Marie—Jeanne—BrigitteThuillier，fouryearsolderthanherbrother，hadbeenutterlysacrificedtohim；itwaseasiertogiveacareertoonethana"dot"totheother。Misfortunetosomenaturesisapharos，whichilluminestotheireyesthedarklowcornersofsocialexistence。Superiortoherbrotherbothinmindandenergy，Brigittehadoneofthosenatureswhich，underthehammerofpersecution，gatherthemselvestogether，becomecompactandpowerfullyresistant，nottosayinflexible。Jealousofherindependence，shekeptalooffromthelifeofthehousehold；choosingtomakeherselfthesolearbiterofherownfate。Atfourteenyearsofage，shewenttolivealoneinagarret，notfarfromtheministryoffinance，whichwasthenintherueVivienne，andalsonotfarfromtheBankofFrance，then，andnow，intheruedelaVrilliere。Thereshebravelygaveherselfuptoaformofindustrylittleknownandtheperquisiteofafewpersons，whichsheobtained，thankstothepatronsofherfather。
ItconsistedinmakingbagstoholdcoinfortheBank，theTreasury，andthegreatfinancialhouses。Attheendofthreeyearssheemployedtwoworkwomen。ByinvestinghersavingsontheGrand—Livre，shefoundherself，in1814，themistressofthreethousandsixhundredfrancsayear，earnedinfifteenyears。Asshespentlittle，anddinedwithherfatheraslongashelived，and，asgovernmentsecuritieswereverylowduringthelastconvulsionsoftheEmpire，thisresult，whichseemsatfirstsightexaggerated，explainsitself。
Onthedeathoftheirfather，BrigitteandJerome，theformerbeingtwenty—seven，thelattertwenty—three，unitedtheirexistence。Brotherandsisterwereboundtogetherbyanextremeaffection。IfJerome，thenattheheightofhissuccess，waspinchedformoney，hissister，clothedinserge，andherfingersroughenedbythecoarsethreadwithwhichshesewedherbags，wouldgivehimafewlouis。InBrigitte’seyesJeromewasthehandsomestandmostcharmingmaninthewholeFrenchEmpire。Tokeephouseforthischerishedbrother，tobeinitiatedintothesecretsofLindorandDonJuan，tobehishandmaiden，hisspaniel，wasBrigitte’sdream。Sheimmolatedherselflovinglytoanidolwhoseselfishness，alwaysgreat，wasenormouslyincreasedbyherself—sacrifice。Shesoldherbusinesstoherfore—
womanforfifteenthousandfrancsandcametolivewithThuillierintherued’Argenteuil，whereshemadeherselfthemother，protectress，andservantofthisspoiledchildofwomen。Brigitte，withthenaturalcautionofagirlwhoowedeverythingtoherowndiscretionandherownlabor，concealedtheamountofhersavingsfromJerome，——fearing，nodoubt，theextravaganceofamanofgallantry。Shemerelypaidaquotaofsixhundredfrancsayeartotheexpensesofthehousehold，andthis，withherbrother’seighteenhundred，enabledhertomakebothendsmeetattheendoftheyear。
Fromthefirstdaysoftheircomingtogether，Thuillierlistenedtohissisterastoanoracle；heconsultedherinhistriflingaffairs，keptnoneofhissecretsfromher，andthusmadehertastethefruitofdespotismwhichwas，intruth，theonelittlesinofhernature。
Butthesisterhadsacrificedeverythingtothebrother；shehadstakedheralluponhisheart；shelivedbyhimonly。Brigitte’sascendancyoverJeromewassingularlyprovedbythemarriagewhichsheprocuredforhimabouttheyear1814。
Seeingthetendencytoenforcedreductionwhichthenew—comerstopowerundertheRestorationwerebeginningtobringaboutinthegovernmentoffices，andparticularlysincethereturnoftheoldsocietywhichsoughttorideoverthebourgeoisie，Brigitteunderstood，farbetterthanherbrothercouldexplainittoher，thesocialcrisiswhichpresentlyextinguishedtheircommonhopes。NomoresuccessesforthathandsomeThuillierinthesalonsofthenobleswhonowsucceededtheplebeiansoftheEmpire！
