"Parbleu！thethingisplainenough；monsieurseesnothinginit？
　　Well，Ishallnotputmyhonorandmyfortuneintothehandsofalittleupstartlikeyourself；Ishalltakesomegreatlawyerifthecasecomestotrial。I’vehadenoughofyourcollaborationbythistime。"
　　UndertheinjusticeoftheseremarkslaPeyradefelthisangerrising。
　　However，hesawhimselfdisarmed，andnotwishingtocometoanopenrupture，hepartedfromThuillier，sayingthatheforgaveamanexcitedbyfear，andwouldgotoseehimlaterintheafternoon，whenhewouldprobablybecalmer；theycouldthendecideonwhatstepstheyhadbettertake。
　　Accordingly，aboutfouro’clock，theProvencalarrivedatthehouseinthePlacedelaMadeleine。Thuillier’sirritationwasquieted，butfrightfulconsternationhadtakenitsplace。Iftheexecutionerwerecominginhalfanhourtoleadhimtothescaffoldhecouldnothavebeenmoreutterlyunstrungandwoe—begone。WhenlaPeyradeenteredMadameThuillierwastryingtomakehimtakeaninfusionoflinden—
　　leaves。Thepoorwomanhadcomeoutofherusualapathy，andprovedherself，besidethepresentSabinus，anotherEponina。
　　AsforBrigitte，whopresentlyappeared，bearingafoot—bath，shehadnomercyorrestrainttowardsTheodose；hersharpandbitterreproaches，whichwereoutofallproportiontothefault，evensupposinghimtohavecommittedonewouldhavedrivenamanofthemostplacidtemperamentbesidehimself。LaPeyradefeltthatallwaslosttohimintheThuillierhousehold，wheretheynowseemedtoseizewithjoytheoccasiontobreaktheirwordtohimandtogivefreereintorevoltingingratitude。OnanironicalallusionbyBrigittetothemannerinwhichhedecoratedhisfriends，laPeyraderoseandtookleave，withoutanyeffortbeingmadetoretainhim。
　　Afterwalkingaboutthestreetsforawhile，laPeyrade，inthemidstofhisindignation，turnedtothoughtsofMadamedeGodollo，whoseimage，totellthetruth，hadbeenmuchinhismindsincetheirformerinterview。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　’TWASTHUSTHEYBADEADIEU
　　NotonlyoncewhenthecountessmetthebarristerattheThuilliershadshelefttheroom；butthesameperformancetookplaceateachoftheirencounters；andlaPeyradehadconvincedhimself，withoutknowingexactlywhy，thatineachcase，thisaffectationofavoidinghim，signifiedsomethingthatwasnotindifference。Tohavepaidheranothervisitimmediatelywouldcertainlyhavebeenveryunskilful；
　　butnowasufficienttimehadelapsedtoprovehimtobeamanwhowasmasterofhimself。Accordingly，hereturneduponhisstepstotheBoulevarddelaMadeleine，andwithoutaskingtheporterifthecountesswasathome，hepassedthelodgeasifreturningtotheThuilliers’，andrangthebelloftheentresol。
　　Themaidwhoopenedthedooraskedhim，asbefore，towaituntilshenotifiedhermistress；but，onthisoccasion，insteadofshowinghimintothedining—room，sheusheredhimintoalittleroomarrangedasalibrary。
　　Hewaitedlong，andknewnotwhattothinkofthedelay。Still，hereassuredhimselfwiththethoughtthatifshemeanttodismisshimhewouldnothavebeenaskedtowaitatall。Finallythemaidreappeared，buteventhenitwasnottointroducehim。
　　"Madamelacomtesse，"saidthewoman，"wasengagedonamatterofbusiness，butshebeggedmonsieurbesokindastowait，andtoamusehimselfwiththebooksinthelibrary，becauseshemightbedetainedlongerthansheexpected。"
