproducedanunevensurface，stillfurtherbroken，hereandtherebyprojectingpointsofthestone，whichwasmostly，black。Abandofcement，inwhichnostoneswereallowedtoshow，surroundedeachwindowwithasortofframe，wheretimehadmadesome，slight，capriciouscracks，suchasappearonplasteredceilings。The，outerblinds，ofaclumsypattern，werenoticeablefortheircolor，whichwasdragon-green。Afewmossesgrewamongtheslatesofthe，roof。ThetypeisthatofBurgundianhomesteads;thetravellerwill，seethousandslikeitwhenvisitingthispartofFrance。
Adoubledooropeneduponapassage，half-waydownwhichwasthewell，ofthestaircase。Bytheentrancewasthedoorofalargeroomwith，threewindowslookingoutuponthesquare。Thekitchen，builtbehind，andbeneaththestaircase，waslightedfromthecourtyard，whichwas，neatlypavedwithcobble-stonesandenteredbyaporte-cochere。Such，wastheground-floor。Thefirstfloorcontainedthreebedrooms，above，themasmallatticchamber。
Awood-shed，acoach-house，andastableadjoinedthekitchen，and，formedtwosidesofasquarearoundthecourtyard。Abovetheserather，flimsybuildingswereloftscontaininghayandgrain，afruit-room，andoneservant’s-chamber。
Apoultry-yard，thestable，andapigstyfacedthehouseacrossthe，courtyard。
Thegarden，aboutanacreinsizeandenclosedbywalls，wasatrue，priest’sgarden;thatis，itwasfullofwall-fruitandfruit-trees，grape-arbors，gravel-paths，closelytrimmedbox-trees，andsquare，vegetablepatches，maderichwiththemanurefromthestable。
Within，thelargeroom，panelledinwainscot，washungwithold，tapestry。Thewalnutfurniture，brownwithageandcoveredwithstuffs，embroideredinneedle-work，wasinkeepingwiththewainscotandwith，theceiling，whichwasalsopanelled。Thelatterhadthreeprojecting，beams，butthesewerepainted，andbetweenthemthespacewas，plastered。Themantel，alsoinwalnut，surmountedbyamirrorinthe，mostgrotesqueframe，hadnootherornamentthantwobrasseggs，standingonamarblebase，eachofwhichopenedinthemiddle;the，upperhalfwhenturnedovershowedasocketforacandle。These，candlesticksfortwolights，festoonedwithchainsaninventionof，thereignofLouisXV。，werebecomingrare。Onagreenandgold，bracketfastenedtothewalloppositetothewindowwasacommonbut，excellentclock。Thecurtains，whichsqueakedupontheirrods，wereat，leastfiftyyearsold;theirmaterial，ofcottoninasquarepattern，likethatofmattresses，alternatelypinkandwhite，camefromthe，Indies。Asideboardanddinner-tablecompletedtheequipmentofthe，room，whichwaskeptwithextremenicety。
Atthecornerofthefireplacewasanimmensesofa，Rigou’sespecial，seat。Intheangle，abovealittle“bonheurdujour，“whichservedhim，asadesk，andhangingtoacommonscrew，wasapairofbellows，the，originofRigou’sfortune。
Fromthissuccinctdescription，instylelikethatofanauctionsale，itwillbeeasytoimaginethatthebedroomsofMonsieurandMadame，Rigouwerelimitedtomerenecessaries;yetitwouldbeamistaketo，supposethatsuchparsimonyaffectedtheessentialexcellenceofthose，necessaries。Forinstance，themostfastidiousofwomenwouldhave，sleptwellinRigou’sbed，withfinelinensheets，excellent，mattresses，madeluxuriousbyafeather-beddoubtlessboughtforsome，abbebyapiousfemaleparishionerandprotectedfromdraughtsby，thickcurtains。AlltherestofRigou’sbelongingsweremade，comfortableforhisuse，asweshallsee。
Inthefirstplace，hehadreducedhiswife，whocouldneitherread，write，norcipher，toabsoluteobedience。Afterhavingruledher，deceasedmaster，thepoorcreaturewasnowtheservantofherhusband;
shecookedanddidthewashing，withverylittlehelpfromapretty，girlnamedAnnette，whowasnineteenyearsoldandasmuchaslaveto，Rigouashermistress，andwhosewageswerethirtyfrancsayear。
Tall，thin，andwithered，MadameRigou，awomanwithayellowfacered，aboutthecheek-bones，herheadalwayswrappedinacolored，handkerchief，andwearingthesamedressalltheyearround，didnot，leavethehousefortwohoursinamonth’stime，butkeptherselfin，exercisebydoingthehardworkofadevotedservant。Thekeenest，observercouldnothavefoundatraceofthefinefigure，theRubens，coloring，thesplendidlines，thesuperbteeth，thevirginaleyes，whichfirstdrewtheattentionoftheAbbeNiserontotheyounggirl。
Thebirthofheronlydaughter，MadameSoudry，Jr。hadblightedher，complexion，decayedherteeth，dimmedhereyes，andevencausedthe，droppingoftheirlashes。ItalmostseemedasifthefingerofGodhad，fallenuponthewifeofthepriest。Likeallwell-to-docountryhouse-
wives，shelikedtoseeherclosetsfullofsilkgowns，madeand，unmade，andjewelsandlaceswhichdidhernogoodandonlyexcited，thesinofenvyandadesireforherdeathinthemindsofallthe，youngwomenwhoservedRigou。Shewasoneofthosebeings，half-woman，half-animal，whoareborntolivebyinstinct。Thisex-beautiful，Arsenewasdisinterested;andthebequestlefttoherbythelateAbbe，Niseronwouldbeinexplicablewereitnotforthecuriouscircumstance，whichpromptedit，andwhichwegiveherefortheedificationofthe，vasttribeofexpectantheirs。