Thuillierwasnotenoughofapersontotakeupapoliticopinionandchooseaparty；hefelt，ashissisterdidforhim，thenecessityofprofitingbytheremainsofhisyouthtomakeasettlement。Insuchasituation，asisterasjealousofherpowerasBrigittenaturallywould，andought，tomarryherbrother，tosuitherselfaswellastosuithim；forshealonecouldmakehimreallyhappy，MadameThuillierbeingonlyanindispensableaccessorytotheobtainingoftwoorthreechildren。IfBrigittedidnothaveanintellectquitetheequalofherwill，atleastshehadtheinstinctofherdespotism；without，itistrue，education，shemarchedstraightbeforeher，withtheheadstrongdeterminationofanatureaccustomedtosucceed。Shehadthegeniusofhousekeeping，afacultyforeconomy，athoroughunderstandingofhowtolive，andaloveforwork。ShesawplainlythatshecouldneversucceedinmarryingJeromeintoasphereabovetheirown，whereparentsmightinquireintotheirdomesticlifeandfeeluneasyatfindingamistressalreadyreigninginthehome。Shethereforesoughtinalowergradeforpersonstodazzle，andfound，almostbesideher，asuitablematch。
TheoldestusherattheBank，amannamedLemprun，hadanonlydaughter，calledCeleste。MademoiselleCelesteLemprunwouldinheritthefortuneofhermother，theonlydaughterofarichfarmer。ThisfortuneconsistedofsomeacresoflandintheenvironsofParis，whichtheoldfatherstillworked；besidesthis，shewouldhavethepropertyofLemprunhimself，amanwhohadleftthefirmsofThelussonandofKellertoentertheserviceoftheBankofFrance。Lemprun，nowtheheadofthatservice，enjoyedtherespectandconsiderationofthegovernorsandauditors。
TheBankcouncil，onhearingoftheprobablemarriageofCelestetoanhonorableemployeeattheministryoffinance，promisedaweddingpresentofsixthousandfrancs。Thisgift，addedtotwelvethousandgivenbyPereLemprun，andtwelvethousandmorefromthematernalgrandfather，SieurGalard，market—gardeneratAuteuil，broughtupthedowrytothirtythousandfrancs。OldGalardandMonsieurandMadameLemprunweredelightedwiththemarriage。LemprunhimselfknewMademoiselleThuillier，andconsideredheroneoftheworthiestandmostconscientiouswomeninParis。Brigittethen，forthefirsttime，allowedherinvestmentsontheGrand—Livretoshineforth，assuringLemprunthatsheshouldnevermarry；consequently，neitherhenorhiswife，personsdevotedtothemainchance，wouldeverallowthemselvestofindfaultwithBrigitte。Aboveall，theyweregreatlystruckbythesplendidprospectsofthehandsomeThuillier，andthemarriagetookplace，astheconventionalsayingis，tothegeneralsatisfaction。
ThegovernoroftheBankandthesecretarywerethebride’switnesses；
MonsieurdelaBillardiere，directorofThuillier’sdepartment，andMonsieurRabourdin，headoftheoffice，beingthoseofthegroom。SixdaysafterthemarriageoldLemprunwasthevictimofadaringrobberywhichmadeagreatnoiseinthenewspapersoftheday，thoughitwasquicklyforgottenduringtheeventsof1815。Theguiltypartieshavingescapeddetection，Lemprunwishedtomakeuptheloss；buttheBankagreedtocarrythedeficittoitsprofitandlossaccount；
nevertheless，thepooroldmanactuallydiedofthegriefthisaffairhadcausedhim。Heregardeditasanattackuponhisagedhonor。
MadameLemprunthenresignedallherpropertytoherdaughter，MadameThuillier，andwenttolivewithherfatheratAuteuiluntilhediedfromanaccidentin1817。Alarmedattheprospectofhavingtomanageorleasethemarket—gardenandthefarmofherfather，MadameLemprunentreatedBrigitte，whosehonestyandcapacityastonishedher，towindupoldGalard’saffairs，andtosettlethepropertyinsuchawaythatherdaughtershouldtakepossessionofeverything，securingtohermotherfifteenhundredfrancsayearandthehouseatAuteuil。Thelandedpropertyoftheoldfarmerwassoldinlots，andbroughtinthirtythousandfrancs。Lemprun’sestatehadgivenasmuchmore，sothatMadameThuillier’sfortune，includingher"dot，"amountedin1818
