AprivatecommunicationmadebyCardottothecelebrated"procureur—
general，"fatherofthisyoungman，wasthecauseofhisvisit。
OlivierVinethadjustbeenpromotedfromthecourtofArcis—sur—AubetothatoftheSeine，wherehenowheldthepostofsubstitute"procureur—de—roi。"CardothadalreadyinvitedThuillierandtheelderVinet，whowaslikelytobecomeministerofjustice，withhisson，todinewithhim。ThenotaryestimatedthefortuneswhichwouldeventuallyfalltoCelesteatsevenhundredthousandfrancs。VinetjuniorappearedcharmedtoobtaintherighttovisittheThuilliersonSundays。Greatdowriesmakemencommitgreatandunbecomingfollieswithoutreserveordecencyinthesedays。
Tenminuteslateranotheryoungman，whohadbeentalkingwithThuillierbeforethearrivalofOlivierVinet，raisedhisvoiceeagerly，inapoliticaldiscussion，andforcedtheyoungmagistratetofollowhisexampleinthevivaciousargumentwhichnowensued。ThematterrelatedtothevotebywhichtheChamberofDeputieshadjustoverthrowntheministryofthe12thofMay，refusingtheallowancedemandedfortheDucdeNemours。
"Assuredly，"saidtheyoungman，"Iamfarfrombelongingtothedynasticparty；Iamveryfarfromapprovingoftheriseofthebourgeoisietopower。Thebourgeoisieoughtnot，anymorethanthearistocracyofotherdays，toassumetobethewholenation。ButtheFrenchbourgeoisiehasnowtakenuponitselftocreateanewdynasty，aroyaltyofitsown，andbeholdhowittreatsit！WhenthepeopleallowedNapoleontorisetopower，itcreatedwithhimasplendidandmonumentalstateofthings；itwasproudofhisgrandeur；anditnoblygaveitsbloodandsweatinbuildinguptheedificeoftheEmpire。
Betweenthemagnificenceofthearistocraticthroneandthoseoftheimperialpurple，betweenthegreatoftheearthandthePeople，thebourgeoisieisprovingitselfpetty；itdegradespowertoitsownlevelinsteadofrisinguptoit。Thesavingofcandle—endsithassolongpractisedbehinditscounters，itnowseekstoimposeonitsprinces。Whatmayperhapshavebeenvirtueinitsshopsisablunderandacrimehigherup。Imyselfhavewantedmanythingsforthepeople，butInevershouldhavebegunbyloppingofftenmillionsoffrancsfromthenewcivillist。Inbecoming，asitwere，nearlythewholeofFrance，thebourgeoisieowedtoustheprosperityofthepeople，splendorwithoutostentation，grandeurwithoutprivilege。"
ThefatherofOlivierVinetwasjustnowsulkingwiththegovernment。
TherobeofKeeperoftheSeals，whichhadbeenhisdream，wasslowincomingtohim。Theyoungsubstitutedidnot，therefore，knowexactlyhowtoanswerthisspeech；hethoughtitwisetoenlargeononeofitssideissues。
"Youareright，monsieur，"saidOlivierVinet。"But，beforemanifestingitselfmagnificently，thebourgeoisiehasotherdutiestofulfiltowardsFrance。Theluxuryyouspeakofshouldcomeafterduty。
Thatwhichseemstoyousoblameableisthenecessityofthemoment。
TheChamberisfarfromhavingitsfullshareinpublicaffairs；theministersarelessforFrancethantheyareforthecrown，andparliamenthasdeterminedthattheadministrationshallhave，asinEngland，astrengthandpowerofitsown，andnotamereborrowedpower。Thedayonwhichtheadministrationcanactforitself，andrepresenttheChamberastheChamberrepresentsthecountry，parliamentwillbefoundveryliberaltowardthecrown。Thewholequestionisthere。Istateitwithoutexpressingmyownopinion，forthedutiesofmypostdemand，inpolitics，acertainfealtytothecrown。"