MadameNiseron，thewifeoftheoldrepublicansexton，alwayspaidthe，greatestattentiontoherhusband’suncle，thepriestofBlangy;the，fortyorfiftythousandfrancssoontobeinheritedfromtheoldman，ofseventywouldputthefamilyofhisonlynephewintoaconditionof，affluencewhichsheimpatientlyawaited，forbesidesheronlysonthe，fatherofLaPechinaMadameNiseronhadacharminglittledaughter，livelyandinnocent，——oneofthosebeingsthatseemperfectedonly，becausetheyaretodie，whichshedidattheageoffourteenfrom，“palecolor，“thepopularnameforchlorosisamongthepeasantry。The，darlingoftheparsonage，wherethechildflutteredabouthergreat，uncletheabbeasshedidinherhome，bringingcloudsandsunshine，withher，shegrewtoloveMademoiselleArsene，theprettyservant，whomtheoldabbeengagedin1789。Arsenewasthenieceofhis，housekeeper，whoseplacethegirltookbyrequestofthelatteronher，deathbed。
In1791，justaboutthetimethattheAbbeNiseronofferedhishouse，asanasylumtoRigouandhisbrotherJean，thelittlegirlplayedone，ofhermischievousbutinnocenttricks。ShewasplayingwithArsene，andsomeotherchildrenatagamewhichconsistsinhidinganobject，whichtherestseek，andcryingout，“Youburn！”or“Youfreeze！”
accordingasthesearchersapproachorleavethehiddenarticle。
LittleGenevievetookitintoherheadtohidethebellowsinArsene’s，bed。Thebellowscouldnotbefound，andthegamecametoanend;
Genevievewastakenhomebyhermotherandforgottoputthebellows，backonthenail。Arseneandherauntsearchedmorethanaweekfor，them;thentheystoppedsearchingandmanagedtodowithoutthem，the，oldabbeblowinghisfirewithanair-canemadeinthedayswhenair-
caneswerethefashion，——afashionwhichwasnodoubtintroducedby，somecourtierofthereignofHenriIII。Atlast，aboutamonthbefore，herdeath，thehousekeeper，afteradinneratwhichtheAbbeMouchon，theNiseronfamily，andthecurateofSoulangeswerepresent，returned，toherjeremiadesaboutthelossofthebellows。
“Why！they’vebeenthesetwoweeksinArsene’sbed！”criedthelittle，one，withapealoflaughter。“Greatlazything！ifshehadtakenthe，troubletomakeherbedshewouldhavefoundthem。”
Asitwas1791everybodylaughed;butadeadsilencesucceededthe，laugh。
“Thereisnothinglaughableinthat，“saidthehousekeeper;“sinceI
havebeenillArsenesleepsinmyroom。”
InspiteofthisexplanationtheAbbeNiseronlookedthunderboltsat，MadameNiseronandhisnephew，thinkingtheywereplottingmischief，againsthim。Thehousekeeperdied。Rigoucontrivedtoworkupthe，abbe’sresentmenttosuchapitchthathemadeawilldisinheriting，Jean-FrancoisNiseroninfavorofArsenePichard。
In1823Rigou，perhapsoutofasenseofgratitude，stillblewthe，firewithanair-cane，andleftthebellowshangingtothescrew。
MadameNiseron，idolizingherdaughter，didnotlongsurviveher。
Motherandchilddiedin1794。Theoldabbe，too，wasdead，and，citizenRigoutookchargeofArsene’saffairsbymarryingher。A
formerconvertinthemonastery，attachedtoRigouasadogistohis，master，becamethegroom，gardener，herdsman，valet，andstewardof，thesensualHarpagon。ArseneRigou，thedaughter，marriedin1821
withoutdowrytotheprosecuting-attorney，inheritingsomethingofher，mother’srathervulgarbeauty，togetherwiththecraftymindofher，father。
Nowaboutsixty-sevenyearsofage，Rigouhadneverbeenillinhis，life，andnothingseemedabletolessenhisaggressivelygoodhealth。
Tall，lean，withbrowncirclesroundhiseyes，thelidsofwhichwere，nearlyblack，anyonewhosawhimofamorning，whenashedressedhe，exposedthewrinkled，red，andgranulatedskinofhisneck，wouldhave，comparedhimtoacondor，——allthemorebecausehislongnose，sharp，atthetip，increasedthelikenessbyitssanguineouscolor。Hishead，partlybald，wouldhavefrightenedphrenologistsbytheshapeofits，skull，whichwaslikeanass’sbackbone，anindicationofdespotic，will。Hisgrayisheyes，half-coveredbyfilmy，red-veinedlids，were，predestinedtoaidhypocrisy。Twoscantylocksofhairofanundecided，coloroverhungthelargeears，whichwerelongandwithoutrim，asure，signofcruelty，butcrueltyofthemoralnatureonly，unlesswhereit，meansactualinsanity。Themouth，verybroad，withthinlips，indicatedasturdyeaterandadetermineddrinkerbythedropofits，corners，whichturneddownwardliketwocommas，fromwhichdrooled，gravywhenheateandsalivawhenhetalked。Heliogabalusmusthave，beenlikethis。
Hisdress，whichnevervaried，consistedofalongbluesurtoutwitha，militarycollar，ablackcravat，withwaistcoatandtrousersofblack，cloth。Hisshoes，verythicksoled，hadironnailsoutside，andinside，woollenliningsknitbyhiswifeinthewinterevenings。Annetteand，hermistressalsoknitthemaster’sstockings。Rigou’snamewas，Gregoire。
Thoughthissketchgivessomeideaoftheman’scharacter，noonecan，imaginethepointtowhich，inhisprivateandunthwartedlife，the，ex-Benedictinehadpushedthescienceofselfishness，goodliving，and，sensuality。Inthefirstplace，hedinedalone，waiteduponbyhis，wifeandAnnette，whothemselvesdinedwithJeaninthekitchen，while，themasterdigestedhismealanddisposedofhiswineasheread“the，news。”
Inthecountrythespecialnamesofjournalsarenevermentioned;they，areallcalledbythegeneralnameof“thenews。”
Rigou’sdinner，likehisbreakfastandsupper，wasalwaysofchoice，delicacies，cookedwiththeartwhichdistinguishesapriest’s，housekeeperfromallothercooks。MadameRigoumadethebutterherself，twiceaweek。Creamwasaconcomitantofmanysauces。Thevegetables，cameatajump，asitwere，fromtheirframestothesaucepan。
