"YoushouldjusthaveseenthatTartuffe！"continuedMinard。"Hehadnosoonergoneoutthanhereturned，bringingthenews。Aseverybodywaslongingtogetaway，therefollowedageneralhelter—skelter。Andthenwhatdoesourmando？HegoesbacktoMadameLambert，whowascryingthatshewasruined！shewaslost！——whichmightverywellbetrue，butitmightalsobeonlyascenearrangedbetweentheminpresenceofthecompany，whomthewoman’soutcriesdetainedintheantechamber。’Don’tbeanxious，mygoodwoman，’saidlaPeyrade；’theinvestmentwasmadeatyourrequest，consequently，Ioweyounothing；
　　BUTitisenoughthatthemoneypassedthroughmyhandstomakemyconsciencetellmeIamresponsible。Ifthenotary’sassetsarenotenoughtopayyouIwilldoso。’"
　　"Yes，"saidPhellion，"thatwasmyideaasyoutoldit；theintermediaryisoroughttoberesponsible。IshouldnothavehesitatedtodoasMonsieurdelaPeyradedid，andIdonotthinkthataftersuchconductasthatheoughttobetaxedwithJesuitism。"
　　"Yes，youwouldhavedoneso，"saidMinard，"andsoshouldI，butweshouldn’thavedoneitwithabrassband；weshouldhavepaidourmoneyquietly，likegentlemen。Butthiselectoralmanager，howishegoingtopayit？Outofthe’dot’？"
　　AtthismomentthelittlepageenteredtheroomandgavealettertoFelixPhellion。ItcamefromperePicot，andwaswrittenathisdictationbyMadameLambert，forwhichreasonwewillnotreproducetheorthography。ThewritingofMadameLambertwasofthosethatcanneverbeforgottenwhenonceseen。Recognizingitinstantly，Felixhastenedtosay：——
　　"Aletterfromtheprofessor"；then，beforebreakingtheseal，headded，"Willyoupermitme，Monsieurlemaire。"
　　"He’llrateyoufinely，"saidMinard，laughing。"Ineversawanythingsocomicalashiswrathlastnight。"
　　Felix，ashereadtheletter，smiledtohimself。Whenhehadfinishedit，hepassedittohisfather，saying：——
　　"Readitaloudifyoulike。"
　　Whereupon，withhissolemnvoiceandmanner，Phellionreadasfollows：——
　　MydearFelix，——Ihavejustreceivedyournote；itcameinthenickoftime，forIwas，astheysay，inafurywithyou。Youtellmethatyouwereguiltyofthatabuseofconfidence（aboutwhichI
　　intendedtowriteyouapieceofmymind）inordertogiveaknock—downblowtomyrelationsbyprovingthatamancapableofmakingsuchcomplicatedcalculationsasyourdiscoveryrequiredwasnotamantoputinalunaticasylumordragbeforeajudiciarycouncil。Thatargumentpleasesme，anditmakessuchagoodanswertotheinfamousproceedingsofmyrelationsthatI
　　praiseyouforhavinghadtheidea。Butyousoldittome，thatargument，prettydearwhenyouputmeincompanywithastar，foryouknowverywellTHATpropinquitywouldn’tpleasemeatall。Itisnotatmyage，andaftersolvingthegreatproblemofperpetualmotion，thatamancouldtakeupwithsuchrubbishasthat，——goodonlyforboysandgreenhornslikeyou；andthatiswhatIhavetakenthelibertythismorningtogoandtelltheministerofpublicinstruction，bywhomImustsayIwasreceivedwiththemostperfecturbanity。Iaskedhimtoseewhether，ashehadmadeamistakeandsentthemtothewrongaddress，hecouldnottakebackhiscrossandhispension，——thoughtobesure，asItoldhim，Ideservedthemforotherthings。
　　"Thegovernment，"hereplied，"isnotinthehabitofmakingmistakes；whatitdoesisalwaysproperlydone，anditneverannulsanordinancesignedbythehandofhisMajesty。YourgreatlaborshavedeservedthetwofavorstheKinghasgrantedyou；itisalong—standingdebt，whichIamhappytopayoffinhisname。"