　　Theexcuse，bothinformandsubstance，wascertainlynotdiscouraging，andlaPeyradelookedabouthimtofulfilthebehesttoamusehimself。Withoutopeninganyofthecarvedrosewoodbookcases，whichenclosedacollectionofthemostelegantlyboundvolumeshehadeverlaidhiseyesupon，hesawonanoblongtablewithclawfeetapell—mellofbookssufficientfortheamusementofamanwhoseattentionwaskeenlyaliveelsewhere。
　　But，asheopenedoneafteranotherofthevariousvolumes，hebegantofancythatafeastofTantalushadbeenprovidedforhim：onebookwasEnglish，anotherGerman，athirdRussian；therewasevenoneincabalisticlettersthatseemedTurkish。Wasthisapolyglotticjokethecountesshadarrangedforhim？
　　Onevolume，however，claimedparticularattention。Thebinding，unlikethoseoftheotherbooks，waslessrichthandainty。Lyingbyitselfatacornerofthetable，itwasopen，withthebackturnedup，theedgesoftheleavesrestingonthegreentable—clothintheshapeofatent。LaPeyradetookitup，beingcarefulnottolosethepagewhichitseemedtohavebeensomeone’sintentiontomark。ItprovedtobeavolumeoftheillustratededitionofMonsieurScribe’sworks。TheengravingwhichpresenteditselfontheopenpagetolaPeyrade’seyes，wasentitled"TheHatredofaWoman"；theprincipalpersonageofwhichisayoungwidow，desperatelypursuingapooryoungmanwhocannothelphimself。Thereishatredallround。Throughherdevilriesshealmostmakeshimlosehisreputation，anddoesmakehimmissarichmarriage；buttheendisthatshegiveshimmorethanshetookawayfromhim，andmakesahusbandofthemanwhowasthoughthervictim。
　　Ifchancehadputthisvolumeapartfromtherest，andhadleftitopenattheprecisepagewherelaPeyradefounditmarked，itmustbeownedthat，afterwhathadpassedbetweenhimselfandthecountess，chancecansometimesseemcleverandadroit。Ashestoodthere，thinkingoverthesignificancewhichthismoreorlessaccidentalcombinationmighthave，laPeyradereadthroughanumberofscenestoseewhetherinthedetailsaswellasthegeneralwholetheyappliedtothepresentsituation。Whilethusemployed，thesoundofanopeningdoorwasheard，andherecognizedthesilveryandslightlydrawlingvoiceofthecountess，whowasevidentlyaccompanyingsomevisitortothedoor。
　　"ThenImaypromisetheambassadress，"saidaman’svoice，"thatyouwillhonorherballwithyourpresence？"
　　"Yes，commander，ifmyheadache，whichisjustbeginningtogetalittlebetter，iskindenoughtogoaway。"
　　"Aurevoir，then，fairestlady，"saidthegentleman。Afterwhichthedoorswereclosed，andsilencereignedoncemore。
　　ThetitleofcommanderreassuredlaPeyradesomewhat，foritwasnottherankofayoungdandy。Hewasneverthelesscurioustoknowwhothispersonagewaswithwhomthecountesshadbeenshutupsolong。
　　Hearingnooneapproachtheroomhewasin，hewenttothewindowandopenedthecurtaincautiously，preparedtoletitdropbackattheslightestnoise，andtomakeaquickright—about—facetoavoidbeingcaught，"flagrantedelicto，"incuriosity。Anelegantcoupe，standingatalittledistance，wasnowdrivenuptothehouse，afootmaninshowyliveryhastenedtoopenthedoor，andalittleoldman，withalightandjauntymovement，thoughitwasevidenthewasoneofthoserelicsofthepastwhohavenotyetabandonedpowder，steppedquicklyintothecarriage，whichwasthendrivenrapidlyaway。LaPeyradehadtimetoobserveonhisbreastaperfectstringofdecorations。This，combinedwiththepowderedhair，wascertainevidenceofadiplomaticindividual。
　　LaPeyradehadpickeduphisbookoncemore，whenabellfromtheinnerroomsounded，quicklyfollowedbytheappearanceofthemaid，whoinvitedhimtofollowher。TheProvencaltookcareNOTtoreplacethevolumewherehefoundit，andaninstantlaterheenteredthepresenceofthecountess。