Parisians，whoareaccustomedtoeatthefruitsoftheearthafter，theyhavehadasecondripeninginthesunofacity，infectedbythe，airofthestreets，fermentingincloseshops，andwateredfromtime，totimebythemarket-womentogivethemadeceitfulfreshness，have，littleideaoftheexquisiteflavorsofreallyfreshproduce，towhich，naturehaslentfugitivebutpowerfulcharmswheneatenasitwere，alive。
ThebutcherofSoulangesbroughthisbestmeatunderfearoflosing，Rigou’scustom。Thepoultry，raisedonthepremises，wasofthefinest，quality。
ThissystemofsecretpamperingembracedeverythinginwhichRigouwas，personallyconcerned。ThoughtheslippersoftheknowingThelemist，wereofstoutleathertheywerelinedwithlamb’swool。Thoughhis，coatwasofroughclothitdidnottouchhisskin，forhisshirt，washedandironedathome，wasofthefinestFrisianlinen。Hiswife，Annette，andJeandrankthecommonwineofthecountry，thewinehe，reservedfromhisownvineyards;butinhisprivatecellar，aswell，stockedasthecellarsofBelgium，thefinestvintagesofBurgundy，rubbedsideswiththoseofBordeaux，Champagne，Roussillon，notto，speakofSpanishandRhinewines，allboughttenyearsinadvanceof，useandbottledbyBrotherJean。Theliqueursinthatcellarwere，thoseoftheIsles，andcameoriginallyfromMadameAmphoux。Rigouhad，laidinasupplytolasthimtherestofhisdays，atthenational，saleofachateauinBurgundy。
Theex-monkateanddranklikeLouisXIV。oneofthegreatest，consumersoffoodanddrinkeverknown，whichrevealsthecostsofa，lifethatwasmorethanvoluptuous。Carefulandveryshrewdin，managinghissecretprodigalities，hedisputedallpurchasesasonly，churchmencandispute。Insteadoftakinginfiniteprecautionsagainst，beingcheated，theslymonkkeptpatternsandsamples，hadthe，agreementsreducedtowriting，andwarnedthosewhoforwardedhis，winesorhisprovisionsthatiftheyfellshortofthemarkinanyway，heshouldrefusetoaccepttheirconsignments。
Jean，whohadchargeofthefruit-room，wastrainedtokeepfreshthe，finestfruitsgrowninthedepartment;sothatRigouatepearsand，applesandsometimesgrapes，atEaster。
NoprophetregardedasaGodwasevermoreblindlyobeyedthanwas，Rigouinhisownhome。Ameremotionofhisblackeyelashescould，plungehiswife，Annette，andJeanintothedeepestanxiety。Heheld，histhreeslavesbythemultiplicityoftheirmanyduties，whichwere，likeachaininhishands。Thesepoorcreatureswereunderthe，perpetualyokeofsomeorderedduty，withaneyealwaysonthem;but，theyhadcometotakeasortofpleasureinaccomplishingthesetasks，anddidnotsufferunderthem。Allthreehadthecomfortandwell-
beingofthatonemanbeforetheirmindsasthesoleendandobjectof，alltheirthoughts。
Annettewassince1795thetenthprettygirlinRigou’sservice，and，heexpectedtogodowntohisgravewithrelaysofsuchservants。
Broughttohimatsixteen，shewouldbesentawayatnineteen。All，thesegirls，carefullychosenatAuxerre，Clamecy，orintheMorvan，wereenticedbythepromiseoffutureprosperity;butMadameRigou，persistedinliving。Soattheendofeverythreeyearssomequarrel，usuallybroughtaboutbytheinsolenceoftheservanttothepoor，mistress，causedtheirdismissal。
Annette，whowasapictureofdelicatebeauty，ingenuousand，sparkling，deservedtobeaduchess。Rigouknewnothingofthelove，affairbetweenherandJean-LouisTonsard，whichprovesthathehad，lethimselfbefooledbythegirl，——theonlyoneofhismanyservants，whoseambitionhadtaughthertoflatterthelynxastheonlywayto，blindhim。
ThisuncrownedLouisXV。didnotkeephimselfwhollytohispretty，Annette。Beingthemortgageeoflandsboughtbypeasantswhowere，unabletopayforthem，hekeptahareminthevalley，fromSoulanges，tofivemilesbeyondConchesontheroadtoLaBrie，withoutmaking，otherpaymentsthan“extensionoftime，“forthosefugitivepleasures，whicheatintothefortunesofsomanyoldmen。
Thisluxuriouslife，alifelikethatofBouret，costRigoualmost，nothing。Thankstohiswhiteslaves，hecouldcutandmowdownand，gatherinhiswood，hay，andgrain。Tothepeasantmanuallaborisa，smallmatter，especiallyifitservestopostponethepaymentof，interestdue。AndsoRigou，whilerequiringlittlepremiumsoneach，month’sdelay，squeezedagreatdealofmanuallaboroutofhis，debtors，——positivedrudgery，towhichtheysubmittedthinkingthey，gavelittlebecausenothinglefttheirpockets。Rigousometimes，obtainedinthiswaymorethantheprincipalofadebt。
Deepasamonk，silentasaBenedictineinthethroesofwriting，history，slyasapriest，deceitfulasallmisers，carefullykeeping，withinthelimitsofthelaw，themanmighthavebeenTiberiusin，Rome，RichelieuunderLouisXIII。orFouche，hadtheambitionseized，himtogototheConvention;but，insteadofallthat，Rigouhadthe，commonsensetoremainaLuculluswithoutostentation，inotherwords，aparsimoniousvoluptuary。Tooccupyhismindheindulgedahatred，manufacturedoutofthewholecloth。HeharassedtheComtede，Montcornet。Heworkedthepeasantslikepuppetsbyhiddenwires，the，handlingofwhichamusedhimasthoughitwereagameofchesswhere，thepawnswerealive，theknightscaracoled，thebishops，like，Fourchon，gabbled，thefeudalcastlesshoneinthesun，andthequeen，maliciouslycheckmatedtheking。Everyday，whenhegotoutofbedand，sawfromhiswindowtheproudtowersofLesAigues，thechimneysof，thepavilions，andthenoblegates，hesaidtohimself：“Theyshall，fall！I’lldryupthebrooks，I’llchopdownthewoods。”Buthehad，twovictimsinmind，achiefoneandalesserone。Thoughhemeditated，thedismembermentofthechateau，theapostatealsointendedtomake，anendoftheAbbeBrossettebypin-pricks。
