Theycouldonlyplaceathisdisposalawretchedvillagesacristy，withafewancientchasublesofthreadbaredamaskadornedwithimitationlace。
　　"Bah！"saidtheBishop。"LetusannounceourTeDeumfromthepulpit，nevertheless，MonsieurleCure。Thingswillarrangethemselves。"
　　Theyinstitutedasearchinthechurchesoftheneighborhood。
　　Allthemagnificenceofthesehumbleparishescombinedwouldnothavesufficedtoclothethechoristerofacathedralproperly。
　　Whiletheywerethusembarrassed，alargechestwasbroughtanddepositedinthepresbyteryfortheBishop，bytwounknownhorsemen，whodepartedontheinstant。Thechestwasopened；itcontainedacopeofclothofgold，amitreornamentedwithdiamonds，anarchbishop’scross，amagnificentcrosier，——allthepontificalvestmentswhichhadbeenstolenamonthpreviouslyfromthetreasuryofNotreDamed’Embrun。Inthechestwasapaper，onwhichthesewordswerewritten，"FromCravattetoMonseigneurBienvenu。"
　　"DidnotIsaythatthingswouldcomerightofthemselves？"saidtheBishop。Thenheadded，withasmile，"Tohimwhocontentshimselfwiththesurpliceofacurate，Godsendsthecopeofanarchbishop。"
　　"Monseigneur，"murmuredthecure，throwingbackhisheadwithasmile。
　　"God——ortheDevil。"
　　TheBishoplookedsteadilyatthecure，andrepeatedwithauthority，"God！"
　　WhenhereturnedtoChastelar，thepeoplecameouttostareathimasatacuriosity，allalongtheroad。Atthepriest’shouseinChastelarherejoinedMademoiselleBaptistineandMadameMagloire，whowerewaitingforhim，andhesaidtohissister:"Well！wasIintheright？Thepoorpriestwenttohispoormountaineerswithemptyhands，andhereturnsfromthemwithhishandsfull。
　　IsetoutbearingonlymyfaithinGod；Ihavebroughtbackthetreasureofacathedral。"
　　Thatevening，beforehewenttobed，hesaidagain:"Letusneverfearrobbersnormurderers。Thosearedangersfromwithout，pettydangers。Letusfearourselves。Prejudicesaretherealrobbers；
　　vicesaretherealmurderers。Thegreatdangersliewithinourselves。
　　Whatmattersitwhatthreatensourheadorourpurse！Letusthinkonlyofthatwhichthreatensoursoul。"
　　Then，turningtohissister:"Sister，neveraprecautiononthepartofthepriest，againsthisfellow—man。Thatwhichhisfellowdoes，Godpermits。Letusconfineourselvestoprayer，whenwethinkthatadangerisapproachingus。Letuspray，notforourselves，butthatourbrothermaynotfallintosinonouraccount。"
　　However，suchincidentswererareinhislife。Werelatethoseofwhichweknow；butgenerallyhepassedhislifeindoingthesamethingsatthesamemoment。Onemonthofhisyearresembledonehourofhisday。
　　Astowhatbecameof"thetreasure"ofthecathedralofEmbrun，weshouldbeembarrassedbyanyinquiryinthatdirection。
　　Itconsistedofveryhandsomethings，verytemptingthings，andthingswhichwereverywelladaptedtobestolenforthebenefitoftheunfortunate。Stolentheyhadalreadybeenelsewhere。
　　Halfoftheadventurewascompleted；itonlyremainedtoimpartanewdirectiontothetheft，andtocauseittotakeashorttripinthedirectionofthepoor。However，wemakenoassertionsonthispoint。Only，aratherobscurenotewasfoundamongtheBishop’spapers，whichmaybearsomerelationtothismatter，andwhichiscouchedintheseterms，"Thequestionis，todecidewhetherthisshouldbeturnedovertothecathedralortothehospital。"
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　PHILOSOPHYAFTERDRINKING
　　Thesenatorabovementionedwasacleverman，whohadmadehisownway，heedlessofthosethingswhichpresentobstacles，andwhicharecalledconscience，swornfaith，justice，duty:hehadmarchedstraighttohisgoal，withoutonceflinchinginthelineofhisadvancementandhisinterest。Hewasanoldattorney，softenedbysuccess；notabadmanbyanymeans，whorenderedallthesmallservicesinhispowertohissons，hissons—in—law，hisrelations，andeventohisfriends，havingwiselyseizedupon，inlife，goodsides，goodopportunities，goodwindfalls。
　　Everythingelseseemedtohimverystupid。Hewasintelligent，andjustsufficientlyeducatedtothinkhimselfadiscipleofEpicurus；
　　whilehewas，inreality，onlyaproductofPigault—Lebrun。Helaughedwillinglyandpleasantlyoverinfiniteandeternalthings，andatthe"CrotchetsofthatgoodoldfellowtheBishop。"
　　HeevensometimeslaughedathimwithanamiableauthorityinthepresenceofM。Myrielhimself，wholistenedtohim。
　　Onsomesemi—officialoccasionorother，Idonotrecollectwhat，Count***[thissenator]andM。Myrielweretodinewiththeprefect。
　　Atdessert，thesenator，whowasslightlyexhilarated，thoughstillperfectlydignified，exclaimed:——
　　"Egad，Bishop，let’shaveadiscussion。Itishardforasenatorandabishoptolookateachotherwithoutwinking。Wearetwoaugurs。
　　Iamgoingtomakeaconfessiontoyou。Ihaveaphilosophyofmyown。"
　　"Andyouareright，"repliedtheBishop。"Asonemakesone’sphilosophy，sooneliesonit。Youareonthebedofpurple，senator。"
　　Thesenatorwasencouraged，andwenton:——
　　"Letusbegoodfellows。"
　　"Gooddevilseven，"saidtheBishop。
　　"Ideclaretoyou，"continuedthesenator，"thattheMarquisd’Argens，Pyrrhon，Hobbes，andM。Naigeonarenorascals。
　　Ihaveallthephilosophersinmylibrarygildedontheedges。"
　　"Likeyourself，Count，"interposedtheBishop。
　　Thesenatorresumed:——
　　"IhateDiderot；heisanideologist，adeclaimer，andarevolutionist，abelieverinGodatbottom，andmorebigotedthanVoltaire。
　　VoltairemadesportofNeedham，andhewaswrong，forNeedham’seelsprovethatGodisuseless。Adropofvinegarinaspoonfulofflourpastesuppliesthefiatlux。Supposethedroptobelargerandthespoonfulbigger；youhavetheworld。Manistheeel。
　　ThenwhatisthegoodoftheEternalFather？TheJehovahhypothesistiresme，Bishop。Itisgoodfornothingbuttoproduceshallowpeople，whosereasoningishollow。DownwiththatgreatAll，whichtormentsme！
　　HurrahforZerowhichleavesmeinpeace！Betweenyouandme，andinordertoemptymysack，andmakeconfessiontomypastor，asitbehoovesmetodo，IwilladmittoyouthatIhavegoodsense。
　　IamnotenthusiasticoveryourJesus，whopreachesrenunciationandsacrificetothelastextremity。’Tisthecounselofanavariciousmantobeggars。Renunciation；why？Sacrifice；towhatend？
　　Idonotseeonewolfimmolatinghimselfforthehappinessofanotherwolf。Letussticktonature，then。Weareatthetop；
　　letushaveasuperiorphilosophy。Whatistheadvantageofbeingatthetop，ifoneseesnofurtherthantheendofotherpeople’snoses？Letuslivemerrily。Lifeisall。Thatmanhasanotherfutureelsewhere，onhigh，below，anywhere，Idon’tbelieve；
　　notonesinglewordofit。Ah！sacrificeandrenunciationarerecommendedtome；ImusttakeheedtoeverythingIdo；Imustcudgelmybrainsovergoodandevil，overthejustandtheunjust，overthefasandthenefas。Why？BecauseIshallhavetorenderanaccountofmyactions。When？Afterdeath。Whatafinedream！
　　Aftermydeathitwillbeaverycleverpersonwhocancatchme。
　　Haveahandfulofdustseizedbyashadow—hand，ifyoucan。
　　Letustellthetruth，wewhoareinitiated，andwhohaveraisedtheveilofIsis:thereisnosuchthingaseithergoodorevil；