　　Apainedexpressionwasvisibleonthehandsomefaceoftheforeigncountess，who，however，lostnothingofhercharminthelanguorthatseemedtoovercomeher。Onthesofabesideherwasamanuscriptwrittenongilt—edgedpaper，inthatlargeandopulenthandwritingwhichindicatesanofficialcommunicationfromsomeministerialofficeorchancery。Sheheldinherhandacrystalbottlewithagoldstopper，fromwhichshefrequentlyinhaledthecontents，andastrongodorofEnglishvinegarpervadedthesalon。
　　"Ifearyouareill，madame，"saidlaPeyrade，withinterest。
　　"Oh！itisnothing，"repliedthecountess；"onlyaheadache，towhichIamverysubject。Butyou，monsieur，whathasbecomeofyou？Iwasbeginningtoloseallhopeofeverseeingyouagain。Haveyoucometoannouncetomesomegreatnews？TheperiodofyourmarriagewithMademoiselleCollevilleisprobablysonearthatIthinkyoucanspeakofit。"
　　ThisopeningdisconcertedlaPeyrade。
　　"But，madame，"heanswered，inatonethatwasalmosttart，"you，itseemstome，mustknowtoowelleverythingthatgoesonintheThuillierhouseholdnottobeawarethattheeventyouspeakofisnotapproaching，and，Imayadd，notprobable。"
　　"No，Iassureyou，Iknownothing；IhavestrictlyforbiddenmyselffromtakinganyfurtherinterestinanaffairwhichIfeltIhadmeddledwithveryfoolishly。MademoiselleBrigitteandItalkofeverythingexceptCeleste’smarriage。"
　　"AnditisnodoubtthedesiretoallowmeperfectfreedominthematterthatinducesyoutotakeflightwheneverIhavethehonortomeetyouintheThuilliersalon？"
　　"Yes，"saidthecountess，"thatoughttobethereasonthatmakesmeleavetheroom；else，whyshouldIbesodistant？"
　　"Ah！madame，thereareotherreasonsthatmightmakeawomanavoidaman’spresence。Forinstance，ifhehasdispleasedher；iftheadvice，giventohimwithrarewisdomandkindness，wasnotreceivedwithpropereagernessandgratitude。"
　　"Oh，mydearmonsieur，"shereplied，"IhavenosuchardorinproselytizingthatIamangrywiththosewhoarenotdociletomyadvice。Iam，likeothers，veryapttomakemistakes。"
　　"Onthecontrary，madame，inthematterofmymarriageyourjudgmentwasperfectlycorrect。"
　　"Howso？"saidthecountess，eagerly。"Hastheseizureofthepamphlet，comingdirectlyafterthefailuretoobtainthecross，ledtoarupture？"
　　"No，"saidlaPeyrade，"myinfluenceintheThuillierhouseholdrestsonasolidbasis；theservicesIhaverenderedMademoiselleBrigitteandherbrotheroutweighthesechecks，which，afterall，arenotirreparable。"
　　"Doyoureallythinkso？"saidthecountess。
　　"Certainly，"repliedlaPeyrade；"whentheComtesseduBrueltakesitintoherheadtoseriouslyobtainthatbitofredribbon，shecandoso，inspiteofallobstaclesthatareputinherway。"
　　Thecountessreceivedthisassertionwithasmile，andshookherhead。
　　"But，madame，onlyadayortwoagoMadameduBrueltoldMadameCollevillethattheunexpectedoppositionshehadmetwithpiquedher，andthatshemeanttogoinpersontotheminister。"
　　"Butyouforgetthatsincethenthisseizurehasbeenmadebythepolice；itisnotusualtodecorateamanwhoissummonedbeforethecourtofassizes。Youseemnottonoticethattheseizurearguesastrongill—willagainstMonsieurThuillier，and，Imayadd，againstyourself，monsieur，foryouareknowntobetheculprit。Youhavenot，Ithink，takenallthisintoaccount。Theauthoritiesappeartohaveactednotwhollyfromlegalcauses。"
　　LaPeyradelookedatthecountess。
　　"Imustown，"hesaid，afterthatrapidglance，"thatIhavetriedinvaintofindanypassageinthatpamphletwhichcouldbemadealegalpretextfortheseizure。"