Tocompletetheportraitoftheex-priestitwillsufficetoaddthat，hewenttomassregrettingthathiswifestilllived，andexpressed，thedesiretobereconciledwiththeChurchassoonashebecamea，widower。HeboweddeferentiallytotheAbbeBrossettewheneverhemet，him，andspoketohimcourteouslyandwithoutheat。Asageneralthing，allmenwhobelongtotheChurch，orwhohavecomeoutofit，havethe，patienceofinsects;theyowethistotheobligationtheyhavebeen，under，ecclesiastically，topreservedecorum，——atrainingwhichhas，beenlackingforthelasttwentyyearstothevastmajorityofthe，Frenchnation，eventhosewhothinkthemselveswell-bred。Allthe，monkswhichtheRevolutionbroughtoutoftheirmonasteriesandforced，intobusiness，publicorprivate，showedintheircoldnessandreserve，thegreatadvantagewhichecclesiasticaldisciplinegivestothesons，oftheChurch，eventhosewhodeserther。
GaubertinhadunderstoodRigoufromthedayswhentheAbbeNiseron，madehiswillandtheex-monkmarriedtheheiress;hefathomedthe，crafthiddenbehindthejaundicedfaceofthataccomplishedhypocrite;
andhemadehimselftheman’sfellow-worshipperbeforethealtarof，theGoldenCalf。Whenthebanking-houseofLeclercqwasfirststarted，headvisedRigoutoputfiftythousandfrancsintoit，guaranteeing，theirsecurityhimself。Rigouwasallthemoredesirableasan，investor，orsleepingpartner，becausehedrewnointerestbutallowed，hiscapitaltoaccumulate。Attheperiodofwhichwewriteitamounted，tooverahundredthousandfrancs，althoughin1816hehadtakenout，onehundredandeightythousandforinvestmentinthePublicFunds，fromwhichhederivedanincomeofseventeenthousandfrancs。Lupin，thenotaryhadcognizanceofatleastonehundredthousandfrancs，whichRigouhadlentonsmallmortgagesupongoodestates。Ostensibly，Rigouderivedaboutfourteenthousandfrancsayearfromlanded，propertyactuallyownedbyhim。Butastohisamassedhoard，itwas，representedbyan“x“whichnoruleofequationscouldevolve，justas，thedevilaloneknewthesecretschemesheplottedwithLanglume。
Thisdangeroususurer，whoproposedtoliveascoreofyearslonger，hadestablishedfixedrulestoworkupon。Helentnothingtoapeasant，whoboughtlessthansevenacres，andwhocouldnotpayone-halfof，thepurchase-moneydown。Rigouwellunderstoodthedefectsofthelaw，ofdispossessionwhenappliedtosmallholdings，andthedangerboth，tothePublicTreasuryandtoland-ownersoftheminuteparcellingout，ofthesoil。Howcanyousueapeasantforthevalueofonerowof，vineswhenheownsonlyfive？Thebird’s-eyeviewofself-interestis，alwaystwenty-fiveyearsaheadoftheperceptionsofalegislative，body。Whatalessonforanation！Lawwilleveremanatefromone，brain，thatofamanofgenius，andnotfromtheninehundred，legislativeheads，which，greatastheymaybeinthemselves，are，belittledandlostinacrowd。Rigou’slawcontainstheessential，elementwhichhasyettobefoundandintroducedintopubliclawto，putanendtotheabsurdspectacleoflandedpropertyreducedto，halves，quarters，tenths，hundredths，——asinthedistrictof，Argenteuil，wheretherearethirtythousandplotsofland。
SuchoperationsasthoseRigouwasconcernedinrequireextensive，collusion，likethosewehaveseenexistinginthisarrondissement。
Lupin，thenotary，whomRigouemployedtodrawatleastonethirdof，thedeedsannuallyentrustedtohisnotarialoffice，wasdevotedto，him。Thissharkcouldthusincludeinthemortgagenotesignedalways，inpresenceofthewife，whentheborrowerwasmarriedtheamountof，theillegalinterest。Thepeasant，delightedtofeelhehadtopay，onlyhisfivepercentinterestannually，alwaysimaginedheshouldbe，abletomeetthepaymentbyworkingdoublyhardorbyimprovingthe，landandgettingdoublereturnsuponit。
Hencethedeceitfulhopesexcitedbywhatimbecileeconomistscall，“smallfarming，“——apoliticalblundertowhichweowesuchmistakesas，sendingFrenchmoneytoGermanytobuyhorseswhichourownlandhad，ceasedtobreed;ablunderwhichbeforelongwillreducetheraising，ofcattleuntilmeatwillbeunattainablenotonlybythepeople，but，bythelowermiddleclassessee“LeCuredeVillage。”
So，notalittlesweatbedewedmen’sbrowsbetweenConchesandVille-
aux-FayestoRigou’sprofit，allbeingwillingtogiveit;whereasthe，labordearlypaidforbythegeneral，theonlymanwhodidspendmoney，inthedistrict，broughthimcursesandhatred，whichwereshowered，uponhimsimplybecausehewasrich。Howcouldsuchfactsbe，understoodunlesswehadpreviouslytakenthatrapidglanceatthe，Mediocracy。Fourchonwasright;themiddleclassesnowheldthe，positionoftheformerlords。Thesmallland-owners，ofwhom，Courtecuisseisatype，weretenantsinmortmainofaTiberiusinthe，valleyoftheAvonne，justas，inParis，traderswithoutmoneyarethe，peasantryofthebankingsystem。
SoudryfollowedRigou’sexamplefromSoulangestoadistanceof，fifteenmilesbeyondVille-aux-Fayes。Thesetwousurerssharedthe，districtbetweenthem。
