CHAPTERVII
RULE:RECEIVENOONEEXCEPTINTHEEVENING
SuchwasM。Luc—EspritGillenormand，whohadnotlosthishair，——
whichwasgrayratherthanwhite，——andwhichwasalwaysdressedin"dog’sears。"Tosumup，hewasvenerableinspiteofallthis。
Hehadsomethingoftheeighteenthcenturyabouthim；frivolousandgreat。
In1814andduringtheearlyyearsoftheRestoration，M。Gillenormand，whowasstillyoung，——hewasonlyseventy—four，——livedintheFaubourgSaintGermain，RueServandoni，nearSaint—Sulpice。
HehadonlyretiredtotheMaraiswhenhequittedsociety，longafterattainingtheageofeighty。
And，onabandoningsociety，hehadimmuredhimselfinhishabits。
Theprincipalone，andthatwhichwasinvariable，wastokeephisdoorabsolutelyclosedduringtheday，andnevertoreceiveanyonewhateverexceptintheevening。Hedinedatfiveo’clock，andafterthathisdoorwasopen。Thathadbeenthefashionofhiscentury，andhewouldnotswervefromit。"Thedayisvulgar，"saidhe，"anddeservesonlyaclosedshutter。Fashionablepeopleonlylightuptheirmindswhenthezenithlightsupitsstars。"Andhebarricadedhimselfagainsteveryone，evenhaditbeenthekinghimself。
Thiswastheantiquatedeleganceofhisday。
CHAPTERVIII
TWODONOTMAKEAPAIR
WehavejustspokenofM。Gillenormand’stwodaughters。Theyhadcomeintotheworldtenyearsapart。Intheiryouththeyhadborneverylittleresemblancetoeachother，eitherincharacterorcountenance，andhadalsobeenaslittlelikesisterstoeachotheraspossible。Theyoungesthadacharmingsoul，whichturnedtowardsallthatbelongstothelight，wasoccupiedwithflowers，withverses，withmusic，whichflutteredawayintogloriousspace，enthusiastic，ethereal，andwasweddedfromherveryyouth，inideal，toavagueandheroicfigure。Theelderhadalsoherchimera；
sheespiedintheazuresomeverywealthypurveyor，acontractor，asplendidlystupidhusband，amillionmademan，orevenaprefect；
thereceptionsofthePrefecture，anusherintheantechamberwithachainonhisneck，officialballs，theharanguesofthetown—hall，tobe"MadamelaPrefete，"——allthishadcreatedawhirlwindinherimagination。Thusthetwosistersstrayed，eachinherowndream，attheepochwhentheywereyounggirls。
Bothhadwings，theonelikeanangel，theotherlikeagoose。
Noambitioniseverfullyrealized，herebelowatleast。
Noparadisebecomesterrestrialinourday。Theyoungerweddedthemanofherdreams，butshedied。Theelderdidnotmarryatall。
Atthemomentwhenshemakesherentranceintothishistorywhichwearerelating，shewasanantiquevirtue，anincombustibleprude，withoneofthesharpestnoses，andoneofthemostobtusemindsthatitispossibletosee。Acharacteristicdetail；outsideofherimmediatefamily，noonehadeverknownherfirstname。
ShewascalledMademoiselleGillenormand，theelder。
Inthematterofcant，MademoiselleGillenormandcouldhavegivenpointstoamiss。Hermodestywascarriedtotheotherextremeofblackness。Shecherishedafrightfulmemoryofherlife；oneday，amanhadbeheldhergarter。
Agehadonlyservedtoaccentuatethispitilessmodesty。Herguimpewasneversufficientlyopaque，andneverascendedsufficientlyhigh。
Shemultipliedclaspsandpinswherenoonewouldhavedreamedoflooking。Thepeculiarityofpruderyistoplaceallthemoresentinelsinproportionasthefortressisthelessmenaced。
Nevertheless，lethimwhocanexplaintheseantiquemysteriesofinnocence，sheallowedanofficeroftheLancers，hergrandnephew，namedTheodule，toembraceherwithoutdispleasure。
InspiteofthisfavoredLancer，thelabel:Prude，underwhichwehaveclassedher，suitedhertoabsoluteperfection。MademoiselleGillenormandwasasortoftwilightsoul。Pruderyisademi—virtueandademi—vice。
Topruderysheaddedbigotry，awell—assortedlining。ShebelongedtothesocietyoftheVirgin，woreawhiteveiloncertainfestivals，mumbledspecialorisons，revered"theholyblood，"venerated"thesacredheart，"remainedforhoursincontemplationbeforearococo—jesuitaltarinachapelwhichwasinaccessibletotherankandfileofthefaithful，andthereallowedhersoultosoaramonglittlecloudsofmarble，andthroughgreatraysofgildedwood。
Shehadachapelfriend，anancientvirginlikeherself，namedMademoiselleVaubois，whowasapositiveblockhead，andbesidewhomMademoiselleGillenormandhadthepleasureofbeinganeagle。BeyondtheAgnusDeiandAveMaria，MademoiselleVauboishadnoknowledgeofanythingexceptofthedifferentwaysofmakingpreserves。MademoiselleVaubois，perfectinherstyle，wastheermineofstupiditywithoutasinglespotofintelligence。
Letussayitplainly，MademoiselleGillenormandhadgainedratherthanlostasshegrewolder。Thisisthecasewithpassivenatures。
Shehadneverbeenmalicious，whichisrelativekindness；andthen，yearswearawaytheangles，andthesofteningwhichcomeswithtimehadcometoher。Shewasmelancholywithanobscuresadnessofwhichshedidnotherselfknowthesecret。Therebreathedfromherwholepersonthestuporofalifethatwasfinished，andwhichhadneverhadabeginning。
Shekepthouseforherfather。M。Gillenormandhadhisdaughternearhim，aswehaveseenthatMonseigneurBienvenuhadhissisterwithhim。Thesehouseholdscomprisedofanoldmanandanoldspinsterarenotrare，andalwayshavethetouchingaspectoftwoweaknessesleaningoneachotherforsupport。
Therewasalsointhishouse，betweenthiselderlyspinsterandthisoldman，achild，alittleboy，whowasalwaystremblingandmuteinthepresenceofM。Gillenormand。M。Gillenormandneveraddressedthischildexceptinaseverevoice，andsometimes，withupliftedcane:"Here，sir！rascal，scoundrel，comehere！——
Answerme，youscamp！Justletmeseeyou，yougood—for—nothing！"
etc。，etc。Heidolizedhim。
Thiswashisgrandson。Weshallmeetwiththischildagainlateron。
BOOKTHIRD。——THEGRANDFATHERANDTHEGRANDSON
CHAPTERI
ANANCIENTSALON
WhenM。GillenormandlivedintheRueServandoni，hehadfrequentedmanyverygoodandveryaristocraticsalons。Althoughabourgeois，M。Gillenormandwasreceivedinsociety。Ashehadadoublemeasureofwit，inthefirstplace，thatwhichwasbornwithhim，andsecondly，thatwhichwasattributedtohim，hewasevensoughtoutandmademuchof。Heneverwentanywhereexceptonconditionofbeingthechiefpersonthere。Therearepeoplewhowillhaveinfluenceatanyprice，andwhowillhaveotherpeoplebusythemselvesoverthem；whentheycannotbeoracles，theyturnwags。
M。Gillenormandwasnotofthisnature；hisdominationintheRoyalistsalonswhichhefrequentedcosthisself—respectnothing。
Hewasanoracleeverywhere。IthadhappenedtohimtoholdhisownagainstM。deBonald，andevenagainstM。Bengy—Puy—Vallee。
About1817，heinvariablypassedtwoafternoonsaweekinahouseinhisownneighborhood，intheRueFerou，withMadamelaBaronnedeT。，aworthyandrespectableperson，whosehusbandhadbeenAmbassadorofFrancetoBerlinunderLouisXVI。BarondeT。，who，duringhislifetime，hadgoneverypassionatelyintoecstasiesandmagneticvisions，haddiedbankrupt，duringtheemigration，leaving，ashisentirefortune，someverycuriousMemoirsaboutMesmerandhistub，intenmanuscriptvolumes，boundinredmoroccoandgildedontheedges。
MadamedeT。hadnotpublishedthememoirs，outofpride，andmaintainedherselfonameagreincomewhichhadsurvivednooneknewhow。
MadamedeT。livedfarfromtheCourt；"averymixedsociety，"
asshesaid，inanobleisolation，proudandpoor。Afewfriendsassembledtwiceaweekaboutherwidowedhearth，andtheseconstitutedapurelyRoyalistsalon。Theysippedteathere，andutteredgroansorcriesofhorroratthecentury，thecharter，theBonapartists，theprostitutionoftheblueribbon，ortheJacobinismofLouisXVIII。，accordingasthewindveeredtowardselegyordithyrambs；