　　thereisvegetation。Letusseekthereal。Letusgettothebottomofit。Letusgointoitthoroughly。Whatthedeuce！letusgotothebottomofit！Wemustscentoutthetruth；digintheearthforit，andseizeit。Thenitgivesyouexquisitejoys。
　　Thenyougrowstrong，andyoulaugh。Iamsquareonthebottom，Iam。Immortality，Bishop，isachance，awaitingfordeadmen’sshoes。Ah！whatacharmingpromise！trusttoit，ifyoulike！
　　WhatafinelotAdamhas！Wearesouls，andweshallbeangels，withbluewingsonourshoulder—blades。Docometomyassistance:
　　isitnotTertullianwhosaysthattheblessedshalltravelfromstartostar？Verywell。Weshallbethegrasshoppersofthestars。
　　Andthen，besides，weshallseeGod。Ta，ta，ta！Whattwaddlealltheseparadisesare！Godisanonsensicalmonster。IwouldnotsaythatintheMoniteur，egad！butImaywhisperitamongfriends。
　　Interpocula。Tosacrificetheworldtoparadiseistoletslipthepreyfortheshadow。Bethedupeoftheinfinite！
　　I’mnotsuchafool。Iamanought。IcallmyselfMonsieurleComteNought，senator。DidIexistbeforemybirth？No。ShallIexistafterdeath？No。WhatamI？Alittledustcollectedinanorganism。
　　WhatamItodoonthisearth？Thechoicerestswithme:
　　sufferorenjoy。Whitherwillsufferingleadme？Tonothingness；
　　butIshallhavesuffered。Whitherwillenjoymentleadme？
　　Tonothingness；butIshallhaveenjoyedmyself。Mychoiceismade。
　　Onemusteatorbeeaten。Ishalleat。Itisbettertobethetooththanthegrass。Suchismywisdom。Afterwhich，gowhitherI
　　pushthee，thegrave—diggeristhere；thePantheonforsomeofus:
　　allfallsintothegreathole。End。Finis。Totalliquidation。
　　Thisisthevanishing—point。Deathisdeath，believeme。
　　Ilaughattheideaoftherebeinganyonewhohasanythingtotellmeonthatsubject。Fablesofnurses；bugabooforchildren；
　　Jehovahformen。No；ourto—morrowisthenight。Beyondthetombthereisnothingbutequalnothingness。YouhavebeenSardanapalus，youhavebeenVincentdePaul——itmakesnodifference。Thatisthetruth。Thenliveyourlife，aboveallthings。Makeuseofyour_I_whileyouhaveit。Intruth，Bishop，ItellyouthatI
　　haveaphilosophyofmyown，andIhavemyphilosophers。Idon’tletmyselfbetakeninwiththatnonsense。Ofcourse，theremustbesomethingforthosewhoaredown，——forthebarefootedbeggars，knife—grinders，andmiserablewretches。Legends，chimeras，thesoul，immortality，paradise，thestars，areprovidedforthemtoswallow。
　　Theygobbleitdown。Theyspreaditontheirdrybread。
　　Hewhohasnothingelsehasthegood。God。Thatistheleasthecanhave。Iopposenoobjectiontothat；butIreserveMonsieurNaigeonformyself。ThegoodGodisgoodforthepopulace。"
　　TheBishopclappedhishands。
　　"That’stalking！"heexclaimed。"Whatanexcellentandreallymarvellousthingisthismaterialism！Noteveryonewhowantsitcanhaveit。Ah！whenonedoeshaveit，oneisnolongeradupe，onedoesnotstupidlyallowone’sselftobeexiledlikeCato，norstonedlikeStephen，norburnedalivelikeJeanned’Arc。Thosewhohavesucceededinprocuringthisadmirablematerialismhavethejoyoffeelingthemselvesirresponsible，andofthinkingthattheycandevoureverythingwithoutuneasiness，——places，sinecures，dignities，power，whetherwellorillacquired，lucrativerecantations，usefultreacheries，savorycapitulationsofconscience，——andthattheyshallenterthetombwiththeirdigestionaccomplished。Howagreeablethatis！
　　Idonotsaythatwithreferencetoyou，senator。Nevertheless，itisimpossibleformetorefrainfromcongratulatingyou。Yougreatlordshave，soyousay，aphilosophyofyourown，andforyourselves，whichisexquisite，refined，accessibletotherichalone，goodforallsauces，andwhichseasonsthevoluptuousnessoflifeadmirably。Thisphilosophyhasbeenextractedfromthedepths，andunearthedbyspecialseekers。Butyouaregood—naturedprinces，andyoudonotthinkitabadthingthatbeliefinthegoodGodshouldconstitutethephilosophyofthepeople，verymuchasthegoosestuffedwithchestnutsisthetruffledturkeyofthepoor。"
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THEBROTHERASDEPICTEDBYTHESISTER
　　InordertofurnishanideaoftheprivateestablishmentoftheBishopofD————，andofthemannerinwhichthosetwosaintedwomensubordinatedtheiractions，theirthoughts，theirfeminineinstinctseven，whichareeasilyalarmed，tothehabitsandpurposesoftheBishop，withouthiseventakingthetroubleofspeakinginordertoexplainthem，wecannotdobetterthantranscribeinthisplacealetterfromMademoiselleBaptistinetoMadametheVicomtessdeBoischevron，thefriendofherchildhood。Thisletterisinourpossession。
　　D————，Dec。16，18——。
　　MYGOODMADAM:Notadaypasseswithoutourspeakingofyou。
　　Itisourestablishedcustom；butthereisanotherreasonbesides。
　　Justimagine，whilewashinganddustingtheceilingsandwalls，MadamMagloirehasmadesomediscoveries；nowourtwochambershungwithantiquepaperwhitewashedover，wouldnotdiscreditachateauinthestyleofyours。MadamMagloirehaspulledoffallthepaper。
　　Therewerethingsbeneath。Mydrawing—room，whichcontainsnofurniture，andwhichweuseforspreadingoutthelinenafterwashing，isfifteenfeetinheight，eighteensquare，withaceilingwhichwasformerlypaintedandgilded，andwithbeams，asinyours。
　　Thiswascoveredwithaclothwhilethiswasthehospital。
　　Andthewoodworkwasoftheeraofourgrandmothers。Butmyroomistheoneyououghttosee。MadamMagloirehasdiscovered，underatleasttenthicknessesofpaperpastedontop，somepaintings，whichwithoutbeinggoodareverytolerable。ThesubjectisTelemachusbeingknightedbyMinervainsomegardens，thenameofwhichescapesme。Inshort，wheretheRomanladiesrepairedononesinglenight。WhatshallIsaytoyou？IhaveRomans，andRomanladies[hereoccursanillegibleword]，andthewholetrain。
　　MadamMagloirehascleaneditalloff；thissummersheisgoingtohavesomesmallinjuriesrepaired，andthewholerevarnished，andmychamberwillbearegularmuseum。Shehasalsofoundinacorneroftheattictwowoodenpier—tablesofancientfashion。
　　Theyaskedustwocrownsofsixfrancseachtoregildthem，butitismuchbettertogivethemoneytothepoor；andtheyareveryuglybesides，andIshouldmuchpreferaroundtableofmahogany。
　　Iamalwaysveryhappy。Mybrotherissogood。Hegivesallhehastothepoorandsick。Weareverymuchcramped。Thecountryistryinginthewinter，andwereallymustdosomethingforthosewhoareinneed。Wearealmostcomfortablylightedandwarmed。
　　Youseethatthesearegreattreats。
　　Mybrotherhaswaysofhisown。Whenhetalks，hesaysthatabishopoughttobeso。Justimagine！thedoorofourhouseisneverfastened。
　　Whoeverchoosestoenterfindshimselfatonceinmybrother’sroom。
　　Hefearsnothing，evenatnight。Thatishissortofbravery，hesays。
　　HedoesnotwishmeorMadameMagloirefeelanyfearforhim。
　　Heexposeshimselftoallsortsofdangers，andhedoesnotliketohaveusevenseemtonoticeit。Onemustknowhowtounderstandhim。
　　Hegoesoutintherain，hewalksinthewater，hetravelsinwinter。
　　Hefearsneithersuspiciousroadsnordangerousencounters，nornight。
　　Lastyearhewentquitealoneintoacountryofrobbers。Hewouldnottakeus。Hewasabsentforafortnight。Onhisreturnnothinghadhappenedtohim；hewasthoughttobedead，butwasperfectlywell，andsaid，"ThisisthewayIhavebeenrobbed！"Andthenheopenedatrunkfullofjewels，allthejewelsofthecathedralofEmbrun，whichthethieveshadgivenhim。