　　"ButFelix？"Isaid；"becauseafterallforayoungmanitisnotsuchabaddiscovery。"
　　"MonsieurFelixPhellion，"repliedtheminister，"willreceiveinthecourseofthedayhisappointmenttotherankofChevalieroftheLegionofhonor；Iwillhaveitsignedthismorningbytheking。Moreover，thereisavacantplaceattheAcademyofSciences，andifyouarenotacandidateforit——"
　　"I，intheAcademy！"Iinterrupted，withthefranknessofspeechyouknowIalwaysuse；"Iexecrateacademies；theyarestiflers，extinguishers，assemblagesofsloths，idlers，shopswithbigsignsandnothingtosellinside——"
　　"Well，then，"saidtheminister，smiling，"IthinkthatatthenextelectionMonsieurFelixPhellionwillhaveeverychance，andamongthosechancesIcounttheinfluenceofthegovernmentwhichissecuredtohim。"
　　There，mypoorboy，isallthatIhavebeenabletodotorewardyourgoodintentionsandtoprovetoyouthatIamnolongerangry。Ithinktherelationsaregoingtopullalongface。Comeandtalkaboutitto—dayatfouro’clock，——forIdon’tdineafterbedtime，asIsawsomepeopledoinglastnightinahousewhereI
　　hadoccasiontomentionyourtalentsinamannerthatwasveryadvantageoustoyou。MadameLambert，whodoesbetterwithasaucepanthanwithpenandink，shalldistinguishherself，thoughitisFriday，andsheneverletsmeoffafastday。Butshehaspromisedusafishdinnerworthyofanarchbishop，withafinehalf—bottleofchampagne（doubledifneedbe）towashitdown。
　　Youroldprofessorandfriend，Picot（Nepomucene），ChevalieroftheLegionofhonor。
　　P。S。——Doyouthinkyoucouldobtainfromyourrespectablemotheralittleflaskofthatoldandexcellentcognacyouoncegaveme？
　　Notadropremains，andyesterdayIwasforcedtodrinksomestuffonlyfittobathehorses’feet，asIdidnothesitatetosaytothebeautifulHebewhoservedittome。
　　"Ofcourseheshallhavesome，"saidMadamePhellion；"notaflask，butagallon。"
　　"AndI，"saidMinard，"whopiquemyselfonmine，whichdidn’tcomefromBrigitte’sgrocereither，I’llsendhimseveralbottles；butdon’ttellhimwhosentthem，Monsieurlechevalier，foryounevercantellhowthatsingularbeingwilltakethings。"
　　"Wife，"saidPhellion，suddenly，"getmemyblackcoatandawhitecravat。"
　　"Whereareyougoing？"askedMadamePhellion。"Totheminister，tothankhim？"
　　"Bringme，Isay，thosearticlesofhabiliment。Ihaveanimportantvisittomake；andMonsieurlemairewill，Iknow，excuseme。"
　　"Imyselfmustbeoff，"saidMinard。"I，too，haveimportantbusiness，thoughitisn’taboutastar。"
　　QuestionedinvainbyFelixandhiswife，Phellioncompletedhisattirewithapairofwhitegloves，sentforacarriage，and，attheendofhalfanhour，enteredthepresenceofBrigitte，whomhefoundpresidingoverthecarefulputtingawayofthechina，glass，andsilverwhichhadperformedtheirseveralfunctionsthenightbefore。
　　Leavingthesehousekeepingdetails，shereceivedhervisitor。
　　"Well，papaPhellion，"shesaid，whentheywerebothseatedinthesalon，"youbrokeyourwordyesterday；youwereluckierthantherest。
　　Doyouknowwhatatrickthatnotaryplayedus？"