Gaubertin，whoserapacitywasinahighersphere，notonlydidnot，competeagainstthatofhisassociates，buthepreventedallother，capitalinVille-aux-Fayesfrombeingemployedinthesamefruitful，manner。Itiseasytoimaginewhatimmenseinfluencethistriumvirate，——Rigou，Soudry，andGaubertin——wieldedinelectionperiodsover，electorswhosefortunesdependedontheirgood-will。
Hate，intelligence，andmeansatcommand，suchwerethethreesidesof，theterribletrianglewhichdescribesthegeneral’sclosestenemy，the，spyeverwatchingLesAigues，——asharkhavingconstantdealingswith，sixtytoeightysmallland-owners，relationsorconnectionsofthe，peasantry，whofearedhimassuchmenalwaysfeartheircreditor。
RigouwasinhiswayanotherTonsard。Theonethroveontheftsfrom，nature，theotherwaxedfatonlegalplunder。Bothlikedtolivewell。
Itwasthesamenatureintwospecies，——theonenatural，theother，whettedbyhistraininginacloister。
Itwasaboutfouro’clockwhenVaudoyerleftthetavernoftheGrand-
I-Verttoconsulttheformermayor。Rigouwasatdinner。Findingthe，frontdoorlocked，Vaudoyerlookedabovethewindowblindsandcalled，out：——
“MonsieurRigou，itisI，——Vaudoyer。”
Jeancameroundfromtheporte-cochereandsaidtoVaudoyer：——
“Comeintothegarden;Monsieurhascompany。”
ThecompanywasSibilet，who，underpretextofdiscussingtheverdict，Brunethadjusthandedin，wastalkingtoRigouofquiteother，matters。Hehadfoundtheusurerfinishinghisdessert。Onasquare，dinner-tablecoveredwithadazzlingwhitecloth——for，regardlessof，hiswifeandAnnettewhodidthewashing，Rigouexactedcleantable-
lineneveryday——thestewardnotedstrawberries，apricots，peaches，figs，andalmonds，allthefruitsoftheseasoninprofusion，served，inwhiteporcelaindishesonvine-leavesasdaintilyasatLesAigues。
SeeingSibilet，Rigoutoldhimtoruntheboltsoftheinsidedouble-
doors，whichwereaddedtotheotherdoorsasmuchtostiflesoundsas，tokeepoutthecoldair，andaskedhimwhatpressingbusinessbrought，himthereinbroaddaylightwhenitwassomuchsafertoconfer，togetheratnight。
“TheShopmantalksofgoingtoParistoseetheKeeperoftheSeals;
heiscapableofdoingyouagreatdealofharm;hemayaskforthe，dismissalofyourson-in-law，andtheremovalofthejudgesatVille-
aux-Fayes，especiallyafterreadingtheverdictjustrenderedinyour，favor。Hehasturnedatbay;heisshrewd，andhehasanadviserin，thatabbe，whoisquiteabletotiltwithyouandGaubertin。Priests，arepowerful。MonseigneurthebishopthinksagreatdealoftheAbbe，Brossette。Madamelacomtessetalksofgoingherselftohercousinthe，prefect，theComtedeCasteran，aboutNicolas。Michaudbeginstosee，intoourgame。”
“Youarefrightened，“saidRigou，softly，castingalookonSibilet，whichsuspicionmadelessimpassivethanusual，andwhichwas，thereforeterrific。“Youaredebatingwhetheritwouldnotbebetter，onthewholetosidewiththeComtedeMontcornet。”
“Idon’tseewhereIamtogetthefourthousandfrancsIsave，honestlyandinvesteveryyear，afteryouhavecutupandsoldLes，Aigues，“saidSibilet，shortly。“MonsieurGaubertinhasmadememany，finepromises;butthecrisisiscomingon;therewillbefighting，surely。Promisingbeforevictoryandkeepingapromiseafteritare，twoverydifferentthings。”
“Iwilltalktohimaboutit，“repliedRigou，imperturbably。“Meantime，thisiswhatIshouldsaytoyouifIwereinhisplace：’Forthelast，fiveyearsyouhavetakenMonsieurRigoufourthousandfrancsayear，andthatworthymangivesyousevenandahalfpercent;whichmakes，yourpropertyinhishandsatthismomentovertwenty-seventhousand，francs，asyouhavenotdrawntheinterest。Butthereexistsaprivate，signedagreementbetweenyouandRigou，andtheShopmanwilldismiss，hisstewardwhenevertheAbbeBrossettelaysthatdocumentbeforehis，eyes;theabbewillbeabletodosoafterreceivingananonymous，letterwhichwillinformhimofyourdouble-dealing。Youwould，thereforedobetterforyourselfbykeepingwellwithusinsteadof，clamoringforyourpayinadvance，——allthemorebecauseMonsieur，Rigou，whoisnotlegallyboundtogiveyousevenandahalfpercent，andtheinterestonyourinterest，willmakeyouincourtalegal，tenderofyourtwentythousandfrancs，andyouwillnotbeableto，touchthatmoneyuntilyoursuit，prolongedbylegaltrickery，shall，bedecidedbythecourtatVille-aux-Fayes。Butifyouactwiselyyou，willfindthatwhenMonsieurRigougetspossessionofyourpavilionat，LesAigues，youwillhaveverynearlythirtythousandfrancsinhis，handsandthirtythousandmorewhichthesaidRigoumayentrustto，you，——whichwillbeallthemoreadvantageoustoyouthenbecausethe，peasantrywillhaveflungthemthemselvesupontheestateofLes，Aigues，dividedintosmalllotslikethepovertyoftheworld。’That’s，whatMonsieurGaubertinmightsaytoyou。Asforme，Ihavenothingto，say，foritisnoneofmybusiness。GaubertinandIhaveourown，quarrelwiththatsonofthepeoplewhoisashamedofhisownfather，andwefollowourowncourse。IfmyfriendGaubertinfeelstheneedof，usingyou，Idon’t;Ineednoone，foreverybodyisatmycommand。As，totheKeeperoftheSeals，thatfunctionaryisoftenchanged;whereas，we——WEarealwayshere，andcanbideourtime。”
“Well，I’vewarnedyou，“returnedSibilet，feelinglikeadonkeyunder，apack-saddle。
“Warnedmeofwhat？”saidRigou，artfully。
“OfwhattheShopmanisgoingtodo，“answeredthesteward，humbly。