　　Whenhereturnedonthatoccasion，Icouldnotrefrainfromscoldinghimalittle，takingcare，however，nottospeakexceptwhenthecarriagewasmakinganoise，sothatnoonemighthearme。
　　AtfirstIusedtosaytomyself，"Therearenodangerswhichwillstophim；heisterrible。"NowIhaveendedbygettingusedtoit。
　　ImakeasigntoMadamMagloirethatsheisnottoopposehim。
　　Heriskshimselfasheseesfit。IcarryoffMadamMagloire，Ientermychamber，Iprayforhimandfallasleep。Iamatease，becauseIknowthatifanythingweretohappentohim，itwouldbetheendofme。IshouldgotothegoodGodwithmybrotherandmybishop。IthascostMadamMagloiremoretroublethanitdidmetoaccustomherselftowhatshetermshisimprudences。Butnowthehabithasbeenacquired。Wepraytogether，wetrembletogether，andwefallasleep。Ifthedevilweretoenterthishouse，hewouldbeallowedtodoso。Afterall，whatisthereforustofearinthishouse？Thereisalwayssomeonewithuswhoisstrongerthanwe。Thedevilmaypassthroughit，butthegoodGoddwellshere。
　　Thissufficesme。Mybrotherhasnolongeranyneedofsayingawordtome。Iunderstandhimwithouthisspeaking，andweabandonourselvestothecareofProvidence。Thatisthewayonehastodowithamanwhopossessesgrandeurofsoul。
　　IhaveinterrogatedmybrotherwithregardtotheinformationwhichyoudesireonthesubjectoftheFauxfamily。Youareawarethatheknowseverything，andthathehasmemories，becauseheisstillaverygoodroyalist。TheyreallyareaveryancientNormanfamilyofthegeneralshipofCaen。FivehundredyearsagotherewasaRaouldeFaux，aJeandeFaux，andaThomasdeFaux，whoweregentlemen，andoneofwhomwasaseigneurdeRochefort。
　　ThelastwasGuy—Etienne—Alexandre，andwascommanderofaregiment，andsomethinginthelighthorseofBretagne。Hisdaughter，Marie—Louise，marriedAdrien—CharlesdeGramont，sonoftheDukeLouisdeGramont，peerofFrance，coloneloftheFrenchguards，andlieutenant—generalofthearmy。ItiswrittenFaux，Fauq，andFaoucq。
　　GoodMadame，recommendustotheprayersofyoursaintedrelative，MonsieurtheCardinal。AsforyourdearSylvanie，shehasdonewellinnotwastingthefewmomentswhichshepasseswithyouinwritingtome。Sheiswell，worksasyouwouldwish，andlovesme。
　　ThatisallthatIdesire。Thesouvenirwhichshesentthroughyoureachedmesafely，anditmakesmeveryhappy。Myhealthisnotsoverybad，andyetIgrowthinnereveryday。Farewell；mypaperisatanend，andthisforcesmetoleaveyou。Athousandgoodwishes。
　　BAPTISTINE。
　　P。S。Yourgrandnephewischarming。Doyouknowthathewillsoonbefiveyearsold？Yesterdayhesawsomeoneridingbyonhorsebackwhohadonknee—caps，andhesaid，"Whathashegotonhisknees？"
　　Heisacharmingchild！Hislittlebrotherisdragginganoldbroomabouttheroom，likeacarriage，andsaying，"Hu！"
　　Aswillbeperceivedfromthisletter，thesetwowomenunderstoodhowtomouldthemselvestotheBishop’swayswiththatspecialfemininegeniuswhichcomprehendsthemanbetterthanhecomprehendshimself。
　　TheBishopofD————，inspiteofthegentleandcandidairwhichneverdesertedhim，sometimesdidthingsthatweregrand，bold，andmagnificent，withoutseemingtohaveevenasuspicionofthefact。
　　Theytrembled，buttheylethimalone。SometimesMadameMagloireessayedaremonstranceinadvance，butneveratthetime，norafterwards。
　　Theyneverinterferedwithhimbysomuchasawordorsign，inanyactiononceenteredupon。Atcertainmoments，withouthishavingoccasiontomentionit，whenhewasnotevenconsciousofithimselfinallprobability，soperfectwashissimplicity，theyvaguelyfeltthathewasactingasabishop；thentheywerenothingmorethantwoshadowsinthehouse。Theyservedhimpassively；
　　andifobedienceconsistedindisappearing，theydisappeared。
　　Theyunderstood，withanadmirabledelicacyofinstinct，thatcertaincaresmaybeputunderconstraint。Thus，evenwhenbelievinghimtobeinperil，theyunderstood，Iwillnotsayhisthought，buthisnature，tosuchadegreethattheynolongerwatchedoverhim。
　　TheyconfidedhimtoGod。
　　Moreover，Baptistinesaid，aswehavejustread，thatherbrother’sendwouldproveherown。MadameMagloiredidnotsaythis，butsheknewit。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEBISHOPINTHEPRESENCEOFANUNKNOWNLIGHT
　　Atanepochalittlelaterthanthedateofthelettercitedintheprecedingpages，hedidathingwhich，ifthewholetownwastobebelieved，wasevenmorehazardousthanhistripacrossthemountainsinfestedwithbandits。
　　InthecountrynearD————amanlivedquitealone。Thisman，wewillstateatonce，wasaformermemberoftheConvention。
　　HisnamewasG————
　　MemberoftheConvention，G————wasmentionedwithasortofhorrorinthelittleworldofD————AmemberoftheConvention——canyouimaginesuchathing？Thatexistedfromthetimewhenpeoplecalledeachotherthou，andwhentheysaid"citizen。"Thismanwasalmostamonster。Hehadnotvotedforthedeathoftheking，butalmost。Hewasaquasi—regicide。Hehadbeenaterribleman。
　　Howdidithappenthatsuchamanhadnotbeenbroughtbeforeaprovost’scourt，onthereturnofthelegitimateprinces？
　　Theyneednothavecutoffhishead，ifyouplease；clemencymustbeexercised，agreed；butagoodbanishmentforlife。Anexample，inshort，etc。Besides，hewasanatheist，likealltherestofthosepeople。Gossipofthegeeseaboutthevulture。
　　WasG————avultureafterall？Yes；ifheweretobejudgedbytheelementofferocityinthissolitudeofhis。Ashehadnotvotedforthedeathoftheking，hehadnotbeenincludedinthedecreesofexile，andhadbeenabletoremaininFrance。
　　Hedweltatadistanceofthree—quartersofanhourfromthecity，farfromanyhamlet，farfromanyroad，insomehiddenturnofaverywildvalley，nooneknewexactlywhere。Hehadthere，itwassaid，asortoffield，ahole，alair。Therewerenoneighbors，notevenpassers—by。Sincehehaddweltinthatvalley，thepathwhichledthitherhaddisappearedunderagrowthofgrass。
　　Thelocalitywasspokenofasthoughithadbeenthedwellingofahangman。
　　Nevertheless，theBishopmeditatedonthesubject，andfromtimetotimehegazedatthehorizonatapointwhereaclumpoftreesmarkedthevalleyoftheformermemberoftheConvention，andhesaid，"Thereisasoulyonderwhichislonely。"
　　Andheadded，deepinhisownmind，"Iowehimavisit。"
　　But，letusavowit，thisidea，whichseemednaturalatthefirstblush，appearedtohimafteramoment’sreflection，asstrange，impossible，andalmostrepulsive。For，atbottom，hesharedthegeneralimpression，andtheoldmemberoftheConventioninspiredhim，withouthisbeingclearlyconsciousofthefacthimself，withthatsentimentwhichbordersonhate，andwhichissowellexpressedbythewordestrangement。
　　Still，shouldthescabofthesheepcausetheshepherdtorecoil？
　　No。Butwhatasheep！
　　ThegoodBishopwasperplexed。Sometimeshesetoutinthatdirection；
　　thenhereturned。
　　Finally，therumoronedayspreadthroughthetownthatasortofyoungshepherd，whoservedthememberoftheConventioninhishovel，hadcomeinquestofadoctor；thattheoldwretchwasdying，thatparalysiswasgainingonhim，andthathewouldnotliveovernight。——"ThankGod！"someadded。