　　"Iknowall，"saidPhellion；"anditisthecheckthusunexpectedlygiventotheexecutionofyourplansthatIshalltakeforthetextofanimportantconversationwhichIdesiretohavewithyou。SometimesProvidencewouldseemtotakepleasureincounteractingourbest—laidschemes；sometimes，also，bymeansoftheobstaclesitraisesinourpath，itseemstointendtoindicatethatwearebearingtoofartotherightortotheleft，andshouldpausetoreflectuponourway。"
　　"Providence！"saidBrigittethestrong—minded，——"Providencehassomethingelsetodothantolookafterus。"
　　"Thatisoneopinion，"saidPhellion；"butImyselfamaccustomedtoseeitsdecreesinthelittleaswellasthegreatthingsoflife；andcertainly，ifithadallowedthefulfilmentofyourengagementswithMonsieurdelaPeyradetobeevenpartiallybegunyesterday，youwouldnothaveseenmehereto—day。"
　　"Then，"saidBrigitte，"doyouthinkthatbydefaultofanotarythemarriagewillnottakeplace？Theydosaythatforwantofamonktheabbeywon’tcometoastandstill。"
　　"Dearlady，"saidthegreatcitizen，"youwilldomethejusticetofeelthatneitherI，normywife，haveeverattemptedtoinfluenceyourdecision；wehaveallowedouryoungpeopletoloveeachotherwithoutmuchconsiderationastowherethatattachmentwouldlead——"
　　"Itledtoupsettingtheirminds，"saidBrigitte；"that’swhatloveis，andthat’swhyIdeprivedmyselfofit。"
　　"Whatyousayis，indeed，trueofmyunfortunateson，"resumedPhellion；"for，notwithstandingthenobledistractionshehasendeavoredtogivetohissorrow，heisto—daysomiserablyovercomebyitthatthismorning，inspiteoftheglorioussuccesshehasjustobtained，hewasspeakingtomeofundertakingavoyageofcircumnavigationaroundtheglobe，——arashenterprisewhichwoulddetainhimfromhisnativelandatleastthreeyears，if，indeed，heescapedthedangersofsoprolongedajourney。"
　　"Well，"saidBrigitte，"itisn’tabadidea；he’llreturnconsoled，havingdiscoveredthreeorfourmorenewstars。"
　　"Hispresentdiscoverysuffices，"saidPhellion，withdoublehisordinarygravity，"anditisundertheauspicesofthattriumph，whichhasplacedhisnameatsogreataheightinthescientificworld，thatIhavetheassurancetosaytoyou，point—blank：Mademoiselle，Ihavecometoaskyou，onbehalfofmyson，wholovesasheisbeloved，forthehandinmarriageofMademoiselleCelesteColleville。"
　　"But，mydearman，"repliedBrigitte，"itistoolate；rememberthatweareDIAMETRICALLYengagedtolaPeyrade。"
　　"Itisnever，theysay，toolatetodowell，andyesterdayitwouldhavebeeninmyjudgmenttooearly。Myson，havingtoofferanequivalentforafortune，couldnotsaytoyouuntilto—day：’ThoughCeleste，byyourgenerosityhasa"dot"whichmineisfarfromequalling，yetIhavethehonortobeamemberoftheRoyalorderoftheLegionofhonor，andshortly，accordingtoappearance，IshallbeamemberoftheRoyalAcademyofSciences，oneofthefivebranchesoftheInstitute。’"
　　"Certainly，"saidBrigitte；"Felixisgettingtobeaveryprettymatch，butwehavepassedourwordtolaPeyrade；thebannsarepublishedatthemayor’soffice，andunlesssomethingextraordinaryhappensthecontractwillbesigned。LaPeyradeisverybusyaboutThuillier’selection，whichhehasnowgotintogoodshape；wehavecapitalengagedwithhimintheaffairofthisnewspaper；anditwouldbeimpossibletogobackonourpromise，evenifwewishedtodoso。"
　　"So，"saidPhellion，"inoneoftherareoccasionsoflifewhenreasonandinclinationblendtogether，youthinkyoumustbeguidedsolelybythequestionofmaterialinterests。Celeste，asweknow，hasnoinclinationforMonsieurdelaPeyrade。BroughtupwithFelix——"