andtheyspokeinlowtonesofthehopeswhichwerepresentedbyMonsieur，afterwardsCharlesX。
Thesongsofthefishwomen，inwhichNapoleonwascalledNicolas，werereceivedtherewithtransportsofjoy。Duchesses，themostdelicateandcharmingwomenintheworld，wentintoecstasiesovercoupletslikethefollowing，addressedto"thefederates":——
Refoncezdansvosculottes[20]
Leboutd’chemis’quivouspend。
Qu’onn’dis’pasqu’lespatriotesOntarborel’drapeaublanc？
[20]Tuckintoyourtrouserstheshirt—tailthatishangingout。
Letitnotbesaidthatpatriotshavehoistedthewhiteflag。
Theretheyamusedthemselveswithpunswhichwereconsideredterrible，withinnocentplaysuponwordswhichtheysupposedtobevenomous，withquatrains，withdisticheseven；thus，upontheDessollesministry，amoderatecabinet，ofwhichMM。DecazesandDeserreweremembers:——
Pourraffermirletroneebranlesursabase，[21]
Ilfautchangerdesol，etdeserreetdecase。
[21]Inordertore—establishtheshakenthronefirmlyonitsbase，soil（Dessolles），greenhouseandhouse（Decazes）mustbechanged。
Ortheydrewupalistofthechamberofpeers，"anabominablyJacobinchamber，"andfromthislisttheycombinedalliancesofnames，insuchamannerastoform，forexample，phraseslikethefollowing:
Damas。Sabran。Gouvion—Saint—Cyr。——Allthiswasdonemerrily。
Inthatsociety，theyparodiedtheRevolution。TheyusedIknownotwhatdesirestogivepointtothesamewrathininversesense。
TheysangtheirlittleCaira:——
Ah！cairacairacaira！
LesBonapartistesalalanterne！
Songsareliketheguillotine；theychopawayindifferently，to—daythishead，to—morrowthat。Itisonlyavariation。
IntheFualdesaffair，whichbelongstothisepoch，1816，theytookpartforBastideandJausion，becauseFualdeswas"aBuonapartist。"
Theydesignatedtheliberalsasfriendsandbrothers；thisconstitutedthemostdeadlyinsult。
Likecertainchurchtowers，MadamedeT。’ssalonhadtwococks。
OneofthemwasM。Gillenormand，theotherwasComtedeLamothe—Valois，ofwhomitwaswhisperedabout，withasortofrespect:"Doyouknow？
ThatistheLamotheoftheaffairofthenecklace。"Thesesingularamnestiesdooccurinparties。
Letusaddthefollowing:inthebourgeoisie，honoredsituationsdecaythroughtooeasyrelations；onemustbewarewhomoneadmits；
inthesamewaythatthereisalossofcaloricinthevicinityofthosewhoarecold，thereisadiminutionofconsiderationintheapproachofdespisedpersons。Theancientsocietyoftheupperclassesheldthemselvesabovethislaw，asaboveeveryother。Marigny，thebrotherofthePompadour，hadhisentrywithM。lePrincedeSoubise。
Inspiteof？No，because。DuBarry，thegod—fatheroftheVaubernier，wasverywelcomeatthehouseofM。leMarechaldeRichelieu。
ThissocietyisOlympus。MercuryandthePrincedeGuemeneeareathomethere。Athiefisadmittedthere，providedhebeagod。
TheComtedeLamothe，who，in1815，wasanoldmanseventy—fiveyearsofage，hadnothingremarkableabouthimexcepthissilentandsententiousair，hiscoldandangularface，hisperfectlypolishedmanners，hiscoatbuttoneduptohiscravat，andhislonglegsalwayscrossedinlong，flabbytrousersofthehueofburntsienna。
Hisfacewasthesamecolorashistrousers。
ThisM。deLamothewas"heldinconsideration"inthissalononaccountofhis"celebrity"and，strangetosay，thoughtrue，becauseofhisnameofValois。
AsforM。Gillenormand，hisconsiderationwasofabsolutelyfirst—ratequality。Hehad，inspiteofhislevity，andwithoutitsinterferinginanywaywithhisdignity，acertainmannerabouthimwhichwasimposing，dignified，honest，andlofty，inabourgeoisfashion；
andhisgreatageaddedtoit。Oneisnotacenturywithimpunity。
Theyearsfinallyproducearoundaheadavenerabledishevelment。
Inadditiontothis，hesaidthingswhichhadthegenuinesparkleoftheoldrock。Thus，whentheKingofPrussia，afterhavingrestoredLouisXVIII。，cametopaythelatteravisitunderthenameoftheCountdeRuppin，hewasreceivedbythedescendantofLouisXIV。
somewhatasthoughhehadbeentheMarquisdeBrandebourg，andwiththemostdelicateimpertinence。M。Gillenormandapproved:"AllkingswhoarenottheKingofFrance，"saidhe，"areprovincialkings。"
Oneday，thefollowingquestionwasputandthefollowinganswerreturnedinhispresence:"TowhatwastheeditoroftheCourrierFrancaiscondemned？""Tobesuspended。""Susissuperfluous，"
observedM。Gillenormand。[22]Remarksofthisnaturefoundasituation。
[22]Suspendu，suspended；pendu，hung。
AttheTeDeumontheanniversaryofthereturnoftheBourbons，hesaid，onseeingM。deTalleyrandpassby:"TheregoeshisExcellencytheEvilOne。"
M。Gillenormandwasalwaysaccompaniedbyhisdaughter，thattallmademoiselle，whowasoverfortyandlookedfifty，andbyahandsomelittleboyofsevenyears，white，rosy，fresh，withhappyandtrustingeyes，whoneverappearedinthatsalonwithouthearingvoicesmurmuraroundhim:"Howhandsomeheis！
Whatapity！Poorchild！"Thischildwastheoneofwhomwedroppedawordawhileago。Hewascalled"poorchild，"
becausehehadforafather"abrigandoftheLoire。"
ThisbrigandoftheLoirewasM。Gillenormand’sson—in—law，whohasalreadybeenmentioned，andwhomM。Gillenormandcalled"thedisgraceofhisfamily。"
CHAPTERII
ONEOFTHEREDSPECTRESOFTHATEPOCH
AnyonewhohadchancedtopassthroughthelittletownofVernonatthisepoch，andwhohadhappenedtowalkacrossthatfinemonumentalbridge，whichwillsoonbesucceeded，letushope，bysomehideousironcablebridge，mighthaveobserved，hadhedroppedhiseyesovertheparapet，amanaboutfiftyyearsofagewearingaleathercap，andtrousersandawaistcoatofcoarsegraycloth，towhichsomethingyellowwhichhadbeenaredribbon，wassewn，shodwithwoodensabots，tannedbythesun，hisfacenearlyblackandhishairnearlywhite，alargescaronhisforeheadwhichrandownuponhischeek，bowed，bent，prematurelyaged，whowalkednearlyeveryday，hoeandsickleinhand，inoneofthosecompartmentssurroundedbywallswhichabutonthebridge，andbordertheleftbankoftheSeinelikeachainofterraces，charmingenclosuresfullofflowersofwhichonecouldsay，weretheymuchlarger:"thesearegardens，"andweretheyalittlesmaller:
"thesearebouquets。"Alltheseenclosuresabutupontheriveratoneend，andonahouseattheother。Themaninthewaistcoatandthewoodenshoesofwhomwehavejustspoken，inhabitedthesmallestoftheseenclosuresandthemosthumbleofthesehousesabout1817。Helivedtherealoneandsolitary，silentlyandpoorly，withawomanwhowasneitheryoungnorold，neitherhomelynorpretty，neitherapeasantnorabourgeoise，whoservedhim。
Theplotofearthwhichhecalledhisgardenwascelebratedinthetownforthebeautyoftheflowerswhichhecultivatedthere。
Theseflowerswerehisoccupation。
Bydintoflabor，ofperseverance，ofattention，andofbucketsofwater，hehadsucceededincreatingaftertheCreator，andhehadinventedcertaintulipsandcertaindahliaswhichseemedtohavebeenforgottenbynature。Hewasingenious；hehadforestalledSoulangeBodinintheformationoflittleclumpsofearthofheathmould，forthecultivationofrareandpreciousshrubsfromAmericaandChina。Hewasinhisalleysfromthebreakofday，insummer，planting，cutting，hoeing，watering，walkingamidhisflowerswithanairofkindness，sadness，andsweetness，sometimesstandingmotionlessandthoughtfulforhours，listeningtothesongofabirdinthetrees，thebabbleofachildinahouse，orwithhiseyesfixedonadropofdewatthetipofaspearofgrass，ofwhichthesunmadeacarbuncle。Histablewasveryplain，andhedrankmoremilkthanwine。Achildcouldmakehimgiveway，andhisservantscoldedhim。Hewassotimidthatbeseemedshy，herarelywentout，andhesawnoonebutthepoorpeoplewhotappedathispaneandhiscure，theAbbeMabeuf，agoodoldman。