toninetythousandfrancs。Joiningtherevenueofthispropertytothatofthebrotherandsister，theThuillierhouseholdhadanincome，in1818，amountingtoeleventhousandfrancs，managedbyBrigittealoneonhersoleresponsibility。Itisnecessarytobeginbystatingthisfinancialposition，notonlytopreventobjectionsbuttoridthedramaofdifficulties。
Brigittebegan，fromthefirst，byallowingherbrotherfivehundredfrancsamonth，andbysailingthehouseholdboatattherateoffivethousandfrancsayear。Shegrantedtohersister—in—lawfiftyfrancsamonth，explainingtohercarefullythatsheherselfwassatisfiedwithforty。Tostrengthenherdespotismbythepowerofmoney，Brigittelaidbythesurplusofherownfunds。Shemade，soitwassaidinbusinessoffices，usuriousloansbymeansofherbrother，whoappearedasamoney—lender。If，betweentheyears1813and1830，Brigittehadcapitalizedsixtythousandfrancs，thatsumcanbeexplainedbytheriseintheFunds，andthereisnoneedtohaverecoursetoaccusationsmoreorlesswellfounded，whichhavenothingtodowithourpresenthistory。
Fromthefirstdaysofthemarriage，BrigittesubduedtheunfortunateMadameThuillierwithatouchofthespurandajerkofthebit，bothofwhichshemadeherfeelseverely。Afurtherdisplayoftyrannywasuseless；thevictimresignedherselfatonce。Celeste，thoroughlyunderstoodbyBrigitte，agirlwithoutmindoreducation，accustomedtoasedentarylifeandatranquilatmosphere，wasextremelygentlebynature；shewaspiousinthefullestacceptationoftheword；shewouldwillinglyhaveexpiatedbythehardestpunishmentstheinvoluntarywrongofgivingpaintoherneighbor。Shewasutterlyignorantoflife；accustomedtobewaitedonbyhermother，whodidthewholeserviceofthehouse，forCelestewasunabletomakemuchexertion，owingtoalymphaticconstitutionwhichtheleasttoilwearied。ShewastrulyadaughterofthepeopleofParis，wherechildren，seldomhandsome，andofnovigor，theproductofpovertyandtoil，ofhomeswithoutfreshair，withoutfreedomofaction，withoutanyoftheconveniencesoflife，meetusateveryturn。
Atthetimeofthemarriage，Celestewasseentobealittlewoman，fairandfadedalmosttosickliness，fat，slow，andsillyinthecountenance。Herforehead，muchtoolargeandtooprominent，suggestedwateronthebrain，andbeneaththatwaxencupolaherface，noticeablytoosmallandendinginapointlikethenoseofamouse，madesomepeoplefearshewouldbecome，soonerorlater，imbecile。Hereyes，whichwerelightblue，andherlips，alwaysfixedinasmile，didnotcontradictthatidea。Onthesolemnoccasionofhermarriageshehadthemanner，air，andattitudeofapersoncondemnedtodeath，whoseonlydesireisthatitmightallbeoverspeedily。
"Sheisratherround，"saidCollevilletoThuillier。
Brigittewasjusttheknifetocutintosuchanature，towhichherownformedthestrongestcontrast。MademoiselleThuillierwasremarkableforherregularandcorrectbeauty，butabeautyinjuredbytoilwhich，fromherverychildhood，hadbentherdowntopainful，thanklesstasks，andbythesecretprivationssheimposeduponherselfinordertoamassherlittleproperty。Hercomplexion，earlydiscolored，hadsomethingthetintofsteel。Herbrowneyeswereframedinbrown；ontheupperlipwasabrownflosslikeasortofsmoke。Herlipswerethin，andherimperiousforeheadwassurmountedbyhaironceblack，nowturningtochinchilla。Sheheldherselfasstraightasthefairestbeauty；butallthingselseabouthershowedthehardinessofherlife，thedeadeningofhernaturalfire，thecostofwhatshewas！