"Settingasidethepoliticalquestion，"repliedtheyoungman，whosevoiceandaccentwerethoseofanativeofProvence，"itiscertainlytruethatthebourgeoisiehasillunderstooditsmission。Wecansee，anyday，thegreatlawofficers，attorney—generals，peersofFranceinomnibuses，judgeswholiveontheirsalaries，prefectswithoutfortunes，ministersindebt！Whereasthebourgeoisie，whohaveseizeduponthoseoffices，oughttodignifythem，asintheoldentimewhenaristocracydignifiedthem，andnotoccupysuchpostssolelyforthepurposeofmakingtheirfortune，asscandalousdisclosureshaveproved。"
"Whoisthisyoungman？"thoughtOlivierVinet。"Ishearelative？
Cardotoughttohavecomewithmeonthisfirstvisit。"
"Whoisthatlittlemonsieur？"askedMinardofBarbet。"Ihaveseenhimhereseveraltimes。"
"Heisatenant，"repliedMetivier，shufflingthecards。
"Alawyer，"addedBarbet，inalowvoice，"whooccupiesasmallapartmentonthethirdfloorfront。Oh！HEdoesn’tamounttomuch；hehasnothing。"
"Whatisthenameofthatyoungman？"saidOlivierVinettoThuillier。
"TheodosedelaPeyrade；heisabarrister，"repliedThuillier，inawhisper。
Atthatmomentthewomenpresent，aswellasthemen，lookedatthetwoyoungfellows，andMadameMinardremarkedtoColleville：——
"Heisrathergood—looking，thatstranger。"
"Ihavemadehisanagram，"repliedColleville，"andhisname，Charles—
Marie—TheodosedelaPeyrade，prophecies：’Eh！monsieurpayera，deladot，desoiesetlechar。’Therefore，mydearMammaMinard，besureyoudon’tgivehimyourdaughter。"
"Theysaythatyoungmanisbetter—lookingthanmyson，"saidMadamePhelliontoMadameColleville。"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？"
"Oh！inthematterofphysicalbeautyawomanmighthesitatebeforechoosing，"repliedMadameColleville。
AtthatmomentitoccurredtoyoungVinetashelookedroundthesalon，sofullofthelesserbourgeoisie，thatitmightbeashrewdthingtomagnifythatparticularclass；andhethereuponenlargeduponthemeaningoftheyoungProvencalbarrister，declaringthatmensohonoredbytheconfidenceofthegovernmentshouldimitateroyaltyandencourageamagnificencesurpassingthatoftheformercourt。Itwasfolly，hesaid，tolaybytheemolumentsofanoffice。Besides，coulditbedone，inParisespecially，wherecostsoflivinghadtrebled，——
theapartmentofamagistrate，forinstance，costingthreethousandfrancsayear？
"Myfather，"hesaidinconclusion，"allowsmethreethousandfrancsayear，andthat，withmysalary，barelyallowsmetomaintainmyrank。"
Whentheyoungsubstituterodeboldlyintothisbog—hole，theProvencal，whohadslylyenticedhimthere，exchanged，withoutbeingobserved，awinkwithDutocq，whowasjustthenwaitingfortheplaceofaplayeratbouillotte。
"Thereissuchademandforoffices，"remarkedthelatter，"thattheytalkofcreatingtwojusticesofthepeacetoeacharrondissementinordertomakeadozennewclerkships。Asiftheycouldinterferewithourrightsandoursalaries，whichalreadyrequireanexhorbitanttax！"
"IhavenotyethadthepleasureofhearingyouatthePalais，"saidVinettoMonsieurdelaPeyrade。
"Iamadvocateforthepoor，andIpleadonlybeforethejusticeofpeace，"repliedlaPeyrade。
MademoiselleThuillier，asshelistenedtoyoungVinet’stheoryofthenecessityofspendinganincome，assumedadistantairandmanner，thesignificanceofwhichwaswellunderstoodbyDutocqandtheyoungProvencal。VinetleftthehouseincompanywithMinardandJulientheadvocate，sothatthebattle—fieldbeforethefire—placewasabandonedtolaPeyradeandDutocq。
"Theupperbourgeoisie，"saidDutocqtoThuillier，"willbehave，infuture，exactlyliketheoldaristocracy。Thenobilitywantedgirlswithmoneytomanuretheirlands，andtheparvenusofto—daywantthesametofeathertheirnests。"
"That’sexactlywhatMonsieurThuillierwassayingtomethismorning，"remarkedlaPeyrade，boldly。
"Vinet’sfather，"saidDutocq，"marriedaDemoiselledeChargeboeufandhascaughttheopinionsofthenobility；hewantsafortuneatanyprice；hiswifespendsmoneyregally。"