Nevertheless，iftheinhabitantsofthetown，orstrangers，oranychancecomers，curioustoseehistulips，rangathislittlecottage，heopenedhisdoorwithasmile。Hewasthe"brigandoftheLoire。"
Anyonewhohad，atthesametime，readmilitarymemoirs，biographies，theMoniteur，andthebulletinsofthegrandarmy，wouldhavebeenstruckbyanamewhichoccurstherewithtolerablefrequency，thenameofGeorgesPontmercy。Whenveryyoung，thisGeorgesPontmercyhadbeenasoldierinSaintonge’sregiment。Therevolutionbrokeout。
Saintonge’sregimentformedapartofthearmyoftheRhine；
fortheoldregimentsofthemonarchypreservedtheirnamesofprovincesevenafterthefallofthemonarchy，andwereonlydividedintobrigadesin1794。PontmercyfoughtatSpire，atWorms，atNeustadt，atTurkheim，atAlzey，atMayence，wherehewasoneofthetwohundredwhoformedHouchard’srearguard。ItwasthetwelfthtoholditsgroundagainstthecorpsofthePrinceofHesse，behindtheoldrampartofAndernach，andonlyrejoinedthemainbodyofthearmywhentheenemy’scannonhadopenedabreachfromthecordoftheparapettothefootoftheglacis。HewasunderKleberatMarchiennesandatthebattleofMont—Palissel，whereaballfromabiscaienbrokehisarm。ThenhepassedtothefrontierofItaly，andwasoneofthethirtygrenadierswhodefendedtheColdeTendewithJoubert。Joubertwasappointeditsadjutant—general，andPontmercysub—lieutenant。PontmercywasbyBerthier’ssideinthemidstofthegrape—shotofthatdayatLodiwhichcausedBonapartetosay:"Berthierhasbeencannoneer，cavalier，andgrenadier。"
Hebeheldhisoldgeneral，Joubert，fallatNovi，atthemomentwhen，withupliftedsabre，hewasshouting:"Forward！"Havingbeenembarkedwithhiscompanyintheexigenciesofthecampaign，onboardapinnacewhichwasproceedingfromGenoatosomeobscureportonthecoast，hefellintoawasps’—nestofsevenoreightEnglishvessels。
TheGenoesecommanderwantedtothrowhiscannonintothesea，tohidethesoldiersbetweendecks，andtoslipalonginthedarkasamerchantvessel。Pontmercyhadthecolorshoistedtothepeak，andsailedproudlypastunderthegunsoftheBritishfrigates。
Twentyleaguesfurtheron，hisaudacityhavingincreased，heattackedwithhispinnace，andcapturedalargeEnglishtransportwhichwascarryingtroopstoSicily，andwhichwassoloadeddownwithmenandhorsesthatthevesselwassunktothelevelofthesea。
In1805hewasinthatMalherdivisionwhichtookGunzbergfromtheArchdukeFerdinand。AtWeltingenhereceivedintohisarms，beneathastormofbullets，ColonelMaupetit，mortallywoundedattheheadofthe9thDragoons。HedistinguishedhimselfatAusterlitzinthatadmirablemarchinechelonseffectedundertheenemy’sfire。
WhenthecavalryoftheImperialRussianGuardcrushedabattalionofthe4thoftheline，PontmercywasoneofthosewhotooktheirrevengeandoverthrewtheGuard。TheEmperorgavehimthecross。
PontmercysawWurmseratMantua，Melas，andAlexandria，MackatUlm，madeprisonersinsuccession。HeformedapartoftheeighthcorpsofthegrandarmywhichMortiercommanded，andwhichcapturedHamburg。
Thenhewastransferredtothe55thoftheline，whichwastheoldregimentofFlanders。AtEylauhewasinthecemeterywhere，forthespaceoftwohours，theheroicCaptainLouisHugo，theuncleoftheauthorofthisbook，sustainedalonewithhiscompanyofeighty—threemeneveryeffortofthehostilearmy。
Pontmercywasoneofthethreewhoemergedalivefromthatcemetery。
HewasatFriedland。ThenhesawMoscow。ThenLaBeresina，thenLutzen，Bautzen，Dresden，Wachau，Leipzig，andthedefilesofGelenhausen；
thenMontmirail，Chateau—Thierry，Craon，thebanksoftheMarne，thebanksoftheAisne，andtheredoubtablepositionofLaon。
AtArnay—Le—Duc，beingthenacaptain，heputtenCossackstothesword，andsaved，nothisgeneral，buthiscorporal。Hewaswellslasheduponthisoccasion，andtwenty—sevensplinterswereextractedfromhisleftarmalone。EightdaysbeforethecapitulationofParishehadjustexchangedwithacomradeandenteredthecavalry。
Hehadwhatwascalledundertheoldregime，thedoublehand，thatistosay，anequalaptitudeforhandlingthesabreorthemusketasasoldier，orasquadronorabattalionasanofficer。Itisfromthisaptitude，perfectedbyamilitaryeducation，whichcertainspecialbranchesoftheservicearise，thedragoons，forexample，whoarebothcavalry—menandinfantryatoneandthesametime。
HeaccompaniedNapoleontotheIslandofElba。AtWaterloo，hewaschiefofasquadronofcuirassiers，inDubois’brigade。ItwashewhocapturedthestandardoftheLunenburgbattalion。HecameandcasttheflagattheEmperor’sfeet。Hewascoveredwithblood。
Whiletearingdownthebannerhehadreceivedasword—cutacrosshisface。TheEmperor，greatlypleased，shoutedtohim:"Youareacolonel，youareabaron，youareanofficeroftheLegionofHonor！"
Pontmercyreplied:"Sire，Ithankyouformywidow。"Anhourlater，hefellintheravineofOhain。Now，whowasthisGeorgesPontmercy？
Hewasthissame"brigandoftheLoire。"
Wehavealreadyseensomethingofhishistory。AfterWaterloo，Pontmercy，whohadbeenpulledoutofthehollowroadofOhain，asitwillberemembered，hadsucceededinjoiningthearmy，andhaddraggedhimselffromambulancetoambulanceasfarasthecantonmentsoftheLoire。
TheRestorationhadplacedhimonhalf—pay，thenhadsenthimintoresidence，thatistosay，undersurveillance，atVernon。
KingLouisXVIII。，regardingallthatwhichhadtakenplaceduringtheHundredDaysasnothavingoccurredatall，didnotrecognizehisqualityasanofficeroftheLegionofHonor，norhisgradeofcolonel，norhistitleofbaron。He，onhisside，neglectednooccasionofsigninghimself"ColonelBaronPontmercy。"
Hehadonlyanoldbluecoat，andheneverwentoutwithoutfasteningtoithisrosetteasanofficeroftheLegionofHonor。
TheAttorneyfortheCrownhadhimwarnedthattheauthoritieswouldprosecutehimfor"illegal"wearingofthisdecoration。
Whenthisnoticewasconveyedtohimthroughanofficiousintermediary，Pontmercyretortedwithabittersmile:"IdonotknowwhetherI
nolongerunderstandFrench，orwhetheryounolongerspeakit；
butthefactisthatIdonotunderstand。"Thenhewentoutforeightsuccessivedayswithhisrosette。Theydarednotinterferewithhim。
TwoorthreetimestheMinisterofWarandthegeneralincommandofthedepartmentwrotetohimwiththefollowingaddress:
AMonsieurleCommandantPontmercy。"Hesentbacktheletterswiththesealsunbroken。Atthesamemoment，NapoleonatSaintHelenawastreatinginthesamefashionthemissivesofSirHudsonLoweaddressedtoGeneralBonaparte。Pontmercyhadended，maywebepardonedtheexpression，byhavinginhismouththesamesalivaashisEmperor。
Inthesameway，therewereatRomeCarthaginianprisonerswhorefusedtosaluteFlaminius，andwhohadalittleofHannibal’sspirit。
Onedayheencounteredthedistrict—attorneyinoneofthestreetsofVernon，steppeduptohim，andsaid:"Mr。CrownAttorney，amIpermittedtowearmyscar？"
Hehadnothingsavehismeagrehalf—payaschiefofsquadron。
HehadhiredthesmallesthousewhichhecouldfindatVernon。
Helivedtherealone，wehavejustseenhow。UndertheEmpire，betweentwowars，hehadfoundtimetomarryMademoiselleGillenormand。
Theoldbourgeois，thoroughlyindignantatbottom，hadgivenhisconsentwithasigh，saying:"Thegreatestfamiliesareforcedintoit。"
In1815，MadamePontmercy，anadmirablewomanineverysense，bytheway，loftyinsentimentandrare，andworthyofherhusband，died，leavingachild。Thischildhadbeenthecolonel’sjoyinhissolitude；butthegrandfatherhadimperativelyclaimedhisgrandson，declaringthatifthechildwerenotgiventohimhewoulddisinherithim。Thefatherhadyieldedinthelittleone’sinterest，andhadtransferredhislovetoflowers。