ToBrigitte，Celestewassimplyafortunetolayholdof，afuturemothertorule，onemoresubjectinherempire。ShesoonreproachedherforbeingWEAK，aconstantwordinhervocabulary，andthejealousoldmaid，whowouldstronglyhaveresentedanysignsofactivityinhersister—in—law，nowtookasavagepleasureinproddingthelanguidinertnessofthefeeblecreature。Celeste，ashamedtoseehersister—
in—lawdisplayingsuchenergyinhouseholdwork，endeavoredtohelpher，andfellillinconsequence。Instantly，Brigittewasdevotedtoher，nursedherlikeabelovedsister，andwouldsay，inpresenceofThuillier："Youhaven’tanystrength，mychild；youmustneverdoanythingagain。"SheshowedupCeleste’sincapacitybythatdisplayofsympathywithwhichstrength，seemingtopityweakness，findsmeanstoboastofitsownpowers。
But，asalldespoticnatureslikingtoexercisetheirstrengtharefulloftendernessforphysicalsufferings，Brigittetooksuchrealcareofhersister—in—lawastosatisfyCeleste’smotherwhenshecametoseeherdaughter。AfterMadameThuillierrecovered，however，shecalledher，inCeleste’shearing，"ahelplesscreature，goodfornothing！"whichsentthepoorthingcryingtoherroom。WhenThuillierfoundherthere，dryinghereyes，heexcusedhersister，saying：——
"Sheisanexcellentwoman，butratherhasty；shelovesyouinherownway；shebehavesjustsowithme。"
Celeste，rememberingthematernalcareofhersister—in—lawduringherillness，forgavethewound。Brigittealwaystreatedherbrotherasthekingofthefamily；sheexaltedhimtoCeleste，andmadehimoutanautocrat，aLadislas，aninfalliblepope。MadameThuillierhavinglostherfatherandgrandfather，andbeingwell—nighdesertedbyhermother，whocametoseeheronThursdaysonly（sheherselfspendingSundaysatAuteuilinsummer），hadnoonelefttoloveexceptherhusband，andshedidlovehim，——inthefirstplace，becausehewasherhusband，andsecondly，becausehestillremainedtoher"thathandsomeThuillier。"Besides，hesometimestreatedherlikeawife，andallthesereasonstogethermadeheradorehim。Heseemedtoherallthemoreperfectbecauseheoftentookupherdefenceandscoldedhissister，notfromanyrealinterestinhiswife，butforpureselfishness，andinordertohavepeaceinthehouseholdduringtheveryfewmomentsthathestayedthere。
Infact，thathandsomeThuillierwasneverathomeexceptatdinner，afterwhichmealhewentout，returningverylateatnight。Hewenttoballsandothersocialfestivitiesbyhimself，preciselyasifhewerestillabachelor。Thusthetwowomenwerealwaysalonetogether。
Celesteinsensiblyfellintoapassiveattitude，andbecamewhatBrigittewantedher，——ahelot。TheQueenElizabethofthehouseholdthenpassedfromdespotismtoasortofpityforthepoorvictimwhowasalwayssacrificed。Sheendedbysofteningherhaughtyways，hercuttingspeech，hercontemptuoustones，assoonasshewascertainthathersister—in—lawwascompletelyundertheyoke。Whenshesawthewoundsitmadeontheneckofhervictim，shetookcareofherasathingofherown，andCelesteentereduponhappierdays。Comparingtheendwiththebeginning，sheevenfeltasortofloveforhertorturer。
Togainsomepowerofself—defence，tobecomesomethinglessacipherinthehousehold，supported，unknowntoherself，byherownmeans，thepoorhelothadbutasinglechance，andthatchancenevercametoher。
Celestehadnochild。Thisbarrenness，which，frommonthtomonth，broughtfloodsoftearsfromhereyes，waslongthecauseofBrigitte’sscorn；shereproachedthepoorwomanbitterlyforbeingfitfornothing，noteventobearchildren。Theoldmaid，whohadlongedtoloveherbrother’schildasifitwereherown，wasunable，foryears，toreconcileherselftothisirremediablesterility。