　　TheBishoptookhisstaff，putonhiscloak，onaccountofhistoothreadbarecassock，aswehavementioned，andbecauseoftheeveningbreezewhichwassuretorisesoon，andsetout。
　　Thesunwassetting，andhadalmosttouchedthehorizonwhentheBishoparrivedattheexcommunicatedspot。Withacertainbeatingoftheheart，herecognizedthefactthathewasnearthelair。
　　Hestrodeoveraditch，leapedahedge，madehiswaythroughafenceofdeadboughs，enteredaneglectedpaddock，tookafewstepswithagooddealofboldness，andsuddenly，attheextremityofthewasteland，andbehindloftybrambles，hecaughtsightofthecavern。
　　Itwasaverylowhut，poor，small，andclean，withavinenailedagainsttheoutside。
　　Nearthedoor，inanoldwheel—chair，thearm—chairofthepeasants，therewasawhite—hairedman，smilingatthesun。
　　Neartheseatedmanstoodayoungboy，theshepherdlad。
　　Hewasofferingtheoldmanajarofmilk。
　　WhiletheBishopwaswatchinghim，theoldmanspoke:"Thankyou，"
　　hesaid，"Ineednothing。"Andhissmilequittedthesuntorestuponthechild。
　　TheBishopsteppedforward。Atthesoundwhichhemadeinwalking，theoldmanturnedhishead，andhisfaceexpressedthesumtotalofthesurprisewhichamancanstillfeelafteralonglife。
　　"ThisisthefirsttimesinceIhavebeenhere，"saidhe，"thatanyonehasenteredhere。Whoareyou，sir？"
　　TheBishopanswered:——
　　"MynameisBienvenuMyriel。"
　　"BienvenuMyriel？Ihaveheardthatname。AreyouthemanwhomthepeoplecallMonseigneurWelcome？"
　　"Iam。"
　　Theoldmanresumedwithahalf—smile"Inthatcase，youaremybishop？"
　　"Somethingofthatsort。"
　　"Enter，sir。"
　　ThememberoftheConventionextendedhishandtotheBishop，buttheBishopdidnottakeit。TheBishopconfinedhimselftotheremark:——
　　"IampleasedtoseethatIhavebeenmisinformed。Youcertainlydonotseemtometobeill。"
　　"Monsieur，"repliedtheoldman，"Iamgoingtorecover。"
　　Hepaused，andthensaid:——
　　"Ishalldiethreehourshence。"
　　Thenhecontinued:——
　　"Iamsomethingofadoctor；Iknowinwhatfashionthelasthourdrawson。Yesterday，onlymyfeetwerecold；to—day，thechillhasascendedtomyknees；nowIfeelitmountingtomywaist；
　　whenitreachestheheart，Ishallstop。Thesunisbeautiful，isitnot？Ihadmyselfwheeledoutheretotakealastlookatthings。Youcantalktome；itdoesnotfatigueme。Youhavedonewelltocomeandlookatamanwhoisonthepointofdeath。
　　Itiswellthatthereshouldbewitnessesatthatmoment。Onehasone’scaprices；Ishouldhavelikedtolastuntilthedawn，butI
　　knowthatIshallhardlylivethreehours。Itwillbenightthen。
　　Whatdoesitmatter，afterall？Dyingisasimpleaffair。
　　Onehasnoneedofthelightforthat。Sobeit。Ishalldiebystarlight。"
　　Theoldmanturnedtotheshepherdlad:——
　　"Gotothybed；thouwertawakealllastnight；thouarttired。"
　　Thechildenteredthehut。
　　Theoldmanfollowedhimwithhiseyes，andadded，asthoughspeakingtohimself:——
　　"Ishalldiewhilehesleeps。Thetwoslumbersmaybegoodneighbors。"
　　TheBishopwasnottouchedasitseemsthatheshouldhavebeen。
　　HedidnotthinkhediscernedGodinthismannerofdying；letussaythewhole，forthesepettycontradictionsofgreatheartsmustbeindicatedliketherest:he，whoonoccasion，wassofondoflaughingat"HisGrace，"wasrathershockedatnotbeingaddressedasMonseigneur，andhewasalmosttemptedtoretort"citizen。"
　　Hewasassailedbyafancyforpeevishfamiliarity，commonenoughtodoctorsandpriests，butwhichwasnothabitualwithhim。
　　Thisman，afterall，thismemberoftheConvention，thisrepresentativeofthepeople，hadbeenoneofthepowerfulonesoftheearth；
　　forthefirsttimeinhislife，probably，theBishopfeltinamoodtobesevere。
　　Meanwhile，thememberoftheConventionhadbeensurveyinghimwithamodestcordiality，inwhichonecouldhavedistinguished，possibly，thathumilitywhichissofittingwhenoneisonthevergeofreturningtodust。
　　TheBishop，onhisside，althoughhegenerallyrestrainedhiscuriosity，which，inhisopinion，borderedonafault，couldnotrefrainfromexaminingthememberoftheConventionwithanattentionwhich，asitdidnothaveitscourseinsympathy，wouldhaveservedhisconscienceasamatterofreproach，inconnectionwithanyotherman。
　　AmemberoftheConventionproducedonhimsomewhattheeffectofbeingoutsidethepaleofthelaw，evenofthelawofcharity。G————，calm，hisbodyalmostupright，hisvoicevibrating，wasoneofthoseoctogenarianswhoformthesubjectofastonishmenttothephysiologist。
　　TheRevolutionhadmanyofthesemen，proportionedtotheepoch。
　　Inthisoldmanonewasconsciousofamanputtotheproof。
　　Thoughsoneartohisend，hepreservedallthegesturesofhealth。
　　Inhisclearglance，inhisfirmtone，intherobustmovementofhisshoulders，therewassomethingcalculatedtodisconcertdeath。
　　Azrael，theMohammedanangelofthesepulchre，wouldhaveturnedback，andthoughtthathehadmistakenthedoor。G————seemedtobedyingbecausehewilleditso。Therewasfreedominhisagony。Hislegsaloneweremotionless。Itwastherethattheshadowsheldhimfast。
　　Hisfeetwerecoldanddead，buthisheadsurvivedwithallthepoweroflife，andseemedfulloflight。G————，atthissolemnmoment，resembledthekinginthattaleoftheOrientwhowasfleshaboveandmarblebelow。
　　Therewasastonethere。TheBishopsatdown。Theexordiumwasabrupt。
　　"Icongratulateyou，"saidhe，inthetonewhichoneusesforareprimand。"Youdidnotvoteforthedeathoftheking，afterall。"
　　TheoldmemberoftheConventiondidnotappeartonoticethebittermeaningunderlyingthewords"afterall。"Hereplied。
　　Thesmilehadquitedisappearedfromhisface。
　　"Donotcongratulatemetoomuch，sir。Ididvoteforthedeathofthetyrant。"
　　Itwasthetoneofausterityansweringthetoneofseverity。
　　"Whatdoyoumeantosay？"resumedtheBishop。
　　"Imeantosaythatmanhasatyrant，——ignorance。Ivotedforthedeathofthattyrant。Thattyrantengenderedroyalty，whichisauthorityfalselyunderstood，whilescienceisauthorityrightlyunderstood。
　　Manshouldbegovernedonlybyscience。"
　　"Andconscience，"addedtheBishop。
　　"Itisthesamething。Conscienceisthequantityofinnatesciencewhichwehavewithinus。"
　　MonseigneurBienvenulistenedinsomeastonishmenttothislanguage，whichwasverynewtohim。
　　ThememberoftheConventionresumed:——
　　"SofarasLouisXVI。wasconcerned，Isaid`no。’IdidnotthinkthatIhadtherighttokillaman；butIfeltitmydutytoexterminateevil。Ivotedtheendofthetyrant，thatistosay，theendofprostitutionforwoman，theendofslaveryforman，theendofnightforthechild。InvotingfortheRepublic，Ivotedforthat。Ivotedforfraternity，concord，thedawn。
　　Ihaveaidedintheoverthrowofprejudicesanderrors。Thecrumblingawayofprejudicesanderrorscauseslight。Wehavecausedthefalloftheoldworld，andtheoldworld，thatvaseofmiseries，hasbecome，throughitsupsettinguponthehumanrace，anurnofjoy。"
　　"Mixedjoy，"saidtheBishop。
　　"Youmaysaytroubledjoy，andto—day，afterthatfatalreturnofthepast，whichiscalled1814，joywhichhasdisappeared！
　　Alas！Theworkwasincomplete，Iadmit:wedemolishedtheancientregimeindeeds；wewerenotabletosuppressitentirelyinideas。