"Oh！"saidThuillier，inwhomthejealousybetweenthetwoclassesofthebourgeoisiewasfullyroused，"takeofficesawayfromthosefellowsandthey’dfallbackwheretheycame。"
Mademoisellewasknittingwithsuchprecipitoushastethatsheseemedtobepropelledbyasteam—engine。
"Takemyplace，MonsieurDutocq，"saidMadameMinard，rising。"Myfeetarecold，"sheadded，goingtothefire，wherethegoldenornamentsofherturbanmadefireworksinthelightoftheSaint—Aurorawax—candlesthatwerestrugglingvainlytolightthevastsalon。
"Heisverysmallfry，thatyoungsubstitute，"saidMadameMinard，glancingatMademoiselleThuillier。
"Smallfry！"criedlaPeyrade。"Ah，madame！howwitty！"
"Butmadamehassolongaccustomedustothatsortofthing，"saidthehandsomeThuillier。
MadameCollevillewasexamininglaPeyradeandcomparinghimwithyoungPhellion，whowasjustthentalkingtoCeleste，neitherofthempayinganyheedtowhatwasgoingonaroundthem。Thisis，certainly，therightmomenttodepictthesingularpersonagewhowasdestinedtoplayasignalpartintheThuillierhousehold，andwhofullydeservestheappellationofagreatartist。
CHAPTERV
APRINCIPALPERSONAGE
ThereexistsinProvence，especiallyaboutAvignon，araceofmenwithblondorchestnuthair，fairskin，andeyesthatarealmosttender，theirpupilscalm，feeble，orlanguishing，ratherthankeen，ardent，orprofound，astheyusuallyareintheeyesofSoutherners。Letusremark，inpassing，thatamongCorsicans，aracesubjecttofitsofangeranddangerousirascibility，weoftenmeetwithfairskinsandphysicalnaturesofthesameapparenttranquillity。Thesepalemen，ratherstout，withsomewhatdimandhazyeyeseithergreenorblue，aretheworstspeciesofhumanityinProvence；andCharles—Marie—
TheodosedelaPeyradepresentsafinetypeofthatrace，theconstitutionofwhichdeservescarefulexaminationonthepartofmedicalscienceandphilosophicalphysiology。Thererises，attimes，withinsuchmen，aspeciesofbile，——abittergall，whichfliestotheirheadandmakesthemcapableofferociousactions，done，apparently，incoldblood。Beingtheresultofaninwardintoxication，thissortofdumbviolenceseemstobeirreconcilablewiththeirquasi—lymphaticoutwardman，andthetranquillityoftheirbenignantglance。
BornintheneighborhoodofAvignon，theyoungProvencalwhosenamewehavejustmentionedwasofmiddleheight，well—proportioned，andratherstout；thetoneofhisskinhadnobrilliancy；itwasneitherlividnordead—white，norcolored，butgelatinous，——thatwordcanalonegiveatrueideaoftheflabby，huelessenvelope，beneathwhichwereconcealednervesthatwerelessvigorousthancapableofenormousresistanceatcertaingivenmoments。Hiseyes，ofapalecoldblue，expressedintheirordinaryconditionaspeciesofdeceptivesadness，whichmusthavehadgreatcharmsforwomen。Theforehead，finelycut，wasnotwithoutdignity，anditharmonizedwellwiththesoft，lightchestnuthaircurlingnaturally，butslightly，atitstips。Thenose，preciselylikethatofahuntingdog，flatandfurrowedatthetip，inquisitive，intelligent，searching，alwaysonthescent，insteadofexpressinggood—humor，wasironicalandmocking；butthisparticularaspectofhisnaturenevershoweditselfopenly；theyoungmanmusthaveceasedtowatchhimself，hemusthaveflownintofurybeforethepowercametohimtoflashoutthesarcasmandthewitwhichembittered，tenfold，hisinfernalhumor。Themouth，thecurvinglinesandpomegranate—coloredlipsofwhichwereverypleasing，seemedtheadmirableinstrumentofanorganthatwasalmostsweetinitsmiddletones，whereitsownerusuallykeptit，butwhich，initshigherkey，vibratedontheearlikethesoundofagong。