Moreover，hehadrenouncedeverything，andneitherstirredupmischiefnorconspired。Hesharedhisthoughtsbetweentheinnocentthingswhichhewasthendoingandthegreatthingswhichhehaddone。
HepassedhistimeinexpectingapinkorinrecallingAusterlitz。
M。Gillenormandkeptupnorelationswithhisson—in—law。Thecolonelwas"abandit"tohim。M。Gillenormandnevermentionedthecolonel，exceptwhenheoccasionallymademockingallusionsto"hisBaronship。"IthadbeenexpresslyagreedthatPontmercyshouldneverattempttoseehissonnortospeaktohim，underpenaltyofhavingthelatterhandedovertohimdisownedanddisinherited。
FortheGillenormands，Pontmercywasamanafflictedwiththeplague。
Theyintendedtobringupthechildintheirownway。Perhapsthecolonelwaswrongtoaccepttheseconditions，buthesubmittedtothem，thinkingthathewasdoingrightandsacrificingnoonebuthimself。
TheinheritanceofFatherGillenormanddidnotamounttomuch；buttheinheritanceofMademoiselleGillenormandtheelderwasconsiderable。
Thisaunt，whohadremainedunmarried，wasveryrichonthematernalside，andhersister’ssonwashernaturalheir。Theboy，whosenamewasMarius，knewthathehadafather，butnothingmore。
Nooneopenedhismouthtohimaboutit。Nevertheless，inthesocietyintowhichhisgrandfathertookhim，whispers，innuendoes，andwinks，hadeventuallyenlightenedthelittleboy’smind；hehadfinallyunderstoodsomethingofthecase，andashenaturallytookintheideasandopinionswhichwere，sotospeak，theairhebreathed，byasortofinfiltrationandslowpenetration，hegraduallycametothinkofhisfatheronlywithshameandwithapainathisheart。
Whilehewasgrowingupinthisfashion，thecolonelslippedawayeverytwoorthreemonths，cametoParisonthesly，likeacriminalbreakinghisban，andwentandpostedhimselfatSaint—Sulpice，atthehourwhenAuntGillenormandledMariustothemass。
There，tremblinglesttheauntshouldturnround，concealedbehindapillar，motionless，notdaringtobreathe，hegazedathischild。
Thescarredveteranwasafraidofthatoldspinster。
FromthishadarisenhisconnectionwiththecureofVernon，M。l’AbbeMabeuf。
ThatworthypriestwasthebrotherofawardenofSaint—Sulpice，whohadoftenobservedthismangazingathischild，andthescaronhischeek，andthelargetearsinhiseyes。Thatman，whohadsomanlyanair，yetwhowasweepinglikeawoman，hadstruckthewarden。
Thatfacehadclungtohismind。Oneday，havinggonetoVernontoseehisbrother，hehadencounteredColonelPontmercyonthebridge，andhadrecognizedthemanofSaint—Sulpice。Thewardenhadmentionedthecircumstancetothecure，andbothhadpaidthecolonelavisit，onsomepretextorother。Thisvisitledtoothers。Thecolonel，whohadbeenextremelyreservedatfirst，endedbyopeninghisheart，andthecureandthewardenfinallycametoknowthewholehistory，andhowPontmercywassacrificinghishappinesstohischild’sfuture。
Thiscausedthecuretoregardhimwithvenerationandtenderness，andthecolonel，onhisside，becamefondofthecure。Andmoreover，whenbotharesincereandgood，nomensopenetrateeachother，andsoamalgamatewitheachother，asanoldpriestandanoldsoldier。
Atbottom，themanisthesame。Theonehasdevotedhislifetohiscountryherebelow，theothertohiscountryonhigh；thatistheonlydifference。
Twiceayear，onthefirstofJanuaryandonSt。George’sday，Mariuswrotedutyletterstohisfather，whichweredictatedbyhisaunt，andwhichonewouldhavepronouncedtobecopiedfromsomeformula；
thiswasallthatM。Gillenormandtolerated；andthefatheransweredthemwithverytenderletterswhichthegrandfatherthrustintohispocketunread。
CHAPTERIII
REQUIESCANT
MadamedeT。’ssalonwasallthatMariusPontmercyknewoftheworld。
Itwastheonlyopeningthroughwhichhecouldgetaglimpseoflife。Thisopeningwassombre，andmorecoldthanwarmth，morenightthanday，cametohimthroughthisskylight。Thischild，whohadbeenalljoyandlightonenteringthisstrangeworld，soonbecamemelancholy，and，whatisstillmorecontrarytohisage，grave。Surroundedbyallthosesingularandimposingpersonages，hegazedabouthimwithseriousamazement。Everythingconspiredtoincreasethisastonishmentinhim。TherewereinMadamedeT。’ssalonsomeverynobleladiesnamedMathan，Noe，Levis，——whichwaspronouncedLevi，——Cambis，pronouncedCambyse。TheseantiquevisagesandtheseBiblicalnamesmingledinthechild’smindwiththeOldTestamentwhichhewaslearningbyheart，andwhentheywereallthere，seatedinacirclearoundadyingfire，sparelylightedbyalampshadedwithgreen，withtheirsevereprofiles，theirgrayorwhitehair，theirlonggownsofanotherage，whoselugubriouscolorscouldnotbedistinguished，dropping，atrareintervals，wordswhichwerebothmajesticandsevere，littleMariusstaredatthemwithfrightenedeyes，intheconvictionthathebeheldnotwomen，butpatriarchsandmagi，notrealbeings，butphantoms。
Withthesephantoms，priestsweresometimesmingled，frequentersofthisancientsalon，andsomegentlemen；theMarquisdeSass****，privatesecretarytoMadamedeBerry，theVicomtedeVal***，whopublished，underthepseudonymeofCharles—Antoine，monorhymedodes，thePrincedeBeauff*******，who，thoughveryyoung，hadagrayheadandaprettyandwittywife，whoseverylow—neckedtoilettesofscarletvelvetwithgoldtorsadesalarmedtheseshadows，theMarquisdeC*****d’E******，themaninallFrancewhobestunderstood"proportionedpoliteness，"
theComted’Am*****，thekindlymanwiththeamiablechin，andtheChevalierdePort—de—Guy，apillarofthelibraryoftheLouvre，calledtheKing’scabinet，M。dePort—de—Guy，bald，andratheragedthanold，waswonttorelatethatin1793，attheageofsixteen，hehadbeenputinthegalleysasrefractoryandchainedwithanoctogenarian，theBishopofMirepoix，alsorefractory，butasapriest，whilehewassointhecapacityofasoldier。ThiswasatToulon。
Theirbusinesswastogoatnightandgatheruponthescaffoldtheheadsandbodiesofthepersonswhohadbeenguillotinedduringtheday；theyboreawayontheirbacksthesedrippingcorpses，andtheirredgalley—slaveblouseshadaclotofbloodatthebackoftheneck，whichwasdryinthemorningandwetatnight。
ThesetragictalesaboundedinMadamedeT。’ssalon，andbydintofcursingMarat，theyapplaudedTrestaillon。Somedeputiesoftheundiscoverablevarietyplayedtheirwhistthere；M。ThibordduChalard，M。LemarchantdeGomicourt，andthecelebratedscofferoftheright，M。Cornet—Dincourt。ThebailiffdeFerrette，withhisshortbreechesandhisthinlegs，sometimestraversedthissalononhiswaytoM。deTalleyrand。HehadbeenM。leComted’Artois’
companioninpleasuresandunlikeAristotlecrouchingunderCampaspe，hehadmadetheGuimardcrawlonallfours，andinthatwayhehadexhibitedtotheagesaphilosopheravengedbyabailiff。
Asforthepriests，therewastheAbbeHalma，thesametowhomM。Larose，hiscollaboratoronlaFoudre，said:"Bah！Whoistherewhoisnotfiftyyearsold？afewgreenhornsperhaps？"
TheAbbeLetourneur，preachertotheKing，theAbbeFrayssinous，whowasnot，asyet，eithercount，orbishop，orminister，orpeer，andwhoworeanoldcassockwhosebuttonsweremissing，andtheAbbeKeravenant，CureofSaint—Germain—des—Pres；alsothePope’sNuncio，thenMonsignorMacchi，ArchbishopofNisibi，lateronCardinal，remarkableforhislong，pensivenose，andanotherMonsignor，entitledthus:AbbatePalmieri，domesticprelate，oneofthesevenparticipantprothonotariesoftheHolySee，CanonoftheillustriousLiberianbasilica，Advocateofthesaints，PostulatoredeiSanti，whichreferstomattersofcanonization，andsignifiesverynearly:
MasterofRequestsofthesectionofParadise。Lastly，twocardinals，M。delaLuzerne，andM。deCl******T*******。TheCardinalofLuzernewasawriterandwasdestinedtohave，afewyearslater，thehonorofsigningintheConservateurarticlessidebysidewithChateaubriand；
M。deCl******T*******wasArchbishopofToul****，andoftenmadetripstoParis，tohisnephew，theMarquisdeT*******，whowasMinisterofMarineandWar。TheCardinalofCl******T*******
wasamerrylittleman，whodisplayedhisredstockingsbeneathhistucked—upcassock；hisspecialtywasahatredoftheEncyclopaedia，andhisdesperateplayatbilliards，andpersonswho，atthatepoch，passedthroughtheRueM*****onsummerevenings，wherethehoteldeCl******T*******thenstood，haltedtolistentotheshockoftheballsandthepiercingvoiceoftheCardinalshoutingtohisconclavist，MonseigneurCotiret，BishopinpartibusofCaryste:
"Mark，Abbe，Imakeacannon。"TheCardinaldeCl******T*******
hadbeenbroughttoMadamedeT。’sbyhismostintimatefriend，M。deRoquelaure，formerBishopofSenlis，andoneoftheForty。
M。deRoquelaurewasnotableforhisloftyfigureandhisassiduityattheAcademy；throughtheglassdooroftheneighboringhallofthelibrarywheretheFrenchAcademythenhelditsmeetings，thecuriouscould，oneveryTuesday，contemplatetheEx—BishopofSenlis，usuallystandingerect，freshlypowdered，inviolethose，withhisbackturnedtothedoor，apparentlyforthepurposeofallowingabetterviewofhislittlecollar。Alltheseecclesiastics，thoughforthemostpartasmuchcourtiersaschurchmen，addedtothegravityoftheT。salon，whoseseigniorialaspectwasaccentuatedbyfivepeersofFrance，theMarquisdeVib****，theMarquisdeTal***，theMarquisdeHerb*******，theVicomteDamb***，andtheDucdeVal********。ThisDucdeVal********，althoughPrincedeMon***，thatistosayareigningprinceabroad，hadsohighanideaofFranceanditspeerage，thatheviewedeverythingthroughtheirmedium。
Itwashewhosaid:"TheCardinalsarethepeersofFranceofRome；
thelordsarethepeersofFranceofEngland。"Moreover，asitisindispensablethattheRevolutionshouldbeeverywhereinthiscentury，thisfeudalsalonwas，aswehavesaid，dominatedbyabourgeois。
M。Gillenormandreignedthere。
TherelaytheessenceandquintessenceoftheParisianwhitesociety。
Therereputations，evenRoyalistreputations，wereheldinquarantine。
Thereisalwaysatraceofanarchyinrenown。Chateaubriand，hadheenteredthere，wouldhaveproducedtheeffectofPereDuchene。Someofthescoffed—atdid，nevertheless，penetratethitheronsufferance。
ComteBeug***wasreceivedthere，subjecttocorrection。
The"noble"salonsofthepresentdaynolongerresemblethosesalons。
TheFaubourgSaint—Germainreeksofthefagotevennow。TheRoyalistsofto—dayaredemagogues，letusrecordittotheircredit。
AtMadamedeT。’sthesocietywassuperior，tastewasexquisiteandhaughty，underthecoverofagreatshowofpoliteness。
Mannersthereadmittedofallsortsofinvoluntaryrefinementswhichweretheoldregimeitself，buriedbutstillalive。Someofthesehabits，especiallyinthematteroflanguage，seemeccentric。
Personsbutsuperficiallyacquaintedwiththemwouldhavetakenforprovincialthatwhichwasonlyantique。AwomanwascalledMadamelaGenerale。MadamelaColonellewasnotentirelydisused。
ThecharmingMadamedeLeon，inmemory，nodoubt，oftheDuchessesdeLonguevilleanddeChevreuse，preferredthisappellationtohertitleofPrincesse。TheMarquisedeCrequywasalsocalledMadamelaColonelle。
ItwasthislittlehighsocietywhichinventedattheTuileriestherefinementofspeakingtotheKinginprivateastheKing，inthethirdperson，andneverasYourMajesty，thedesignationofYourMajestyhavingbeen"soiledbytheusurper。"
Menanddeedswerebroughttojudgmentthere。Theyjeeredattheage，whichreleasedthemfromthenecessityofunderstandingit。
Theyabettedeachotherinamazement。Theycommunicatedtoeachotherthatmodicumoflightwhichtheypossessed。
MethuselahbestowedinformationonEpimenides。Thedeafmanmadetheblindmanacquaintedwiththecourseofthings。TheydeclaredthatthetimewhichhadelaspedsinceCoblentzhadnotexisted。
InthesamemannerthatLouisXVIII。wasbythegraceofGod，inthefiveandtwentiethyearofhisreign，theemigrantswere，byrights，inthefiveandtwentiethyearoftheiradolescence。
Allwasharmonious；nothingwastoomuchalive；speechhardlyamountedtoabreath；thenewspapers，agreeingwiththesalons，seemedapapyrus。Thereweresomeyoungpeople，buttheywereratherdead。Theliveriesintheantechamberwereantiquated。
Theseutterlyobsoletepersonageswereservedbydomesticsofthesamestamp。
Theyallhadtheairofhavinglivedalongtimeago，andofobstinatelyresistingthesepulchre。NearlythewholedictionaryconsistedofConserver，Conservation，Conservateur；tobeingoododor，——
thatwasthepoint。Thereare，infact，aromaticsintheopinionsofthesevenerablegroups，andtheirideassmelledofit。
Itwasamummifiedsociety。Themasterswereembalmed，theservantswerestuffedwithstraw。
Aworthyoldmarquise，anemigreeandruined，whohadbutasolitarymaid，continuedtosay:"Mypeople。"
WhatdidtheydoinMadamedeT。’ssalon？Theywereultra。
Tobeultra；thisword，althoughwhatitrepresentsmaynothavedisappeared，hasnolongeranymeaningatthepresentday。
Letusexplainit。
Tobeultraistogobeyond。Itistoattackthesceptreinthenameofthethrone，andthemitreinthenameoftheattar；itistoill—treatthethingwhichoneisdragging，itistokickoverthetraces；
itistocavilatthefagotonthescoreoftheamountofcookingreceivedbyheretics；itistoreproachtheidolwithitssmallamountofidolatry；itistoinsultthroughexcessofrespect；
itistodiscoverthatthePopeisnotsufficientlypapish，thattheKingisnotsufficientlyroyal，andthatthenighthastoomuchlight；itistobediscontentedwithalabaster，withsnow，withtheswanandthelilyinthenameofwhiteness；
itistobeapartisanofthingstothepointofbecomingtheirenemy；
itistobesostronglyfor，astobeagainst。
TheultraspiritespeciallycharacterizesthefirstphaseoftheRestoration。
Nothinginhistoryresemblesthatquarterofanhourwhichbeginsin1814
andterminatesabout1820，withtheadventofM。deVillele，thepracticalmanoftheRight。Thesesixyearswereanextraordinarymoment；
atoneandthesametimebrilliantandgloomy，smilingandsombre，illuminatedasbytheradianceofdawnandentirelycovered，atthesametime，withtheshadowsofthegreatcatastropheswhichstillfilledthehorizonandwereslowlysinkingintothepast。Thereexistedinthatlightandthatshadow，acompletelittlenewandoldworld，comicandsad，juvenileandsenile，whichwasrubbingitseyes；
nothingresemblesanawakeninglikeareturn；agroupwhichregardedFrancewithill—temper，andwhichFranceregardedwithirony；
goodoldowlsofmarquisesbythestreetful，whohadreturned，andofghosts，the"former"subjectsofamazementateverything，braveandnoblegentlemenwhosmiledatbeinginFrancebutweptalso，delightedtobeholdtheircountryoncemore，indespairatnotfindingtheirmonarchy；thenobilityoftheCrusadestreatingthenobilityoftheEmpire，thatistosay，thenobilityofthesword，withscorn；
historicraceswhohadlostthesenseofhistory；thesonsofthecompanionsofCharlemagnedisdainingthecompanionsofNapoleon。
Theswords，aswehavejustremarked，returnedtheinsult；theswordofFontenoywaslaughableandnothingbutascrapofrustyiron；
theswordofMarengowasodiousandwasonlyasabre。FormerdaysdidnotrecognizeYesterday。Peoplenolongerhadthefeelingforwhatwasgrand。TherewassomeonewhocalledBonaparteScapin。