　　Todestroyabusesisnotsufficient；customsmustbemodified。
　　Themillistherenolonger；thewindisstillthere。"
　　"Youhavedemolished。Itmaybeofusetodemolish，butIdistrustademolitioncomplicatedwithwrath。"
　　"Righthasitswrath，Bishop；andthewrathofrightisanelementofprogress。Inanycase，andinspiteofwhatevermaybesaid，theFrenchRevolutionisthemostimportantstepofthehumanracesincetheadventofChrist。Incomplete，itmaybe，butsublime。
　　Itsetfreealltheunknownsocialquantities；itsoftenedspirits，itcalmed，appeased，enlightened；itcausedthewavesofcivilizationtoflowovertheearth。Itwasagoodthing。TheFrenchRevolutionistheconsecrationofhumanity。"
　　TheBishopcouldnotrefrainfrommurmuring:——
　　"Yes？’93！"
　　ThememberoftheConventionstraightenedhimselfupinhischairwithanalmostlugubrioussolemnity，andexclaimed，sofarasadyingmaniscapableofexclamation:——
　　"Ah，thereyougo；’93！Iwasexpectingthatword。Acloudhadbeenformingforthespaceoffifteenhundredyears；attheendoffifteenhundredyearsitburst。Youareputtingthethunderboltonitstrial。"
　　TheBishopfelt，without，perhaps，confessingit，thatsomethingwithinhimhadsufferedextinction。Nevertheless，heputagoodfaceonthematter。Hereplied:——
　　"Thejudgespeaksinthenameofjustice；thepriestspeaksinthenameofpity，whichisnothingbutamoreloftyjustice。
　　Athunderboltshouldcommitnoerror。"Andheadded，regardingthememberoftheConventionsteadilythewhile，"LouisXVII。？"
　　TheconventionarystretchedforthhishandandgraspedtheBishop’sarm。
　　"LouisXVII。！letussee。Forwhomdoyoumourn？isitfortheinnocentchild？verygood；inthatcaseImournwithyou。
　　Isitfortheroyalchild？Idemandtimeforreflection。
　　Tome，thebrotherofCartouche，aninnocentchildwhowashungupbythearmpitsinthePlacedeGreve，untildeathensued，forthesolecrimeofhavingbeenthebrotherofCartouche，isnolesspainfulthanthegrandsonofLouisXV。，aninnocentchild，martyredinthetoweroftheTemple，forthesolecrimeofhavingbeengrandsonofLouisXV。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidtheBishop，"Ilikenotthisconjunctionofnames。"
　　"Cartouche？LouisXV。？Towhichofthetwodoyouobject？"
　　Amomentarysilenceensued。TheBishopalmostregrettedhavingcome，andyethefeltvaguelyandstrangelyshaken。
　　Theconventionaryresumed:——
　　"Ah，MonsieurPriest，youlovenotthecruditiesofthetrue。
　　Christlovedthem。HeseizedarodandclearedouttheTemple。
　　Hisscourge，fulloflightnings，wasaharshspeakeroftruths。
　　Whenhecried，`Siniteparvulos，’hemadenodistinctionbetweenthelittlechildren。ItwouldnothaveembarrassedhimtobringtogethertheDauphinofBarabbasandtheDauphinofHerod。Innocence，Monsieur，isitsowncrown。Innocencehasnoneedtobeahighness。
　　Itisasaugustinragsasinfleursdelys。"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidtheBishopinalowvoice。
　　"Ipersist，"continuedtheconventionaryG————"YouhavementionedLouisXVII。tome。Letuscometoanunderstanding。Shallweweepforalltheinnocent，allmartyrs，allchildren，thelowlyaswellastheexalted？Iagreetothat。Butinthatcase，asI
　　havetoldyou，wemustgobackfurtherthan’93，andourtearsmustbeginbeforeLouisXVII。Iwillweepwithyouoverthechildrenofkings，providedthatyouwillweepwithmeoverthechildrenofthepeople。"
　　"Iweepforall，"saidtheBishop。
　　"Equally！"exclaimedconventionaryG————；"andifthebalancemustincline，letitbeonthesideofthepeople。Theyhavebeensufferinglonger。"
　　Anothersilenceensued。Theconventionarywasthefirsttobreakit。
　　Heraisedhimselfononeelbow，tookabitofhischeekbetweenhisthumbandhisforefinger，asonedoesmechanicallywhenoneinterrogatesandjudges，andappealedtotheBishopwithagazefullofalltheforcesofthedeathagony。Itwasalmostanexplosion。
　　"Yes，sir，thepeoplehavebeensufferingalongwhile。Andhold！
　　thatisnotall，either；whyhaveyoujustquestionedmeandtalkedtomeaboutLouisXVII。？Iknowyounot。EversinceIhavebeeninthesepartsIhavedweltinthisenclosurealone，neversettingfootoutside，andseeingnoonebutthatchildwhohelpsme。
　　Yournamehasreachedmeinaconfusedmanner，itistrue，andverybadlypronounced，Imustadmit；butthatsignifiesnothing:clevermenhavesomanywaysofimposingonthathonestgoodman，thepeople。
　　Bytheway，Ididnothearthesoundofyourcarriage；youhaveleftityonder，behindthecoppiceattheforkoftheroads，nodoubt。
　　Idonotknowyou，Itellyou。YouhavetoldmethatyouaretheBishop；
　　butthataffordsmenoinformationastoyourmoralpersonality。
　　Inshort，Irepeatmyquestion。Whoareyou？Youareabishop；
　　thatistosay，aprinceofthechurch，oneofthosegildedmenwithheraldicbearingsandrevenues，whohavevastprebends，——
　　thebishopricofD————fifteenthousandfrancssettledincome，tenthousandinperquisites；total，twenty—fivethousandfrancs，——
　　whohavekitchens，whohaveliveries，whomakegoodcheer，whoeatmoor—hensonFriday，whostrutabout，alackeybefore，alackeybehind，inagalacoach，andwhohavepalaces，andwhorollintheircarriagesinthenameofJesusChristwhowentbarefoot！
　　Youareaprelate，——revenues，palace，horses，servants，goodtable，allthesensualitiesoflife；youhavethisliketherest，andliketherest，youenjoyit；itiswell；butthissayseithertoomuchortoolittle；thisdoesnotenlightenmeupontheintrinsicandessentialvalueofthemanwhocomeswiththeprobableintentionofbringingwisdomtome。TowhomdoIspeak？
　　Whoareyou？"
　　TheBishophunghisheadandreplied，"Vermissum——Iamaworm。"
　　"Awormoftheearthinacarriage？"growledtheconventionary。
　　Itwastheconventionary’sturntobearrogant，andtheBishop’stobehumble。
　　TheBishopresumedmildly:——
　　"Sobeit，sir。Butexplaintomehowmycarriage，whichisafewpacesoffbehindthetreesyonder，howmygoodtableandthemoor—henswhichIeatonFriday，howmytwenty—fivethousandfrancsincome，howmypalaceandmylackeysprovethatclemencyisnotaduty，andthat’93wasnotinexorable。
　　Theconventionarypassedhishandacrosshisbrow，asthoughtosweepawayacloud。
　　"Beforereplyingtoyou，"hesaid，"Ibeseechyoutopardonme。
　　Ihavejustcommittedawrong，sir。Youareatmyhouse，youaremyguest，Ioweyoucourtesy。Youdiscussmyideas，anditbecomesmetoconfinemyselftocombatingyourarguments。YourrichesandyourpleasuresareadvantageswhichIholdoveryouinthedebate；
　　butgoodtastedictatesthatIshallnotmakeuseofthem。Ipromiseyoutomakenouseoftheminthefuture。"
　　"Ithankyou，"saidtheBishop。
　　G————resumed。
　　"Letusreturntotheexplanationwhichyouhaveaskedofme。
　　Wherewerewe？Whatwereyousayingtome？That’93wasinexorable？"
　　"Inexorable；yes，"saidtheBishop。"WhatthinkyouofMaratclappinghishandsattheguillotine？"
　　"WhatthinkyouofBossuetchantingtheTeDeumoverthedragonnades？"
　　Theretortwasaharshone，butitattaineditsmarkwiththedirectnessofapointofsteel。TheBishopquiveredunderit；
　　noreplyoccurredtohim；buthewasoffendedbythismodeofalludingtoBossuet。Thebestofmindswillhavetheirfetiches，andtheysometimesfeelvaguelywoundedbythewantofrespectoflogic。