Thisfalsettowasthevoiceofhisnervesandhisanger。Hisface，keptexpressionlessbyaninwardcommand，wasovalinform。Hismanners，inharmonywiththesacerdotalcalmnessoftheface，werereservedandconventional；buthehadsupple，pliantwayswhich，thoughtheyneverdescendedtowheedling，werenotlackinginseduction；althoughassoonashisbackwasturnedtheircharmseemedinexplicable。Charm，whenittakesitsriseintheheart，leavesdeepandlastingtraces；thatwhichismerelyaproductofart，orofeloquence，hasonlyapassingpower；itproducesitsimmediateeffect，andthatisall。Buthowmanyphilosophersarethereinlifewhoareabletodistinguishthedifference？Almostalwaysthetrickisplayed（touseapopularexpression）beforetheordinaryrunofmenhaveperceiveditsmethods。
Everythingaboutthisyoungmanoftwenty—sevenwasinharmonywithhischaracter；heobeyedhisvocationbycultivatingphilanthropy，——
theonlyexpressionwhichexplainsthephilanthropist。TheodoselovedthePeople，forhelimitedhisloveforhumanity。Likethehorticulturistwhodevoteshimselftoroses，ordahlias，orheart’s—
ease，orgeraniums，andpaysnoattentiontotheplantshisfancyhasnotselected，sothisyoungLaRochefoucault—Liancourtgavehimselftotheworkingmen，theproletariatandthepaupersofthefaubourgsSaint—JacquesandSaint—Marceau。Thestrongman，themanofgeniusatbay，theworthypoorofthebourgeoisclass，hecutthemofffromthebosomofhischarity。Theheartofallpersonswithamaniaislikethoseboxeswithcompartments，inwhichsugarplumsarekeptinsorts：
"suumcuiquetribuere"istheirmotto；theymeasuretoeachdutyitsdose。Therearesomephilanthropistswhopitynothingbutthemancondemnedtodeath。Vanityiscertainlythebasisofphilanthropy；butinthecaseofthisProvencalitwascalculation，apredeterminedcourse，a"liberal"anddemocratichypocrisy，playedwithaperfectionthatnootheractorwilleverattain。
Theodosedidnotattacktherich；hecontentedhimselfwithnotunderstandingthem；heenduredthem；everyone，inhisopinion，oughttoenjoythefruitsofhislabor。Hehadbeen，hesaid，aferventdiscipleofSaint—Simon，butthatmistakemustbeattributedtohisyouth：modernsocietycouldhavenootherbasisthanheredity。AnardentCatholic，likeallmenfromtheComtat，hewenttotheearliestmorningmasses，andthusconcealedhispiety。Likeotherphilanthropists，hepractisedasordideconomy，andgavetothepoorhistime，hislegaladvice，hiseloquence，andsuchmoneyasheextractedforthemfromtherich。Hisclothes，alwaysofblackcloth，werewornuntiltheseamsbecamewhite。NaturehaddoneagreatdealforTheodoseinnotgivinghimthatfinemanlySouthernbeautywhichcreatesinothersanimaginaryexpectation，towhichitismorethandifficultforamantorespond。Asitwas，hecouldbewhatsuitedhimatthemoment，——anagreeablemanoraveryordinaryone。Never，sincehisadmissiontotheThuilliers’，hadheventured，tillthisevening，toraisehisvoiceandspeakasdogmaticallyashehadriskeddoingtoOlivierVinet；butperhapsTheodosedelaPeyradewasnotsorrytoseizetheopportunitytocomeoutfromtheshadeinwhichhehadhithertokepthimself。Besides，itwasnecessarytogetridoftheyoungsubstitute，justastheMinardshadpreviouslyruinedthehopesofMonsieurGodeschal。Likeallsuperiormen（forhecertainlyhadsomesuperiority），Vinethadneverloweredhimselftothepointwherethethreadsofthesebourgeoisspider—websbecamevisibletohim，andhehadthereforeplunged，likeafly，headforemost，intothealmostinvisibletraptowhichTheodoseinveigledhim。
Tocompletethisportraitofthepoorman’slawyerwemusthererelatethecircumstancesofhisfirstarrivalattheThuilliers’。