ThisSocietynolongerexists。Nothingofit，werepeat，existsto—day。Whenweselectfromitsomeonefigureatrandom，andattempttomakeitliveagaininthought，itseemsasstrangetousastheworldbeforetheDeluge。Itisbecauseit，too，asamatteroffact，hasbeenengulfedinadeluge。IthasdisappearedbeneathtwoRevolutions。Whatbillowsareideas！Howquicklytheycoverallthatitistheirmissiontodestroyandtobury，andhowpromptlytheycreatefrightfulgulfs！
SuchwasthephysiognomyofthesalonsofthosedistantandcandidtimeswhenM。MartainvillehadmorewitthanVoltaire。
Thesesalonshadaliteratureandpoliticsoftheirown。
TheybelievedinFievee。M。Agierlaiddownthelawinthem。
TheycommentatedM。Colnet，theoldbooksellerandpublicistoftheQuayMalaquais。NapoleonwastothemthoroughlytheCorsicanOgre。
LaterontheintroductionintohistoryofM。leMarquisdeBonaparte，Lieutenant—GeneraloftheKing’sarmies，wasaconcessiontothespiritoftheage。
Thesesalonsdidnotlongpreservetheirpurity。Beginningwith1818，doctrinariansbegantospringupinthem，adisturbingshade。
TheirwaywastobeRoyalistsandtoexcusethemselvesforbeingso。
Wheretheultraswereveryproud，thedoctrinarianswereratherashamed。
Theyhadwit；theyhadsilence；theirpoliticaldogmawassuitablyimpregnatedwitharrogance；theyshouldhavesucceeded。
Theyindulged，andusefullytoo，inexcessesinthematterofwhitenecktiesandtightlybuttonedcoats。Themistakeorthemisfortuneofthedoctrinarianpartywastocreateagedyouth。Theyassumedtheposesofwisemen。Theydreamedofengraftingatemperatepowerontheabsoluteandexcessiveprinciple。Theyopposed，andsometimeswithrareintelligence，conservativeliberalismtotheliberalismwhichdemolishes。Theywereheardtosay:
"ThanksforRoyalism！Ithasrenderedmorethanoneservice。Ithasbroughtbacktradition，worship，religion，respect。Itisfaithful，brave，chivalric，loving，devoted。Ithasmingled，thoughwithregret，theseculargrandeursofthemonarchywiththenewgrandeursofthenation。ItsmistakeisnottounderstandtheRevolution，theEmpire，glory，liberty，youngideas，younggenerations，theage。Butthismistakewhichitmakeswithregardtous，——
havewenotsometimesbeenguiltyofittowardsthem？TheRevolution，whoseheirsweare，oughttobeintelligentonallpoints。
ToattackRoyalismisamisconstructionofliberalism。Whatanerror！
Andwhatblindness！RevolutionaryFranceiswantinginrespecttowardshistoricFrance，thatistosay，towardsitsmother，thatistosay，towardsitself。Afterthe5thofSeptember，thenobilityofthemonarchyistreatedasthenobilityoftheEmpirewastreatedafterthe5thofJuly。Theywereunjusttotheeagle，weareunjusttothefleur—de—lys。Itseemsthatwemustalwayshavesomethingtoproscribe！DoesitserveanypurposetoungildthecrownofLouisXIV。，toscrapethecoatofarmsofHenryIV。？WescoffatM。deVaublancforerasingtheN’sfromthebridgeofJena！
Whatwasitthathedid？Whatarewedoing？BouvinesbelongstousaswellasMarengo。Thefleurs—de—lysareoursaswellastheN’s。
Thatisourpatrimony。Towhatpurposeshallwediminishit？
Wemustnotdenyourcountryinthepastanymorethaninthepresent。
Whynotacceptthewholeofhistory？WhynotlovethewholeofFrance？
ItisthusthatdoctrinarianscriticisedandprotectedRoyalism，whichwasdispleasedatcriticismandfuriousatprotection。
TheultrasmarkedthefirstepochofRoyalism，congregationcharacterizedthesecond。
Skillfollowsardor。Letusconfineourselvesheretothissketch。
Inthecourseofthisnarrative，theauthorofthisbookhasencounteredinhispaththiscuriousmomentofcontemporaryhistory；
hehasbeenforcedtocastapassingglanceuponit，andtotraceoncemoresomeofthesingularfeaturesofthissocietywhichisunknownto—day。Buthedoesitrapidlyandwithoutanybitterorderisiveidea。Souvenirsbothrespectfulandaffectionate，fortheytouchhismother，attachhimtothispast。Moreover，letusremark，thissamepettyworldhadagrandeurofitsown。
Onemaysmileatit，butonecanneitherdespisenorhateit。
ItwastheFranceofformerdays。
MariusPontmercypursuedsomestudies，asallchildrendo。WhenheemergedfromthehandsofAuntGillenormand，hisgrandfatherconfidedhimtoaworthyprofessorofthemostpurelyclassicinnocence。
Thisyoungsoulwhichwasexpandingpassedfromaprudetoavulgarpedant。
Mariuswentthroughhisyearsofcollege，thenheenteredthelawschool。HewasaRoyalist，fanaticalandsevere。Hedidnotlovehisgrandfathermuch，asthelatter’sgayetyandcynicismrepelledhim，andhisfeelingstowardshisfatherweregloomy。
Hewas，onthewhole，acoldandardent，noble，generous，proud，religious，enthusiasticlad；dignifiedtoharshness，puretoshyness。
CHAPTERIV
ENDOFTHEBRIGAND
TheconclusionofMarius’classicalstudiescoincidedwithM。Gillenormand’sdeparturefromsociety。TheoldmanbadefarewelltotheFaubourgSaint—GermainandtoMadamedeT。’ssalon，andestablishedhimselfintheMardis，inhishouseoftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。Therehehadforservants，inadditiontotheporter，thatchambermaid，Nicolette，whohadsucceededtoMagnon，andthatshort—breathedandpursyBasque，whohavebeenmentionedabove。
In1827，Mariushadjustattainedhisseventeenthyear。Oneevening，onhisreturnhome，hesawhisgrandfatherholdingaletterinhishand。
"Marius，"saidM。Gillenormand，"youwillsetoutforVernonto—morrow。"
"Why？"saidMarius。
"Toseeyourfather。"
Mariuswasseizedwithatremblingfit。Hehadthoughtofeverythingexceptthis——thatheshouldonedaybecalledupontoseehisfather。
Nothingcouldbemoreunexpected，moresurprising，and，letusadmitit，moredisagreeabletohim。Itwasforcingestrangementintoreconciliation。Itwasnotanaffliction，butitwasanunpleasantduty。
Marius，inadditiontohismotivesofpoliticalantipathy，wasconvincedthathisfather，theslasher，asM。Gillenormandcalledhimonhisamiabledays，didnotlovehim；thiswasevident，sincehehadabandonedhimtoothers。Feelingthathewasnotbeloved，hedidnotlove。"Nothingismoresimple，"hesaidtohimself。
HewassoastoundedthathedidnotquestionM。Gillenormand。
Thegrandfatherresumed:——
"Itappearsthatheisill。Hedemandsyourpresence。"
Andafterapause，headded:——
"Setoutto—morrowmorning。IthinkthereisacoachwhichleavestheCourdesFontainesatsixo’clock，andwhicharrivesintheevening。
Takeit。Hesaysthathereishaste。"
Thenhecrushedtheletterinhishandandthrustitintohispocket。
Mariusmighthavesetoutthatveryeveningandhavebeenwithhisfatheronthefollowingmorning。AdiligencefromtheRueduBouloitookthetriptoRouenbynightatthatdate，andpassedthroughVernon。NeitherMariusnorM。Gillenormandthoughtofmakinginquiriesaboutit。
Thenextday，attwilight，MariusreachedVernon。Peoplewerejustbeginningtolighttheircandles。Heaskedthefirstpersonwhombemetfor"M。Pontmercy’shouse。"Forinhisownmind，heagreedwiththeRestoration，andlikeit，didnotrecognizehisfather’sclaimtothetitleofeithercolonelorbaron。
Thehousewaspointedouttohim。Herang；awomanwithalittlelampinherhandopenedthedoor。
"M。Pontmercy？"saidMarius。
Thewomanremainedmotionless。
"Isthishishouse？"demandedMarius。
Thewomannoddedaffirmatively。
"CanIspeakwithhim？"
Thewomanshookherhead。
"ButIamhisson！"persistedMarius。"Heisexpectingme。"
"Henolongerexpectsyou，"saidthewoman。
Thenheperceivedthatshewasweeping。
Shepointedtothedoorofaroomontheground—floor；heentered。
Inthatroom，whichwaslightedbyatallowcandlestandingonthechimney—piece，therewerethreemen，onestandingerect，anotherkneeling，andonelyingatfulllength，onthefloorinhisshirt。Theoneonthefloorwasthecolonel。