　　Theconventionarybegantopant；theasthmaoftheagonywhichismingledwiththelastbreathsinterruptedhisvoice；
　　still，therewasaperfectlucidityofsoulinhiseyes。Hewenton:——
　　"Letmesayafewwordsmoreinthisandthatdirection；
　　Iamwilling。ApartfromtheRevolution，which，takenasawhole，isanimmensehumanaffirmation，’93is，alas！arejoinder。
　　Youthinkitinexorable，sir；butwhatofthewholemonarchy，sir？
　　Carrierisabandit；butwhatnamedoyougivetoMontrevel？
　　Fouquier—Tainvilleisarascal；butwhatisyouropinionastoLamoignon—Baville？Maillardisterrible；butSaulx—Tavannes，ifyouplease？Ducheneseniorisferocious；butwhatepithetwillyouallowmefortheelderLetellier？Jourdan—Coupe—Teteisamonster；butnotsogreataoneasM。theMarquisdeLouvois。
　　Sir，sir，IamsorryforMarieAntoinette，archduchessandqueen；
　　butIamalsosorryforthatpoorHuguenotwoman，who，in1685，underLouistheGreat，sir，whilewithanursinginfant，wasbound，nakedtothewaist，toastake，andthechildkeptatadistance；
　　herbreastswelledwithmilkandherheartwithanguish；
　　thelittleone，hungryandpale，beheldthatbreastandcriedandagonized；theexecutionersaidtothewoman，amotherandanurse，`Abjure！’givingherherchoicebetweenthedeathofherinfantandthedeathofherconscience。WhatsayyoutothattortureofTantalusasappliedtoamother？Bearthiswellinmindsir:
　　theFrenchRevolutionhaditsreasonsforexistence；itswrathwillbeabsolvedbythefuture；itsresultistheworldmadebetter。
　　Fromitsmostterribleblowstherecomesforthacaressforthehumanrace。Iabridge，Istop，Ihavetoomuchtheadvantage；
　　moreover，Iamdying。"
　　AndceasingtogazeattheBishop，theconventionaryconcludedhisthoughtsinthesetranquilwords:——
　　"Yes，thebrutalitiesofprogressarecalledrevolutions。
　　Whentheyareover，thisfactisrecognized，——thatthehumanracehasbeentreatedharshly，butthatithasprogressed。"
　　TheconventionarydoubtednotthathehadsuccessivelyconqueredalltheinmostintrenchmentsoftheBishop。Oneremained，however，andfromthisintrenchment，thelastresourceofMonseigneurBienvenu’sresistance，cameforththisreply，whereinappearednearlyalltheharshnessofthebeginning:——
　　"ProgressshouldbelieveinGod。Goodcannothaveanimpiousservitor。
　　Hewhoisanatheistisbutabadleaderforthehumanrace。"
　　Theformerrepresentativeofthepeoplemadenoreply。Hewasseizedwithafitoftrembling。Helookedtowardsheaven，andinhisglanceateargatheredslowly。Whentheeyelidwasfull，theteartrickleddownhislividcheek，andhesaid，almostinastammer，quitelow，andtohimself，whilehiseyeswereplungedinthedepths:——
　　"Othou！Oideal！Thoualoneexistest！"
　　TheBishopexperiencedanindescribableshock。
　　Afterapause，theoldmanraisedafingerheavenwardandsaid:——
　　"Theinfiniteis。Heisthere。Iftheinfinitehadnoperson，personwouldbewithoutlimit；itwouldnotbeinfinite；
　　inotherwords，itwouldnotexist。Thereis，then，an_I_。
　　That_I_oftheinfiniteisGod。"
　　Thedyingmanhadpronouncedtheselastwordsinaloudvoice，andwiththeshiverofecstasy，asthoughhebeheldsomeone。
　　Whenhehadspoken，hiseyesclosed。Theefforthadexhaustedhim。
　　Itwasevidentthathehadjustlivedthroughinamomentthefewhourswhichhadbeenlefttohim。Thatwhichhehadsaidbroughthimnearertohimwhoisindeath。Thesuprememomentwasapproaching。
　　TheBishopunderstoodthis；timepressed；itwasasapriestthathehadcome:fromextremecoldnesshehadpassedbydegreestoextremeemotion；hegazedatthoseclosedeyes，hetookthatwrinkled，agedandice—coldhandinhis，andbentoverthedyingman。
　　"ThishouristhehourofGod。Doyounotthinkthatitwouldberegrettableifwehadmetinvain？"
　　Theconventionaryopenedhiseyesagain。Agravitymingledwithgloomwasimprintedonhiscountenance。
　　"Bishop，"saidhe，withaslownesswhichprobablyarosemorefromhisdignityofsoulthanfromthefailingofhisstrength，"Ihavepassedmylifeinmeditation，study，andcontemplation。
　　Iwassixtyyearsofagewhenmycountrycalledmeandcommandedmetoconcernmyselfwithitsaffairs。Iobeyed。Abusesexisted，Icombatedthem；tyranniesexisted，Idestroyedthem；rightsandprinciplesexisted，Iproclaimedandconfessedthem。Ourterritorywasinvaded，Idefendedit；Francewasmenaced，Iofferedmybreast。
　　Iwasnotrich；Iampoor。Ihavebeenoneofthemastersofthestate；thevaultsofthetreasurywereencumberedwithspecietosuchadegreethatwewereforcedtoshoreupthewalls，whichwereonthepointofburstingbeneaththeweightofgoldandsilver；IdinedinDeadTreeStreet，attwenty—twosous。
　　Ihavesuccoredtheoppressed，Ihavecomfortedthesuffering。
　　Itoretheclothfromthealtar，itistrue；butitwastobindupthewoundsofmycountry。Ihavealwaysupheldthemarchforwardofthehumanrace，forwardtowardsthelight，andIhavesometimesresistedprogresswithoutpity。Ihave，whentheoccasionoffered，protectedmyownadversaries，menofyourprofession。AndthereisatPeteghem，inFlanders，attheveryspotwheretheMerovingiankingshadtheirsummerpalace，aconventofUrbanists，theAbbeyofSainteClaireenBeaulieu，whichIsavedin1793。Ihavedonemydutyaccordingtomypowers，andallthegoodthatIwasable。
　　Afterwhich，Iwashunteddown，pursued，persecuted，blackened，jeeredat，scorned，cursed，proscribed。Formanyyearspast，Iwithmywhitehairhavebeenconsciousthatmanypeoplethinktheyhavetherighttodespiseme；tothepoorignorantmassesIpresentthevisageofonedamned。AndIacceptthisisolationofhatred，withouthatinganyonemyself。NowIameighty—sixyearsold；
　　Iamonthepointofdeath。Whatisitthatyouhavecometoaskofme？"
　　"Yourblessing，"saidtheBishop。
　　Andhekneltdown。
　　WhentheBishopraisedhisheadagain，thefaceoftheconventionaryhadbecomeaugust。Hehadjustexpired。
　　TheBishopreturnedhome，deeplyabsorbedinthoughtswhichcannotbeknowntous。Hepassedthewholenightinprayer。
　　OnthefollowingmorningsomeboldandcuriouspersonsattemptedtospeaktohimaboutmemberoftheConventionG————；hecontentedhimselfwithpointingheavenward。
　　Fromthatmomentheredoubledhistendernessandbrotherlyfeelingtowardsallchildrenandsufferers。
　　Anyallusionto"thatoldwretchofaG————"causedhimtofallintoasingularpreoccupation。Noonecouldsaythatthepassageofthatsoulbeforehis，andthereflectionofthatgrandconscienceuponhis，didnotcountforsomethinginhisapproachtoperfection。
　　This"pastoralvisit"naturallyfurnishedanoccasionforamurmurofcommentinallthelittlelocalcoteries。
　　"Wasthebedsideofsuchadyingmanasthattheproperplaceforabishop？Therewasevidentlynoconversiontobeexpected。
　　Allthoserevolutionistsarebacksliders。Thenwhygothere？
　　Whatwastheretobeseenthere？Hemusthavebeenverycuriousindeedtoseeasoulcarriedoffbythedevil。"
　　Onedayadowageroftheimpertinentvarietywhothinksherselfspiritual，addressedthissallytohim，"Monseigneur，peopleareinquiringwhenYourGreatnesswillreceivetheredcap！"——"Oh！oh！that’sacoarsecolor，"repliedtheBishop。
　　"Itisluckythatthosewhodespiseitinacaprevereitinahat。"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　ARESTRICTION