　　"Inmyopinion，"saidthecountess，"theking’sservantsmusthaveavividimaginationtopersuadethemselvestheyweredealingwithaseditiouspublication。ButthatonlyprovesthestrengthoftheundergroundpowerwhichisthwartingallyourgoodintentionsinfavorofMonsieurThuillier。"
　　"Madame，"saidlaPeyrade，"doyouknowoursecretenemies？"
　　"PerhapsIdo，"repliedthecountess，withanothersmile。
　　"MayIdaretoutterasuspicion，madame？"saidlaPeyrade，withsomeagitation。
　　"Yes，saywhatyouthink，"repliedMadamedeGodollo。"Ishallnotblameyouifyouguessright。"
　　"Well，madame，ourenemies，Thuillier’sandmine，are——awoman。"
　　"Supposingthatisso，"saidthecountess；"doyouknowhowmanylinesRichelieurequiredfromaman’shandinordertohanghim？"
　　"Four，"repliedlaPeyrade。
　　"Youcanimagine，then，thatapamphletoftwohundredpagesmightafforda——slightlyintriguingwomansufficientgroundforpersecution。"
　　"Iseeitall，madame，Iunderstandit！"criedlaPeyrade，withanimation。"Ibelievethatwomantobeoneoftheeliteofhersex，withasmuchmindandmaliceasRichelieu！Adorablemagician！itisshewhohassetinmotionthepoliceandthegendarmes；but，morethanthat，itisshewhowithholdsthatcrosstheministerswereabouttogive。"
　　"Ifthatbeso，"saidthecountess，"whystruggleagainsther？"
　　"Ah！Istrugglenolonger，"saidlaPeyrade。Then，withanassumedairofcontrition，headded，"Youmust，indeed，HATEme，madame。"
　　"Notquiteasmuchasyoumaythink，"repliedthecountess；"but，afterall，supposethatIdohateyou？"
　　"Ah！madame，"criedlaPeyrade，ardently，"Ishouldthenbethehappiestofunhappymen；forthathatredwouldseemtomesweeterandmorepreciousthanyourindifference。Butyoudonothateme；whyshouldyoufeeltomethatmostblessedfemininesentimentwhichScribehasdepictedwithsuchdelicacyandwit？"
　　MadamedeGodollodidnotanswerimmediately。Sheloweredhereyelids，andthedeeperbreathingofherbosomgavetohervoicewhenshedidspeakatremuloustone：——
　　"Thehatredofawoman！"shesaid。"Isamanofyourstoicismabletoperceiveit？"
　　"Ah！yes，madame，"repliedlaPeyrade，"Idoindeedperceiveit，butnottorevoltagainstit；onthecontrary，Iblesstheharshnessthatdeignstohurtme。NowthatIknowmybeautifulandavowedenemy，I
　　shallnotdespairoftouchingherheart；forneveragainwillIfollowanyroadbuttheonethatshepointsouttome，neverwillImarchunderanybannerbuthers。Ishallwait——forherinspiration，tothink；forherwill，towill；forhercommands，toact。InallthingsIwillbeherauxiliary，——morethanthat，herslave；andifshestillrepulsesmewiththatdaintyfoot，thatsnowyhand，Iwillbearitresignedly，asking，inreturnforsuchobedienceoneonlyfavor，——thatofkissingthefootthatspurnsme，ofbathingwithtearsthehandthatthreatensme。"
　　Duringthislongcryoftheexcitedheart，whichthejoyoftriumphwrungfromanaturesonervousandimpressionableasthatoftheProvencal，hehadsliddenfromhischair，andnowkneltwithonekneeonthegroundbesidethecountess，intheconventionalattitudeofthestage，whichis，however，muchmorecommoninreallifethanpeoplesuppose。
　　"Rise，monsieur，"saidthecountess，"andbesogoodastoanswerme。"
　　Then，givinghimaquestioninglookfrombeneathherbeautifulfrowningbrows，shecontinued："Haveyouwell—weighedtheoutcomeofthewordsyouhavejustuttered？Haveyoumeasuredthefullextentofyourpledge，anditsdepth？Withyourhandonyourheartandonyourconscience，areyouamantofulfilthosewords？Orareyouoneofthefalselyhumbleandperfidiousmenwhothrowthemselvesatourfeetonlytomakeuslosethebalanceofourwillandourreason？"