“HestartedforthePrefectureinarage。”
“Lethimgo！IftheMontcornetsandtheirkinddidn’tusewheels，what，wouldbecomeofthecarriage-makers？”
“Ishallbringyouthreethousandfrancsto-night，“saidSibilet，“but，yououghttomakeoversomeofyourmaturingmortgagestome，——say，oneortwothatwouldsecuretomegoodlotsofland。”
“Well，there’sthatofCourtecuisse。Imyselfwanttobeeasyonhim，becauseheisthebestshotinthecanton;butifImakeoverhis，mortgagetoyou，youwillseemtobeharassinghimontheShopman’s，account，andthatwillbekillingtwobirdswithonestone;when，Courtecuissefindshimselfabeggar，likeFourchon，he’llbecapable，ofanything。CourtecuissehasruinedhimselfontheBachelerie;hehas，cultivatedalltheland，andtrainedfruitonthewalls。Thelittle，propertyisnowworthfourthousandfrancs，andthecountwillgladly，payyouthattogetpossessionofthethreeacresthatjutrightinto，hisland。IfCourtecuissewerenotsuchanidlehoundhecouldhave，paidhisinterestwiththegamehemighthavekilledthere。”
“Well，transferthemortgagetome，andI’llmakemybutteroutofit;
thecountshallbuythethreeacres，andIshallgetthehouseand，gardenfornothing。”
“Whatareyougoingtogivemeoutofit？”
“Goodheavens！you’dmilkanox！”exclaimedSibilet，——“whenIhave，justdoneyousuchaservice，too。IhaveatlastgottheShopmanto，enforcethelawsaboutgleaning——“
“Haveyou，mydearfellow？”saidRigou，whoafewdaysearlierhad，suggestedthismeansofexasperatingthepeasantrytoSibilet，telling，himtoadvisethegeneraltotryit。“Thenwe’vegothim;he’slost！
Butitisn’tenoughtoholdhimwithonestring;wemustwinditround，androundhimlikearolloftobacco。Sliptheboltsofthedoor，my，lad;tellmywifetobringmycoffeeandtheliqueurs，andtellJean，toharnessup。I’mofftoSoulanges;willseeyouto-night！——Ah！
Vaudoyer，goodafternoon，“saidthelatemayorashisformerfield-
keeperenteredtheroom。“What’sthenews？”
Vaudoyerrelatedthetalkwhichhadjusttakenplaceatthetavern，andaskedRigou’sopinionastothelegalityoftheruleswhichthe，generalthoughtofenforcing。
“Hehasthelawwithhim，“saidRigou，curtly。“Wehaveahard，landlord;theAbbeBrossetteisamalignantpriest;headvisesall，suchmeasuresbecauseyoudon’tgotomass，youmiserableunbelievers。
Igo;there’saGod，Itellyou。Youpeasantswillhavetobear，everything，fortheShopmanwillalwaysgetthebetterofyou——“
“Weshallglean，“saidVaudoyer，inthatdeterminedtonewhich，characterizesBurgundians。
“Withoutacertificateofpauperism？”askedtheusurer。“Theysaythe，ShopmanhasgonetothePrefecturetoaskfortroopssoastoforce，youtokeepthelaw。”
“Weshallgleanaswehavealwaysgleaned，“repeatedVaudoyer。
“Well，gleanthen！MonsieurSarcuswilldecidewhetheryouhavethe，rightto，“saidRigou，seemingtopromisethehelpofthejusticeof，thepeace。
“Weshallglean，andweshalldoitinforce，orBurgundywon’tbe，Burgundyanylonger，“saidVaudoyer。“Ifthegendarmeshavesabreswe，havescythes，andwe’llseewhatcomesofit！”
Athalf-pastfouro’clockthegreatgreengateoftheformerparsonage，turnedonitshinges，andthebayhorse，ledbyJean，wasbrought，roundtothefrontdoor。MadameRigouandAnnettecameoutonthe，stepsandlookedatthelittlewickercarriage，paintedgreen，witha，leathernhood，wheretheirlordandmasterwascomfortablyseatedon，goodcushions。
“Don’tbelatehome，monsieur，“saidAnnette，withalittlepout。
Thevillagefolk，alreadyinformedofthemeasuresthegeneral，proposedtotake，wereattheirdoorsorstandinginthemainstreet，asRigoudroveby，believingthathewasgoingtoSoulangesintheir，defence。
“Well，MadameCourtecuisse，soourmayorisonhiswaytoprotectus，“
remarkedanoldwomanassheknitted;thequestionofdepredatingin，theforestwasofgreatinteresttoher，forherhusbandsoldthe，stolenwoodatSoulanges。
“Ah！thegoodman，hisheartbleedstoseethewaywearetreated;he，isasunhappyasweareaboutit，“repliedthepoorwoman，who，trembledattheverynameofherhusband’screditor，andpraisedhim，outoffear。
“Andhehimself，too，——they’veshamefullyill-usedhim！Good-day，MonsieurRigou，“saidtheoldknittertotheusurer，whobowedtoher，andtohisdebtor’swife。
AsRigoucrossedtheThune，fordableatallseasons，Tonsardcameout，ofthetavernandmethimonthehigh-road。
“Well，PereRigou，“hesaid，“sotheShopmanmeanstomakedogsof，us？”
“We’llseeaboutthat，“saidtheusurer，whippinguphishorse。
“He’llprotectus，“saidTonsard，turningtoagroupofwomenand，childrenwhowerenearhim。
“Rigouisthinkingasmuchaboutyouasacookthinksofthegudgeons，heisfryinginhispan，“calledoutFourchon。
“Taketheclapperoutofyourthroatwhenyouaredrunk，“saidMouche，pullinghisgrandfatherbytheblouse，andtumblinghimdownonabank，underapoplartree。“Ifthathoundofamayorheardyousaythat，he’dneverbuyanymoreofyourtales。”
ThetruthwasthatRigouwashurryingtoSoulangesinconsequenceof，thewarninggivenhimbythestewardofLesAigues，which，inhis，heart，heregardedasthreateningthesecretcoalitionofthevalley。
PARTII
CHAPTERI
THELEADINGSOCIETYOFSOULANGES
AboutsixkilometresspeakinglegallyfromBlangy，andatthesame，distancefromVille-aux-Fayes，onanelevationradiatingfromthelong，hillsideatthefootofwhichflowstheAvonne，standsthelittletown，ofSoulanges，surnamedLaJolie，with，perhaps，morerighttothat，titlethanMantes。