TheodosecametolodgeinMademoiselleThuillier’shousetowardthecloseoftheyear1837。Hehadtakenhisdegreeaboutfiveyearsearlier，andhadkeptthepropernumberoftermstobecomeabarrister。Circumstances，however，aboutwhichhesaidnothing，hadinterferedtopreventhisbeingcalledtothebar；hewas，therefore，stillalicentiate。Butsoonafterhewasinstalledinthelittleapartmentonthethirdfloor，withthefurniturerigorouslyrequiredbyallmembersofhisnobleprofession，——fortheguildofbarristersadmitsnobrotherunlesshehasasuitablestudy，alegallibrary，andcanthus，asitwere，verifyhisclaims，——TheodosedelaPeyradebegantopractiseasabarristerbeforetheRoyalCourtofParis。
Thewholeoftheyear1838wasemployedinmakingthischangeinhiscondition，andheledamostregularlife。Hestudiedathomeinthemorningstilldinner—time，goingsometimestothePalaisforimportantcases。HavingbecomeveryintimatewithDutocq（soDutocqsaid），hedidcertainservicestothepoorofthefaubourgSaint—Jacqueswhowerebroughttohisnoticebythatofficial。Hepleadedtheircasesbeforethecourt，afterbringingthemtothenoticeoftheattorneys，who，accordingtothestatutesoftheirorder，areobligedtotaketurnsindoingbusinessforthepoor。AsTheodosewascarefultopleadonlysafecases，hewonthemall。Thosepersonswhomhethusobligedexpressedtheirgratitudeandtheiradmiration，inspiteoftheyounglawyer’sadmonitions，amongtheirownclass，andtotheportersofprivatehouses，throughwhommanyanecdotesrosetotheearsoftheproprietors。Delightedtohaveintheirhouseatenantsoworthyandsocharitable，theThuillierswishedtoattracthimtotheirsalon，andtheyquestionedDutocqabouthim。Themayor’sclerkrepliedastheenviousreply；whiledoingjusticetotheyoungmanhedweltonhisremarkableavarice，whichmight，however，betheeffectofpoverty。
"Ihavehadotherinformationabouthim。HebelongstothePeyrades，anoldfamilyofthe’comtat’ofAvignon；hecameheretowardtheendof1829，toinquireaboutanunclewhosefortunewassaidtobeconsiderable；hediscoveredtheaddressoftheoldmanonlythreedaysbeforehisdeath；andthefurnitureofthedeceasedmerelysufficedtoburyhimandpayhisdebts。Afriendofthisuselessunclegaveacoupleofhundredlouistothepoorfortune—hunter，advisinghimtofinishhislegalstudiesandenterthejudiciarycareer。ThosetwohundredlouissupportedhimforthreeyearsinParis，wherehelivedlikeananchorite。Butbeingunabletodiscoverhisunknownfriendandbenefactor，thepoorstudentwasinabjectdistressin1833。Heworkedthen，likesomanyotherlicentiates，inpoliticsandliterature，bywhichhekepthimselfforatimeabovewant——forhehadnothingtoexpectfromhisfamily。Hisfather，theyoungestbrotherofthedeaduncle，haselevenotherchildren，wholiveonasmallestatecalledLesCanquoelles。Hefinallyobtainedaplaceonaministerialnewspaper，themanagerofwhichwasthefamousCerizet，socelebratedforthepersecutionshemetwith，undertheRestoration，onaccountofhisattachmenttotheliberals，——amanwhomthenewLeftwillneverforgiveforhavingmadehispaperministerial。Asthegovernmentofthesedaysdoesverylittletoprotectevenitsmostdevotedservants（witnesstheGisquetaffair），therepublicanshaveendedbyruiningCerizet。ItellyouthistoexplainhowitisthatCerizetisnowacopyingclerkinmyoffice。Well，inthedayswhenheflourishedasmanagingeditorofapaperdirectedbythePerierministryagainsttheincendiaryjournals，the’Tribune’andothers，Cerizet，whoisaworthyfellowafterall，thoughheistoofondofwomen，pleasure，andgoodliving，wasveryusefultoTheodose，whoeditedthepoliticaldepartmentofthepaper；andifithadn’tbeenforthedeathofCasimirPerierthatyoungmanwouldcertainlyhavereceivedanappointmentassubstitutejudgeinParis。Asitwas，hedroppedbackin1834—35，inspiteofhistalent；forhisconnectionwithaministerialjournalofcoursedidhimharm。’Ifithadnotbeenformyreligiousprinciples，’hesaidtome，’IshouldhavethrownmyselfintotheSeine。’However，itseemsthatthefriendofhisunclemusthaveheardofhisdistress，foragainhesenthimasumofmoney；