　　"I！"exclaimedlaPeyrade；"nevercanIreactagainstthefascinationyouhavewieldedovermefromthemomentofourfirstinterview！Ah！
　　madame，themoreIhaveresisted，themoreIhavestruggled，themoreyououghttotrustinmysincerityanditstardyexpression。WhatI
　　havesaid，Ithink；thatwhichIthinkaloudto—dayIhavethoughtinmysoulsincethehourwhenIfirsthadthehonorofadmittancetoyou；andthemanydaysIhavepassedinstrugglingagainstthisallurementhaveendedingivingmeafirmanddeliberatewill，whichunderstandsitself，andisnotcastdownbyyourseverity。"
　　"Severity？"saidthecountess；"possibly。Butyououghttothinkofthekindnesstoo。Questionyourselfcarefully。WeforeignwomendonotunderstandthecarelesseasewithwhichaFrenchwomanentersuponasolemnengagement。Tous，ourYESissacred；ourwordisabond。Wedoandwewillnothingbyhalves。Thearmsofmyfamilybearamottowhichseemssignificantunderthepresentcircumstances，——’AllorNothing’；thatissayingmuch，andyet，perhaps，notenough。"
　　"ThatishowIunderstandmypledge，"repliedlaPeyrade；"andonleavingthisroommyfirststepwillbetobreakwiththatignoblepastwhichforaninstantIseemedtoholdinthebalanceagainsttheintoxicatingfutureyoudonotforbidmetoexpect。"
　　"No，"saidthecountess，"doitcalmlyandadvisedly；Idonotlikerashconduct；youwillnotpleasemebytakingopensteps。TheseThuilliersarenotreallybadatheart；theyhumiliatedyouwithoutknowingthattheydidso；theirworldisnotyours。Isthattheirfault？Loosenthetiebetweenyou，butdonotviolentlybreakit。And，aboveall，reflect。Yourconversiontomybeliefsisofrecentdate。
　　Whatmaniscertainofwhathisheartwillsaytohimto—morrow？"
　　"Madame，"saidlaPeyrade，"Iamthatman。WemenofSouthernblooddonotloveasyousayaFrenchwomanloves。"
　　"But，"saidthecountess，withacharmingsmile，"Ithoughtitwashatredweweretalkingof。"
　　"Ah，madame，"criedthebarrister，"explainedandunderstoodasithasbeen，thatwordisstillathingthathurtsme。Tellmerather，notthatyouloveme，butthatthewordsyoudeignedtosaytomeatourfirstinterviewwereindeedtheexpressionofyourthoughts。"
　　"Myfriend，"saidthecountess，dwellingontheword；"oneofyourmoralistshassaid：’Therearepersonswhosay，THATISorTHATIS
　　NOT。’Domethefavortocountmeamongsuchpersons。"
　　Sosaying，sheheldoutherhandtohersuitorwithacharminggestureofmodestyandgrace。LaPeyrade，quitebesidehimself，darteduponthatbeautifulhandanddevoureditwithkisses。
　　"Enough，child！"saidthecountess，gentlyfreeingherimprisonedfingers；"adieunow，soontomeetagain！Adieu！Myheadache，Ithink，hasdisappeared。"
　　LaPeyradepickeduphishat，andseemedabouttorushfromtheapartment；butatthedoorheturnedandcastuponthehandsomecreaturealookoftenderness。Thecountessmadehim，withherhead，agracefulgestureofadieu；then，seeingthatlaPeyradewasinclinedtoreturntoher，sheraisedherforefingerasawarningtocontrolhimselfandgo。
　　LaPeyradeturnedandlefttheapartment。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　HOWTOSHUTTHEDOORINPEOPLE’SFACES
　　OnthestaircaselaPeyradestoppedtoexhale，ifwemaysoexpressit，thehappinessofwhichhisheartwasfull。Thewordsofthecountess，theingeniouspreparationshehadmadetoputhimonthetrackofhersentiments，seemedtohimtheguaranteeofhersincerity，andheleftherfulloffaith。