Theothertwowerethedoctor，andthepriest，whowasengagedinprayer。
Thecolonelhadbeenattackedbybrainfeverthreedayspreviously。
Ashehadaforebodingofevilattheverybeginningofhisillness，hehadwrittentoM。Gillenormandtodemandhisson。Themaladyhadgrownworse。OntheveryeveningofMarius’arrivalatVernon，thecolonelhadhadanattackofdelirium；hehadrisenfromhisbed，inspiteoftheservant’seffortstopreventhim，crying:"Mysonisnotcoming！Ishallgotomeethim！"Thenheranoutofhisroomandfellprostrateontheflooroftheantechamber。Hehadjustexpired。
Thedoctorhadbeensummoned，andthecure。Thedoctorhadarrivedtoolate。Thesonhadalsoarrivedtoolate。
Bythedimlightofthecandle，alargetearcouldbedistinguishedonthepaleandprostratecolonel’scheek，whereithadtrickledfromhisdeadeye。Theeyewasextinguished，butthetearwasnotyetdry。Thattearwashisson’sdelay。
Mariusgazeduponthatmanwhomhebeheldforthefirsttime，onthatvenerableandmanlyface，onthoseopeneyeswhichsawnot，onthosewhitelocks，thoserobustlimbs，onwhich，hereandthere，brownlines，markingsword—thrusts，andasortofredstars，whichindicatedbullet—holes，werevisible。HecontemplatedthatgiganticsearwhichstampedheroismonthatcountenanceuponwhichGodhadimprintedgoodness。Hereflectedthatthismanwashisfather，andthatthismanwasdead，andachillranoverhim。
Thesorrowwhichhefeltwasthesorrowwhichhewouldhavefeltinthepresenceofanyothermanwhomhehadchancedtobeholdstretchedoutindeath。
Anguish，poignantanguish，wasinthatchamber。Theservant—womanwaslamentinginacorner，thecurewaspraying，andhissobswereaudible，thedoctorwaswipinghiseyes；thecorpseitselfwasweeping。
Thedoctor，thepriest，andthewomangazedatMariusinthemidstoftheirafflictionwithoututteringaword；hewasthestrangerthere。Marius，whowasfartoolittleaffected，feltashamedandembarrassedathisownattitude；heheldhishatinhishand；
andhedroppeditonthefloor，inordertoproducetheimpressionthatgriefhaddeprivedhimofthestrengthtoholdit。
Atthesametime，heexperiencedremorse，andhedespisedhimselfforbehavinginthismanner。Butwasithisfault？Hedidnotlovehisfather？Whyshouldhe！
Thecolonelhadleftnothing。Thesaleofbigfurniturebarelypaidtheexpensesofhisburial。
Theservantfoundascrapofpaper，whichshehandedtoMarius。
Itcontainedthefollowing，inthecolonel’shandwriting:——
"Formyson。——TheEmperormademeaBarononthebattle—fieldofWaterloo。SincetheRestorationdisputesmyrighttothistitlewhichIpurchasedwithmyblood，mysonshalltakeitandbearit。
Thathewillbeworthyofitisamatterofcourse。"Below，thecolonelhadadded:"AtthatsamebattleofWaterloo，asergeantsavedmylife。
Theman’snamewasThenardier。Ithinkthathehasrecentlybeenkeepingalittleinn，inavillageintheneighborhoodofParis，atChellesorMontfermeil。Ifmysonmeetshim，hewilldoallthegoodhecantoThenardier。"
Mariustookthispaperandpreservedit，notoutofdutytohisfather，butbecauseofthatvaguerespectfordeathwhichisalwaysimperiousintheheartofman。
Nothingremainedofthecolonel。M。Gillenormandhadhisswordanduniformsoldtoanold—clothesdealer。Theneighborsdevastatedthegardenandpillagedtherareflowers。Theotherplantsturnedtonettlesandweeds，anddied。
Mariusremainedonlyforty—eighthoursatVernon。AftertheintermenthereturnedtoParis，andappliedhimselfagaintohislawstudies，withnomorethoughtofhisfatherthanifthelatterhadneverlived。
Intwodaysthecolonelwasburied，andinthreeforgotten。
Mariusworecrapeonhishat。Thatwasall。
CHAPTERV
THEUTILITYOFGOINGTOMASS，INORDERTOBECOMEAREVOLUTIONIST
Mariushadpreservedthereligioushabitsofhischildhood。
OneSunday，whenhewenttohearmassatSaint—Sulpice，atthatsamechapeloftheVirginwhitherhisaunthadledhimwhenasmalllad，heplacedhimselfbehindapillar，beingmoreabsent—mindedandthoughtfulthanusualonthatoccasion，andkneltdown，withoutpayinganyspecialheed，uponachairofUtrechtvelvet，onthebackofwhichwasinscribedthisname:MonsieurMabeuf，warden。MasshadhardlybegunwhenanoldmanpresentedhimselfandsaidtoMarius:——
"Thisismyplace，sir。"
Mariussteppedasidepromptly，andtheoldmantookpossessionofhischair。
Themassconcluded，Mariusstillstoodthoughtfullyafewpacesdistant；
theoldmanapproachedhimagainandsaid:——
"Ibegyourpardon，sir，forhavingdisturbedyouawhileago，andforagaindisturbingyouatthismoment；youmusthavethoughtmeintrusive，andIwillexplainmyself。"
"Thereisnoneedofthat，Sir，"saidMarius。
"Yes！"wentontheoldman，"Idonotwishyoutohaveabadopinionofme。Yousee，Iamattachedtothisplace。Itseemstomethatthemassisbetterfromhere。Why？Iwilltellyou。
Itisfromthisplace，thatIhavewatchedapoor，bravefathercomeregularly，everytwoorthreemonths，forthelasttenyears，sincehehadnootheropportunityandnootherwayofseeinghischild，becausehewaspreventedbyfamilyarrangements。
Hecameatthehourwhenheknewthathissonwouldbebroughttomass。Thelittleoneneversuspectedthathisfatherwasthere。
Perhapshedidnotevenknowthathehadafather，poorinnocent！
Thefatherkeptbehindapillar，sothathemightnotbeseen。
Hegazedathischildandhewept。Headoredthatlittlefellow，poorman！Icouldseethat。Thisspothasbecomesanctifiedinmysight，andIhavecontractedahabitofcominghithertolistentothemass。IpreferittothestalltowhichIhavearight，inmycapacityofwarden。Iknewthatunhappygentlemanalittle，too。
Hehadafather—in—law，awealthyaunt，relatives，Idon’tknowexactlywhatall，whothreatenedtodisinheritthechildifhe，thefather，sawhim。Hesacrificedhimselfinorderthathissonmightberichandhappysomeday。Hewasseparatedfromhimbecauseofpoliticalopinions。Certainly，Iapproveofpoliticalopinions，buttherearepeoplewhodonotknowwheretostop。
MonDieu！amanisnotamonsterbecausehewasatWaterloo；
afatherisnotseparatedfromhischildforsuchareasonasthat。
HewasoneofBonaparte’scolonels。Heisdead，Ibelieve。HelivedatVernon，whereIhaveabrotherwhoisacure，andhisnamewassomethinglikePontmarieorMontpercy。Hehadafinesword—cut，onmyhonor。"
"Pontmercy，"suggestedMarius，turningpale。
"Precisely，Pontmercy。Didyouknowhim？"
"Sir，"saidMarius，"hewasmyfather。"
Theoldwardenclaspedhishandsandexclaimed:——
"Ah！youarethechild！Yes，that’strue，hemustbeamanbythistime。Well！poorchild，youmaysaythatyouhadafatherwholovedyoudearly！"
Mariusofferedhisarmtotheoldmanandconductedhimtohislodgings。
Onthefollowingday，hesaidtoM。Gillenormand:——
"Ihavearrangedahunting—partywithsomefriends。Willyoupermitmetobeabsentforthreedays？"
"Four！"repliedhisgrandfather。"Goandamuseyourself。"
Andhesaidtohisdaughterinalowtone，andwithawink，"Someloveaffair！"
CHAPTERVI
THECONSEQUENCESOFHAVINGMETAWARDEN
WhereitwasthatMariuswentwillbedisclosedalittlefurtheron。
Mariuswasabsentforthreedays，thenhereturnedtoParis，wentstraighttothelibraryofthelaw—schoolandaskedforthefilesoftheMoniteur。
HereadtheMoniteur，hereadallthehistoriesoftheRepublicandtheEmpire，theMemorialdeSainte—Helene，allthememoirs，allthenewspapers，thebulletins，theproclamations；hedevouredeverything。Thefirsttimethathecameacrosshisfather’snameinthebulletinsofthegrandarmy，hehadafeverforaweek。
HewenttoseethegeneralsunderwhomGeorgesPontmercyhadserved，amongothers，ComteH。Church—wardenMabeuf，whomhewenttoseeagain，toldhimaboutthelifeatVernon，thecolonel’sretreat，hisflowers，hissolitude。Mariuscametoafullknowledgeofthatrare，sweet，andsublimeman，thatspeciesoflion—lambwhohadbeenhisfather。