　　Weshouldincuragreatriskofdeceivingourselves，werewetoconcludefromthisthatMonseigneurWelcomewas"aphilosophicalbishop，"
　　ora"patrioticcure。"Hismeeting，whichmayalmostbedesignatedashisunion，withconventionaryG————，leftbehinditinhismindasortofastonishment，whichrenderedhimstillmoregentle。
　　Thatisall。
　　AlthoughMonseigneurBienvenuwasfarfrombeingapolitician，thisis，perhaps，theplacetoindicateverybrieflywhathisattitudewasintheeventsofthatepoch，supposingthatMonseigneurBienvenueverdreamedofhavinganattitude。
　　Letus，then，gobackafewyears。
　　SometimeaftertheelevationofM。Myrieltotheepiscopate，theEmperorhadmadehimabaronoftheEmpire，incompanywithmanyotherbishops。ThearrestofthePopetookplace，aseveryoneknows，onthenightofthe5thtothe6thofJuly，1809；onthisoccasion，M。MyrielwassummonedbyNapoleontothesynodofthebishopsofFranceandItalyconvenedatParis。ThissynodwasheldatNotre—Dame，andassembledforthefirsttimeonthe15thofJune，1811，underthepresidencyofCardinalFesch。M。Myrielwasoneoftheninety—fivebishopswhoattendedit。Buthewaspresentonlyatonesittingandatthreeorfourprivateconferences。
　　Bishopofamountaindiocese，livingsoveryclosetonature，inrusticityanddeprivation，itappearedthatheimportedamongtheseeminentpersonages，ideaswhichalteredthetemperatureoftheassembly。HeverysoonreturnedtoD————Hewasinterrogatedastothisspeedyreturn，andhereplied:"Iembarrassedthem。
　　Theoutsideairpenetratedtothemthroughme。Iproducedonthemtheeffectofanopendoor。"
　　Onanotheroccasionhesaid，"Whatwouldyouhave？Thosegentlemenareprinces。Iamonlyapoorpeasantbishop。"
　　Thefactisthathedispleasedthem。Amongotherstrangethings，itissaidthathechancedtoremarkoneevening，whenhefoundhimselfatthehouseofoneofhismostnotablecolleagues:"Whatbeautifulclocks！Whatbeautifulcarpets！Whatbeautifulliveries！
　　Theymustbeagreattrouble。Iwouldnothaveallthosesuperfluities，cryingincessantlyinmyears:`Therearepeoplewhoarehungry！
　　Therearepeoplewhoarecold！Therearepoorpeople！Therearepoorpeople！’"
　　Letusremark，bytheway，thatthehatredofluxuryisnotanintelligenthatred。Thishatredwouldinvolvethehatredofthearts。Nevertheless，inchurchmen，luxuryiswrong，exceptinconnectionwithrepresentationsandceremonies。Itseemstorevealhabitswhichhaveverylittlethatischaritableaboutthem。
　　Anopulentpriestisacontradiction。Thepriestmustkeepclosetothepoor。Now，canonecomeincontactincessantlynightanddaywithallthisdistress，allthesemisfortunes，andthispoverty，withouthavingaboutone’sownpersonalittleofthatmisery，likethedustoflabor？Isitpossibletoimagineamannearabrazierwhoisnotwarm？Canoneimagineaworkmanwhoisworkingnearafurnace，andwhohasneitherasingedhair，norblackenednails，noradropofsweat，noraspeckofashesonhisface？Thefirstproofofcharityinthepriest，inthebishopespecially，ispoverty。
　　Thisis，nodoubt，whattheBishopofD————thought。
　　Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thathesharedwhatwecallthe"ideasofthecentury"oncertaindelicatepoints。Hetookverylittlepartinthetheologicalquarrelsofthemoment，andmaintainedsilenceonquestionsinwhichChurchandStatewereimplicated；butifhehadbeenstronglypressed，itseemsthathewouldhavebeenfoundtobeanultramontaneratherthanagallican。Sincewearemakingaportrait，andsincewedonotwishtoconcealanything，weareforcedtoaddthathewasglacialtowardsNapoleoninhisdecline。
　　Beginningwith1813，hegaveinhisadherencetoorapplaudedallhostilemanifestations。Herefusedtoseehim，ashepassedthroughonhisreturnfromtheislandofElba，andheabstainedfromorderingpublicprayersfortheEmperorinhisdioceseduringtheHundredDays。
　　Besideshissister，MademoiselleBaptistine，hehadtwobrothers，oneageneral，theotheraprefect。Hewrotetobothwithtolerablefrequency。Hewasharshforatimetowardstheformer，because，holdingacommandinProvenceattheepochofthedisembarkationatCannes，thegeneralhadputhimselfattheheadoftwelvehundredmenandhadpursuedtheEmperorasthoughthelatterhadbeenapersonwhomoneisdesirousofallowingtoescape。Hiscorrespondencewiththeotherbrother，theex—prefect，afine，worthymanwholivedinretirementatParis，RueCassette，remainedmoreaffectionate。
　　ThusMonseigneurBienvenualsohadhishourofpartyspirit，hishourofbitterness，hiscloud。Theshadowofthepassionsofthemomenttraversedthisgrandandgentlespiritoccupiedwitheternalthings。
　　Certainly，suchamanwouldhavedonewellnottoentertainanypoliticalopinions。Lettherebenomistakeastoourmeaning:
　　wearenotconfoundingwhatiscalled"politicalopinions"withthegrandaspirationforprogress，withthesublimefaith，patriotic，democratic，humane，whichinourdayshouldbetheveryfoundationofeverygenerousintellect。Withoutgoingdeeplyintoquestionswhichareonlyindirectlyconnectedwiththesubjectofthisbook，wewillsimplysaythis:ItwouldhavebeenwellifMonseigneurBienvenuhadnotbeenaRoyalist，andifhisglancehadneverbeen，forasingleinstant，turnedawayfromthatserenecontemplationinwhichisdistinctlydiscernible，abovethefictionsandthehatredsofthisworld，abovethestormyvicissitudesofhumanthings，thebeamingofthosethreepureradiances，truth，justice，andcharity。
　　WhileadmittingthatitwasnotforapoliticalofficethatGodcreatedMonseigneurWelcome，weshouldhaveunderstoodandadmiredhisprotestinthenameofrightandliberty，hisproudopposition，hisjustbutperilousresistancetotheall—powerfulNapoleon。
　　Butthatwhichpleasesusinpeoplewhoarerisingpleasesuslessinthecaseofpeoplewhoarefalling。Weonlylovethefraysolongasthereisdanger，andinanycase，thecombatantsofthefirsthourhavealonetherighttobetheexterminatorsofthelast。Hewhohasnotbeenastubbornaccuserinprosperityshouldholdhispeaceinthefaceofruin。Thedenunciatorofsuccessistheonlylegitimateexecutionerofthefall。
　　Asforus，whenProvidenceintervenesandstrikes，weletitwork。
　　1812commencedtodisarmus。In1813thecowardlybreachofsilenceofthattaciturnlegislativebody，emboldenedbycatastrophe，possessedonlytraitswhicharousedindignation。Anditwasacrimetoapplaud，in1814，inthepresenceofthosemarshalswhobetrayed；
　　inthepresenceofthatsenatewhichpassedfromonedunghilltoanother，insultingafterhavingdeified；inthepresenceofthatidolatrywhichwasloosingitsfootingandspittingonitsidol，——
　　itwasadutytoturnasidethehead。In1815，whenthesupremedisastersfilledtheair，whenFrancewasseizedwithashiverattheirsinisterapproach，whenWaterloocouldbedimlydiscernedopeningbeforeNapoleon，themournfulacclamationofthearmyandthepeopletothecondemnedofdestinyhadnothinglaughableinit，and，aftermakingallallowanceforthedespot，aheartlikethatoftheBishopofD————，oughtnotperhapstohavefailedtorecognizetheaugustandtouchingfeaturespresentedbytheembraceofagreatnationandagreatmanonthebrinkoftheabyss。