　　Possessedbythatintoxicationofhappypersonswhichshowsitselfintheirgestures，theirlooks，theirverygait，andsometimesinactionsnotauthorizedbytheircommon—sense，afterpausingamoment，aswehavesaid，onthestaircase，heranupafewstepstillhecouldseethedooroftheThuilliers’apartment。
　　"Atlast！"hecried，"fame，fortune，happinesshavecometome；but，aboveall，Icannowgivemyselfthejoyofvengeance。AfterDutocqandCerizet，IwillcrushYOU，vilebourgeoisbrood！"
　　Sosaying，heshookhisfistattheinnocentdoor。Thenheturnedandranout；thepopularsayingthattheearthcouldnotholdhim，wastrueatthatmomentofhisbeing。
　　Thenextday，forhecouldnotrestrainanylongerthetempestthatwasswellingwithinhim，laPeyradewenttoseeThuillierinthebitterestandmosthostileofmoods。Whatwasthereforehisamazementwhen，beforehehadtimetoputhimselfonguardandstopthedemonstrationofunionandoblivion，Thuillierflunghimselfintohisarms。
　　"Myfriend，"criedthemunicipalcouncillor，asheloosenedhisclasp，"mypoliticalfortuneismade；thismorningallthenewspapers，withoutexception，havespokenoftheseizureofmypamphlet；andyououghttoseehowtheoppositionsheetshavemauledthegovernment。"
　　"Simpleenough，"saidlaPeyrade，notmovedbythisenthusiasm；"youareatopicforthem，that’sall。Butthisdoesnotalterthesituation；theprosecutionwillbeonlythemoredeterminedtohaveyoucondemned。"
　　"Well，then，"saidThuillier，proudlyraisinghishead，"Iwillgotoprison，likeBeranger，likeLamennais，likeArmandCarrel。"
　　"Mygoodfellow，persecutionischarmingatadistance；butwhenyouhearthebigboltsrunuponyou，youmaybesureyouwon’tlikeitaswell。"
　　"But，"objectedThuillier，"prisonerscondemnedforpoliticaloffencesarealwaysallowedtodotheirtimeinhospitaliftheylike。Besides，I’mnotyetconvicted。Yousaidyourselfyouexpectedtogetmeacquitted。"
　　"Yes，butsincethenIhaveheardthingswhichmakethatresultverydoubtful；thesamehandthatwithheldyourcrosshasseizedyourpamphlet；youarebeingmurderedwithpremeditation。"
　　"Ifyouknowwhothatdangerousenemyis，"saidThuillier，"youcan’trefusetopointhimouttome。"
　　"Idon’tknowhim，"repliedlaPeyrade；"Ionlysuspecthim。Thisiswhatyougetbyplayingtooshrewdagame。"
　　"Playingashrewdgame！"saidThuillier，withthecuriosityofamanwhoisperfectlyawarethathehasnothingofthatkindonhisconscience。
　　"Yes，"saidlaPeyrade，"youmadeasortofdecoyofCelestetoattractyoungbloodstoyoursalon。AlltheworldhasnottheforbearanceofMonsieurGodeschal，whoforgavehisrejectionandgenerouslymanagedthataffairaboutthehouse。"
　　"Explainyourselfbetter，"saidThuillier，"forIdon’tseewhatyoumean。"
　　"Nothingiseasiertounderstand。Withoutcountingme，howmanysuitorshaveyouhadforMademoiselleColleville？Godeschal，Minardjunior，Phellionjunior，OlivierVinet，thesubstitutejudge，——allmenwhohavebeensentabouttheirbusiness，asIam。"
　　"OlivierVinet，thesubstitutejudge！"criedThuillier，struckwithaflashoflight。"Ofcourse；theblowmusthavecomefromhim。Hisfather，theysay，hasalongarm。Butitcan’tbetrulysaidthatwesenthimabouthisbusiness，——touseyourexpression，whichstrikesmeasindecorous，——forhenevercametothehousebutonce，andmadenooffer；neitherdidMinardjuniororPhellionjunior，forthatmatter。
　　Godeschalistheonlyonewhoriskedadirectproposal，andhewasrefusedatonce，beforehedippedhisbeakinthewater。"