　　"BroughtupwithFelix！"interruptedBrigitte。"ShewasgivenaperiodoftimetochoosebetweenMonsieurdelaPeyradeandyourson，——that’showwecoerceher，ifyouplease，——andshewouldnottakeMonsieurFelix，whoseatheismistoowellknown。"
　　"Youaremistaken，mademoiselle，mysonisnotanatheist；forVoltairehimselfdoubtediftherecouldbeatheists；andnolaterthanyesterday，inthishouse，anecclesiastic，asadmirableforhistalentsasforhisvirtues，aftermakingamagnificenteulogyofmyson，expressedthedesiretoknowhim。"
　　"Parbleu！yes，toconverthim，"saidBrigitte。"Butasforthismarriage，Iamsorrytotellyouthatthemustardismadetoolateforthedinner；ThuillierwillneverrenouncehislaPeyrade。"
　　"Mademoiselle，"saidPhellion，rising，"IfeelnohumiliationfortheuselessstepIhavethisdaytaken；Idonotevenaskyoutokeepitsecret，forIshallmyselfmentionittoourfriendsandacquaintances。"
　　"Tellittowhomyoulike，mygoodman，"repliedBrigitte，acrimoniously。"Becauseyoursonhasdiscoveredastar，——if，indeed，hediddiscoverit，andnotthatoldfoolthegovernmentdecorated——doyouexpecthimtomarryadaughteroftheKingoftheFrench？"
　　"Enough，"saidPhellion，"wewillsaynomore。Imightanswerthat，withoutdepreciatingtheThuilliers，theOrleansfamilyseemstomemoredistinguished；butIdonotliketointroduceacerbityintotheconversation，andtherefore，beggingyoutoreceivetheassuranceofmyhumblerespects，Iretire。"
　　Sosaying，hemadehisexitmajestically，andleftBrigittewiththearrowofhiscomparison，dischargedafterthemanneroftheParthian"inextremis，"stickinginhermind，andsheherselfinatemperallthemoresavagebecausealready，theeveningbefore，MadameThuillier，aftertheguestsweregone，hadtheincredibleaudacitytosaysomethinginfavorofFelix。Needlesstorelatethatthepoorhelotwasroughlyputdownandtoldtomindherownbusiness。Butthisattemptatawillofherowninhersister—in—lawhadalreadyputtheoldmaidinavilehumor，andPhellion，comingtoreopenthesubject，exasperatedher。Josephine，thecook，andthe"maledomestic，"
　　receivedtheafter—clapofthescenewhichhadjusttakenplace。
　　Brigittefoundthatinherabsenceeverythinghadbeendonewrong，andputtingherownhandtothework，shehoistedherselfonachair，attheriskofherneck，toreachtheuppershelvesofthecloset，whereherchoicestchina，forgaladays，wascarefullykeptunderlockandkey。
　　Thisday，whichforBrigittebegansoill，was，beyondallgainsaying，oneofthestormiestandmostportentousofthisnarrative。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　ASTORMYDAY
　　Asanexacthistorian，wemustgobackandbeginthedayatsixinthemorning，whenwecanseeMadameThuilliergoingtotheMadeleinetohearthemassthattheAbbeGondrinwasinthehabitofsayingatthathour，andafterwardsapproachingtheholytable，——aviaticumwhichpioussoulsneverfailtogivethemselveswhenitisintheirmindstoaccomplishsomegreatresolution。
　　Aboutmid—daytheabbereceivedavisitinhisownhomefromMadameThuillierandCeleste。Thepoorchildwantedalittledevelopmentofthewordsbywhichthepriesthadgivensecurity，theeveningbefore，inBrigitte’ssalon，fortheeternalwelfareofFelixPhellion。Itseemedstrangetothemindofthisgirl—theologianthat，withoutpractisingreligion，asoulcouldbereceivedintogracebythedivinejustice；forsurelytheanathemaisclear：OutoftheChurchthereisnosalvation。