enoughtocompletehistermsforthebar；but，strangetosay，hehasneverknownthenameortheaddressofthismysteriousbenefactor。
Afterall，perhaps，undersuchcircumstances，hiseconomyisexcusable，andhemusthavegreatstrengthofmindtorefusewhatthepoordevilswhosecaseshewinsbyhisdevotionofferhim。Heisindignantatthewayotherlawyersspeculateonthepossibilityorimpossibilityofpoorcreatures，unjustlysued，payingforthecostsoftheirdefence。Oh！he’llsucceedintheend。Ishouldn’tbesurprisedtoseethatfellowinsomeverybrilliantposition；hehastenacity，honesty，andcourage。Hestudies，hedelves。"
Notwithstandingthefavorwithwhichhewasgreeted，laPeyradewentdiscreetlytotheThuilliers’。Whenreproachedforthisreservehewentoftener，andendedbyappearingeverySunday；hewasinvitedtoalldinner—parties，andbecameatlastsofamiliarinthehousethatwheneverhecametoseeThuillieraboutfouro’clockhewasalwaysrequestedtotake"pot—luck"withoutceremony。MademoiselleThuillierusedtosay：——
"Thenweknowthathewillgetagooddinner，poorfellow！"
Asocialphenomenonwhichhascertainlybeenobserved，butnever，asyet，formulated，or，ifyoulikeitbetter，published，thoughitfullydeservestoberecorded，isthereturnofhabits，mind，andmannerstoprimitiveconditionsincertainpersonswho，betweenyouthandoldage，haveraisedthemselvesabovetheirfirstestate。ThusThuillierhadbecome，oncemore，morallyspeaking，thesonofaconcierge。Henowmadeuseofmanyofhisfather’sjokes，andalittleoftheslimeofearlydayswasbeginningtoappearonthesurfaceofhisdeclininglife。Aboutfiveorsixtimesamonth，whenthesoupwasrichandgoodhewoulddeposithisspooninhisemptyplateandsay，asifthepropositionwereentirelynovel：——
"That’sbetterthanakickontheshin—bone！"
OnhearingthatwitticismforthefirsttimeTheodose，towhomitwasreallynew，laughedsoheartilythatthehandsomeThuillierwastickledinhisvanityashehadneverbeenbefore。Afterthat，Theodosegreetedthesamespeechwithaknowinglittlesmile。ThisslightdetailwillexplainhowitwasthatonthemorningofthedaywhenTheodosehadhispassageatarmswithVinethehadsaidtoThuillier，astheywerewalkinginthegardentoseetheeffectofafrost：——
"Youhavemuchmorewitthanyougiveyourselfcreditfor。"
Towhichhereceivedthisanswer：——
"Inanyothercareer，mydearTheodose，Ishouldhavemademywaynobly；butthefalloftheEmperorbrokemyneck。"
"Thereisstilltime，"saidtheyounglawyer。"Inthefirstplace，whatdidthatmountebank，Colleville，everdotogetthecross？"
TherelaPeyradelaidhisfingeronasorewoundwhichThuillierhidfromeveryeyesocarefullythatevenhissisterdidnotknowofit；
buttheyoungman，interestedinstudyingthesebourgeois，haddivinedthesecretenvythatgnawedattheheartoftheex—official。
"Ifyou，experiencedasyouare，willdothehonortofollowmyadvice，"addedthephilanthropist，"and，aboveall，notmentionourcompacttoanyone，IwillundertaketohaveyoudecoratedwiththeLegionofhonor，totheapplauseofthewholequarter。"
"Oh！ifwesucceedinthat，"criedThuillier，"youdon’tknowwhatI
woulddoforyou。"
ThisexplainswhyThuilliercarriedhisheadhighwhenTheodosehadtheaudacitythateveningtoputopinionsintohismouth。