Inthemeanwhile，occupiedashewaswiththisstudywhichabsorbedallhismomentsaswellashisthoughts，hehardlysawtheGillenormandsatall。Hemadehisappearanceatmeals；thentheysearchedforhim，andhewasnottobefound。FatherGillenormandsmiled。"Bah！bah！
Heisjustoftheageforthegirls！"Sometimestheoldmanadded:
"Thedeuce！Ithoughtitwasonlyanaffairofgallantry，Itseemsthatitisanaffairofpassion！"
Itwasapassion，infact。Mariuswasonthehighroadtoadoringhisfather。
Atthesametime，hisideasunderwentanextraordinarychange。
Thephasesofthischangewerenumerousandsuccessive。Asthisisthehistoryofmanymindsofourday，wethinkitwillproveusefultofollowthesephasesstepbystepandtoindicatethemall。
Thathistoryuponwhichhehadjustcasthiseyesappalledhim。
Thefirsteffectwastodazzlehim。
Uptothattime，theRepublic，theEmpire，hadbeentohimonlymonstrouswords。TheRepublic，aguillotineinthetwilight；
theEmpire，aswordinthenight。Hehadjusttakenalookatit，andwherehehadexpectedtofindonlyachaosofshadows，hehadbeheld，withasortofunprecedentedsurprise，mingledwithfearandjoy，starssparkling，Mirabeau，Vergniaud，Saint—Just，Robespierre，Camille，Desmoulins，Danton，andasunarise，Napoleon。Hedidnotknowwherehestood。Herecoiled，blindedbythebrilliantlights。
Littlebylittle，whenhisastonishmenthadpassedoff，hegrewaccustomedtothisradiance，hecontemplatedthesedeedswithoutdizziness，heexaminedthesepersonageswithoutterror；
theRevolutionandtheEmpirepresentedthemselvesluminously，inperspective，beforehismind’seye；hebeheldeachofthesegroupsofeventsandofmensummedupintwotremendousfacts:
theRepublicinthesovereigntyofcivilrightrestoredtothemasses，theEmpireinthesovereigntyoftheFrenchideaimposedonEurope；
hebeheldthegrandfigureofthepeopleemergefromtheRevolution，andthegrandfigureofFrancespringforthfromtheEmpire。
Heassertedinhisconscience，thatallthishadbeengood。
Whathisdazzledstateneglectedinthis，hisfirstfartoosyntheticestimation，wedonotthinkitnecessarytopointouthere。
Itisthestateofamindonthemarchthatwearerecording。
Progressisnotaccomplishedinonestage。Thatstated，onceforall，inconnectionwithwhatprecedesaswellaswithwhatistofollow，wecontinue。
Hethenperceivedthat，uptothatmoment，hehadcomprehendedhiscountrynomorethanhehadcomprehendedhisfather。Hehadnotknowneithertheoneortheother，andasortofvoluntarynighthadobscuredhiseyes。Nowhesaw，andontheonehandheadmired，whileontheotherheadored。
Hewasfilledwithregretandremorse，andhereflectedindespairthatallhehadinhissoulcouldnowbesaidonlytothetomb。
Oh！ifhisfatherhadstillbeeninexistence，ifhehadstillhadhim，ifGod，inhiscompassionandhisgoodness，hadpermittedhisfathertobestillamongtheliving，howhewouldhaverun，howhewouldhaveprecipitatedhimself，howhewouldhavecriedtohisfather:"Father！HereIam！ItisI！Ihavethesameheartasthou！Iamthyson！"Howhewouldhaveembracedthatwhitehead，bathedhishairintears，gazeduponhisscar，pressedhishands，adoredhisgarment，kissedhisfeet！Oh！Whyhadhisfatherdiedsoearly，beforehistime，beforethejustice，theloveofhissonhadcometohim？Mariushadacontinualsobinhisheart，whichsaidtohimeverymoment:"Alas！"Atthesametime，hebecamemoretrulyserious，moretrulygrave，moresureofhisthoughtandhisfaith。Ateachinstant，gleamsofthetruecametocompletehisreason。Aninwardgrowthseemedtobeinprogresswithinhim。Hewasconsciousofasortofnaturalenlargement，whichgavehimtwothingsthatwerenewtohim——hisfatherandhiscountry。
Aseverythingopenswhenonehasakey，soheexplainedtohimselfthatwhichhehadhated，hepenetratedthatwhichhehadabhorred；
henceforthheplainlyperceivedtheprovidential，divineandhumansenseofthegreatthingswhichhehadbeentaughttodetest，andofthegreatmenwhomhehadbeeninstructedtocurse。Whenhereflectedonhisformeropinions，whichwerebutthoseofyesterday，andwhich，nevertheless，seemedtohimalreadysoveryancient，hegrewindignant，yethesmiled。
Fromtherehabilitationofhisfather，henaturallypassedtotherehabilitationofNapoleon。
Butthelatter，wewillconfess，wasnoteffectedwithoutlabor。
Fromhisinfancy，hehadbeenimbuedwiththejudgmentsofthepartyof1814，onBonaparte。Now，alltheprejudicesoftheRestoration，allitsinterests，allitsinstinctstendedtodisfigureNapoleon。
ItexecratedhimevenmorethanitdidRobespierre。Ithadverycleverlyturnedtosufficientlygoodaccountthefatigueofthenation，andthehatredofmothers。Bonapartehadbecomeanalmostfabulousmonster，andinordertopainthimtotheimaginationofthepeople，which，aswelatelypointedout，resemblestheimaginationofchildren，thepartyof1814madehimappearunderallsortsofterrifyingmasksinsuccession，fromthatwhichisterriblethoughitremainsgrandiosetothatwhichisterribleandbecomesgrotesque，fromTiberiustothebugaboo。Thus，inspeakingofBonaparte，onewasfreetosobortopuffupwithlaughter，providedthathatredlayatthebottom。Mariushadneverentertained——
aboutthatman，ashewascalled——anyotherideasinhismind。
Theyhadcombinedwiththetenacitywhichexistedinhisnature。
TherewasinhimaheadstronglittlemanwhohatedNapoleon。
Onreadinghistory，onstudyinghim，especiallyinthedocumentsandmaterialsforhistory，theveilwhichconcealedNapoleonfromtheeyesofMariuswasgraduallyrent。Hecaughtaglimpseofsomethingimmense，andhesuspectedthathehadbeendeceiveduptothatmoment，onthescoreofBonaparteasaboutalltherest；
eachdayhesawmoredistinctly；andhesetaboutmounting，slowly，stepbystep，almostregretfullyinthebeginning，thenwithintoxicationandasthoughattractedbyanirresistiblefascination，firstthesombresteps，thenthevaguelyilluminatedsteps，atlasttheluminousandsplendidstepsofenthusiasm。
Onenight，hewasaloneinhislittlechamberneartheroof。
Hiscandlewasburning；hewasreading，withhiselbowsrestingonhistableclosetotheopenwindow。Allsortsofreveriesreachedhimfromspace，andmingledwithhisthoughts。Whataspectacleisthenight！Onehearsdullsounds，withoutknowingwhencetheyproceed；
onebeholdsJupiter，whichistwelvehundredtimeslargerthantheearth，glowinglikeafirebrand，theazureisblack，thestarsshine；
itisformidable。
Hewasperusingthebulletinsofthegrandarmy，thoseheroicstrophespennedonthefieldofbattle；there，atintervals，hebeheldhisfather’sname，alwaysthenameoftheEmperor；
thewholeofthatgreatEmpirepresenteditselftohim；hefeltafloodswellingandrisingwithinhim；itseemedtohimatmomentsthathisfatherpassedclosetohimlikeabreath，andwhisperedinhisear；hegraduallygotintoasingularstate；hethoughtthathehearddrums，cannon，trumpets，themeasuredtreadofbattalions，thedullanddistantgallopofthecavalry；fromtimetotime，hiseyeswereraisedheavenward，andgazeduponthecolossalconstellationsastheygleamedinthemeasurelessdepthsofspace，thentheyfelluponhisbookoncemore，andtheretheybeheldothercolossalthingsmovingconfusedly。Hisheartcontractedwithinhim。
Hewasinatransport，trembling，panting。Allatonce，withouthimselfknowingwhatwasinhim，andwhatimpulsehewasobeying，hesprangtohisfeet，stretchedbotharmsoutofthewindow，gazedintentlyintothegloom，thesilence，theinfinitedarkness，theeternalimmensity，andexclaimed:"LonglivetheEmperor！"
Fromthatmomentforth，allwasover；theOgreofCorsica，——