Atthefootofthehill，theThunebroadensoveraclaybottomtoa，spaceofsomeseventyacres，attheendofwhichtheSoulangesmills，placedonnumerouslittleislets，presentasgracefulagroupof，buildingsasanylandscapearchitectcoulddevise。Afterwateringthe，parkofSoulanges，whereitfeedsvariousotherstreamsandartificial，lakes，theThunefallsintotheAvonnethroughafinebroadchannel。
ThechateauofSoulanges，rebuiltunderLouisXIV。fromdesignsof，JulesMansart，andoneofthefinestinBurgundy，standsfacingthe，town;sothatSoulangesanditschateaumutuallypresenttoeachother，acharmingandevenelegantvista。Themainroadwindsbetweenthe，townandthepond，calledbythecountrypeople，ratherpompously，the，lakeofSoulanges。
Thelittletownisoneofthosenaturalcompositionswhichare，extremelyrareinFrance，wherePRETTINESSofitsownkindis，absolutelywanting。Hereyouwouldindeedfind，asBlondetsaidinhis，letter，thecharmofSwitzerland，theprettinessoftheenvironsof，Neuf-chatel;whilethebrightvineyardswhichencircleSoulanges，completetheresemblance，——leavingout，beitsaid，theAlpsandthe，Jura。Thestreets，placedoneaboveanotherontheslopeofthehill，havebutfewhouses;foreachhousestandsinitsowngarden，which，producesamassofgreeneryrarelyseeninatown。Theroofs，redor，blue，risingamongflower-gardens，trees，andtrellisedterraces，presentanharmoniousvarietyofaspects。
Thechurch，anoldMiddle-Agestructure，builtofstone，thankstothe，munificenceofthelordsofSoulanges，whoreservedforthemselves，firstachapelnearthechancel，thenacryptastheirnecropolis，has，bywayofportal，animmensearcade，likethatofthechurchat，Lonjumeau，andisborderedbyflower-bedsadornedwithstatues，and，flankedoneithersidebycolumnswithniches，whichterminatein，spires。Thisportal，oftenseeninchurchesofthesameperiodwhen，chancehassavedthemfromtheravagesofCalvinism，issurmountedby，atriglyph，abovewhichstandsastatueoftheVirginholdingthe，infantJesus。Thesidesofthestructureareexternallyoffive，arches，definedbystoneribsandlightedbywindowswithsmallpanes。
Theapserestsonarchedabutmentsthatareworthyofacathedral。The，clock-tower，placedinatranseptofthecross，issquareand，surmountedbyabelfry。Thechurchcanbeseenfromagreatdistance，foritstandsatthetopofthegreatsquare，atthelowerendof，whichthehigh-roadpassesthroughthetown。
Thissquare，largeforthesizeofthetown，issurroundedbyvery，originalbuildings，allofdifferentepochs。Many，half-wood，half-
brick，withtheirtimbersfacedwithslate，datebacktotheMiddle，Ages。Others，ofstone，withbalconies，showtheformofgablesodear，toourancestors，whichbelongstothetwelfthcentury。Severalcharm，theeyewiththoseoldprojectingbeams，carvedwithgrotesquefaces，whichformtheroofofasortofshed，andrecallthedayswhenthe，middleclasseswereexclusivelycommercial。Thefinesthouseamong，themwasthatofthechiefmagistrateofformerdays，——ahousewitha，sculpturedfrontonalinewiththechurch，towhichitformsafine，accompaniment。Soldasnationalproperty，itwasboughtinbythe，commune，whichturneditintoatown-hallandcourt-house，where，MonsieurSarcushadpresidedeversincetheestablishmentofmunicipal，judges。
ThisslightsketchwillgiveanideaofthesquareofSoulanges，adornedinthecentrewithacharmingfountainbroughtfromItalyin，1520bytheMarechaldeSoulanges，whichwasnotunworthyofagreat，capital。Anunfailingjetofwater，comingfromaspringhigherupthe，hill，wasshedbyfourCupidsinwhitemarble，bearingshellsintheir，armsandbasketsofgrapesupontheirheads。
Literarytravellerswhomaypassthiswayshouldanysuchfollow，EmileBlondetmightimaginethespottohaveinspiredMoliereandthe，Spanishdrama，whichhelditsfootingsolongonFrenchboards，showingthatcomedyisnativetowarmcountrieswheresomuchoflife，ispassedinthepublicstreets。ThesquareofSoulangesisallthe，moreareminderofthatclassicstagebecausethetwoprincipal，streets，openingjustonalinewiththefountain，affordtheexitand，entrancessonecessaryforthedramaticmastersandvaletswhose，businessitiseithertomeetortoavoideachother。Atthecornerof，oneofthesestreets，calledtheruedelaFontaine，shonethe，notarialescutcheonofMaitreLupin。ThehousesofMessieursSarcus，Guerbetthecollector，Brunet，Gourdon，clerkofthecourt，andthat，ofhisbrotherthedoctor，alsothatofoldMonsieurGendrin-Vatebled，thekeeperoftheforestsandstreams，——allthesehouses，keptwith，extremeneatnessbytheirowners，whoheldfirmlytotheflattering，surnameoftheirnativetown，standintheneighborhoodofthesquare，andformthearistocraticquarterofSoulanges。
ThehouseofMadameSoudry——forthepowerfulindividualityof，MademoiselleLaguerre’sformerwaiting-maidtooktheleadofher，husbandinthecommunity——wasmodern，havingbeenbuiltbyarich，wine-merchant，borninSoulanges，who，aftermakinghismoneyin，Paris，returnedtherein1793tobuywheatforhisnativetown。Hewas，slainasan“accapareur，“amonopolist，bythepopulace，instigatedby，amason，theuncleofGodain，withwhomhehadhadsomequarrelabout，thebuildingofhisambitioushouse。Thesettlementofhisestate，sharplycontestedbycollateralheirs，draggedslowlyalonguntil，in，1798，Soudry，whohadthenreturnedtoSoulanges，wasabletobuythe，wine-merchant’spalaceforthreethousandfrancsinspecie。Hethen，letit，inthefirstinstance，tothegovernmentfortheheadquarters，ofthegendarmerie。In1811MademoiselleCochet，whomSoudryconsulted，aboutallhisaffairs，stronglyobjectedtotherenewalofthelease，makingthehouseuninhabitable，shedeclared，withbarracks。Thetown，ofSoulanges，assistedbythedepartment，thenerectedabuildingfor，thegendarmerieinastreetrunningatrightanglesfromthetown-