Inart——andperhapsMolierehadplacedhypocrisyintherankofartbyclassingTartuffeforeveramongcomedians——thereexistsapointofperfectiontowhichgeniusaloneattains；meretalentfallsbelowit。
Thereissolittledifferencebetweenaworkofgeniusandaworkoftalent，thatonlymenofgeniuscanappreciatethedistancethatseparatesRaffaellefromCorreggio，TitianfromRubens。Morethanthat；commonmindsareeasilydeceivedonthispoint。Thesignofgeniusisacertainappearanceoffacility。Infact，itsworkmustappear，atfirstsight，ordinary，sonaturalisit，evenonthehighestsubjects。Manypeasant—womenholdtheirchildrenasthefamousMadonnaintheDresdengalleryholdshers。Well，theheightofartinamanoflaPeyrade’sforcewastoobligeotherstosayofhimlater：
"Everybodywouldhavebeentakeninbyhim。"
Now，inthesalonThuillier，henotedadawningopposition；heperceivedinCollevillethesomewhatclear—sightedandcriticisingnatureofanartistwhohasmissedhisvocation。ThebarristerfelthimselfdispleasingtoColleville，who（astheresultofcircumstancesnotnecessarytoherereport）consideredhimselfjustifiedinbelievinginthescienceofanagrams。Noneofthisanagramshadeverfailed。Theclerksinthegovernmentofficehadlaughedathimwhen，demandingananagramonthenameofthepoorhelplessAuguste—Jean—
FrancoisMinard，hehadproduced，"J’amassaiunesigrandefortune"；
andtheeventhadjustifiedhimafterthelapseoftenyears！
Theodose，onseveraloccasions，hadmadeadvancestothejovialsecretaryofthemayor’soffice，andhadfelthimselfrebuffedbyacoldnesswhichwasnotnaturalinsosociableaman。Whenthegameofbouillottecametoanend，CollevilleseizedthemomenttodrawThuillierintotherecessofawindowandsaytohim：——
"Youarelettingthatlawyergettoomuchfootholdinyourhouse；hekepttheballinhisownhandsalltheevening。"
"Thankyou，myfriend；forewarnedisforearmed，"repliedThuillier，inwardlyscoffingatColleville。
Theodose，whowastalkingatthemomenttoMadameColleville，hadhiseyeonthetwomen，and，withthesamepresciencebywhichwomenknowwhenandhowtheyarespokenof，heperceivedthatCollevillewastryingtoinjurehiminthemindoftheweakandsillyThuillier。
"Madame，"hesaidinFlavie’sear，"ifanyonehereiscapableofappreciatingyouitiscertainlyI。Youseemtomeapearldroppedintothemire。Yousayyouareforty—two，butawomanisnoolderthanshelooks，andmanywomenofthirtywouldbethankfultohaveyourfigureandthatnoblecountenance，wherelovehaspassedwithouteverfillingthevoidinyourheart。YouhavegivenyourselftoGod，I
know，andIhavetoomuchreligionmyselftoregretit，butIalsoknowthatyouhavedonesobecausenohumanbeinghasprovedworthyofyou。Youhavebeenloved，butyouhaveneverbeenadored——Ihavedivinedthat。Thereisyourhusband，whohasnotknownhowtopleaseyouinapositioninkeepingwithyourdeserts。Hedislikesme，asifhethoughtIlovedyou；andhepreventsmefromtellingyouofawaythatIthinkIhavefoundtoplaceyouinthesphereforwhichyouweredestined。No，madame，"hecontinued，rising，"theAbbeGondrinwillnotpreachthisyearthroughLentatourhumbleSaint—JacquesduHaut—Pas；thepreacherwillbeMonsieurd’Estival，acompatriotofmine，andyouwillhearinhimoneofthemostimpressivespeakersthatIhaveeverknown，——apriestwhoseoutwardappearanceisnotagreeable，but，oh！whatasoul！"
"Thenmydesirewillbegratified，"saidpoorMadameThuillier。"I
haveneveryetbeenabletounderstandafamouspreacher。"
AsmileflickeredonthelipsofMademoiselleThuillierandseveralotherswhoheardtheremark。
"Theydevotethemselvestoomuchtotheologicaldemonstration，"saidTheodose。"Ihavelongthoughtsomyself——butInevertalkreligion；
ifithadnotbeenforMadameDEColleville，I——"