Atthetimewhenourhistorybegins，namely，in1840，Celeste，thenforty—sixyearsold，hadceasedtoweep；shenowhadthecertaintyofneverbeingamother。Andhereisastrangething。Aftertwenty—fiveyearsofthislife，inwhichvictoryhadendedbyfirstdullingandthenbreakingitsownknife，BrigittelovedCelesteasmuchasCelestelovedBrigitte。Time，ease，andtheperpetualrubbingofdomesticlife，hadwornofftheanglesandsmoothedtheasperities；Celeste’sresignationandlamb—likegentlenesshadbrought，atlast，asereneandpeacefulautumn。Thetwowomenwerestillfurtherunitedbytheonesentimentthatlaywithinthem，namely，theiradorationfortheluckyandselfishThuillier。
Moreover，thesetwowomen，bothchildless，hadeach，likeallwomenwhohavevainlydesiredchildren，falleninlovewithachild。Thisfictitiousmotherhood，equalinstrengthtoarealmotherhood，needsanexplanationwhichwillcarryustotheveryheartofourdrama，andwillshowthereasonofthenewoccupationwhichMademoiselleThuillierprovidedforherbrother。
CHAPTERIII
COLLEVILLE
ThuillierhadenteredtheministryoffinanceassupernumeraryatthesametimeasColleville，whohasbeenmentionedalreadyashisintimatefriend。Inoppositiontothewell—regulated，gloomyhouseholdofThuillier，socialnaturehadprovidedthatofColleville；andifitisimpossiblenottoremarkthatthisfortuitouscontrastwasscarcelymoral，wemustaddthat，beforedecidingthatpoint，itwouldbewelltowaitfortheendofthisdrama，unfortunatelytootrue，forwhichthepresenthistorianisnotresponsible。
Collevillewastheonlysonofatalentedmusician，formerlyfirstviolinattheOperaunderFrancoeurandRebel，whorelated，atleastsixtimesamonthduringhislifetime，anecdotesconcerningtherepresentationsofthe"VillageSeer"；andmimickedJean—JacquesRousseau，takinghimofftoperfection。CollevilleandThuillierwereinseparablefriends；theyhadnosecretsfromeachother，andtheirfriendship，begunatfifteenyearsofage，hadneverknownaclouduptotheyear1839。Theformerwasoneofthoseemployeeswhoarecalled，inthegovernmentoffices，pluralists。Theseclerksareremarkablefortheirindustry。Colleville，agoodmusician，owedtothenameandinfluenceofhisfatherasituationasfirstclarionetattheOpera—Comique，andsolongashewasabachelor，Colleville，whowasratherricherthanThuillier，sharedhismeanswithhisfriend。
But，unlikeThuillier，CollevillemarriedforloveaMademoiselleFlavie，thenaturaldaughterofacelebrateddanseuseattheOpera；
herreputedfatherbeingacertainduBourguier，oneoftherichestcontractorsoftheday。Instyleandorigin，Flaviewasapparentlydestinedforamelancholycareer，whenColleville，oftensenttohermother’sapartments，fellinlovewithherandmarriedher。PrinceGalathionne，whoatthattimewas"protecting"thedanseuse，thenapproachingtheendofherbrilliantcareer，gaveFlaviea"dot"oftwentythousandfrancs，towhichhermotheraddedamagnificenttrousseau。Otherfriendsandopera—comradessentjewelsandsilver—ware，sothattheCollevillehouseholdwasfarricherinsuperfluitiesthanincapital。Flavie，broughtupinopulence，beganhermarriedlifeinacharmingapartment，furnishedbyhermother’supholsterer，wheretheyoungwife，whowasfulloftasteforartandforartists，andpossessedacertainelegance，ruled，aqueen。
MadameCollevillewasprettyandpiquant，clever，gay，andgraceful；
toexpressherinonesentence，——acharmingcreature。Hermother，thedanseuse，nowforty—threeyearsold，retiredfromthestageandwenttoliveinthecountry，——thusdeprivingherdaughteroftheresourcesderivedfromherwastefulextravagance。MadameCollevillekeptaveryagreeablebutextremelyfreeandeasyhousehold。From1816to1826shehadfivechildren。Colleville，amusicianintheevening，keptthebooksofamerchantfromseventonineinthemorning，andbyteno’clockhewasathisministry。Thus，byblowingintoabitofwoodbynight，andwritingdouble—entryaccountsintheearlymorning，hemanagedtoekeouthisearningstosevenoreightthousandfrancsayear。