hall。ThereuponSoudrycleaneduphishouseandrestoreditsprimitive，lustre，notalittledimmedbythestablingofhorsesandthe，occupancyofgendarmes。
Thehouse，onlyonestoryhigh，withprojectingwindowsintheroof，hasaviewonthreesides;onetothesquare，anothertoalake，the，thirdtoagarden。Thefourthsidelooksonacourtyardwhich，separatestheSoudrysfromtheadjoininghouseoccupiedbyagrocer，namedWattebled，amanoftheSECOND-CLASSsocietyofSoulanges，fatherofthebeautifulMadamePlissoud，ofwhomweshallpresently，haveoccasiontospeak。
Alllittletownshavearenownedbeauty，justastheyhaveaSocquard，andaCafedelaPaix。
ItwillbeapparenttoeveryonethatthefrontageoftheSoudry，mansiononthelakemusthaveaterracedgardenconfinedbyastone，balustradewhichoverlooksboththelakeandthemainroad。Aflight，ofstepsleadsdownfromtheterracetotheroad，andonitanorange-
tree，apomegranate，amyrtle，andotherornamentalshrubsareplaced，necessitatingagreenhouse。Onthesidetowardthesquarethehouseis，enteredfromaporticoraisedseveralstepsabovethelevelofthe，street。Accordingtothecustomofsmalltownsthegateofthe，courtyard，usedonlyfortheserviceofthehouseorforanyunusual，arrival，wasseldomopened。Visitors，whomostlycameonfoot，entered，bytheportico。
ThestyleoftheHotelSoudryisplain。Thecoursesareindicatedby，projectinglines;thewindowsareframedbymouldingsalternately，broadandslender，likethoseoftheGabrielandPerronnetpavilionin，theplaceLouisXV。Theseornamentsinsosmallatowngiveacertain，solidandmonumentalairtothebuildingwhichhasbecomecelebrated。
Oppositetothishouse，inanotherangleofthesquarestandsthe，famousCafedelaPaix，thecharacteristicsofwhich，togetherwith，thefascinationsofitsTivoli，willrequire，somewhatlater，aless，succinctdescriptionthanthatwehavegivenoftheSoudrymansion。
RigouveryseldomcametoSoulanges;everybodywasinthehabitof，goingtohim，——LupinandGaubertin，SoudryandGendrin，——somuchwere，theyafraidofhim。Butweshallpresentlyunderstandwhyanyeducated，man，suchastheex-Benedictine，wouldhavedoneasRigoudid，and，keptawayfromthelittletown，afterreadingthefollowingsketchof，thepersonageswhocomposedwhatwascalledinthoseparts“the，leadingsocietyofSoulanges。”
Ofitsprincipalfigures，themostoriginal，asyouhavealready，suspected，wasthatofMadameSoudry，whosepersonality，tobeduly，rendered，needsaminuteandcarefulbrush。
MadameSoudry，respectfullyimitatingMademoiselleLaguerre，beganby，allowingherselfa“meretouchofrouge“;butthisdelicatetinthad，changedthroughforceofhabittothosevermilionpatches，picturesquelydescribedbyourancestorsas“carriage-wheels。”The，wrinklesgrowingdeeperanddeeper，itoccurredtotheex-lady’s-maid，tofillthemupwithpaint。Herforeheadbecomingundulyyellow，and，thetemplestooshiny，she“laidon“alittlewhite，andrenewedthe，veinsofheryouthwithatraceryofblue。Allthiscolorgavean，exaggeratedlivelinesstohereyeswhichwerealreadytricksyenough，sothatthemaskofherfacewouldseemtoastrangerevenmorethan，fantastic，thoughherfriendsandacquaintances，accustomedtothis，fictitiousbrilliancy，actuallydeclaredherhandsome。
Thisungainlycreature，alwaysdecolletee，showedabosomandapair，ofshouldersthatwerewhitenedandpolishedbythesameprocess，employeduponherface;happily，forthesakeofexhibitingher，magnificentlaces，shepartiallyveiledthecharmsofthesechemical，products。Shealwaysworethebodyofherdressstiffenedwith，whaleboneandmadeinalongpointandgarnishedwithknotsofribbon，evenonthepoint！Herpetticoatsgaveforthacreakingnoise，——so，muchdidthesilkandthefurbelowsabound。
Thisattire，whichdeservesthenameofapparelawordthatbefore，longwillbeinexplicable，was，ontheeveninginquestion，ofcostly，brocade，——forMadameSoudrypossessedoverahundreddresses，each，richerthantheothers，theremainsofMademoiselleLaguerre’s，enormousandsplendidwardrobe，madeovertofitMadameSoudryinthe，lastfashionoftheyear1808。Herblondwig，frizzedandpowdered，sustainedasuperbcapwithknotsofcherrysatinribbonmatching，thoseonherdress。Ifyouwillkindlyimaginebeneaththisultra-
coquettishcapthefaceofamonkeyofextremeugliness，onwhicha，flatnose，fleshlessasthatofDeath，isseparatedbyastronghairy，linefromamouthfilledwithfalseteeth，whenceissuesoundslike，theconfusedclackingofhunting-horns，youwillhavesomedifficulty，inunderstandingwhytheleadingsocietyofSoulangesallthetown，infactthoughtthisquasi-queenabeauty，——unless，indeed，you，rememberthesuccinctstatementrecentlymade“exprofesso，“byoneof，thecleverestwomenofourtime，ontheartofmakinghersex，beautifulbysurroundingaccessories。