　　"Mydearchild，"saidtheAbbeGondrin，"learntounderstandthatsayingwhichseemstoyousoinexplicable。ItismoreasayingofthanksgivingforthosewhohavethehappinesstolivewithinthepaleofourholymothertheChurchthanamaledictionuponthosewhohavethemisfortunetoliveapartfromher。Godseestothedepthsofallhearts；HeknowsHiselect；andsogreatisthetreasureofHisgoodnessthattononeisitgiventolimititsrichesanditsmunificence。WhoshalldaretosaytoGod：Thouwiltbegenerousandmunificentsofarandnofarther。JesusChristforgavethewomaninadultery，andonthecrossHepromisedheaventoathief，inordertoprovetousthatHedealswithmen，notaccordingtohumansentiments，butaccordingtoHISwisdomandHISmercy。HewhothinkshimselfaChristianmaybeintheeyesofGodanidolator；andanotherwhoisthoughtapaganmay，byhisfeelingsandhisactionsbe，withouthisownknowledge，aChristian。Ourholyreligionhasthisthatisdivineaboutit；allgrandeur，allheroismarebutthepracticeofitsprecepts。IwassayingyesterdaytoMonsieurdelaPeyradethatpuresoulsmustbe，incourseoftime，itsinevitableconquest。Itisall—
　　importanttogivethemtheirjustcredit；thatisaconfidencewhichreturnsgreatdividends；and，besides，charitycommandsit。"
　　"Ah！myGod！"criedCeleste，"tolearnthattoolate！I，whocouldhavechosenbetweenFelixandMonsieurdelaPeyrade，anddidnotdaretofollowtheideasofmyheart！Oh！Monsieurl’abbe，couldn’tyouspeaktomymother？Youradviceisalwayslistenedto。"
　　"Impossible，mydearchild，"repliedthevicar。"IfIhadthedirectionofMadameColleville’sconscienceImightperhapssayaword，butwearesooftenaccusedofmeddlingimprudentlyinfamilymatters！Besurethatmyinterventionhere，withoutauthorityorright，woulddoyoumoreharmthangood。Itisforyouandforthosewholoveyou，"headded，givingalooktoMadameThuillier，"toseeifthesearrangements，alreadysofaradvanced，couldbechangedinthedirectionofyourwishes。"
　　Itwaswrittenthatthepoorchildwastodrinktothedregsthecupshehadherselfpreparedbyherintolerance。Astheabbefinishedspeaking，hishousekeepercameintoaskifhewouldreceiveMonsieurFelixPhellion。Thus，liketheCharterof1830，MadamedeGodollo’sofficiousfalsehoodwasturnedintotruth。
　　"Gothisway，"hesaidhastily，showinghistwopenitentsoutbyaprivatecorridor。
　　LifehassuchstrangeencountersthatitdoessometimeshappenthatthesameformofproceedingmustbeusedbycourtesansandbythemenofGod。
　　"Monsieurl’abbe，"saidFelixtotheyoungvicarassoonastheymet，"IhaveheardofthekindmannerinwhichyouweresoverygoodastospeakofmeinMonsieurThuillier’ssalonlastnight，andIshouldhavehastenedtoexpressmygratitudeifanotherinteresthadnotdrawnmetoyou。"
　　TheAbbeGondrinpassedhastilyoverthecompliments，eagertoknowinwhatwayhecouldbeusefultohisfellow—man。
　　"WithanintentionthatIwishtothinkkindly，"repliedFelix，"youwerespokentoyesterdayaboutthestateofmysoul。ThosewhoreaditsofluentlyknowmorethanIdoaboutmyinnerbeing，for，duringthelastfewdaysIhavefeltstrange，inexplicablefeelingswithinme。