MadameCollevilleplayedthepartofa"commeilfaut"woman；shereceivedonWednesdays，gaveaconcertonceamonthandadinnereveryfortnight。SheneversawCollevilleexceptatdinnerandatnight，whenhereturnedabouttwelveo’clock，atwhichhourshewasfrequentlynotathomeherself。Shewenttothetheatres，whereboxesweresometimesgiventoher；andshewouldsendwordtoCollevilletocomeandfetchherfromsuchorsuchahouse，whereshewassuppinganddancing。Atherownhouse，guestsfoundexcellentcheer，andhersociety，thoughrathermixed，wasveryamusing；shereceivedandwelcomedactresses，artists，menofletters，andafewrichmen。
MadameColleville’selegancewasonaparwiththatofTullia，theleadingprima—donna，withwhomshewasintimate；butthoughtheCollevillesencroachedontheircapitalandwereoftenindifficultybytheendofthemonth，Flaviewasneverindebt。
Collevillewasveryhappy；hestilllovedhiswife，andhemadehimselfherbestfriend。Alwaysreceivedbyherwithaffectionatesmilesandsympatheticpleasure，heyieldedreadilytotheirresistiblegraceofhermanners。Thevehementactivitywithwhichhepursuedhisthreeavocationswasapartofhisnaturalcharacterandtemperament。Hewasafinestoutman，ruddy，jovial，extravagant，andfullofideas。Intenyearstherewasneveraquarrelinhishousehold。Amongbusinessmenhewaslookedupon，incommonwithallartists，asascatter—brainedfellow；andsuperficialpersonsthoughtthattheconstanthurryofthishardworkerwasonlytherestlesscomingandgoingofabusybody。
Collevillehadthesensetoseemstupid；heboastedofhisfamilyhappiness，andgavehimselfunheard—oftroubleinmakinganagrams，inorderattimestoseemabsorbedinthatpassion。Thegovernmentclerksofhisdivisionattheministry，theofficedirectors，andeventheheadsofdivisionscametohisconcerts；nowandthenhequietlybestoweduponthemoperatickets，whenheneededsomeextraindulgenceonaccountofhisfrequentabsence。Rehearsalstookhalfthetimethatheoughttohavebeenathisdesk；butthemusicalknowledgehisfatherhadbequeathedtohimwassufficientlygenuineandwell—
groundedtoexcusehimfromallbutfinalrehearsals。ThankstoMadameColleville’sintimacies，boththetheatreandtheministrylentthemselveskindlytotheneedsofthisindustriouspluralist，who，moreover，wasbringingup，withgreatcare，ayouth，warmlyrecommendedtohimbyhiswife，afuturegreatmusician，whosometimestookhisplaceintheorchestrawithapromiseofeventuallysucceedinghim。Infact，abouttheyear1827thisyoungmanbecamethefirstclarionetwhenCollevilleresignedhisposition。
TheusualcommentonFlaviewas，"Thatlittleslipofacoquette，MadameColleville。"TheeldestoftheCollevillechildren，bornin1816，wasthelivingimageofCollevillehimself。In1818，MadameCollevilleheldthecavalryinhighestimation，aboveevenart；andshedistinguishedmoreparticularlyasub—lieutenantinthedragoonsofSaint—Chamans，theyoungandrichCharlesdeGondreville，whoafterwardsdiedintheSpanishcampaign。BythattimeFlaviehadhadasecondson，whomshehenceforthdedicatedtoamilitarycareer。In1820sheconsideredbankingthenursingmotheroftrade，thesupporterofNations，andshemadethegreatKeller，thatfamousbankerandorator，heridol。Shethenhadanotherson，whomshenamedFrancois，resolvingtomakehimamerchant，——feelingsurethatKeller’sinfluencewouldneverfailhim。Aboutthecloseoftheyear1820，Thuillier，theintimatefriendofMonsieurandMadameColleville，felttheneedofpouringhissorrowsintothebosomofthisexcellentwoman，andtoherherelatedhisconjugalmiseries。Forsixyearshehadlongedtohavechildren，butGoddidnotblesshim；althoughthatpoorMadameThuillierhadmadenovenas，andhadevengone，uselessly，toNotra—DamedeLiesse！HedepictedCelesteinvariouslights，whichbroughtthewords"PoorThuillier！"fromFlavie’slips。