　　"Itisalwaysso！"saidlaPeyrade，stilllookingforagroundofquarrel。"Straightforwardandoutspokenpersonsarealwaysthosethatslymenboastoffooling。"
　　"Ahca！what’sallthis？"saidThuillier；"whatareyouinsinuating？
　　Didn’tyousettleeverythingwithBrigittetheotherday？Youtakeaprettytimetocomeandtalktomeaboutyourlove—affairs，whentheswordofjusticeishangingovermyhead。"
　　"Oh！"saidlaPeyrade，ironically；"sonowyouaregoingtomakethemostofyourinterestingpositionofaccusedperson！Iknewverywellhowitwouldbe；Iwascertainthatassoonasyourpamphletappearedtheoldcryofnotgettingwhatyouexpectedoutofmewouldcomeup。"
　　"Parbleu！yourpamphlet！"criedThuillier。"Ithinkyouareafinefellowtoboastofthatwhen，onthecontrary，ithascausedthemostdeplorablecomplications。"
　　"Deplorable？howso？youhavejustsaidyourpoliticalfortunewasmade。"
　　"Well，truly，mydearTheodose，"saidThuillier，withfeeling，"I
　　shouldneverhavethoughtthatyouwouldchoosethehourofadversitytocomeandputyourpistolatourthroatsandmakemetheobjectofyoursneersandinnuendoes。"
　　"Welldone！"saidlaPeyrade；"nowitisthehourofadversity！A
　　minuteagoyouwereflingingyourselfintomyarmsasamantowhomsomesignalpieceofluckhadhappened。Yououghtreallytochoosedecidedlybetweenbeingamanwhoneedspityandagloriousvictor。"
　　"Itisallverywelltobewitty，"returnedThuillier；"butyoucan’tcontrovertwhatIsay。Iamlogical，ifIamnotbrilliant。ItisverynaturalthatIshouldconsolemyselfbyseeingthatpublicopiniondecidesinmyfavor，andbyreadinginitsorgansthemosthonorableassurancesofsympathy；butdoyousupposeIwouldn’tratherthatthingshadtakentheirnaturalcourse？Besides，whenIseemyselftheobjectofunworthyvengeanceonthepartofpersonsasinfluentialastheVinets，howcanIhelpmeasuringtheextentofthedangerstowhichIamexposed？"
　　"Well，"saidlaPeyrade，withpitilesspersistency，"IseethatyouprefertoplaythepartofJeremiah。"
　　"Yes，"saidThuillier，inasolemntone。"JeremiahlamentsoverafriendshipIdidthinktrueanddevoted，butwhichIfindhasonlysarcasmstogivemewhenIlookedforservices。"
　　"Whatservices？"askedlaPeyrade。"Didyounottellmepositively，nolaterthanyesterday，thatyouwouldnotacceptmyhelpunderanyformwhatever？Iofferedtopleadyourcase，andyouansweredthatyouwouldtakeabetterlawyer。"
　　"Yes；inthefirstshockofsurpriseatsuchanunexpectedblow，Ididsaythatfoolishthing；but，onreflection，whocanexplainaswellasyoucantheintentionofthewordsyouwrotewithyourownpen？
　　YesterdayIwasalmostoutofmymind；butyou，withyourwoundedself—love，whichcan’tforgiveamomentaryimpatience，youareverycausticandcruel。"
　　"So，"saidlaPeyrade，"youformallyrequestmetodefendyoubeforethejury？"
　　"Yes，mydearfellow；andIdon’tknowanyotherhandsinwhichI
　　couldbetterplacemycase。Ishouldhavetopayamonstroussumtosomegreatlegalluminary，andhewouldn’tdefendmeasablyasyou。"
　　"Well，Irefuse。Roleshavechanged，asyousee，diametrically。
　　Yesterday，Ithought，asyoudo，thatIwasthemantodefendyou。
　　To—day，Iseethatyouhadbettertakethelegalluminary，because，withVinet’santagonismagainstyoutheaffairistakingsuchproportionsthatwhoeverdefendsitassumesafearfulresponsibility。"
　　"Iunderstand，"saidThuillier，sarcastically。"Monsieurhashiseyeonthemagistracy，andhedoesn’twanttoquarrelwithamanwhoisalreadytalkedofforKeeperoftheSeals。Itisprudent，butIdon’tknowthatitisgoingtohelponyourmarriage。"