　　NeverhaveIdoubtedGod，but，incontactwiththatinfinitudewherehehaspermittedmythoughttofollowthetracesofhisworkIseemtohavegatheredasenseofhimlessvague，moreimmediate；andthishasledmetoaskmyselfwhetheranhonestanduprightlifeistheonlyhomagewhichhisomnipotenceexpectsofme。Nevertheless，therearenumberlessobjectionsrisinginmymindagainsttheworshipofwhichyouaretheminister；whilesensibleofthebeautyofitsexternalforminmanyofitspreceptsandpractices，Ifindmyselfdeterredbymyreason。Ishallhavepaiddearly，perhapsbythehappinessofmywholelife，fortheslownessandwantofvigorwhichIhaveshowninseekingthesolutionofmydoubts。Ihavenowdecidedtosearchtothebottomofthem。Noonesowellasyou，Monsieurl’abbe，canhelpmetosolvethem。Ihavecomewithconfidencetolaythembeforeyou，toaskyoutolistentome，toanswerme，andtotellmebywhatstudiesI
　　canpursuethesearchforlight。Itisacruellyafflictedsoulthatappealstoyou。Isnotthatagoodgroundfortheseedofyourword？"
　　TheAbbeGondrineagerlyprotestedthejoywithwhich，notwithstandinghisowninsufficiency，hewouldundertaketoreplytothescruplesofconscienceintheyoungsavant。Afteraskinghimforaplaceinhisfriendship，andtellinghimtocomeatcertainhoursforconversation，heaskedhimtoread，asafirststep，the"Thoughts"ofPascal。A
　　naturalaffinity，onthesideofscience，would，hebelieved，beestablishedbetweenthespiritofPascalandthatoftheyoungmathematician。
　　Whilethisscenewaspassing，ascenetowhichthegreatnessoftheinterestsinquestionandthemoralandintellectualelevationofthepersonagesconcernedinitgaveacharacterofgrandeurwhich，likeallreposeful，tranquilaspects，iseasierfartocomprehendthantoreproduce，anotherscene，ofsharpandbitterdiscord，thatchronicmaladyofbourgeoishouseholds，wherethepettinessofmindsandpassionsgivesopenwaytoit，wastakingplaceintheThuillierhome。
　　Mounteduponherchair，herhairindisorderandherfaceandfingersdirty，Brigitte，dusterinhand，wascleaningtheshelvesofthecloset，whereshewasreplacingherlibraryofplates，dishes，andsauce—boats，whenFlaviecameinandaccostedher。
　　"Brigitte，"shesaid，"whenyouhavefinishedwhatyouareaboutyouhadbettercomedowntoourapartment，orelseI’llsendCelestetoyou；sheseemstometobeinclinedtomaketrouble。"
　　"Inwhatway？"askedBrigitte，continuingtodust。
　　"IthinksheandMadameThuillierwenttoseetheAbbeGondrinthismorning，andshehasbeenattackingmeaboutFelixPhellion，andtalksofhimasifhewereagod；fromthattorefusingtomarrylaPeyradeisbutastep。"
　　"Thosecursedskull—caps！"saidBrigitte；"theymeddleineverything！
　　Ididn’twanttoinvitehim，butyouwouldinsist。"
　　"Yes，"saidFlavie，"itwasproper。"
　　"Proper！Idespiseproprieties！"criedtheoldmaid。"He’samakerofspeeches；hesaidnothinglastnightthatwasn’tobjectionable。SendCelestetome；I’llsettleher。"
　　AtthisinstantaservantannouncedtoBrigittethearrivalofaclerkfromtheofficeofthenewnotarychosen，indefaultofDupuis，todrawupthecontract。Withoutconsideringherdisorderlyappearance，Brigitteorderedhimtobeshownin，butshemadehimthecondescensionofdescendingfromherperchinsteadoftalkingfromtheheightofit。