Sheherselfwasrathersad，havingatthemomentnodominantopinion。ShepouredherowngriefsintoThuillier’sbosom。ThegreatKeller，thatherooftheLeft，was，inreality，extremelypetty；shehadlearnedtoknowtheothersideofpublicfame，thefolliesofbanking，theemptinessofeloquence！Theoratoronlyspokeforshow；toherhehadbehavedextremelyill。Thuillierwasindignant。"Nonebutstupidfellowsknowhowtolove，"hesaid；"takeme！"ThathandsomeThuillierwashenceforthsupposedtobepayingcourttoMadameColleville，andwasratedasoneofher"attentives，"——awordinvogueduringtheEmpire。
"Ha！youareaftermywife，"saidColleville，laughing。"Takecare；
she’llleaveyouinthelurch，likealltherest。"
Arathercleverspeech，bywhichCollevillesavedhismaritaldignity。
From1820to1821，Thuillier，invirtueofhistitleasfriendofthefamily，helpedColleville，whohadformerlyhelpedhim；somuchso，thatineighteenmonthshehadlentnearlytenthousandfrancstotheCollevilleestablishment，withnointentionofeverclaimingthem。Inthespringof1821，MadameCollevillegavebirthtoacharminglittlegirl，towhomMonsieurandMadameThuillierweregodfatherandgodmother。ThechildwasbaptizedCeleste—Louise—Caroline—Brigitte；
MademoiselleThuillierwishingthathernameshouldbegivenamongotherstothelittleangel。ThenameofCarolinewasagracefulattentionpaidtoColleville。OldmotherLemprunassumedthecareofputtingthebabytonurseunderherowneyesatAuteuil，whereCelesteandhersister—in—lawBrigitte，paiditregularlyasemi—weeklyvisit。
AssoonasMadameCollevillerecoveredshesaidtoThuillier，frankly，inaveryserioustone：——
"Mydearfriend，ifwearealltoremaingoodfriends，youmustbeourfriendonly。Collevilleisattachedtoyou；well，that’senoughforyouinthishousehold。"
"Explaintome，"saidthehandsomeThuilliertoTulliaafterthisremark，"whywomenareneverattachedtome。IamnottheApolloBelvidere，butforallthatI’mnotaVulcan；Iampassablygood—
looking，Ihavesense，Iamfaithful——"
"Doyouwantmetotellyouthetruth？"repliedTullia。
"Yes，"saidThuillier。
"Well，thoughwecan，sometimes，loveastupidfellow，weneverloveasillyone。"
ThosewordskilledThuillier；henevergotoverthem；henceforthhewasapreytomelancholyandaccusedallwomenofcaprice。
Thesecretary—generaloftheministry，desLupeaulx，whoseinfluenceMadameCollevillethoughtgreaterthanitwas，andofwhomshesaid，later，"Thatwasoneofmymistakes，"becameforatimethegreatmanoftheCollevillesalon；butasFlaviefoundhehadnopowertopromoteCollevilleintotheupperdivision，shehadthegoodsensetoresentdesLupeaulx’sattentionstoMadameRabourdin（whomshecalledaminx），towhosehouseshehadneverbeeninvited，andwhohadtwicehadtheimpertinencenottocometotheCollevilleconcerts。
MadameCollevillewasdeeplyaffectedbythedeathofyoungGondreville；shefelt，shesaid，thefingerofGod。In1824sheturnedoveranewleaf，talkedofeconomy，stoppedherreceptions，busiedherselfwithherchildren，determinedtobecomeagoodmotherofafamily；nofavoritefriendwasseenatherhouse。Shewenttochurch，reformedherdress，woregray，andtalkedCatholicism，mysticism，andsoforth。Allthisproduced，in1825，anotherlittleson，whomshenamedTheodore。Soonafter，in1826，Collevillewasappointedsub—
directoroftheClergeotdivision，andlater，in1828，collectoroftaxesinaParisarrondissement。HealsoreceivedthecrossoftheLegionofhonor，toenablehimtoputhisdaughterattheroyalschoolofSaint—Denis。Thehalf—scholarshipobtainedbyKellerfortheeldestboy，Charles，wastransferredtothesecondin1830，whenCharlesenteredtheschoolofSaint—Louisonafullscholarship。Thethirdson，takenundertheprotectionofMadamelaDauphine，wasprovidedwithathree—quarterscholarshipintheHenriIV。school。