　　Withthisexception，hewasinallthingsjust，true，equitable，intelligent，humbleanddignified，beneficentandkindly，whichisonlyanothersortofbenevolence。Hewasapriest，asage，andaman。Itmustbeadmitted，thateveninthepoliticalviewswithwhichwehavejustreproachedhim，andwhichwearedisposedtojudgealmostwithseverity，hewastolerantandeasy，moreso，perhaps，thanwewhoarespeakinghere。Theporterofthetown—hallhadbeenplacedtherebytheEmperor。Hewasanoldnon—commissionedofficeroftheoldguard，amemberoftheLegionofHonoratAusterlitz，asmuchofaBonapartistastheeagle。
　　Thispoorfellowoccasionallyletslipinconsiderateremarks，whichthelawthenstigmatizedasseditiousspeeches。AftertheimperialprofiledisappearedfromtheLegionofHonor，heneverdressedhimselfinhisregimentals，ashesaid，sothatheshouldnotbeobligedtowearhiscross。HehadhimselfdevoutlyremovedtheimperialeffigyfromthecrosswhichNapoleonhadgivenhim；
　　thismadeahole，andhewouldnotputanythinginitsplace。
　　"Iwilldie，"hesaid，"ratherthanwearthethreefrogsuponmyheart！"HelikedtoscoffaloudatLouisXVIII。"ThegoutyoldcreatureinEnglishgaiters！"hesaid；"lethimtakehimselfofftoPrussiawiththatqueueofhis。"Hewashappytocombineinthesameimprecationthetwothingswhichhemostdetested，PrussiaandEngland。Hediditsooftenthathelosthisplace。
　　Therehewas，turnedoutofthehouse，withhiswifeandchildren，andwithoutbread。TheBishopsentforhim，reprovedhimgently，andappointedhimbeadleinthecathedral。
　　InthecourseofnineyearsMonseigneurBienvenuhad，bydintofholydeedsandgentlemanners，filledthetownofD————
　　withasortoftenderandfilialreverence。EvenhisconducttowardsNapoleonhadbeenacceptedandtacitlypardoned，asitwere，bythepeople，thegoodandweaklyflockwhoadoredtheiremperor，butlovedtheirbishop。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THESOLITUDEOFMONSEIGNEURWELCOME
　　Abishopisalmostalwayssurroundedbyafullsquadronoflittleabbes，justasageneralisbyacoveyofyoungofficers。
　　ThisiswhatthatcharmingSaintFrancoisdeSalescallssomewhere"lespretresblancs—becs，"callowpriests。Everycareerhasitsaspirants，whoformatrainforthosewhohaveattainedeminenceinit。
　　Thereisnopowerwhichhasnotitsdependents。Thereisnofortunewhichhasnotitscourt。Theseekersofthefutureeddyaroundthesplendidpresent。Everymetropolishasitsstaffofofficials。
　　Everybishopwhopossessestheleastinfluencehasabouthimhispatrolofcherubimfromtheseminary，whichgoestheround，andmaintainsgoodorderintheepiscopalpalace，andmountsguardovermonseigneur’ssmile。Topleaseabishopisequivalenttogettingone’sfootinthestirrupforasub—diaconate。Itisnecessarytowalkone’spathdiscreetly；theapostleshipdoesnotdisdainthecanonship。
　　Justastherearebigwigselsewhere，therearebigmitresintheChurch。
　　ThesearethebishopswhostandwellatCourt，whoarerich，wellendowed，skilful，acceptedbytheworld，whoknowhowtopray，nodoubt，butwhoknowalsohowtobeg，whofeellittlescrupleatmakingawholediocesedanceattendanceintheirperson，whoareconnectinglinksbetweenthesacristyanddiplomacy，whoareabbesratherthanpriests，prelatesratherthanbishops。
　　Happythosewhoapproachthem！Beingpersonsofinfluence，theycreateashoweraboutthem，upontheassiduousandthefavored，anduponalltheyoungmenwhounderstandtheartofpleasing，oflargeparishes，prebends，archidiaconates，chaplaincies，andcathedralposts，whileawaitingepiscopalhonors。Astheyadvancethemselves，theycausetheirsatellitestoprogressalso；
　　itisawholesolarsystemonthemarch。Theirradiancecastsagleamofpurpleovertheirsuite。Theirprosperityiscrumbledupbehindthescenes，intonicelittlepromotions。Thelargerthedioceseofthepatron，thefatterthecuracyforthefavorite。Andthen，thereisRome。Abishopwhounderstandshowtobecomeanarchbishop，anarchbishopwhoknowshowtobecomeacardinal，carriesyouwithhimasconclavist；youenteracourtofpapaljurisdiction，youreceivethepallium，andbehold！youareanauditor，thenapapalchamberlain，thenmonsignor，andfromaGracetoanEminenceisonlyastep，andbetweentheEminenceandtheHolinessthereisbutthesmokeofaballot。Everyskull—capmaydreamofthetiara。
　　Thepriestisnowadaystheonlymanwhocanbecomeakinginaregularmanner；andwhataking！thesupremeking。Thenwhatanurseryofaspirationsisaseminary！Howmanyblushingchoristers，howmanyyouthfulabbesbearontheirheadsPerrette’spotofmilk！
　　Whoknowshoweasyitisforambitiontocallitselfvocation？
　　ingoodfaith，perchance，anddeceivingitself，devoteethatitis。
　　MonseigneurBienvenu，poor，humble，retiring，wasnotaccountedamongthebigmitres。Thiswasplainfromthecompleteabsenceofyoungpriestsabouthim。Wehaveseenthathe"didnottake"
　　inParis。Notasinglefuturedreamedofengraftingitselfonthissolitaryoldman。Notasinglesproutingambitioncommittedthefollyofputtingforthitsfoliageinhisshadow。Hiscanonsandgrand—vicarsweregoodoldmen，rathervulgarlikehimself，walleduplikehiminthisdiocese，withoutexittoacardinalship，andwhoresembledtheirbishop，withthisdifference，thattheywerefinishedandhewascompleted。TheimpossibilityofgrowinggreatunderMonseigneurBienvenuwassowellunderstood，thatnosoonerhadtheyoungmenwhomheordainedlefttheseminarythantheygotthemselvesrecommendedtothearchbishopsofAixorofAuch，andwentoffinagreathurry。For，inshort，werepeatit，menwishtobepushed。Asaintwhodwellsinaparoxysmofabnegationisadangerousneighbor；hemightcommunicatetoyou，bycontagion，anincurablepoverty，ananchylosisofthejoints，whichareusefulinadvancement，andinshort，morerenunciationthanyoudesire；
　　andthisinfectiousvirtueisavoided。HencetheisolationofMonseigneurBienvenu。Weliveinthemidstofagloomysociety。
　　Success；thatisthelessonwhichfallsdropbydropfromtheslopeofcorruption。
　　Beitsaidinpassing，thatsuccessisaveryhideousthing。Itsfalseresemblancetomeritdeceivesmen。Forthemasses，successhasalmostthesameprofileassupremacy。Success，thatMenaechmusoftalent，hasonedupe，——history。JuvenalandTacitusalonegrumbleatit。
　　Inourday，aphilosophywhichisalmostofficialhasenteredintoitsservice，wearstheliveryofsuccess，andperformstheserviceofitsantechamber。Succeed:theory。Prosperityarguescapacity。
　　Wininthelottery，andbehold！youareacleverman。Hewhotriumphsisvenerated。Bebornwithasilverspooninyourmouth！
　　everythingliesinthat。Belucky，andyouwillhavealltherest；
　　behappy，andpeoplewillthinkyougreat。Outsideoffiveorsiximmenseexceptions，whichcomposethesplendorofacentury，contemporaryadmirationisnothingbutshort—sightedness。Gildingisgold。Itdoesnoharmtobethefirstarrivalbypurechance，solongasyoudoarrive。ThecommonherdisanoldNarcissuswhoadoreshimself，andwhoapplaudsthevulgarherd。ThatenormousabilitybyvirtueofwhichoneisMoses，Aeschylus，Dante，MichaelAngelo，orNapoleon，themultitudeawardsonthespot，andbyacclamation，towhomsoeverattainshisobject，inwhatsoeveritmayconsist。