　　"MonsieurThuillier，"saidtheclerk，"cametoourofficethismorningtoexplaintothemastertheclausesofthecontracthehasbeensogoodastoentrusttous。Butbeforewritingdownthestipulations，weareinthehabitofobtainingfromthelipsofeachdonoradirectexpressionofhisorherintentions。Inaccordancewiththisrule，MonsieurThuilliertoldusthathegivestothebridethereversion，athisdeath，ofthehouseheinhabits，whichIpresumetobethisone？"
　　"Yes，"saidBrigitte，"thatistheunderstanding。Asforme，IgivethreehundredthousandfrancsayearintheThree—per—cents，capitalandinterest；butthebrideismarriedunderthedotalsystem。"
　　"Thatisso，"saidtheclerk，consultinghisnotes。"MademoiselleBrigitte，threethousandfrancsayear。Now，thereisMadameCelesteThuillier，wifeofLouis—JeromeThuillier，whogivessixthousandintheThree—per—cents，capitalandinterest，andsixthousandmoreatherdeath。"
　　"Allthatisjustasifthenotaryhadwrittenitdown，"saidBrigitte；"butifitisyourcustomyoucanseemysister—in—law；theywillshowyoutheway。"
　　Sosaying，theoldmaidorderedthe"maledomestic"totaketheclerktoMadameThuillier。
　　Amomentlatertheclerkreturned，sayingtherewascertainlysomemisunderstanding，andthatMadameThuillierdeclaredshehadnointentionofmakinganyagreementinfavorofthemarriage。
　　"That’saprettything！"criedBrigitte。"Comewithme，monsieur。"
　　Then，likeahurricane，sherushedintoMadameThuillier’schamber；
　　thelatterwaspaleandtrembling。
　　"What’sthisyouhavetoldmonsieur？——thatyougivenothingtoCeleste’s’dot’？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheslave，declaringinsurrection，althoughinashakingvoice；"myintentionistodonothing。"
　　"Yourintention，"saidBrigitte，scarletwithanger，"issomethingnew。"
　　"Thatismyintention，"wasalltherebelreplied。
　　"Atleastyouwillgiveyourreasons？"
　　"Themarriagedoesnotpleaseme。"
　　"Ha！andsincewhen？"
　　"Itisnotnecessarythatmonsieurshouldlistentoourdiscussion，"
　　saidMadameThuillier；"itwillnotappearinthecontract。"
　　"Nowonderyouareashamedofit，"saidBrigitte；"theappearanceyouaremakingisnotveryflatteringtoyou——Monsieur，"shecontinued，addressingtheclerk，"itiseasier，isitnot，tomarkoutpassagesinacontractthantoaddthem？"
　　Theclerkmadeanaffirmativesign。
　　"Thenputinwhatyouweretoldtowrite；later，ifmadamepersists，theclausecanbestrickenout。"
　　Theclerkbowedandlefttheroom。
　　Whenthetwosisters—in—lawwerealonetogether，Brigittebegan。
　　"Ahca！"shecried，"haveyoulostyourhead？Whatisthiscrotchetyou’vetakenintoit？"
　　"Itisnotacrotchet；itisafixedidea。"
　　"WhichyougotfromtheAbbeGondrin；youdarenotdenythatyouwenttoseehimwithCeleste。"
　　"ItistruethatCelesteandIsawourdirectorthismorning，butI
　　didnotopenmylipstohimaboutwhatIintendedtodo。"
　　"So，then，itisinyourownemptyheadthatthisnotionsprouted？"
　　"Yes。AsItoldyouyesterday，IthinkCelestecanbemoresuitablymarried，andmyintentionisnottorobmyselfforamarriageofwhichIdisapprove。"
　　"YOUdisapprove！Uponmyword！arewealltotakemadame’sadvice？"
　　"Iknowwell，"repliedMadameThuillier，"thatIcountfornothinginthishouse。SofarasIamconcerned，Ihavelongacceptedmyposition；but，whenthematterconcernsthehappinessofachildI
　　regardasmyown——"
　　"Parbleu！"criedBrigitte，"youneverknewhowtohaveone；for，certainly，Thuillier——"